2024, Vol. 6, Issue 2, Part A

author(s)
Dr. Alok Rawat and Pooja

abstract
Adolescence marks a crucial period of rapid physical growth, accompanied by hormonal and emotional changes. Nutritional needs surge due to this growth spurt, alongside evolving food habits driven by increased independence and experimentation. Divided into early, middle, and late stages, adolescence shapes cognitive development and decision-making. Poor nutrition during this phase can impair cognitive abilities. Globally, junk food consumption is rising, especially among school children and adolescents, posing health risks due to their high sugar, fat, and salt content and lack of nutrients. The study encompasses experimental or interventional research, focusing on schools, and educational institutions. It seeks scientific papers in peer-reviewed journals, including original articles, systematic reviews, and government guidelines in English. Targeting school children aged 6-12 years and adolescents aged 13-17 years, interventions involve nutrition education, counseling, lifestyle modifications, and physical activity promotion, comparing against no intervention. Inclusion criteria involve literature focusing on school-based strategies related to nutrition, healthy eating, physical activity, and lifestyle. Exclusions include culinary activities, drugs, and studies on abnormal eating habits or disorders. Selection methods entail identifying relevant articles from databases and reference lists, yielding 8 related scientific papers. This review investigates the intricate link between junk food consumption and health outcomes in Indian school-aged children. With a surge in junk food intake among this demographic, concerns over its health impact have grown. The study aims to uncover how junk food affects children's health by analyzing dietary patterns, nutritional status, and chronic conditions prevalence. Findings reveal disparities in junk food consumption across age groups, socioeconomic classes, and urban-rural areas. The review stresses the need for balanced diets and awareness campaigns, especially in schools. It also highlights the adverse effects of frequent junk food consumption on oral health, adolescent obesity, and gender-based nutritional deficiencies. Urgent interventions, like lifestyle modifications and school screenings, are recommended to tackle hypertension's rising rates among adolescents.