Gender, Age, Family and Territorial Features of Dietary and Physical Activity Patterns in Russian Youths

Abstract

Objective: Identifying dietary and physical activity (PA) patterns in Russian youths and examining their dependence on gender, age, family characteristics and area of residence features. The research involved 783 school students 10–17 years of age and their parents living in the cities of Moscow and Murmansk. Using the principal component analysis, four integral indices were identified that characterized the habits and dietary patterns, PA and lifestyle. Boys, compared with girls, were more likely to consume unhealthy foods but less likely to practice malnutrition. Within the age ranges of 13–15 years old and 16–17 years old, the proportions of school students with a poor sleep pattern and low PA were higher than in children 10–12 years of age. In smoking families, children were less likely to consume healthy foods and more likely to eat unhealthy foods. In Murmansk school students, compared with their Moscow peers, a reduction in both sleep time and PA was observed less often. Our study demonstrated that the most significant factors of a balanced and healthy diet, rational daily routine and lifestyle in school students were their gender and age characteristics, as well as some contextual factors.

Diet Quality and Changes in Food Intake during the University Studies in Polish Female Young Adults: Linkages with Food Experiences from Childhood and Perceived Nutrition Concerns

“…The transition from adolescence to young adulthood may be associated with increased autonomy over food choices, small food budgets, and exposure to new social groups and food cultures [15]. Moreover, it may include leaving home [16], changing or leaving school to begin further education or paid employment [17,18], and formation of partner relationships, including marriage, leading to cohabitation [19]. These changes are linked to dietary modifications [16].…”

Nutritional improvement status of primary and secondary school students in the pilot nutrition improvement areas of Hainan, China from 2014 to 2021

“…The prevalence of stunting among primary school students was high, indicating that a large number of primary school students have long-term nutritional deficiencies. The reasons may be that students’ meals are mainly provided by families before entering school and at primary school, while parents in poverty-stricken areas have lower health literacy, lack nutritional knowledge, and have a weak awareness of reasonable diets, which lead to long-term unreasonable dietary structure for children, then the prevalence of stunting is high [ 29 ].…”

Lifestyle Habits in Elementary and High School Education Students: A Systematic Review

“…The socio-economic level of families is also a factor in the promotion of sedentary activities. Research carried out by Kotova et al (2022) states that families with parents who have a higher socio-economic status are aware of the various psychological and physical benefits of physical sports practice.…”