JUNK FOOD CONSUMPTION AND LIFESTYLE PATTERN AMONG UNDERNOURISHED CHILDREN IN JAMMU REGION
Journal Title: Journal of Evolution of Medical and Dental Sciences - Year 2018, Vol 7, Issue 50
Abstract
BACKGROUND Changing lifestyles and easy availability both have led to increased consumption of junk food amongst all age groups. Such foods and beverages have low nutrient density, provide empty calories and have minimal amount of vitamins and minerals and their regular consumption can adversely affect our health. The association of junk food with obesity and cardiovascular risk factors has been well established, but less has been talked about its association with undernutrition. Aims and Objectives- Current study was designed to assess the junk food consumption and lifestyle pattern among the underweight children. MATERIALS AND METHODS It is a prospective hospital-based study. Children aged 5-18 years, presenting to Paediatric OPD of a Medical College Hospital were screened for weight, height and BMI. Those with a BMI for age less than -2SD as per WHO BMI charts were included in the study. They were evaluated for dietary intake including junk food consumption, lifestyle pattern especially physical activity and screen time as per a predesigned proforma. The co-infections with which they presented were also evaluated. The height, weight and BMI of the parents were also recorded. RESULTS Out of the 203 study subjects, 58% were from urban areas while 42% belonged to rural area. Majority of the children belonged to the middle class with 49.2% being from upper middle class and 39.2% from lower middle class. Fast food consumption was reported as more than 4 times per week by 48.80 %, 2-4 times/week by 43.20%, at least once a week by 6.40%. 62.4 % of children reported daily intake of sweetened beverages with 44.8% reporting intake of more than one per day. 27.6% of the children reported having sweetened beverages at least 2 to 4 times in a week. Skipping of breakfast was common among school going children and observed 2-4 times/week in 49.20%, and >4 times/week by 6.0%. About 57.60% children had purchased the school lunch 2-4 times/week from canteen, 13.60% >4/week and 10.80% at least once a week. In the study subjects, approximately 52% of children spent more than the recommended 2 hrs./day on screen, 32.4% spent 1-2 hrs. on screen. About 75% of the children met the WHO recommendations for physical activity (i.e. moderate to vigorous physical activity of at least 60 minutes/day). CONCLUSION Cheap processed junk food has adversely affected the health of ordinary people. Such foods contain empty calories and hardly any vitamins, minerals or proteins and may be an important contributor to under nutrition in both upper and lower middle class where non-nutritive processed food and sugary beverages have replaced the traditional nutritious food. Both urban and rural population have fallen prey to this malady.
Authors and Affiliations
Pallavi Sharma, Ashu Jamwal, Sunil Dutt Sharma, Rattan Singh Manhas, Ghanshyam Saini, Tarundeep Kour
Keywords
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- EP ID EP550462
- DOI 10.14260/jemds/2018/1189
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