RAJIV GANDHI UNIVERSITY OF HEALTH SCIENCES

KARNATAKA, BANGALORE
ANNEXURE I
PROFORMA FOR REGISTRATION OF SUBJECTS FOR DISSERTATION
1.

Name of the candidate and address

(in block letters)

MINU MATHEW
K.PANDYARAJAH BALLAL NURSING
INSTITUTE , COLLEGE OF NURSING
SOMESHWARA ROAD, ULLAL
MANGALORE575 020.

2.

Name of the Institution

K. PANDYARAJAH BALLAL NURSING

INSTITUTE, COLLEGE OF NURSING
ULLAL
MANGALORE

3.

Course of Study and Subject

M. Sc. NURSING
CHILD HEALTH NURSING

4.

Date of Admission to the Course

31.05.2011

5.

Title of the study

A STUDY TO ASSESS THE LIFESTYLE PRACTICES OF

ADOLESCENTS IN SELECTED SCHOOLS AT ULLAL.

6.

Brief resume of the intended work

Introduction
Adolescence is one of the stages of development of human beings. It is a transitional
stage of physical, mental and human development of a person. Adolescent population and
health of adolescents is a very special issue and therefore, focus of attention globally for
various reasons. Children in the age group 10-19 come under adolescent population. There
are about 1.2 billion adolescents worldwide1. This is the period where the psychological
changes and demands for new social roles take place2.
It is one of lifes fascinating and perhaps most complex stages, a time when young
people take on new responsibilities and experiment with independence 3. They search for
identity, learn to apply values acquired in early childhood, and develop skills that will help
them become caring and responsible adults.
There is a linkage between adolescence and lifestyle. Lifestyle is a way of living of
individuals, families and societies, which they manifest in coping with their physical,
psychological, social, and economic environments on a day-to-day basis. Lifestyle is
expressed in both work and leisure behaviour patterns and (on an individual basis) in
activities, attitudes, interests, opinions, values, and allocation of income. When addressing
adolescent health behaviours, much focus is on addressing prevention of risk or adopted
behaviours with lesser emphasis on basic daily healthy lifestyle practices4.
The change in the society, lifestyle, and mentality of people has made many
challenges in the adolescent lifestyle that are further complicated and crucial to adulthood.
The impact of lifestyle practices affects a majority part of people from adolescence. The
reason behind the change is simple, in adolescent group it is easy to get affected with
changes and characteristics of other environments. Families can play an important role to
help these adolescents live a healthier life5.

6.1

Need for the study

Adolescents comprise one-fifth of our population1. They are a unique population with

specific health concerns and needs. Adolescence is a time of rapid growth and change
leading to an increased need especially of energy and nutrient demands. According to World
Health Report, 70% of premature deaths among adults are due to behaviours (e.g., smoking,
illicit drug use, reckless driving) initiated during adolescence. Therefore, helping adolescents
establish healthy lifestyles and avoid developing health risk behaviour is crucial and should
be started before these behaviours are firmly established2.
A survey to assess the lifestyle and behaviour of adolescent was performed in various
schools of Karachi. Data was collected via a face-to-face interview based on a structured,
pre-tested questionnaire. Participants included all willing persons between 1219 years of
age. Most adolescents with lifestyle issues fell in the age group of 1618 years. Females
were more depressed than males and had more sleep problems. Substance abuse and other
addictions were documented more in males. Watching television or listening to music was
stated as the most common late night activity (61.8%) and therefore was also referred to as
the contributory factor for less than eight hours of sleep each day; 58.9% of the respondents
were getting less than eight hours of sleep daily; 41.5% of the respondents who felt
depressed sought treatment for it. Quite a few of them had also indulged in substance abuse
and other addictions. Only 16.8% of the respondents opined that physical activity is essential
for health. Thirty-five adolescents out of all the respondents were smoking cigarettes
currently, whereas 7% of the respondents chewed paan (areca nut). Peer pressure was the
most common reason (37.1%) to start smoking. Thus the study concluded that inadequate
sleep, depression, and smoking were the leading unhealthy behaviours among the
respondents5.
Adolescents need to be treated as a distinct segment of our population and it is
important to realise and address their health and lifestyle problems 5. The adolescent has
to attain particular attitudes, habits, and skills if he or she has to function effectively as an
adult. From the above literature it is clear that lifestyle practices of adolescence affects the
health of an adult. The purpose of the present study is to assess the prevailing lifestyle
practices among adolescents. The findings of the study will help educate the adolescents
as well as the community to encourage the adolescents to adopt a healthy lifestyle
thereby helping them lead a healthy adult life.

