ALIGNING NUTRITION KNOWLEDGE AND DIETARY HABITS OF GENERATION Z-IS THERE A ROOM FOR IMPROVEMENT?

Szabolcs Halasi; Miljana Djordjević; Ferenc  Kiss; Dragana Šoronja-Simović; Nikola Maravić; Olga Horvat; Žana Šaranović

doi:10.5937/ffr0-30839

Dr Szabolcs Halasi University of Novi Sad, Hungarian Language Teacher Training Faculty, Department for Physical Education, Štrosmajerova 11, 24000 Subotica, Serbia
Miljana Djordjević University of Novi Sad, Faculty of Technology Novi Sad https://orcid.org/0000-0002-3806-5876
Dr Ferenc Kiss University of Novi Sad, Faculty of Technology Novi Sad, Department of Basic Engineering Disciplines, Blvd. cara Lazara 1, 21000 Novi Sad, Novi Sad, Serbia https://orcid.org/0000-0002-8568-6114
Dr Dragana Šoronja-Simović University of Novi Sad, Faculty of Technology Novi Sad, Department of Carbohydrate Food Engineering, Blvd. cara Lazara 1, 21000 Novi Sad, Novi Sad, Serbia https://orcid.org/0000-0001-8027-5677
dr Nikola Maravić University of Novi Sad, Faculty of Technology Novi Sad, Department of Carbohydrate Food Engineering https://orcid.org/0000-0002-0643-3662
Dr Olga Horvat University of Novi Sad, Faculty of Medicine, Department of Pharmacology Toxicology and Clinical Pharmacology
Dr Žana Šaranović Economics Institute, Belgrade, Serbia

DOI: https://doi.org/10.5937/ffr0-30839

Keywords: Zoomers, nutrition knowledge, body mass index, meal habits, obesity

Abstract

The potential association between determinants such as nutrition knowledge and dietary habits with obesity development among adolescents of generation Z (Zoomers) was investigated in the presented study. Data regarding meals consumption frequency, snack choice and familiarity with amounts of basic food nutrients in diet were gathered throughout a self-designed questionnaire from 854 adolescents (11‒18 years) attending elementary and secondary schools in the Autonomous Province of Vojvodina, Serbia. The corresponding data was analysed and discussed primarily concerning BMI-for-age, and subsequently, gender and educational stage. The association between BMI categories and examined determinants was tested using chi-square and multinomial logistic regression statistics. Although most of the surveyed adolescents had normal weight (72.1%), a notable share of overweight adolescents was also detected (17.9%). Additionally, observed irregularities in breakfast and dinner consumption frequencies and participants’ modest nutrition knowledge can contribute to further diet deterioration. Statistically significant but weak associations between BMI-for-age and choice of snack, dinner consumption frequency, as well as the frequency of salty snack and fast food consumption, were noted. Furthermore, an increase in nutrition knowledge was inversely associated with obesity prevalence (OR 6.56, 95% CI 1.388‒31.037).

As an outcome, the need for improvement regarding studied determinants especially nutrition knowledge is established and represents a task to achieve through health promotion strategies among generation Z.

References

Alčaković, S. (2019). The Generation Z in Serbia: Ready for the great opening. In Scholz C. & Rennig A. (Eds.), Generations Z in Europe (The Changing Context of Managing People) (pp. 199-216). United Kingdom: Emerald Publishing Limited. https://doi.org/10.1108/978-1-78973-491-120191018

Alexy, U., Wicher, M., & Kersting, M. (2010). Breakfast trends in children and adolescents: Frequency and quality. Public Health Nutrition, 13(11), 1795-1802. https://doi.org/10.1017/S1368980010000091

Ayranci, U., Erenoglu, N., & Son, O. (2010). Eating habits, lifestyle factors, and body weight status among Turkish private educational institution students. Nutrition, 26(7-8), 772-778. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.nut.2009.07.007

Baguley, T. (2012). Serious stats: A guide to advanced statistics for the behavioral sciences. London, UK: Macmillan International Higher Education.

Bahia, L., Schaan, C. W., Sparrenberger, K., Abreu, G. A., Barufaldi, L. A., Coutinho, W., & Schaan, B. D. (2019). Overview of meta-analysis on prevention and treatment of childhood obesity. Jornal de Pediatria, 95(4), 385-400. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jped.2018.07.009

Barr, S. I. (2006). Introduction to Dietary Reference Intakes. Applied Physiology, Nutrition, and Metabolism, 31(1), 61-65. https://doi.org/10.1139/h05-019

Craigie, A. M., Lake, A. A., Kelly, S. A., Adamson, A. J., & Mathers, J. C. (2011). Tracking of obesity- related behaviours from childhood to adulthood: a systematic review. Maturitas, 70(3), 266-284. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.maturitas.2011.08.005

