Rajiv Gandhi University of Health Sciences, Karnataka, Bangalore
Rajiv Gandhi University of Health Sciences, Karnataka, Bangalore
Rajiv Gandhi University of Health Sciences, Karnataka, Bangalore
By
MR. CHANKRA PANI .P.S
2011-2012
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RAJIV GANDHI UNIVERSITY OF HEALTH SCIENCES,
BANGALORE, KARNATAKA
ANNEXURE – II
SYNOPSIS PROFORMA FOR REGISTRATION OF SUBJECTS FOR
DISSERTATION
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6. Brief Resume of the Intended Work
Introduction
“We are living in a world today where lemonade is made from artificial flavours and
furniture polish is made from real lemons”
- Alfresh E Newman
Food is any substance consumed to provide nutritional support for the body. It is usually of
plant or animal origin & contains essential nutrients such as carbohydrates, fats, proteins, vitamins
or minerals.
Junk food is a term describing food that is perceived to be unhealthy or having poor
nutritional value, according to Food Standards Agency. The term is believed to have been coined
by Michael Jacobson, director of the center for science in the public interest, in 1972. The term has
since become common usage. Junk food includes those food items that do not add any value to a
person’s diet. Here value denotes essential nutrients, vitamins and minerals.1
Street food and fast food are also taken in the same context as Junk. When we speak of
street food, the fact that it’s cooked in unhealthy conditions makes it more unhealthy than the same
food made at home. Coming to the latter, fast food is the kind of food item which can be made and
served quickly. The biggest irony regarding junk food is the fact that it’s mostly prepared out of
healthy food.
Coming to Indian Junk food, locally called ‘Chaat’, these mostly include the Samosas, Kachoris,
Panipuris/golgappas are fried items with various filling within an outer layer made of refined
flour.2
In India even Chinese food sold in road side stalls is Junk food, because they contain high
amount of Monosodium Glutamate (MSG) which is a flavor enhancer and this MSG is recognized
as a health hazard if taken in larger quantities. The evidence for this is described below.
Herbert M (1997) conducted a study to determine whether the subjects had a statistical
difference in the incidence of their specific symptoms after ingestion of Monosodium Glutamate
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(MSG) compared with placebo. The study selected 61 subjects. First 5gm Monosodium glutamate
(MSG) was administered in random sequence in a double-blind fashion. Subjects who reached
only to a single test agent underwent rechallenge in random sequence in a double-blind fashion
with placebo. The result revealed that 18 (29.5%) responded to neither placebo nor Monosodium
Glutamate. 6(9.8%) to both, 15 (24.6%) to placebo and 22 (36.1%) to Monosodium Glutamate.
Total average severity of symptoms after ingestion of Monosodium Glutamate were greater than
after placebo ingestion. The symptoms like headache, muscle tightness, numbers/tingling, general
weakness and flushing occurred more frequently after Monosodium Glutamate ingestion. The
study concluded that Monosodium Glutamate reproduced symptoms in alleged sensitive persons.
People need to apply some common sense and decide for themselves what is right for them
and what’s not. And it has been proven that high fat/sugar foods leads to obesity, increase in
cholesterol, high blood pressure and cardiac problems. So everybody must keep certain amount of
awareness about food nutrition so that healthy choices can be made.3
Finally, the investigator feel the need to mention that many children in some parts of the
world are dying of starvation everyday and they don’t have this great choice to make. Any food,
whether Junk or otherwise, would be life for them.
Changes in our society have intensified the need for food skills to the extent that they need to
become a part of child’s basic education for good health and survival. Most people have forgotten
that the primary reason for eating is nourishment. Junk food comprises of anything that is quick,
tasty, convenient and fashionable. Good nutrition is a high priority children must know what they
eat affects, how they grow, feel and behave.4
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Traditionally it has been parents who have taken leadership in deciding what their kids are
going to eat. But Mc Donald’s and other fast food companies spend billions of dollars a year on ad
campaigns that target children, with the goal of taking that leadership away from the parents and
shifting it on to the kids themselves. In this way, the ads not only promote the consumption of Junk
food, with all the baneful health consequences we are witnessing today.5
Junk food are typically ready to eat convenience foods containing high levels of saturated
fats, salt or sugar and little or no fruit, vegetables or dietary fiber and are considered to have little
or no health benefits. Common junk food includes salted snack foods like chips (crsps), candy,
gum, most sweet desserts, fried fast food and carbonated beverages (sodas) as well as alcoholic
beverages. 6
The food habitats in India have changed due to the western influence and the usage of
foods is also on the rise and have been a part of everyday life.
