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Relationship of nutrition knowledge and obesity in adolescence
1Department of Family Medicine, Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, USA. nthakur@aol.com
Background:
The prevalence of obesity in adolescence is increasing. This study determined whether a lack of nutrition knowledge is correlated with obesity in adolescents.
Methods:
We distributed a survey at three high schools to 292 9th-through 12th-grade students. The questionnaire examined the students' nutrition knowledge, food-related behaviors, and food preferences. The students' body mass indices (BMI) were calculated from self-reported weights and heights. Obesity was defined as a BMI greater than the 85th percentile, using criteria from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey II.
Results:
Of 292 students contacted, 289 returned the survey. The population had a prevalence of obesity of 26%. There were no significant differences in nutrition knowledge between the obese and non-obese students with the exception that obese students were better able to identify high-fiber foods. In addition, obese students were more likely to report infrequent meals with their family. Otherwise, there were no significant differences in nutrition behaviors or food preferences.
Conclusions:
Overall nutrition knowledge did not differ between obese and non-obese adolescents.