International journal of Nursing Education & Research

A DESCRIPTIVE STUDY TO ASSESS THE KNOWLEDGE AND ATTITUDE REGARDING THE HEALTH HAZARDS OF JUNK FOOD AMONG ADOLESCENTS (16-19 YEARS) IN VIJAYAM JUNIOR COLLEGE, CHITTOOR, ANDHRAPRADESH

Rathiga C

c.rathiga@gmail.com

Junk food, Health hazards, Adolescents, Knowledge, Attitude

The consumption of junk food has been increasing. Junk food causes many diseases like cardiac diseases, renal diseases, skin disorder and cancer. The major problem is people do not have adequate knowledge regarding junk food and its effects. Objectives: To assess the existing knowledge and attitude of adolescents regarding the health hazards of junk food. To find out the relationship between knowledge and attitude regarding the health hazards of junk food among adolescents. To find out the association between knowledge and attitude with the selected demographic variables among adolescents (16-19 years) regarding the health hazards of junk food. Methodology: A non-experimental descriptive design was used for the study. The sample consists of 53 adolescents. They were chosen by convenient sampling technique. The study was conducted at Vijayam Junior College, Chittoor. The data was collected by administering questionnaire. Study findings: Regarding knowledge it was found that majority [60.4%] of the adolescents had inadequate knowledge, [39.6%] of adolescents had moderate knowledge and no one of had adequate knowledge regarding health hazards of junk food. Regarding attitude of adolescents, [30.20] had favourable attitude, [56.60] moderately favourable attitude, and [13.20] had unfavourable attitude. The knowledge mean value 11.2 and the SD value is 17.69 and the SD value is 3.309,’r’ value is 0.16. It represents that there is a positive relationship between knowledge and attitude among adolescent regarding health hazards of junk food. There is an association between knowledge and selected demographic variables such as gender, father’s education, place of living during study, consumption of junk food, source of information regarding junk food. There is an association between attitude and selected demographic variables such as gender, age, family income, place of living during study, source of information regarding junk food. Conclusion: The overall experience of conducting this study was satisfying and enriching. The study was learning experience for us. The study shows that there is a great need to improve knowledge and attitude regarding health hazards of junk food among adolescents [16-19] years