Junk food consumption among university students in Bangladesh is rising rapidly, creating a growing public health concern in low- and middle-income settings.

A cross-sectional study, conducted by Rajshahi Institute of Biosciences, Affiliated With University of Rajshahi, examined patterns of junk food intake and awareness of its health risks among Bangladeshi university students. A total of 516 students from 16 universities participated through a structured questionnaire.

A total of 516 undergraduate students aged 18–28 participated. Stratified random sampling ensured representation across university types and academic disciplines.

Data were collected through face-to-face interviews using a structured questionnaire covering dietary behaviour, frequency of junk food consumption, demographic details, and awareness of health risks. BMI was calculated using standard anthropometric methods.

Findings showed that around 68% of students consumed junk food from restaurants, with more than half eating it occasionally and nearly 83% reporting weekly consumption. Local snacks were the most preferred (77.3%), while almost half consumed packaged snacks. Despite this high intake, awareness was strikingly high, with 87.6% of students recognising links between junk food and conditions such as obesity, diabetes, and hypertension.

Most importantly, 87.6% of students correctly identified the health risks of junk food, including obesity, diabetes, and hypertension.

This creates a clear contradiction: students know the risks, but still consume junk food regularly.

Statistical analysis revealed a significant association between academic level and packaged snack consumption (χ² = 7.919, p = 0.02). Awareness about food additives also varied significantly across academic levels (χ² = 9.525, p = 0.009). However, beliefs about junk food and heart disease risk were not statistically significant.

Overall, the study highlights a clear disconnect between knowledge and behaviour, where awareness of harm does not translate into healthier eating practices. The findings underline the need for targeted, behaviour-focused nutrition interventions within university settings in Bangladesh.