Indian

Journal of ARTICLE
Science, Vol. 23, No. 81, May 1, 2016
ANALYSIS

ISSN
23197730
EISSN
23197749

ANALYSIS

Indian Journal of Science

An International Journal

Assessment of Nutritional status of Street Foods consumers

in Vijayawada, A.P

Varalakshmi KN1, Saritha N2

1. Faculty of Department of Applied nutrition, Sri Durga Malleswara Siddhartha Mahila Kalsala, Vijayawada.
2. Faculty of Department of Microbiology, Sri Durga Malleswara Siddhartha Mahila Kalsala, Vijayawada

Publication History
Received: 17 March 2016
Accepted: 19 April 2016
Published: 1 May 2016
Citation
Varalakshmi KN, Saritha N. Assessment of Nutritional status of Street Foods consumers in Vijayawada, A.P. Indian Journal of Science,
2016, 23(81), 447-451
Publication License
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.
General Note
Article is recommended to print as digital color version in recycled paper.

2016 Discovery Publication. All Rights Reserved

Page

Varalakshmi and Saritha,

Assessment of Nutritional status of Street Foods consumers in Vijayawada, A.P,
Indian Journal of Science, 2016, 23(81), 447-451,
www.discoveryjournals.com

447

ABSTRACT
Street food consumption spread out rapidly in last ten years especially between college students, working men & women in
developing countries. Excessive consumption of street food is responsible for obesity and related health problems. It influences the
nutritional status of the consumers. The present study assessed the nutritional status of street food consumers through Body Mass
Index. 200 samples were collected randomly from different places of the city includes college students, working men and women. A
survey questionnaire was used to collected information on general information, street food consumption pattern, height, weight and
BMI. We found that overweight and obesity were present up to 40% of the male respondents compared to females up to 30%.
Street food consumption frequency of 2-4 times per week was high among males than females. Frequent consumption of street
foods high in Fat, Calories increases BMI it leads to Obesity, Hypertension, Diabetes, Heart Diseases.

ANALYSIS

ARTICLE

Key words: BMI Analysis, Street Foods Consumption Pattern, Obesity.

Abbreviations: BMI-Body Mass Index

1. INTRODUCTION

Street foods which are defined as food and beverages prepared and sold by venders in streets or other public places for immediate
consumption without further processing or preparation. Street foods are appreciated for their unique flavor as well as their
convenience as they are consumed by more number of people they influence the nutritional status of the population. One of the
most important recent changes leading to an obesogenic environment is the increased street
Body Mass Index or
food consumption. College students, working men , women are highly exposed to unhealthy
Quetelet index:
eating habits and life style practices are considered as important determinants of being
Body Mass Index is a measure
overweight. The aim of the present study is to assess the nutritional status of street food
for human body shape based
consumers by using BMI analysis.
on an individuals weight and
height. BMI can also be
2. METHODOLOGY
determined using a BMI
Total of 200 samples included in that 50 working men and 50 working women age group of 25chart, which displays BMI as a
45 years and 50 college boys and 50 girls of age group of 14-21years from different parts of
function of weight (horizontal
Vijayawada. For the above sample to assess nutritional status a well formulated questionnaire was
axis) and height (vertical axis)
developed to collected the data like
using contour lines for
1.General information
different values of BMI or
2.BMI analysis
colors for different BMI
3.Street food consumption pattern.
categories.
BMI formula
3. RESULTS
BMI
=
Weighty in Kgs
2
The results were briefly summarized
/ height in m

Table 1 Income of the Sample

Years

Monthly Income

25-45

14-21

Gender

10,000

20,000

30,000

Male

10

20%

15

30%

25

50%

Female

12

24%

16

32%

22

44%

Boys

16%

10

20%

32

64%

Girls

16%

12

24%

30

60%

The level of income determining the standard of living of people which in turn influences the nutritional status. the selected samples
were distributed into 3 major categories according to the range of income. From the above table it reveals that majority of the
sample families belongs to monthly income more than 30,000 per month so they were spending more amount lavishly for the
consumption of street foods.

Body Mass Index Analysis

Varalakshmi and Saritha,

Assessment of Nutritional status of Street Foods consumers in Vijayawada, A.P,
Indian Journal of Science, 2016, 23(81), 447-451,
www.discoveryjournals.com

BMI (kg/m )
< 18.5
18.5-24.9

2016 Discovery Publication. All Rights Reserved

Page

Classification
Underweight
Normal Range

448

To assess the Nutritional status of the sample Body Mass Index (Kg/m ) is estimated. It is assessed by using an instrument Body
Analyzer. Based on the Measured values of samples were classified according to the BMI classification of Adults
BMI classification:

ANALYSIS

ARTICLE
Pre obese
Obesity

25.0- 29.9
30

Source: World Health Organization (WHO)

