Perception And Practices of Healthy Lifestyle in Late Adolescence and Its Impact on Body Mass Index

Abstract

Background: Adolescence coincides with major changes that affect the determinants of adult health. Many adult health conditions are related to factors that develop during adolescence. Aim: This study aimed to investigate the impact of dietary habits and physical activity on BMI of late adolescent college students. Methodology: Cross sectional study was conducted in the first three years of medical and nursing students, Tanta University. A self-administered questionnaire was used. It included questions on socio-demographic, dietary habit, physical activity and perception of healthy lifestyle. Results: Out of 524 students 55.5% were rural residents and 67.9% were females and 31.3% were having overweight. Drinking soda /sugared beverages (juices) is significantly high in obese students. More than half (53.1%) of OB students and (44.5%) of OW students usually eat snacks between meals. Physical activity is low among studied students, 45% of them did not have routine exercise. Obese and overweight students had negative attitude towards healthy lifestyle. Lack of time is the main barrier to adopt healthy lifestyle. Conclusion: Fault dietary habits, lack of physical activity and high sedentary practice affect the BMI. Negative perception of healthy lifestyle and lack of time constitute the main barriers against healthy lifestyle.

Keywords

• Dietary habits
• Physical activity
• Lifestyle
• Adolescent
• Perception