EATING HABITS IN ADOLESCENTS.

Background: The period of adolescence is often considered the most difficult and the most important period of human life, which includes the modulation of basic human values. In the period of adolescence, primary prevention plays a key role because this is the time when life and eating habits form. Methods: The research was carried out using a 52 item non-standardized questionnaire. This paper presents partial results collected from the questionnaire. The research sample consisted of 1130 respondents living in South Bohemia Region, who were 15-18-yearsold (the average age was 16.8 years), of which 732 (64.8%) were girls and 398 (35.2%) were boys. The research was carried out in three distinct types of schools - four-year secondary grammar schools (SGS), nursing schools (NS), secondary vocational schools and secondary vocational schools - the study program cook - waiter (SVS). The data were analysed using the SASD 1.4.11 and SPSS 16.0 programmes. Results: Based on the chi-squared test, adolescents showed a statistically significant relationship between the type of school they attended and their beverage consumption preferences. Secondary grammar school students mostly preferred tube water (p < 0.001), non-flavoured natural mineral water (p = 0.004) and tea (p = 0.066). Positive results were shown by NS students, who also preferred tap water (p < 0.001). The worst results were found in SVS students, who preferred fizzy drinks and sweetened beverages (p < 0.001) and juices (p < 0.001). Significant differences between sexes were found in consumption of selected food components, when girls compared to boys eat more fresh vegetables and fruits. On the contrary, boys eat more beef, pork and poultry meat, sausages, potatoes, eggs and fried foods compared to girls. Significant differences were found also between students from distinct types of schools. Conclusion: The results of our research are in many respects consistent with those obtained by other researchers and refer to the fact that adolescent eating habits cannot be described as ideal. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]