ABSTRACT

Aim:

This descriptive study aims to determine the eating habits and behaviors of high school students studying in different schools.

Materials and Methods:

The study included 174 high school students who volunteered to participate in the study and who were attending a medical vocational high school and other high schools in a district. For data collection, “Eating Habits Test” was used to determine the students’ sociodemographic characteristics and eating habits. The data obtained were analyzed using frequency, percentage, chi-square and t-tests on a SPSS 21 program.

Results:

The mean eating habit score of 174 high school students participating in the study was 16.35±8.31 and the risk of eating disorders was 8%. Of the students, 19.5% had body weights below normal and 7.5% had above the normal body weights. Of the students 27.6% thought that they were overweight and 21.3% thought they were slim. 52.9% of high school students stated that they did nothing about their body weights, 34.5% were trying to lose weight and 12.6% were trying to gain weight. The study results showed that female students and those studying in medical vocational high school exhibited more eating disorders than male students and those attending other high schools, and this difference was statistically significant (p<0.05).

Conclusion:

It was concluded that at-risk students should be directed to the related units for early intervention in accordance with the findings obtained and that education programs about healthy nutrition should be organized for both students and their families.