Dietary Diversity among Adolescents Aged 11 – 13 in the City of Colombo, Sri Lanka

Dietary diversity is considered a key indicator in assessing access, utilization and quality of diet and lack of dietary diversity is strongly associated with an inadequate intake of essential micronutrients. A cross-sectional study was conducted to determine the dietary diversity among adolescents aged 11-13 in the city of Colombo. A sample of 634 subjects was recruited using the multistage stratified cluster sampling technique. A three-day diet diary was used to collect types and quantities of food items consumed. The dietary diversity score was determined based on Food and Agriculture Organization nine (9) food groups and the food variety score was calculated by a simple count of the number of food items consumed in a single day. Socio-demographic data were gathered using a general questionnaire and height, weight and waist circumference were measured. Household food security status data were gathered using the United States Department of Agriculture 18-item questionnaire. The mean (±SD) dietary diversity score was 4.36 (±1.28) and the mean food variety score was 9.69 (±2.82). Dietary diversity score and food variety score were high among boys and adolescents in national schools who were food secure. Percentages of adolescents who consumed Vitamin A and Iron rich foods were 41.1 % and 78.2 % respectively. The dietary diversity of adolescents aged 11-13 years in the city of Colombo is adequate and categorized as medium dietary diversity.