Eating patterns of Turkish adolescents: a cross-sectional survey

Abstract

BackgroundAdolescence is a crucial period for development of dietary behaviors that continue into adulthood and influence the risk of chronic diseases later in life. The aim of this study was to determine the eating patterns of adolescents' and their compliance with the Food Guide Pyramid.Methods625 students, aged between 11-15 years, from an elementary school in Istanbul, Turkey were enrolled in this cross-sectional survey. A questionnaire of eating patterns (QEP) was administered to all participants. QEP is consisted of questions assessing the knowledge and behaviors on healthy eating, factors affecting food choice, physical activity status and demographical variables. Height and weight of all participants were measured. Physical activity status was determined by questioning about participation in regular sport activities, how much time spent watching TV, playing computer games or doing homework.ResultsThe mean age of the participants was 12.15 ± 1.15 and 50.5% were female. According to body mass index (BMI) percentiles, 8.3% (52) were obese and 10.2% were overweight. 51% had breakfast every day and only 1.9% met all the recommendations of the Food Guide Pyramid. Among the participants, 31% have fast food at least once every day and 60.8% skip meals. When participants were asked to rate the factors effecting their food choice according to a 10 point Likert scale, the highest mean scores (high impact on food choice) were for the factors; family, health, body perception, teachers and friends; 7.5 ± 3.1, 7.4 ± 3.1, 6.1 ± 3.2, 4.8 ± 3.3 and 4.2 ± 3.0 respectively. Total mean time spent on all passive activities (TV, computer, reading homework etc) per day was 9.8 ± 4.7 hours.ConclusionsIn this study we have demonstrated that, adolescents do not have healthy eating patterns. Educational interventions should be planned to decrease the health risks attributable to their eating behaviors.

Malnutrition and Cardiometabolic Risk among Turkish Adolescents: a Public Health Concern during Epidemiological Transition

“…A cross sectional survey of 625 participants, 11-15 year old students (boys and girls) in the city of Istanbul, documented a very low (1.9%) participant compliance to the Food Guide Pyramid (FGP). In fact only 23.4% of the children reported to consume at least three food groups as per the recommendations, in agreement with findings of US-based studies [25]. Limited and/or poor adherence to FGP is frequently associated with dietary schemes and habits, which induce risk of obesity and chronic disease including CVD [11,12].…”

“…Fat recommendations were met by 27%, while fruit and vegetable recommendation only by 15% of the cohort. In addition, daily fast food consumption was reported by 31%, meal skipping by 60.8%, while daily breakfast consumption by 51% of the participants [25].…”

“…Limited and/or poor adherence to FGP is frequently associated with dietary schemes and habits, which induce risk of obesity and chronic disease including CVD [11,12]. Although the female, overweight and obese participants (50.5%, 10.2% and 8.3% of the cohort, respectively) seem to have better knowledge of the FGP recommendations, their food group consumption did not differ significantly from their peers [25], indicating that knowledge alone does not suffice to ensure good diet practices. Fat recommendations were met by 27%, while fruit and vegetable recommendation only by 15% of the cohort.…”

“…The recent dietary habits and nutrition status of adolescent populations in Turkey have been assessed by several regional studies conducted over the last decade (Table 1) [17,[22][23][24][25][26][27].…”

Investigation of Physical Activity Levels and Associated Factors of University Students in a District

“…Literatür incelendiğinde, özellikle adölesan dönemde TV/bilgisayar başında geçirilen sürenin 2 saat ve üstü olduğu belirlenmiştir. 28…”