Patterns of foods eaten by teenagers based on questionnaires from the child and their mother

What is it about?

Two questionnaire were combined one asked the mothers about food provided by them to their 13 year-old child, the other asked the child about the foods/drinks taken outside the home. The patterns of the foods eaten were assessed and 4 different patterns were identified: a Traditional/health-conscious’ pattern, a ‘Processed’ pattern, a ‘Snacks/sugared drinks’ pattern and a ‘Vegetarian’ pattern. The Traditional/health-conscious’ pattern was best for nutrient content. The ‘Processed’ and ‘Snacks/sugared drinks’ patterns were high in energy, fats and sugars.

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Why is it important?

Teenagers have different patterns of eating. Some types of eating are likely to relate to later 'good' health (Traditional/health-conscious pattern) other patterns are likely to relate to later 'poor' health (‘Processed’ and ‘Snacks/sugared drinks’ patterns) because of the amount of nutrients they each supply.

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