Journal of IMAB - Annual Proceeding (Scientific Papers)
Publisher: Peytchinski Publishing Ltd.
ISSN:
1312-773X (Online)
Issue:
2020, vol. 26, issue4
Subject Area:
Medicine
-
DOI:
10.5272/jimab.2021271.3549
Published online: 25 January 2021
Original article

J of IMAB. 2021 Jan-Mar;27(1):3549-3553
BEHAVIORAL AND NUTRITIONAL ASSESSMENT OF TEENAGERS FROM VARNA
Dimitar B. Marinov1


, Darina N. Hristova2
,
1) Department of Hygiene and Epidemiology, Faculty of Public Health, Medical University of Varna
2) Department of Preclinical and Clinical Sciences, Faculty of Pharmacy, Medical University of Varna, Bulgaria.
ABSTRACT:
Adolescence is a key stage of life through which the patterns for physical activity, nutrition, and other health habits form.
Aim: Evaluating the eating behavior of 401 high-school students from varna studying in 12th grade (11.2% of the whole group, used as a representative sample).
Methods: FFQ (food frequency questionnaire) on 37 food groups, questionnaire for eating attitude, IPAQ (validated questionnaire for the physical activity in the last 7 days), anthropometrical measurements (height, weight, BMI).
Results: Roughly 70% of students in 12th grade who are underweight, overweight (OW), or obese ate regular breakfast, compared to 84% of those with normal weight. This was the most commonly skipped meal of the day. We found a statistically significant correlation between BMI in boys and eating breakfast regularly. (r=-0.473**, p<0.001). Skipping breakfast is quite common (49,7%) among OW girls. Its correlation with BMI is also significant (r=-0.492**, p<.001). White bread and other bakery products are consumed very often by both genders. Consumption of fruits and vegetables, milk (51,3%), and fish (68%) is low amongst adolescent girls. In contrast, male students have at least 2 portions of milk or milk products daily (94,5%). This finding correlates positively with their BMI (r=0.401**, p<0.001). There is a normal BMI in 60.7% of female and 67.2% of male students (18,5-24,9кg/m2). 23,5% of female students in 12th grade are underweight, especially those with physical activity that is higher than average (38,9%).
Conclusion: Large percentage of the female students in 12th grade wish to lose bodyweight, including those in the underweight group. Low self-esteem and restrictive dieting can increase the risk of eating disorders in young girls.
Keywords: adolescents, eating attitude, eating disorders, food frequency,
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Please cite this article as: Marinov DB, Hristova DN. Behavioral and nutritional assessment of teenagers from Varna. J of IMAB. 2021 Jan-Mar;27(1):3549-3553. DOI: 10.5272/jimab.2021271.3549
Correspondence to: Dimitar Borisov Marinov, Department of Hygiene and Epidemiology, Medical University – Varna; 55, Marin Drinov Str., Varna, Bulgaria ; E-mail: mitak_1992@abv.bg
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Received: 12 November 2019
Published online: 25 January 2021
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