Knowledge, Attitude and Behaviour Toward Food Advertising and its Relationship with Nutritional Status among Indian Adolescent Girls Residing in Riyadh

Fatima Qadri; Mesa  Aruna; Layam  Anitha

Fatima Qadri Sri Padmavati Mahila Visvavidyalayam, Tirupati, Andhra Pradesh, India.
Mesa Aruna Department of Home Science, Sri Padmavati Mahila Visvavidyalayam, Tirupati, Andhra Pradesh, India.
Layam Anitha Department of Home Science, Sri Padmavati Mahila Visvavidyalayam, Tirupati, Andhra Pradesh, India.

Keywords: Food Marketing, Teenagers, Obesity, Overweight, Awareness

Abstract

Introduction: In light of several studies highlighting the role of advertisements in the aetiology of obesity, this study aims to examine the knowledge, attitude and behaviour toward food advertisements and its relationship with the nutritional status of adolescent Indian girls residing in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
Method: A cross-sectional study was conducted among 221 Indian expatriate adolescent girls residing in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. Data regarding knowledge and attitude towards food advertisements was collected using Diehl’s questionnaire. Self-reported height and weight were used to assess the nutritional status.
Results: The mean BMI of the study sample was found to be 21.42 ± 3.47. The total mean score for the dimensions of credibility and usefulness, suspiciousness towards food advertisements, and entertainment factor were -1.61 ± 2.96, 1.75 ± 3.09, and 1.35 ± 2.72, respectively. The dimension of credibility and usefulness was found to be significantly associated with nutritional status (p = 0.002) and was significantly different between early and middle-aged adolescents (p = 0.012). The frequency of viewing unhealthy food advertisements was also significantly related to the age groups (p = 0.031).
Conclusion: The dimension of credibility and usefulness of advertisements was found to be important in relation to nutritional status. Further studies are needed to determine how advertisements impact nutritional status.

How to cite this article:
Qadri F, Aruna M, Anitha L. Knowledge, Attitude and Behaviour Toward Food Advertising and its Relationship with Nutritional Status among Indian Adolescent Girls Residing in Riyadh. Ind J Youth Adol Health. 2023;10(4):28-35.

DOI: https://doi.org/10.24321/2349.2880.202314

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