Healthy Lifestyles Among Adolescents: The Role of Education, Income, and Awareness in Shaping Health Behaviors

Adolescence, the transitional phase between 10 and 19 years, is a crucial period for adopting lifelong health behaviors. Poor dietary habits, physical inactivity, and engagement in risky behaviors can lead to long-term health consequences. This study aimed to assess the level of awareness and perception of a healthy lifestyle among male school-going adolescents in Bisha, Saudi Arabia, and to examine the impact of sociodemographic factors, particularly parental education and household income, on their knowledge and perceptions. A cross-sectional analytical study was conducted among 464 male students aged 13 to 19, using a multistage stratified cluster sampling method. A structured, self-administered questionnaire was used to assess awareness of diet, exercise, and harmful behaviors, with data analyzed using SPSS version 24. Chi-square tests were applied to determine associations between awareness levels and sociodemographic factors (P < 0.05). Results showed that only 10% of students had good awareness, 55% had moderate awareness, and 35% had poor awareness. Awareness was significantly associated with the father’s educational level (P = 0.012) and family income (P = 0.031), while age, weight, height, and mother’s education showed no significant correlation. These findings highlight the need for targeted health education programs in schools and community settings to enhance health literacy, particularly among adolescents from lower socioeconomic backgrounds.