Association of junk food consumption with overweight-obesity among preclinical medical students of Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences

Background: The consumption of high energy and low nutritional content foods, which are known as junk foods, is considered as one of the main causes of obesity particularly in adolescents. The aim of this study was to determine the association of junk food consumption with overweight-obesity among preclinical medical students of Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences (SBMU).Methods: In this cross-sectional study, preclinical students of SBMU were recruited by simple randomized sampling. Study participants included ۱۸-۲۳ years old male and female. Demographic and socio-economic data were collected by a questionnaire. Information relating to the consumption of junk foods was provided by a ۲۴-items self-administered semi-quantitative food frequency questioner (F.F.Q). The relationship between the consumption of fast food and overweight-obesity (O.O) was analyzed using IBM SPSS Statistics for Windows, Version ۲۱.۰. through binary logistic regression method.Results: A total of ۱۸۶ students participated in this study. Overweight-obese students(BMI≥۲۵) accounted for ۶۳ (۳۴%) of the total participants. A total of ۵۸ (۳۱.۱%) studentsconsumed fast foods more than ۱.۵۲ serving/week. Students who were at the highest tertile offast food consumption, had a higher chance of O.O (OR=۲.۴۲, ۹۵% CI=۱.۱۷-۴.۹۹, P=۰.۰۱) incomparison with those in the lowest tertile (OR=۲.۲۱, ۹۵% CI=۱.۰۱-۴.۸۴, P=۰.۰۴). Afteradjustment for age and socioeconomic factors, this chance was increased (OR=۳.۸۲۴, ۹۵%CI=۱.۶۶-۸.۸۱۱, P=۰.۰۰۲); but, after adjusting lifestyle variables (physical activity) thisrelationship was not significant anymore (OR=۲.۲۴۷, ۹۵% CI=۰.۹۹۸-۵.۰۵۸, P=۰.۰۵).Conclusion: The findings of this study represent a positive association between fast-food consumption and O.O in medical students.

Keywords:

Fast foods , Obesity , Overweight , Students