Predilection for Junk Food Consumption among 15-Year-Old School Children in North Chennai , India

Junk food culture has a vigorously uprising trend among youngsters and it makes people eat without planning. They eat not only during pre-set mealtime, but also in the leisure time (1,2,3). A food that is high in fat, sodium, and/or sugar, provides high calories, but is of no value, is generally known as a “junk food.” Junk food seems attractive and is easy to prepare, carry, purchase, and consume. Common junk food includes fast food (burgers, pizzas, patties, nuggets, and so forth), chips, candy, sweet desserts, as well as aerated beverages (1,4). The terms fast food and junk food are often used interchangeably (5). Ingredients of the junk foods give them a good taste, making them addictive, and pose many health hazards.