Prevalence and factors associated with junk food consumption among students of Makerere University College of Health Sciences

Abstract

Background; Non-communicable diseases are an emerging global health burden and are one of the leading causes of death worldwide. 80% of the total Non communicable diseases (NCDs) deaths occur in low and middle income countries where they cause 33%of all deaths in Uganda. Junk food consumption is one of major risk factor to Non communicable diseases. With the rising trend of junk food consumption among students, this study aims to investigate the prevalence and factors associated with junk food consumption among students of Makerere University College of health sciences Methods; This was a cross-sectional study, employing quantitative data collection methods using a self-administered questionnaire. Data was collected among 382 students of Makerere University, college of health sciences. Data was then exported to SPSS for analysis using univariate analysis and Pearson s chi-square. Results; There were more males (58.9%) than females (41.1%) with a mean age of 23.20 and a range of 19-40 years. Majority of the participants were in their third year of study (34.3%) and the highest number was residing from hall (48.5%). More than three quarters of the participants consumed junk food 93.7% with majority buying junk food along the streets (27.5%). The highest percentage (95.3%) had ever heard about junk food with friends (37.2%) being the most common source information on junk food. More than half (76.7%) of the students accepted that junk food had an effect on their health. Among the factors, taste (0.001), time (0.01) and availability (0.009) had a significant association with junk food consumption.

Conclusion; The study findings provide evidence on the high prevalence of junk food consumption among students of Makerere university college of health sciences. Regardless of the awareness on the harmful effects of junk food, the students still consume it due to time constraints, taste and availability. Actions like inspection and monitoring of food outlets, establishing more health food outlets with affordable food prices should be taken to reduce the rising trend of junk food consumption