Abstract: Snacking is likely to play an important role in the development of overweight and obesity, yet little is known about the contexts of snacking how it influences other dietary habits, like meal skipping. Google questionnaire was developed to elicit information on socio demographic data, anthropometric data, physical activity and the snacking pattern of the respondents. Among the selected young adults 71% were females and only 29% were males. Around 46% were between the age group of 18-20 years, 49% were between 21-23 years and only 5% belongs 24-26 years. Only 38% of the subjects were normal, 28% overweight, six percent of the subjects were under grade I obesity. More than three hours onscreen usage was recorded by 15% on TV and 82% on mobile phones. Nearly 64% consumed snacks once in a day, 22% twice a day and 14% more than twice a day. Around 18% preferred to eat fast foods, 41% preferred to eat homemade items, 19% chosen to eat packed items and 21% preferred to eat bakery products. From the selected subjects nearly 92% included fruits in their menu and 8% not included fruits. It was found that 70% of the participants involved in regular physical activity and 40% not have done any type of physical activity. Nutritional education was provided for all the selected young adults by using e-poster to enhance the physical activity, enrich the dietary pattern and to improve healthy snacking pattern. The e-posters were posted to all the selected young adult subjects through e-mode. Faulty dietary behavior and snacking pattern with nil physical activity among the young adults were the reason for why they were much vulnerable to weight gain. Healthy snacking should be encouraged and consumption of high fat and sodium containing foods like packaged foods, fried foods should be replaced by the consumption of fruits and vegetables.
Key words: Anthropometric, physical activity, snacking pattern, nutrition education.
| DOI: 10.17148/IARJSET.2021.8864