6.2

Review of literature
A cross-sectional study to assess the childhood nutrition and lifestyle practices

between 9-18 years of age was conducted by the Diabetes Foundation of India. It involved
1800 children from schools in New Delhi, Agra, Bangalore and Pune. This study found that
63.1% of the 80% who watched television for over 30 minutes a day munched snacks while
watching television. About 54% children said they preferred to buy food shown on
commercials and 48% of children simply refused to cut down their intake of cola or
sweetened juices, while 41% of children said they were willing to restrict watching TV to
half an hour a day; 59% children said they would continue to buy fast food shown in
commercials. The study found that children were not effectively intervened in curbing these
habits6.
A cross-sectional study was conducted to assess the knowledge and practice of
healthy lifestyle and dietary habits among medical and non-medical students between ages
17-24 of Karachi, Pakistan. The study included 350 students from 6 private universities
of Karachi three medical and three non-medical institutions. A self-reported questionnaire
was issued to 350 students selected by simple random method to assess the attitude and
barriers to healthy practices. On a 10-point scale, the average knowledge score of students
on general and clinical nutritional knowledge was 5.71.51 and 4.41.77, respectively and
the difference was statistically significant (p<0.01). Conversely the diet and lifestyle score
among medical (41.3) and non-medical students (40.8) was not significant (p =0.646). There
was no difference between the perception of medical and non-medical students regarding
'work-related stress' in their life. 'Lack of time' was cited as the most important reason for
skipping meals and lack of regular exercise by both groups. The knowledge, attitudes, and
practices of medical students in Karachi suggest that superior knowledge about healthy
lifestyle does not necessarily result into better practices7.
A cross-sectional study was conducted to assess the knowledge of students attending
a high school in Pretoria, South Africa, on diet, nutrition, and exercise. The study used a
self-administered questionnaire with closed- and open-ended questions to assess students
knowledge on diet, nutrition, and exercise. The study group comprised 500 students of
Tswaing High School in Pretoria, South Africa. The results showed that 77% of the students

