Obesity / Overweight
Conditions
Keywords
Adolescent Obesity, Obesity Awareness, Lifestyle Behaviors
Brief summary
This school-based cross-sectional study evaluated the relationship between obesity awareness, weight status, and lifestyle behaviors among adolescents aged 15-17 years. A total of 751 students from public and private high schools in Istanbul participated. Sociodemographic characteristics, dietary habits, physical activity, screen exposure, sleep duration, and obesity awareness were assessed using structured questionnaires, and standardized anthropometric measurements were performed. The study also examined whether obesity awareness differed according to body mass index category and whether family and socioeconomic factors were associated with obesity awareness and excess weight.
Detailed description
Adolescent obesity is a multifactorial public health problem influenced by behavioral, familial, socioeconomic, and environmental factors. Although obesity-related knowledge and awareness may support healthier choices, greater awareness does not necessarily translate into healthier behaviors or weight status. This study was designed to examine the relationships among obesity awareness, objectively assessed weight status, and lifestyle behaviors in adolescents. Particular attention was given to dietary habits, sedentary and screen-related behaviors, physical activity, sleep, and selected familial and socioeconomic characteristics. The study also explored whether obesity awareness varied according to weight status and whether family and socioeconomic factors were associated with awareness. By evaluating obesity awareness together with measured weight status and lifestyle characteristics within the same adolescent population, the study aimed to provide a broader understanding of factors associated with adolescent overweight and obesity and to identify potentially modifiable targets for prevention.
Interventions
OTHERAssessment of Obesity Awareness and Lifestyle Behaviors
No therapeutic intervention was administered. Participants were assessed using structured questionnaires and standardized anthropometric measurements to evaluate obesity awareness, weight status, and lifestyle-related characteristics.
Sponsors
Bekir Sami Uyanık
Study design
Observational model
COHORT
Time perspective
CROSS_SECTIONAL
Eligibility
Sex/Gender
ALL
Age
15 Years to 17 Years
Healthy volunteers
No
Inclusion criteria
nclusion Criteria Adolescents aged 15-17 years. Enrollment in one of the participating public or private high schools in Ümraniye, Istanbul, Türkiye. Willingness to participate in the study. Written informed consent from a parent or legal guardian and assent/consent from the adolescent before participation.
Exclusion criteria
Declined participation in the study. Absence of parental informed consent. Communication or cognitive difficulties preventing completion of the questionnaire. Students enrolled in 12th grade (excluded because of examination-related constraints).
Design outcomes
Primary
| Measure | Time frame | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Prevalence of Overweight and Obesity | At the time of study assessment (September-November 2019) | Prevalence of overweight and obesity among adolescents aged 15-17 years, determined using age- and sex-specific BMI-for-age criteria based on the World Health Organization growth reference for children and adolescents aged 5-19 years. |
Secondary
| Measure | Time frame | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Association Between Weight Status and Lifestyle Behaviors | At the time of study assessment (September-November 2019) | Association of overweight/obesity status with television viewing, internet use, sleep duration, meal frequency, meal skipping, meal duration, ready-to-eat/fast-food consumption, physical activity, and selected familial and socioeconomic characteristics. |
| Obesity Awareness According to Weight Status | At the time of study assessment (September-November 2019) | Comparison of obesity-awareness scores across body mass index categories and evaluation of whether obesity awareness differs according to objectively assessed weight status. |
| Factors Associated With Obesity Awareness | At the time of study assessment (September-November 2019) | Assessment of associations between obesity-awareness scores and parental education, household income, family history of overweight/obesity, dietary behaviors, screen exposure, sleep duration, and other lifestyle characteristics. |
Countries
Turkey (Türkiye)
Contacts
STUDY_DIRECTORBekir Sami Uyanık, MD, Professor of Clinical Bio
Hisar Hospital Intercontinental
Outcome results
None listed