Dietary patterns in urban school children in South India.

The dietary patterns and extent of overweight in 307 urban school going children aged 7 to 15 years representing various socio-economic strata was evaluated at baseline of a 3 year longitudinal study. Dietary habits were recorded through interviewer-administered questionnaires. Height and weight were measured and 8.2% of the children were over-weight or obese. Children from higher socio-economic strata had higher total and saturated fat intakes and lower carbohydrate intakes (P < 0.01). Daily energy intakes increased with increased frequency of eating out (P < 0.001). Therefore, promoting healthy eating in schools is important.