EFFECTIVENESS OF A LIFESTYLE MANAGEMENT PROGRAM ON KNOWLEDGE AND LIFESTYLE PRACTICES AMONG ADOLESCENTS

Abstract

Increasing incidence of lifestyle disorders among Indians are largely attributed by unhealthy lifestyle practices like poor dietary pattern, inadequate physical activity, smoking, alcohol consumption and stress. Lifestyle modification programs are proved effective in behaviour modification and promotion of healthy lifestyle practices among adolescents. A school based interventional study was conducted among adolescents with the objective determine the effectiveness of the lifestyle management program in terms of gain in knowledge on lifestyle disorders and change in self-reported lifestyle practices. The study was conducted in two phases. Initially, a baseline data on the lifestyle practices and knowledge on lifestyle disorders was obtained from the adolescents, which was utilized to select the adolescents with poor and average knowledge and unhealthy practices for whom the intervention was implemented. Changes in lifestyle disorder related knowledge and lifestyle practices were tested using a structured knowledge questionnaire and lifestyle assessment scale. After two weeks of the intervention, a post-test was carried out and a significant improvement in knowledge (Z= 12.39, P = 0.001) and lifestyle practice (Z= 5.52, P = 0.001) were identified. The educational package for lifestyle modification was successful in improving the knowledge on lifestyle diseases and lifestyle practices among adolescents and thereby in prevention of lifestyle disorders.