Original Research Article
Year: 2020 | Month: December | Volume: 10 | Issue: 12 | Pages: 134-140
Agreement/Disagreement between Reporting by Parent-Child-Dyad on Dietary and Behavioral Patterns among Adolescents
Elizabeth K E*, Ashwin David Ashok**
*Sree Mookambika Institute of Medical Science, Kulasekharam, Kanyakumari, Tamil Nadu, India-629161
**Jothydev's Diabetes and Research Centre, Mudavanmugal, Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala, India-695032
Corresponding Author: Elizabeth K E
ABSTRACT
Introduction: Dietary and behavioral patterns vary among adolescents and there may be agreement/discrepancy between parent-child reporting. However, objective data on this is scanty.
Objectives: To determine the agreement/discrepancy among parent-child-dyad reporting of dietary and behavioral patterns among adolescents.
Materials & Methods: Adolescent school children from five districts of Kerala, India were enrolled. Dietary habits and behavioral patterns as reported by the adolescent child and parent were collected using two sets of pretested questionnaires. Data was computed and analyzed.
Results: Among 2292 adolescent children, mean age: Male 14.51+ 0.93, Female 14.42 + 1.04 years, M:F ratio 0.82:1. Practices like missing breakfast, not taking weekly Iron Folic Acid supplementation and not taking exercise >2 hours/week were more in female. Increased consumption of junk food, screen time >2 hours/week and not sharing life events with parents were more in male. Parental perception showed agreement in most items except sharing of all life events. Issues reported by parents included heavy school bag, unclean toilets, anxiety about the safety of the child, not appreciating the child for achievements other than scholastic, having no dreams about the child's future and comparing the child with other children. Patient listening to child's problems, good vaccination coverage and low proportion with alcohol/tobacco/drug addictions were reported by majority of parents.
Conclusion: Dietary and behavioral patterns showed variability with respect to gender among adolescents. There was general agreement between parent-child reporting in most items except sharing of all life events, which was three-fold more as per parental perception. There were several issues that warrant behavioral change communication as per parent-child reporting.
Key words: Dietary Factors, Behavioral Pattern, Adolescents, Parent-Child-Dyad reporting, Sharing of Life Events