Perception of health, obesity risk and dietary habits in youth

Background
The aim of this study was to determine the relationship between eating behaviour and health perception, obesity risk awareness in adolescents.

Material and methods
This cross-sectional study was completed with 579 adolescents. Stratified and simple random sampling methods were used in the selection of the high schools, classes and students. The data was collected through the information form, Dutch Eating Behaviour Questionnaire and Perception of Health Scale.

Results
The mean score of health perception of the adolescents was 52.34±7.59. There was a positive relationship between total health perception score and emotional eating behaviour score of the adolescents (p=0.003). There was a negative relationship between total health perception score restricted eating behaviour (p=0.029), and external eating behaviour score (p<0.001). The emotional eating behaviour (p=0.007), external eating behaviour (p=0.001) and total eating behaviour score (p<0.001) of the adolescents who believed they had an obesity risk were found to be higher than the adolescents who believed they did not.

Conclusions
The adolescents with better health perception are less affected by the environment and are able to restrict their food choices. The adolescents who think that they have an obesity risk consume more food due to their emotional state and external exposure.