Mental Health Status and Lifestyle Habits Among Adolescents in Ghaziabad: A Cross-Sectional Study
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.47203/IJCH.2026.v38i01.038Keywords:
Adolescents, Depression, AnxietyAbstract
Background: Adolescence is a critical developmental period marked by rapid physical, emotional, and social changes during which mental health problems commonly emerge. Lifestyle habits adopted during this phase significantly influence overall well-being. Methods: A school-based cross-sectional study was conducted among adolescents aged 14–19 years in selected schools of Ghaziabad, Uttar Pradesh, using a multistage random sampling technique. A pre-designed, pre-tested semi-structured questionnaire was used to collect data on socio-demographic characteristics, lifestyle habits, and mental health status using the Depression Anxiety Stress Scale-21 (DASS-21). Data were analysed using Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) version 28. Results: A total of 440 adolescents participated, with nearly equal gender distribution. Most participants reported consumption of home-cooked meals, with frequent intake of fast food and irregular breakfast habits. Depressive symptoms were observed in 285(64.8%), anxiety in 198(45.0%), and stress in 127(28.9%) participants, with mild to moderate levels predominating. Conclusion: A considerable proportion of adolescents exhibited symptoms of depression, anxiety, and stress along with unhealthy lifestyle practices, highlighting the need for early identification and school-based preventive interventions.
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Copyright (c) 2026 Mehak Pal Kaur, Syed Hasan Nawaz Zaidi, Sunom Merab Lepcha
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