NUTRITIONAL-STATUS AND DIETARY HABITS OF ADOLESCENT GIRLS IN OMAN

Weight, height, and dietary patterns were obtained from 683 adolescent girls aged 11 to 18 years in five geographical regions of the Sultanate of Oman. Using body mass index (Wt/Ht2) of NHANESI as a reference for adolescence, the prevalence of under-weight among these girls was relatively high (24%). However the nutritional status improved with age. Twelve percent of these girls were overweight or obese. Breakfast was frequently skipped (21%) by adolescent girls compared to lunch (6%) and supper (9.5%). Older (15-18 years) as well as overweight girls were more likely to skip breakfast than younger (11-14 years), normal and underweight girls. Nutritional status and age of girls were significantly associated with some foods consumed at main meals and snacking time. The pattern of skipping breakfast and the snacking habits of Omani adolescents was similar to that of their counterparts in Western communities. This suggests a change in dietary habits toward those practiced in Western communities, a change that may explain in part the steady rise in diet-related chronic diseases in this country. It is imperative that nutrition intervention programmes should therefore consider such alteration in food habits.