Junk food-induced obesity- a growing threat to youngsters during the pandemic

This 2021 study investigated the dietary habits of children and adolescents during the COVID-19 pandemic. It is said that this pandemic is expected to affect children the most, and that they should be more cautious eating junk foods as it can potentially contribute to compromised immunity and increased organ damage. The PAN India Survey examined 13,274 children between the ages 9-14 years. It was found that 93% of these young children and adolescents ate packed food, and 68% consumed packaged sweetened beverages more than once a week. Over half (53%) of these kids ate these products daily. The data revealed that almost a quarter of children attending school ate ultra-processed foods with high levels of sugar, salt, fat (for example pizzas and burgers) at least once a week. Children and adolescents who consume more of or are addicted to junk foods might be even more vulnerable during the third wave of the COVID-19 pandemic. There is an urgent need to spread awareness of junk foods’ negative effects among children and adolescents. [NPID: junk foods, COVID-19, pandemic, immunity, India, diet, processed foods, children, adolescents]

Year: 2021

Reference: Singh S, A., Dhanasekaran, D., Ganamurali, N., L, P., & Sabarathinam, S. (2021). Junk food-induced obesity- a growing threat to youngsters during the pandemic. Obesity medicine, 26, 100364. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.obmed.2021.100364