Eating habits and attitudes of high school students in Medjimurje County about nutrition

Abstract

Pravilna prehrana i očuvanje optimalne tjelesne težine predstavljaju ključne čimbenike u prevenciji brojnih kroničnih nezaraznih bolesti, očuvanju zdravlja i unapređenju kvalitete života. Ovaj diplomski rad usmjeren je na analizu pravilne prehrane, prehrambenih navika te sve učestalijeg problema debljine, s posebnim naglaskom na adolescentnu populaciju, specifično učenike srednjih škola. Adolescencija je razdoblje intenzivnih bioloških, psiholoških i socijalnih promjena, u kojem se usvajaju dugoročne životne navike. Nepravilna prehrana u ovom razdoblju često uključuje preskakanje obroka, povećani unos brze hrane, gaziranih i energetskih pića te smanjeni unos voća i povrća. Navedeni čimbenici u kombinaciji s nedostatkom tjelesne aktivnosti doprinose razvoju prekomjerne tjelesne težine i debljine, ozbiljnog globalnog javnozdravstvenog problema u svijetu, ali i u Hrvatskoj. Cilj istraživanja je bio ispitati prehrambene navike i stavove učenika srednjih škola o prehrani. U presječno istraživanje bili su uključeni učenici srednjih škola (N=469) Međimurske županije koji su dobrovoljno i anonimno sudjelovali u ispunjavanju online ankete distribuirane putem Google Forms obrasca. Potvrđena je statistički značajna razlika u prehrambenim navikama i stavovima učenika medicinske škole u odnosu na učenike drugih srednjih škola. Ne postoji značajna razlika u prehrambenim navikama i stavovima učenika ovisno o spolu, tj. da djevojke imaju statistički značajno zdravije prehrambene navike i pozitivnije stavove prema zdravoj hrani u odnosu na mladiće. Ispostavilo se da mladići imaju statistički značajno pozitivnije stavove prema zdravoj hrani u odnosu na djevojke. Dobiveni rezultati ukazuju da učenici koji pokazuju pozitivan stav prema pravilnoj prehrani ujedno imaju i zdravije prehrambene navike. Također, učenici koji žive u urbanim sredinama imaju bolje prehrambene navike od učenika koji žive u ruralnim područjima. Zaključno, pravilna prehrana i tjelesna aktivnost moraju biti sastavni dio svakodnevnog života, a osobito je važno rano prepoznavanje i usmjeravanje djece i adolescenata prema zdravim životnim navikama. Prevencija debljine nije samo individualna odgovornost, već i odgovornost društva u cjelini, koje mora stvoriti uvjete za zdrav i kvalitetan život budućih generacija.Proper nutrition and maintaining optimal body weight are key factors in the prevention of numerous chronic non-communicable diseases, preserving health and improving the quality of life. This thesis focuses on the analysis of proper nutrition, eating habits and the increasingly frequent problem of obesity with a special emphasis on the adolescent population, specifically high school students. Adolescence is a period of intense biological, psychological and social changes in which long-term lifestyle habits are adopted. Improper nutrition during this period often includes skipping meals, increased intake of fast food, carbonated and energy drinks and reduced intake of fruits and vegetables. The above factors, combined with lack of physical activity, contribute to the development of overweight and obesity, a serious global public health problem in the world, but also in Croatia. The aim of the study was to examine the eating habits and attitudes of secondary school students about nutrition. The cross-sectional study included secondary school students (N=469) from Medjimurje County who voluntarily and anonymously participated in completing an online survey distributed via Google Forms. A statistically significant difference in the eating habits and attitudes of medical school students compared to students from other secondary schools was confirmed. There is no significant difference in the eating habits and attitudes of students depending on gender, i.e. girls have statistically significantly healthier eating habits and more positive attitudes towards healthy food compared to boys. It turned out that boys have statistically significantly more positive attitudes towards healthy food compared to girls. The results indicate that students who show a positive attitude towards proper nutrition also have healthier eating habits. Also, students who live in urban areas have better eating habits than students who live in rural areas. In conclusion, proper nutrition and physical activity must be an integral part of everyday life, and early recognition and guidance of children and adolescents towards healthy lifestyle habits is particularly important. Obesity prevention is not only an individual responsibility, but also the responsibility of society, which must create conditions for a healthy and quality life for future generations