Lifestyles and nutritional status in adolescents of an educational center in Vélez Santander, 2019

Background: Adolescence is a key period of life in the acquisition of lifestyles. Globally, risk factors have been found in adolescents such as smoking, drug use, physical inactivity, excess weight and poor eating habits that could affect the health status of individuals. The objective of this study was describe by sex the lifestyles and nutritional status of adolescents in an educational center in Vélez Santander. Methods: Descriptive cross-sectional study, conducted in an educational center of Vélez Santander in april, may and june of 2019. The lifestyles were evaluated by means of the fantastic questionnaire. The nutritional status, an anthropometric assessment was carried out that involved taking weight and height, meanwhile. Results: 3.8 per cent of teenage girls and 5.5 per cent of teenagers had unhealthy lifestyles. Regarding the nutritional status, 64.1% of teenage girls and 65.8% of teenagers were found to have an adequate BMI/Age. In relation to lifestyles and sex, significant differences were found in the variables: physical activity, eating, fruits, and vegetables, consumption of salt, sugar and junk food, caffeinated drinks, sleeping well and wearing a seat belt (p<0,05). Conclusions: It is necessary to promote healthy lifestyles in adolescents, through a diet abundant in fruits and vegetables, physical activity, decrease alcohol and tobacco consumption, with the aim of ensuring a good nutritional and health status of minors.