Health and Wellness of Children in Group Homes Regarding Healthy Life Choices and Principles

Abstract Lifestyle is one of the most important factors influencing health of population. Adherence to principles of healthy lifestyle in children and subsequently healthy adult persons are an important contribution to the future of children and our whole society. Inadequate lifestyle in children may lead to some civilization diseases, especially cardiovascular, tumor and metabolic diseases in their adulthood. In this thesis I focused on lifestyle in children living in children´s homes, and compared their adherence to the principles of healthy lifestyle to that in children living in families. The research was conducted with children aged 12{--}16 years, attending basic school. The objective of the thesis was to assess lifestyle of children in children´s homes, to what extent the lifestyle of children in children´s homes is different from that of children growing up in families and what is these children´s relationship to the prin-ciples of a healthy lifestyle. In relation to the objectives I stated three hypotheses in which I assume that lifestyle of children living in children´s homes is different from that of children living in families, that children living in children´s homes are more effected with negative influence of their neighbourhood and more often have negative attitude to adherence to the principles of healthy lifestyle than children living in families. In my thesis I chose the methodology of quantitative research using question-naires. The survey was conducted in children from four children´s homes in the Central Bohemian region ( CHH Solenice, CHH Přestavlky, Sedlec-Prčice CHH and CHH Korkyně) and in children living in families, attending both the school implementing the program ``School supporting health{\crqq} (ZŠ Jiráskovy sady Příbram), and the school not participating in that program (ZŠ 28. října Příbram). I addressed a total of 93 children from children´s homes and 95 children living in families to fill in identical questionnaires. The questionnaires were anonymous and the questions were focused on evaluating children´s attitudes to principles of healthy lifestyle. There were 35 questions focused on knowledge of healthy lifestyle principles, healthy diet, drinking regime, physical activity, leisure time, smoking, alcohol con-sumption and drug abuse. On the basis of completed questionnaires analysis I compared the two groups of children regarding their attitude to adherence to principles of healthy lifestyle