Attitudes and barriers to healthy eating amongst adolescent girls in Durban, Kwazulu-Natal, South Africa

Abstract

Abstract

Diet and eating patterns are significant determinants of health as they contribute to health outcomes. The significant increase in the burden of disease associated with non-communicable diseases has increased the need to study eating patterns and identify barriers to healthy eating among specific groups in their context. The purpose and this study was to identify attitudes and barriers to healthy eating amongst adolescent girls in Durban, South Africa.  A quantitative, descriptive and cross sectional design was used in a sample of adolescent girls. The results showed that there is variation in sources of eating information and that the family and the media are important sources. It is recommended that the school setting be utilized to increase knowledge on healthy eating and use its influence to enable the formation of healthy eating habits.

Key words: Eating patterns, barriers to healthy eating, adolescent girls, knowledge