Estima, C. C., da Costa, R. S., Sichieri, R., Pereira, R. A., & Veiga, G. V. (2009). Meal consumption patterns and anthropometric measurements in adolescents from a low socioeconomic neighborhood in the metropolitan area of Rio de Janeiro Brazil. Appetite, 52(3), 735-739. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.appet.2009.03.017

Grosso, G., Mistretta, A., Turconi, G., Cena, H., Roggi, C., & Galvano, F. (2012). Nutrition knowledge and other determinants of food intake and lifestyle habits in children and young adolescents living in a rural area of Sicily, South Italy. Public Health Nutrition, 16(10), 1827-1836. https://doi.org/10.1017/S1368980012003965

Guiné, R. P. F., Duarte, J., Ferreira, M., Correia, P., Leal, M., Rumbak, I., Baric, I. C., Komes, D., Satalic, Z., Saric, M. M., Tarcea, M., Fazakas, Z., Jovanoska, D., Vanevski, D., Vittadini, E., Pellegrini, N., Szucs, V., Harangozó, J., EL-Kenawy, A., EL-Shenawy, O., Yalcin, E., Kösemeci, C., Klava, D., & Straumite, E. (2016). Attitudes towards dietary fibre on a multicultural basis: A fibre study framework. Current Nutrition & Food Science, 12(2), 132-141. https://doi.org/10.2174/157340131202160412171430

Hopkins, L. C., Sattler, M., Anderson Steeves, E., Jones-Smith, J. C., & Gittelsohn, J. (2017). Breakfast consumption frequency and its relationships to overall diet quality, using healthy eating index 2010, and body mass index among adolescents in a low-income urban setting. Ecology of Food and Nutrition, 56(4), 297-311. https://doi.org/10.1080/03670244.2017.1327855

Jääskeläinen, A., Schwab, U., Kolehmainen, M., Kaakinen, M., Savolainen, M. J., Froguel, P., Cauchi, S., Järvelin, M-R., & Laitinen J. (2013). Meal frequencies modify the effect of common genetic variants on body mass index in adolescents of the Northern Finland birth cohort 1986. PLoS One, 8(9), e73802. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0073802

Karatzi, K., Moschonis, G., Choupi, E., & Manios, Y. (2017). Late-night overeating is associated with smaller breakfast, breakfast skipping, and obesity in children: The Healthy Growth Study. Nutrition, 33, 141-144. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.nut.2016.05.010

Kersting, M., Sichert-Hellert, W., Vereecken, C. A., Diehl, J., Béghin, L., De Henauw, S., Grammatikaki, E., Manios, Y., Mesana, M. I., Papadaki, A., Phillipp, K., Plada, M., Poortvliet, E., & Sette, S. (2008). Food and nutrient intake, nutritional knowledge and diet-related attitudes in European adolescents. International Journal of Obesity, 32, S35-S41. https://doi.org/10.1038/ijo.2008.181

Larson, N. I., Neumark-Sztainer, D. R., Story, M. T., Wall, M. M., Harnack, L. J., & Eisenberg, M. E. (2008). Journal of Adolescent Health, 43, 79-86. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jadohealth.2007.12.005

Lassen, A. D., Lehmanna, C., Wreford, E. A., Werther, M. N., Thorsen, A. V., Trolle, E., Gross, G., & Tetens, I. (2016). Gender differences in purchase intentions and reasons for meal selection among fast food customers – Opportunities for healthier and more sustainable fast food. Food Quality and Preference, 47, 123-129. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.foodqual.2015.06.011

Lê, J., Dallongeville, J., Wagner, A., Arveiler, D., Haas, B., Cottel, D., Simon, C., & Dauchet, L. (2013). Attitudes toward healthy eating: A mediator of the educational level-diet relationship. European Journal of Clinical Nutrition, 67, 808-814. https://doi.org/10.1038/ejcn.2013.110

Macdiarmid, J., Loe, J., Craig, L. C., Masson, L. F., Holmes, B., & McNeill, G. (2009). Meal and snacking patterns of school-aged children in Scotland. European Journal of Clinical Nutrition, 63, 1297-1304. https://doi.org/10.1038/ejcn.2009.87

McGuire, M. T., Wing, R. R., Klem, M. L., & Hill, J. O. (1999). The behavioral characteristics of individuals who lose weight unintentionally. Obesity Research, 7(5), 485-490. https://doi.org/10.1002/j.1550-8528.1999.tb00437.x

McHugh, M. L. (2013). The chi-square test of independence. Biochemia medica: Biochemia medica, 23(2), 143-149. https://doi.org/10.11613/BM.2013.018

Miccoli, L., Martínez-Fiestas, M., Delgado-Rodríguez, R., Díaz-Ferrer, S., Rodríguez-Ruiz, S., & Fernández-Santaella, M. C. (2018). Adolescent emotions toward sweet food cues as a function of obesity and risky dieting practices. Food Quality and Preference, 68, 205-214. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.foodqual.2018.03.006

