Food habits among adolescent girls: A qualitative study in urban and peri-urban communities, Delhi, India

There are approximately 253 million adolescents in India, and their nutritional needs are high. Consumption of fast food, high in saturated fat, salt, and sugar, is high among adolescents. Considering the lack of information on the knowledge and practices related to eating patterns among adolescents in India, this paper reports the practice, perception, and knowledge about healthy and unhealthy eating habits of this segment of its population in urban and peri-urban communities. Qualitative data were collected during the formative stage of an intervention study. Fifty in-depth interviews and eight focus group discussions were conducted in two communities in Delhi, the national capital of India (28º 36’ 36” N & 77º 13’ 48” E). For data analysis, a deductive approach was adopted, and a thematic content analysis was performed. Practices, perception and knowledge, and seeking information were the themes that emerged, and it was verified that low income is a limiting factor for acquisition at the family level. Cleanliness, hygiene, and taste are the factors when choosing the preparation of food. Strong perceptions about certain foods were observed: parents showed helplessness concerning the consumption of outside food by their children. Food bought in a restaurant is better and not as harmful, and adolescents prefer the taste to health. Preferences for healthy foods and the acceptance of food from large restaurants, and the preference for their tastes, have emerged as factors influencing adolescents' eating practices. In addition, the research revealed awareness and knowledge about healthy and unhealthy food among female adolescents and community members residing in low-socioeconomic status urban and peri-urban communities of Delhi. Several factors were found to influence the eating habits of Delhi female adolescents, such as taste, nutrition-related awareness, and self-efficacy (at the individual level), as well as parental and peer pressure (at the societal level). Nevertheless some methodological limitations, this study suggests behaviour change interventions among adolescents using the findings of the current study.