Article Type : Research Article
Authors : Acharya L
Keywords : Junk food; Health effect; Secondary level students; Food Regulation; Non-edible
The main objective of this research paper
was to find out the situation and causes of junk food and its impact on health
of students in a secondary school of Banke district. The study was descriptive
and its nature was quantitative. There are three public schools in Baijanath
Gaupalica ward no. 5. Among these public schools Prabhat Secondary School was
select by using convenience sampling method. There are 250 students studying in
class 8, 9 and 10. Among them 75 students (30 percent) were selected by using
simple random sampling method. Interview schedule was the main tool for data
collection. The study also found that 53.33 percent of the respondents used
Junk foods because junk foods are ready made foods where as 20 percent of the
respondents said junk foods save time. Majority (61.33 percent) of the
respondents often used junk foods where as 66.67 percent got junk foods from
local shops and 14.67 percent used junk foods at home. Most (93.33 percent) of
the respondents used junk foods outside school where as 73.33 percent bought
junk foods themselves and 100 percent said that the junk foods are available
near their school. The study concluded that the students in the study area had
the habit of using junk foods and they also had the impacts due to the use of
junk foods. It is recommended that different programs should be conducted by
different government and non-government organizations to impart knowledge on
the advantage and disadvantage of junk foods to the school children.
Food containing high levels of calories from sugar or fat with little proteins, vitamins or minerals is known as junk food. Use of the term implies that a particular food has little nutritional value and contains excessive fat, sugar, salt, and calories. Junk food can also refer to high protein food like meat prepared with saturated fat which some believe may be unhealthy many hamburger outlets, fried chicken outlets and like supply food is considered as junk food. Unfortunately, today’s world has been adapted to a system of consumption of foods which has several adverse effects on health. Eating habits and forced many people to consume fancy and high calorie fast food, popularly known as Junk foods [1]. Junk food have poor nutritional quality as they don’t provide any protein, vitamins and minerals but only supply empty calories to our bodies. Thus, the excessive consumption of fast foods can lead to many nutritional deficiency diseases and can also result in obesity of life threatening condition. Regarding the opinion of respondents about nutritional values of fast foods, some of them agreed that they have poor nutritional standard while a majority disagreed to this [2]. There is a growing concern among policymakers and educators that junk food availability in schools is a significant contributor to the childhood obesity epidemic. Between 2003 and 2005, approximately 200 piece of legislation were introduced in US state legislatures to establish nutritional standards in schools or to address the availability of specific food items during school hours through any of the venues. These items included candy, high-fat salty snacks, low-fat salty snacks, high-fat baked goods, low-fat baked goods, ice-cream, milk, fruits/vegetables, bottled water, 100 percent juice, and soda pop or other beverages that are not 100 percent juice. The child food consumption questionnaire asked if sweets, salty snacks, and sweetened beverages could be purchased at the school during school hours. Based on these questions we constructed three alternate measures of competitive food availability in the school [3]. There are some 1.2 billion youths between 10-19 years of age or about 19 percent of the total global population. Adolescents go through intense physical, psychological, and cognitive development. Adolescents gain up to 50 percent of the adult weight, 50 percent of the adult’s skeletal mass and more than 20 percent of their adult weight. This growth needs maximum calorie and protein. Students attending schools in different socio-economic areas in Cape Town, South Africa revealed the result that 77.8 percent of the students have breakfast before school and 79.7 percent after school. Students, who attended schools of high socio-economic status, were twice as likely to bring unhealthy foods to school (FAO, 2014). In Nepal, most of the times these junk foods contains items that are laced with colours those are non-edible, carcinogenic and harmful to body. These foods and their colours can affect the digestive system, and others effects of it emerging after many years. The consumption of refined and processed food products lowers the nutritional status. General Tiffin items are puris, pakodas, samosa and other food items that are very high in trans-fat content. Especially, children and adolescents who have to eat their breakfast and Tiffin outside house are more exposed to having these food items. Hence, Children and adolescents are especially vulnerable to pour diets as they can slow the growth, decay new teeth, promote obesity, and sow the seed of non-communicable disease [4].
