The campus environment enabled consumption. Students ate at restaurants, on streets, in college premises and at home. Multiple responses in the survey showed that 41.8 percent reported more than one point of purchase.
Published Nov 26, 2025 | 11:00 AM ⚊ Updated Nov 26, 2025 | 11:00 AM
Junk food is normally very high on fats, sugars and salt and is best avoided, say nutrition experts. (iStock)
Synopsis: College students in Hyderabad are consuming high levels of junk food despite being aware of the health risks, with a new study showing that nearly half eat such foods more than three times a week. Researchers and public health experts say the pattern reflects broader urban spending habits in Telangana.
Across Hyderabad’s college campuses, nearly half the students consume junk food more than three times a week, according to a new study. Noodles, momos, burgers, pizzas and fried chicken dominated their plates, accounting for one-third of total consumption.
Researchers surveyed 409 students aged 18 to 25 from medical, engineering and degree colleges across the city.
Of these students, 46.4 percent ate junk food on more than three days each week. Only 5.8 percent avoided it altogether.
But, paradoxically, a staggering 96 percent of students demonstrated knowledge of health risks such as obesity, diabetes, hypertension and cardiovascular diseases, yet continued reaching for the convenience of fast foods.
The study published in the APIK Journal of Internal Medicine found female students consumed junk food more frequently than their male counterparts. They also showed a statistically higher Body Mass Index. Among obese participants, 55 percent were female and 45 percent were male.
“In the present study, 409 college-going students in urban Hyderabad were enrolled for the study purpose,” the authors stated. “This consumption was statistically significant among females having higher BMI, irrespective of their knowledge of their harmful effects.”
The campus environment enabled consumption. Students ate at restaurants, on streets, in college premises and at home. Multiple responses in the survey showed that 41.8 percent reported more than one point of purchase.
Students spent modestly on these foods. Sixty percent spent less than ₹300 weekly, while 7 percent spent between ₹500 and ₹1,000 a week. Fruit and vegetable intake remained low, signalling a shift away from balanced diets.
The National Family Health Survey-5 recorded that 30.1 percent of women in Telangana are overweight or obese, while 32.3 percent of men face the same condition. Poor eating habits, sedentary lifestyles, increased junk food consumption and genetics contribute to these figures.
The World Health Organisation attributes sixteen million disability-adjusted life years lost and 1.7 million deaths worldwide to inadequate consumption of vegetables and fruits.
“There is an increasing consumption of junk food among college-going students, mostly when accompanying friends and found at streets, restaurants, homes and colleges,” the authors concluded.
“Despite knowing about the harmful effects of consumption and its impact on body weight, we found a higher proportion of females having a higher BMI than males, which was statistically significant.”
The research draws parallels with global patterns.
“Globally, consuming junk food has emerged as a significant public health concern, particularly among college students, due to demographic and epidemiological transitions, rapid urbanisation, and lifestyle changes that have influenced dietary patterns,” the study noted.
“Junk food consumption is influenced by various factors, including peer pressure, marketing tactics, and stress related to academic demands.”
Studies from Iran showed that 72.4 percent of students had consumed fast food recently.
Research from Nepal’s Pokhara Valley found that 60.3 percent consumed junk food over thirty days, mostly with friends or on trips. An Indian study among medical students revealed that 44 percent consumed junk food more than five times a week, despite 93 percent knowing the adverse consequences.
Dr Ramesh Kumar, a public health physician, connects the student behaviour with the 2023–24 Household Consumption Expenditure Survey data for urban Telangana.
“The numbers confirm what we observe in clinics,” Dr Kumar explains.
“In urban Telangana, beverages, refreshments and processed foods account for 11.1 percent of food consumption expenditure, the highest share among all food items. This includes snacks, soft drinks and packaged processed items. The average monthly per capita consumption expenditure stands at Rs 8,978, significantly higher than the all-India urban average of Rs 6,996.”
He points to the breakdown. Food consumption forms about 40 percent of urban spending, with processed foods leading that segment. Milk and milk products follow at 7.2 percent, then vegetables at 4.1 percent. Non-food expenditure claims the remaining 60 percent, dominated by conveyance, entertainment and rent.
“Urban Telangana households record the highest average consumption expenditure among major states,” Dr Kumar continues. “This spending power translates directly into food choices. Students grow up in households that prioritise convenience. They carry these patterns into college life.”
The researchers called for action. They urged initiating a movement focused on behaviour change communication through targeted interventions, supported by strategic risk communication integrated into national policies, alongside strict regulations on marketing practices.
“Rapid urbanisation and lifestyle changes have led college students to prioritise convenience in their eating habits,” the authors said.
“Increased accessibility, the taste of the food, cultural shifts and marketing practices have made this a complex issue that needs a multifaceted approach, including nutrition education with the importance of traditional food.”
(Edited by Dese Gowda)
