BALANCED MEAL AND DIETARY FIBRE CONSUMPTION IN THE INDUSTRIAL WORKFORCE IN GAMPAHA, SRI LANKA

Abstract

The dietary behaviour of young adults in Sri Lanka is a key determinant of long-term health outcomes in the country. This study aimed to evaluate the daily dietary fibre (DF) intake and balanced meal consumption patterns among young adults employed in a Sri Lankan export processing zone, Gampaha. A cross-sectional quantitative study was conducted among 327 participants using a validated, interviewer administered questionnaire, including 128 males and 199 females. Data were analysed using ANOVA and Tukey’s post-hoc test to compare means across demographic categories using IBM SPSS Statistics 29 software. The daily mean DF intake was 19.8 g (Male: 22.3 g; Female: 18.2 g; p < 0.05), which is lower than the recommended daily intake. The lowest DF intake was observed in the 18-23 age group (18.4 g), and intake significantly increased with age (p < 0.05). DF intake differed significantly across educational levels (p < 0.05), with graduates reporting the highest intake (21.6 g). Place of residence also influenced intake; those who were living at home had higher DF intake than those living in boarding places. Moreover, the consumption of balanced meals was critically poor with only 2% of subjects reporting a balanced diet across all main meals. The highest proportion of balanced meals was reported at lunch (55%), while none of the participants reported consuming a balanced breakfast. The findings of this study highlighted the necessity of educating the industrial workforce on their diet and health. Further, implementing policies and providing workplace facilities to promote healthier dietary practices among young adults should be prioritised and strengthened.