NUTRITIONAL HABITS AND PHYSICAL ACTIVITY OF THE YOUTH OF LATVIA CONSIDERING GENDER DIFFERENCES

Introduction. Nutritional habits and physical activity are fundamental for a healthy lifestyle. The aim of the paper is to present differences in the area of important pillars of health taking into account youth's gender. Material and methods. The research was conducted on Polish high school students in Riga, Latvia. The diagnostic survey method was used with International Physical Activity Questionnaire-IPAQ's short version and the Health Behaviour Questionnaire. Results. There are major differences in health behaviour between girls and boys, including willingness to lose and gain weight, various motives for exercising to gain or lose body weight and the fear of weight gain. The field of physical activity regarding greater activity and participation in intensive exercises was dominated by boys. Conclusions. The school process of eating habits education and physical activity should be modified.