Frequency of Consumption of Fast-Food Products and Good Food and the Nutritional State of Junior School Students in the Myślenice Powiat in the Years 2016–2017 ^†

Abstract

Background: Nutrition is one of the most important elements of the external environment affecting human health. Aim: We aimed to evaluate the frequency of consumption of fast-food products and the nutritional status of adolescents aged 12–16 in 2016–2017 by gender. Material and methods: In 2016–2017, an assessment of the diet and nutritional status of junior high-school students was carried out (consent of the Bioethics Committee of the Jagiellonian University). A total of 700 junior high-school students were examined. After removing incomplete questionnaires, 664 were included in the analysis. The obtained results were statistically processed. Results: Among the 664 examined children, there were 314 boys (47.3%) and 350 girls (52.7%). The average age of the surveyed youth was 13.85 ± 0.78 years. In the sex groups, there were statistically significant differences in the frequency of consumption of fast-food products and snacking depending on BMI. Sweets were eaten by 73.5% of girls and 65.7% of boys with malnutrition and 42.6% of girls and 46.0% of boys who were overweight or obese. Pastry was eaten by 31.4% of boys and 20.4% of girls with malnutrition. Fruit was eaten by 85.2% of overweight and obese girls and 65.7% of normal and malnourished boys. In the study group, overweight and obese boys significantly less frequently (46.0%) ate fruit (p = 0.0156) and confectionery (p = 0.0131) compared to normal and malnourished boys (65.7%). Overweight and obese girls ate sweets significantly less often (42.6% vs. 54.7%; p = 0.0064) and ate fruit significantly more often (85.2%; p = 0.0156) compared to girls with normal weight and malnutrition (76.5%). Fast-food products were eaten once a month by 68.5% of girls and 44.4% of overweight and obese boys. There were no significant differences in the consumption of fast-food products in the group of boys (p = 0.8071), and girls with malnutrition consumed these products significantly more often (p = 0.0172). Discussion: Research by many authors shows that the majority of adolescents have erroneous and unfavorable eating behaviors, consisting of a diet with little variety, rich in products of low nutritional value. Conclusions. Significant differences in the frequency of consumption of fast-food products and snacking depending on BMI in the sex groups were observed.