Ahmed H, Batool W, Khalid S, Anwer S, Ijaz A, Nasir Haj, Rafique M H.
Assesment of The Perception Of Harmful Health Effects Of Monosodium Glutamate As Food Additive Among Medical And Dental Students Of An Institution In Lahore - Pakistan.
Biomedica Jan ;32(4):239-42.

Back Ground and Objective: Busy life of today’s world has led to consumption of processed food which contain food additives that can lead to health problems. A study was designed to assess the perception of students of medical and dental college about harmful health effects of monosodium glutamate MSG as food additive. Methodology: Cross-sectional study was conducted in FMH College of Medicine and Dentistry among MBBS and BDS students. The study duration was 6 months. Results: Majority of the Participants were female and their parents had education up to graduation and post-graduation, however 73.7% of mothers of BDS students were housewives and 19 and 21% of the fathers of medical and dental students respectively were health professionals. 22.8% of the students of both disciplines had the perception that MSG increases the food palatability. Quarter of MBBS and BDS student’s mothers were not aware about MSG in different processed foods, however they get the information from TV and friends. Majority of the MBBS and BDS students had the perception that MSG in food causes obesity, while one third said that it can cause hypertension and this knowledge was more among the BDS students. However students of both discipline agreed to get information about MSG from internet. Conclusion: Medical and dental students have inadequate knowledge about the health hazards caused by the consumption of the product containing MSG as food additive. Print, social and electronic media can play a vital role in this regard.

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