ERGENLERİN SAĞLIKLI YAŞAM BİÇİMİ DAVRANIŞLARININ DEĞERLENDİRİLMESİ

Evaluation of Healthy Lifestyle Behaviours in Adolescents Objective: This research was carried out as a descriptive study to evaluate healthy lifestyle behaviors of adolescents. Method: The study population comprised 20642 grade 1 High School students from 61 schools affiliated with the National Education Directorate of Seyhan, Adana in 2008-2009 academic years. Using stratified random sampling, the research cohort was generated with minimum 750 students regarding the gender and the type of high school. Data was collected through a questionnaire which contains descriptive characteristics of students and parents as well as via the Healthy Lifestyle Behavior Scale. Statistical analysis of data obtained from the study was performed using Independent Sample t test, one-way ANOVA and Tukey HSD post hoc test. Results: The  mean  score  of  the  Healthy  Lifestyle  Behavior  Scale  of  the  adolescents  was  126.4±19.5  and  found to be in intermediate level. The average score of the Healthy Lifestyle Behavior Scale and the scores from the nutrition and exercise subgroups were found to be higher in male students compared to the female students. Conclusions: For a society with healthy adults, it is significant to closely follow the development of adolescents and to promote healthy lifestyle behaviors in this age group.