Você está na página 1de 6

Available online at www.sciencedirect.

com

Procedia Social and Behavioral Sciences 2 (2010) 12381243

WCES-2010

An analysis of nutrition level of adolescent school children with respect to the educational levels and child-raising attitudes of their parents
P nar Erturguta*, Ramazan Erturgutb
a

D kap Pediatrics Education And Training Hospital, Ankara, 06600 Turkey b Air NCO Academy, zmir,35410, Turkey

Received October 12, 2009; revised December 21, 2009; accepted January 6, 2010

Abstract One of the most important parameters that affect the development of adolescents is their nutrition level. It is known that adolescents with a balanced diet have advantages in academic success as well as physiological development. In the puberty where quite various psychological and physiological variations occur, child raising attitudes of parents is admittedly important with regard to the behavior of adolescents. This study aims to bring a viewpoint to healthy nutrition concept which is required for healthy development and individual success of adolescents with regard to attitudes within the family which is the smallest unit of a society and socio-economical status of the family. Sampling of the research is composed of 116 adolescents and their parents who applied to Ankara (Turkey) D kap Pediatrics Training and Research Hospital with nutrition complaints. In order to determine the attitudes of parents of adolescents whose nutrition and development conditions are measured clinically, Parent Attitude Scale and socio-demographical scale have been used in the research. Research findings indicate that there is a negative correlation between democratic child-raising attitudes of parents and level of nutrition of adolescents. While the level of nutrition varies depending on the income level of the families, no variation depending on education level of parents has been determined. 2010 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.
Keywords: Adolescent age; nutrition level; child-raising; parent attitutes; educational level.

1. Introduction The environment of family which is the smallest unit of a society is quite effective on every kind of development of adolescent youngsters. One of the most important parameters which affect adolescent development is their nutrition level. It is known that adolescents with a balanced diet are advantageous in academic success as much as physiological development. Another notable parameter concerning adolescents is the attitude of their parents towards them. There is a general agreement on the matter that parent-child relationship in the adolescent period has effects on the development of the individual, relations with other people and psychological harmony.

*P nar Erturgut Tel.: +90.232.2511600 E-mail address: erturgut@hotmail.com

1877-0428 2010 Published by Elsevier Ltd. doi:10.1016/j.sbspro.2010.03.180

Pnar Erturgut and Ramazan Erturgut / Procedia Social and Behavioral Sciences 2 (2010) 12381243

