Eating behavior of young adolescents in urban area in northwestern Morocco

Abstract

Adolescence is a period of gradual transition from childhood to adulthood. The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of being overweight and to study the impact of environmental factors in Morocco in a sample of 190 schoolchildren aged 12–16 years from five schools in the Kenitra urban area. Anthropometric and blood pressure measurements were made. Two groups were distinguished through the use of a test of food quality. Anthropometric information revealed that the prevalence of being overweight in the sample was 9.7%. This study also revealed that blood pressure increased with body mass index (r² = 0.41 for systolic and r² = 0.37 for diastolic blood pressure). Statistical analyses suggested that adolescents' eating behavior was influenced by educational level and father's working status, income of households, as well as language spoken at home (odds ratio = 3.62, 2.55, 2.63 and 2.51, respectively; CI = [1.81–7.19], [1.24–5.24], [1.39–4.97], [1.2–5.28]). To correct these eating dysfunctions, a nutritional education strategy during early adolescence seems essential. This strategy will stress the spontaneous consumption of green vegetables and fresh fruits, which cannot be carried out without the implication of the family environment.