Foods Frequently Eaten by High School Students in a High Density Area in Zimbabwe

The aim of this study was to assess the eating habits of high school students (N=94) in Zimbabwe. A food frequency questionnaire (FFQ) was used which contained 83 foods categorized as grains; meat; legumes; milk; fruits and vegetables; snacks, fats and oils; and beverages. Food items were also listed in three different languages (English, Shona, Ndebele). Differences were found between students who bought food at school and who brought the highest amount of money to school compared to students who did neither. The findings of this study highlight the influence of economic factors on the student eating patterns. This study was conducted while E. Harris was a Senior Fulbright Scholar at the University of Zimbabwe in 2001. The authors would like to thank Alvin Nowverl and James Friday, Community Nutrition Research Group, Beltsville Human Nutrition Research Center (BHNRC), Agricultural Research Service (ARS), United States Department of Agriculture, who contributed to the analysis of the data. KEYWORDS: food frequencyhigh school studentsZimbabwe Notes This study was conducted while E. Harris was a Senior Fulbright Scholar at the University of Zimbabwe in 2001. The authors would like to thank Alvin Nowverl and James Friday, Community Nutrition Research Group, Beltsville Human Nutrition Research Center (BHNRC), Agricultural Research Service (ARS), United States Department of Agriculture, who contributed to the analysis of the data. Inter-Country People’s Aid UNICEF Report (1999). A Situation Analysis of Women and Children. In the Peri-Urban, Informal Settlements of Hatcliffe Extension, Dzivarasekwa Extension, and Porta Farm. Harare, Zimbabwe July. Save the Children Norway, Fact Sheet (2000). A child friendly national budget. Children are our future. May UNICEF, Government of Zimbabwe & UNICEF Program of Cooperation (1999). Master Plan of Operation. Rights Planning and Advocacy Child Learning and Lifeskills Health, Nutrition, and Environment. December. UNICEF, Government of Zimbabwe & UNICEF Program of Cooperation (1999). Summary of the 1999 Situation Analysis. Growing Up in Zimbabwe. December. UNICEF (2003). A Nation’s Crisis Burgeons. 2003 statistics concerning Zimbabwe’s AIDS epidemic

Agriculture · Environmental health · Geography · Human settlement · Nutrition Education · Political science · Research center · Socioeconomics · Sociology · Food Security and Health in Diverse Populations · Food Security and Socioeconomic Dynamics · Medicine · Obesity, Physical Activity, Diet · Gerontology

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