Does Knowledge Influences Our Diet? Dietary Habits of Adolescents Enrolled in General Profile and Catering School Programme

Introduction and objective: During adolescence lifestyle is formed, including dietary habits, which mainly remain unchanged throughout the life. Dietary habits and physical activity influence one's health status. The goal of this study was to examine and compare dietary habits in the population of high school teens enrolled in general secondary school and catering school. Methods: Study was performed using a one-time questionnaire which, among other sections included basic data needed for characterization of the group and a group of questions on participants dietary habits. Results: Data collected during this research are expressed on the whole research group and also on subgroups created considering gender, environment and educational programme. Collected data about dietary habits show drastically low breakfast consumption, low consumption of fish, fruit, vegetables, milk and dairy products, high consumption of meat and meat product, carbonized beverages and sweets. Significan difference in dietary habits was obtained for breakfast consumption, frequency of vegetables, soft drinks, milk and coffee consumption, dieting habits due to estetic motives and fluid intake. Conclusion: This study about dietary habits shows significant deviation from health recommendations, and therefore it is necessary to develop and organize promotional programmes of healthy behavior that is customized to teens needs.