Original Research Article
Year: 2017 | Month: May | Volume: 7 | Issue: 5 | Pages: 320-325
Fast Food Consumption Vis-À-Vis Eating Disorder and BMI of Children, Adolescents and Adults Involved in Green Activities in Purba Medinipur District, West Bengal (India)
Ishita Kuila1, Swagata Kuila1, Sauryya Bhattacharyya2
1Post graduate Student, 2Coordinator for Post Graduate Studies,
Department of Food and Nutrition, Sarada Ma Girls’ College, Talikhola, Barasat, Kolkata 700 126, India.
Corresponding Author: Sauryya Bhattacharyya
ABSTRACT
The present study delineated a potential relationship between consumption of unhealthy fast foods and symptoms of eating disorders in people engaged in green activities like farming and fishing. The study area chosen was district of Purba Medinipur, West Bengal, India, due to the fact that most of the people in this region are engaged in green activities. Eating disorder test EAT-26 was used as instrument. It was observed that rate of consumption of fast foods was more in adolescents and children (4 to 5 days/week) than the adults (mostly 1 to 2 days/week). Non-specific (Binge) eating disorder was prevalent in children and adolescents of both sexes, which might be correlated with fast food eating frequencies. Adults mostly had no eating disorders. However, analyses of body mass index revealed that the subjects, irrespective of age and sex, were not obese, probably due to participation in the green activities, directly or indirectly.
Key words: Eating disorder, Fast food, Green activity, BMI.