scholarly journals Are Perceptions of Health Dependant on Social Class? Studying Soft Power and Symbolic Violence in a Health Promotion Program among Young Men at Vocational Schools

Author(s):  
Bent Egberg Mikkelsen ◽  
Frantisek Sudzina ◽  
Marek Botek ◽  
Annette Quinto Romani ◽  
Kristian Larsen

Health behaviour among young people has a social gradient, and tends to be skewed in terms of gender as well. Young men in vocational educational settings are an example where the inequality in health is apparent. Addressing this problem requires an understanding of health behaviour and its determinants in the target group in order to be able to develop interventions that can address the problem. The aim of the paper is to investigate to what extent a multicomponent intervention based on the Whole School Approach, targeting the risk behaviours, smoking, eating and physical activity that have an impact on health behaviour among male students in a disadvantaged educational setting. The paper uses self-reported longitudinal data on risk behaviours from the “Gearing up the Body” 1-year intervention program that was implemented among students at a Danish vocational school. For the analysis, we created a score model to categorise students and behaviour. Analyses suggest that interventions had only a modest impact and what evidence there is shows that the interventions reduced the health behaviour scores by 0.03 points. More specifically, we find that symbolic violence reduces the health behaviour score of the healthy types by 0.20 points, whereas soft power increases the health behaviour of the unhealthy type by 0.05 points. An explanation for the disappointing results of the “Gearing up the Body” program is tension between different understanding of what is “right” and “wrong” health behaviour. We find that the ideas of soft power and symbolic violence can contribute to a better understanding of why health and health behaviour is understood differently among vocational students. Thus, the finding demonstrates that one needs to apply a participatory approach rather than a normative approach addressing the health behaviour of disadvantaged individuals.

2021 ◽  
pp. 004051752110001
Author(s):  
Pengpeng Cheng ◽  
Xianyi Zeng ◽  
Pascal Bruniaux ◽  
Jianping Wang ◽  
Daoling Chen

To study the upper body characteristics of young men, the body circumference, length, width, thickness, and angle of young men aged 18–25 and 26–35 years were collected to comprehensively characterize the concave and convex features of the front, back, and side of the human body. The Cuckoo Search-Density Peak intelligent algorithm was used to extract the feature factors of the upper body of men, and to cluster them. To verify the effectiveness of the intelligent algorithm, the clustering results of Cuckoo Search-Density Peak, Density Peak, Particle Swarm Optimization-Density Peak algorithm, Ant Colony Optimization-Density Peak algorithm, Genetic Algorithm-Density Peak algorithm, and Artificial Bee Colony-Density Peak algorithm were evaluated by Silouette and F-measures, respectively. The results show that the Cuckoo Search-Density Peak algorithm has the best clustering results and is superior to other algorithms. There are some differences in somatotype characteristics and somatotype indexes between young men aged 18–25 and 26–35 years.


Author(s):  
A.A. Chonkoeva ◽  
I.P. Mukhamedova

Foreign students studying in Kyrgyzstan mainly come from Southeast Asia, and they have to adapt to living conditions in a new climatic (geographic), socio-cultural, and educational environment that is different from the previous one. Therefore, it is challenging to study the chronostructural characteristics of the hormonal regulation of lipid and carbohydrate metabolism in students, as these characteristics are main part of the metabolic balance. The aim of the study is to determine chronostructural characteristics of lipid and carbohydrate metabolism regulation by adrenal cortex hormones in foreign and local 1st-year university students in Kyrgyzstan. Materials and Methods. The study enrolled 120 students. The average age of Indian students (30 young women and 30 young men) was 19.45±0.24 years; the average age of local students (30 young women and 30 young men) was 18.50±0.25 years. The authors analyzed correlation of daily cortisol rhythm with lipoproteins and blood serum glucose indicators. Results. The chronoeffects of evening cortisol (6 p.m.) and daily cortisol level influenced lipid blood fractions in students in both ethnic groups, however, with the opposite effect. In Indian students, cortisol chronoeffect was mainly resulted in accumulation of atherogenic fractions, while in local students – in utilization of such fractions. These opposite processes can be regarded as different phases of the same adaptive energy supply reorganization, when the body starts consuming energy from fatty acids, and activates cholesterol-dependent plastic processes with the photoperiod (autumn-winter) changes. The greatest influence on carbohydrate metabolism was exerted by the daily cortisol level and reactivity, i.e. the rate of change in its plasma concentration. As an additional energy substrate, the young women demonstrated stimulated glucose disposal and young men demonstrated glucose production. The reactivity of the diurnal cortisol rhythm was statistically significantly higher in foreign students, which indicates a reactive adaptive restructuring of regulatory mechanisms. Keywords: students, lipoproteins, adaptation, cortisol, circadian rhythm. Иностранные студенты, обучающиеся в Кыргызстане, в основном прибывают из стран Юго-Восточной Азии, и им предстоит адаптироваться к условиям жизни в новой климатической (географической), социокультурной, образовательной среде, отличной от прежней. Поэтому вызывает интерес исследование у студентов хроноструктурных особенностей гормональной регуляции липидного и углеводного обменов как основной части метаболического баланса организма. Цель: определение хроноструктурных особенностей регуляции липидного и углеводного обменов гормонами коркового слоя надпочечников у иностранных и местных студентов на начальном этапе обучения в вузах Кыргызстана. Материалы и методы. В исследование были включены 120 студентов. Средний возраст индийских студентов (30 девушек, 30 юношей) составил 19,45±0,24 года; местных студентов (30 девушек, 30 юношей) – 18,50±0,25 года. Проанализированы корреляционные связи показателей дневного ритма кортизола с липопротеинами и глюкозой сыворотки крови. Результаты. Хроноэффекты вечернего кортизола (1800) и суточная масса кортизола были наиболее значительными на липидных фракциях крови студентов в обеих этнических группах с противоположным действием. У индийских студентов все хроноэффекты кортизола были преимущественно направлены на накопление атерогенных фракций, у местных – на их утилизацию. Эти противоположные процессы можно расценивать как разные фазы одной и той же адаптационной перестройки организма в энергообеспечении при переходе на богатые жирными кислотами источники энергии, а также в активации холестеринзависимых пластических процессов в условиях измененного фотопериода (осень-зима). Наибольшее влияние на углеводный обмен оказывали дневная масса кортизола и реактивность – скорость изменения его концентрации в плазме, под влиянием которых у девушек наблюдалось стимулирование утилизации глюкозы, а у юношей – продукция глюкозы в качестве дополнительного энергетического субстрата. Реактивность дневного ритма кортизола была статистически значимо выше у иностранных студентов, что свидетельствует о реактивной адаптационной перестройке механизмов регуляции. Ключевые слова: студенты, липопротеины, адаптация, кортизол, суточный ритм.


