Snacking Pattern of Residents of Vadodara: a Pilot Study

Obesity has reached epidemic proportions globally and is a major contributor to the global burden of chronic diseases. Dietary factors are the major modifiable factors through which many of the external forces promoting weight gain act. Thus, with the objective of examining the snacking pattern of the people living in Vadodara city, a cross-sectional study was conducted among the urban population of Vadodara city. In all 60 households were surveyed, 15 from each ward representing each zone. Qualitative data was collected in a pre-structured questionnaire by interviewing the subjects through house to house visits. Data was analyzed using Microsoft Excel package. The prevalence of overweight and obesity by Asia pacific classification was found to be 21.7% and 48.3% respectively. The major type of snacks consumed by the people was found to be shallow fried foods, bakery products and deep fried foods. Thus, there is a need to promote healthy snacking habits among the people of Vadodara.