PREVALENCE AND PATTERN OF FAST FOOD CONSUMPTION AMONG ADOLESCENTS IN IBADAN NORTH EAST LOCAL GOVERNMENT AREA, OYO STATE, NIGERIA

Abstract

Fast food culture is an emerging trend among the younger generation. The ready availability, taste, low cost, marketing strategies and peer pressure make them popular with adolescents and are consumed frequently irrespective of adverse health consequences. In Nigeria, adolescents’ pattern of fast food consumption and their susceptibility to various Non-Communicable Diseases (NCDs) has not been fully explored. This study was therefore designed to assess the prevalence and pattern of fast food consumption among adolescents in Ibadan North East Local Government Area. A descriptive cross sectional study was conducted using a three stage random sampling technique to select 422 respondents from the communities in the twelve wards of Ibadan North East LGA. A validated semi structured interviewer-administered questionnaire was used to elicit information on perception of fast food consumption and knowledge of NCDs. Knowledge of fast food and NCD’s was assessed using a 22- point scale ≤ 11 were categorized as low, while ≥12- 22 were classified as high. Perception scores ≤ 5, 6-11 and ≥ 12 -26 were categorized as poor, fair and good respectively. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, Chi square. The mean age of all respondents were 9.45 ±3.70 years. Majority were females 54.3%. Most of the respondents were with senior secondary education. There were (55.7%) in SS2, SS3 (41.2%), SS1 (2.3%). Most were moslems (60.7%) and live with parent (83.6%). A large majority of the respondents (94.5%) have heard about fast food and perceived them to be meals with low nutrition preparation (62.3%). The main reasons for purchasing fast food included; varieties (99.5%) availability (98%), convenience (97.2%), advert (96.2%), attractive colours (94.8%). Majority of Fast food consumed were flour products (35.5%); taken with carbonated drinks (31.5%), fries (19.2%), and tin/canned food (13.3%). Most consume fast food in the afternoon (61.8%), morning (20.1%), and evening (11.6%). A large majority would buy fast food as gift for friends (64.5%), while (33.4%) would not buy fast food. Respondents were knowledgeable about fast food contents they includes fat and oil (83.6%), salty (83.2%), high in high in calories (77.7%), knowledge about NCD’s were generally low, they includes diabetes (45%), obesity (38.2%), cancer (35.8%), heart disease (35.5%), hypertension (28%). A total of (49.8%) perceived fast food as bad for health, perception of consequences of fast food includes diabetes (41.0%), weight gain (40.8%), and hypertension (23.5%). Knowledge about fast food consumption was high among respondents who had SS2 education (55.7%), SS3 (41.2%) while SS1 (1.3%) at (P˂0.05). The consumption of Fast food was significantly high among males (54.26%) than the females (45.73%) at (P˂0.05) with no significance difference. The consumption of fast food was high among respondents and knowledge of the link between fast food consumption and Non-Communicable Diseases were low. The use of behavioural change communication such as Information, Education and Communication materials, social media, and mobile phones are hereby recommended to increase enlightenment on lifestyle modification among the adolescents.