Knowledge and practice of Tswaing High School learners regarding diet, nutrition and exercise

Abstract

Despite an increased focus on adolescents’ diet, nutrition and exercise in South Africa over the past years, their dietary intake remains a major cause for concern, with increasing numbers consuming high fat and high sugar foods on a daily basis. The consumption of these foods may be due to industrialization as processed foods are less expensive, easily accessible and do not require time and energy in their preparation. Health education intervention can play a major role in spreading health messages on prevention and management of non-communicable diseases. Health education should start at school, as many personal habits and life-style choices are made early in life. The objectives of the study were to identify and describe learners’ knowledge and practise of a healthy diet, daily nutritional requirements and the importance of regular exercise. This is a cross-sectional survey using a self-administered questionnaire with closed and open-ended questions. Tswaing High School was used as a study site and the sample comprised all learners who were present on the day of study and who had submitted the consent form from their parents (485 learners or 69.3%). Seventy-seven percent of learners scored under 50% on the test that was administered and only 23% of learners had a satisfactory knowledge of diet, nutrition and physical activity, and 41.3% of the respondents reported that they were sedentary for hours. Learners of Tswaing High School do not possess adequate knowledge of nutrition and diet. The government departments such as education, sports, arts and culture, and health should implement vi programmes that will inform learners about the importance of nutrition, diet and exercise in their lives.