Assessment of Knowledge, Attitude and Dietary Practices Among Rural School Children Around Mangalore - An Epidemiological Survey

Aim and Objectives: Healthy eating habits are essential not only for overall physical health, but also for the development and maintenance of a healthy oral cavity. Evidences indicate that dietary habits acquired in childhood persist through to adulthood, and the family and community have important roles to play in acquisition of nutrition related knowledge and practices. The purpose of this study was to survey the knowledge, attitudes and the eating practice of nutritious and junk food among rural school children and to assess any improvement in the attitudes and eating behaviours of the children with increasing level of knowledge. Materials and Methods: The questionnaire survey was conducted in eight government schools around Mangalore which included a sample population of 2,355 children divided into two groups. Group 1 consisted of Class V to Class VII and Group 2 of Class VIII to Class X. A questionnaire consisting of seventeen multiple choice questions to assess the knowledge, attitude and daily consumption of nutritional as well as junk foods was used. Results and Conclusion: Our survey found that although there was better knowledge and attitude among the older children belonging to Group 2, there was an increased preference for junk foods among both the younger and older children alike, the taste and visual appeal being the major reasons. Despite increased awareness, consumption of junk food was still prevalent among the vast majority in all age groups.