Investigation of obesity frequency, physical activity level and healthlifestyle behaviors of adolescent children

In this study, it was aimed to examine obesity prevalence, physical activity level, and healthy lifestyle behaviors of adolescent children. Relational screening model was used in this study. The universe of the research consists of adolescent students studying in a town, secondary school and high school in the city of Afyonkarahisar. The sample of this population consisted of 210 adolescent students, 100 of whom were male and 110 female, who were selected by convenience sampling method. The data in the research were obtained from 3 different scales. The first section of the measurement tool; it was the Physical Activity Scale for Adolescents developed by Crocker (1997) and adapted into Turkish language by Tanır (2013). The second one; it was the Healthy Lifestyle Behaviors II Scale, which was revised and reviewed by Walker (1996) and adapted into Turkish by Bahar (2008). The last section of measurement tool was the Personal Information Form. To the collected data; descriptive statistics, independent groups t-test, one-way analysis of variance, and Pearson correlation analysis were used. When the findings of the study's healthy lifestyle students' behaviors were examined; there was a significant difference according to gender, mother and father occupational status, health problem, purpose and duration of internet use, and leisure evaluation (p <.05). On the other hand, it was determined that there was no difference according to education type, education level of mother and father, family type, place of residence, family income, health insurance, and body mass index (p> .05). In addition, no significant relationship was found between age and healthy lifestyle behaviors. When the physical activity findings of the research were examined; students differ significantly according to gender, father's education level, family type, and internet usage purpose (p <.05). On the other hand, it was determined that there was no difference according to education level, mother education status, mother and father occupation status, place of residence, family income, health insurance, health problem, internet usage duration, leisure evaluation and body mass index (p> .05). In addition, no significant relationship was found between age and physical activity. Finally, negative and low-level significant relationships were found between body mass index and interpersonal relationships. Positive and low-level significant relationships were found with the physical activity and total score of healthy lifestyle behavior. Moderately significant positive relationship between nutrition and physical activity were found (p <.05). As a result, it was determined that adolescents who exhibit healthy eating behaviors and who do regular physical activity exhibit more successful healthy lifestyle behaviors. These results indicate that gaining a healthy nutrition and regular physical activity habits will play a key role in improving healthy lifestyle behaviors in adolescence.