Determinants of Junk Food Consumption among Tertiary Level Students: A Descriptive Study in Sivagangai District, Tamil Nadu, India

Abstract

Adolescents and young adults are especially vulnerable to unhealthy eating patterns due to lifestyle transitions, academic pressures, social influences, and exposure to media and advertising. Previous studies have shown that frequent junk-food consumption can lead to adverse health outcomes, including obesity, cardiovascular risks, and impaired cognitive performance. The present study investigates the determinants of junk-food consumption habits among tertiary-level students in Sivagangai district, Tamil Nadu, with a focus on demographic, socioeconomic, and contextual influences. Given the rising prevalence of energy-dense, nutrient-poor food consumption among young adults, understanding these determinants is crucial for promoting healthier dietary behaviors. A descriptive survey design was employed, and data were collected from 527 students across Arts, Science, Management, and Education streams using a structured, validated questionnaire. The instrument assessed overall junk-food consumption and five key dimensions: Awareness, Peer Influence, Convenience, Stress, and Media Influence. Descriptive statistics revealed that students exhibited moderate junk-food consumption habits, with significant variations across gender, locality, discipline, residence, pocket money, and parental income. Male, urban, science-stream, off-campus students with higher pocket money and family income reported the highest consumption levels. Media Influence emerged as the most impactful factor, followed by Convenience and Stress, while Awareness and Peer Influence showed relatively lower mean scores. Inferential analyses indicated significant differences in junk-food habits based on gender, locality, year of study, discipline, residence, pocket money, and parental income, whereas age and type of institution had minimal impact. Gender and locality also significantly affected all dimensions of junk-food habits, highlighting social and environmental determinants of dietary behavior. Statistical analysis was performed using t-test, ANOVA, and Pearson correlation. The findings suggest that interventions to reduce junk-food consumption among tertiary-level students must account for socio-economic status, media exposure, lifestyle factors, and peer influence. By identifying key determinants, the study provides empirical evidence to inform health promotion strategies, campus-based nutrition programs, and policy measures aimed at fostering healthier eating patterns in higher education settings.