Fast food poses health risk

They said fast foods like cookies, burger, chips, candy and other snacks are commercially prepared with trans fat which is very harmful to health.

The seminar titled 'Impact of fast food and soft drinks on people's health' was organised by Save Environment Movement in collaboration with Bangladesh Photojournalist Association in the city.

On children's psychology towards fast food, Psychiatrist Dr MA Mohit Kamal said the ingredients used in fast foods and cold drinks occupy the brain of children and generate a drive to get more which is responsible for obesity.

"This biological urge associated with social motivation is creating an alarming situation in the society. Obesity associated with depression reduces the productivity of the children. It also reduces the power of concentration," he said, adding that it is time to fashion alternative behaviour for the children.

The speakers said it is important to change food behaviour for better mental and physical health and the children especially should be motivated to take fresh fruits and vegetables instead of junk foods.

They said it is time for governmental action in this regard and the government should increase tax on marketing of fast food items and reduce price of fresh vegetables and fruits.

The speakers said the tendency to obesity could be reduced through exercise and taking more fruits, vegetables, water and curd in diet in lieu of high calorie food items.

"The fast food items should contain the quantity of trans fat on its packet so that people can know how much harmful fat they are receiving through their food," Prof Dr Subhagata Chowdhury of Ibrahim Memorial Diabetes Centre said, adding that it needs legal steps to control trans fat in food items used to preserve the items as well as to increase its flavour and test.

Mustafa Anwar, a consultant of Suhrawardy Hospital, moderated the seminar while Convenor of Save Environment Movement Abu Naser Chowdhury and Vice-chancellor of Pundra University of Science and Technology Prof Lutfor Rahman also spoke on the occasion.