Author(s): Kalyani Singh and Ritu Pradhan

Abstract:
Understanding adolescent health is crucial as it is a phase wherein they step into adulthood from childhood. Though this phase is supposed to be the healthy stage in their lives, unfortunately a rise in lifestyle diseases has been observed. Adolescents establish their dietary patterns in this phase which can either protect their health or put them at risk during their adulthood. The objective of the current study was to assess and compare the dietary patterns among male (n=928) and female (n=935) adolescents in the age bracket of 16-18 years studying in various schools of Tricity (Chandigarh, Panchkula and Mohali). Multistage stratified random sampling was carried out. Self-designed questionnaire was used to compare the demographic parameters, food habits and dietary patterns among respondents. Statistical analysis was done using SPSS, version 20. It was observed that 49.3% male respondents and 55.1% female respondents were vegetarians. The results revealed that the consumption of carbohydrates was less among both male and female respondents. Fruits and vegetables servings among male and female respondents was only 2.56±2.05 and 3.19±2.66 respectively (p<0.0001**), which is less. Alarmingly, high consumption of fats, free sugar and sodium was observed among respondents. Furthermore, consumption of fats and free sugar was more than double than the recommended dietary allowance. These three items are a part of ultra processed foods. It was seen that fat consumption was 109.51±64.59 grams among males and 113.88±69.60 grams among females per day. Similarly, free sugar consumption was 47.87±41.93 grams and 56.61±49.58 grams per day among male and female respondents respectively (p<0.0001**). The sodium intake was observed to be 2055.97±1366.80mg in males and 2229.58±1528.06mg among females (p<0.001**). Hence, it is clearly evident that there is excessive consumption of ultra-processed foods in the diets of adolescents. These foods have a detrimental effect on the body and their high consumption today is going to have serious repercussions of lifestyle disorders later in life. Thus, it is pertinent to assess dietary patterns among adolescents as early as possible and incorporate nutritional interventions in the form of lectures, workshops or innovative nutritional games to improve their diet and reduce the burden of lifestyle diseases.

DOI: https://doi.org/10.22271/23957476.2025.v11.i1a.1750