Abstract:
Background: Consumption of ultra-processed foods (UPFs) among adolescents is a global concern. These groups of foods are designed to be convenient, attractive and marketed intensively, which make them more consumable especially for adolescents. There are different data regarding the dietary diversity of adolescents in both urban and rural setting of low- and middle-income countries (LMICs), little is known about the consumption of ultra-processed food and its associated factors.
Objective: To assess ultra-processed food consumption among high school adolescents aged 15-18 and factors driving the consumption in Addis Ababa.
Methods: A school based cross-sectional study was conducted among adolescents aged 15-18 in public and private high schools in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. A total number of 619 students were included in the study. A multistage random sampling technique was used to select the study participants. A self-administered, pre-tested questionnaire was used to collect the data. Data entry was done using Epidata version 4.6 and data analysis was done using Stata, version 14.0.
Results: A total of 508 (88.2%, 95%CI :( 85.3%-90.6%)) of adolescents have consumed ultra-processed foods at least once per week in the preceding week of the study. Pocket money allowance (AOR= 6.02, 95% CI: 1.67-21.7) was statistically associated with UPF consumption. Further, UPF consumption is not associated with overweight/obesity.
Conclusions and Recommendations: Prevalence of UPF consumption was high among high school adolescents and pocket money allowance is associated with UPF consumption. Pocket money allowance should not be given without any precondition (stipulation).