Dampak Junk Food Bagi Kesehatan Tubuh Warga Asrama Putri STIPAS St. Sirilus Ruteng: Ancaman Nyata di Era Modern

Abstract

This study aims to analyze junk food consumption patterns, contributing factors, and their impact on the health of students at the STIPAS St. Sirilus Ruteng Female Dormitory. The study used a descriptive qualitative approach, with data collection techniques through observation, in-depth interviews, and documentation. The subjects were female dormitory students who habitually consume junk food such as instant noodles, fried foods, fast food chicken, and sweetened drinks. The results showed that junk food consumption in the dormitory environment is relatively high, with a frequency of 3–6 times per week. The main influencing factors are practicality, time constraints due to academic activities, peer influence, and easy access to fast food around the dormitory. These findings highlight that the dormitory environment plays a significant role in shaping students’ fast-paced eating behavior in the context of modern digital lifestyles. From a health perspective, junk food consumption has negative impacts such as fatigue, digestive problems, decreased concentration in academic activities, and weight gain. If continued, this condition has the potential to increase the risk of non-communicable diseases such as obesity and metabolic disorders. Therefore, this study emphasizes the importance of nutrition education and promoting healthy lifestyle habits in the dormitory environment. This research contributes by providing context-specific evidence on junk food consumption patterns within a female dormitory setting, which can serve as a basis for developing targeted health promotion and preventive programs to improve student well-being.