scholarly journals Leadership and health : an examination of authentic leadership characteristics and physical health behaviors

2015 ◽  
Author(s):  
◽  
Melissa Bess

The purpose of this study was to examine the relationship between authentic leadership characteristics and physical health behaviors, as defined by the Goolsby Leadership Model (Quick, Macik-Frey, and Cooper, 2007). Physical health was measured by physical activity, cigarette smoking, and fruit and vegetable consumption, which are three of four controllable health risk factors that are related to many of the negative consequences of chronic disease (National Center for Chronic Disease Prevention and Health Promotion, 2009). Authentic leadership was measured using the Authentic Leadership Questionnaire (ALQ) by Walumbwa et al. (2008), which measured four components of authentic leadership and produced an overall authentic leadership score. The overall leadership score did not have any significant relationships with the physical health behaviors but three authentic leadership components did have significant relationships with physical health. Specifically, self-awareness had significant relationships with physical activity and fruit consumption. Balanced processing had a significant relationship with physical activity and vegetable consumption and internalized moral perspective had a significant relationship with fruit consumption. Cigarette smoking did not have any significant relationships with the four components or the total authentic leadership score. While leadership behaviors and physical health do not have a strong relationship, they are both important in the workplace.

2019 ◽  
Vol 16 (8) ◽  
pp. 644-646
Author(s):  
Sasha A. Fleary ◽  
Robin Mehl ◽  
Claudio Nigg

Background: Health behaviors in childhood and adolescence are implicated in health behaviors and chronic disease risk in adulthood for the majority of the US population. However, little is known about these relationships in Hawaiian youth. This study investigated the extent to which childhood physical activity (PA) and fruit and vegetable consumption behaviors predicted later behaviors across a 10-year period in Hawaiian youth. Methods: Three cohorts of fourth- to sixth-grade students who participated in an elementary after-school program (Fun 5) provided baseline data (Y1—data collected between 2003 and 2007), 5-year (Y5—data collected between 2008 and 2012), and 10-year (Y10—data collected between 2013 and 2017) follow-up surveys. Demographic, PA, and fruit and vegetable consumption measures were completed at all 3 time points. Bivariate and multiple regressions were computed in 2018. Results: Y1 and Y5 behavior predicted PA in young adulthood. For fruit and vegetable consumption, Y1 behavior predicted Y5 behavior but not Y10 behavior, and Y5 behavior predicted Y10 behaviors. Conclusions: Similar to mainland US youth, it is important to address PA and nutrition early in the life span for Hawaiian youth to increase long-term preventive health behaviors and reduce long-term chronic disease risk.


2021 ◽  
Vol 28 (2) ◽  
pp. 79-87
Author(s):  
Valerie M. Wood ◽  
Heather Stuart

Abstract. Background: Previous research demonstrates the importance of close relationships on our physical health. However, to what extent the quality of our social relationships impacts our health, relative to other important health behaviors (e.g., smoking, drinking alcohol, and physical exercise), is less clear. Aims: Our goal was to use a nationally representative sample of Canadian adults to assess the relative importance of the quality of one’s social relationships (close emotional bonds and negative social interactions), relative to important health behaviors on physical health outcomes previously linked to social relationship quality. Method: Data ( N = 25,113) came from the Canadian Community Health Survey in 2012, a cross-sectional survey administered by Statistics Canada (2013) . The predictor variables were the presence of close emotional bonds, negative social relationships, type of smoker, type of drinker, and weekly hours of physical activity. The outcome variables were a current or previous diagnosis of high blood pressure, cancer, stroke, reports of current illness or injury, pain, and self-reported physical health. Results: Using regressions, we found that negative social interactions were more important than other health behaviors in relation to current injury/illness and pain. Physical activity was most strongly related to self-rated health, followed by negative social interactions and then close emotional bonds. Alcohol consumption was more related to the prevalence of stroke. Conclusions: Our findings suggest that negative social interactions may be more related to acute or minor physical health conditions, but social relationships may not be more strongly related to more chronic, life-threatening health conditions than other health behaviors.


2019 ◽  
Vol 3 (Supplement_1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Abigail Gilman ◽  
Michael Bruneau ◽  
Tanja Kral ◽  
Brandy-Joe Milliron ◽  
Patricia Shewokis ◽  
...  

