Association of nutritional status with dietary and behavioural patterns among adolescents
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Date
2020-09
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Medip Academy
Abstract
Background: Changing trends in dietary habits, behavioral patterns, and prevalence of overweight/obesity among adolescents is of great concern.Methods: 6469 school children from five districts of Kerala, India were enrolled. Dietary habits and behavioral patterns were collected using a pretested questionnaire. Anthropometric measurements were recorded and compared with regional Indian Academy Pediatrics (IAP) reference charts. Data was computed and analyzed. Results: Mean age: Boys 14.51±0.93, Girls 14.42±1.04 years. Male: Female ratio 0.92:1. Practices like missing breakfast, non-compliance to weekly Iron Folic Acid supplementation and not taking exercise >2 hours/week were more in girls. Increased consumption of junk food, screen time >2 hours/week and not sharing life events with parents were more in boys. Mean anthropometric parameters were <50th percentile of reference charts. 6.1% had low BMI (boys, 4.2% vs. girls,7.6%,), 12.3% were overweight (boys, 14.9% vs. girls,10.2%) and 4.4% had obesity (boys, 4.7% vs. girls, 4.2%). Mean anthropometric parameters were higher in more urbanized districts. Daily consumption of junk food showed significant association with obesity and exercise >2 hours/week with normal BMI.Conclusions: Dietary and behavioral patterns and prevalence of overweight/obesity showed variability with respect to gender and region of residence. 12% were overweight and 4% had obesity. Daily consumption of junk food showed significant association with overweight/obesity and daily exercise >2 hours/week with normal BMI. Health education addressing behavioral change is recommended for better health.
Description
Keywords
Dietary habits, Behavioral pattern, Adolescent children, Obesity, Junk food
Citation
Elizabeth Kandathil Eapen, Ashwin David Ashok, Jyothidev Kesavadev. Association of nutritional status with dietary and behavioural patterns among adolescents. International Journal of Contemporary Pediatrics. 2020 Sep; 7(9): 1918-1922