Lifestyle Factors and Determinants of Health Behaviour among School-going Adolescents in a Sub-urban Area of West Bengal

Abstract

Background: Research into adolescents' health and behaviour and the factors influencing them is essential to promote the effectiveness of health education, policies, programmes and practices. An adolescent's health development must be considered in its broadest sense, including physical, social, and emotional well-being, which may be impacted by lifestyle behavioural changes. This study determined factors related to adolescent health in Eastern India, where adolescents comprise 21.4% of the population. Aims: to find out prevalence and pattern of different health related behaviours  like eating habit, hygiene practice, substance abuse etc among school going adolescents Materials & Methods: This observational, descriptive, epidemiological cross-sectional study utilized Global School-based Health Survey (GSHS) questionnaires for India with added socio-demographic elements.  Results: Among 230 subjects, 56.96% were males, with most from classes VII, VIII, and XII (18.69% each). In nuclear families, 2.54% had no close friends. Underweight prevalence was 13.46%. While 64.78% never felt hungry, 3.04% faced food scarcity. Regarding diet, 8.69% skipped fruits, and 3.47% avoided vegetables in the last 30 days. Poor hygiene practices included 1.30% not brushing teeth, and 2.61% rarely washing hands before meals; 88.26% used soap. Teachers verbally abused 58.40%; 32.18% skipped school for over a day. Loneliness affected 13.04%, and substance use included smoking (5.22% after 14), tobacco chewing (3.05%), alcohol (6.52%), and drug use (3.48% in 12 months).Conclusion: Dual nutritional issues, poor hygiene, sedentary lifestyle, substance use, lack of sex education, and persistent sadness highlight the need for urgent health interventions for adolescents.