1239

First and most important evidences which take us to this agreement is the results of Bowlbys research which indicated that the social attachment between the person who provides the child with basic maintenance and the child is very important for normal development (Crockenberg et al. 1993). Competition within family and the method of communication affects school success. Positive approaches to the child in a family environment with balanced and good relationships are experienced, such as love, interest, trust, understanding, discipline will have positive effects on studying and success (Ba ar, 2004). Nutritional levels of adolescents are analyzed with respect to attitudes of their parents and other socio-economical variables in this study. 2. Adolescence period and its characteristics Puberty is a period where the young individual simultaneously experiences many biological, psychological and social changes and improvements. Since it is a transitory period when new adaptations between childhood and adulthood occur, it constitutes an important group especially in studies of nutrition and child health (amku u, at al., 1996; Yavuzer, 2005). Many researchers accept puberty as a boisterous, imbalanced, variable, conflictual and stressful period (Ek i, 1985; Yrko lu, 1980; Ziyalar, 1981; Yavuzer, 1985; Conger & Galambos, 1997; Hawton, 1986; Ergin, 1993). It is very hard to determine the limits of this period. However the generally accepted classification is as follows: puberty period (12-15 years), first adolescence period (15-17 years) and last adolescence period (17-24 years) (Ulusoy, et al., 2005). In this period, adolescents do not only develop physically, but also cognitively and psychosocially. Youngsters are in search of identity; they want to become independent, be accepted and are too concerned with their physical appearance. Typical nutritional habits are irregular meals and snacking patterns between meals, habit of eating outside and fast-food method (Pekcan G. 2004). The most important problem of this period is finding an identity and the most important danger in this period is identity conflict. (Ulusoy, et al. 2005) Many behaviors established in childhood and continuing later on are formed by taking the parents as models (Eripek, 1982; F nd k , 1989). Results of the research indicate that the behavior of parents and perception of children are affected from cultural figures in the society (Kkturan, 2005). In the first years of adolescence, search for identity, and related to this, need for independence may cause resistance of the adolescent to the parent authority and alienation from the family (Balkaya & Ceyhan, 2007). Adolescents may also develop new rational or irrational beliefs accompanied by adolescent self-centeredness and more complex judgment characteristic of Piagets Many behaviors which are established in childhood and continue later are formed by taking parents as models (Eripek, 1982;F nd k , 1989). Research findings indicate that parent behavior and perception of children are affected by the culturalfigures in the society (Kkturan, 2005). In the first years of adolescence, search for identity and in connection with this, resistance to the authority of the parents may cause the adolescent to be alienated from their family (Balkaya&Ceyhan, 2007). Adolescents may also develop new rational or irrational beliefs accompanied by adolescent self-centeredness and ability to make more complex judgments of Piagets Formal Operations Stage (Bernard, 1984). 3. Nutrition in adolescents Growth and development, which are significant characteristics of childhood continues from impregnation to adulthood and is shaped by influences from genetic and environmental factors (Gable, 2001; Garro, 2005; nl, 2006). Despite anthropometric measurements are widely used in evaluation of nutrition level, there is not only one indicator which reflects the nutrition level of children adequately. For this purpose, generally birth weight, height, weight/height ratio depending on age, body mass index (BMI) measures are used (Akman, 2002; Bear, 1997; Gkay&Gnz, 2002;ztrk, 2003;Korkmaz &Aslan, 2008). Adolescent period includes the processes of physical, mental and social rapid growth, development and maturity, and transformation from childhood to adulthood. Healthy nutrition improves optimal health, growth and intellectual development in adolescents; prevents health problems such as iron deficiency anemia, eating behavior disorders, tooth decay; avoids long-term health problems which may appear in the advanced age such as coronary heart diseases, obesity, cancer, etc. Increase in growth rate in this period may create some problems in meeting the demand of food (Dwyer et al, 2003). Some of these problems may be related to the lifestyle of the adolescent, while others may be related to incorrect habits gained through unconsciousness (Dudek, 1993). Right or wrong habits gained in this period may affect the health of the individual throughout their life. Evaluation of growth and development in adolescents is usually performed by comparing the data obtained from the same age group and accepted as normal for that group. In evaluation of growth, other than measurement

1240

Pnar Erturgut and Ramazan Erturgut / Procedia Social and Behavioral Sciences 2 (2010) 12381243

