Diet consumption pattern of early adolescence in the eravurpattu divisional secretariat area of Batticaloa district, Sri Lanka

Abstract

This study was conducted in the schools at Eravurpattu Divisional Secretariat area of Batticaloa District, SriLanka during April 2016 to July 2016 with the aim of generating information on the food consumption pattern and food choices among adolescents. A total of 300 students at 14years old were used for the study. They were selected by random sampling from four schools. A face-to-face interview with each participating student was conducted in the local language (Tamil) with the duration of 20 minutes. Pre tested questionnaire was used to collect data on the dietary pattern of the students. Data on frequency of consumption of food items were estimated, using food frequency questionnaire. Body weight of each subject was measured using a physician scale (Detecto, USA) and Height of the barefooted subjects was measured in centimeters by using a wall mounted stadiometer (Doherty, UK). Body mass index (BMI) of the participant was calculated as weight/height2 (kg/m2). Processed data was analyzed using Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) version 19. Descriptive statistics were used to get the percentages and frequencies of variables used in this study. Results indicated that, majority (58%) of the participants got their energy source from rice on a daily basis. For protein intake, 45% consumed fish curry daily while 50% consumed chicken curry once in a week. Banana (20%) accounted for the mostly consumed fruit on daily basis and cabbage (60%), okra (59%) and brinjal (57%) accounted as the mostly consumed vegetable once in a week. Low BMI (82%) in adolescents was also recorded in the study area that may leads to susceptible to infection of many disease and they will suffer by non-communicable disease in their later life. Therefore, it is important to conduct awareness campaign to sensitize the adolescents on the importance of good nutrition in their life.