BS IN NUTRITION
(2021)
Knowledge, Attitudes and Practices on Carbohydrates, and Body Image Perception of 15-17 Years Old Females in La Purisima, Nabua, Camarines Sur

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Normahitta P. Gordoncillo, Rnd, PhD

Adolescence is the stage of transitioning from childhood to adulthood, so there is an increased nutritional requirement to achieve the 15-20% increase in height, and 45% increase in bone mass (UNICEF, 2018). This stage is crucial to female adolescents as they have higher prevalence of eating disorders compared to males. One of the nutrition requirements is the adherence to the recommended carbohydrate intake. The objectives of this study were to describe the carbohydrate knowledge, attitudes, and practices of 15-17 years old females of La Purisima, Nabua, Camarines Sur; describe their body image perception; estimate their carbohydrate intake; and assess the relationship of KAP and body image perception. This study was conducted between March and July 2021 with 67 randomly selected 15-17 years old females. A self-designed KAP questionnaire (30 questions), a body image questionnaire with 22 questions, and a 3-day food record form were distributed for the data collection. Data were analyzed by finding the mean scores of each KAP component and body image perception with classifications of ‘Poor’, ‘Fair’, and ‘Good’. The intake was estimated using the Food and Nutrition Research Institute’s (FNRI) MenuEval Plus. Estimated content was compared with the recommended range for carbohydrates, specific for their age group. Estimated servings of common carbohydrate-containing food groups were also identified. The association of variables was determined by using Spearman’s correlation coefficient. Results from this study suggest that the adolescents have fair knowledge, attitudes, and practices, and a poor body image perception. A weak direct association was found between carbohydrate attitudes and practices (r=0.2794; p=0.0220). No significant association was found between KAP and body image perception. Nutrition education, especially on carbohydrate sources, types, and use of GI, as well as, information literacy were recommended for the adolescents.

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