WORLD JOURNAL OF ADVANCE
HEALTHCARE RESEARCH

Aparna U. K., Arya C., Navaneeth P., Bonika Surendran T. K.*

ABSTRACT

Junk foods are defined as high energy foods with minimal nutritional value, with higher content of saturated fat. Globally, Junk foods are popular among all age groups, but children are more to get attracted. Junk food consumption are associated with a high prevalence of obesity contributing to Hypertension, Type2 Diabetesmellitus, and cardiovascular diseases. Though its adverse health consequences are widely prevalent in all age groups, children and adolescents are more at risk. It may lead to obesity and act as a risk factor for different non-communicable diseases (NCD's) like heart diseases, cardiovascular disease, cancer, hypertension, diabetes, etc.[1,2] Objective: assess the parental attitude regarding junk food consumption among children. Methods: A descriptive study design was adopted in order to assess parental attitude regarding junk food consumption among 65 children aged 5-10 years in selected hospital, Calicut. Non-probability purposive sampling method was used. Pilot study was conducted to find-out the feasibility of the study. The tools used were demographic proforma and attitude rating scale. Data collected from the subjects were analyzed by descriptive and inferential statistics. Results: In the samples 33.8% were belongs 20–30-year age group, 55.4% were between the group of 31-40 years, 10.8% were belongs to 41-50 years. 20% were male and 78.5 % were female. 56.9% belongs to Hindu religion, 33.8% were belongs to Muslim religion and 9.2% were Christians. 35.4 % belongs to daily wager, 55.4% are private employees, 7.7% are government employees, and 1.5 % are health workers. majority (47.7%) of the mothers are housewives, 30.8% are private employees,9.25 are government employees, and 9.2% are health workers. majority (36.9%) receive annual income more than 20000 rupees, 21.5% receive between 15001-20000 rupees, 7.7% receive between 10001-15000 rupees 21.5% receive between 5001-10000 rupees and 10.8% receive less than 5000 rupees annually. majority (69.2%) belongs to nuclear family, 27.7% from joint family, and 1.5% from extended family. 44.61% belongs to primary, 41.54% belongs to lower primary, 12.31% belongs to upper primary classes. 44.6% belongs to government school, 47.7% belongs to private schools and 7.7 %belongs to others. majority of children (46.2%) are using private vehicles, 32.3% using school vehicles, 12.3% using public vehicles and 9.2% belongs to other modes of transportation. majority (67.7%) have satisfactory attitude towards junk food consumption, 26.2% shows non favourable attitude and 6.25 shows favourable attitude. Conclusion: The findings of the study showed that the majority of parents having a satisfactory attitude towards junk food consumption among their children. There is no significant association between the parental attitude with selected demographic variables.