Health behaviour of school-aged children in Punjab, India

Aim. To analyze the profile health behaviour in school aged children in Punjab, India. Objectives. To analyze the profile health behaviour (nutrition, low physical activity, smoking, use of alcohol and perceived health evaluation by gender; To compare and analyze health behaviour of school children in urban and rural schools in Punjab. To compare the profile of lifestyle of students in Punjab with students of other countries (seven reference HBSC network countries). Methods. The data on health behaviour analysed below were collected in a school-based, cross-sectional, anonymous survey conducted during December 2016 in 2 different schools in Punjab (India). the sample of students covered 6 to 10 grade students (5 classes) in one public school in the rural area (n=150) and in one private school (n=150) in urban area. in total 300 students aged 13 to 17 years took part in the survey. questionnaire forms were distributed by the author of this research to students in each classroom. it was explained shortly to respondent’s methodology of filling in the questionnaire forms. questionnaire comprised 45 questions regarding respondents the main demographical data (gender, age, place of residence) and health behaviours – perceived health, illness and health complaints, unhealthy behaviours (smoking, alcohol)eating habits, physical activity, leisure time, injury behaviour, relations with family and peers, school related behaviour. Results.Majority of school children from Punjab state, India, aged 13-17 years reported good and excellent their perceived health condition. boys have demonstrated better perceived health scores than girls (91.5% vs. 77, 4%, respectively, p0.05). in overall, boys reported eating fruits less frequently in comparison to girls (22.6% vs. 34.6%, respectively, p<0.05). girls reported higher frequency of sweets use, but boys showed higher consumption of soft drinks on every day basis (p<0.05). data showed that boys were more physically active than girls. only few percent of school-aged boys and girls have reported smoking and alcohol drinking behaviour in Punjab. it was established that urban students were less likely to eat breakfast everyday (71.6% and 85.8%, p<0.05) in comparison with rural students. urban students consumed more fruits but less vegetables every day (p<0.05). study showed that urban students (85.6 %) reported good and excellent health more frequently than rural (77,4%) school children (p