of long bones, body weight, height, head perimeter and ratio of body parts to each other are also taken into consideration (Taner, 1986; Duyar, 1992; Uysal, 2005). 4. Effect of parent attitudes during adolescence The ages between 12 and 30 where the individual attitudes become settled are defined as the critical period in development of personality (Morgan, 1991). The most important factor which affects personality development concerning the family environment is the child raising attitudes of parents. According to Yavuzer (1986), child raising attitudes of parents can be classified into two as extremely oppressive and authoritarian attitude and confident and tolerant (democratic) attitude. Another classification of parent attitudes is given as authoritative, authoritarian and permissive (Santock, 1989). When the effects of parent attitudes on the behavior of youngsters are analyzed, it is observed that the attitudes are generally defined as democratic, authoritarian and libertarian (Kuzgun, 1973). When the familial characteristics of adolescents with criminal behavior are observed, it is found that their familial relationships are inadequate (Gltekin, 2007), they come from separated families (Ba ar, 1992), there are individuals in their families who use alcohol or other materials (Zimmerman, 2006), there are family members with criminal record (Kottle, 2001). Similarly, in various works, a relationship between smoking and alcohol consumption and mental problems, especially depressive disorders, substance addiction and anxiety disorders (Glassman,1993). Newcomb and Svehla (1937) have found in their study a high correlation between parent attitudes and children attitudes (Kolasa, 1979). In the study of Keskin and Sezgin (2009), a meaningful difference between the age groups and success levels of adolescents, and as the adolescents becomes older, their success is affected negatively. It is observed that the types of behavior (libertarian, authoritarian, etc.) affect the personality so that the individuals may become shy, timid, or courageous (Trkel, 1992; Yavuzer, 1986). In a research conducted in 1984, effect of parent behaviors perceived as democratic and authoritarian on adaptation levels of youngsters were examined, and it was found that the adolescents growing up in an authoritarian environment have lower level of adaptation while those who grow up in democratic environment have higher social adaptations (Akba , 1994). It is argued in the studies that perceived parent behavior has a significant effect on mental disorders (Kap &Kkler, 2006) and there is a relationship between positive interest and love of the father and the ability to adapt (Ek i, 1990). 5. Relationship between nutrition and socio-economic level of family Researches which reveal the relationship between level of physical development in children and the level of education of their parents can be found in the literature. In Baksis study (1982), it has been found that the blood lead levels are higher in children with father education of less then eight years and children with height and weight percentile lower than the tenth percentile. These three variables can be explained with the nutrition of the child. Especially consumption of calcium, zinc, iron and diets poor in protein increases lead absorption. Lack of such nutritive materials may cause acute and chronic nutrition disorders and therefore low height and weight percentiles. Household income is as important as the mothers education for a balanced diet. Fathers education can be an important definitive factor for household income (zmert et al., 2003). 6. Materials and methods Material of the research consists of adolescents and their parents who applied to Ankara (Turkey) D kap Pediatrics Training and Research Hospital with nutrition complaints between October 2008 and February 2009. 116 adolescents who applied to endoctrine and methabolism services of the hospitals in the indicated period and whose height, weight, bone size and body mass measurement were made have been preferred as the sampling group. The children whose nutrition and percentile measurement are made were given scales to be filled by the parents and the children themselves, and these scales were collected. Return rate of scales is 64,8%. These applied scales are Parent Attitude Scale (PAS) and socio-demographic features scale. PAS was developed by Kuzgun (1972) and rearranged by Bilal (1984) (Herken, et al., 1997). The scale includes limit values where parent attitudes and democratic or autocratic behavior are given points. Before the scale was applied to the sample audience, it was presented to health and education scholars who are expert in pediatrics and child development areas, revised with their views and a proper expression is achieved. Reliability and validity studies of the scale were performed. Correlation Analysis in order to determine the inter-variable relationship in statistical analysis, simple arithmetic

Pnar Erturgut and Ramazan Erturgut / Procedia Social and Behavioral Sciences 2 (2010) 12381243

1241

average for comparison of averages, and descriptive statistics which include percentage and standard deviation have been used. The data were analyzed using SPSS 1.5 statistics packet software. 7. Findings As a result of the analysis of PAS scale of parents of the children whose nutrition and percentile values were determined in accordance with their adolescent age averages and the socio-demographic features scale, the findings below were achieved; 72,8% of the adolescents who applied to the hospital are determined to have nutritional disorders according to clinical measurements. 64% of the adolescents who are assessed to have malnutrition compared to percentile values proportional to the age have been found to come from lower income families. This is followed by higher income group with 11,2% and by middle income group with %8,6. What attracts attention in these statistics is that the adolescents in the higher income families have more malnutrition than those who belong to the middle income group (11,2>8,6). Approximately 15% of adolescent families have not indicated their group of income. No meaningful relationship between the education level of parents and the nutrition levels of adolescents. 59,2% of the parents of the adolescents with malnutrition diagnosis have democratic attitudes. (x=3.21;ss=0.974) 29,2% of the adolescents think that their loss of appetite depends on the stress caused by the school and the courses, and 18,3% of them think that it is caused by the insistent behavior of their parents about their nutrition. Percentage of adolescents who think that their parents are not concerned about their nutrition levels and eating habits is 36. In evaluation based on sex, it has been understood that the 61,8% of fathers have democratic attitude concerning the nutrition of their children. A negative and meaningful relationship has been determined between the nutrition level of adolescents, which is the main problem of the research, and level of democratic attitude of parents. Accordingly, it is understood that the adolescent children of parents who have democratic attitude have more cases of malnutrition. 8. Conclusion and recommendation Results of this research indicate that democratic (giving freedom) child raising attitudes of parents and nutrition level of adolescents have a negative relationship. Accordingly, as the democratic attitudes of parents towards their adolescent children increase, healthy nutrition levels of the adolescents are affected negatively. This puts the libertarian behavior of parents towards their children to discussion, contrary to general knowledge. It is understood that an authoritarian attitude specific to the issue of nutrition is expected. In evaluation of parents based on sex, it is found that the fathers grant more freedom to adolescents. In our study, nutrition level varied depending on the income levels of families, while no variation has been found based on the education level of parents. Moreover, it is also understood that the nutrition level of adolescents is affected by variables such as school and examination stress beyond the parent attitudes. According to this, nutrition level and school stress concepts feed each other negatively and this is reported as an issue which needs to be stressed in future studies. References
Akba , M. (1994). Analysis of the relation between high school adolecents perception of parent attitudes and conformity levels, (Nonpublished Postgraduate Thesis, Marmara University S.B.E.,). Akman M,& Okur V. (2002). A risk assessment from the point of growth and development deficiency in children. Journal of Turskish Family Practice, 6(4) pp.153-158. Balkaya A.,&Ceyhan E. (2007). Analysis of criminal behavior levels of high school students in the cntext of familial qualities, Journal of Family and Society, March, pp.13-29. Baksi SN. (1982). Physiological effects of lead dusts. in: McGrath JJ, Barnes CD (eds). Air Pollution Physiological Effects. New York: Academic Press, 1982, pp.281-303.

