Abstract
This study was conducted to determine the dietary intake food consumption and physical activity level of adolescents randomly selected from some different high school in Tripoli Libya. Using pre-tested structured questionnaire on back gown, anthropometric measurements food intake and physical activity level of 370 adolescents aged 11 -18-years old comprising 183 males,187 females. Results showed that the majority of adolescents were at 3rd high school level, an average females Body Mass Index (BMI)value was 18.9 ±3.1 kg/m2 differed significantly from males 17.9 ±2.0 kg/m2.Adolescents were at moderate physical activity, males were physically active more than females during weekend and after school 40.98%and 88%, respectively How vere in all three days interview the majority of adolescents had higher frequency count of just watching TV on weekend and playing video and computer 81.28% and 70.49%respectively. Snacks were most popular and mainly consumed, as bread sandwich 77.57%, biscuits and cakes 70.27% and chocolates and chips 68.39% while fried food and carbonated drinks were very low 26.22% and 22.76%. Collected data indicated that the mean intake of energy in both males and females were below2/3 of Recommended Dietary Allowance (RDA) 49.3±66 and 50.3 ±6.1, respectively. Vitamins A, E, and B1,Calcium, magnesium, and fiber were below RDA in large proportion of adolescents, Iron as well was blow about of 2/3. Establishment of school programs should be focused on promoting changes in food intake by providing good source of energy and increasing physical activity in all high schools. Keywords: food intake, physical activity, males, females, adolescents Tripoli, Libya