Investigation of Obesity and Physical Activity Attitudes of Boarding and Regular High School Students

Abstract

Obesity is an increasing public health problem among young people as well as worldwide. Inadequate and unbalanced nutrition, lack of physical activity and unhealthy lifestyle choices are among the main causes of obesity. The aim of the study was to investigate the motivation of high school students to participate in balanced nutrition and physical activity. The study included n:178 students between the ages of 14-17 years who were studying at Hasan Aybaba Anatolian Teacher High School in Osmaniye province and who voluntarily agreed to participate in the study. The mean values of the students participating in the study were height 166.93±8.80 cm, body weight 59.02±11.80 kg and body mass index (BMI) 21.09±3.25. In addition to the personal information form, the Balanced Nutrition and Obesity Attitude Scale of High School Students (DBOTÖ) was developed by Kat Öztürk, (2021) and the Scale of Motivations to Participate in Physical Activity (FAKMÖ) was developed by Tekkurşun-Demir and Cicioğlu, (2018) for boarding (n=80) and non-boarding (n=98) students. In the evaluation of the data, the normality test was examined with the Kolmogorov Smirnov test with the SPSS programme. Since the data did not show normal distribution, Mann Witney U test was used for pairwise comparisons. There was no statistical difference in age and BMI between the demographic characteristics of boarding and non-boarding students in the study. The groups were similar. A statistically significant difference was observed in BMI, (DBOTÖ) Developing Negative Body Perception, Negative Attitudes Towards Balanced Nutrition and Obesity and Overall Total sub-dimensions according to the gender of the students (p<0.01).  A statistically significant difference was observed in the sub-dimensions of individual reasons, environmental reasons, causelessness sub-dimensions and total scores of the scale of motivations for participation in physical activity (p<0.01).  As a result, gender was found to be effective on body perception and nutrition attitudes. Therefore, it can be said that the concepts of nutrition and body perception are important considering the gender variable. Based on these findings, it can be said that attitudes about nutrition and obesity are shaped in different structures and these attitudes may change according to factors such as gender in the school environment. The body perception of the school administration and families, dietary patterns and healthy living behaviours emphasise the characteristics such as gender and boarding status. In boarding, a different eating habit can be developed depending on the regular diet and pathogens.