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Abstract

Background: Non Communicable diseases especially cardiovascular disease, diabetes mellitus, and stroke, have emerged as a major public health problem in India. Interplay of unhealthy diet, vitamin-D deficiency, tobacco use and physical inactivity contributed to this elevated risk among Indians. Also these life-threatening yet modifiable/reversible risk factors routes quite early in life. A clear understanding of the existing risk in the population is crucial for appropriate designing and timely (before the initiation of atherosclerosis) implementation of any preventive interventions to control the rising tide of non communicable diseases.

Aim: Assess the physical activity and dietary patterns among school going adolescents.

Methods and Materials: The study was conducted in Thrissur district, Kerala, using a cross sectional survey approach. Data were collected using a structured self reported questionnaire. Analysis (descriptive and inferential statistics) was done using SPSS version 20.

Results and Conclusions: The mean age of adolescents participated in the study was 12.29±0.5 years, majority were boys (68.7%), and residing in rural area (74.6%). The mean dietary behaviour score was 32.71 ±3.32; boys 32.52±3.45, girls   33.13±2.3.There were no statistically significant differences in the mean score of dietary habits (t=0.127, p=0.899), dietary consumption (t=1.757, p=0.080), and total dietary behavior score (t=1.349, p=0.179) between boys and girls at 0.05 level of significance. The mean physical activity score was 1.76±0.3; boys 1.73±0.28, girls 1.77±0.31. Out of all, none of the boys and girls reported to have adequate levels of physical activity. Among them, 69% of them were actively commuting to school. A statistically significant higher number of boys were actively commuting to school when compared to girls (t=4.915) at 0.05 level. In conclusion, the findings from this study suggest that the physical activity and dietary behaviour among adolescents is largely inappropriate. So strategies need to be adopted from adolescent age itself to establish a lifestyle that promotes healthy levels of physical activity and eating behaviour.

Keywords: Non Communicable Diseases; Cardiovascular Disease; Physical Activity; Dietary Behavior; Adolescents.

 

Corresponding Author : Ramya K.R., Assistant Professor, Jubilee Mission College of Nursing and Lead Quality, Jubilee Mission Medical College and Research Institute, Thrissur, Kerala 680005, India.