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1st Int. Transborder Conf. of the Timor Island: Timor %u2013 Science without borderDili, 7-8 May 2025117Relationship Between Eating Habits, Lifestyle, And Nutritional Status of Adolescents Aged 15 To 19 Years At The Catholic General Secondary School of The Divine Word In Palaca, Bobonaro DistrictAfonso de Almeida, Cla%u00fadia L. das Flores Costa, Chandra de Jesus V. Tilman andRem%u00edgia A. de Jesus XimenesFaculdade de Medicina e Ci%u00eancias de Sa%u00fade, Universidade Nacional de Timor Lorosae, Timor-LesteAbstractThis study aimed to investigate the relationship between eating habits, lifestyle, and nutritional status among adolescents aged 15 to 19 years at the Catholic General Secondary School of the Divine Word College in Palaca, Bobonaro Municipality, in 2024. Employing a quantitative, descriptive, and cross-sectional design, the research involved 202 students and utilized structured questionnaires and anthropometric assessments based on Body Mass Index (BMI) to evaluate dietary behaviors, lifestyle factors, and nutritional status. The results revealed that a significant portion of adolescents exhibited inadequate dietary patterns. More than half of the students (58%) demonstrated poor eating habits, characterized by a high consumption of ultra-processed foods, fried items, fast food, sweets, and sugary drinks, coupled with a low intake of fruits, dairy products, and whole grains. In contrast, only 42% exhibited healthy dietary behaviors. Statistical analysis indicated a significant correlation between eating habits and nutritional status (%u03c1 = 1; p = 0.000), suggesting that poor dietary patterns are associated with higher rates of malnutrition. Regarding lifestyle, 59% of students reported engaging in healthy behaviors such as abstaining from smoking and alcohol, participating in physical activity, and maintaining good hygiene practices. However, 41% reported unhealthy lifestyles, including physical inactivity, irregular sleep patterns, and the use of harmful substances. A significant correlation was also found between lifestyle and nutritional status (%u03c1 = 1; p = 0.000), indicating that healthy behaviors are strongly linked to improved nutritional outcomes. The assessment of nutritional status revealed an alarming situation: 62% of the students were affected by some degree of malnutrition (17% severely and 45% moderately). Only 30% fell within the normal BMI range, while 8% were classified as obese (7% moderately and 1% severely). These figures underscore a concerning level of nutritional insecurity, with potential adverse effects on adolescents' growth, cognitive development, and immune function.Correlation analyses further demonstrated that students with poor eating habits and unhealthy lifestyles had a higher prevalence of moderate and severe malnutrition. Conversely, those with healthier diets and lifestyles were more likely to have normal nutritional status, highlighting the direct influence of these factors on adolescents%u2019 physical and mental well-being. It could be concluded that improving adolescents%u2019 nutritional health requires an integrated approach involving schools, families, and public policy. Promoting healthy behaviors from a young age is essential to ensuring a healthier and more productive future.Keywords: eating habits, life style, malnutrition, body mass index.