Eating habits of adolescents and education by nurses on primary prevention

Abstract

The goal of the article is to present the results of the research which is focused on the eating habits of adolescents. These habits are the basis for education in the field of nursing and healthy lifestyle. The data collection was carried out using a non-standardized questionnaire. The sample group of respondents consisted of 1130 people living in South Bohemia, who were 15–18-years-old (the average age was 16.8 years), of which 732 (64.8%) were girls and 398 (35.2%) were boys. The research was carried out among pupils of four-year high schools, middle schools of health (MSH), middle vocational schools and vocational school institutions in the study field cook/waiter (VSI). The dependence of the monitored variables on the type of the monitored school was assessed using the chi-squared test (possibly Fisher's exact test). The results showed that high school pupils ate regularly 5 or 6 times a day, in contrast to other types of schools. High school pupils had a higher frequency of consuming daily meals during the week. Pupils from middle vocational schools had the worst results (their daily consumption of sweetened beverages was more than pupils from other schools). Pupils from middle vocational schools were more influenced by TV commercials in the selection of food. The results of our research point out various flaws in the daily and weekly frequency of food consumption in pupils from selected types of schools, while pupils from vocational schools were disadvantaged. For this reason, education in nutrition and lifestyle should be focused on the prevention of becoming overweight and obese and should be included in the routine care of children and adolescents.