Statement of the problem
Junk food contributes to an increased risk of cardiovascular diseases, diabetes, weight gain, and many other chronic health conditions. Also consumers tend to eat too much at one sitting and consumers who have satisfied their appetite with junk food are less likely to eat healthy foods like fruits, vegetables, or dairy products. Junk foods consumption alters brain activity in a manner similar to addictive drugs like cocaine and heroin. After many weeks with unlimited access to junk foods, the pleasure centres of rat brains became desensitized, requiring more food for pleasure; after the junk food was taken away and replaced with a healthy diet, the rats starved for two weeks instead of eating nutritious fare.
Objective of the study
The main objective of this study is to find out the consumption of junk foods and its health effect on school students. However, the specific objectives of this study area are as follows:
Stated that the advertising media plays an active part in shaping children’s perception of the world, and their behaviour by cultivating acceptance of the beliefs, values and attitudes that it portrays at a broad cultural level; by social learning, whereby children come to learn which attitudes and behaviours are accepted and rewarded; and by its impact on the formation, development and maintenance of cognitive scripts for how to behave in a variety of circumstances [5]. Stated that junk food containing low nutritional value and high calories, sugar and fat, which of then lead to many life – threatening ailments. Junk foods typically contain high levels of calories from sugar or fat with little protein, vitamins or minerals. Food commonly considered junk foods include salted snack foods, gum, candy, sweet desserts, fried junk food and sugary carbonated beverage. Many foods such as hamburger, Pizza and tacos can be considered either healthy or junk food depending on their ingredients and preparation method with the more highly processed items usually falling under the junk food category. Mentioned that junk food simply means an empty calorie food [1]. An empty calorie food is a high calorie or calorie rich food which lacks in micro – nutrients such as vitamins, minerals, or amino acids, and fibre but has high energy. These foods don’t contain the nutrients that your body needs to stay healthy. Stated that though junk food at school may pose a health risk to some students susceptible to obesity [6]. Gorman further pointed out that the substitute foods allowed by official policies banning junk food and soda often allow products like fruit juice that contain just as many calories. He recommended that officials should consider a change in school food policies weigh the health costs borne by the fraction of students susceptible to obesity against the benefit conferred by the programs funded by in – school junk food sales. B.C. (2014) conducted a study on “use of fast food and its impact on health among adolescent students in surkhet district” The major objectives in her study was to find out the use of fast food and its impact on health among Adolescent students. She was selected Sample Population by using purposive sampling method. Interview schedule or questionnaire was the tools in her study. the major finding of this study was majority (66.98 percent) of the respondents had felt impact of fast food on their health where as 71.83 percent had felt physical health problems and 41.18 percent had faced teeth problems . Higher proportion (35.21 percent) of the respondents had glandular problems36.36 percent had faced abdominal pain and 30 percent had increment in the number of their friends. Most (88.73 percent ) of the respondents had consulted about the problems cause due to the use of fast foods whereas 23.81 percent had consulted with their family and 79.25 percent had the habit of using fast food. Conducted a study on “Trend of fast food consumption and its effect on Pakistani Society” [7]. The researchers worked on fast food and find out the origin, effects and consequences of junk food. The aspects having impact on customers food choices are, attraction for eating out, socialization, urbanization, globalization, taste for college and university students, expediency for dual – income families, and numerous other. Researchers also evaluated that about one – third population consume fast food [8,9].
Design and method of the study
This study will follow descriptive type of research design and its nature will be quantitative survey method.
Population, sample and sample strategy
All of the 8, 9 and 10 class students who were studying in Prabhat secondary school were the population of the study. There were three public schools in Baijanath Gaupalika ward no. 5. Among these public schools Prabhat Secondary School were selected by using convenience sampling method. There were 250 students studying in class 8, 9 and 10. Among them 75 students (30 percent) were selected by using simple random sampling method.
Study areas/ field
The study area is Prabhat Secondary School Baijnath gaupalika (ward: - 5) of Banke district. It is one of the Gaupalika of the Mid- western Development region of Nepal. The Study area lies in the western part of this region from Kohalpur. The selected school name is Prabhat Secondary school, located in Araniko Nagar G guan, Banke. The school established 2024 B.S. Khum Lal Sharma (Poudel) is the Head master of this school. There are 853 Students studying in Prabhat Secondary school. 496 students are girls and 357 students ary Boys. There are total thirty staffs in Prabhat Secondary School. There are seven building in this school and thirty four rooms. There are one Sarswoti temple, huge playground, one Science lab room, one computer room, one library room, one staff room and one office room in Prabhat secondary school.
