Fast food culture is an emerging trend especially among younger generation all over the world. Globalization of fast food which has little nutritional value, but high calorie content, has led to multiple health problems among them primarily, overweight and obesity. Several studies suggest that inappropriate dietary practices, low physical activity and family history of obesity are risk factors for childhood overweight and obesity. Objectives: To assess fast food consumption pattern and its association with overweight and obesity among rural children between 6–18 years of age. Method: Present study was a community based cross sectional study conducted over a period of one month from 01 May to 31 May 2018, among children aged 6–18 years, in the rural area of, Mangalore. Convenience method of sampling was used and a total of 100 children were selected using random sampling method. Results: Majority of the participants (54.3%) consumed fast food every day. Further, 23.7% of the study children were found to be overweight while 12.6% were obese. Majority of participants (87. %), were influenced through television commercials, while the most common reason (74%) for fast food consumption was its great taste. The prevalence of fast food consumption was found to be significantly less (3%) among children from families with higher levels of education, and the same as found to be statistically significant (p<0.001). Conclusion: Fast food
consumption is a growing menace in India leading to life style disorders among children. Needless to say that there is an urgent requirement for bringing out behavioral changes in this regard, especially among our children and adolescents. As children are the assets of the nation, nutrition rich food habits should be established among them to build a healthy nation.

Keywords: Fast food; globalization; rural; obesity.