Assessment Of Selected Body Vitals In Children, Frequently Consuming Fast Food

Abstract

In recent years in Pakistan, frequent fast food consumption with increased sedentary behavior and insufficient physical activity among children and adolescents had become considerable health concern. It has cause harmful effects on health hence, it has increased the average BMI, prevalence of childhood obesity and it is also reported as risk factor for many other chronic diseases. The less nutritional values and more calorific intake in fast food and its rapid consumption frequency can lead to overweight individuals, contributing to issues such as over and under nutrition. Random sampling technique was used to select the children from 5-18 years. Questionnaire survey method was used to conduct the study. Questionnaire was modified according to our research from the previous work. The study was conducted to evaluate the BMI and body vitals of children consuming fast food. In this study we found that results showed that the total prevalence of overweight children was 11.66% and obese children were 12.5%. The majority of the children belong to the normal weight category (based on the BMI calculations). The mean systolic and diastolic blood pressure of all groups were in normal range. All groups had normal pulse rate. The 65% children consume fast food less frequently 1 or 2 times in a week and 35% consume fast food more frequently 3 or 4 times in a week. High percentages of children found in each group who consume food while watching television. majority 54.16% of Group 3 adolescents spend less than 4 hours in week doing any physical activity. we concluded that majority of the children belongs to normal weight. Prevalence of overweight children was 11.66% and obese children was 12.5%. The blood pressure and pulse rate of children and adolescents was lying in the normal range. Hours of physical activity, diet, fast food consumption are linked with the BMI. Therefore, it was concluded that reduced physical activity, increased consumption of fast food linked with overweight and obesity.