Social Transformation of Eating Patterns Influencing Physical Health and Social Well-Being: A Study of Pakistani Youth

Abstract

This study explored the impression/perception of Pakistani youth towards the ultimate
causes of social transformation in eating patterns. The purpose of the research was to
identify experiences of fast food on physical health and the social well-being of youth. A
cross-sectional research design was used to survey 380 young respondents from age
group 18-29 years living in Rawalpindi and Islamabad selected through a convenient
sampling technique. The self-structured questionnaire was used as a five-point Likert
scale research instrument. The findings of the study indicated that youth perceived fast
food as an unhealthy change of diet. For them, the major cause behind the social
transformation in eating patterns is globalization. However, fast food is not negatively
impacting the social well-being of majority of the youth. At the same time, only a few of
them are unhappy, depressed, uncomfortable, and anxious when unable to eat fast
food. It is concluded that youth was aware of the harmful results of such a diet but still
demand fast food, which proves that there exists a controversy between their
impression and practices.