Features of eating behavior and quality of life of teenage girls depending on the level of physical activity

Abstract

The problem of eating disorders among young people is becoming more common. Exactly at a young age that basic habits are formed, a food culture is laid. At this age, there is a period of increased attention to one»s own appearance, a desire to meet the «standards» accepted in modern society. However, for a significant part of modern youth, nutrition and the level of physical activity do not meet hygienic standards. In turn, a balanced diet and an adequate level of motor activity are predictors of optimal functioning of the body, determining the quality of human life. In this regard, it is relevant to study the relationship of the characteristics of eating behavior with the parameters of quality of life, depending on the level of physical activity. 60 adolescent girls aged 14–17 years were examined, who were divided into 2 groups depending on the level of physical activity. The diet and nutrition regime (questionnaire data), features of eating behavior (DEBQ), the emotional state of respondents (Zung Scale) and quality of life parameters (PedsQL questionnaire) were analyzed. It was found that the majority of respondents have irrational nutrition, but more significant eating disorders were found in girls who do not play sports. Athletes are characterized by higher indicators of physical and emotional functioning and quality of life in general. Girls who do not play sports demonstrate high indicators of social and role functioning, while they have a high intensity of depressive symptoms. There is a relationship between the integral indicator of quality of life and the emotionogenic type of eating behavior. For female athletes, this connection is mediated by external factors, and for female students — by internal experiences. The revealed interrelations between the peculiarities of eating behavior and the quality of life of young people determine the need for additional attention to the issues of hygienic regulation of the diet, increasing physical activity, which will increase adherence to the principles of a healthy lifestyle.