Evaluation of estrogen and progesterone levels among female fast food consumers in Kwara State University students

Abstract

Fast food is a quick serving food consumed by a high population irrespective of age or environment but consumed mostly by University students. Consumption can be based on variety, taste or flavor, social contact or convenience. Fast food sector of the economy rises almost every day and has influenced people’s lifestyle and the society at large. This has also increased the prevalence of risk of complications by fast food especially in the female gender. Hormones are highly influenced by the health status of the individual as malnutrition is the major reason for poor health. This study evaluates the effect of fast food consumption on female reproductive hormones (progesterone and estradiol) in Kwara State University Students. A cross sectional comparative study involving frequent, occasional and non-fast food consumers was conducted in Malete, Kwara State. Results showed a statistically significant increase in the estradiol serum concentration (p=0.004) and decrease in progesterone (mid-cycle) serum concentrations (p=0.002). Anthropometric measurements revealed that female students in their mid-year (200/300 levels) consume fast food more with a mean age of 22+3 years, height 189cm and weight as 58 kg. The study shows that female who consume fast food frequently are more susceptible to menstrual irregularities such as dysmenorrhea, hormonal imbalance, premenstrual syndrome and ultimately infertility.