MAGNITUDE OF FAST-FOOD CONSUMPTION AND ASSOCIATED FACTORS AMONG SECONDARY SCHOOL ADOLESCENTS IN HARAR TOWN, EASTERN ETHIOPIA

Abstract

Background: Fast foods are foods that are prepared, processed, and served quickly in fast food outlets. It is categorized under group four according to the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations NOVA food classification. The increased consumption of fast foods is related to the nutritional transition. Adolescents from low- and middle-income countries are facing multiple burdens of malnutrition, with the consumption of fast food. Studies have concluded that the poor nutritional value, the excessive salt content and the degree of saturated fats and trans-fatty acids associated with fast food products lead to the development of diseases like hypercholesteremia, hypertension, diabetes mellitus, obesity and cardiovascular disease. However, there is limited evidence regarding the magnitude of fast food and the factors that promote its rapid increase in Ethioipia, particularily in Harar town. Objective: The study aimed to determine the magnitude of fast-food consumption and its associated factors among school adolescents in a school-based analytical cross-sectional study from in Harar town, Eastern Ethiopia from July 7–July 15,2022. Methods: A school-based cross-sectional study was conducted among 600 secondary school adolescents in Harar town, eastern Ethiopia. A stratified sampling technique was used to recruit the participants from private and public schools. We collected data on food consumption using the seven days dietary recall through self-administered questionnaires. Tables and graphs were used to present the results, and we used Binary logistic regression to determine the factors that are associated with the magnitude of fast food consumption. First, we inserted each variable into a binary logistic regression to select variables whose p-value was less than 0.25 to sort variables for the final model. The variables with a p-value of 0.25 were included in the final logistic regression model. The odds ratio, along with a 95% confidence interval, were estimated to measure the strength of the association. P-values of less than 0.05 were used as cutting points to determine the significance of the variables. Results: The result of the study showed that nearly half (45.8%, 95% CI: 41.8%- 48%), of participants consumed fast food. Adolescents from private schools (60.7%) consumed faster food than adolescents from public schools (40.9%). From a study participant who consumed fast food, 102(73.38%) of them claimed they consumed fast food because it is quicker to make and eat. Availability of fast food at home (AOR=9.8, 95% CI, 6.4–15.01), poor food security, (AOR=5.22, 95% CI, 1.82-1.95), and maternal occupation (employed) (AOR=1.74, 95% CI, 1.13-2.67) were significantly associated with fast food consumption among adolescents. XIV Conclusion:Our study found that nearly half of school adolescents were fast-food consumers. Fast-food consumption was associated with the availability of fast food at home, poor food security and the employed occupation status of a participant’s mother. Parents should attempt to reduce the availability of fast food at home and replace it with nutritious foods like fruit and vegetables, and they should familiarize the adolescents with homemade food rather than ready to-make and eat food.