Abstract Objectives We examined the effect of a three year, multi-component, school-based intervention on health behaviors of elementary school students. Methods The multi-component, obesity intervention was provided by community partners to 13 schools over three years. Schools were assigned into three varying Levels of Intervention: “Core” Schools (n = 4) received weekly interventions, “Level 1” Schools (n = 5) received monthly interventions, and Control Schools (n = 5) received no intervention. Participants completed self-reported questionnaires assessing several health behaviors, including fruit and vegetable consumption, and physical activity levels. Questionnaires were administered in the Fall and Spring of each year of the intervention. For this study, responses were analyzed from Year 3 and were compared to national recommendations. Descriptive statistics and chi-square tests of independence examined Level of Intervention and questionnaire responses. Results No significant chi-square tests of independence were identified for the Level of Intervention and quantity of fruit or vegetable consumption. A significant (P = 0.003) chi-square test of independence assessing physical activity was identified in the Fall of Year 3. Descriptive analyses indicated that higher proportions of students in the Core and Level 1 Schools met national fruit, vegetable, and physical activity recommendations compared to students in Control Schools. Conclusions The higher frequency of intervention provided to students in the Core Schools did not influence the dietary behaviors of participants. However, receiving any intervention appeared to affect health behaviors of children receiving the intervention compared to the Control Schools. Funding Sources The Independence Blue Cross Foundation.


2018 ◽  
Vol 34 (3) ◽  
pp. 490-500 ◽  
Author(s):  
Elizabeth A Emley ◽  
Dara R Musher-Eizenman

Summary Unhealthy lifestyle behaviors, namely poor diet and inadequate physical activity, significantly contribute to poor health and obesity risk, which in turn impact chronic illness outcomes. A possible approach to improving these health behaviors and subsequent outcomes is to capitalize on the theorized link between social movement involvement and overlapping health behaviors. Social movement involvement may be a viable stealth intervention for health, utilizing intrinsic motivators to improve health without an explicit focus on changing health behavior. Thus, the current study explored the links between social movement involvement and diet and physical activity. Two samples from a college population (N = 196) and the general population (N = 195) participated in an online survey, which included measures of social movement involvement, social movement-related health behaviors and dietary intake and physical activity. After controlling for known covariates, social movement-related health behaviors mediated the relationship between level of social movement involvement and fruit and vegetable consumption, whole grain intake and average daily physical activity in both samples. These findings suggest that health behaviors associated with social movement involvement may be an important mechanism in promoting health among social movement members and that the model holds across adult populations. This research adds to existing literature on stealth interventions as a viable means of improving important behavioral health components linked with obesity and chronic disease and supports social movement involvement as a potential form of stealth intervention.


2016 ◽  
pp. 889-907
Author(s):  
Sandul Yasobant

Health promotion and the maintenance of the quality of life are realized recently. Advancement in technologies offer new possibilities for both the promotion of positive health behaviors that were unimaginable even a decade ago. Though promoting physical activity has been proven an important component of health promotion by many researchers, still a lot of efforts on how to improve physical activity being provided by group of researchers. Technology such as pedometers, accelerometers, and heart rate monitors have been used to promote physical activity for years. Newer technologies such as global positioning system (GPS), geographic information systems (GIS), interactive video games, and persuasive technology, Internet-based physical activity interventions have been used recently to promote and change exercise behavior. This chapter seeks to provide a complete insight of technologies used to changing health behaviors especially physical health promotion and will take a forward to analyses all the issues while using these technologies and future research directions.


Author(s):  
Daisuke Machida

There have been many reports indicating the relationship between gardening and health or healthy lifestyles among adults in developed countries all over the world. However, Japanese evidence is lacking. The aim of this study was to clarify the relationship between community or home gardening and health status or a healthy lifestyle using a web-based survey with Japanese elderly living in the community. A survey was conducted to gather data from 500 gardeners and 500 nongardeners aged 60 to 69. As a result, significant relationships were shown between community gardening and exercise habits, physical activity, eating vegetables, and connections with neighbors. Moreover, the significant relationships between home gardening and the following items were indicated: Subjective happiness, exercise habits, physical activity, sitting time, eating breakfast, eating vegetables, eating balanced meals, and connections with neighbors. No item demonstrated a significant relationship with gardening frequency. A significant relationship was demonstrated between gardening duration and health problems affecting everyday life. Further significant relationships were shown between gardening with others and subjective happiness, having a reason for living. In conclusion, promising positive relationships between community or home gardening and health or healthy lifestyles were indicated.


2020 ◽  
pp. 155982762090937
Author(s):  
Craig M. Becker ◽  
Kerry Sewell ◽  
Hui Bian ◽  
Joseph G. L. Lee

Purpose. To broadly assess changes in key health behaviors (physical activity, fruit and vegetable consumption, smoking, and alcohol consumption) and one outcome (body mass index) between 2001-2006 and 2011-2016. Design. Repeated cross-sectional study. Setting. The United States of America. Participants. Noninstitutionalized adults age 24 to 39 participating in the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey. Analysis. We used 2-sample t tests and χ2 tests to compare differences in health behaviors between the 2 time periods. Results. Data revealed a downward trend in both moderate and vigorous physical activity (P = .00), and fruit and vegetable consumption decreased (P = .003). Cigarette smoking decreased (P = .04), and there was no substantive change in heavy drinking between the 2 time periods. Body mass index was higher in the later time period (P = .00). Conclusion. Despite sustained funding efforts, we found little evidence that health behaviors improved between the 2 time periods. Indeed, many health behaviors have remained the same or worsened over time. These findings suggest the need to reflect on the appropriateness of the health promotion approaches being used.


