This document summarizes a study on the fast food culture among adolescents in Chennai, India. The study surveyed 200 students from grades 8 to 12 in 4 areas of Chennai to understand their fast food consumption habits. Key findings included that 76% of students eat fast food regularly and their favorite items are masala puri and senna masala. Most fast food outlets use polythene paper for serving rather than banana leaves, which can cause health issues. The study also found that students commonly experience indigestion and other digestive problems from regular fast food consumption.

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FAST FOOD CULTURE AMONG ADOLESCENTS: STUDY WITH SCHOOL
PUPILS IN CHENNAI METROPOLITAN
Pugalendhi R*1,Jayachandrika K*2,Edward Kennedy A*3
*1,2,3Department Of Visual Communication, Sathyabama Institute Of Science And
Technology, Chennai. India.
ABSTRACT
Most people living in big cities like Chennai nowadays are inclined towards the habit of eating fast food. It is
mainly school children and college students who have the habit of consuming this fast food. Most of these fast
food outlets are located outside government schools or on the way to schools and colleges. Almost all the
customers in these fast food outlets are students. According to Singh, M. and Mishra, S. (2014), Students prefer
the fast food though it is spicy and hot. Kaushik, et al. (2011) Fast food has become a significant part of most
children's and adolescents' diets. The marketing strategies and peer pressure influence children. They use
polythene paper to serve fast food. Many research articles from around the world have been published as
evidence that when transferring hot food in polythene bags or paper, its nature changes due to heat, so it can
affect the health of those who eat it. The researcher's opinion is that we should follow Dr. Abdul Kalam's words
and that today's students are the future of tomorrow's India in life. The survey method was conducted in
November 2021 in four areas in Chennai and a total of 200 students from Class VIII to XII participated in the
study. 76% of the students eat fast food regularly and the rest 24% eat occasionally. .This study will explain
how our food habits are changing and moving towards fast food culture.
Keywords: Fast Food Culture, Adolescents, School Pupils, Chennai Metropolitan.
I. INTRODUCTION
Today, the food culture is changing all over the world, and it is welcomed by one party but opposed by the
other. But ignorant schoolchildren are more interested in foreign dishes. Kumar, K. S. et al. (2012), scientifically
explained the benefits of banana leaf, which has been used and can improve human health. But in emerging
cities like Chennai, these polythene sheets are used to keep fast food warm. This fast food culture that
surrounds all government schools in Chennai not only degrades our food culture but also enslaves us to foreign
food cultures. Future Tamil communities will be benefited from the truth that is insisted in this study.
1-A CHENNAI FAST FOOD RESTAURANTS
Fast food means food that is cooked and served immediately with raw ingredients. Noodles and Panipuri,
Masalapuri, chicken curry, Pav Pajji, samosa, Senna masala, and masala Puri are mostly sold in roadside stalls
which are all cooked hot and packed in polythene bags and recooked. This method of recooking can affect
organs of the body in course of time. Most fast food outlets around Chennai use polythene sheets and polythene
paper.
2-B FAST FOOD DISADVANTAGES
Doctors warn that eating these foods can lead to various diseases. Studies show that young people are at
greater risk of developing diseases, including cancer, by the age of 50, as they continue to eat fast food. These
types of foods will develop type 2 diabetes to children. Many ailments, such as osteoporosis and anemia in
women, come from fast food. According to a 2007 survey in the UK, 75% of the population is affected by various
diseases due to the passport culture. A similar survey that was conducted in Bangalore and Mumbai, found that
50 per cent of patients were affected by fast food. More than 60 clinical studies in various countries have shown
that heart disease and cancer are more likely to strike at a young age, according to the Institute of Dietetics and
Food Science.
2-C ADVANTAGES OF EATING BANANA LEAF
1. Hair will always be black for a long time without coming of age. The leaf is a disinfectant.
2. Banana leaves destroy food toxins.
3. People who eat bananas in their leaves will not get diseases.

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4. Banana leaf, if you eat it regularly, your skin will glow. Get healthy.
5. The green nature (chlorophyll) on the top of the banana leaf makes it easily digestible and cures stomach
ulcers.
6. It induces a good appetite. People who eat banana leaves will live longer and healthier without disease
II. REVIEW OF LITERATURE
In their study, Kumar, K. S. et al. (2012) explained the benefits of banana leaf. It contains the scientific ideas that
are required for this study. Asha Kiran, Deepti.R et al (2012) have reported the studies conducted on fast food
eaters. The explanation of the disadvantages was very useful to my Study. Stefano della Vigina, Genet (2009)
explained the obesity problems that were caused by fast food outlets. This study insisted the importance of
food system to younger generation to lead healthy life. Stefano Della Vigina, Janet Kuria, 2009, explained the
interconnection between fast food and obesity.
III. THE PURPOSE OF THE STUDY
 To determine the number of students who regularly eat fast food,
 To find out what their favorite fast food item is
 To determine the number of fast food outlets using banana leaf / polythene paper
 To find out the side effects of fast food
IV. METHODOLOGY
A survey method was used for this study in which the researcher directly researched and asked the students
about the search for the study. A total of 6 types of questions were asked. Approximately 200 students
participated in the study, including 132 female students, 68 male students, and all questions for the study were
asked while the students were eating fast food at the roadside stalls. The researcher selected four areas and
conducted this study after examining the number of students who might be there.
V. RESULT AND FINDINGS
Table 1: Number of students participating in the study - Four areas
Saligramam T- Nagar Tambaram Ashok Nagar
54 students 62 students 60 students 24 students
Table 2: Number of students likes to eat fast food in each area.
Fast Food Saligramam T-Nagar Tambaram Ashok Nagar
Noodles 05 Students 04 Students 05 Students 02 Students
Panipuri 06 Students 11 Students 13 Students 06 Students
Masala Puri 17 Students 15 Students 14 Students 07 Students
Pav Bajji 11 Students 12 Students 09 Students 02 Students
Samosa 05 Students 08 Students 08 Students 04 Students
Senna Masala 10 Students 12 Students 11 Students 03 Students
Most of the students are eaten fast food (Table 2). In all areas of Chennai urban , the majority of students were
taken to Masala Puri 53, and less students are eaten fast food like Noodles that is 16 students. Through this
study, we can see that the number of people using banana leaves in fast food outlets is very low, while the use of
polythene paper is increasing in fast food outlets (Table-3)
Table 3
Used as Serving Plate Saligramam T-Nagar Tambaram Ashok Nagar
Banana Leaf Users 01 Shops 02 Shops 04 Shops 03 Shops
Polythene Papers Users 09 Shops 11 Shops 10 Shops 09 Shops