In India, the consumer spending rate on processed food had ncreased at an average rate of
7.6% annually during the years 2008 to 2010 and this was expected to continue as the consumer
expense would rise with an average of around 8.6% till the year 2012. 30% of children aged 2-19
years are considered overweight or obese and has been estimated that 1 in 3 children born in the
year 2000 will develop diabetes in their lifetime over the past 3 decades the childhood obesity rate
has more doubled for pre-school children aged 2-5 years and adolescents aged 12-19 years and it
has more tripled for children aged 6-11 years.7
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An alarming trend on the rise is that of junk food. It is of the utmost importance that
children do not over indulge in junk food. Empty calories in soft drinks and fatty foods promote
obesity, responsible for many of the health problems plaguing the planet.
Obesity can have a deep effect on a child’s life, increasing risk of numerous health
problems. Such as heart disease, hypertension and stroke, type 2 diabetes, high level of cholesterol
and sleep apnoea. Obese children also face a higher risk of developing liver diseases, orthopedic
problems and asthma.9
A study was conducted by Tracee Cornforth on young adults of age 18 to 30 years to find
the effect of eating fast food for teens. The study selected 3,031 young black and white adults. The
participants were asked about how often they eat breakfast, lunch or dinner at fast food restaurants.
Data was collected by questionnaire and by doing physical examination. The result revealed that
adverse impact on participants weight and insulin resistance was seen in both blacks and whites
who ate frequently at fast food restaurants. The study concluded that blacks visited fast food
restaurants more frequently than whites.10
Young children are not capable of understanding that the advertising is intended to
manipulate their feelings and alter their behavior.
There is no better time than now to built a supportive environment for nurturing children
and endowing them with a legacy of good health.11
As health professionals are engaged directly in the largest preventable health crisis, faced
by the country, being an investigator would like to utilise this opportunity to impart the ill-effects
of junk food.
Owing to the investigator, she is witnessed many children having more choice or taste
towards the junk foods, when compared to healthy food being unaware of the ill effects of those
yummy items they choose. Being an investigator would like to assess the knowledge of high
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school students regarding junk food and update their level of knowledge by providing
informational booklet.
Sonica Tucunduva Philippi (2011) conducted cross sectional study to evaluate the
consumption of beverage and soft drinks by adolescents of a public school in SaoPaulo, Brazil.
The study selected 71 adolescents aged between 14 to 17 years from both genders. Data was
collected by questionnaire. The result revealed that the most frequent consumed beverage was
industrialized fruit juice (38.1%), soft drinks (28.6%) and natural fruit juices (22.2%) and main
place were home (38.2%) school (22.1%). The study concluded that sweet beverage intake was
frequent among adolescents specially soft drinks and were consumed at home and at school. The
nutrition education program should aim to stimulate the intake of more healthy beverages by
adolescents12
Silvia Hope (2010) conducted a cross sectional study to provide locally specific evidence
around the exposure, awareness and effect of Junk food advertising and promotion to children and
adolescents in Fiji. The study selected a total of 88 primary school students and 103 secondary
school students from high schools in Suva, Fiji. The data was collected by questionnaire. A
combination of Epi data and Microsoft excel were used in analysis. Statistical significance was
determined using a chi square test. The result revealed that the secondary school participants were
statistically more likely to watch television on more days of the week than the primary school
participants. The study concluded that children and adolescents in Suva are being exposed to and
affected by the Junk food advertisements which are abundant in their daily environment13
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adolescent. The study selected 1019 children. A questionnaire survey was done to collect data. The
result revealed that one month prior to the study 97.50% of children and adolescent had eaten
atleast one type of Junk food and 15.88% of them had eaten all types of them. The study concluded
that eating Junk food is a popular event among children and adolescent and the education strategies
on nutrition should be developed and launched in order to help children develop their own healthy
eating behaviors14.
Kelly N. Allen (2007) conducted study on effectiveness of nutrition education on fast food
choices in adolescents. The purpose of the study was to gain insight as to how food choices in a
simulated fast food environment might be influenced by nutrition education in a group of
adolescents. The study selected 10 adolescents. Participants were asked to choose food items from
a fast food restaurant menu. Their chosen meals nutrition was calculated. Following a 30 minutes
nutrition education session, participants were again asked to choose a meal from the same fast food
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menu. The result revealed that there was a statistically significant difference of the meals chosen
after nutrition education. The study concluded that this short nutrition education intervention
resulted in healthier fast food choices in this group of adolescents17.
