Research Article
High Fat, High Sugar and High Salt Food Consumption among Adolescent Girls Residing in Mumbai City
Mishra Sonu1*, Subhadra M2 and Neha S3,4
1Department of Foods, Nutrition and Dietetics, College of Home Science, Nirmala Niketan, Affiliated to University of Mumbai, Maharashtra, India.
2Department of Foods, Nutrition and Dietetics,College of Home Science, Nirmala Niketan, Affiliated to University of Mumbai, Maharashtra, India.
3Department of Foods, Nutrition and Dietetics, Hirabai Cowasji Jehangir Medical Research Institute, Pune, Maharashtra, India.
4Department of Foods, Nutrition and Dietetics, School of Health Sciences, Savitribai Phule Pune University, Pune, Maharashtra, India.
2Department of Foods, Nutrition and Dietetics,College of Home Science, Nirmala Niketan, Affiliated to University of Mumbai, Maharashtra, India.
3Department of Foods, Nutrition and Dietetics, Hirabai Cowasji Jehangir Medical Research Institute, Pune, Maharashtra, India.
4Department of Foods, Nutrition and Dietetics, School of Health Sciences, Savitribai Phule Pune University, Pune, Maharashtra, India.
*Corresponding author:Mishra Sonu, Department of Foods, Nutrition and Dietetics, College of Home Science, Nirmala Niketan, Affiliated to University of Mumbai, Maharashtra, India. E-mail Id: sonu01m@gmail.com
Article Information: Submission: 24/07/2025; Accepted: 12/08/2025; Published: 15/08/2025
Copyright: ©2025 Sonu M, et al. This is an open access article distributed under the Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.
Abstract
Background: The frequent consumption of high-fat, salt, and sugar (HFSS) foods among youngsters leads to a higher risk of overweight, obesity, and nutrient deficiencies, thereby raising concerns about the future risk of noncommunicable diseases (NCDs). The study aimed to assess the consumption pattern of HFSS food intake among adolescent girls in Mumbai and examine the influence of socioeconomic status on these habits.
Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted among 1,035 adolescent girls aged 13–18 years who were selected through random and purposive sampling from four zones of Mumbai (North, South, East, and West). Participants were categorized as per their socioeconomic status (as per the Kuppuswamy scale). Data on HFSS food consumption were collected using a structured food frequency questionnaire and analysed using SPSS version 25.0.
Results: The findings revealed a high prevalence of HFSS food consumption among adolescent girls. Daily intake was most common for sugar as an ingredient in various recipes (55.8%), tea with sugar (48.1%), cream biscuits (39.2%), sweet biscuits (32.3%), and chocolates (31.8%). Weekly consumption was notable for chaat (47.4%), instant noodles (43.5%), vada pav/samosa (42.8%), and sugary beverages. Bakery items and processed foods like wafers and cheese were consumed predominantly on a weekly or monthly basis. Socioeconomic status significantly influenced HFSS food intake, with higher consumption observed among girls from higher socioeconomic backgrounds (p<0.05)
Conclusion: This study highlights socioeconomic disparities in the widespread and frequent intake of HFSS foods among adolescent girls in Mumbai, underscoring an urgent need for targeted nutrition education and intervention programs to foster healthier eating behaviours and reduce the immediate as well as future risk of NCDs in this vulnerable population.
Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted among 1,035 adolescent girls aged 13–18 years who were selected through random and purposive sampling from four zones of Mumbai (North, South, East, and West). Participants were categorized as per their socioeconomic status (as per the Kuppuswamy scale). Data on HFSS food consumption were collected using a structured food frequency questionnaire and analysed using SPSS version 25.0.
Results: The findings revealed a high prevalence of HFSS food consumption among adolescent girls. Daily intake was most common for sugar as an ingredient in various recipes (55.8%), tea with sugar (48.1%), cream biscuits (39.2%), sweet biscuits (32.3%), and chocolates (31.8%). Weekly consumption was notable for chaat (47.4%), instant noodles (43.5%), vada pav/samosa (42.8%), and sugary beverages. Bakery items and processed foods like wafers and cheese were consumed predominantly on a weekly or monthly basis. Socioeconomic status significantly influenced HFSS food intake, with higher consumption observed among girls from higher socioeconomic backgrounds (p<0.05)
Conclusion: This study highlights socioeconomic disparities in the widespread and frequent intake of HFSS foods among adolescent girls in Mumbai, underscoring an urgent need for targeted nutrition education and intervention programs to foster healthier eating behaviours and reduce the immediate as well as future risk of NCDs in this vulnerable population.
Keywords:Adolescents; HFSS (High Fat, Salt, And Sugar); Socioeconomic Status