Knowledge And Awareness On The Association Between Physical Inactivity, Junk Food Consumption And Obesity Among Adolescent Population - A Survey Based Analysis

Keywords

Junk Food; Unhealthy Diet; Obesity; Harmful Effects; Health Problems.

Introduction

The emerging trend among the young generation is consumption of fast food with a very less physical inactivity. Its consumption is often associated with negative impairment and on nutritional status and health [1]. The availability and taste made it popular among the middle childhood and adolescent population. The world's adaptation to fast food has become a global phenomenon. [2]. The junk food energy density has been found to be more than twice the effects on health [3]. The regular intake of junk food lacks energy,poor concentration,obesity,high cholesterol.The increased amount of time spent in sedentary behaviors has diminished the amount of physical activity time spent [4]. The types of food that are available in the house and the family members' food preferences will affect the food that children eat. Additionally , family mealtimes can influence the type and amount of food consumed. Lastly, family habits, whether they are sedentary or physically active, influence the child [5, 6]. A mixed diet and physical activity plan with a school portion done in the community is more successful in reducing obesity or overweight. Additionally, if parents adopt a healthy lifestyle at home, many issues with obesity can be avoided.

Childhood obesity is evolving as a major public health issue which increases the risk of subsequent morbidity as a result of hypertension, type 2 diabetes mellitus, dyslipidemia, left ventricular hypertrophy, non-alcoholic steatohepatitis, obstructive sleep apnea, and orthopedic and psychosocial problems [4, 7]. Obesity in adolescence is a significant risk factor for a range of serious non-communicable diseases in adulthood such as cardiovascular diseases, diabetes mellitus, osteoarthritis, gallbladder diseases, cancers with an increased risk of mortality [8-10].

The prevalence of obesity is increasing worldwide, it is faster in developing countries due to declining levels of physical activity as well as nutrition transition characterized by a trend towards consumption of a diet high in fat, sugar and refined foods and low in fibre [11, 12]. It becomes important to educate children about healthy eating habits and to know about the factors influencing food choices and the awareness on fast food consumption and lack of physical inactivity [10, 13, 14]. This survey was done to assess the relationship between physical inactivity and consumption of junk food to make the middle childhood and adolescent population aware about the health hazard.

Materials and Methods

The study was conducted in an online setting among the Chennai population with approval of the Institutional review board obtained no human and animal ethical approval needed. A total of 100 samples were selected between the age group of 10-15 years and 15-18 years. The sampling method is simple random sampling all variables are included. A pre tested questionnaire formulated for the collection of information . The questionnaire was simple and brief. The self made questions were developed. The general information where on the general profile, name, age, gender is collected.

The questionnaire included self made questions to assess about the physical inactivity and amount of junk food consumption. The frequency of consumption of junk food and the physical activity of individuals is assessed. Correlation analysis and chisquare tests were done and the results were statistically analysed. The data collection was done in April 2020 and the time period for data analysis was from April 2020 to May 2020.

Results

In our present study ,Figure 1 is showing the survey results obtained by the statistical analysis is discussed here, the participation by male is 40% and female is 59% in this survey. Figure 2 is showing the age group participation in the survey is 30% of 10-15 years and 69% of 15-18 years.

Figure 3 is showing the consumption of favourite junk food categorised as 39% consume fast food and 27% consume snacks, 21% consume candies, 12% consume soft drinks as their favourite junk. Figure 4 shows that 89% of the population are aware about the chemicals present in the junk food and 10% of the population is not aware of the chemical hazard. Figure 5 shows that the frequency of intake is 44% of the population eats once a week, 39% eat twice a week and 16% eat more than twice a week. Figure 6 shows that 70% of participants assume that they are active enough even after consuming junk food and 29% participants are doubtful about their activity.

Figure 7 is showing that 41% of participants agree that consumption of junk food reduces their physical activity and 32% disagree with this and 26% are confident about their physical activity. Figure 8 shows that the population in different circumstances experienced physical illness 41% had mild illness, 37% had moderate illness, 14% had severe illness,4% had very severe physical illness. Figure 9 shows that the cause of obesity is agreed by 80% of the population and 94% are aware that physical inactivity will lead to obesity and 5% are not aware. Figure 10 shows that the population of the survey 71% agreed to control the consumption of junk food and 18% disagreed and 12% are doubtful.

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Figure 1:

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Figure 1 Pie chart showing percentage distribution of gender in survey participants. 40% (blue) of the participants were male and 59% (green) of the participants were female. N=100. Among the survey participants females were more.

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Figure 2. The pie chart showing percentage distribution of age in the survey participants.The age group 10-15 years were 30%(blue) and age group 15-18 years were 69% (green). N=100. The age group 15-18 years were more among the survey participants.

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Figure 3. The pie chart showing the percentage distribution of favorite junk food in survey participants. 39% (blue) answered fast food, 27% (green) answered snacks, 21%(beige) answered candies and 12%.(violet) answered soft drinks.N=100.Majority of the respondents consume fast food.

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Figure 4. The pie chart showing the percentage distribution of responses on awareness on harmful effects of chemicals present in junk food. 89.90% (blue) answered yes and 10.10% (green) answered no. N=100. Majority of the respondents are aware of the harmful effects and chemicals present in junk food.

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Figure 5. The pie chart showing the percentage distribution of participants on frequency of junk food consumption. Frequency of consumption once 44%(blue), frequency of consumption twice 39%(green), frequency of consumption more than thrice 16%(beige). N=100. The frequency of intake once per week is more.