did not have adequate knowledge on diet, nutrition, and exercise while 23% of the students
showed satisfactory knowledge. Approximately 26% and 16% of the students reported that
they participated in rigorous and moderate exercise, respectively. The study also showcase
the majority of the students were however not engaged in physical activities. Students at
Tswaing High School did not have adequate knowledge on nutrition, diet and exercise. Their
views on what exercise entails were found not to be satisfactory. Programmes/information or
seminars that could assist to inform students on the importance of diet and exercise were
therefore suggested8.
A descriptive study was conducted in United States to assess the physical activity
levels of high school students. To determine the proportion of US youths who met these HP
2020 objectives, CDC analysed data from the 2010 National Youth Physical Activity and
Nutrition Study (NYPANS), a school-based study conducted by CDC that included height
and weight measurements and a survey that measured physical activity and dietary
behaviours among a nationally representative sample of students in grades 9-12. This report
summarised the results of that analysis, which indicated that among students nationwide in
grades 9-12, 15.3% met the aerobic objective, 51.0% met the muscle-strengthening
objective, and 12.2% met the objective for both aerobic and muscle-strengthening activities9.
A cross-sectional study was conducted to analyse the variance in sleep habits of
adolescents of different high school grades in urban India. A total of 1920 adolescents aged
12-18 years were included. The questionnaire contained questions related to sleep habits.
Outcome parameters were total sleep time in a day, time to go to bed and wake up-time,
sleep latency, nocturnal awakenings (duration, frequency per night and nights per week),
wake-time after sleep onset, wake time after sleep offset, sleep efficiency, quality of sleep,
daytime napping (duration and frequency), and sleepiness during the day. Mean age of the
adolescents included in this study was 15.1 years and mean total sleep time was 7.8 hrs/day.
Adolescents of higher Grades had lesser total sleep time (9th=8 hours; 10th=7.7 hours;
11th=7.9 hours; 12th=7.6 hours; P=0.001), and more frequent nocturnal awakenings
(9th=35.9%; 10th=44.7%; 11th=40.3%; 12th=28.3%; P=0.001). Daytime leg pain
(9th=14.4%; 10th=18.4%; 11th=6.1%; 12th=21.8%; P=0.01), daytime napping (9th=47.6%;
10th=50.4%; 11th=61.8%; 12th=69.8%; P=0.001), and daytime sleepiness (9th=37.2%;
10th=39.1%; 11th=39.7%; 12th=54.2%; P=0.001) increased progressively among higher

grades. Adolescents in higher grades were more prone to not follow their weekly schedule
on weekends (P=0.001). Sleep debt of approximately one hour per day was seen in all
adolescents, and progressed with higher grades. Adolescents of higher grades had lesser
sleep time, and frequent awakenings; suffered daytime leg pain, and felt sleepy during the
day. These factors suggest increasing sleep deprivation among higher Graders 10.
A comparative study was conducted to assess the dietary habits, economic status,
academic performance, and body mass index in school children in metropolitan and nonmetropolitan area. A total of 737 students studying in the 6 th, 7th and 8th grades of two
different primary schools took part in the study. Data was collected by a questionnaire
including dietary habits of participants. Furthermore, the weight and height of students were
measured and their body mass index was calculated. During the study, while 4.3 percent of
students living in the non-metropolitan area were found obese, this figure was 8.4 percent in
the metropolitan area. A big majority of non-metropolitan students have breakfast and lunch
at home. Metropolitan students not having lunch at home have their lunch at restaurants or
school canteens and generally consume more snacks11.
6.3

Statement of the problem

A study to assess the lifestyle practices of adolescents in selected schools at Ullal.

6.4

Objectives of the study

The objectives of the study are to:

To assess the lifestyle practices of adolescents at selected schools of Ullal.

To find the association between lifestyle practices and demographic variables.

To develop and validate pamphlet on healthy lifestyle practices for adolescents.

6.5

Operational definitions

Lifestyle practices: In this study, lifestyle practices refer to dietary practices, physical
activity, sleeping pattern, and leisure time activities.
Adolescents: In this study, adolescents refer to the boys and girls in the age group of 13 -16
years (middle adolescent) studying in selected schools.

6.6

Assumptions

The lifestyle practices differ from one adolescent to another.

The demographic variables affect the lifestyle practices of adolescents.

6.7

Delimitations
The study is delimited to:

Adolescents who are attending the selected schools.

Adolescents who are available at the time of data collection.

6.8

Hypotheses
The following hypotheses will be tested at 0.05 level of significance.

H1:

There will be a significant association between the lifestyle practices of adolescents

and selected demographic variables.

7.

Material and methods

7.1

Source of data
Data will be collected from the adolescents who are between 13-16 years studying in

selected schools in Ullal.

7.1.1

Research design
A descriptive research design will be used in this study.

7.1.2

Setting
The study will be conducted at selected schools in Ullal.

7.1.3

Population
The population selected for the study would be adolescents between 13-16 years.

7.2

Method of data collection

7.2.1

Sampling procedure
Probability simple random sampling technique.

7.2.2

Sample size
100 adolescents of selected schools in Ullal.

