ABSTRACT
Adolescents are at the stage when they are most influenced, and body image and satisfaction with one’s appearance are formed. At the same time, exposure to health risks of under and overnutrition, and unrealistic body image portrayed in the media and peers put adolescents into a vulnerable po-sition to try popular quick strategies such as fad dieting to achieve their body goal. The objectives of this study are to investigate prevalence of fad dieting among middle-adolescent students in Universi-ty of the Philippine Rural High School (UP RHS) and determine the factors that influence its practice. The practice of fad dieting, actual and perceived nutritional status (NS) among UP RHS students were obtained through survey questionnaire and anthropometric measurements.Results showed that there is a discrepancy between the actual and perceived NS of middle-adoles-cent students. Despite having normal NS, some students perceive being underweight or overweight. Body dissatisfaction was also observed despite students having normal NS, and dissatisfaction rates increase among overweight students. Only 17% of the study population have tried fad dieting to lose weight and an association was observed such that those who are fad dieters have normal and over-weight perceived NS, and low body satisfaction. This study has presented evidence that middle-adolescents students have engaged with fad diets and other unhealthy dietary practices influenced by their perceived NS and body satisfaction. Nutri-tional policies, assessment and interventions should be given importance to promote healthy lifestyle and to prevent negative health effects among this age group in the long run.
