Table 1 Self-Reported Dietary, Physical Activity and Sedentary Behaviors assessed through the BP Survey

Dietary Behaviors

Eat dairy products (yes/no)

Do you eat dairy foods (such as paneer [cottage cheese], butter etc.)?

Eat fruits (≥1 times/day)

In the past one year, how many times did you eat fruits (not counting fruit juice)?

Eat vegetables (≥2 times/day)

In the past one year, how many times did you eat vegetables (not counting carrots, potatoes or salad)?

Eat fried food (≥2 times/day)

In the past one year, how many times did you eat fried foods (such as samosa, pakoda, vada etc.)?

Drink soft-drinks (≥2 times/day)

How often do you drink soft drinks (such as Pepsi, Coca Cola, Mirinda, Sprite, 7Up, Limca etc.)?

Physical Activity

Do mild exercise (≥1/2 hour/day)

In a usual week, how many hours do you spend doing mild exercise (little effort). Examples: walking slowly (to school, friends’ house, etc.), bowling, golf, yoga

Do moderate exercise (≥1/2 hour/day)

In a usual week, how many hours do you spend doing moderate exercise (not exhausting). Examples: walking quickly, cricket, gymnastics, slow cycling, volleyball, dancing, table-tennis, skipping, badminton

Do strenuous exercise (≥1/2 hour/day)

In a usual week, how many hours do you spend doing strenuous exercise (heart beats rapidly). Examples: cycling fast, aerobic exercise, jogging, swimming, laps, skating, tennis, soccer/football, basketball, throwball, kabaddi, kho kho, pitthu [a local game involving running]

Sedentary Behaviors

Watch TV, Weekday (≥2 hours/day)

On an average weekday (Monday-Friday), during your free time, how many hours do you spend watching TV and videos?

Watch TV, Weekend (≥2 hours/day)

On an average weekend day (Saturday or Sunday), how many hours do you spend watching TV and videos?

Use Computer, Weekday (≥2 hours/day)

On an average weekday (Monday-Friday), during your free time, how many hours do you spend using a computer for net surfing, e-mailing, chatting, playing games, watching movies, etc.?

Use Computer, Weekend (≥2 hours/day)

On an average weekend day (Saturday or Sunday), how many hours do you spend using a computer for net surfing, e-mailing, chatting, playing games, watching movies, etc.?

Study School, Weekday (≥2 hours/day)

On an average weekday (Monday-Friday), during your free time, how many hours do you spend reading, studying and doing academic work, including tuitions?

Study School, Weekend (≥2 hours/day)

On an average weekend day (Saturday or Sunday), how many hours do you spend reading, studying and doing academic work, including tuitions?