2021 ◽  
Vol 16 (2) ◽  
pp. 99-119
Author(s):  
Tamás Berki ◽  
Bettina F. Pikó

Background: Social exclusion usually contributes to an increased vulnerability to mental health problems and risky health behaviors. This study aims to identify the role of health behavior in the increased risk of depressive symptoms among adolescents during the coronavirus pandemic in Hungary. Methods: A total of 705 high school students participated in our study (M = 15.9 years; SD = 1.19). The self-administered questionnaire included items about sociodemographics, eating habits, physical activity, sedentary behavior, and substance use. Depressive symptoms were measured using the short version of the Child Depression Inventory. Descriptive statistics and binary logistic regression were used to analyze our results. Results: Daily fruit and vegetable consumption was reported by 21.7% and 22.4% of respondents, respectively. The proportion of the respondents reporting daily sweets consumption stood at 13.2%, daily soft drinks consumption was 12.3%, and daily energy drink consumption tallied to 4.5%. More than one-third of the sample (35.5%) reported having breakfast every school day, which rose to 68.1% of the sample reporting breakfast on both weekend days. The rate of students engaged in daily physical activity was 6.5%, while 86.1% of them reported more than four hours screen time in a day. In addition, despite the mandatory confinement, a notable percentage of adolescents engaged in substance use. Consistent with previous studies, girls had a higher risk of depression. Low levels of physical activity and high levels of screen time – as well as alcohol and drug use – were associated with a high risk of depression. Conclusions: We believe our study provided useful information on adolescent health behaviors that can lead to adolescents’ depression, and that maintaining physical activity can prevent it even in these unusual circumstances.


2021 ◽  
Vol 5 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. 395-395
Author(s):  
Dawon Baik ◽  
Jiyoun Song ◽  
Aluem Tark ◽  
Heather Coats ◽  
Catherine Jankowski

Abstract More than 17 million family caregivers (FCGs) provide care for older adults with chronic illness in the US. Caregiving for older adults with chronic disease places a considerable burden on FCGs and they tend to neglect their personal health. Generally, physical activity (PA) programs benefit the physical and psychological health of FCGs. However, no review of PA randomized clinical trials (RCTs) focused on FCGs of older adults with chronic disease. In this systematic review, we analyzed the most recent trends (2010-2020) in RCTs identifying the effects of PA in this population. This review followed the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses guidelines. Electronic databases (PubMed, CINAHL, Embase, PsycInfo, Cochrane Library) were searched for publications dated from 2010 to 2020. All studies included were appraised for quality using the Cochrane Collaboration Risk of Bias Tool. Of the resulting 16 studies, most studies (n=11) targeted FCGs of older adults with dementia or cancer. Most FCGs were non-Hispanic white. PA interventions with mixed modes (e.g., aerobic and resistance exercise), mixed delivery methods (e.g., in-person and telephone) and mixed settings (e.g., supervised gym- and unsupervised home sessions) were used most frequently. PA interventions significantly improved psychological health but had inconsistent effects on physical health. Tailored PA programs, designed based on FCGs’ goals, preferences and limitations, may improve upon physical health outcomes. Future PA studies should include samples of racially and ethnically diverse FCGs of older adults representing a broader range of chronic diseases.


2016 ◽  
Vol 7 (1) ◽  
pp. 1-8
Author(s):  
Karly Geller ◽  
Jessica Maureen Harris ◽  
Jennifer A. Moore

Objective. The purpose of this study was to examine if environmental accessibility to healthy resources was associated with college students’ corresponding health behaviors and body mass index (BMI). This study looked at college students’ proximity and distance to environmental influence, such as fitness centers and fast food restaurants in relation to their physical activity (PA), fruit and vegetable consumption (FVC), and BMI. Methods. A sample of 156 college students from a mid-western university completed the cross-sectional survey on proximity to campus-related environmental resources. Student addresses were used to calculate accessibility to healthy environmental resources, including proximity to the university recreational facility and local grocery store. Physical activity was calculated into metabolic equivalents (METs) and dietary behavior included measures of daily fruit and vegetable consumption and weekly fast food meals. Analysis. Linear regression was used to estimate differences in participants’ multiple health behavior and BMI based on proximity to certain environmental resources.Results. Of the 156 students who participated in the current study, 79% were female and 87% were White, Non-Hispanic, with a mean age of 20.13±1.91. No associations between behaviors and BMI were detected. Proximity to the campus recreational facility significantly predicted lower BMI (p=0.01); and distance to the community grocery store was associated with increased BMI (p=0.01). Conclusion. Findings suggested associations between proximity to environmental resources and participants’ BMI; however, this influence occurred outside the measured health behaviors. Longitudinal examinations are needed to determine the potential impact of resource proximity on changes in participants’ health behavior and BMI overtime. 


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