A CROSS SECTIONAL STUDY ON DIETARY PATTERNS IN ADOLESCENT SCHOOL GIRLS OF INDORE CITY OF CENTRAL INDIA WITH ASSOCIATED FACTORS AND THEIR IMPACT ON HEALTH.

Main Article Content

Dr. Sunita Solanki
Dr. Deepak Gawali
Dr. Namita Jain
Dr.Vandana Varma

Keywords

Recommended Dietary Allowances, calorie intake, adolescents, food choices

Abstract

During adolescence, a critical phase of human development, individuals undergo significant physical, emotional, and social transformations. This period typically spanning from age 10 to 19 years, plays a pivotal role in shaping future health and well-being. Various factors impact adolescent health including dietary patterns. The purpose of this research is to delve into the complexities of dietary patterns in adolescents.


Methodology: This was a cross-sectional study and was carried out on 230 adolescent school girls, between the age 11 and 19 years, of urban areas of Indore city. It was a questionnaire  based study covering various aspects including demographic profile, socioeconomic status, physical activity, dietary intake, food preferences, eating habits, influence of media and peers on dietary choices and knowledge about nutrition.


Results: 48 (20.86%) of the girls were found to be thin, 164 (71.3%) girls were of normal weight, 6 (2.6%) were at risk of overweight and 12 (5.21%) girls were overweight.  The "B.M.I. for Age" showed a statistically significant association with socioeconomic status (P=0.005) and calorie intake (P=0.03). Mean calorie intake was 14 to 31% less than the Recommended Dietary Allowances (R.D.A.). 52% of adolescents reported skipping breakfast or having inadequate meals. During afterschool hours, 50 % of the adolescent girls from high SES indulged in unhealthy snacking. Sugar-sweetened beverages, including soda and energy drinks, were prevalent among adolescents of high SES. Water consumption appeared to be limited, with many opting for flavoured beverages.


Conclusion: The dietary patterns in adolescents play significant role at this critical life stage for shaping long-term eating habits. Socioeconomic factors, family dynamics, peer influence, body image concerns, and exposure to food advertising all play pivotal roles in influencing dietary choices among adolescents

Abstract 234 | pdf Downloads 107

References

1. Physical status: The use and interpretation of anthropometry. Technical report series. Geneva; World Health Organization; 1995:Report No. 854
2. ACC/SCN. Fourth Report on the world nutrition situation – Nutrition throughout the life cycle, Geneva: ACC/SCN in collaboration with IFPRI, 2000. (http:// www.unsystem.org/scn/ Publications/ 4RWNS/4rwns.pdf )
3. Omidvar, Shabnam & Begum, Khyrunnisa. 2014. Dietary pattern, food habits and preferences among adolescent and adult student girls from an urban area, south India. 2014 (4) 2231-6345.
4. Kotecha PV, Patel SV, Baxi RK, Mazumdar VS, Shobha M, Mehta KG, Mansi D, Ekta M. Dietary pattern of schoolgoing adolescents in urban Baroda, India. Journal of health, population, and nutrition. 2013 Dec;31(4):490.
5. Manijeh Alavi1,1 Monir Baradaran Eftekhari,1,2 Rosemary Noot, Jafar Rafinejad,1,3 and Ahdieh Chinekesh1Dietary Habits among Adolescent Girls and Their Association with Parental Educational Levels. Glob J Health Sci. 2013 Sep; 5(5): 202–206.
6. Deepika Chandar, Bijaya Nanda Naik , Goutham Thumati and Sonali Sarkar. Assessment of dietary habits and nutritional status among adolescent girls in a rural area of Puducherry: a community-based cross-sectional study. International Journal of Adolescent Medicine and Health. https://doi.org/10.1515/ijamh-2018-0001
7. Kansagara T, Parmar DV, Chauhan M, Dave P. A study on dietary intake among school going adolescent girls in rural and urban area of Jamnagar District, Gujarat. Int J Med Sci Public Health 2018;7(9):697-702.
8. Rathi, N., Riddell, L. & Worsley, A. Food consumption patterns of adolescents aged 14–16 years in Kolkata, India. Nutr J 16, 50 (2017). https://doi.org/10.1186/s12937-017-0272-3
9. Shantanu Sharma, Sonali Maheshwari, Jitesh Kuwatada,Chandrashekhar, Sunil Mehra Assessing Dietary Intake Patterns Through Cluster Analysis Among Adolescents in Selected Districts of Bihar and Assam From India: A Cross-Sectional Survey
10. Kotecha PV, Patel SV, Baxi RK, Mazumdar VS, Shobha M, Mehta KG, Mansi D, Ekta M. 10. Dietary pattern of school going adolescents in urban Baroda, India. J Health PopulNutr. 2013 Dec;31(4):490-6. doi: 10.3329/jhpn.v31i4.20047. PMID: 24592590; PMCID: PMC3905643.
11. Maumita Kanjilal et al., Dietary Habits and their Nutritional Impact on School Going Adolescent. Journal of Clinical and Diagnostic Research. 2021 Jul, Vol-15(7): OC43-OC47
12. Indian Council of Medical Research. Nutrient requirements and recommended dietary allowances for Indians. Hyderabad: National Institute of Nutrition, Indian Council of Medical Research; 2000: 43-9.
13. Gopalan et al. Nutritive value of Indian foods, National institute of Nutrition, 2004; ICMR, Hyderabad