Cross sectional study on behavioral determinants associated with sugary foods and beverages and its corelates with body mass index among adolescents

Abstract

ABSTRACTBackgroundAdolescence is the period that demands high nutrients with changes in dietary habits making them vulnerable. Foods high in calories and deficit in essential nutrients increases risk for overweight. The habits are guided by multiple factors including behavioral determinants. Therefore, this study aims to identify the status of and factors associated with behavioral determinants on adolescents in regard to sugary items.MethodsA cross-sectional study was conducted among 768 adolescents of Nagarjun Municipality, Kathmandu from September 2022 to January 2023. This study used a multistage random sampling. The chi square test and logistic regression were applied to analyze the results in SPSS V.16 and p-value ≤ 0.05 was considered as statistically significance.ResultAdequate level of knowledge was found among 84.11% (95% CI: 81.52 to 86.70) of the adolescents. Positive attitude was seen among 60% of the adolescents (95% CI: 56.55 to 63.49). The percentage of adolescent consuming items was 84.50% (95% CI: 81.94 to 87.07). Odds of having adequate knowledge among respondents was twice (AOR=2.05, 95% CI: 1.12 to 3.76) more likely for those who were living with their parents. Female adolescents (AOR=2.51, 95% CI: 1.61 to 3.89), whose mother are homemaker (AOR=1.99, 95% CI: 1.04 to 3.58) and father are engaged in foreign employment (AOR = 2.09, 95% CI: 1.04 to 4.21) were more likely to consume sugary items. Prevalence of overweight was seen among 6.38% (95% CI: 4.64 to 8.11) of respondents. Consumption was seen to be significant to the model overweight versus normal [OR=11.95 (95% CI: 1.61 to 88.42)].ConclusionPresence of adequate knowledge wasn’t the only and adequate factor for food selection. Family indulged interventions can be useful as familial factors seem to be affecting behavioral characteristics. Sugary foods and beverages are associated with overweight. Hence interventions focusing on dietary discipline is also recommended.STRENGTHS AND LIMITATIONS OF THE STUDYThis study deviates the primary focus from range of processed foods items to sugary foods and beverages only. No such studies with sole focus on high calorie sugary foods have been found conducted in Nepal.Study was limited to a single municipality, whose results cannot be generalized for national context. However, it can apply in case of urban settings.Majority of the findings are based on self-reporting, which leaves enough space for under-reporting and recall bias. On the other hand, anthropometric measurements taken by research team was positive part of the study.Difficult to gauge the impact of the findings, because weight gain in adolescence phase varies as a function of age, maturation, and growth velocity not just consumption of sugary foods and beverages.