Exploring Adolescent girls' Food-Talk in Kathmandu Valley, Nepal: A Qualitative Study

This study aimed to analyze how adolescent girls residing in Kathmandu valley, Nepal, talk about food within the context of their everyday experiences. We conducted 10 in-depth and four focus group interviews. Qualitative thematic analysis based on the constructivist paradigm was used to organize the interviews. The Utilitarian domain contained health statements using biomedical language and lay theories on health. Hedonic talk emphasized the taste of food, but notions about enjoyment were limited. Collective talk constructed an ideal family. In agency talk, the interviewees described their active role in achieving a slim body. Participants were not concerned about food insecurity but about eating too much.

Does the Taste and Appearance of Food Affect Food Waste in Low-Salt Diet Patients?

Large of food waste can be one indicator of nutritional deficiencies in patients. This lack of nutrition is a factor that can increase morbidity, length of stay and cost of care. The acceptance of the taste of food in patients with low-salt diets is often a problem. This study aimed to assess the effect of taste and appearance of foods on food waste in patients with low-salt diets. The study was a cross-sectional design with observational methods. Data was collection from interview using questionnaire. The study was conducted at the Jasa Kartini (JK) Hospital, Tasikmalaya in August-October 2017. Subjects (n=30) were patients in low-salt diet. The acceptance of the taste and appearance of food from JK Hospital according to the respondents, the value was quite varied, generally above the median value on a scale of 1-3. The average of food waste from patients with low-salt diets at JK Hospital was still above the PGRS (Nutritional Guideline for Hospital) standard 2013, which was 26%. Based on the analysis between variables, there was a significant relationship between food waste and food taste (p=0.002) and food waste and food appearance (p=0.000) in low-salt diets patients. The taste and appearance of food significantly affect the food waste in low-salt diet patients.