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Table 3 clearly shows most of them used polythene paper for food serving, that is 39, and very few food shop
owners used banana leaf for food supply and parcel services, that is 10. Most of the food shop owners use
polythene paper for their service.
Table 4
Health Problems Saligramam T-Nagar Tambaram Ashok Nagar
Heartburn 05 Students 03 Students 04 Students 02 Students
Indigestion 05 Students 05 Students 05 Students 07 Students
Body Fat 04 Students 05 Students 04 Students 03 Students
Body Tiredness 03 Students 04 Students 05 Students 02 Students
Table 5
Through this study , researcher has found most of the school students consume more fast food. This study
shows the preferred fast food of the students in Table-2. Most of the students consume Masalapuri and Senna
Masala (Table 2). This type of fast food is also served hot on polythene paper in most of the shops.Similarly,
banana leaves are rarely used in fast food outlets (Table-3). Only one or two out of ten shops have banana
leaves in use. At the same time, the use of polythene paper is high. This will cause environmental pollution and
destruction to mankind. Numerous research articles have been published around the world on this pollution.
Spreading polythene papers on top of polythene and silver plates and serving food takes place in many places.
There is a risk of indigestion and abdominal pain from eating it when it is combined with polythene paper, as
the food items are already hot. This must be avoided. (Tables 4,5) indicate the number of problems that can
occur for students who regularly eat fast food. From this study, we can identify that 14 students are having the
symptoms of heartburn and 22 students are suffering from indigestion in four areas of Chennai.
VI. CONCLUSION
All the results obtained by the researcher through this study are current and the results of this study vary from
place to place and time to time. The study was conducted in November 2021 in four areas in Chennai. This
study was conducted in the same way that if there is a litter barrier on the sidewalk when we walk on the road
we dispose of it. It is an awareness study of how to prevent an evil happening in front of our eyes.
VII. REFERENCE
[1] Singh, M., & Mishra, S. (2014). Fast food consumption pattern and obesity among school going (9-13
years) in Lucknow District. International Journal of Science and Research, 3(6), 1672-4.
[2] Kaushik, J. S., Narang, M., & Parakh, A. (2011). Fast food consumption in children. Indian
pediatrics, 48(2), 97.
[3] Kumar, K. S., Bhowmik, D., Duraivel, S., & Umadevi, M. (2012). Traditional and medicinal uses of
banana. Journal of Pharmacognosy and Phytochemistry, 1(3), 51-63.
[4] A Study On Consumer Preference On Fast Food Outlets With Reference To Coimbatore City- Assistant
Professor, International Journal Of Multidisciplinary Research And Modern Education (Ijmrme) Issn
(Online): 2454 - 6119 (Www.Rdmodernresearch.Org) Volume Ii, Issue i, 2016.
[5] Traditional And Medicinal Uses Of Banana- k. p. Sampath Kumar1*, Debjit Bhowmik2 , s. Duraivel3 , m.
Umadevi4, Journal Of Pharmacognosy And Phytochemistryissn:2278-4136,Volume 1,Issue 3.
[6] Fast Foods And Their Impact On Health Ashakiran& Deepthi - Jkimsu, Vol. 1, No. 2, July-Dec. 2012,
Jkimsu, Vol. 1, No. 2, July-Dec. 2012
Fast food eating habit Saligramam T-Nagar Tambaram Ashok Nagar
Once a day 42 Students 42 Students 40 Students 28 Students
Once a week 15 Students 13 Students 11 Students 09 Students

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[7] The Effect Of Fast Food Restaurants On Obesity By Janet Currie, Columbia University And Nber Stefano
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[8] Warrensburg, Mo, Usa 2tourism & Hospitality Management, University Of Central Missouri,
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[9] Neighborhood Fast Food Restaurants And Fast Food Consumption: a National Study- Andrea s
Richardson1 , Janne Boone-Heinonen2 , Barry m Popkin1 And Penny Gordon-Larsen1- Richardson Et
Al. Bmc Public Health 2011, 11:543 Http://Www.Biomedcentral.Com/1471-2458/11/543.