The Influence of Parents and Other Factors on Adolescents’ Fish Consumption in Selected Senior High School Students, Jakarta

Abstract

Fish is an important source of animal food for adolescents because it contains various nutrients. Indonesia has high fish availability, but the level of domestic fish consumption in adolescents is still low. Lower fish consumption during adolescence will affect health status in the future. It is thus important to understand the various factors that influence fish consumption in adolescents. This study aimed to obtain information on fish consumption frequency; to investigate the associations between individual, socio-physical and environmental factors of adolescents and their fish consumption; and to examine the influence of parental eating behavior and support on adolescents’ fish consumption. Samples were chosen from adolescents aged 15-17 years. This study used a cross-sectional design. Data collection was obtained through filling out questionnaires, anthropometric data, and completing a semi-quantitative food frequency questionnaire (SFFQ). Bivariate analysis was conducted using the chi-square test and multivariate analysis was conducted using multiple logistic regression. The average fish consumption was found to be 34.1 grams/day. Fish consumption was significantly associated with attitude, preference, parental influence, and availability of fish at home (p<0.05). Further analysis showed that parental influence was the dominant factor related to fish consumption in students. This means that various parties, especially parents, can take a role in increasing fish consumption in students.