Nutrition habits, their changes in 2002 - 2014 and associations with lifestyle factors among Šiauliai region schoolchildren

Aim of the study – to evaluate nutrition habits, their changes between 2002 and 2014 and associations with lifestyle factors among Šiauliai region schoolchildren. Objectives: To evaluate nutrition habits of Šiauliai region schoolchildren of age 11, 13 and 15 years and their changes over the last 12 years; to compare nutrition habits of schoolchildren in Šiauliai region and other regions of Lithuania; to evaluate associations between nutrition habits and lifestyle factors of schoolchildren. Methods: 18 Šiauliai region schools were randomly selected for the cross-sectional survey. Schoolchildren of age 11, 13 and 15 years (n=765; 376 boys and 389 girls) filled in an international HBSC questionnaire. Food frequency questionnaire was used for dietary assessment. BMI was calculated using self-reported height and weight. Overweight and obesity were assessed using IOTF criteria. Dietary data of 2002 survey and 2014 survey in Šiauliai region was compared for evaluation of dietary changes. Furthermore, nutrition habits of Šiauliai region schoolchildren were compared with nutrition habits of schoolchildren in other Lithuanian regions. Factorial and logistic regression analysis was performed to evaluate the association of nutrition habits with lifestyle factors. Conclusions: Nutrition habits of Šiauliai region schoolchildren are not sufficiently healthy because healthy food products are used not frequently enough, while unhealthy foods are consumed too frequently. The prevalence of overweight and obesity among schoolchildren of Šiauliai region is high. Nutrition habits of schoolchildren in Šiauliai region and other Lithuanian regions are similar. During the last 12 years, nutrition habits of schoolchildren changed both in health favorable and health unfavorable directions. Nutrition habits of schoolchildren were associated with other lifestyle factors