Association of Faulty food habits with Anthropometric risk factors for Non–communicable diseases among rural School going adolescents in Rohtak district of Haryana

Dr. B M Vashisht; Dr. Vikram. A; Dr. Gaurav Rajawat; Dr. Neeraj Pawar

Volume : VIII, Issue : V, May - 2018

Association of Faulty food habits with Anthropometric risk factors for Non–communicable diseases among rural School going adolescents in Rohtak district of Haryana

Dr. B M Vashisht, Dr. Vikram. A, Dr. Gaurav Rajawat, Dr. Neeraj Pawar

Abstract :

Introduction: Adolescence is a time of newly discovered independence and freedom of choice. Dietary habits and food preferences which affect energy consumption and nutrient intake are generally developed over a period of time and particularly during adolescence. Unhealthy dietary habits are one among the common risk factors for NCDs, which is inculcated during adolescence and continue to exist in adult life. Aim and objectives: to study the association of faulty food habits with anthropometric risk factors for non–communicable diseases among rural school going adolescents in Rohtak district of Haryana. Material and Methods:A cross–sectional study was conducted in Lakhanmajra block of Rohtak district over a period of one year from July 2016 to June 2017. A total of 750 students from six co–educational government senior secondary schools were included in the study. Data were collected using pre–designed, pre–tested, semi–structured interview schedule and analysed using SPSS version 20.0.Results:11.2% of the study subjects had anthropometric risk for developing NCDs based on waist circumference and waist hip ratio criteria. The frequency of fruits intake, habit of eating deep fried foods, snacks, bakery foods and consuming carbonated drinks were significantly associated with anthropometric risk for NCDs. Conclusion: The anthropometric risk factors for non–communicable diseases among school going adolescents are on a rising trend in the rural areas. The consumption of fried and processed foods contributes to this problem. Hence there is an urgent need to reduce the intake of these food items among children and adolescents in order to decrease the incidence of obesity and other risk factors for NCDs.