Food Consumption Behavior and Nutritional Status of Student at Secondary School in Xaysetha District, Vientiane Capital, Lao PDR

Abstract

This study aimed to describe food consumption behaviors, to assess nutritional
status and to determine the association of knowledge and attitude toward nutrition with
nutritional status of 203 senior high school students in Xaysetha district, Vientiane capital,
Lao People Democratic and Republic (Lao PDR). Data collection were conducted in August,
2015. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics and presented as frequency, percent,
mean, standard deviation, maximum and minimum value. And Spearman’s rank correlation
coefficient test was performed to determine the association.
The results showed that 82.7% of the total 203 students had 3 meals a day.
Having breakfast, Lunch and dinner were reportedly 94.6%, 100.0% and 97.0%, respectively. Of
the total, 39.9% considered clean food for choosing dishes. Regarding knowledge of food
consumption, 39.9%, 54.1% and 5.9% had high, moderate and low, respectively. For
attitude toward food consumption, moderate and high levels were found 72.9% and
27.1%, respectively. Regarding nutritional status based on BMI for age, 53.2% were wellnourished
(BMI for age=18.5-22.99 kg/m2). 34.0% were wasting (BMI for age <18.5 kg/m2) and
12.8% were overweight or obese (BMI for age ≥ 23.0 kg/m2). However, 65.0% satisfied with
their appearances. Regarding the association of knowledge and attitude toward food
consumption with nutritional status, there was no association. Correlation coefficients were
0.0434 (p-value>0.05) and -0.0245 (p-value>0.05), respectively.
In conclusion, though majority of the senior high school students had knowledge
and attitude toward food consumption at high and moderate level, but one-third were
wasting and one-tenth were overweight/obese. These findings indicate that Lao PDR are
facing both under and over nutrition. So, Lao PDR by Ministry of Public Health in
collaboration with the school should implement specific proper measures to specific target
population in order to have better understanding on proper self-image perception as well
as food consumption and healthy behavior for gaining optimal nutritional status, eventually.