Perception of health, obesity risk and dietary habits in youth

Abstract

Authors' contribution Wkład autorów: A. Study design/planning zaplanowanie badań B. Data collection/entry zebranie danych C. Data analysis/statistics dane-analiza i statystyki D. Data interpretation interpretacja danych E. Preparation of manuscript przygotowanie artykułu F. literature analysis/search wyszukiwanie i analiza literatury G. Funds collection zebranie funduszy Summary Background. The aim of this study was to determine the relationship between eating behaviour, health perception and obesity risk awareness in adolescents. Material and methods. This cross-sectional study was completed with 579 adolescents. Stratified and simple random sampling methods were used in the selection of the high schools, classes and students. The data was collected through the information form, Dutch Eating Behaviour Questionnaire and Perception of Health Scale. Results. The mean score of health perception of the adolescents was 52.34±7.59. There was a positive relationship between total health perception score and emotional eating behaviour score of the adolescents (p=0.003). There was a negative relationship between total health perception score restricted eating behaviour (p=0.029), and external eating behaviour score (p<0.001). The emotional eating behaviour (p=0.007), external eating behaviour (p=0.001) and total eating behaviour score (p<0.001) of the adolescents who believed they had an obesity risk were found to be higher than the adolescents who believed they did not. Conclusions. The adolescents with better health perception are less affected by the environment and are able to restrict their food choices. The adolescents who think that they have an obesity risk consume more food due to their emotional state and external exposure.

Analysis of Ghrelin and Leptin Concentrations in Saliva in a Selected Population of Children Aged 10-13 Years in the Silesia Province (Poland)

“…Worldwide, approximately 10% of adolescents aged 5 to 17 years have been found to be overweight or obese, and alarmingly, this percentage has been increasing rapidly in many countries and regions in recent years. Obesity in adolescence is often associated with obesity in adulthood and may also have long-term health consequences, including a higher risk of cardiovascular disease, psychiatric and musculoskeletal disorders, and metabolic diseases [12,13]. Equally important seems to be the problem of child malnutrition and hunger in the world, which, as it turns out, is not only characteristic of Third World and developing countries, but also occurs in economically developed countries.…”