Junk Food Consumption and Obesity Status of Tertiary Institution Students In Southwest Nigeria

Abstract

Background: Consumption of junk foods has increased worldwide and in Nigeria, particularly in the last few decades. Frequent junk food consumption increases the risk of obesity among teens which is a major health problem.

Objective: This study examines the relationship between junk food consumption and the obesity status of tertiary institution students in Southwest, Nigeria.

Methods: A total of 300 students were assessed from six tertiary institutions in Southwest, Nigeria through a cross-sectional study design between August and December 2022. Junk food consumption expenditure was estimated using descriptive statistics. Descriptive statistics  was used to describe the socioeconomic characteristics, and the junk food consumption expenditure using the 7 days memory  recall. The Body Mass index (BMI) was used to assess the obesity status of the respondents. Logit regression model was used to determine the effects of junk food consumption on the obesity status of the respondents. 

Results: It was found that snacks accounted  for 43.5% of the junk food consumed. This was followed by the consumption of carbonated soft drinks (36.6%). Package cookies/ chocolates were the least consumed accounting for 10.9% of the total junk food expenditure share. Also, 14.0% of the respondents were underweight, 25.3% had a normal weight of 18.5≤ 24.9 kg/m2, 32.7% was overweight with 25 ≤ 30kg/m² BMI, and 28.0% was obese with  BMI ≥ 30 kg/m². An average student in the study area was overweight with a mean BMI of 29.6kg/m². The mean junk food consumption  pattern share was highest (33.6%) among obese and lowest for underweight (17.7%). 

Conclusion: The findings suggest that junk food  consumption expenditure exerts a significant positive effects on the obesity status of the respondents. Hence, Junk food consumption is a  major driver of the obesity status of students in tertiary institutions in Southwest, Nigeria. This study established that a health danger  of junk food consumption. Hence, reduction of junk food consumption should be encouraged as the convenience and easy availability of  the junk food may have negative contributions in the students' health status.