2017 ◽  
Vol 26 (1) ◽  
pp. 97
Author(s):  
Monika Übner ◽  
Kandela Õun ◽  
Merle Mägi

In 2013/2014, a study on students’ health behaviour was conducted in Estonia. In 2016, a school-aged children’s lifestyle study was carried out in Pärnu City and Pärnu County. The survey explored the students’ relations with their family and friends, family affluence, physical activity, use of alcohol, tobacco, and cannabis. 2,512 respondents participated in the study, 48% of them were boys and 52% girls. The respondents mainly had a family with two biological parents and their family financial status was mostly “good”. About half of the respondents played computer games 0.5–3 hours a day, but those who were physically active spent less hours behind the computer and had higher family financial status. Respondents who were not physically very active met friends less frequently. In communication with friends, they used more social media. The questionnaire included several questions about risk behaviours. If the respondent had one bad habit, this was likely to lead to other bad habits, too.


2009 ◽  
Vol 46 (1) ◽  
pp. 27-44 ◽  
Author(s):  
Peter Kelly ◽  
Christopher Hickey

In this article we discuss the ways in which the professional identity of Australian Football League (AFL) footballers — in a physical, high body contact sport — is shaped by concerns to develop different aspects of the body, mind and soul of the young men who want to become AFL footballers. Drawing on Michel Foucault’s later work on the care of the self we argue that narratives of identity necessarily involve a struggle for the body, mind and soul of these young men. Foucault’s work enables us to identify and analyse how relations of power, forms of regulation and arts of governing interact in ongoing attempts to develop the professional footballer. The article explores these issues via an analysis of the rationalities and techniques that inform talent identification and player management practices; and risk management in relation to these practices and processes in the AFL.


2021 ◽  
Vol 22 (1) ◽  
pp. 38-42
Author(s):  
Yu. Vinnik ◽  
А. V. Kuzmenko ◽  
А. А. Amelchenko

Introduction. Chronic prostatitis is the most common androurological disease affecting mainly young and middle-aged men. The variety of pathogenetic mechanisms and clinical manifestations, the tendency to recurrence necessitate the search for new methods of examination and monitoring of this disease. This can be facilitated by the study of bioimpedance parameters in patients with chronic prostatitis.Purpose of the study. To identify bioimpedance and clinical features of the manifestations of chronic non-bacterial prostatitis with an inflammatory component (CNPIC) in young men.Materials and methods. In the period from 2018 to 2020, on the basis of Krasnoyarsk Interdistrict Clinical Hospital No 4, a comprehensive survey of 80 men with CNPIC of the first period of adulthood from 22 to 35 years was conducted using valid questionnaires. Bioimpedansometry was carried out using a complex KM-AR-01, grade “DIAMANT-AIST mini”.Results. Pain predominates in the clinical picture of CNPIC, dysuric disorders are less pronounced. The examined men had pronounced deviations of the component composition of the body due to an increase in fat mass and extracellular fluid volume, which, due to common pathogenetic mechanisms, can support chronic inflammation and influence treatment outcomes.Conclusion. Bioimpedansometry can be a promising method in complex diagnostics and subsequent objective monitoring of the course of CNPIC.


