Health Hazards of Junk Food Inadolescents Essay Example

style="text-align: justify">A study to assess the dietary patterns of a sample of 479 young people aged 13-14 years living in an inner city location in London was conducted by using an unstructured questionnaire. The results revealed that the sample’s attitude towards food and health were mixed and their involvement in domestic food choices was very limited. Majority (60%) of them reported consuming three or more snacks on the previous day, and over 33% regularly ate fast foods or take-aways at school lunch time. Analysis of food frequency data revealed that males were more likely to consume a less healthy diet than females. This study recommended that the health promotion interventions could be insisted to improve the dietary choices A study was conducted to assess meals versus snacks in terms of their contributions to total daily energy intake. Meals and snacks were assessed from seven- day profile weighed dietary records. The records were obtained from 13-14 year old adolescents (n=220). The result of the study showed that boys and girls consumed about the same percentage of their total daily energy intake as snacks (29%). Chocolates, crisps and fizzy drinks were popular snack foods in the adolescent group. This study recommended giving more concern relating to snacks with dental caries.

A study was conducted to determine the association between food habits and obesity among adolescents residing in and around Ernakulam city. A semi-structured pre-test interview schedule was administered to randomly selected 100 subjects in the age group of 17-18years. The food consumption pattern of the subjects revealed that prevalence of over weights was (24%) and a habitual skipping of breakfast was (41%), which in turn could

result in, impaired cognitive ability during school hours High popularity of junk foods and carbonated beverages was likely to precipitate obesity.

Studies Related to Factors Promoting Junk foods

A study was conducted on urbanization and media propaganda replaced traditional nutritious snacks by low-quality junk foods. In this study, 16, 418 adolescents in the age group of 13-17 years were chosen to determine their dietary intake by a food frequency questionnaire. The results showed that consumption of junk food during the preceding week was observed in 90.3% and 88.7% of urban and rural children respectively. Where as conventional snacks were consumed by 34.7% and 28% of urban and rural children. Weekly frequency of consumption of junk food was higher than major food items such as meat and eggs (9Vs3 times weekly). This study indicated that replacement of conventional snacks with industrial and processed products is attributable to industrialization and urbanization, increased media coverage and life style changes in both urban and rural regions. It is recommended that education of the parents on making wiser choices for children’s snacks, as this is a major component of their diet.

A study was conducted in Chile on increasing consumption of junk food and snacks in recent years and its association with marketing strategies. The study was conducted on 400 adolescents in the age group of 13-18 years by using questionnaire. The study showed that the availability of junk foods and snacks at low prices and marketing had triggered increased consumption of junk foods. The contribution of snacks to daily energy intake among children was increased by 30% in 1996. This study indicated that education about junk

food consumption and healthy eating habits in the family should be strengthened.

A study was conducted to determine the extent of junk food advertising influence the adolescent’s eating habits by auditing the T.V program schedule. The study found that during children’s television programs there was an average of one junk food advertisement per advertisement break. Over 99% food advertisement broadcast during children’s T.V programming was for junk food. The main categories of foods advertised were fast foods, soft drinks, ice cream and chocolate confectionary. This study showed that children watching an average amount of two and half hours of television per day would have been exposed to 406 advertisements encouraging them to eat junk food. It also found that even a 30 second exposure to food advertising could alter children’s food preferences. This high level of exposure to junk food advertising is extremely concerning.

A study was conducted in Minnesota to assess adolescents’ perception about factors influencing their food choices and eating behaviors. This study included 141 male and female adolescents in the age group of 12-19 years. A semi-structured questioning route was used. This study showed that the factors influencing food choices were taste and appearance of food, time consideration, convenience and parental influence. Other factors included mood, body image concerns, habit, and cost and media influences. Inspite of an awareness of the health consequences of eating junk foods, adolescents reported eating these foods because of their taste and convenience. Our society promotes the consumption of foods high in fat and sugar In addition, rushed life styles for parents and adolescents, leaves less time for family meals and food preparation.

