Barriers to healthy eating as perceived by early female adolescents in Sri Lanka: A Qualitative study

DOI: 10.5176/2315-4330_WNC18.188

Authors: HJH Madhushanthi, SW Wimalasekera, CSE Goonewardena, RSJ Lenora, AATD Amarasekara

Abstract:

Early female adolescents are nutritionally challenged with marked changes in terms of physical, psychological, cognitive and social aspects which coincide in adolescence. They are demanding for nutrition with the onset of puberty. Unhealthy dietary habits practiced in adolescence are likely to be continued to adult life and subsequently increase the risk of chronic diseases. Diet related chronic diseases are prevalent even among school children. Therefore, established healthy food habits of female adolescents ensure good health state of a nation, because they are the future mothers of a country. This qualitative study explored barriers among adolescent school girls’ for healthy eating behavior. Seven focus group discussions (n=49) were conducted with female adolescents by using a focus group discussion guide. Data were collected until the point of saturation. Thematic analysis was used to analyze the data. Six subthemes identified were, personal preference, time demand and convenience, extensive availability of fast foods, peer influence on food selection, cost of foods and media message. There is an urgent need to develop awareness programmes to improve healthy eating habits of early female adolescents.

Keywords: (early female adolescents, healthy eating behavior, Sri Lanka)