Ms. Huda Shaikh

Aim is to study frequency of food consumption and nutrition knowledge of adolescents from low socio-economic strata and high socio-economic in Mumbai city. A cross sectional study was conducted in 201 (95 boys) adolescents aged 12 – 15 years from low socio-economic strata and high socio-economic socio- economic strata. Food frequency questionnaire was used to collect information regarding frequency of different food consumption. A pretested questionnaire was used to assess nutrition knowledge of adolescents. Frequency of food consumption of various food groups in boys and girls are described and showed a significant association with school type demonstrating a significant difference in food consumption of private and municipal school children (p<0.05). Out of the 201 children, 119 (59.2%) skipped meals, 102 (50.7%) did not have breakfast, 78 (38.8%) school timings affected what they eat, 98 (48.8%) ate from outside when mother is unable to cook, 84 (41.8%) ate out often, 116 (57.7%) liked to carry junk or farsan to school, 138 (68.7%) tiffin’s consisted of healthy homemade foods, 115 (57.2%) advertisements influenced their food choices, 46 (22.9%) suffered from dental carries, 82 (40.8%) suffered from constipation, 24 (11.9%) suffered from diarrhoea, 165 (82.1%) felt tired at the end of the day, 196 (97.5%) were provided nutrition counselling and 195 (97%) were being provided mid-day meal. In boys, significantly higher percentage of private school boys ate out often and their tiffin’s consisted of healthy foods prepared at home as compared to municipal school boys (p<0.05). In girls, significantly higher percentage of private school girls food decisions were affected by school timings as compared to municipal school girls (p<0.05) (Table 1). Significantly higher percentage of boys and girls from municipal school food choices were influenced by advertisements, suffered from constipation, diarrhoea and felt tired at the end of each day as compared to private school girls (p<0.05).Food consumption and nutrition knowledge differed significantly in boys and girls from the 2 socio-economic strata. Efforts need to be undertaken to improve food intake and nutrition knowledge of boys and girls from lower socio-economic strata.