Dietary Intake of 14-15-Year-Old Faroese Adolescents by an Online Assessment Tool and Associations with Wellbeing and Health Behaviour.
Unn ThomsenAnna Sofía VeyheMarin StrømPublished in: Nutrients (2024)
There is robust evidence linking diet and physical activity to major public health concerns such as cardiovascular diseases, type 2 diabetes, and osteoporosis. Dietary habits of children and adolescents are frequently discussed in health policy debates due to their modifiability, making them viable targets for prevention and health promotion initiatives. This study aimed to assess the dietary habits of 14-15-year-old Faroese adolescents using an online 24 h recall tool, examining their intake relative to public recommendations and exploring associations with health behaviour and wellbeing. A total of 78 participants (45 girls, 33 boys), with a mean age of 14.3 years, recorded their food intake and completed a questionnaire. Results indicated a higher intake of saturated fats and sugar and a lower intake of dietary fibre, n -3 fatty acids, fruits, and vegetables compared to recommendations. Healthier food intake was associated with better health behaviour and wellbeing. This very first study of Faroese adolescents' overall diet underscores the need for health-promoting interventions, and suggests the feasibility of using an online 24 h recall tool for dietary assessment in this age group, albeit with necessary adjustments for Faroese language and traditional foods.
Keyphrases
- public health
- physical activity
- health promotion
- healthcare
- mental health
- type diabetes
- young adults
- cardiovascular disease
- health information
- body mass index
- fatty acid
- autism spectrum disorder
- adipose tissue
- human health
- weight loss
- risk assessment
- cross sectional
- depressive symptoms
- metabolic syndrome
- skeletal muscle
- postmenopausal women
- patient reported
- health risk assessment
- cardiovascular risk factors