Dietary habits and frequency of consumption of food items among rural adolescent girls in Mandya

Abstract

Background: Nutritional status of adolescents in low and middle income countries like India is poorer compared to high income countries. There increase in prevalence of malnutrition around the globe and poor diet is also adding up to the increasing burden of noncommunicable diseases. Objectives: To study dietary habits of adolescent girls; To study frequency of consumption of different food items. Methodology:  This is a cross sectional study conducted in rural field practice area of department of Community Medicine, Mandya Institute of Medical sciences, Mandya. Data was collected using pretested semi structured questionnaire and analyzed for frequencies and percentages. Results: Total adolescents included in this study were 302. More than half of them consuming mixed diet and only around 50% consumed regular meals. The food consumption among adolescent girls was deficit in both calories and protein. Deficit was around 1/3^rd and it was more in the age group of 16-19 years for both calories and protein. Ragi was consumed on daily basis and sunflower oil was most commonly used. Around 1/4^th of them consumed junk foods on daily basis. Conclusion:  Dietary habits of adolescents was poor and irregular. It lacked regular consumption of fruits and vegetables.