Data collection tools and techniques
The structured interview schedule was the tool for data collection. It was divided in to three parts. The first part of the interview schedule was related to the Socio – economic status of the respondents, the second part of the interview schedule contained attraction and consumption of junk food by the respondents and the third part contained the effects of junk food on health of the children in the study area.
Data collection procedures
First of all, a letter from the Department of Health Education, Mahendra Multiple Campus was taken for data collection. Then, the researcher visited the Prabhat Secondary School of Baijnath gaupalika (ward: - 5), Banke district. The researcher visited the principle of selected school and explain the purpose of the study. Then, the researcher selected the respondents and introduce them the purpose of the study and request them for help and established a good relationship with the respondents. Lastly, the researcher thanked the respondents, the head teachers and others for their help and co – operation.
S.N. |
Age |
No of Respondents |
Percentage |
1 |
13-15 Years |
50 |
66.67 |
2 |
16 Years |
25 |
33.33 |
Total |
75 |
100.00 |
S.N. |
Sex |
No. of Respondents |
Percentage |
1 |
Males |
34 |
45.34 |
2 |
Females |
41 |
54.66 |
Total |
75 |
100.00 |
S.N. |
Religion |
No. of Respondents |
Percentage |
1 |
Hindu |
71 |
94.66 |
2 |
Christian |
4 |
5.34 |
Total |
75 |
100.00 |
Table 4: Caste composition.
S.N. |
Castes |
No. of Respondents |
Percentage |
|
1 |
Brahman |
5 |
6.67 |
|
2 |
Chhetri |
30 |
40 |
|
3 |
Janjati |
28 |
37.33 |
|
4 |
Dalit |
12 |
16 |
|
Total |
75 |
100.00 |
|
S.N. |
Type of Family |
No. of Respondents |
Percentage |
1 |
Nuclear |
50 |
66.67 |
2 |
Joint |
25 |
33.33 |
Total |
75 |
100.00 |
S.N. |
Description |
No. of Respondents |
Percentage |
1 |
Illiterate |
10 |
13.33 |
2 |
Literate |
65 |
86.67 |
Total |
75 |
100.00 |
|
Qualification |
|||
1 |
Primary |
36 |
55.39 |
2 |
Secondary |
27 |
41.54 |
3 |
Higher Education |
2 |
3.08 |
Total |
65 |
100.00 |
Qualification |
|||
1 |
Primary |
36 |
55.39 |
2 |
Secondary |
27 |
41.54 |
3 |
Higher Education |
2 |
3.08 |
Total |
65 |
100.00 |
S.N. |
Description |
No. of Respondents |
Percentage |
1 |
Below Rs. 5000 |
30 |
40 |
2 |
Rs. 5000-Rs10000 |
25 |
33.34 |
3 |
Rs. 10000-Rs. 15000 |
13 |
17.33 |
4 |
Rs. 15000and above |
7 |
9.33 |
Total |
75 |
100.00 |
There are many causes of junk foods consumption. The consumption of junk foods and the causes of using junk foods in the study area are described in different sub-sections which are as follows: The respondents in the study area used junk food because of different causes. The major causes of using junk food by the respondents in the study area are shown in Table 9.
Table 9: Causes of Junk Foods Consumption.
S.N. |
Causes |
No. of Respondents |
Percentage |
1 |
Readymade |
40 |
53.33 |
2 |
Saves of Time |
15 |
20 |
3 |
Effect of advertisement |
12 |
16 |
4 |
Peer Pressure |
8 |
10.67 |
Total |
75 |
100 |
According to the table 9 the higher proportion (53.33 percent) of the respondents the main cause of funk foods are the readymade foods .similarly, 20 percent of the respondents said that the main cause of using junk food was that junk food saves time. Likewise, 16 percent of the respondents said that the cause of junk food consumption was the effect of advertisement. Finally 10.67 percent of the respondents said that peer pressure was the cause of junk food consumption. It can be concluded from the above data that junk foods were mainly used because junk foods are the readymade foods and the junk food save time. Advertisements on junk foods and the peer pressure were also the causes of using them in the study area.
