Abstract:

A healthy lifestyle and rational nutrition are among the significant determinants of the population’s health status and at the same time represent an important factor in the prevention of lifestyle-related diseases. Proper eating habits are particularly important for young athletes, as appropriate nutrition and lifestyle routines directly influence sports performance, body recovery, and overall quality of life. Nevertheless, research suggests that even adolescents involved in sports may exhibit certain deficiencies in their eating habits and lifestyle.

The aim of this paper was to examine the habits of students from selected secondary sports schools in Slovakia in the area of a healthy lifestyle, with a particular focus on eating behavior. The research sample consisted of 119 students from secondary sports schools. Data were collected using a questionnaire based on the Healthy Lifestyle and Personal Control Questionnaire (HLPCQ) developed by Darviri et al. (2014), which includes 26 items divided into five areas: healthy eating, avoidance of unhealthy food, daily routine, organized physical exercise, and social and mental balance. Respondents expressed their level of agreement with individual statements using a five-point Likert scale.

The results revealed several interesting findings. In the area of healthy eating, 68.9% of respondents reported consuming whole-grain products, and more than 60% of students stated that they enjoy preparing meals. In contrast, only about one fifth of respondents reported regularly monitoring the caloric value of their meals, and less than one third systematically attempt to limit fat intake in their diet. In the area of avoiding unhealthy eating behaviors, the greatest problem appeared to be eating in situations of stress or nervousness, as almost half of the respondents reported that they do not avoid this behavior. Regarding daily routines, it was found that nearly half of the students do not follow a regular sleep schedule, although most respondents reported adhering to a daily activity schedule and regularly consuming main meals.

Keywords:

Eating habits, Healthy lifestyle, Secondary sports school students, Nutrition education.