EVALUATION OF NUTRITIONAL HABITS, SELF-RESPECT, BODY PERCEPTION, AND HEALTHY LIFE ATTITUDE IN ADOLESCENTS

Objective: Adolescents' acquisition of positive eating behaviors is important for the prevention of eating disorders. This study was conducted to evaluate eating habits, self-esteem, body perception and healthy living attitudes in adolescents.Method: The study was conducted with the participation of 160 adolescents (65 boys, 95 girls) between the ages of 11-14 years who were continuing their education in secondary education institutions in Safranbolu district of Karabük province. The data were collected by using a questionnaire including sociodemographic information, anthropometric measurements, general health and nutritional habits, Body Perception Scale (BPS), Attitudes Toward Healthy Eating Scale (ATHS), Adolescent Healthy Lifestyle Choices Scale (HLSC), and Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scales. Anthropometric data were evaluated using the WHO BMI-for-Age growth curves for ages 5-19 years. The obtained data were entered into the “WHO Antro Plus” computer program and the results were obtained as z-score.Results: 59.4% of the adolescents were girls, 40.6% were boys, mean age was 13.44±0.82 years, mean body weight was 50.54±9.28 kg, mean height was 152.20±4.51 cm, and mean BMI-for-age-Z score was 0.49±1.41. It was found that 47.5% of the adolescents considered themselves overweight, 80.63% were satisfied with their weight, 14.38% had attempted dieting in the last year, and 55% received information about nutrition from a doctor. It was found that the mean value of the VAS was good with 158.55 ± 9.27, high with 64.44 ± 2.28, moderate with 53.11 ± 3.67, and moderate with 21.74 ± 2.50 on the Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale.Conclusion: This study is one of the rare studies in the literature that includes all four scales that are effective in obtaining important information in adolescent health. It is thought that this study, which contains information that will contribute to the preparation of adolescent-specific nutrition protocols and the development of awareness, will guide future studies.Keywords: Adolescent, Healthy Eating, Body Image, BMI