Assessment knowledge regarding healthy food and actual eating habits of adolescent students (13-16 years)

Abstract

Present research work was carried out to assess knowledge regarding healthy food and actual eating habits of adolescent students (age 13-16 years). Total 120 students (30 from each school) with equal representation of girls and boys of adolescents age group 13-16 years were selected by using random sampling 4 schools was selected as per Google map from the East, West, South, North region of Udaipur city. The data were collected by using self developed questionnaire; the data was analyzed by using statistical analysis mean, standard deviation and t-test. The result regarding personal information most of the students were age group of 14, belongs to Hindu religion and general category had nuclear and 1 to 4 family members, one earning member in family and income was less than 2 lack, majority of student’s father had own business and mother was home maker, food habit was found vegetarian. Knowledge regarding healthy food was assessed on different aspects of nutrition like functions of food, healthy food, food groups and balance diet nutrient deficiencies and their prevention, Overall knowledge of respondents was good (38.3%), (28.3%) were found average, (29.2%)were in poor and only (3.3%) had excellent knowledge regarding healthy food. The results show that the nutrient intakes for both genders in both age groups were not sufficient and it was lower than recommended dietary allowances. Intake of nutrients such as energy, protein, iron, fiber, calcium, vitamin C,B1,B2, niacin, zinc was found to be very low than RDA because the daily consumption of fruits and vegetables, milk and milk product, whole grain cereals, pulses, nuts were inadequate by them in their daily diet.