Lifestyle of School Children: Representative Survey in Metropolitan Elementary Schools

Vol. 51, No. 5, 2007

Free Abstract Article (References) Article (PDF 152 KB)

Original Paper

Lifestyle of School Children: Representative Survey in Metropolitan Elementary Schools - Part One
Szabolcs Péter, Andrea Regöly-Mérei, Lajos Biró, Katalin Nagy, Györgyi Arató, Csaba Szabó, Adrienn Vámos, Éva Martos, Magda Antal

National Institute of Food Safety and Nutrition, Budapest, Hungary

Address of Corresponding Author

Ann Nutr Metab 2007;51:448-453 (DOI: 10.1159/000111165)

Key Words

Hungarian school children
Elementary school
School children, lifestyle

Abstract

Background/Aims: The prevalence of overweight and obesity among school children is increasing dramatically. Obesity is multifactorial and depends on lifestyle as well as genetic components. The purpose of the survey was to investigate the lifestyle of 7- to 14-year-old children attending elementary schools in Budapest. Methods: The research was questionnaire-based. Children were asked to answer questions about their leisure activities, physical exercise, nutritional, eating, and smoking habits. Results: Many children live a sedentary life and are dissatisfied with their body weight. One in 5 boys and 1 in 3 girls have been on a slimming diet at least once. About two-thirds of the children regularly consumed vitamin and/or mineral supplements and at the same time just over half of them knew how much fruit should be eaten daily. School children in the upper classes did not eat 5 times a day. More than 5% of the 11- to 14-year-old boys and more than 10% of the girls smoked regularly.Conclusions: According to our results, the unfavorable lifestyle of the great majority of Hungarian school children may have implications for their health during adulthood.

Author Contacts

Szabolcs Péter, MD
Department of Nutrition, National Institute of Food Safety and Nutrition
Gyáli Street 3/A
HU-1097 Budapest (Hungary)
Tel. +36 1 476 1100, ext. 4179, Fax +36 1 215 1545, E-Mail yurphan@freemail.hu

Article Information

Received: August 8, 2006
Accepted: April 19, 2007
Published online: November 20, 2007
Number of Print Pages : 6
Number of Figures : 2, Number of Tables : 4, Number of References : 29

Medline Abstract (ID 18025818)

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