Fast Food Consumption among Teenagers Aged Between (13 To 25) Years Old and Their Effect on Health in Derna-Libya

Abstract

Background: Junk foods are rich in calories, salt and fats. Excess consumption of junk foods would lead rise to wide variety of health disorders. Objective: the purpose of this study is to find out about the fast food consumption of adolescent in age between 13-25 years old in Derna city and their effect on health Methods: the sample of this research included 100 adolescents from both sexes, a descriptive cross-sectional study of teenagers was conducted. The questionnaire was divided into two part: first part related to socio-demographic information and part two related to junk food pattern and influencing factors of junk food consumption and their effect on health. Data were analyzed using SPSS version 24. A value of P < 0.05 was interpreted as statistically significant. Results: The findings revealed that more girls (67.0%) consumed fast food than boys and approximately half (49.0%) of Participants were consumed fast food as an alternative to main meal and more than half of participants (63.0%) were consume soft drink every day, furthermore greater proportion of participants (42.0%) had urinary tract infection and that may related to chips and soft drink were the most attractive food items among Participants. Conclusion: adolescent consumed a greater amount of junk food which led to a majority of ill effects later on. It is recommended that the schools and community conduct and implement awareness programmers on fast food consumption and its ill effects.