Moreno, L. A., Rodriguez, G., Fleta, J., Bueno-Lozano, M., Lazaro, A., & Bueno, G. (2010). Trends of dietary habits in adolescents. Critical Reviews in Food Science and Nutrition, 50(2), 106-112. https://doi.org/10.1080/10408390903467480

Murakami, K., & Livingstone, M. B. (2016). Associations between meal and snack frequency and overweight and abdominal obesity in US children and adolescents from National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) 2003-2012. British Journal of Nutrition, 115, 1819-1829. https://doi.org/10.1017/S0007114516000854

Niemeier, H. M., Raynor, H. A., Lloyd-Richardson, E. E., Rogers, M. L., & Wing, R. R. (2006). Fast food consumption and breakfast skipping: Predictors of weight gain from adolescence to adulthood in a nationally representative sample. Journal of Adolescent Health, 39, 842-849. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jadohealth.2006.07.001

Njike, V. Y., Smith, T. M., Shuval, O., Shuval, K., Edshteyn, I., Kalantari, V., & Yaroch, A. L. (2016). Snack food, satiety, and weight. Advances in Nutrition, 7(5), 866-878. https://doi.org/10.3945/an.115.009340

Rakic, R., Bozic-Krstic, V., & Pavlica, T. (2011). Relationship between overweight, obesity and socioeconomic factors of adolescents in Vojvodina, Serbia. HOMO - Journal of Comparative Human Biology, 62, 307-313. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jchb.2011.04.002

Ramos, P., Brooks, F., García-Moya, I., Rivera, F., & Moreno, C. (2013). Eating habits and physical activity in dieter and non-dieter youth: A gender analysis of English and Spanish adolescents. The Social Science Journal, 50, 575-582. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.soscij.2013.09.017

Rodrigues, P. R. M., Luiz, R. R., Monteiro, L. S., Ferreira, M. G., Gonçalves-Silva, R. M. V., & Pereira, R. A. (2017). Adolescents’ unhealthy eating habits are associated with meal skipping. Nutrition, 42, 114-120. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.nut.2017.03.011

Rovner, A. J., Nansel, T. R., Wang, J., & Iannotti, R. J. (2011). Food sold in school vending machines is associated with overall student dietary intake. Journal of Adolescent Health, 48(1), 13-19. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.jadohealth.2010.08.021

Sichert-Hellert, W., Beghin, L., De Henauw, S., Grammatikaki, E., Hallström, L., Manios, Y., Mesana, M. I., Molnár, D., Dietrich, S., Piccinelli, R., Plada, M., Sjöström, M., Moreno, L. A., & Kersting, M. (2011). Nutritional knowledge in European adolescents: results from the HELENA (Healthy Lifestyle in Europe by Nutrition in Adolescence) study. Public Health Nutrition, 14, 2083-2091. https://doi.org/10.1017/S1368980011001352

Sjöberg, A., Hallberg, L., Hoglund, D., & Hulthen, L. (2003). Meal pattern, food choice, nutrient intake and lifestyle factors in The Göteborg Adolescence Study. European Journal of Clinical Nutrition, 57, 1569-1578. https://doi.org/10.1038/sj.ejcn.1601726

Stevenson, C., Doherty, G., Barnett, J., Muldoon, O. T., & Trew, K. (2007). Adolescents’ views of food and eating: Identifying barriers to healthy eating. Journal of Adolescence, 30(3), 417-434. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.adolescence.2006.04.005

Su C-H, Tsai C-H, Chen M-H, & Lv W. Q. (2019). U.S. sustainable food market generation Z consumer segments. Sustainability, 11(13), 3607. https://doi.org/10.3390/su11133607

Timlin, M. T., Pereira, M. A., Story, M., & Neumark-Sztainer, D. (2008). Breakfast eating and weight change in a 5-year prospective analysis of adolescents: Project EAT (eating among teens). Pediatrics, 121(3), 638-645. https://doi.org/10.1542/peds.2007-1035

Ton Nu, C., MacLeod, P., & Barthelemy, J. (1996). Effects of age and gender on adolescents' food habits and preference. Food Quality and Preference, 7, 251-262.

Wang, Y., & Zhang, Q. (2006). Are American children and adolescents of low socioeconomic status at increased risk of obesity? Changes in the association between overweight and family income between 1971 and 2002. The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, 84(4), 707-716. https://doi.org/10.1093/ajcn/84.4.707

WHO (2005). Nutrition in adolescence: issues and challenges for the health sector: Issues in adolescent health and development. Retrieved from https://apps.who.int/iris/handle/10665/43342.

WHO (2007). Growth reference 5−19 years. Geneva: World Health Organization. Retrieved from https://www.who.int/growthref/who2007_bmi_for_age_field/en/.

WHO (2009). Which health problems affect adolescents and what can be done to prevent and respond to them? Child and Adolescent Health and Development. Retrieved from http://www.who.int/ child adolescent health/topics/prevention care/adolescent/de/en/