title: Survey of dietary habits of in-school adolescents in Damascus, Syrian Arab Republic.
abstract: This study aimed to describe dietary habits of Syrian adolescents attending secondary schools in Damascus and the surrounding areas. A descriptive, cross-sectional study was carried out on 3507 students in 2001. A stratified, 2-stage random cluster sample was used to sample the students. The consumption pattern of food items during the previous week was described. More than 50% of the students said that they had not consumed green vegetables and more than 35% had not consumed meat. More than 35% said that they consumed cheese and milk at least once a day. Only 11.8% consumed fruit 3 times or more daily. Potential determinants of the pattern of food consumption were arialysed. Weight control practices and other eating habits were also described.
authors.affiliation: Department of Community Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of Damascus, Damascus, Syrian Arab Republic.
authors.forename: H N
authors.initials: HN
authors.lastname: Bashour
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D001294:Attitude to Health; D053198:Child Nutrition Sciences / Q000193:education*; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D004034:Diet Surveys; D004651:Employment / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D005247:Feeding Behavior; D005260:Female; D006266:Health Education; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006301:Health Services Needs and Demand; D019456:Health Transition; D006801:Humans; D008019:Life Style; D008297:Male; D009765:Obesity / Q000517:prevention & control / Q000523:psychology; D012648:Self Care; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors; D013334:Students / Q000523:psychology / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D013593:Syria; D014504:Urban Health / Q000706:statistics & numerical data