The relationship between weight status and food environments, peer influence and dietary intake among high-school students: a case-control study
ISSN: 0034-6659
Article publication date: 24 January 2024
Issue publication date: 21 February 2024
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this study is to evaluate the relationship between weight status and food environments, peer influence and dietary intake among high-school students in Shiraz, Iran.
Design/methodology/approach
Applying a case-control design, 406 adolescents (n = 203 overweight or obese and n = 203 normal weight) aged 14–18 years were selected using a multistage cluster random sampling method. Demographic information, physical activity level and anthropometric indices were collected. Dietary intake was determined using a 147-item food frequency questionnaire. Food environment (home and out of home) and peer influence were determined by a validated questionnaire.
Findings
The type of food purchased using pocket money was different between adolescents with overweight or obesity and normal weight adolescents (p < 0.001). The out-of-home food environment score was not different between groups, but the home food environment score (p = 0.004) and the peer influence score (p = 0.001) were higher in normal weight adolescents. Adolescents with overweight or obesity consumed higher amounts of carbohydrate (p = 0.006) and lower amounts of protein (p = 0.01) and more sweet junk foods (p = 0.01), nonstarchy vegetables (p = 0.03) and fruits (p = 0.01) compared to the normal weight group.
Originality/value
Home food environment, peer influence, differences in macronutrient intake and dietary patterns may be contributing factors to adolescent weight status.
Keywords
Acknowledgements
The authors are grateful to the education administration of Shiraz, all the students and participants in the study who kindly dedicated their time in data collection. The results presented herein were extracted from the thesis written by Mrs Shabnam Mohabati and was financially supported by Shiraz University of Medical Sciences Shiraz, Iran (grant number: 97-01-84-17987). The protocol of the study was approved by the Ethics Committee of the Shiraz University of Medical Sciences with approval number IR.SUMS.REC.1397.944.
Citation
Mohabati, S., Mirahmadizadeh, A., Hassanzadeh-Rostami, Z., Bellissimo, N. and Faghih, S. (2024), "The relationship between weight status and food environments, peer influence and dietary intake among high-school students: a case-control study", Nutrition & Food Science, Vol. 54 No. 2, pp. 391-402. https://doi.org/10.1108/NFS-03-2023-0049
Publisher
:Emerald Publishing Limited
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