JUNK FOOD CONSUMPTION PATTERN IN PEOPLE REFERRING TO THE COMPREHENSIVE HEALTH SERVICES CENTER OF SHIRAZ

Background and Aim: The consumption of high-calorie foods and drinks with low nutritional content, known as junk food, has recently increased dramatically. This study is to determine the consumption of junk food, soft drink, and fast food in people who are referred to a dietician at the Comprehensive Health Services Center of Shiraz.Methods: 337 people with ages ranging from 18 to 60 years were referred from family medicine centers to a dietician in the Comprehensive Health Services Center of Shiraz during a 4-month period. The dietician asked questions about the consumption of junk food, soft drink, and fast food and recorded the acquired data in the health information system.Results: 94 of the participants were men and 243 were women. 77 (31.7%) of women and 33 (35.1%) of men consumed junk food more than once a week. The fast food consumption of more than once a month was about 29 (30.85%) in men and 63 (25.92%) in women. Soft drink consumption was also significantly higher in men than women, 47.87% versus 29.62%.Conclusion: Due to the high consumption of unhealthy food and its association with adverse health outcomes, proper intervention, especially in at-risk groups, is to be applied.

Keywords:

fast foods , soft drinks , junk foods , food habit