Effect of educational intervention on knowledge, attitude and consumption of fast food among adolescents

Introduction: Fast food are being routinely consumed worldwide as they can be prepared and served very quickly. Although the list of food items which comes under category of fast food is long, but burger, carbonated beverages, French fries, cakes, pastries and pizza are most commonly consumed fast food items. Fast food items are having high fat content, low fiber and nutrients and their excess consumption causes obesity. Objective: Assessment of effect of Educational intervention on knowledge, attitude and consumption of fast food among adolescents. Methodology: Cross sectional study conducted on 100 adolescents. Initially pre tested questionnaire was used to assess baseline knowledge, attitude and utilisation of junk food, followed by educational intervention in form of a lecture by a power point presentation and then again same questionnaire was given to student next day to assess the effect of intervention. Data entry and analysis was done & Chi-Square test was applied to know the effect of intervention. Result: Educational intervention led to significant change in the knowledge about the adverse effect of fast food which was increased from 49% to 71% as well as adolescents preference for eating fast food reduced from 73% to 49%. Attitude towards non consumption of fast food was significantly changed as there was increase in number of students started bringing home prepared food in lunch boxes from 36% to 57%. Conclusion: Education intervention brings significant change in knowledge, attitude and consumption of fast food among adolescents and similar kind of intervention at regular interval will play a crucial role in preventing life style related disease among future generations.