Cross-sectional associations of dietary patterns with health status and smoking-related knowledge, attitudes and practices (KAP) among Bangladeshi adolescent smokers

Purpose This study aims to evaluate the association between dietary patterns with health status and smoking-related knowledge, attitudes and practices (s-KAP) among Bangladeshi adolescent smokers. Design/methodology/approach An analytical cross-sectional study was conducted among 205 randomly selected adolescents. Socio-demographic, health status, s-KAP related data were collected in face-to-face interviews. Dietary intake data were calculated using the food frequency questionnaire. Findings The practices score (44.8%) was comparatively poor among adolescent smokers. Among the respondents, around 56.1%, 38.1% and 49.3% were suffering from gastric problems, nausea and the loss of appetite, respectively, because of smoking. There was a significant relationship between dietary diversity and the occurrence of several diseases such as gastric problems, nausea and loss of appetite. The respondents who consumed fresh fruits and vegetables regularly might reduce gastric problems (OR: 0.53, 95% CI: 0.27-1.04 and OR: 0.64, 95% CI: 0.25-1.65), nausea (OR: 0.72, 95% CI: 0.38-1.37 and OR: 0.28, 95% CI: 0.13-0.84) and loss of appetite (OR: 0.52, 95% CI: 0.32-1.21 and OR: 0.16 95% CI: 0.27-0.68). Originality/value In conclusion, smoking has been associated with multiple health problems because of poor practices score. Consumption of a balanced diet, better smoking-related knowledge, attitudes and practices needs to be improved among adolescents.