Junk food kills class 11th student in UP

A tragic case in Uttar Pradesh’s Amroha highlights the dangers of excessive junk food consumption. Ahana, a Class 11 student, passed away at AIIMS Delhi after her health deteriorated. Doctors found that her intestines had become severely damaged and adhered together as a result of her poor eating habits. Despite undergoing surgery, medical professionals were unable to save her.

Ahana’s family revealed that she had consistently consumed fast food like chowmein, pizza, and burgers over home-cooked meals since childhood. They believe this persistent dietary habit ultimately led to her critical condition and untimely death.

Doctors have warned that excessive consumption of fast food can seriously damage the digestive system, especially among children and young people. This tragic incident serves as a warning that unhealthy eating habits can have fatal consequences at a very young age.

Let’s talk about this serious and significant topic in detail and know-

1.1 crore deaths globally due to consumption of fast foods

According to the Global Burden of Disease Report, unhealthy diets, including fast food consumption, contribute to around 1.1 crore deaths worldwide every year. Medical studies published in journals such as JAMA Network and the National Library of Medicine have linked fast food to heart disease, cancer, digestive disorders, and long-term damage to gut health.

Dr. Rohit Sharma, Consultant, Internal Medicine, Apollo Spectra Hospital, Jaipur, has spoken to Bhaskar English about the harmful effects of fast foods on health. He shares-

What are the health risks of eating such fast food?

Fast foods contain high amounts of carbohydrates, trans fats, excess salt, and additives that severely impair gut health over time. Such type of diets alter gut bacteria and weakens the digestive lining, increasing the risk of inflammation.

Harmful effects of junk food on health-

When can fast food, like burgers, noodles, soda drinks, and other junk foods, be fatal?

Junk foods like burgers, fried items, maida food items, chowmein, and sugary items become potentially fatal when overconsumed or in such conditions-

• Regular Overconsumption: Consuming excessive amounts of junk food consistently over a long period.
• Pre-existing Health Conditions: Individuals with underlying health issues (e.g., diabetes, heart conditions) are at higher risk.
• Extreme Dependence: When junk food becomes the primary source of nutrition, neglecting essential nutrients.
• Health Crises: In rare cases, extreme overconsumption can trigger acute health crises (e.g., severe electrolyte imbalances, organ failure).

Harmful effects of prolonged poor nutrition-

• Organ Damage
• Severe Nutritional Deficiencies, leading to conditions like anemia, scurvy, and rickets.
• Increased susceptibility to infections and illnesses.
• Metabolic Disorders
• Increased risk of heart attack, stroke, and high blood pressure.
• Reduced Lifespan
• Growth and Development Problems (in children)
• Increased risk of depression, anxiety and neurological disorders
• Intestinal adhesions
• Severe constipation
• Bowel obstruction and gut failure

These health issues may progress silently until a medical emergency occurs. Children and teenagers are particularly vulnerable to the same since their metabolic systems are still under development. During these years, poor dietary habits can also cause irreversible damage.

What factors contribute to cravings for fast food and processed foods? Several psychological factors contribute to cravings for fast food and processed foods like-

• Hyper-palatable- It means pleasing to the taste or extremely delicious.
• Addiction- High levels of sugar, salt, and fat that stimulate reward centers in the brain lead to addictive-like behaviours.
• Conditioned associations- We often link these foods with positive experiences like celebrations or comfort during stress.
• Emotional eating- Food is used to cope with negative feelings, further reinforcing these cravings.
• Marketing and advertising- This also heavily influences our preferences, creating strong associations between brands and desirable lifestyles.
• Convenience and accessibility- This makes fast food an easy choice, especially when time or energy is limited, solidifying the craving cycle.

How can parents give healthier food by incorporating more nutritious meals into their kids’ diets? Families can protect the health of children by prioritising simple home-cooked meals like dal, rice, vegetables, curd, fruits, and seasonal produce, which are easily affordable, contains good amount of nutrition, and are protective for overall health. Small daily choices play a significant role in long-term survival.

Healthy swaps that parents can make to make foods for kids healthier and more interesting

• Bake food or grill instead of frying.
• Choose whole grain bread, pasta, and cereals and design them in a chapati wrap, sandwich, or patties
• Opt for lean protein sources like chicken, fish, beans, and lentils.
• Choose low-fat or non-fat milk, yogurt, and cheese.
• Use natural sweeteners like honey or maple syrup in moderation instead of refined sugar, can give it in milk.
• Make your own healthy snacks like trail mix, granola bars, or fruit popsicles.
• Roast Vegetables: Roasting vegetables brings out their natural sweetness.
• Add Citrus: A squeeze of lemon or lime juice can brighten up many dishes.

Also, take care of these things-

• Set limits on screen time and encourage physical activity to help balance calorie intake.
• Eat healthy yourself to set an example, kids are more likely to eat healthy if they see their parents doing the same.
• Eating together as a family provides an opportunity to model healthy eating habits and create positive associations with food.