Genes versus behavior: Relationships among health attitudes and physical activity

Despite the growing interest in health and the abundance of health-promoting programs and campaigns, there is a noticeable lack of such undertakings at colleges and universities. This is worrisome, considering the fact that the first-year of studies is the last phase of education in which it is possible to promote and establish a healthy lifestyle. The purpose of the research was to evaluate the health attitudes and behaviours of first-year university students. A total of 700 first-year male students aged 19-20 attending the University of Warmia & Mazury in Olsztyn (Poland) took part in the study by filling out anonymous questionnaires concerning health behaviours and attitudes regarding physical activity, nutrition, tobacco and alcohol use, stress and pro-health activities. The results indicate that physical activity of the respondents was limited to participation in the obligatory physical education classes during high school and while at university. Moreover, the students were concerned more about personal hygiene and appearance than physical fitness and proper nutrition. The majority of them did not have a regular schedule of meals and did not take vitamin supplements. The percentage of respondents who declared drinking alcohol regularly (once a week) and even every day is quite worrisome. One out of ten students reported losing consciousness multiple times as a result of binge drinking and over a third blacked out at least once during the first few months of their studies. Although only a small margin of the students surveyed can be considered to be addicted to smoking, nearly half of them admitted to smoking occasionally. Although a significant portion of students expressed a fear in stress generating situations during their studies, the majority possessed a very limited knowledge of stress coping methods. The research results indicate a clear need to implement adequate health promoting programs at the university level of education to help counteract the observed negative tendencies. Key words: university male students, health attitudes and habits, physical activity, nutrition, tobacco/alcohol use, stress, pro-health activities.

Download Full-text

Selected Health Attitudes (Physical Activity and Nutrition) of 18-Year-Old Girls Graduating from Secondary Schools of Tricity

Baltic Journal of Health and Physical Activity ◽

10.2478/v10131-011-0011-7 ◽

2011 ◽

Vol 3 (2) ◽

Author(s):

Anna Walentukiewicz ◽

Anna Łysak ◽

Barbara Wilk

Keyword(s):

Physical Activity ◽

Secondary Schools ◽

Health Attitudes

Download Full-text

Zachęcanie dzieci do aktywności fizycznej w czasopiśmie „Świerszczyk”

Pedagogika Przedszkolna i Wczesnoszkolna ◽

10.4467/23537159ppw.21.020.15180 ◽

2021 ◽

pp. 85-87

Author(s):

Alicja Meyer

Keyword(s):

Physical Activity ◽

Chronic Diseases ◽

Physical Activities ◽

Health Attitudes ◽

Developmental Abnormalities ◽

The Right ◽

Children’S Physical Activity ◽

Lifestyle Patterns

Encouraging children’s physical activity based on the “Świerszczyk” magazine Referring to the diversity of books and magazines, in terms of expanding reading among the youngest and shaping and shaping positive pro-health attitudes, it is worth paying attention to the role that literature plays in shaping these attitudes. Based on the magazine “Świerszczyk”, the author decided to present the motif of the movement that was captured in the magazine. On this basis, it was presented how to properly shape and expand children’s willingness to contact the book, as well as the importance of contact with the book for the child’s development. Through contact with literature, you can pass on knowledge to children in every possible field, as well as encourage physical activity. Children have a natural need to move, which should be supported, developed and stimulated by encouraging them to various forms and physical activities. In addition to translating and teaching correct lifestyle patterns. With the help of literature, stories and magazines, we can shape these attitudes in them, at the same time counteracting developmental abnormalities, chronic diseases, obesity and posture defects. An important factor in the proper development of a child is the awareness and willingness of parents to pass on the right models.

Download Full-text

The influence of pain-related beliefs on physical activity and health attitudes in patients with claudication: A pilot study

Vascular Medicine ◽

10.1177/1358863x17709944 ◽

2017 ◽

Vol 22 (5) ◽

pp. 378-384 ◽

Cited By ~ 11

Author(s):

Sherene E Sharath ◽

Panos Kougias ◽

Neal R Barshes

Keyword(s):

Physical Activity ◽

Symptom Severity ◽

Medical Center ◽

Leg Pain ◽

Health Attitudes ◽

Fear Avoidance ◽

Fear Avoidance Beliefs ◽

Pain Beliefs ◽

Fear Avoidance Beliefs Questionnaire ◽

Baseline Physical Activity

We examined how pain beliefs are related to symptom severity, expectations of risk/benefits, and baseline physical activity among claudicants. Eligible patients at the Michael E DeBakey Veterans Affairs Medical Center were administered questionnaires that measured: fear-avoidance beliefs (Fear-Avoidance Beliefs Questionnaire [FABQ]), walking impairment, baseline physical activity, claudication type, and risk/benefit attitudes. Among 20 participants, the median age was 69 years (IQR: 66–75). In our efforts to understand how fear-avoidance beliefs influenced physical activity among people with claudication, we found that 12 out of 19 participants (63%) thought that the primary etiology of their pain was walking, while 18 (out of 20) (90%) people thought that walking would exacerbate their leg symptoms – suggesting that there was some confusion regarding the effects of walking on claudication. Those who expected that walking would benefit their symptoms more than surgery reported fewer fear-avoidance beliefs ( p=0.01), but those who believed that walking would make their leg pain worse expected greater benefit from surgery ( p=0.02). As symptom severity increased, fear-avoidance beliefs also increased ( p=0.001). The association between symptom severity and fear-avoidance beliefs indicates that as pain or impairment increases, the likelihood of avoiding behaviors that are thought to cause pain might also increase. Accounting for pain-related beliefs when recommending physical activity for claudication should be considered.

