Dietary Practices and Adolescent Obesity in Secondary School Learners at Disadvantaged Schools in South Africa: Urban-Rural and Gender Differences.

ABSTRACT: South Africa has a high prevalence of obesity in black female adolescents and a paucity of knowledge regarding contributing dietary practices. The aim of this study was to assess the dietary practices and weight status of male and female adolescents at secondary schools in the Eastern Cape province in urban and rural areas. Sixteen schools and grade 8-12 learners (N = 1360) were randomly selected from three health districts comprising poor disadvantaged communities. A short unquantified food frequency questionnaire was used to collect data on learners' usual eating practices with regards to weekly meal pattern, breakfast consumption, foods taken to school, takeaways, and snacks eaten while watching television (TV). Body mass index measurements were determined for each learner. Prevalence o

SUBMITTER: Okeyo AP 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC7460370 | biostudies-literature | 2020 Aug

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature