Food consumption pattern and nutrient contribution of fast foods in school and college going girls.

摘要

The objective of the study was to investigate the existing difference in the choice of foods between college and school going girls from India. The 200 girls selected were almost equally distributed in the 16-, 17- and 18-year age group. Most of the selected girls (81%) ate three main meals in a day and 86 per cent of them ate fast foods regularly. Among these 53, 11 and 15.5 per cent ate in a fast food restaurant once a month, twice a month and once a week respectively. Twenty two and 26.7 per cent of the total energy was supplied by fast foods in school and college girls respectively. One third of the total fat intake was through fast foods and iron obtained through fast foods was 17.2 and 24.4 per cent of the total intake in school and college girls respectively. A high intake of fast foods in college girls leading to a reduction in micronutrient consumption was observed. Nutrition education to adolescents regarding the consumption of fast foods is the need of the hour.