Yamamoto JB (2005) conducted study to determine whether adolescents will modify their
ordering behavior if calorie and fat nutrition information is posted on the restaurant menu. The
study selected 106 adolescents aged 11 to 18 years and were asked to order a dinner of their choice
from 3 different restaurant menus. The result revealed that 75 did not change any of their orders,
31 did change some orders and only 9 changed their orders. The study concluded that the provision
of calorie and fat content information on the menu did not modify the food ordering behavior for
the majority of adolescents18.
Erica Garcia-Lago (2004) conducted study to test the hypothesis that overweight
adolescents are more susceptible to adverse effects of fast food than lean adolescents. The study
selected 26 overweight and 28 lean adolescents aged 13-17 years. The samples were fed large fast
food meal in food court and instructed to eat as desired in 1 hour and assessed energy intake under
free living conditions for 2 days when fast food was consumed. Data were collected by direct
observation and telephone. Result revealed that mean energy intake from fast food meal among all
participants was extremely large and overweight participants ate more than lean participants. The
study concluded that adolescents over consumed fast food regardless of their body weight20.
Shanthy A. Bowman (2004) conducted a study to test the hypothesis that fast food
consumption adversely affects dietary factors linked to obesity risk the study selected 6212
children in adolescents of age 4 to 19 years, in United States. Survey was done to collect the data.
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The result revealed that 30.3% of total sample reported consuming fast food. Children ate more
total energy and had poorer diet quality on days with compared with without fast food. The study
concluded that consumption of fast food among children in the United States seems to have an
adverse effect on dietary quality in ways that plausibly could increase risk for obesity21.
JA. Fulkerson (2001) conducted a study to examine demographic, behavioral and dietary
correlates of frequency of fast food restaurant use in a community based sample of adolescent
students. The study selected 4746 adolescents from 31 schools in Minnesota, United States. Data
was collected by survey. Dietary intake was assessed using a semi-quantitative food frequency
questionnaire. Height and weight were directly measured. Results revealed that frequency of fast
food restaurant use was positively associated with intake of total energy and availability of
unhealthy foods and inversely associated with peer concerns about healthy eating. The study
concluded that frequency of fast food restaurant use is associated with higher energy and fat intake
among adolescents and intervention to reduce fast food restaurants needs to perceive importance of
healthy eating22.
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6.4 OPERATIONAL DEFINITION
Knowledge: In this study knowledge refers to the correct response given by high school students
to the questionnaire regarding Junk food in urban schools.
Junk food: In this study it refers to any food item such as soft drinks, chips, pizza, ice cream,
hamburgers, cookies, bread, biscuits, cakes, fried foods etc that have poor nutritional value and
contains sugars, fats, oil & salt which are considered as unhealthy for children and available at
school canteens, colleges, nearby shops, restaurants, and road side.
High school students: In this study it refers to both male and female students of 8 th -10th standard,
who are studying in selected schools between the age group of 13-16 years,
Urban school: The high school which is situated in town or city.
Information booklet: In this study, informational booklet refers to systematically prepared health
package which includes information regarding definition, types, effects, tips to promote healthy
eating. Junk food which can be easily understood by high school students irrespective of their
knowledge.
6.6 ASSUMPTIONS
1. Increasing the knowledge of high school students studying in urban schools regarding Junk
food have a positive impact on preventing chronic health problems.
2. Knowledge on Junk food closely associated with some demographic characteristics such as
age, sex, study, atmosphere, family type, parent occupation, inadequate knowledge etc.
among high school students.
3. Information booklet enhances the knowledge regarding Junk food among urban high school
students.
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6.7 DELIMITATIONS
- The study is limited to high school students studying in urban schools.
- The study is limited to a sample of 80 high school students.
- This study cannot be generalized.
6.9 VARIABLES
Research variables are the concepts of various levels of abstractions that are entered,
manipulated and collected in a study.
Dependent variables: Knowledge of high school students who are studying in urban
schools regarding Junk food.
Descriptive statistics
Mean standard deviations and mean percentage of subjects will be used to analyze the level
of knowledge regarding Junk food.
Inferential statistics
The chi square test will be used to find out the association between socio demographical
variables and knowledge score.
