Junk food consumption and socio-demographic correlates among health sciences students in the UAE

Junk food consumption is rising among university students despite well-documented health risks. This study examines the socio-demographic factors influencing junk food consumption among health professional students in the UAE.

A validated, semi-structured questionnaire was used to assess junk-food awareness, consumption patterns, and behavioral preferences among health-professional students. The tool comprised sections on sociodemographic characteristics, awareness of junk food as unhealthy, consumption frequency, portion size, and eating behaviors. Awareness items were scored as 1 = Yes and 0 = No/Do not know, while consumption items were rated on a four-point scale (0-3) based on frequency. Internal consistency of the instrument was confirmed through pilot testing, with Cronbach's alpha = 0.82 for awareness items and 0.79 for consumption items.

Awareness of junk food hazards was generally high, especially for items such as pizza (91.4%), bakery products (90.1%), and fried chicken (89.9%). Lower awareness was noted for energy drinks (61%) and sweetened fruit drinks (65.9%). Consumption varied significantly by academic year (p < 0.001), with Year 2 and Year 3 students reporting the highest intake between meals. Females demonstrated higher awareness (p = 0.038) and consumption scores (p = 0.012). Regression analysis identified age, gender, self-rated health, and portion size as significant predictors of BMI (p < 0.0001).

Despite high awareness, moderate junk food consumption persists, particularly of beverages. Socio-demographic factors such as age, gender, and self-rated health strongly influence dietary habits. Findings highlight the need for targeted campus-based interventions to reduce unhealthy eating among future healthcare professionals.