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Figure 6. The pie chart showing the percentage distribution in physically active condition of participants upon consumption of junk food. Physically active after consumption of junk food 70%(blue) and physically not active after consumption of junk food 29%(green).N=100.Majority of participants are physically active.

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Figure 7. The pie chart showing the percentage responses of awareness on consumption of junk food on a daily basis reduces physical activity. Consumption of junk reduces physical activity: Yes - 41%(blue). Consumption of junk does not reduce physical activity: No - 32%(green) Consumption of junk might reduce physical activity: May be - 26%(beige).N=100.Majority of survey participants agree that consumption of junk food reduces physical activity.

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Figure 8. The pie chart showing the percentage distribution of responses on physical illness due to consumption of junk food. Mild physical illness 44%(blue); Moderate physical illness 37%(green); Severe physical illness 14%(beige); Very severe physical illness 4%(violet). N=100.Majority of participants had mild physical illness.

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Figure 9. The pie chart showing percentage distribution of responses of participants having knowledge on lack of physical activity leading to obesity. Participants response - Agree 80%(blue); Disagree 9%(green); Unaware 10%(beige).N=100.Majority of the participants agree that lack of physical activity leads to obesity.

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Figure 10. The pie chart showing the distribution of participant responses who are controlling the consumption of junk food. Agreed to control consumption of junk food 71%(blue); Disagreed to control consumption of junk food 16%(green); Might control consumption of junk in future 12%(beige) N=100.Majority of the survey participants agreed to control the consumption of junk food.

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Figure 11. The bar graph represents the association between age and physical inactivity of the participants. X axis represents the age groups and Y axis represents the number of participants.This showed that more adolescents were physically inactive due to consumption of junk foods among the age group 15-18 years than 10-15 years but was not statistically significant. Chi square test showed p=0.09 (Pearson Chi square p>0.05) indicating statistically not significant.

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Figure 12. The bar graph represents the association between age and frequency of junk food consumption. The Y axis represents the number of participants and the X axis represents the frequency of junk food consumption per week .Among the age group 15-18 years 67% of the participants show high frequency of consumption of junk food.This shows that more adolescents consume junk food frequently than the age group of 10-15 years but was not statistically significant.Chi square test showed. p=0.15 (Pearson Chi square; p<0.05) indicating statistically significant.

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Figure 13. The bar graph represents the association between age and knowledge on lack of physical activity leads to obesity. The X axis represents the age groups and the Y axis represents the number of participants with frequencies of knowledge on physical activity leading to obesity. Among the participants more than 50% of age group 15-18 years and 30% of age group 10-15 years agree that lack of physical activity leads to obesity. Chi square test showed p=0.04 ( Pearson Chi square ; p<0.05) indicating statistically significant.

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Figure 14. The bar graph represents the association between frequency of junk food consumption and physical illness. The X axis represents the frequency of junk food consumption and Y axis represents the number of participants. This shows that the participants in all frequencies of junk food consumption show more than 44% of mild physical illness which reveals frequent consumption of junk food leads to physical illness but not statistically significant. Chi square test showed p=0.58 (Pearson Chi square; p<0.05) indicating statistically not significant. More participants become physically ill mildly once in a week due to junk food consumption.

Discussion

Among the respondents 40% were male and 59% were female and the age group response is 30% of age group were 10-15 years and 69% of age group were 15-18 years. In our study the prevalence rate of favorite junk fast food is 39% and similar findings were seen in the study conducted by [15] 41% consumed fast food, 21% consumed candies, 16% consumed snacks and 14% consumed soft drinks. Large scale of middle childhood and adolescent population consume fast food.

The present study results consensus with the study conducted by [16] where 30% are aware about the chemical on junk food and 10% are unaware. Only less population is unaware of the harmful effects in consumption of junk food [17]. Similar study was conducted by [18, 19] where 49% are aware about the harmful effects of consumption of junk food and 6% are unaware of the harmful effects. The frequency of junk food consumption in adolescents is less comparatively. In the present study 70% of respondents are physically active and similar findings were seen in a study conducted by [20] where 65% assume they are physically active and 20% are not physically active. Participants are aware that physical inactivity is due to consumption of junk food. Suffice to say energy for daily activities are obtained even after the consumption of fast food.Similar study was conducted by [21, 22] where physical inactivity is the major cause for obesity is agreed by a high population as they experienced which consensus with our present study 53% agree physical inactivity causes obesity and 47% disagree.

The present study results consensus with the study by [23] where 45% agreed that consumption of junk food reduces physical activity and causes physical illness and 20 % disagreed. Similar findings were seen in a study conducted by [24] where 90% agreed that physical inactivity leads to obesity and 10% disagreed. Awareness of the chemicals present makes the population reduce the consumption at high risk. In a similar study conducted by [25] 60% agreed to control the consumption of junk food and 20% disagree with the consensus with our present study. Participants expressed health concerns strongly agreeing the factor causing obesity.

Limitations

The sample size is less and skipping meals with intake of junk food should be factored in.

Future scope of study

It helps in diagnosis related to physical inactivity and obesity. Create awareness in school going children. Nutritional education should be taught in schools.

Conclusion

The present study highlighted the association between physical inactivity and consumption of junk food leading to obesity. This survey created a basic awareness among the middle childhood and adolescent populations about the harmful effects and related physical inactivity status due to consumption of junk food which in turn leads to obesity. Thus, more awareness should be created among the population about the outcomes and risk factors of physical inactivity and consumption of junk food.