Influences on eating and physical activity: a qualitative study in adolescents in a periurban area in Lima, Peru (806.13)

Abstract

To gain insight into socio‐cultural influences on adolescent eating and physical activity, semi‐structured interviews were conducted with 14 adolescents 15‐17 years in periurban Lima, Peru. Interview transcripts were analyzed using content analysis to identify predominant themes of influencing factors. Results indicated that families are key for promoting healthy eating; parents often provided advice on food selection, home‐cooked meals, and fostered cooking skills. With peers, participants reported consuming energy‐dense and micronutrient‐poor items such as sweetened beverages and packaged snacks, but also often spent time with friends being physically active. Participants noted the importance of foods such as legumes and fish for anemia prevention. Adolescents used the Internet frequently for entertainment, communication, and for nutrition information, and viewed Internet sources as credible. Concerns about body image and desire to appear ‘thin’ also influenced intake, particularly in females. Lack of financial resources to purchase food was also mentioned. Further research is warranted to elucidate the roles of factors shaping behavior, particularly that of family. Addressing nutrition‐related issues such as obesity and iron‐deficiency anemia in this population requires consideration of the effect of social and environmental factors in the context of adolescent lifestyles on behavior.Grant Funding Source: Supported by the Instituto de Investigación Nutricional