Junk foods have flooded the market, which might have harmed children’s health. The Bangladesh Standards and Testing Institution (BSTI) is supposed to test and certify all consumable items, but they are not prompt and efficient enough to check the growing number of colourful food items marketed without disclosing their ingredients. Consequently, unapproved foods are found in shops near schools, madrasas and residential quarters. Different types of crackers, chips, chocolates, ice-creams, biscuits, cakes, pastries and colourful food items are sold there. Many shopkeepers are selling substandard foods for profit ignoring the country’s laws and rules. Unaware, parents also buy and serve those items for their wards frequently.
We know fast food is extremely attractive to most children because of the taste, comparatively lower price, and convenience. Since children typically do not understand how this kind of food negatively impacts their health, it can be quite addictive. Regular junk food intake leads to long-term health problems such as obesity, accompanying emotional and self-esteem problems, and chronic illnesses in later life. A single fast-food meal could add 160 and 310 extra kilocalories to the daily caloric intake for teenagers and younger children, respectively. Lack of vitamins such as A and C, and minerals such as magnesium and calcium, encourage the development of deficiency diseases and osteoporosis, as well as dental caries due to higher sugar intake.
The presence of hazardous food colouring agents and/or unhealthy trans fats in many fast food items, and issues with food preparation safety, often complicate the problem further. Fast food intake definitely needs to be strictly controlled for children as it does no good and may do much harm. Surprisingly, a simple increase in fruit intake can improve mood and reduce the severity of atopic diseases. Stopping the marketing of junk foods directed at children with attractive characters and gifts may be one way to help children eat better. Another method is to make healthy food more easily available at affordable prices and in a more appealing format.
