Fast food and snack food consumption of adolescents in Turkey

Backrounds: The aim of this study was to determine the consumption of fast foods and snack foods by adolescents according to gender and the socioeconomic characteristics of the regions in which they live; and to identify the factors affecting consumption of fast foods and snack foods. Method: A total of 1000 volunteer adolescents (510 boys, 490 girls) between the ages of 12-14 (mean = 12.80 +/- 0.21) living in areas with low or high socio-economic conditions were included in the study. A questionnaire form was used to determine participants' demographic characteristics and consumption of fast foods and snack foods. Result: Adolescents living in regions with low socioeconomic status showed higher fast food consumption (t=2.896, p<0.05). Fast food and snack food consumption varied between genders. It was found that girls consumed these foods because they were curious about the taste, whereas boys were found to consume these foods because their friends did so, and because they were influenced by billboard advertising (p<0.05). Girls who do not consume fast foods and snack foods reported that they avoided these foods because they do not find them healthy; boys reported that they did not consume these foods because they were prohibited by parents and teachers (p<0.05). Conclusion: The results of the study indicated that fast foods and snack foods were widely consumed by adolescents. However, warnings from parents, teachers and close circles about the health risks of these products led to increased awareness and contributed to their reduced consumption of fast foods and snack foods.