The Association between Dietary Habits, Physical Activities and Family Setting in Adolescent Sickle Cell Disease Patients

Abstrak

Introduction: Poor dietary habits and physical

activities have been reported in adolescents globally

but needs to be explored in sickle cell disease (SCD).

Methods: This cross-sectional study of dietary habits

and physical activities of adolescent SCD patients

was undertaken using a semi-structured interviewer

administered questionnaire.

Results: The mean age of the 122 respondents was

15.7±2.3years, of which 51 (41.8%) were males and

77(63%) were from monogamous homes. Overall,

58% of the adolescents had poor dietary habit and

52(42.6%) took breakfast daily while 83 (68%) took

carbonated drink in the seven days preceding the

survey. There was no association between the

monogamous, polygamous or single parenthood and

dietary habits (÷2 (2.67), P=0.26).However,

participants who lived with their parents were more

likely to have better dietary habits (÷2 (4.6), P=0.03).

Participants who ate breakfast or vegetables were

less likely to take carbonated drinks (÷2 (6.8),

P=0.009; ÷2 (4.64), P=0.03 respectively). About half

(52%) engage more in physical activities, eighty-six

(70%) spent less than 3hours watching TV daily

while eighty-seven (71%) spent 1 day at most playing

video game in a week. Those in the monogamous

setting were more like to be physically active (÷2

(6.5), P=0.038). Participants who exercise less

watched TV more (÷2 (15.9), P<0.001) while those

who watch TV played less of video games (÷2 (14.5),

P<0.001).Both parent’s occupation and mothers’

education influenced child’s dietary habits (P<0.05).

Conclusion: Dietary habits and physical activities

of adolescent SCD patients are influenced by their

family background.