Aim: Changing lifestyle, easy availability and convenience of junk food is making junk food more common among college students. Regularly eating junk food is associated with unhealthy eating habits and a higher risk of several health problems. The aim of the present study was to examine the factors influencing junk food consumption behaviour among college girls and to compare the consumption behaviour of hostlers and day scholars with respect to convenience, preference for home-cooked food, and awareness of the health problems associated with junk food consumption.

Methods: This study adopted a descriptive survey research design. A total of 220 respondents were selected by convenience sampling technique from BPSMV, Khanpur kalan. The data was gathered by a self-designed questionnaire using a five-point Likert scale and analyzed by applying different descriptive statistics (mean and standard deviation), Exploratory Factor Analysis (EFA) and Independent Samples t-test.

Results: The Exploratory Factor Analysis (EFA) identified three major factors influencing junk food consumption behaviour among college girls: Namely junk food convenience (taste, quick availability, easy accessibility and variety), comparison with home-cooked food (nutritional value and perceived superiority of home-cooked meals), and health issues (awareness of adverse health effects of junk food consumption). No significant difference was observed in the regular junk food consumption behavior between day scholars and hostlers by independent samples t-test. This hypothesis was accepted. However, significant differences were observed between day scholars and hostlers regarding consumption of junk food with home-cooked food and health issues. 

Conclusion: Even though the students were aware of the adverse health effects associated with junk food consumption,factors like convenience and taste still strongly influenced their eating habits or behavior. Therefore, nutrition awareness campaigns and health education programs should be strengthened particularly focus on college girls to promote healthier eating habits and encourage informed better food choices.