Abstract
The potential association between determinants such as nutrition knowledge and dietary habits with obesity development among adolescents of generation Z (Zoomers) was investigated in the presented study. Data regarding meals consumption frequency, snack choice and familiarity with amounts of basic food nutrients in diet were gathered throughout a self-designed questionnaire from 854 adolescents (11-18 years) attending elementary and secondary schools in the Autonomous Province of Vojvodina, Serbia. The corresponding data was analysed and discussed primarily concerning BMI-forage , and subsequently, gender and educational stage. The association between BMI categories and examined determinants was tested using chi-square and multinomial logistic regression statistics. Although most of the surveyed adolescents had normal weight (72.1%), a notable share of overweight adolescents was also detected (17.9%). Additionally, observed irregularities in breakfast and dinner consumption frequencies and participants' modest nutrition knowledge can contribute to further diet deterioration. Statistically significant but weak associations between BMI-forage and choice of snack, dinner consumption frequency, as well as the frequency of salty snack and fast food consumption, were noted. Furthermore, an increase in nutrition knowledge was inversely associated with obesity prevalence (OR 6.56, 95% CI 1.388-31.037). As an outcome, the need for improvement regarding studied determinants especially nutrition knowledge is established and represents a task to achieve through health promotion strategies among generation Z.
Highlights
Adolescence represents a period of raising independence and self-determination in every life aspects including diet
Despite the modest nutrition knowledge observed in general, the alarming fact is that less than 10% of adolescents were familiar with the necessary amount of car-bohydrates and fats needed in daily diet
Overweight and obese adolescents showed inferior nutrition knowledge compared to other body mass index (BMI) groups, as well as lower grade adolescents and boys
Summary
Adolescence represents a period of raising independence and self-determination in every life aspects including diet. Changes in dietary habits in this life stage are mostly directed towards nutrition deterioration and this period is recognized as a period of high nutritional risk (WHO, 2005). As an outcome of the disbalance between the mentioned high caloric diet and energy consumption, the occurrence of overweight and obesity among adolescents nowadays represents a global issue (WHO, 2009). Poor dietary habits established in adolescence tend to persist throughout one’s life (Craigie, Lake, Kelly, Adamson, & Mathers, 2011) increasing the risks for obesity into adulthood as well as the development of numerous associated longterm health implications (Wang & Zhang, 2006). The link found between the habit of meals skipping and increased body weight (Estima, Costa, Sichieri, Pereira, & Veiga, 2009) could indicate the potential lack of nutrition knowledge among adolescents
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