The Comparison Of Body Mass Indexes, Dietary Habits, And Physical Activity Attitudes Of Refugee And Turkish Adolescents

İngilizce (OpenAlex)

ABSTRACT Aims: This descriptive comparative study was conducted to compare the body mass indexes, dietary habits, and physical activity attitudes of refugee adolescents and Turkish adolescents studying at a secondary school. Materials and Methods: A total of 345 students participated in the study. Data were collected using the Questionnaire Form, the Family Welfare Scale, the Physical Activity Attitude Scale, and the Index for the Evaluation of Dietary Habits in Adolescent Students. Descriptive statistics (mean, standard deviation, number, and percentage), the Chi-square test, the independent groups t test, the multiple regression analysis, and the ANCOVA analysis were performed to analyze the data. Results: A statistically significant difference was found between the mean Index for the Evaluation of Dietary Habits score of refugee adolescents and Turkish adolescents. It was revealed that there was a statistically significant relationship between the BMI levels of the refugee students and their age, number of siblings and the working status of the mother. In addition, it was found that when the effect of family welfare level was controlled, being a refugee or being Turkish had a significant effect on the Index for the Evaluation of Dietary Habits score. Conclusion: It is important to develop healthy dietary habits in adolescents. Keywords: Adolescent health, Exercise, Nutrition, Refugee, School health