Frequency of Fast Food Consumption: Effects on the Nutritional Status of Groups Aged 12-22 Years

Fast food consumption has increased greatly particularly among youth. The attraction of eating
fast food items makes the youth gain weight and badly affects their health. To study the effect of frequency
fast food consumption, 868 subjects (males and females) aged 12-22 years were selected randomly
from clubs and youth centers in Alexandria city. Socio-demographic characteristics, frequency and
attitude toward fast food consumed, weight, height and body mass index (BMI) were recorded. Dietary
intake was estimated using 24 hours recall for 3 consecutive days. It was found that consumption of fast
food was prevalent between both genders. Frequency of consumption of fast food showed that 38.7% of
subjects eat fast food frequently (group1) and 61.3% of them eat fast food less frequently (group2). Proportion
of subjects with BMI greater than 85th percentile was significantly higher among group1 (36.9%)
than group 2 (28.9%) indicating a risk of overweight and obesity of subjects, who eat fast food frequently
compared with those who eat fast food less frequently, consumed higher intake of energy, protein, fat and
carbohydrate. Mean energy intake of males and females in group1 and group2 covered (85.3%, 78.1%)
and (92.3%, 84.1%), respectively of RDA, while protein intake exceeded the recommendation for both
groups. Television advertisements have a significant influence on fast food consumption. Only 22% of
group1 and 31.2% of group2 believed that fast food can cause disease cases, while 41.7% of group1 and
43.2% of group2 believed that consumption of fast food is harmless. Animal protein was consumed in
high proportion of subjects eat fast food frequently, while consumption of plant protein was high among
those eat fast food less frequently. Public health measures should be aimed at limiting the amount and
frequency of fast food consumption. This could include nutritional education campaigns, regulation of
fast food advertising, getting rid of fast food restaurants in schools, and increasing healthy food vendings
in youth centers, clubs, schools, and education foundations