Fast Food industry is one among the fastest growing industries of the world. A significant growth in number of nuclear families, economical growth and globalization, is a major reason that Fast Food culture gained prominence in India.
The study conducted by IJSRP (International Journal of Scientific and Research Publication) in India, revealed that average visits made by the sample respondents was three times a month. The major reason for high consumption is seeking an alternate food item.
A report from NRAI (National Restaurant Association of India) in 2010 says that, fast food industry in India is estimated to be nearly Rs.8000 crore. The total value of junk consumed in India in 2003 was about Rs.41000 crore, which was based on the National Sample Survey (NSS) data for the category of beverages, refreshments and processed foods.
These figures are way too high in current years (2014-15), which is alarming for health of Indian society particularly the young ones. A new research for the first time has revealed that, excess consumption of junk food may cause shrinking in a part of one’s brain, used for learning and mental health. The research was conducted by Deakin University and the Australian National University (ANU).
The study suggested that unhealthy diets results in smaller hippocampi – the hippocampus is one part of human brain, which is integral to learning, memory and mental health.
Associate professor Felice Jacka, Lead Author of the study and researcher at Deakin University said in her journal that “the negative impact of unhealthy foods on the waistline of the population grows, so does the evidence suggesting that our brain health is also affected”.
The unhealthy food or junk are defined as sweet drinks, salty snacks and processed meats, as these types of food have low or no nutritional values in it. The results produced in study were parallel with other factors such as gender, levels of physical activity, smoking, education or depression.
The IJSRP study accomplished in year 2014 shed lights on change in eating habits of Indian population, where 45% of the sample respondents consumes fast food minimum three times in a month, 34% consumes fast food once in a month, while 9% eats fast food regularly and remaining 13% haves it occasionally.
IJSRP study was conducted in two major cities of India; Hyderabad and Coimbatore by selecting randomly 100 respondents who steps in a major fast food restaurants.
Although Indian society has adopted modernization in global scenarios, it has, at the same time miserably failed in maintaining a healthy balance between both the cultures. Unfortunately, one thing which is adversely affected is the individual’s health.
One thing which must be considered by every Indian on a serious note is, adopting a change in the present eating habits. A much wiser decision would be ‘why to compromise with health’ just to be ahead in the race of making big money.
