CONSUMPTION OF HEAVY MEALS AFTER DINNER BY THE ADOLESCENTS: THE CONTRIBUTING FACTORS

Abstract

Background: The practice of the consumption of heavy food after a main meal results in surplus of unwanted calories that could lead to obesity. This study aimed to determine the factors associated with the consumption of heavy meals after dinner by analysing the Adolescent Nutrition Survey (2017) results.

Material and Methods: A two-stage cluster, cross-sectional sample design was used to produce a representative sample of students in government schools across Malaysia with student ranging from 10 to 17 years old. Data collection was conducted from March to May 2017. A total of 40,047 students participated in the survey.

Results: Overall, 76.8% (95% CI: 75.29, 78.29) from the respondents took heavy meals after dinner. The prevalence is higher in male (79.9%, 95% CI: 78.33, 81.35), Malay (80.9%, 95% CI: 79.66, 82.13), rural school (80.1%, 95% CI: 78.63, 81.45) and those who studied in both morning and afternoon sessions (78.6%, 95% CI: 76.31, 80.70). The adjusted odds ratio is higher among rural schools, males, Malays, afternoon session, and thin adolescents.

Conclusion: Majority of the students took heavy meals after dinner. Being male, Malay, studying in rural schools, and studying in the afternoon session are associated with having heavy meals after dinner. Intervention aiming to increase awareness among adolescents should be implemented to reduce the risk of obesity.

Keywords: adolescent, heavy meal, post-dinner, associated factors, night eating