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Pakistan Journal of Nutrition

Year: 2009 | Volume: 8 | Issue: 4 | Page No.: 425-432
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Authors

Y.S. Chin

M.T. Mohd Nasir

Keywords

Research Article

Eating Behaviors among Female Adolescents in Kuantan District, Pahang, Malaysia

Y.S. Chin and M.T. Mohd Nasir
This study examined eating behaviors among female adolescents. A total of 407 female students aged between 13-19 years were randomly selected from two secondary schools in Kuantan district, Pahang, Malaysia. All participants were required to complete a self-administered Eating Behaviors Questionnaire and their weight and height were measured by the researchers. A majority of the participants were Malays (65.3%), followed by Chinese (28.3%) and Indians (6.4%). There were 5.9% underweight participants, 75.4% were normal-weight and 18.7% were overweight. About one third (35.9%) never skipped any of the daily three meals, but another half (52.6%) skipped at least one meal a day and the remaining (11.5%) had even skipped all three meals in a day. The most frequently missed meals were breakfast (47.4%). Half (51.4%) snacked between meals daily and three in four (76.9%) had their meals with family members. No differences were found between the socio-demographic variables (age, household members, parent’s total year of schooling, parental monthly income and living arrangement) and meal skipping behaviors. However, those who usually skipped meals were those who usually eat alone (Chi2 = 16.933, p < 0.0001), overweight (Chi2 = 15.943, p < 0.05) and were Malays (Chi2 = 33.827, p < 0.05). In conclusion, meal skipping, snacking and practicing various weight loss behaviors were some of the unhealthy eating behaviors depicted among adolescent girls. Focusing on promotion of healthy eating that stresses on the importance of regular intakes of main meals during adolescence is crucial for their current and future health and well-being.
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Comments

Nur Alia Binti Abdul Malek Reply

Hi there, I`m an undergraduate student from UPM, Malaysia and I wonder how can I contact these authors? because I want to use the Eating behaviour questionnaire that the authors developed in my bachelor dissertation.

Sarveena Gopal Samy Reply

Hi there, I`m an postgraduate student from MSU Malaysia and I wonder how can I contact these authors? Possibly through an email, because I want to use the Eating behaviour questionnaire that the authors developed in my Master's dissertation.

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