Dietary Pattern and Nutritional Status of School Going Adolescents in Public Schools of Kathmandu Valley, Nepal

Isha Shrestha, Sajan Nagarkoti, Saroj Bhandari

Abstract: Nutritional diet plays important role in survive for all age groups and also helps in promoting and maintaining the health day by day. This study aims to assess dietary pattern and nutritional status of public school going adolescents of Kathmandu. Methods: An analytical cross sectional study was conducted in 391 study participants from seven different randomly chosen public schools of Kathmandu. Semi-structured questionnaire was used as a tool and self-administered technique was applied. Data was collected on variable such as socio-demography, dietary pattern, physical activity, weight and height. Data entry and analysis was done using SPSS version 20.And, descriptive statistics. Chi-square test, univariate analysis binary logistic regression and multinomial logistic regression were used for data analysis. In this study, among 391 study participants more than one third were underweight and 5.88% were overweight. Additionally among total underweight respondents more than half were male. The gender and underweight status of the respondent was found to be significantly associated. The risk of underweight was significantly increased by 1.97 times among the respondents who carried money as Tiffin to school 1-3 times a week (95% CI 1.026-3.784, p-value: 0.042). The risk of underweight was found reduced by 7% among the respondent who are involved in vigorous intensity activity. Age, gender, father?s education level, father?s occupation, was significantly associated with under nutrition status among adolescents. Risk of underweight and overweight was found significantly reduced among the respondents having family meals.

Keywords: Dietary pattern, Nutritional Status, Public School going Adolescents