Abstract
Background: The association between health and nutrition are eminent. Quality nutrition is acknowledged
as one of the most important determinants of optimal development, good health, and wellbeing. Therefore,
the study aimed to determine the knowledge, attitudes, and practices amongst adolescents regarding
nutrition.
Methods: It was a cross-sectional study conducted between 2016 to 2017 in Karachi. The sample size was
384; the purposive sampling technique was applied with a target population of adolescents between 14
and 19 years of age. Informed consent was taken before the questionnaire submission. Data were collected
via self-administered questionnaires from students of various schools in Karachi. The Chi square test was
applied for associations and a p-value of <0.05 was considered statistically significant.
Results: The mean age of 394 adolescents was (mean±SD) 17.08±1.63 years and found female
predominance 282(71.6%). The average weight of the participants was 58.60 ± 18.58. Protein 305(77.4%) was
the most widely consumed food. Breakfast was seen as the most important meal of the day among
213(54.1%) all participants. There was a significant association between healthy dietary habits and the
frequency of exercise per week (p-value=0.001). Only 57(14.5%) followed a specific meal plan and the
mostly 151(38.3%) not following a meal plan was due to lack of time.
Conclusion: Most of the adolescents 87(22.2%) understand the importance of various food nutrients.
However, appropriate nutritional practices were not found in the majority of the adolescents, possibly due
to the lack of time and sedentary lifestyle.
Kashaf Aqeel Zaidi, Wajeeha Mahmood, Farah Ahmad. (2021) Assessment of Knowledge, Attitudes and Practices towards Nutrition amongst Adolescents in Karachi, The Pakistan Journal of Medicine and Dentistry, Volume 10, Issue-1.
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