Factors affecting the choice of fast food among teenagers of Sabour block in Bhagalpur district of India

In recent days, there is rapid shift in consumer’s life-style due to change in standard of living, work culture, hectic work schedule, and free-thinking and global perspective, as a consequence, fast foods impact our dietary pattern and routine food consumption. As fast food is generally considered rich in calorie, fat, sugar, salt and poor in other nutrients, it has contributed to rise of many non- communicable diseases, metabolic diseases such as obesity and over-weight, diabetes mellitus, hypertension and cardiovascular diseases among more common. The present study was conducted to find the factors affecting the choice of fast food (Indian Fast Food, IFF; Western Fast Food, WFF) among teenagers using questionnaire-cum-structured interview schedule. In response to the influence of nutritional information about fast foods on the teenager’s choice of fast food, in case of IFF, the response was rarely (girls, 30%, boys, 19.6%), sometimes (girls, 40.4%, boys, 45.6%), most of time (girls, 20%, boys, 20.8%), and always (girls, 9.6%, boys, 6.4%), while in case of WFF, the response was rarely (girls, 20%, boys, 19.2%), sometimes (girls, 45.2%, boys, 42.4%), most of time (girls, 17.2%, boys, 20.8%), and always (girls, 15.2%, boys, 6.4%). In response to query on awareness for chemicals and preservatives present in fast food, respondents considered fast food as a healthy food in case of IFF response was yes (girls, 61.2%, boys, 53.6%), and no (girls, 37.2%, boys, 49.2%); while in case of WFF Always (girls, 57.6%, boys, 46.4%) and no (girls, 37.2%, boys, 49.2%). Regarding having prior knowledge of nutritive value of fast foods, in case of IFF, the response was as follows, “Yes, it has high nutritive value” (girls, 40.4%, boys, 44.4%), and “Yes, it has low nutritive value” (girls, 22%, boys, 19.6%), “no I don’t know” (girls, 35.2%, boys, 26.8%); while in case of WFF, “Yes it is high in calorie” (girls, 17.6%, boys, 17.2%), “Yes it has low calorie” (girls, 35.6%, boys, 31.2%), and “ no I don’t know” (girls, 43.2%, boys, 45.6%). This valuable information would be useful for preparing strategies related to fast food consumption among teenagers and their social, health and economical issues.