Junk foods have advantages as well as disadvantages. The advantages are that they are served fast and saves time. Junk foods are easy to carry and can be eaten at the place of choice. The major advantages of junk foods according to the respondents are shown in table 10. Table 10 shows that according to 17.33 percent of the respondents, the advantages of junk food were that junk foods are easy to use similarly, 13.33 percent of the respondents said that junk foods save time and 20 percent of the respondents said the junk foods are easy to get. Finally, 49.34 percent of the respondents the advantage of using junk food was that they can be taken at any place. It can be concluded that junk foods have advantages like saving of time, easier to get and can be taken at any time and any place. Junk foods are found anywhere and they save time but it should be taken in mind that junk foods should not be taken at a large amount.
Table 10: Advantages of Junk.
S.N. |
Advantages |
No. of Respondents |
Percentages |
1 |
Easy to use |
13 |
17.33 |
2 |
Saves time |
10 |
13.33 |
3 |
Easy to get |
15 |
20 |
4 |
Can be taken any place |
37 |
49.34 |
Total |
75 |
100.00 |
S.N. |
Time of Using Junk Foods |
No. of Respondents |
Percentage |
1 |
Daily base |
19 |
25.33 |
2 |
Frequent |
4 |
5.34 |
3 |
Occasionally |
6 |
8 |
4 |
Sometime |
46 |
61.33 |
Total |
75 |
100.00 |
S.N. |
Responses |
No. of Respondents |
Percentage |
1 |
Yes |
55 |
73.33 |
2 |
No |
20 |
26.67 |
Total |
75 |
100.00 |
|
Reasons for
Restriction |
|||
1 |
To save money |
20 |
36.36 |
2 |
Aware about
the health of children |
19 |
34.55 |
3 |
To develop healthy eating behaviour
of the children |
10 |
18.18 |
4 |
Other |
6 |
10.91 |
Total |
|
55 |
100.00 |
S.N. |
Responses |
No. of Respondents |
Percentage |
1 |
Yes |
57 |
76 |
2 |
No |
18 |
24 |
Total |
75 |
100.00 |
|
Type of effects |
|||
1 |
Physical |
35 |
61.41 |
2 |
Social |
15 |
26.31 |
3 |
Other |
7 |
12.28 |
Total |
57 |
100.00 |
The physical health problems faced by respondents due to the consumption of junk foods are shown in Table 14. Table 14 shows that among the respondents who had faced physical health problems due to the consumption of junk foods, 42.86 percent had faced teeth problems whereas 31.43 percent had faced acidity. Similarly, 14.28 percent had the problems of weakness and 11.43 percent had the problem of overweight. It can be concluded that the respondents had faced various physical problems due to the use of junk foods.
Table 14: Physical Effects of Junk Foods on Health.
S.N. |
Physical Health Problems |
No. of Respondents |
Percentage |
1 |
Teeth problems |
15 |
42.86 |
2 |
Gastric |
11 |
31.43 |
3 |
Weakness |
5 |
14.28 |
4 |
Over weight |
4 |
11.43 |
Total |
35 |
100.00 |
S.N. |
Other problems |
No. of Respondents |
Percentage |
1 |
Respiratory problems |
11 |
19.29 |
2 |
Digestive problems |
24 |
42.10 |
3 |
Heart problems |
14 |
24.57 |
4 |
Glandular problems |
8 |
14.04 |
Total |
57 |
100.00 |
After the analysis and interpretation of data obtained from the study area, the followings finding are drawn:
The main causes of using junk foods are ready made foods which save time to prepare homemade foods. The effects of advertisement and the peer pressure are also the causes of using junk foods. The advantages of junk foods are that they are easy to use and save time. The junk foods are also easy to get and can be taken at any place. The junk foods are mainly consumed at school or on the road. They are also consumed at home and on the way to school and on the way home from school. The main reasons for using junk foods are that home –made foods are not always available and the junk foods are easily available and tasty. The junk foods are also of low cost and can be taken anywhere at any time. Some of the respondents were restricted from taking junk foods. This was because the parents want to save money and they care about their children’s health this can develop healthy eating behaviour of the children too. Junk foods also had effects on the health of the respondents. The respondents faced physical and social problems due to the use of junk foods .the physical health problems due to the use of junk foods are teeth problems, gastric problems like acidity, weakness and weight gain. The other problems included the respiratory and digestive problems as well as heart and glandular problems. Digestive problems faced included diarrhea, vomiting, constipation, and abdominal pain.