Cross-Sectional Study on Overweight and Obesity Associated with Fast-Food Consumption in Bangladesh

Abstract

Cross-Sectional Study on Overweight and Obesity Associated with Fast-Food Consumption in Bangladesh Farhana Sultana1,2, Shafayet Ahmed Siddiqui1,2, Md. Ashraful Islam3, Mohammad Hamid Al Muktadir4, Md. Shalahuddin Millat5, Muhammed Mohibul Islam5, Abu Montakim Tareq6, Nahida Afroz1,5, Mahabuba Rahman7, Mohammad Nurul Amin1,2*, Talha Bin Emran8 1Department of Pharmacy, Atish Dipankar University of Science and Technology, Dhaka 1230, Bangladesh 2Pratyasha Health Biomedical Research Center, Dhaka 1230, Bangladesh 3Department of Food Technology and Nutrition Science, Faculty of Science, Noakhali Science and Technology University, Noakhali 3814, Bangladesh 4Department of Public Health, Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences, American International University- Bangladesh, Dhaka 1212, Bangladesh 5Department of Pharmacy, Faculty of Science, Noakhali Science and Technology University, Noakhali 3814, Bangladesh 6Department of Pharmacy, Faculty of Science and Engineering, International Islamic University Chittagong, Chittagong 4318, Bangladesh 7Department of Microbiology, Faculty of Science, Noakhali Science and Technology University, Noakhali 3814, Bangladesh 8Department of Pharmacy, BGC Trust University Bangladesh, Chittagong 4381, Bangladesh Abstract Background: This study aimed to investigate the risk factors and status of fast-food consumption among students in Bangladesh. Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted from March to November 2020. A total of 654 samples were collected from several schools, colleges, and universities during this study period. Results: About 60.1% and 39.9% of the students were male and female, respectively. Of the students, 53.1% considered fast food as unhealthy (p < 0.001), but only 47.7% were leading a sedentary lifestyle. A significant outcome of overweight and pre-obesity was observed for student institutions, consumption frequency, daily fast-food consumption, and sedentary lifestyle (p < 0.001). In addition, positive association was observed for fast-food consumption more than three times and less than three times per week (OR and 95% CI: 11.13 [7.52–16.47], p < 0.001), higher social class and lower class (OR and 95% CI: 2.18 [1.31–3.62], p = 0.003), fast food preference and other foods (OR and 95% CI: 1.55 [1.11–2.15], p = 0.009), and sedentary and heavily active lifestyle (OR and 95% CI: 5.71 [2.02–16.10], p = 0.001) using logistic regression. Conclusions: Overweight and obesity are serious public health concerns, which are highly associated with fast-food consumption along with lifestyle, economy, and fast-food preference among students in Dhaka City, Bangladesh. Keywords: cross-sectional study, fast food, obesity, overweight