HEALTH RELATED BEHAVIORS OF A SAMPLE OF IRAQI ADOLESCENTS

Fathalla Thabit, Maral; Tawfik Mohammed, Hafdh

	HEALTH RELATED BEHAVIORS OF A SAMPLE OF IRAQI ADOLESCENTS
AL-TAQANI
Article 1, Volume 25, Issue 2, 2012, Pages 133-139
Authors
Maral Fathalla Thabit; Hafdh Tawfik Mohammed
Abstract
Adolescents may engage in risky behaviors, develop unhealthy habits, or have chronic conditions that can jeopardize their immediate and future health. A cross-sectional study was carried out in order to describe the healthy promoting and risky behaviors of a sample of Iraqi adolescents representative in the Technical Administrative college, Baghdad, (147) students were chosen randomly during January 2011, they were subjected to previously prepared questionnaire, also anthropometric measurements of their height, weight and Body Mass Index, the statistical analysis of the students measurements showed that the higher percentage (68.7%) were with ideal BMI, only (23.6% ) were current smokers, (46.25% ) were physically inactive.The students responses regarding the dietary habits showed that the larger percentage (59.86%) having skipped meals, mainly breakfast, daily consumption of sweats (36%) and fast foods (22.44%). The good college performance is in (31.29) of the students,(65.3%) plan for post-graduate, also low participation in scientific work (28.5% ) and (38% ) involved in outside college activities.The majority of adolescents (85%) responded to have family support, yet (41.49) are considering themselves stressful. During their free time, the larger percentage (49.65%) is using computer and internet. The overall routine body check was not satisfactory, especially blood pressure measurement Only in18.36% of adolescents, also regarding measurement of blood sugar in 4% of them.Recommendations was suggested to conduct more extended researches and health education to create the awareness to decrease risky health behaviors

Statistics Article View: 219 PDF Download: 132