Abstract

PREVALENCE OF INSTANT NOODLES CONSUMPTION AMONG SCHOOLGIRLS: A CROSS- SECTIONAL STUDY IN PUBLIC SCHOOLS IN THE GAZA STRIP, PALESTINE

Etimad Alattar and Eqbal Radwan*

ABSTRACT

The overconsumption of instant noodles has recently received special attention due to its association with obesity and cardiometabolic syndrome. Accordingly, the current study aims at identifying the extent of instant noodle consumption and its association with place of residence among schoolgirls in public schools in the Gaza Strip, Palestine. A total of 2694 schoolgirls aged 12-81 years were selected randomly to fill a questionnaire especially designed for this purpose. The results of the current study revealed that 73.1% of the participants were found to consume instant noodle, whereas 26.9% were not. The study revealed that 60.5% of the interviewed participants eat instant noodle once a day, 31.3% eat twice a day and 8.20% eat more than twice a day. About 71.6% of the schoolgirls were found to consume both cup and packet instant noodles. Also the study showed that the majority of the interviewed participants (94.5%) proved that they add spices packet to instant noodle. The proportion of the participants who added oil packet to instant noodles was significantly higher compared with those who did not. Furthermore, there were significantly fewer participants who added vegetables to instant noodles compared to those who did not. About 53.0% were found to consider the instant noodle as a basic meal, whereas the remainder consider it as a complementary meal. All variables related to instant noodle consumption were significantly associated with place of residence.

Keywords: Instant noodle, questionnaire, schoolgirls, consumption, governorate, Gaza Strip, Palestine.