THE IMPACT OF THE FAST FOOD ON THE HEALTH OF YOUNG PEOPLE IN ADEN GOVERNORATE

Abstract

The world in general is witnessing a rapid revolution in non-traditional eating habits, which has greatly changed the lives of individuals and societies. Among these eating habits is the tendency of young people in these societies to eat fast food, and the Aden Governorate community is among those societies in which young people's interest in eating fast food has increased. The current study aims to identify the impact of fast food on the health of young people in Aden Governorate, the factors that increase young people's interest in eating fast food, and the extent of their awareness of the relationship between food and health. This research is considered a descriptive research, in which the research used the descriptive approach, and the questionnaire form was applied to a sample of (300) individuals targeted in the research from the youth category in Aden Governorate. The results showed that one of the most important reasons for young people in Aden Governorate's reluctance to eat traditional healthy meals is their great tendency towards eating fast food in its various types and forms, which the study showed that the number of young people who eat fast food is increasing day after day to reach (96.7%). The study also confirmed that there are factors that increase the speed of the spread of the phenomenon of eating fast food among young people, most notably the delicious taste, the cheapness of some of them, and the ease of cooking them, etc. This is reflected in the statistical data that confirm that the consumption of fast food is increasing among young people in Aden Governorate, where the percentage of those who consume it reached about (89%). And that there is a clear impact of fast food on the individual, family and society in terms of social, economic, health and cultural aspects, and finally the passion of young people in Aden Governorate to follow the example of young people in advanced societies in their healthy eating habits and everything related to social aspects. The study recommended the need to work on spreading awareness among young people about the health and psychological risks resulting from eating fast food for long periods, and activating the role of the media, especially visual media, by allocating programs directed to young people daily and weekly to provide advice and guidance on the importance of adhering to eating a balanced (healthy) diet, and focusing on qualifying local healthy eating habits among young people, which is what other countries do.