7.2.3

Inclusion criteria for sampling

Adolescents between 13 and 16 years of age.

Adolescents who are willing to participate in the study.

Adolescents who are studying in selected schools.

7.2.4

Exclusion criteria for samplings

Adolescents who have previously been diagnosed with systemic illness and
disabilities.

7.2.5

Instruments intended to be used

Socio-demographic data.

Lifestyle scale to assess the lifestyle practices of adolescents.

7.2.6

Data collection method

Data collection period is for 4-6 weeks. The researcher will obtain permission from

the concerned authorities. The purpose of the study will be explained to adolescents and
informed consent will be obtained from them. Through probability simple random sampling
technique adolescents will be selected, lifestyle scale will be used to collect the data.

7.2.7

Data analysis plan

Collected data will be analysed using descriptive and inferential statistics.

Demographic variables will be assessed using frequency and percentage distribution.

Lifestyle practices will be analysed by frequency, mean and percentage. Chi-square analysis
will be done to associate the lifestyle practices with their selected demographic variables.
7.3

Does the study require any investigations or interventions to be conducted on

patients, or other animals? If so please describe briefly.
No, the study does not require any investigations on patients, or other animals.

7.4.

Has ethical consideration been obtained from the institution in case of the
above?
Ethical clearance has been obtained from the institution and informed consent will be

obtained from the participants.

8.

References
1.

World Health Organization. Child and Health Development 2009 Jan 31.

2.

National institute of open schooling. Adolescence. Psychology;13:65.

3.

UNICEF. Adolescence. A time that matters. 2002:2.

4.

Turagabeci AR, Nakamura K, Takano T. Healthy lifestyle behaviour decreasing risks

of being bullied. Violence and injury. Plosone 2008;3(2):1585.

5.

Qidwai W, Ishaque S, Shah S, Rahim M. Adolescent Lifestyle and Behaviour: A

Survey from a developing country. Plosone 2010;5(9):1371.

6.

Pandey V. TV commercials influence kids eating habits. Daily News and Analysis
2010 Jul 6;2:08.

7.

Sajwani RA, Shoukat S, Raza R, Sheikh MM, Rashid Q, Siddique MS, et al.
Knowledge and practice of healthy lifestyle and dietary habits in medical and nonmedical students of Karachi, Pakistan. Journal of Pakistan Medical Association
2009;59:650.

8.

Letlape SV, Mokwena K, Oguntibeju O. Knowledge of students attending a high

school in Pretoria. West Indian Med J 2010 Dec; 59(6):633-40.

9.

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Physical activity levels of high
school students. Morbidity and Mortality of weekly report 2010 Jun 17;60(23):773777.

10.

Gupta R, Bhatia MS, Chhabra V, Sharma S, Dahiya D, Semalti K, Sapra R et al.

Sleep Patterns of Urban School-going Adolescents. Indian Paediatrics 2008 Mar
17;45:183.

11.

Kukulu K, Sarvan S, Muslu L, Yirmibesoglu SG. Dietary habits, economic status,

academic performance and body mass index in school children. J Child Health
Care 2010 Dec; 14(4):355-66.

10

9.

Signature of the candidate

10.

Remarks of the guide

11.

Name and designation of (in block letters)

The study has implications for improving the

life style practices of adolescents.

11.2 Guide

PROF. (MRS.) ASHA P. SHETTY

PRINCIPAL
KPBNI CON, ULLAL
MANGALORE.

11.2 Signature
11.3 Co-guide (if any)

MR. PRAVEEN V BAGALI

ASSISTANT PROFESSOR,
KPBNI CON, ULLAL
MANGALORE.

11.4 Signature
12

12.1 Head of the department

PROF. (MRS.) ASHA P. SHETTY

PRINCIPAL
KPBNI CON, ULLAL
MANGALORE.

12.2 Signature

13.

13.1

Remarks of the Chairman and Principal

13.2

Signature

11