Analysis of teenagers' self-identified cold tolerance and wearing behavior inside and outside the classroom during winter

This study analyzed the self-identified cold tolerance and wearing behavior of teenagers inside and outside the classroom during winter, considering recent climate changes. A questionnaire was divided into four parts-general information, thermal and comfort sensation inside and outside classroom, self-identified cold tolerance, and wearing behavior to collect data from 322 students. Over several years, changes were noted in respondents' wearing behavior during winter outings, with the biggest being the purchase of a "long padded jacket" for warmth while outside. Most respondents showed similar wearing behavior, such as no difference between the number of clothes worn in a classroom maintained at 20oC (girls: 8.0±3.1 layer, boys: 6.5±2.1 layer) and outside (girls: 8.8±3.4 layer, boys: 7.1±3.0 layer), despite feeling differently about the thermal sensation inside and outside the classroom. This difference may due to a teenager's lack of knowledge about temperature and their tendency to follow clothing trends. Female students were more sensitive to the cold and wore more garments inside and outside the classroom. Gender-related differences should be considered when educating teenagers about safe and healthy clothing.