Convenience Food Consumption and BMI: A Comparative Study Among Millennials in Dehradun and Haridwar

Neha Gupta, Dr. Monika Sharma

Abstract: Millennials' dietary habits have changed significantly due to urbanization, lifestyle changes, and the proliferation of convenience foods. This study examines the relationship between convenience food consumption and Body Mass Index (BMI) among millennials in Dehradun and Haridwar, focusing on city-wise and age-wise comparisons. A sample of 400 respondents (200 from each city) was analysed using a structured questionnaire. The BMI data was categorized into underweight, normal weight, overweight, and obese, and statistical analyses, including chi-square tests and correlation analysis, were applied. The findings reveal that millennials in Haridwar have a higher BMI on average than those in Dehradun, with significant differences in the normal-weight and obese categories. Young millennials (23-32 years) show a stronger correlation between convenience food consumption and BMI than older millennials (33-42 years), indicating a growing risk of obesity in younger generations. The chi-square test results highlight significant city-wise differences in BMI, whereas age-wise differences are less pronounced. According to the study, convenience food is an important contributor to rising BMI, and the main causes of its high consumption are time constraints, aggressive promotion, and ease of access. This study adds to the expanding body of research on the dietary patterns and health hazards of millennials, highlighting the necessity of focused public health initiatives, education campaigns, and policy measures to support a healthy diet. To reduce the rising prevalence of obesity among millennials in urban and semi-urban settings, future research can examine longitudinal trends and behavioural treatments.

Keywords: Convenience food, BMI, millennials, Dehradun, Haridwar, dietary habits, obesity, nutrition