Health and quality of life: Body self-image, eating habits and lifestyle in adolescents Section: Health and quality of life How to quote Jiménez Mercadé C et ál. Autoimagen corporal, comportamiento alimentario y estilo de vida en adolescentes. Metas de Enferm abr 2011; 14(3): 69-75 Authors1Cristina Jiménez Mercadé, 2Eva Gálvez Fernández, 3Thaïs Colomer Suñé Position 1 Enfermera. Máster en Enfermería Pediátrica. Hospital Materno-Infantil Vall d’Hebrón, UCI Pediátrica. 2 Enfermera. Máster Contact address Cristina Jiménez Mercadé. Avda. Diagonal, 84-86, esc. 2, 4º, 5ª. 08019 Barcelona. Contact email: cjimenez49379@gmail.com Abstract Objective: to analyse eating habits and lifestyles and to contrast the body build of this population with perceived self-image in adolescents between the ages of 11 and 17 in Hospitalet de Llobregat (Barcelona). Material and Method: cross-sectional descriptive study performed in a Barcelona high school during the 2008-2009 school year, obtaining a sample of 186 surveyed students. A self-elaborated questionnaire was used, and weight and height were determined to calculate the BMI. Sex and age were independent variables. Results: 103 adolescents (60,2%) presented normal Body Mass Index (BMI) values. When compared with their peers, 92 of them (52%) perceive themselves to be like everyone else, 11 (6,2%) view themselves as much thinner, 31 (17,5%) as a bit thinner, 35 (19,8%) as a bit heavier and 8 (4,5%) consider themselves to be a lot heavier. The time dedicated to sedentary activities per week was more than two hours in 60,7% (110 subjects) of the students. As far as physical activity, 71,3% of adolescents reported exercising more than one hour per week. 33,7% (n=60) of students eat the recommended five meals a day. 1,2% (n=2) of students reported being diagnosed with an eating disorder (ED). Conclusions: most students have the right weight, males presenting higher rates of overweight or obesity. Body self-image in most cases adjusts to reality. Obesity and a sedentary lifestyle are closely related. The majority of students did not adhere to the recommended number of daily meals. 1,2% reported being diagnosed with an ED. Versión en Español Título: Autoimagen corporal, comportamiento alimentario y estilo de vida en adolescentes