title: Eating habits and opinions of teen-agers on nutrition and obesity.
abstract: Opinions about good nutrition, causes of obesity and its prevention, as well as certain eating habits, were studied in 482 Israeli children (251 boys and 231 girls), thirteen to fourteen years old. Height, weight, and triceps skinfolds were measured. Mean relative weight and relative logarithmic skinfold thickness were close to standard, although 8 per cent of the boys and 9 per cent of the girls weighed more than 120 per cent of standard weight for their age and sex. Weight was closely associated with skinfold thickness. Over two-thirds of both boys and girls believed that daily consumption of milk, bread, fruits, eggs, cheese, meat, and tomatoes is desirable, and about two-thirds stated that overeating is a cause of obesity. More overweight than thin and normal-weight children indicated that, to prevent obesity, all kinds of food are permissible, but only in limited amounts. Most children believed in the fattening value of cakes, sweets, fried and fatty food, potatoes, bread, and nuts. The belief in the fattening value of potatoes, bread, and nuts was shared by a higher percentage of overweight than of under- and normal-weight children. Overweight children, particularly girls, reported eating less bread, cake, and cream, adding less sugar to beverages, and eating sweets and ice cream less frequently than thin and normal-weight children. A higher percentage of the obese group reported skipping one meal and eating no snack at school. Overweight teen-agers appear to be more conscious of their food intake than under- and normal-weight children.
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D001294:Attitude to Health; D001827:Body Height; D001835:Body Weight; D002664:Child Nutritional Physiological Phenomena; D004032:Diet; D004038:Diet, Reducing; D005247:Feeding Behavior; D005260:Female; D006266:Health Education; D006801:Humans; D007557:Israel; D008297:Male; D009765:Obesity / Q000178:diet therapy / Q000209:etiology; D012737:Sex Factors; D012885:Skinfold Thickness; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors