A Descriptive Study to Assess the Knowledge Regarding Health Hazards of Junk Food among Fewer than Five Mothers in Selected Rural Areas of Chamarajanagara District

Abstract

Background: Food habits and patterns are formed during childhood and will remain till the end of an individual's life. Proper nutrition at this age causes child growth and development and also reduces the risk of chronic diseases in adulthood. School-age children often face health-related nutritional problems, when they enter the school environment there will be changes in their habits, lifestyle and particularly in their food habits. Moreover, the growth rate and health are closely interrelated with the quality and quantity of foods and the information related to the health status and nutrition status of this group is an important health issue in terms of the prevalence of underweight and overweight. Objectives: To assess the knowledge regarding the effects of junk foods on health among the Mothers of under-five in selected rural areas of Chamarajanagara district. Methods: A descriptive research design was adopted for the present research study. A convenient sampling technique was used to collect the data. The tools used for the present study were a socio-demographic sheet, Semi structured questionnaire tool was used to collect data. The population for this study were all comprised the mothers of under-five between the age group of 20-40 years. This study was conducted in the selected rural areas of Chamarajanagara district and the sample size for the present study was 60. Result: Results of the study reveal that, among 60 participants, the majority of the participants are in the age group of 36 to 40 years that is 32(53.3%) majority of the participants are illiterates that are 20 (33.3%), the majority of the participants are housewife 44(73.3%), and all the participants belong to Hindu religion and out of 60 participants 26 (26.66%) are having inadequate knowledge, 32 (53.3%) participants are having moderate knowledge and only 2 (3.33%) are having adequate knowledge regarding hazards of junk foods.