Junk Food Consumption Trends, Patterns, and Awareness of Its Health Risks Among University Students in Bangladesh: A...

The increasing consumption of junk food (JF) by university students in low- and middle-income countries like Bangladesh is a developing public health issue. This study examined the prevalence of JF consumption and awareness of its health risks among Bangladeshi university students.

A cross-sectional study was conducted using a structured interview-based questionnaire among 516 students. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics and χ ² tests, with p < 0.05 considered significant.

Nearly 68% students consumed JF from restaurants, with 51.9% eating it occasionally. Local snacks were preferred by 77.3% of students, while 47.3% consumed packaged snacks. Around 59% ate small portions, and 38% consumed carbonated soft drinks with JF. Awareness of JF's health risks was high (87.6%), with most students recognizing its link to obesity, diabetes, and hypertension. Statistical analysis revealed significant associations between academic level and the consumption of packaged snacks (χ ² = 7.919, p = 0.02, Cramer's V = 0.124). In contrast, beliefs regarding the increased risk of heart disease with JF consumption (χ ² = 2.181, p = 0.34, Cramer's V = 0.065) were not statistically significant. Awareness of additives as JF components was also significant (χ ² = 9.525, p = 0.009, Cramer's V = 0.136), indicating varied understanding across academic levels.

Despite high awareness, JF consumption remains widespread among university students in Bangladesh. The findings indicate a gap between knowledge and practice and underscore the importance of future studies to identify nutrition-focused interventions in university settings.