Developing healthy eating habits in adolescents of different age groups: Factors and dynamics

Introduction. Nutrition is a key factor determining physical and mental health, especially during adolescence, when stable eating habits are formed. Despite a significant number of studies on youth nutrition, the ability to develop healthy eating habits in adolescents of different age groups under comparable socioeconomic conditions, as well as the comparative effectiveness of implementing healthy eating recommendations by schoolchildren and students, remain understudied. The aim of this study is to evaluate the ability of adolescents of different age groups to develop healthy eating habits and identify factors determining the effectiveness of implementing healthy eating recommendations. Materials and Methods. The study is based on a comprehensive approach combining sociological (questionnaire) and statistical analysis. A total of 1,080 participants (620 9th-11th grade students aged 14-18 and 460 first-year university students aged 17-18) studying and living in similar socioeconomic circumstances participated in the study. Eating habits and dietary patterns were assessed using an online questionnaire (32 questions). Based on the identified factors, criteria for developing healthy eating habits (assessing energy expenditure, creating a ‘healthy’ diet, maintaining a healthy eating and drinking regimen, limiting the use of gadgets, cooking with family, setting the table, and maintaining a sleep schedule) were developed and tested in an experimental group (n=210) over 42 days. Statistical processing of the data was performed using the Student’s t-test, the Mann-Whitney test and the χ² test (significance level α=0.05). Results. The authors found that more than half of the respondents (51.6% of schoolchildren and 63.0% of university students) replace main meals with snacks, mainly flour products. Only 55% of schoolchildren and 37% of students regularly eat in the cafeterias of educational institutions. Significant differences in family eating practices were revealed: schoolchildren significantly more often eat with their families (61.3% versus 32.6%, p = 0.004). The use of gadgets during meals (66.1% and 67.4%, p = 0.885) is a universal problem, regardless of age. The testing found that schoolchildren formed basic habits faster: eating regimen - 27 days (p = 0.042), drinking regimen - 10 days (p = 0.011), refusal of sweet drinks - 28 days (p = 0.028); schoolchildren completely excluded fast food in an average of 35 days. Students are more likely to implement mindful and social practices: including fruit and vegetables in the diet – 14 days (p=0.003), giving up gadgets – 15 days (p<0.001), cooking with family – 36 days (p<0.001). Conclusions. The most challenging habits for both groups were eliminating flour products and sweets from their diets, as well as setting the table regularly. Neither schoolchildren nor university students developed these habits after 42 days. The results obtained can be used to develop targeted recommendations for developing healthy eating habits, taking into account the age characteristics of the target groups.