Adolescent lifestyle patterns: A survey in selected high schools of the Western Cape Education Department

Adolescence is regarded as a phase of development and growth characterised by excellent health. Unfortunately this does not seem to be the case in the 2131 century. The health of adolescents is influenced by technology, crime, poor eating habits, the absence of Physical Education in schools, urbanisation, overpopulation and less available space for children to play. These aspects lead to a sedentary lifestyle, which may impact health in the form of hypokinetic diseases. In this study, the lifestyle patterns of adolescents in selected Western Cape high schools were determined. The lifestyle patterns were related to different ethnic groups and those of boys and girls and a comparison made between these lifestyle patterns with those of adolescents 10 years ago. Two questionnaires, one for the adolescents and one for the Life Orientation teachers, were used. Both White and Coloured adolescents found school sport unimportant and did not partake on a regular basis. Adolescent boys were much more active than the girls. Adolescent girls preferred sedentary activities like listening to music and reading books. Both White and Coloured adolescents, and boys and girls, found their health to be excellent despite the fact that recent research showed the opposite to be true.