Author(s): Sherwin Carvalho, Srabani Bhattacharya and Sundaram Kartikeyan

Abstract:
This cross-sectional comparative study was conducted on 304 young adults (135 females: 44.40% and 169 males: 55.60%) to determine their dietary and physical activity patterns. After obtaining their written informed consent, the participants were administered a pre-tested validated questionnaire and their self-reported dietary and physical activity patterns were tabulated and analyzed.Significant gender differences were observed in self-reported eating under stress (Z=5.541; p<0.0001), non-consumption or rare consumption of leafy vegetables (Z=3.065; p=0.002); eggs (Z=6.873; p<0.0001); fish/sea foods (Z=6.261; p<0.0001); meat products (Z=4.979; p<0.0001); branded snacks (Z=5.009; p<0.0001); Vada pav, Samosa, Kachori (Z=2.879; p=0.003); carbonated beverages (Z=2.219; p=0.033); food cooked in ghee/butter (Z=2.125; p=0.033); additional sugar intake (Z=1.999; p=0.045); pattern of physical exercise (Z=3.675; p=0.0002) and approximate duration of exercise (Z=2.695; p=0.006). The gender difference in the mean sitting time was not significant (Z=1.338; p=0.180). Mass awareness campaigns will be required for bring about changes in dietary and physical activity patterns.

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