EATING HABITS AND PHYSICAL ACTIVITY OF GRADE9 AND12 STUDENTS IN BALIKESIR SCIENCE SCHOOL

Abstract

In this study was to investigate the effect of the nutrition and physical exercise habits change on overweight in Balikesir Science High School students. Eighty-five volunteered students (46 girls and 39 boys), were participated in this study. The participants' nutrition habits and physical characteristics were analyzed in 15 years old (grade 9) then compared to 18 years old (grade 12) values. The study results showed that increased in body weight, height and body mass index (BMI) in grade 12 compared to grade 9., whereas waist/hip ratio was not significantly increased. The participation in physical activity and physical activity duration was declined in grade 12 (p=0.000, p=0.004 respectively). When evaluated the questions scores, the nutrition habit risk score was increased except question 2 and 5. In addition, boys more participated in physical activity than girls (p=0.001) while in grade 12, this physical activity participation level more than decreased in girls compared to boys (p=0.04). In conclusion, this study results indicated that in grade 12 or 18 years old, bad nutrition habits increased and physical exercise participation level decreased with school and exam factors.