Abstract:
Objective: To determine differences in eating practices, perceptions, and perceived barriers among intermediate students
of government and private sectors in Karachi.
Study design and setting: A cross-sectional study was conducted in six intermediate colleges of Karachi from October
to December 2018.
Methodology: Total N=390 students aged 16-24 years were selected via non-probability convenience sampling. The study
team developed a questionnaire to assess the dietary habits and barriers among the students.
Results: Mean BMI of government college students was 20.41 ± 4.15 kg/m2
while that of private college students was
22.25 ± 5.43 kg/m2
. The proportion of underweight participants was higher (36.8%) in government college students, and
overweight students being higher in private (23.8%). Similar responses were recorded for daily meals and weekly fastfood and fruit consumption. Skipping meals was found out to be a common practice among students. Breakfast was most
commonly skipped meal among both groups (23.9% & 39.2%, respectively). Watching television during meals was common
in both groups (58.7% & 67.7% respectively). The majority of the students from both groups did not familiar with the term
body mass index BMI (84.6% & 82.5%, respectively). Smoking was more common among the private sector, 16.9%,
compared to 3.5 % of the government sector. Fruit juice was considered a healthier option (58.7% & 52.9%, respectively).
Similarly, white bread against bran bread was perceived healthier by the majority in both groups (70.1% & 59.3%,
respectively). Carbohydrate was reported as a major nutrient in the diet by (51.7% & 57.1% respectively). Factors like
educational stress, time, will-power to maintain the diet, availability of junk food, and climate were some of the significant
influencers of diet/lifestyle recorded.
Conclusion: Students from both groups shared similar eating and lifestyle practices irrespective of their educational
institutes’ status.
