Dietary behaviour of an adolescent French male population

Abstract

The dietary history method was used to determine the total energy and macronutrient intake, the distribution of daily energy from the different meals and the energy contribution of various food groups, in a population of 299 boys, aged between 10 and 15 years. The effects of age, the social status of the father (SPS), the ponderal index, the importance of breakfast or lunch, and the level of energy intake on dietary indicators, were studied. In our population, energy intake increased with increasing age but the energy contribution of macronutrients did not vary. The diet of boys whose fathers were in the upper SPS classes differed from the diet of those boys whose fathers were manual workers: for example they consumed less energy and pastries, but more animal protein (in percentage of energy intake), more dairy products, and more fruit. The ponderal index was negatively related to energy intake but positively related to protein intake, especially from meat and meat products. The energy intake from protein, animal protein and the energy contribution of dairy products, meat and meat products, fish and vegetables was lower among large eaters than among small eaters. The energy contribution of pastries, sugar and sweets was higher among large eaters. Similarily, the energy intake from morning and evening snacks was also higher among large eaters. It should be noted that boys who had a substantial breakfast took in less energy from all other meals (including snacks and main meals). Such informaton is necessary in order to develop an effective health programme.

Eating habits, food and health related attitudes and beliefs reported by French students

“…The number of snacks does not give any information about snack size. In an adolescent French male population lunch has been shown to provide more energy than any other meal, and the energy of snacks contributed more than breakfast to the total daily intake (19.6% against 15.8%); the afternoon snack was 10.8% of daily energy (Spyckerelle et al, 1992). Among French students, between-meals-eating ranged from 12-17% of daily energy, according to different surveys (Michaud et al, 1991).…”

“…They concerned Swedish children and adolescents (Hagman et al, 1986), English and Scottish adolescents and young adults (Bull, 1988;Anderson et al, 1994), and, in France: 1-19 y old Preziosi et al, 1991;Hercberg et al, 1991;Baudier et al, 1991;Michaud et al, 1989;Spyckerelle et al, 1992). They usually focused on a comparison between reported nutrient intake and recommended allowances.…”

“…Within a population, different factors have been shown to influence eating and health behaviour: for example age , gender (Verbrugge, 1985;Dean, 1989;Preziosi et al, 1991), body weight (Spyckerelle et al, 1992), dieting Contento et al, 1995), addiction, smoking (Nuttens et al, 1992) or drinking (Rimm and Ellison, 1995), social status and local lifestyles (Baudier et al, 1991;Bull, 1988;Jost et al, 1990;Sweeting et al, 1994). According to traditions, cultures, and countries, people have different beliefs about the role of food as a means of protecting or promoting health (Dean, 1989;Cockerham et al, 1988).…”

Nutrient balance and body composition

“…A diet containing less animal and more vegetable products would reduce both protein and saturated fat excesses (Stefanick et al, 1959;Keen et al, 1979;Kromhout et al, 1983;Rolland-Cachera et al, 1990). Moreover, an unexpectedly large number of studies report a positive association between the proportion of proteins in the diet and adiposity (Frank et al, 1978;Fehily et al, 1984;Rolland-Cachera and Bellisle, 1986;Valoski and Epstein, 1990;Slattery et al, 1992;Spyckerelle et al, 1992 (BMI) development is very different from weight development. As with skinfold thickness, a measure of subcutaneous adiposity, the BMI increases during the first year of life, decreases between 1 and 6 years of age and subsequently increases till the end of growth (Semp6 et al, 1979;RollandCachera et al, 1982).…”

Food Behaviour Correlated with Societal Influences and Health, Emotional & Intellectual Status in a Romanian Students Population

“…The evident decreasing of the immune-physical status of different factors has been shown to influence youth eating and lifestyle patterns: age [1], gender [2], body weight [3], dieting [4] or drinking [5] and social status [6,7]. Also, the most common reasons suggested to influence the food choices in young population include changes in living arrangements [8], financial resources [9], increased availability of convenience and fast foods [10,11].…”