Associations of socioeconomic status with physical activity level and nutrition habits in Iranian adolescent girls: the CASPIAN-V study

Introduction: Physical activity level and nutrition habits are influenced by socioeconomic status (SES). The aim of this paper is to investigate the relationships between SES and levels of physical activity and nutrition habits in a representative sample of Iranian adolescent girls Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted within the framework of the fifth Childhood and Adolescence Surveillance and PreventIon of Adult Noncommunicable disease (CASPIAN-V). It was conducted in 3207 adolescent girls, aged 12-18 years old. SES, physical activity (PA) level, and nutrition habits were evaluated by validated questionnaire. Results: Mean of weight of students with moderate SES was significantly higher than other groups, while Height was not significantly higher in moderate SES compared to high SES. ( P-value<0.001). Being physically active less than 30 minutes per day (low PA), was lower among students with high SES compared to students with moderate or low SES (57.6% vs. 61.3% and 64.1%). The prevalence of healthy food intake in students with high SES (28.6%) was significantly lower than those with low or moderate SES (p-value < 0.05). Breakfast skipping was less common among students with high SES in comparison to other groups (OR for high: 0.76; 95% CI: 0.59- 0.97). Conclusion: Physical activity level and diet quality are influenced by SES in adolescent girls. Physical activity, unhealthy diet and eating breakfast regularly were more common in adolescent girls from families with high SES. Primordial preventative strategies should be considered in public health policies to help the health promotion of the future generation.

کلیدواژه ها:

Exercise ، Dietary Behavior ، Social Class ، Adolescent girls ، Prevention