Evalution of the physical activity and eating behavior among high school students in Edirne city center

Damla Yılmaz, Önder Sezer, Hamdi Nezih Dağdeviren

Keywords: physical activity, eating behaviour, Family Practice

Aim:

The share of adolescents in the world population is about 20%. Adolescence is the second rapid development period in life after infancy. Wrong eating behaviors and lifestyle habits acquired during adolescence can be permanent in later life and affect people's health. The aim of this study is evaluating the physical activity and eating behavior of high school students.

Method:

The sample of the study consists of 1540 people studying in high schools in the city center of Edirne. The data were collected by a questionnaire consisting of 90 questions. International Physical Activity Questionnaire consisting of 7 questions and Eating Behavior Scale consisting of 58 questions were applied in the questionnaire.

Results:

According to Eating Behavior Scale, 1.2% were in the category of bad eating behavior, 43.9% were moderate, 51.8% were good and 3.1 % were very good. A statistically significant difference was found between students' income groups and eating behaviors (p=0,029). It is seen that the socio-economic level of students in the high income group is well reflected in their eating habits. A statistically significant difference was found between body mass indexes and eating behaviors of the students (p=0,001). 21.4% of the students were sufficiently active according to the International Physical Activity Questionnaire. There was a statistically significant difference in the physical activity status according to gender (p<0,001). The male students' rate of being active was higher than female students. When International Physical Activity Questionnaire scores and Eating Behavior Scale scores were compared, a low-power positive correlation was found.

Conclusions:

Students' physical activity status and eating behaviors were not in the desired state. Lifestyle habits developed during adolescence will affect a person's health status. Adolescents should be conscious about healthy lifestyle behaviors; bad behaviors should be detected and intervened early. With increasing health literacy, the risk of chronic diseases can be reduced.

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