~ 18 ~ International Journal of Home Science 2020; 6(3): 18-22 ISSN: 2395-7476 IJHS 2020; 6(3): 18-22 © 2020 IJHS www.homesciencejournal.com Received: 18-06-2020 Accepted: 25-08-2020 Upasna Seth Associate Professor, Department of Home Science, Aditi Mahavidyalaya, University of Delhi, New Delhi, India Corresponding Author: Upasna Seth Associate Professor, Department of Home Science, Aditi Mahavidyalaya, University of Delhi, New Delhi, India Dietary and physical activity behaviour among urban adolescents Upasna Seth DOI: https://doi.org/10.22271/23957476.2020.v6.i3a.1002 Abstract Objective: To study the dietary and physical activity behavior among affluent adolescents residing in urban city. Methods: Dietary and physical activity behavior of 155 affluent adolescents (11-14 years old) were assessed using questionnaire and 24 hour recall methods. Height and weight of the subjects were measured for BMI assessment. After suitably coding the data means, frequency charts, mean percent adequacy intakes of various food groups and nutrients as well as physical activity pattern were assessed. Results: Skipping of meals, snacking, increased popularity of fast foods and decreased physical activity were common behavior observed among adolescents. The percent adequacy intake (n=50) of food groups was when compared to suggested intakes by ICMR 1989 was low for cereals (80%), pulses (69%), vegetables (52%) and fruits (71%), was adequate for milk and milk products (108%) and was high for sugar (168%) and visible fat/oils (163%). The percent adequacy intake of nutrient when compared to RDA ICMR 1989 was low for energy (87%), protein (78%), iron (73%), intake was adequate for calcium (110%), vitamin A (116%). According to BMI 7% adolescents were overweight, 48% underweight and 45% normal. On an average an adolescent spends 20-22 hours doing sedentary activity and only an hour is spent on moderate activity which further declines as age increases. Conclusion: Inadequate eating behavior and inadequate physical activity among adolescent’s calls for need to develop an intervention programmed for promoting healthy eating, active living and positive body image as part of their life. Keywords: adolescents, eating behavior, physical activity Introduction Globalization and urbanization have brought changes in lifestyle of people. Our changing environment and the way this environment encourages and rewards individual to make lifestyle choices are of great concern. Good nutrition and physical activity are essential for long-term health of children. Adolescence is an important phase of child growth and development with total nutrient needs higher than at any other period during the life cycle. This crucial period covers almost a decade. Adolescence represents a transitional period between childhood and adulthood. It is characterized by a rapid increase in height and weight, by hormonal changes, by sexual maturation and by wide swings of emotions. The velocity of physical growth in adolescence, second only to infancy, results in an increased need for energy and nutrient especially. Thus, adequate intake of nutrients and energy is critical to health development. In the recent decades following major economics and social reforms there is an increasing trend of morbidity and mortality in chronic degenerative diseases such as cardiovascular disease, diabetes mellitus, hypertension and cancer. Overweight and obesity which contribute to these degenerative diseases have being on rise in children of urban areas, especially the affluent population. Children belonging to High schools classes are particularly vulnerable to external factors owing to newfound independence and the influence through peer pressure and exposure to media. Eating related concerns among adolescents are numerous and include unhealthful dieting, high intake of fast foods and other foods high in fat, sugar and salt, low intake of fruits and vegetables and dairy foods, and erratic eating behaviors such as meal skipping coupled with inadequate physical activity [1] . The relationship between adolescent diet and chronic disease