Socio-economic Status and Frequency of Consumption of Processed Foods among Rural and Urban Adolescents of Kamrup Metropolitan District of Assam

Adolescence is a crucial phase characterized by significant physical and psychological changes, and adequate nutrition plays a central role in influencing the overall health and welfare of individuals in this age group. An adolescent who possesses good physical and mental health, as well as a strong educational background, is likely to develop into a productive and knowledgeable member of society in the future. With this background, the present study was carried out to study the nutritional status of rural and urban adolescents of the Kamrup-metropolitan district of Assam. Based on the purposive sampling technique, a total of 200 adolescents were selected. A standardized pre-tested questionnaire was developed to collect information on the socio-economic status and frequency of consumption of processed foods in both rural and urban regions with 100 adolescents. A cross-sectional comparative study was undertaken in a sample of schools, with the participation of 200 teenagers aged 13-18 years. The sample was divided equally between rural and urban locations. Findings revealed that the majority of individuals in rural areas belonged to the low-family income group (54.0%), whereas the majority of urban adolescents belonged to the high-income group (63.0%). A higher number of adolescents ate outside food in urban areas (83.0%) compared to rural areas (65.0%).