Assessment of Nutritional Habits and Obesity Situations of Adolescents in 16-18 Age Group

Abstract

Objective: This study was conducted with the aim of analyzing nutritional habits and obesity conditions of adolescents in 16-18 age group. Material and Methods: This descriptive study was carried out with 250 volunteer students in a highschool in Istanbul. A questionnaire form including questions about demographic features and nutritional habits of the students was used in the research. Results: Of 250 students participated in the study, 124(49.6%) were girls and 126(50.4%) were boys who aged between 16-18 years. Of the students, 55.2% ate three meals a day regularly, 26.8% did not eat lunch, 9.2% did not eat dinner and 8% did not eat breakfast and lunch. Of the students in the study group, 58.8% were determined to eat breakfast every day but 22% skipped breakfast. Out of total 33.2% of the students were consuming coke and 38.4% were consuming fastfood every day. Additionally, only 35.6% of the students were actively involved in sports. When body mass index-percentiles according to gender were evaluated, it was seen that 84.9% of the boys had normal weight, 13.5% were overweight, 0.8% were obese; 82.3% of the girls had normal weight, 13.7% were overweight, 1.6% were obese. Conclusion: Although the prevalence of obesity was found high in girls (13.7% overweight, 1.6% obese) compared to boys (13.5% overweight, 0.8% obese), only a small percent (1.2%) of the students were were obese. Although ratio of obesity is not very high, according to this result, instructive seminars should be given in schools in order to inform students and families about healthy nutrition, obesity and outcomes of obesity. By increasing their awareness, it would be possible to prevent future generations from being overweight and obese.