PLoS ONE ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 16 (9) ◽  
pp. e0256872
Author(s):  
Elin Spege ◽  
Kristina Ek ◽  
Stefan Söderberg ◽  
Mats Eliasson

Background The Västerbotten intervention program (VIP), is a public health promotion program in northern Sweden with the aim of preventing cardiovascular disease. Positive effects have been reported although the evidence is not unequivocal. Since only historical controls have been used, effects from other sources than the program have largely been uncontrolled for and health related quality of life (HRQoL) has not been evaluated. Purpose By using the neighbouring county of Norrbotten (NB) as the reference population, we compare HRQoL in Västerbotten (VB) and in NB. Methods In 2014 the Northern Sweden survey, Monitoring of Trends and Determinants in Cardiovascular Disease (MONICA), examined a random sample from the two counties. HRQoL was measured with the EQ-5D-3L. In total, 1112 subjects aged 40–74 years participated, 516 in VB and 594 in NB. Differences in mean QoL between VB and NB were analysed via Student’s t-test and the Pearson chi-square test. Results Average HRQoL measured by the EQ-5D-index was 0.798 in VB and 0.811 in NB, a difference of 0.013 (p = 0.2, CI -0.009 to 0.036). For subjects aged 45–54 years, the HRQoL was lower in VB than in NB, a difference of 0.048 (p = 0.041; CI 0.002 to 0.0094). Men had higher HRQoL than women, and university educated had higher HRQoL than those without university education. EQ-VAS showed similar results. Subjects from NB and from VB did not differ regarding age, gender and level of education. In NB, HRQoL decrease with age, a pattern not seen in VB. Conclusions We found similar levels of HRQoL in VB and in NB.


2021 ◽  
Vol 14 (1) ◽  
pp. 104-115
Author(s):  
Jeff Hearn

In this contribution, I consider some appreciative links and qualified connections between Raewyn Connell’s work and my own. In particular, I use the example of sport, a key area in the making of boys and young men in many parts of the world, with special reference to body, practice, and theoretical and empirical conceptualizations of masculinity.


2022 ◽  
pp. 249-268
Author(s):  
Minda M. B. Marshall ◽  
Marinda Marshall

This chapter foregrounds an online gamified visual intelligence innovation (eyebraingym) developed to enhance visual processing skills, improve memory and vocabulary, and increase reading fluency. The explicit aim of the innovation is to improve comprehension towards visual intelligence. Ninety-eight Grade 8 learners at a South African Boy's School completed their online development during the 2021 academic year. These learners were part of a group of students participating in a whole school reading and literacy intervention program. The innovation is an integral part of this ongoing project. Their interaction with the innovation consists of 15 sessions completed once or twice a week for 20 – 40 minutes over five months. The results of the project are positive. It shows that most participating students improved their perceptual development and reading speed (VPF) and cognitive development and comprehension skills (CDF). In addition, these outcomes transferred to improved relative efficiency when working with information (AIUF).


2020 ◽  
Vol 8 (2) ◽  
pp. 279-309
Author(s):  
Antonia Kokkoliou

Abstract During a rescue excavation a section of a cemetery dated between the Geometric and Hellenistic periods came to light, approximately 300 metres away from the archaeological site of the Kerameikos, along the ancient road that linked the route of the Dēmosion Sēma with the road that passed through the so-called ‘Ēriai’ Gate, and near the Sanctuary of Artemis Aristē and Callistē. Of the 91 graves that were unearthed, two are of particular interest. This paper offers an in-depth discussion of Grave 48, dated to 470-50 BC, which belongs to a boy aged between ten and thirteen years. The grave contains lekythoi, a strigil, a lyre and an aulos, deposited as grave goods next to his left arm. The grave goods that characterize the life of the dead are buried along with the body and symbolize their unlived future: hence they express the unbounded grief which the death of unmarried young men inevitably causes. The paper attempts to analyse the grave goods as symbols of the life of the deceased, and interpret the presence of the lyre in children’s graves.


2015 ◽  
Vol 2015 ◽  
pp. 1-5 ◽  
Author(s):  
Wai Yip Vincent Mak ◽  
Wai Keung Christopher Lai

Background. Performing resistance exercise could lead to an increase in arterial stiffness.Objective. We investigate the acute effect on arterial stiffness by performing Valsalva manoeuvre during resistance exercise.Materials and Methods. Eighteen healthy young men were assigned to perform bicep curls by using two breathing techniques (exhalation and Valsalva manoeuvre during muscle contraction) on two separate study days. Carotid pulsed wave velocity (cPWV) was measured as an indicator to reflect the body central arterial stiffness using a high-resolution ultrasound system, and its value was monitored repeatedly at three predefined time intervals: before resistance exercise, immediately after exercise, and 15 minutes after exercise.Results. At the 0th minute after resistance exercise was performed using the Valsalva manoeuvre during exertion, a significant increase in cPWV (4.91 m/s ± 0.52) compared with the baseline value (4.67 m/s ± 0.32,P=0.008) was observed, and then it nearly returned to its baseline value at the 15th minute after exercise (4.66 m/s ± 0.44,P=0.010). These findings persisted after adjusting for age, body mass index, and systolic blood pressure.Conclusion. Our result suggests short duration of resistance exercise may provoke a transient increase in central arterial stiffness in healthy young men.


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