Balanced Diet:Knowledge and Practice of Adolescents

Background: Adolescence is a stage of transition and psychological development. This period needs a well balanced diet for their better growth and development. Adequate knowledge regarding balanced diet may enhance the practice of adolescents regarding balanced diet.

Aim: The aim of the study was to determine the knowledge and practice regarding balanced diet among adolescents, to find the correlation between knowledge and practice and to find the association between knowledge, practice scores and the selected demographic variables.

Material and Method: Quantitative research approach and descriptive survey design was used for the study. The study was conducted in selected urban schools. Using non probability purposive sampling technique, 100 adolescents between the age group of 10- 17 years were selected as study sample. The structured knowledge and practice questionnaire on balanced diet was used to assess the knowledge and practice regarding balanced diet. Data was analysed using descriptive and inferential statistics.

Result: Study findings revealed that 4% of study samples had inadequate knowledge, 64% of study samples had adequate knowledge and other 32% of study samples had good knowledge on balanced diet. 2% of study samples had poor practice and other 98% of study samples had good practice regarding balanced diet. There found a significant positive correlation (r=0.52) between knowledge and practice scores. Also it showed a significant association between knowledge scores and selected demographic variables (p<0.05).

Conclusion: It was concluded that the adolescents have good knowledge and practice on balanced diet.