A descriptive study to assess the knowledge related importance of healthy food habits among teenagers in selected schools of Pampore

Abstract

Background: Adolescence is a critical period for developing lifelong health behaviors, including dietary habits. With the growing prevalence of non-communicable diseases linked to poor nutrition, there is an urgent need to assess and strengthen teenagers' understanding of healthy food habits. This study was conducted to evaluate the knowledge of healthy dietary practices among teenagers in selected schools of Pampore, Jammu and Kashmir.

Aim: To assess the level of knowledge related to the importance of healthy food habits among teenagers and to identify associations between knowledge levels and selected demographic variables.

Materials and Methods: A quantitative descriptive research design was adopted. The study included 60 students from 9th and 10th grades, selected using purposive sampling. Data were collected using a self- structured, validated questionnaire. Descriptive statistics (frequency, percentage, mean, standard deviation) and inferential statistics (Chi-square test) were analyzed using SPSS version 26. A significance level of p <

0.05 was considered statistically significant.

Results: The study revealed that 85% of teenagers had moderately adequate knowledge, while 15% had adequate knowledge regarding healthy food habits. No participants demonstrated inadequate knowledge. A statistically significant association was observed between knowledge level and parental education (p < 0.05), whereas variables such as age and gender showed no significant association.

Conclusion: The findings suggest that while most teenagers possess a basic understanding of healthy eating, targeted nutrition education programs are essential to deepen their knowledge and influence behavior positively. The role of parental education is particularly critical and should be integrated into community- based interventions to promote healthier lifestyle choices among adolescents.