Abstract
This study reports dietary behaviors of adolescents in the Qassim region, Saudi Arabia, and comparison of these behaviors between cities with and without the Healthy Cities Program (HCP). We surveyed 1133 school-attending adolescents aged 15–19, using a multi-staged cluster sampling with probability proportionate to size. Prevalence of daily breakfast consumption was 27.7% among the adolescents. Prevalence of daily vegetables, fruits and milk or milk products consumption was 35.9%, 28.6% and 51.1%, respectively. Meanwhile, the prevalence of daily consumption of fast-food and carbonated drinks was 7.5% and 37.1%, respectively. There was no significant association between living in the healthy cities and daily intake of breakfast (OR: 1.15, 95% CI: 0.87–1.53), fruits (OR: 1.02; 95% CI: 0.77–1.36), vegetables (OR: 1.27; 95% CI: 0.98–1.67), or milk/milk products (OR: 1.0; 95% CI: 0.77–1.29); and the daily intake of fast-food (OR: 0.81; 95% CI: 0.49–1.35) or carbonated drinks (OR: 0.80; 95% CI: 0.60–1.05). These findings warrant further in-depth evaluation of the HCP in the Qassim region of Saudi Arabia.
Highlights
Adolescents experience various biological, psychosocial and cognitive changes that determine their nutritional needs and can influence their dietary behaviors [1]
We found no evidence of a significant association between living in cities with the Healthy Cities Program (HCP) and the daily consumption of breakfast (OR: 1.15, 95% confidence intervals (CIs): 0.87–1.53)
We found no evidence of a significant association between living in the cities with the HCP and daily fast-food (OR: 0.81; 95% CI: 0.49–1.35) or carbonated drink (OR: 0.80; 95% CI: 0.60–1.05) intake among the adolescents after adjusting for the effect of other socio-demographic variables
Summary
Adolescents experience various biological, psychosocial and cognitive changes that determine their nutritional needs and can influence their dietary behaviors [1]. Many unhealthy dietary behaviors are prevalent among adolescents, including skipping meals; snacking; eating out; lower intake level of fruits, vegetables and whole grains; and having higher intake levels of energy-dense, unhealthy foods and beverages [2]. Healthy dietary behaviors include eating a variety of foods from the five food groups in an appropriate amounts and frequencies. The insufficient intake of fruit, vegetables, legumes, nuts and grains and the consumption of foods that contain high amounts of salt, sugar and fats are considered unhealthy dietary behaviors [3]. Adolescents who engage in unhealthy dietary behaviors are at risk of developing health issues, including growth and puberty delays, anemia and obesity [5,6]. Various risky behaviors start during adolescence and may become lifelong habits, increasing the risk of morbidity and mortality [7,8]. Several studies have shown a link between body weight and eating habits [9]
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callMore From: International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health
Disclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
