FAST FOOD CONSUMPTION AND INCREASED CALORIC INTAKE LEADING TO OBESITY A SURVEY AMONG PAKISTANI TEENAGERS

Background: The aim of the study was to determine obesity rate in Pakistani teenagers associated with fast food consumption. Methods: This cross sectional study was conducted at Nishtar Hospital Multan during January 2019 to July 2019. 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 (refer to stage 4. of table. 3) 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