Awareness of Ideal Body Weight among Adolescents During COVID-19 lockdown with a View to Develop an Information Pamhplet

Abstract

Staying at home during COVID-19 lockdown, there is every chance that adolescents will go on a bingeand eventually come out gaining weight.A descriptive survey research design was adopted among30 adolescents selected by purposive sampling technique in Khandagiri, Bhubaneswar, Odisha. Theprimary objective was to assess the level of knowledge among adolescents regarding awareness ofideal body weight during lockdown. A self-structured online questionnaire packet was administeredto collect demographic information, dietary pattern & lifestyle and knowledge questionnaire on idealbody weight and its management & complications. Findings revealed that 53% were male and 40%belong to 17-18 years. 33% adolescents were studying Std-XI and 47% belonged to nuclear family,36.6% had middle class family income. Majority 70% of adolescents were non-vegetarianand 60%wereordering food online.93% of them consumed fast food, sweets, baked food items. 63% of adolescentshad adequate knowledge on ideal body weight. Majority 43% of them slept for 8-10 hours/day duringlockdown. In the area wise distribution the item “Dietary management of ideal body weight” revealshighest mean score 7.3. There was association between knowledge score of adolescents with typeof family and family monthly income.The results show that the nutrition education intervention isrequired to create awareness and develop concern about their body image and complications arising dueto fast food consumption by ordering online.