Table 2
Years

Gender

Under Weight

Normal

Pre Obese

Obesity

6%

24

48%

14

28%

18%

Male
BMI

25-45

Female

12%

29

58%

10

20%

10%

14-21

Boys

6%

26

52%

13

26%

16%

Girls

6%

30

60%

12

24%

10%

It is evident from the above table percentage distribution of the sample according to BMI. In males 6% underweight, 48% normal,
28% pre obese and 18% were obese. For female 12% underweight, 58% normal, 20% pre obese and 10% obese. Of the boys 6%
underweight, 52% normal, 26% pre obese, 16% obese. Of girls 6% underweight, 60% normal, 24% pre obese, 10% obese. Adult
women and girls nutritional status were better than adult males and boys. Regular intake of street foods can increase the risk of
weight gain and obesity because of having high energy and low protein and fiber.

Street Food Consumption

Table 3

Frequency of
Street Food
consumption

Gender

25-45

14-21

1-2 times

2-4 times

5 times

Male

11

22%

29

58%

10

20%

Female

15

30%

25

50%

10

20%

Boys

10

20%

30

60%

10

20%

Girls

14

28%

28

56%

16%

Varalakshmi and Saritha,

Assessment of Nutritional status of Street Foods consumers in Vijayawada, A.P,
Indian Journal of Science, 2016, 23(81), 447-451,
www.discoveryjournals.com

Page

For students the mean daily intake of street food consumption was more than the adults. Majority of the respondents were
consuming street foods 4 times in a week. Male respondents were more addicted then females.

449

Years

2016 Discovery Publication. All Rights Reserved

ANALYSIS

ARTICLE

Table 4 Reasons for street food consumption

Males

Females

Boys

Girls

Quick

10

20

16

10

14

In Expensive

10

10

12

10

Taste

12

24

10

20

10

20

10

20

Variety

10

10

12

12

Lack of time

14

10

20

Convince

12

10

18

Advertisement

12

10

Eat with family and

friends

10

14

10

18

Data in the table 4 reveals the information regarding the various reasons for street food consumption of respondents. Street foods
are appreciated for their unique flavor, taste, as well as their convenience, in expensive, so most of the students and working people
were addicted for regular consumption. The reasons for street foods consumptions percentage for different groups are given in the
above table. Majority of the individuals liked street foods for their taste as it was one of the predominant factors for their choice.

4. DISCUSSION
Majority of the respondents were consuming street foods for 4 times in a week. Male respondents were more addicted than a
female. Majority of the sample families belongs to more than 30,000/- per month, so they were spending more amounts lavishly for
the consumption of street foods. Majority of the individuals liked street foods for their taste, quick, inexpensive, convenience. Street
foods contain excess fat, energy, low in fiber, deficient in micronutrients, such of iron, calcium, B complex vitamins.BMI analysis of
the street food consumers shows adult women and girls nutritional status was better than males and boys. Only 50% of the
respondents are in normal BMI up to 28% are pre obese and 18% are in obesity range.

5. CONCLUSION
The present study reveals that college students, working men and women getting addicted to street foods so increases in BMI it
leads to Obesity, Diabetes, Hypertension, Heart Diseases. Dietary Guidelines, Nutrition Education Programs, Effective Public
Awareness Camping could be recommended to limit the consumption of street foods balancing it with a healthy balanced diet.

SUMMARY OF RESEARCH
Wide use of street foods that are low in protein, micro nutrients like iron, calcium, riboflavin, folic acid, and poor quality of the diet
influences the nutritional status, particularly young generation in cities due to low cost & easy availability of street foods. The
important factor for the preference of street food include good taste, convenience, quick and inexpensive majority of the
respondents mentioned that they consumed street foods 4 days per week, up to 30% of respondents had the meal every day. Most
of the young people working men addicted to street foods. Increase of street food consumption creating a long term negative effect
on health and nutritional status.

FUTURE ISSUES

450

The younger generations are getting addicted to street food which indicates a serous public health concern & urgent action should
be taken to tackle this problem. There is a need to incorporate nutrition education in to students curriculum With a view to
equipping them with necessary nutritional knowledge on how to make healthy nutritious food choices.

DISCLOSURE STATEMENT

Varalakshmi and Saritha,

Assessment of Nutritional status of Street Foods consumers in Vijayawada, A.P,
Indian Journal of Science, 2016, 23(81), 447-451,
www.discoveryjournals.com

Page

Funded by UGC (Minor Research Project)

2016 Discovery Publication. All Rights Reserved

ANALYSIS

ARTICLE

ACKNOWLEDGMENT
We would like to Thanks our colleagues and friends for supporting us to initiate the study subject. We are also graceful to
respondents who cooperated with us conduct the interview for questionnaire.

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Varalakshmi and Saritha,

Assessment of Nutritional status of Street Foods consumers in Vijayawada, A.P,
Indian Journal of Science, 2016, 23(81), 447-451,
www.discoveryjournals.com

Page

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