Urban high school students: The role of nutrition and physical activity in living a healthy lifestyle

There is increasing attention to and concern regarding the health behaviors and practices of urban youth and the role of schools in helping students\u27 assume positive health practices. Briefel and Johnson (2004) state that many adolescents do not meet the recommendations for dietary intake or physical activity; both behaviors are closely associated with the risk of obesity. Schools are an important site to help students change unhealthy behaviors and develop positive practices through teaching as well as presenting students with healthy foods. Many schools have been working toward changes in promoting health. However, in general, they have advanced their efforts with relatively limited information about students\u27 personal, family, and cultural practices; knowledge of alternatives; and willingness to engage in alternative eating behaviors. For example, it is important that urban high school students are aware that eating healthy foods will provide them with essential vitamins and provide healing properties for the mind as well as the body such as clarity, weight loss, stamina and sustained energy. This study will explore the eating habits and level of physical activity of ninth through twelfth graders in a small New York City Public High School located in the Bronx. I will examine students\u27 perspectives on what it means to be healthy and the role that school plays in their decisions around food consumption, choices of different food and their decision to engage in physical activity. In addition, I am interested in the ways that I, as an educational leader, and the school itself can serve as a resource to engage students in positive practices and teaching that promote students\u27 health and well-being. The results of this study will contribute to our understanding of the background information that influences students\u27 food choices and how schools might respond. The results of this study are intended to inform intervention and prevention measures at a school serving urban high school youth and to support their efforts towards living a healthy lifestyle within their communities