Download Full-text

Preconception Health Attitudes and Behaviours of Women: A Qualitative Investigation

Nutrients ◽

10.3390/nu11071490 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 11 (7) ◽

pp. 1490 ◽

Cited By ~ 5

Author(s):

Nadia N. Khan ◽

Jacqueline A. Boyle ◽

Adina Y. Lang ◽

Cheryce L. Harrison

Keyword(s):

Physical Activity ◽

Information Seeking ◽

Preconception Health ◽

Vitamin Supplementation ◽

Health Attitudes ◽

Structured Interviews ◽

Critical Window ◽

Information Preferences ◽

Health And Wellbeing ◽

Health Checks

The preconception period is a critical window in which maternal health can profoundly affect both individual and intergenerational health. Despite its importance, little information about women’s preconception health attitudes, behaviours and information preferences exists, yet these details are vital to inform targeted health communication. Semi-structured interviews were conducted to explore women’s attitudes to preconception health (areas of importance, support sources, enablers and barriers), behaviours (information seeking and health actions taken) and information preferences. Interviews were transcribed, coded and thematically analysed. Fifteen women participated (n = 7 preconception, n = 7 pregnant and n = 1 postpartum). Women perceived optimising lifestyle behaviours including a healthy diet, regular physical activity, reducing alcohol intake and pre-pregnancy vitamin supplementation as important preconception health actions to adopt. Few women acknowledged the importance of formal preconception health checks and screening with health professionals. Barriers to achieving health behaviour change included anxiety, stress and challenges obtaining reputable information. Participants reported a lack of preconception information about supplementation requirements, safe foods and exercise recommendations. Information preferences included the internet or their general practitioner. Whilst women predominantly prioritised optimising diet and physical activity prior to pregnancy, there appeared to be limited awareness of preconception health checks and screening, highlighting a need for broader awareness of overall preconception health and wellbeing.

Download Full-text

Sex Differences in Health Attitudes and Choice of Health Behaviors

Psychological Reports ◽

10.2466/pr0.1998.83.3f.1161 ◽

1998 ◽

Vol 83 (3_suppl) ◽

pp. 1161-1162 ◽

Cited By ~ 5

Author(s):

M. Cay Welsh ◽

Tracey L. Robinson ◽

Linda S. Lindman

Keyword(s):

Physical Activity ◽

College Students ◽

Sex Differences ◽

Physical Fitness ◽

Health Behaviors ◽

Men’S Health ◽

Men's Health ◽

Health Attitudes ◽

Dietary Changes ◽

Fitness Measures

College students (82 men, 166 women) were assessed on a variety of physical fitness measures and completed questionnaires regarding health behaviors and attitudes. The men's health behaviors focused on physical activity while women's focused on dietary changes for better health.

Download Full-text

The impact of the SARS-Cov 2 pandemic on pro-health attitudes, psychophysical condition, and the quality of life of students

10.21203/rs.3.rs-340488/v1 ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

Bożena Bogut ◽

Jadwiga Kuciel-Lewandowska ◽

Michał Kasperczak

Keyword(s):

Quality Of Life ◽

Physical Activity ◽

Healthy Lifestyle ◽

Study Group ◽

Health Attitudes ◽

Sports Venues ◽

Fear And Anxiety ◽

State Quality ◽

The Impact

Abstract Background: Young people follow a healthy lifestyle by undertaking various forms of physical activity. The emergence of pandemics and changes in the organization of society’s life have caused fear and anxiety about health and life. The objective of the study was the assessment of the impact of the SARS-COV-2 pandemic on pro-health attitudes, psychophysical condition, and quality of life of students. Methods: The study included 150 students aged 22 attending Polish Universities. The study utilized the original questionnaire. The questionnaire included questions about mental state, quality, and frequency of meals, hours of sleep, need for physical activity, and the impact of these factors on the quality of life during the pandemic. Results: The pandemic and the closure of sports venues didn’t significantly decrease the quality of life in the study group. Many students used their free time spent at home to sleep, eat healthily, and became interested in various forms of physical activity, which positively influenced their quality of life. Conclusions: The pandemic and associated restrictions haven’t had an impact on the psychophysical condition of the students and weren’t the cause of the abandonment of physical activity. Positive changes in the students’ quality of life were observed.

Download Full-text