Date of Award

12-2023

Degree Type

Thesis

Degree Name

Master of Health Policy and Management

First Advisor

Dr Saleema Gulzar

Second Advisor

Dr Muslima Ejaz

Third Advisor

r. Camer Vellani

Department

Community Health Sciences

Abstract

Introduction: Pakistan is one of the lower middle-income countries that have the largest population of the world facing the problem of malnutrition in adolescents. There is a close connection between nutritional knowledge and dietary habits. The burden of malnutrition is three times greater than any other disease. Adolescents are going through a critical phase of life as many of the health[1]related risk factors for adult such as non-communicable disease develop at this stage. Young adolescents (10-14) frequently experience neglect, requiring coordinated efforts from educators, policymakers, and communities to address their specific developmental needs. Research indicates the pivotal role of schools in enhancing adolescent health, offering an opportunity for researchers to investigate, policymakers to emphasize the agenda, and governments to formulate effective school health nutrition policies focusing on this age group.
Objectives: Primary Objective: To explore the perceptions of students, teachers, management, and parents about dietary habits of young adolescent students aged 10-14 years in public and private schools of Karachi. Secondary Objective: To explore the role of schools in promoting healthy dietary habits of adolescents in public and private schools of Karachi.
Methodology: Descriptive exploratory design was used to conduct the study. The research is conducted in two schools from each public and private sector, involving adolescent students, parents, teachers, and school management. Utilizing a purposive sampling strategy, the study employs focus group discussions (FGDs) with students and parents, along with in-depth interviews (IDIs) with school management and teachers. The research adopts a conceptual framework by Verstraeten et al. (2014) to enhance our understanding of dietary behavioral problems among adolescents. Data analysis was done by directed content analysis method using the same conceptual frame work. Ethical considerations were prioritized throughout the study as per institutional policy.
Results: The results of the study showed that young adolescent dietary habits are dependent upon multiple factors such as individual’s knowledge, understanding and their attributes, availability and accessibility to unhealthy food and their socio-economic conditions. These factors are the P a g e 9 | 103 reasons to follow a healthy diet and at the same time play the role of barriers in ensuring a healthy diet. The finding shows that the adolescents studying in private schools had better knowledge and understanding related to dietary consumption. Hence, it reflects in individual personal attributes. The study research finding also indicates that poor dietary habits are also associated with availability and accessibility of junk food in their surrounding vicinity and schools’ canteen. Schools have limited capacity to implement healthy canteen. None of the schools got a school health nutrition policy, nor they were aware about it.
Conclusion: The study's findings provide valuable insights for future researchers, shedding light on a notable but overlooked matter concerning young adolescents in Public and private schools. Moreover, the findings advocate for policy initiatives to develop school health nutrition policy to promote healthy eating habits among adolescents at earlier phase of adolescence.

First Page

1

Last Page

103

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