1242

Pnar Erturgut and Ramazan Erturgut / Procedia Social and Behavioral Sciences 2 (2010) 12381243

Ba ar, Murat. (2004). Effects of misunderstood success in families on students, Afyon Kocatepe University Journal of Social Sciences, 11 (10), pp.115-124 Ba ar F. (1992). A comparative research on the effect of family for criminal temptations in adolecents 15-18 years of age living in Ankara Kalaba Reformatory, Unpublished Postgraduate Thesis, Ankara University, pp 8-24. Bear TM,&Harris A.(1997). Pediatric nutrition assessment: identifying children at risk. Journal of American Dietetic Association., 10, pp.107115. Bernard, M. E. (1984). Childhood emotion and cognitive behavior therapy: a rational-emotive perspective. P. C. Kendall (Ed.). Advances in Cognitive-Behavioral Research and Therapy (3) (pp. 213-253). London: Academic Press, Inc., Bilal g. (1984). Effects of parents attitudes percepted as democratic and authoritative on childrens coping levels, (Phd Dissertation), Ankara Universitesi. Conger, J.J. & Galambos, N.L. (1997). Adolescence and youth. U.S.A., Longman. Crockenberg S, Lyons-Ruth K.,&Dickstein S. (1993). The family context of infant mental health: II. Infant development in multiple family relationships. Handbook of infant mental health, CH Zeanah (Ed), New York Guilford Press, pp. 38-55. Cottle C, Ria, JL.,&Kirk H. (2001). The prediction of criminal recidivism in juveniles: a meta-analysis. Crim Justice Behaviours, 28, pp.367-94. amku u B, Sala G.,&Y ld z N. (1996) Psychological symptom distribution of employees working in automotive supply industry who are the senior students at Ahi Evran Apprenticeship Training Schol, stanbul. V. National Public Health Congress Booklet. erik, ule. (2009) A research on university youth concerning attitude of families towards young people and young peoples preception of families attitudes http://eab.ege.edu.tr/pdf/2_1/C2-S1-M3.pdf. 11.10.2009 Dudek S.G. (1993). Nutrition Handbook for Nursing Practice, Sec.Edition, J.B.Lippincott Company.Philadelphia, pp.267-323. Duyar Y. (1992). Growth standarts for Turkish childeren 12-17 of age, Ankara: Hacettepe University Institute of Social Sciences, 1992 (Unpublished Phd Dissertion). Ek i, Aysel (1990): Children, younsters, mothers, fathers, stanbul: Bilgi Press.,p.7 Eripek, Sleyman (1982). Causes of childrens problem behaviors bu an hypothetical approach and a classification, Journal of A.U. Educational Sciences Faculty, Volume: 15, Issue: 2, Ankara: Educational Sciences Faculty Puplications. Paublication. F nd k , lhami (1989). What is personality? How it is formed?, Education by Living, Issue: 7. Gable S, Lutz S. (2001). Nutritional socialization experiences of children in the health start program. Journal of the American Dietetic Association. 2001;101 pp. 572-577 Garro A, Thurman KS, Kerwin ME & Ducette JP. (2005). Parent/Caregiver stress during pediatric hospitalization for chronic feeding problems. Journal of Pediatric Nursing. 2005; 20(4) pp.268-275. Glassman, A.H. (1993). Cigarette smoking: implications for psychiatric illness, Am J Psychiatry, 150. pp.546-553 Gkay G & Gnz H. (2002). Growing-development and nutrition evaluataion, Ed: Neyzi O, Ertu rul T, in: Pediatri 1. 