Asia Pacific Journal of Clinical Nutrition
Volume 20, Issue 4, 2011, Pages 624-631

Comparison of dietary habits between migrant and local adolescents in Shenzhen, China (Article)

Wang L. , Zhang Z. , Chang Y. , Wang X. , Hou M. , Wei J. , Ling W. , Zhu H.*
  • a Faculty of Nutrition, School of Public Health, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou, China
  • b Faculty of Nutrition, School of Public Health, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou, China
  • c Faculty of Nutrition, School of Public Health, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou, China
  • d Faculty of Nutrition, School of Public Health, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou, China
  • e Faculty of Nutrition, School of Public Health, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou, China
  • f Faculty of Nutrition, School of Public Health, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou, China
  • g Faculty of Nutrition, School of Public Health, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou, China
  • h Faculty of Nutrition, School of Public Health, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou, China

Abstract

Background: It is estimated that the number of migrant adolescents in Chinese cities may have reached 25 million. However, little research has been conducted on their dietary habits. The objective of this study was to compare dietary habits between migrant and local adolescents in Shenzhen, China. Methods: A school based crosssectional study was conducted in 3368 adolescents (aged 11-18 years; 52.5% boys). A self-administered questionnaire completed by adolescents was designed to gather information on socio-demographic characteristics, meal location, food pattern and intake. Results: Of the 3368 adolescents, 58.2% were migrants. Compared with locals, migrant adolescents showed significantly higher percentage of having three meals away-from home. Nearly half of the subjects (45.6 %) skipped breakfast, with a higher proportion among migrant students (48.5 vs 41.5%). Migrant students consumed street food more frequently (12.2 vs 8.5%), while the difference was opposite in Western fast food intake (27.3 vs 32.5%). No significant difference was found in snacks intake between these two groups. Migrant students exhibited lower percentage of vegetables (57.3 vs 63.7%), fruits (27.7 vs 38.3%), meats (37.0 vs 44.3%), soybean (11.6 vs 17.5%) and dairy products (28.4 vs 42.5%) intake daily. After adjusted for socio-demographic confounders, the difference mentioned above still remained except Western fast food. Conclusion: Dietary habits among adolescents showed pronounced household variation. Migrant adolescents are more likely to exhibit unhealthy dietary behavior. Schools and families should collaborate to improve the dietary environment for adolescents, especially those from migrant families.

Author Keywords

China Migrant adolescents dietary habits Sociodempgraphic factors nutrition

Index Keywords

China human statistics Glycine max feeding behavior child behavior Cross-Sectional Studies cross-sectional study Humans Adolescent male female questionnaire Article Adolescent Behavior Questionnaires migration Food Habits Transients and Migrants social class Child
Link
https://www.scopus.com/inward/record.uri?eid=2-s2.0-84863390903&partnerID=40&md5=4ee043743947c4abbb20931233ff3069
ISSN: 09647058
Cited by: 4
Original Language: English