Dietary Pattern of Schoolgoing Adolescents in Urban Baroda, India

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

Prevalence and Risk Factors Associated with Worm Infestation in Pre-school Children (6-23 months) in Selected Blocks of Uttar Pradesh and Jharkhand, India

Background :Intestinal worm infestation is widely prevalent in developing countries and can result in impaired nutrition and development. Aims: To estimate prevalence of and risk factors for intestinal geohelminths and other intestinal parasites in children aged 6 to 23 months. Settings and Design: Cross sectional study in rural India. Materials and Methods: Proportionate population size sampling method was used to randomly select 15 villages per block. Thereafter, house-to-house survey was done to recruit eligible children and obtain fecal sample for microbiological examination. Statistical Analysis: Univariate distribution of variables was assessed and comparison between categorical variables and continuous variables was done using a Chi-square test and student′s t-test, respectively. Odds ratio was calculated to assess associations. Results: Overall 926 children were recruited and 909 fecal samples examined. Combined prevalence of infestation with intestinal geohelminths treatable by albendazole and other intestinal parasites non-treatable by albendazole was 50.3% (457/909) and 51.6% (469/909), respectively. Exclusive use of hand pump water (OR = 1.79, CI = 1.36-2.35, P < 0.001) and use of hand pump water plus field defecation increased risk of geohelminthic infection (OR = 1.75 CI = 1.34-2.30, P < 0.001) while use of well water (OR = 0.45 CI= 0.33-0.60, P < 0.001) and exclusive use of soap and water practice for hand washing after defecation was protective (OR = 0.54, CI = 0.40-0.73, P < 0.001). Conclusion: Since almost half the children are infected with intestinal geohelminths treatable by albendazole, targeted deworming of population in this age group should be considered

Dietary Pattern of Schoolgoing Adolescents in Urban Baroda, India

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