Assessment of dietary pattern of school going adolescents in a metro city: a cross sectional study

Abstract

Background: Childhood is considered as one of the most vulnerable age group, since, in developing country like India due to poverty and a particular socio-cultural pattern. Epidemiological evidences suggest a strong link between maternal and early childhood undernutrition and increased adult risk of various chronic diseases. The present study aims at assessment of assessment of dietary pattern of school going adolescent.Methods: The present cross-sectional study was conducted among 440 school going children of class 9th,10th,11th,12th in a Government School at Kolkata, over a period of 6 months. The study participants were interviewed and their responses regarding their dietary patterns, habits, and knowledge about healthy dietary practices were noted down using pre-validated case record proforma. Their anthropometric records were also noted. Statistical analysis used: All the data was entered using Microsoft Excel software and analyzed using appropriate statistical tests with the help of SPSS statistical software.Results: Majority of children (50%) belonged to age group of 15-16yrs. The present study finds 48% prevalence of overnutrition and 12% undernutrition in school children.Conclusions: Developing countries like India shows the double burden of nutritional disorders, undernutrition as well as overnutrition due to limited availability of resources on one hand and western food habits, junk/fast food habits on the other hand respectively.