INTRODUCTION

This investigation is about the health risks faced by students who consume fast foods in the University of
Botswana. The report entails the details of identifying the health risks of consuming fast foods, finding
out ways of reducing the health risk of consuming fast foods, to establish the rate at which fast foods
outlets sell their foods and why people prefer fast foods.















Acknowledgements

We would acknowledge Andrew F. Smith and Robert A. Ronzio as our research was based on their
books Encyclopedia of Junk Food And Fast Food and The Encyclopedia of Nutrition and Good Health
respectively.
















Terms of Reference
To identify the health risks of consuming Fast Foods.
To find out ways of reducing the health risk of consuming fast foods.
To establish the rate at which fast foods outlets sell their foods.
To find out why people prefer fast foods.
Procedure:
Interview as a data collection method
In interviews information is obtained through inquiry and recorded by enumerators.
As a way of collecting our data we used small focus groups of about 5-10 individuals which were
composed of representative members of a group whose beliefs, practices or opinions are
sought. By asking initial questions and structuring the subsequent discussion, we were able to
obtain, for example, information on common fast foods, and personal opinions on about the
health risks of fast-foods.
Questionnaires as a data collection method
A questionnaire is simply a tool for collecting and recording information about a particular
issue of interest. It is mainly made up of a list of questions, but should also include clear
instructions and space for answers or administrative details. Questionnaires should always have
a definite purpose that is related to the objectives of the research, and it needs to be clear from
the outset how the findings will be used. Respondents also need to be made aware of the
purpose of the research wherever possible, and should be told how and when they will receive
feedback on the findings.
We used the questionnaire like the one below to collect our information. The questionnaire
was handed out to individuals who are fast foods consumers.
QUESTIONNAIRE
Hello! Participant, thank you for taking time to complete our questionnaire. This aims to
investigate the health risks of fast foods on students in University of Botswana.


a. Do you eat fast foods around campus?
Yes No

b. How often do you eat fast foods?
Once a day Twice a Day Once a Week Other. (Specify) ____________


c. In your opinion, do you feel that consumption of fast foods leads to a healthy lifestyle?
Yes No Maybe

d. Why do you eat fast foods?
They are cheap They are convenient Other (specify) _____________


e. Which fast food do you eat most?____________________________________


e. Have you ever eaten fast foods and got ill/sick?
Yes No

Observation as a data collection method
The observation method involves human or mechanical observation of what people actually do
or what events take place during a buying or consumption situation. Information is collected
by observing process at work.
Some of our group members posed at the fast foods out let to observe as students was buying
their meals.








Graph on Preference of fast foods




























Literature Review
Over Nutrition
Many fast food items contain excessive fat (especially saturated fat), sugar, salt and calories, fast food
supplies 20% of the fat in diets and much of it is saturated. A single meal can easily supply all the calories
and sodium needed for an entire day.
Although fish, chicken, and potatoes alone, are relatively low calorie foods, they became high-fat, high
calorie foods when dipped in butter and fried. In addition, chicken skin, which is essentially fat, is added
to chicken nuggets. If the fat used in cooking is beef tallow, fried-food regardless of their source are also
high in cholesterol and in saturated fat, believed to promote clogged arteries.
Several fast food chains have switched to soya bean oil or to saturated vegetable oils to avoid the
potential problems and negative image of animal fat. Pasta salads are usually high in fat because of
added dressings, cheese, or processed meat toppings. A typical cap serving can provide fat equal to
the amount in a fast food cheese burger (nearly 4 teaspoons).
Under Nutrition
Many options that are high in sugar and fat calories are often low in critical nutrients; these include
fiber, vitamins (A, C, E) and folic acid, and minerals.


Poor Digestion
Eating a meal in 10 minutes may not provide enough time for adequate digestion. Adequate chewing is
a signal to start the digestive juices flowing and minimal chewing means less efficient breakdown and
assimilation.



Cancer
A high fat intake is one of the strongest risk factors for cancer after cigarette smoking, for example lung
cancer risk increases wit diets high in saturated fat. High fat diets decrease the ability of the immune
system to destroy cancer cells and eating less animal fat and vegetable oil lowers the risk of colon,
prostate and possibly breast cancer.
Overconsumption of fat increases the risk of heart disease in people. A diet with too much animal fat
tends to raise blood cholesterol.
Fat and Chronic Disease
There is a general consensus that excessive fat consumption is a contributing factor in obesity, cancer
and heart disease. The prevailing medical opinion is that people eat too many fatty foods. Excessive fat
consumption has been singled out as the number one dietary problem. Fat contributes to obesity in a
part because it is easier to gain weight from eating excess fat than it is eating excess carbohydrate.











Conclusion

Two-income households have less time for home chores, including cooking, and they have more money
to spend. Busy schedules for each member of the family place a premium time spent planning,
preparing, and eating a meal.
Some people do not like preparing meals for themselves
Fast food is tasty
Easy to get
Can be considered as a treat for oneself
Can be used as a way of socializing by going out with friends to have meals together or meeting people
at the restaurants
Fast food is also appealing to travellers and commuters
Fast food chains have responded to nutrition awareness of consumers so that many now offer salad
bars, low fat roasted beef, low calorie salad dressing, several have reduced the calories and fat in their
foods, it is now possible to obtain a healthy meal with less salt saturated fat and more vegetables and
fresh fruit than before.
Recommendations

Paying attention to the contents of the meal and avoiding heavy salads dressing and dip fried
foods.
Avoid food cooked with animal fat.
Avoid short meals and eat full healthy meal.