A Survey to Assess the Food Habits of School Going Children from High Socioeconomic Background

Abstract

Objectives: To assess food habits of school going children from a high socio-economic background, Establish food frequency of commercially available foods and to determine the risk factors and to suggest the way to control these risk factors.

Study Design: Cross sectional study

Place and Duration of Study: This study was conducted at the Department of Community Medicine, Al-tibri Medical College, Isra University, Karachi from 31^st May to 30^th July, 2015.

Materials and Methods: This survey was carried out on 200 students age of 6-12 years enrolled in KAS school belong to high socioeconomic group, randomly selected for interviews through an administrated structured food frequency questionnaire. This survey was conducted in three days during 8am to 3pm. All students who visited the health office for any reason were asked to participate in the study.

Results: The mean age of respondents was 12.7±3.7 years. Thirty-nine reported missing at least one meal a day. Averagely the students consumed 4.2meals per day. Most frequently missed meal was evening tea/snack (n=17), followed by midday snack (n=12). Few students reported missing lunch (n=3) or dinner (n=2) during the week.

Conclusion:  Students need to be encouraged to take healthy foods, by creating opportunities for better choices. Health education strategies can be effective implemented in a school setting through innovate means can ensure better outcomes.