A

study to determine the relationship between the presence of television during meals and children’s food consumption pattern was conducted in 91 parent- child pairs. Children were in 10-14 years age group. Non-consecutive 24-hour dietary recall was conducted with each child. The result showed that there was a significant association between television and children’s consumption of caffeine. Children from families with high television viewing derived 5% more of their energy intake from pizza, salty snacks and soda.

A survey to examine demographic, behavioral and dietary correlates of frequency of fast food restaurant use was conducted in Minnesota. A community based sample of 4746 adolescents in the age group of 12-17 years was chosen for this study. Dietary intake was assessed using a semi-quantitative food frequency questionnaire. Result of the study showed that frequency of fast food restaurant use (FFFRU) was positively associated with intake of total energy percentage from fat, daily servings of soft drinks, cheese burgers, french fries and pizza and was inversely associated with daily serving of fruit, vegetables and milk. FFFRU was also positively associated with television viewing, in house availability of unhealthy foods perceived barriers to healthy eating.

A study was conducted to investigate the influence of television publicity on school aged children’s food preferences. A semi-structured interview was applied to a representative sample of 786 school age children aged 10-14 years, living in metropolitan Santiago. The result of the study showed that 99% of school aged children watched television during weekdays and 20% watched more than 3 hours daily. Snack commercials such as potato chips, chocolates, cookies and ice creams are preferred by 35% of children. Soda commercials are

preferred by 33%. This study revealed that many of the adolescents had an unfavorable attitude towards junk foods This study indicated that the high percentage of children, watching television and the influence of commercials in their food preferences, requires an urgent educational strategy to promote healthy feeding habits.

Literature Related To Health Hazards of Junk Foods

An observational study was conducted on 1,335 boys and girls aged 12 and 15 years, to determine the association between carbonated soft drink consumption and bone mineral density in adolescence. This was a cross-sectional observation study in 36 high schools in Northern Island. Usual beverage consumption was assessed by the diet history method. The result of the study showed that higher intake of carbonated soft drinks was significantly associated with lower bone mineral density at the heel, but only in girls. This study also indicated high consumption of carbonated soft drinks during adolescence might reduce bone mineral density and increase fracture risk.

A study was conducted in USA to describe associations between dental caries and intake of beverages in children. Subjects (n-642) were in the age group of 4 to 7 years. Caries were identified during dental examinations by 2 trained and calibrated dentists. The result of the study showed that subjects with caries had higher mean intakes of regular soda pop and regular beverage consumption. The study recommended that pediatricians and dietitians be in a position to provide preventive guidance to parents of young children.

A cross sectional study to determine the possible association between carbonated beverages consumption and bone fractures among teenaged girls was conducted in USA in 460 adolescent girls. A self-

administered questionnaire relating to their personal and behavioral activities was used in this study. The result of the study showed that in total sample, carbonated beverage consumption and bone fractures are associated (odds ratio= 3.14 95% confidence limit, 1.45, 6.78, p=0.004). Among physically active girls, the cola beverages, in particular are highly associated with bone fractures (odds ratio= 4.94 95% confidence limit, 1.79, 13.62, p=0.002). The results have policy implications for improving the dietary practices and health of children.

A double blind cross over study was conducted to determine that caffeine plays an integral role in the flavor profile of soft drinks, by examining the effect of caffeine. Study was conducted in an academic Research center in USA with 25 adolescents, regular consumers of cola soft drinks. The finding showed that only 8% of a group of regular cola soft drink consumers could detect the effect of the caffeine concentration in various soft drinks. It was also found that higher the rate of consumption of caffeinated soft drinks more likely reflect the mood-altering and physical dependence- producing effect as a central nervous system active drug.

A supplemental children’s survey was conducted in USA to test the hypothesis that fast food consumption adversely affects dietary factors linked to obesity risk This study includes 6212 children and adolescents of 10-19 years old. On a typical day, 30.3% of the total sample reported consuming fast foods. Fast food consumption was highly prevalent in both genders. In addition consumption of fast foods among children in the United States seems to have an adverse effect on dietary quality in ways that possibly could increase risk of obesity. This

study recommended to concern about dietary habits as a part of preventing obesity.