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8.0 LIST OF REFERENCES
1. Ask Encyclopedia. Available from http://wiki.ask.com/food
2. Frank Diaz, Raising Excellent kids in Insane world: fear of food.
Available from: http://www.northjersey.com/community/12469384-Raising-Excellent-
kids-in-an-Insane-world-fear-of -food-pait-1.html
3. Is Junk food healthy? Available from
http://www.chillibreeze.com/articles-various/Junk-food.asp
4. Children and Junk food – available from
http://www.indiaparenting.com/food-and-nutrition/56-1186/children-and-Junk-food.html
5. John robbin. Is Mc. Donald’s betraying our kids by barrabing them with Junk food ads?
Avaible from: http://www.Huffingtonpost.com/john_roobins
6. Junk food.wikipedia.
Available from: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/junkfood
7. Steep rise in fast food consumption in India –
Avaible from: http://www.fnbnews.com/article/detnews.9.asp?articleid-29019
8. Rajan walia, study on 59% high schools serve Jank food, April 28,2011
Available from: http://articles.timesofindia.com
9. Harmful effects of junk food.
Available from: http://www.healthyjunkie.com/article.asp?articleid=24566andharmful-
effects-of-junk-food
10. Tracee cornforth.Eating fast food means weight gain, Insulin resistance for teens.2009 July
19.
An from: http://womenshealth.about.com/od/girlshealth101/a/fastfoodteenwei.html
11. Children and Junk food
Aviable from http://www.Indiaparenting.com/food-and-nutrition/56-1186/children-and-
junk-food.html
12. Camilla chermont P.Estima, Sonia Tucunduva Philippi, Erica Lie Araki, Greisse Viero
S.Leal, Marcelle Flores Martinez, Marle dos Santos Alvarenga. Beverage and Soft drink
consumption by adolescents from a public school. Revista Paulista de Pediatria volume 29
number 1 Sao Paulo January 2011. Available from http:///www.google.co.in.
13. Silvia Hope. Report on research undertaken in Fiji in 2010. Available from
http://www.pacifichealthvoices.org
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14. Zhu SP, Ding YJ, LU XF, Wang HW, Yang M, Wang KX, Chao XD, Zhao Z. A study on
factors related to top 10 Junk food consumption at 8 to 16 years of age, in Haidian district
of Beijin. Zhonghua Liu Xing Bing Xue Za Zhi 2008 August; 29(8):757-62. Available
from http://www.ncbi.nlm.gov/pubmed/19103107.
15. Manpreet Kaur. Jaypee’s International Journal of clinical pediatric Dentistry 2008
September-December 1(1): 13-16.
16. Dixon HG, Scully ML, Wakefield MA, White VM, Crawford DA. The effects of television
advertisements for Junk food versus nutritious food on children’s food attitudes and
preferences. Journal of Soc Sci Med 2007 October; 65(7):1311-23. Available from
http://www.ncbi.nlm.gov/pubmed/17587474.
17. Kelly N. Allen, Julie Smith Taylor, Ruth Anne Kuiper. Effectiveness of Nutrition
education on fast food choices in adolescents. The journal of school nursing. December
2007, volume 23, number 6. 337-341.
18. Yamamoto JA, Yamamoto JB, Yamamoto BE, Yamamoto LG. Adolescent fast food and
restaurant ordering behavior with and without calorie and fat content menu information.
Journal of adolescent Health 2005 November; 37(5): 397-402. Available from
http://www.ncbi.nlm.gov/pubmed/16227125
19. ZanJan. The scientific journal of Zanjan University of Medical sciences, June 2005 volume
13, number 51.
20. Cara B.Ebbeling, Kelly B. Sinclair, Mark A.Pereira, Erica Garcia-Lago, Henry A.Feldman,
David S.Ludwig. The compensation for energy intake from fast food among over weight
and lean adolescents. The journal of the American Medical Association 2004; 291 (23):
2828-2838. Available from http://jama.ama-assn.org
21. Shanthy A.Bowman, Steven L. Gortmaker, Cara B.Ebbeling, Mark A.Pereira, David
S.Ludwig. Effects of fast food consumption on energy intake and diet quality among
children in a National household survey. Official journal of the American academy of
pediatrics. Volume 113 Number 1, January 1, 2004 page number 118-118. Available from
http://pediatrics.aappublications.org
22. S A French, M Story, D Neumark-Sztainer, P Hannan, J A Fulkerson. International Journal
of Obesity 2001 December, volume 25, Number 12, pages 1823-1833. Available from
http://www.nature.com.
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9 SIGNATURE OF THE CANDIDATE
11.2 SIGNATURE
11.3 CO-GUIDE
11.4 SIGNATURE
11.6 SIGNATURE
12.2 SIGNATURE
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