The influence of “westernization” on nutrition and physical activity behaviors of adolescents in New Delhi, India: Are we exporting an epidemic of obesity?

Purpose. To examine the relationships between “westernization” and nutrition and physical activity behaviors among older adolescents in Delhi, India. These relations have not been explored, despite increasingly strong and pervasive socio-cultural influences from the West. Methods. Students (n=1818)...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:The journal of applied research on children 2015-01, Vol.6 (2)
Main Authors: Harrell, Melissa, Ussery, Emily, Greene-Cramer, Blanche, Nalini Ranjit, Sharma, Shreela V, Arora, Monika
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Adolescents
Body Height
Body Weight
Case Studies
Childrens health
Correlation
Cultural Influences
Eating Habits
English (Second Language)
Exercise
Foreign Countries
Gender Differences
Government School Relationship
Health Behavior
Identification (Psychology)
Indians
Indo European Languages
Institutional Characteristics
Language Usage
Life Style
Mass Media
Nutrition
Obesity
Physical Activity Level
Preferences
Secondary School Students
Social Change
Social Influences
Student Attitudes
Teenagers
Western Civilization
Westernization
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Summary:Purpose. To examine the relationships between “westernization” and nutrition and physical activity behaviors among older adolescents in Delhi, India. These relations have not been explored, despite increasingly strong and pervasive socio-cultural influences from the West. Methods. Students (n=1818) in 8th and 10th grades in 4 Private (higher SES) and 4 Government (lower SES) schools in Delhi, India participated in a cross-sectional study. Height and weight were measured to determine weight status. Information on “westernization” and nutrition, physical activity, sedentary, and dieting behaviors was collected in a survey. The measure of “westernization” assessed 4 domains of culture on a bi-dimensional scale that focused on these young people’s identification with Indian (α=0.86) and Western (α=0.81) ways of living. Mixed-effects regression models were used to investigate the association between “westernization,” weight status, and health behaviors. Gender, school type (SES), and grade were evaluated as effect modifiers. Results. “Westernization” was not directly associated with weight status or BMI (p>0.500). However, adolescents’ identification with Western ways of living was consistently related to both unhealthy (e.g., fast food consumption, pppConclusions. The influence of “westernization” on nutrition and physical activity behaviors of older adolescents in Delhi, India is complex and not wholly negative, as might be hypothesized.
ISSN:2155-5834
2155-5834