Is Healthy Eating Behaviour Common Among School Adolescents in Mauritius?

Abstract

Adolescents eating behaviours have come in the limelight because of the unconventional meals, fast-food intake, and snacking. This study was therefore undertaken to appraise and understand eating behaviours of secondary school adolescents in Mauritius. Data were collected randomly from a representative sample (n=384) of adolescents via a self-administered questionnaire and analysed statistically to examine associations, if any, between socio-demographic factors and eating behaviours. Breakfast was the most frequently (68%) missed meal, attributed mainly to lack of time (79.2%). No significant difference was observed between common socio-demographic variables and breakfast skipping. Adolescents tend to consume healthy food items such as breakfast cereals, fruits and vegetables while fast food consumption was universally present but higher among low income groups. Snacking was highly prevalent (84%) and occurred more often in female teens, urban residents and middle and higher income groups. However, snacking pattern revealed a healthy trend with 76% adolescents reporting drinking water and fruits appeared to be the most popular snack (Popularity Score: 5.57). This study shows that there has been an improvement in the eating behaviour of school adolescents in Mauritius compared to previous local studies.