Survey of health and nutritional behaviors among high school students

Abstract

Background: Suitable and various nutrition and healthy behaviors of students is the most basic foundation of health. The aim of this study was survey of health and nutritional behaviors among high school students in Yazd city. Materials and methods: This was a descriptive (cross-sectional) study. The research sample consisted of 320 high school students in Yazd city who were selected through Stratified Random Sampling. Data collection instrument included two parts of the GSHS questionnaire (health and nutritional behaviors) which was completed by the students and the study data was analyzed via SPSS 16 software. Results: More than 18 percent of students do not always eat breakfast. More than 48 percent of the students at least once per day consumed from carbonated drinks. More than 64 percent of them consumed fast food at least once during the last seven days. Only 14 percent of students are always washed their hands before eating. Conclusion: Proper planning and design suitable training programs for avoid fast foods, poor quality and foods high in fat and salt, seems to be necessary for students.

Keywords

• eating behaviors
• health behaviors
• student