3. bas m. stanbul. Nobel T p Kitapevi, pp. 85-209. Gltekin AG. (2007). A comparative analysis of peer abuse and self perseption in 12-15 years old childeren involved in crime. Phd Dissertation, Ankara University. Herken, H.zkan, ., Bodur, S., Kaya, N., Turan, M.,&A k n, R. (1997). The relation of smoking and sociodemographic features in youngs, Journal of General Medicine, 7(4).189-193. Kap , Gl & Kker, Sevgi (2006). The parental bonding instrument: evaluation of psychometric properties with turkish university students, Turkish Psychology Journal 17(4) pp.286-295 Keskin Glseren & Sezgin Burcu (2009) The determine of factors effect on a groups of adolescents academic achievement, F rat Health Services Journal, 4(10) Kuzgun, Y ld z (1973), Effects of parantss attitudes on individual self realization level, Journal of Social and Human Sciences, Volume: 5, Issue: 1. Kolasa, J. Blair (1979). Introduction to behaviroal science for businesses, ev. Kemal Tosun et al., stanbul: .U. Faculty of Management. Publication of Management Economics Institute, Publication No:42. Korkmaz, A. Arslan, F.,& Uzun, . (2008). Health promotion practices in hospital:examination of nutrition conditionsof the ll children, TAF Prev Med Bul. 7(4):323-332 Kkturan, Gler. (2005). Parental attitude acale, Eurasian Journal of Educational Research, p.19 ztrk Y, Bykgebiz B, Arslan N, Ellidokuz H. (2003). Effects of hospital stay of nutritional anthropometic data in Turkish children. Journal of Tropical Pediatrics. 49 (3): 189-190. zmert, Elif, Yurdakk K.,&Laleli Y. (2003). Lead levels in blood of elementary school children in Ankara, Journal of Childrens Health and Pediatrics, 46: pp.20-23 Tanner JM. (1986). Use and abuse of growth standards. human growth: a comphrensive treatise. New York: Plenum Press, 1986: 95-109. Trkel, A. (1992). Relations between dominant personality factors steering business managers behaviors and administrative behavior and aplications, M.U. Faculty of Economics and Administrative Sciences Journal, 394. Santrock, JW. and Steve R.Y. (1989). Child development: an introduction, Fourth Edition, Dubuque, Iowa: Wm. C. Brown Publishers.p.329 Ulusoy Demet M. zcan N.&Baran A,G. (2005)Parents way of raising children and adolescent problems: an ankara case, Gazi University Journal of Turkish Education Sciences, 3 (3), pp.367-386 Uysal, G. (2005). The determination of the relation between height and the physiological stress indicator, Harris lines, Journal of Childrens Health and Pediatrics, vol. 48,pp. 30-38 nl G, Aras , Gvenir T, Bykgebiz B, Bekem . Personality disorders, depression, axiety symptoms and family functions in families of children with nutrition refusal. Turkish Psychology Journal. 2006; 17(1) pp.1-10. Yrko lu, A. (1980). Childs Mental Health,. Ankara: Turkish Historical Society, pp.276-300.

Pnar Erturgut and Ramazan Erturgut / Procedia Social and Behavioral Sciences 2 (2010) 12381243

1243

Yavuzer, H. (1985). Child Psychology. stanbul, Golden Books Press, pp.180-325 Yavuzer H. (1988). Mother-father and child, stanbul: Remzi Bookstore, Second Edition. Yavuzer H. (2005). :Understanding Youngsters. 2nd Edition. Ankara. Remzi Bookstore; pp.20-26. Zimmerman G. (2006). Delinquency an male adolescents: The role of alexithymia and family structure. Journal of Adolescent, (29), pp. 321-332. Ziyalar, A. (1985). Mental Disorders Among Youth. (The Year Youth Conferences). stanbul: Hill Press. Dwyer J, Stuart MA, Hendricks K. Community nutrition and its impact on children: developed countries. In: Walker WA, Watkins JB, Duggan C, eds. Nutrition in Pediatrics. (3rd ed) Ontario: BC Decker Inc; 2003: pp.142-160 Pekcan G. (2004). Nutirition in Adolecence, Clinic Child Forum, 4(1), pp. 38- 47.

Você também pode gostar