ASSOCIATION OF FAST FOOD CONSUMPTION WITH OBESITY - A CROSS-SECTIONAL STUDY CONDUCTED AT NISHTAR HOSPITAL MULTAN, PAKISTAN

Background: The aim of the study was to determine obesity rate in Pakistani teenagers of Multan South-Punjab Pakistan, with high amount of fast food consumption. Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted during the month of November 2019 in Multan, Pakistan. Information was collected from teenagers of different age groups ranging from 13-19 years old. A self- structured questionnaire was designed containing four sections to gathered information from participants. BMI and %age of different variables were calculated. Results: Total no of 1000 teenagers including male 536(53.6%) and females 464(46.4%) were approached out of which 334(34.4%) were overweight having BMI=25-29.9 and 544(54.4%) were obese having BMI>30.Mostly of them were 17-year-old 425(42.5%). Obesity rate is higher both in males and females but mostly females were more prone. Conclusion: It is concluded from our study that consumption of fast food on daily basis and increased caloric intake will leads towards obesity among teenagers now a days. Obesity rate is greater in females as compared to males however both males and females were prone towards obesity due to increased consumption (thrice a day) of fast food. Other variables like residential area of participants and type of fast food eaten were also accountable in this regard. Keywords : FOOD CONSUMPTION, OBESITY, PAKISTAN DOI: 10.7176/JMPB/66-06 Publication date: June 30th 2020