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Dietary Pattern of Schoolgoing Adolescents in Urban Baroda, India
Kotecha, P.V.; Patel, Sangita V.; Baxi, R.K.; Mazumdar, V.S.; Shobha, Misra; Mehta, K.G.; Mansi, Diwanji & Ekta, Modi
Abstract
Diet plays a very important role in growth and development of adolescents, during which the development
of healthy eating habits is of supreme importance. There is a dual burden of undernutrition and
overnutrition in this age-group. The study assessed the food habits, food preferences, and dietary pattern
of schoolgoing urban adolescents in Baroda, India. Both quantitative and qualitative methods were used
in this study. A quantitative survey was carried out using a pre-tested self-administered structured questionnaire
among 1,440 students from class 6 to 12 in 7 English medium and 23 Gujarati medium schools.
Focus group discussions, 5 each with adolescent boys and girls, were held, along with 5 focus group discussions
with teachers of Gujarati and English medium schools. Nearly 80% of adolescents had consumed
regular food, like dal, rice, chapati, and vegetables, including green leafy vegetables. Nearly 50% of them
had consumed chocolates, and about one-third consumed fast foods. Nearly 60% of adolescents had their
breakfast daily while the remaining missed taking breakfast daily. Nearly one-third of adolescents were
missing a meal once or twice a week. A large majority had consumed regular foods. However, more than
half of them had consumed chocolates, soft drinks, and over one-third had taken fast foods.
Keywords
Adolescents; Dietary pattern; Nutrition; Urban; India
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