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Publisher: Peytchinski Publishing Ltd.
ISSN: 1312-773X (Online)
Issue: 2020, vol. 26, issue4
Subject Area: Medicine
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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