A study was conducted in USA to assess the effect of selected snack foods on demineralization of enamel and dentin. A self-complete questionnaire was used in this cross sectional study for 415 adolescents in the age group of 14-15 year old. Result of the study showed that there was a significant association between dental caries and harmful snacks which ranged from 96.9% for chocolate, 92.8% for cola and 39% from sugar coated biscuits. This study recommended concern about dietary habits as a part of preventive oral health plan.

An article on food and disease showed that drinks that contain phosphorous (especially colas) could lower the level of calcium in the blood causing osteoporosis. Soda pop adds unnecessary, non-nutritious calories to the diet leads to over weight. Obesity increases the risk of diabetes and cardiovascular diseases and cause severe social and psychological problems. There was a direct relationship between phosphoric acid present in cola beverages and development of kidney stones. Caffeine present in soft drinks can cause nervousness, irritability, sleeplessness and headache. Several additives used in soft drinks cause occasional allergic reactions. High sugar diets may contribute to heart disease in people who are insulin resistant. Artificial sweeteners like saccharine and aspartame has been linked with urinary – bladder cancer.

A Study on prevalence of sustained hypertension and obesity in urban and rural school going children was conducted in Ludhiana. A total of 2467 adolescent school children aged between 11-17 years from urban area and 859 students from rural area were taken as subjects. Out of 3326 students 189 were

found to have sustained hypertension in urban area. The prevalence was 6.69% (n=165) and in rural area it was 2.565 (n=24). There were 287 (11.63%) over weight students in urban area and 44 (4.7%) in rural area. This is possibly related to their sedentary life style and consumption of junk food.

Studies Related to Effectiveness of Health Teaching Programme

A study was conducted to determine the oral hygiene knowledge, oral health status, and brushing techniques of upper primary school children in a selected school of Udupi Taluk and effectiveness of a teaching strategy on oral care. The sample of 60 children was selected by using systematic stratified sampling techniques. The finding of the study revealed that the post-test knowledge score on the oral care was more than the pre-test score. It indicates that the health teaching strategy is an effective method to improve the knowledge level of any type of population.

A study was conducted on effectiveness of PTP to 32 caregivers of bedridden neurological in-patients, on prevention of pressure sores in a selected hospital at Udupi District. The study revealed that there was a significant increase in the post-test knowledge scores (t(31)= 22.63, at 0.05 LOS) after the teaching programme.

A study was conducted to evaluate the effectiveness of PTP regarding self- care to patients with pulmonary tuberculosis in a selected TB hospital, Mangalore. The sample size was 75. The result of the study showed that a very high significant (p<0.001) difference was observed between the pre-test and post-test scores of patients with Pulmonary tuberculosis after the teaching programme, which showed the effectiveness of PTP.

A study was conducted

to evaluate the effectiveness of a PTP on postnatal care for antenatal mothers of a specific ethnic group attending a selected hospital in Kerala. A descriptive and evaluative research approach was used with one group pre- test post-test design. The sample consisted of 30 antenatal mothers admitted for delivery using purposive sampling technique. A structured interview schedule was developed by the investigator to assess the knowledge of mothers on postnatal care. The findings of the study indicated that the PTP was very effective (‘t’(29) = 30.56, p<0.001) in increasing the knowledge of antenatal mothers on post-natal care.

A study was conducted to evaluate the effectiveness of two different approaches on homecare for rehabilitation of hospitalized patients with Coronary Artery Disease (CAD) in selected hospitals in Karnataka. An evaluative approach was adopted for the study. The design was pre-experimental, pre-test-post-test design. The sample of the study consisted of 40 CAD patients who were put in two different groups. Purposive sampling technique was used for selecting the sample. The findings of the study revealed that mean post-test knowledge scores (48.5) of CAD patients were higher than mean pre-test knowledge scores (23.5) which was significant (t19= 16.5, p<0.05). The mean post-test knowledge score (54.52) of Group B patients was higher than that of pre-test knowledge score for whom group teaching was given whereas SIM was given to Group A with mean post-test knowledge score of (48.5). This study reveals that group teaching is more effective than SIM in educating CAD patients.