Health Behaviors of Austrian Secondary Level Pupils at a Glance: First Results of the From Science 2 School Study Focusing on Sports Linked to Mixed, Vegetarian, and Vegan Diets

Attaining healthy behaviors is essential at any life stage, particularly childhood, due to the strong link between children’s lifestyle and the subsequent adult state of health. This multidisciplinary study aimed to assess lifestyle behaviors of Austrian pupils of secondary schools I and II, with a specific focus on PA habits and diet types based on a large sample. In total, 8845 children/adolescents participated in the short standardized online survey on relevant health-related aspects nationwide. Valid and complete data was provided by 8799 pupils, including 1.14% of the eligible 771,525; 63% girls, 76% having a normal body weight, 70% attending secondary schools II, and more pupils/students living in rural vs. urban areas (3:1 ratio). Across the total sample, 11.8% were considered overweight/obese with a higher prevalence of overweight/obesity in boys than girls (15.5% vs. 9.6%) and urban vs. rural participants (13.9% vs. 10.8%; p < 0.05). The majority of participants (84.5%) reported a mixed diet, while 7.2% and 8.5% reported a vegan and vegetarian diet, respectively. Vegans reported a lesser alcohol intake (p < 0.05) compared to non-vegan pupils (no difference in dietary subgroups for smoking). Although overall PA and dietary behaviors suggest an appropriate health status among Austrian youth, attention should be focused on policies to increase healthy lifestyle habits at best through a dual approach to health permanently combining regular PA, sports, and exercise with a healthy diet, which would contribute to matching the current recommendations for improving individual and public health.

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Individual-Level Determinants of Lifestyle Behavioral Changes during COVID-19 Lockdown in the United States: Results of an Online Survey

International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health ◽

10.3390/ijerph18084364 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 18 (8) ◽

pp. 4364

Author(s):

Xiaotao Zhang ◽

Abiodun Oluyomi ◽

LeChauncy Woodard ◽

Syed Ahsan Raza ◽

Maral Adel Fahmideh ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Physical Activity ◽

Alcohol Use ◽

Online Survey ◽

Healthy Lifestyle ◽

The United States ◽

Lifestyle Changes ◽

Lifestyle Behaviors ◽

Individual Level ◽

Diet And Physical Activity ◽

Healthy Lifestyle Behaviors

This study examined individual-level determinants of self-reported changes in healthy (diet and physical activity) and addictive (alcohol use, smoking, and vaping) lifestyle behaviors during the initial COVID-19 lockdown period in the USA. A national online survey was administered between May and June 2020 that targeted a representative U.S. sample and yielded data from 1276 respondents, including 58% male and 50% racial/ethnic minorities. We used univariate and multivariable linear regression models to examine the associations of sociodemographic, mental health, and behavioral determinants with self-reported changes in lifestyle behaviors. Some study participants reported increases in healthy lifestyle behaviors since the pandemic (i.e., 36% increased healthy eating behaviors, and 33% increased physical activity). However, they also reported increases in addictive lifestyle behaviors including alcohol use (40%), tobacco use (41%), and vaping (46%). With regard to individual-level determinants, individuals who reported adhering to social distancing guidelines were also more likely to report increases in healthy lifestyle behaviors (β = 0.12, 95% CI 0.04 to 0.21). Conversely, women (β = −0.37, 95% CI −0.62 to −0.12), and unemployed individuals (β = −0.33, 95% CI −0.64 to −0.02) were less likely to report increases in healthy lifestyle behaviors. In addition, individuals reporting anxiety were more likely to report increases in addictive behaviors (β = 0.26, 95% CI 0.09 to 0.43). Taken together, these findings suggest that women and unemployed individuals may benefit from interventions targeting diet and physical activity, and that individuals reporting anxiety may benefit from interventions targeting smoking and alcohol cessation to address lifestyle changes during the pandemic.

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Evaluating the Wizards of Motion Cardiovascular Disease Prevention Module

The Journal of School Nursing ◽

10.1177/1059840517709074 ◽

2017 ◽

Vol 34 (5) ◽

pp. 350-358

Author(s):

William J. Montelpare ◽

Moira N. McPherson ◽

Kimberly Boardman ◽

Carlos E. Zerpa

Keyword(s):

Cardiovascular Disease ◽

Disease Prevention ◽

Healthy Lifestyle ◽

Intervention Group ◽

Cardiovascular Disease Prevention ◽

Lifestyle Behaviors ◽

Control Groups ◽

Healthy Behaviors ◽

Knowledge And Attitudes ◽

Grade 5

This study evaluated the level of change in students’ knowledge of and attitudes toward healthy lifestyle behaviors and prevention of cardiovascular disease (CVD) following implementation of a Cardiovascular Disease Prevention Module in Grade 5 science classes. Two classes of students ( n1 = 39) were identified as the intervention group and two classes ( n2 = 31) were designated as controls. The intervention group participated in the module initially, whereas the control groups participated after the data collection was completed. A two-group, pre–post comparison design was used to evaluate results on both a knowledge test and an attitude questionnaire. The results indicated that although both the intervention and the control groups began with similar knowledge and attitudes toward CVD and healthy behaviors, the intervention group demonstrated an improved level of knowledge and attitudes. Further research is needed to determine whether this CVD module could provide a sustained impact on adoption of healthy behaviors among adolescents.

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A Digital Intervention for Australian Adolescents Above a Healthy Weight (Health Online for Teens): Protocol for an Implementation and User Experience Study

JMIR Research Protocols ◽

10.2196/13340 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 8 (10) ◽

pp. e13340

Author(s):

Carly Jane Moores ◽

Anthony Maeder ◽

Jacqueline Miller ◽

Ivanka Prichard ◽

Lucy Kate Lewis ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Physical Activity ◽

Behavior Change ◽

User Experience ◽

Healthy Lifestyle ◽

Life Stage ◽

Well Being ◽

Trial Registration ◽

Lifestyle Behaviors ◽

Healthy Weight ◽

Lifestyle Behavior

Background More than one-fourth of Australian adolescents are overweight or obese, with obesity in adolescents strongly persisting into adulthood. Recent evidence suggests that the mid-teen years present a final window of opportunity to prevent irreversible damage to the cardiovascular system. As lifestyle behaviors may change with increased autonomy during adolescence, this life stage is an ideal time to intervene and promote healthy eating and physical activity behaviors, well-being, and self-esteem. As teenagers are prolific users and innate adopters of new technologies, app-based programs may be suitable for the promotion of healthy lifestyle behaviors and goal setting training. Objective This study aims to explore the reach, engagement, user experience, and satisfaction of the new app-based and Web-based Health Online for Teens (HOT) program in a sample of Australian adolescents above a healthy weight (ie, overweight or obese) and their parents. Methods HOT is a 14-week program for adolescents and their parents. The program is delivered online through the Moodle app–based and website-based learning environment and aims to promote adolescents’ lifestyle behavior change in line with Australian Dietary Guidelines and Australia’s Physical Activity and Sedentary Behaviour Guidelines for Young People (aged 13-17 years). HOT aims to build parental and peer support during the program to support adolescents with healthy lifestyle behavior change. Results Data collection for this study is ongoing. To date, 35 adolescents and their parents have participated in one of 3 groups. Conclusions HOT is a new online-only program for Australian adolescents and their parents that aims to reduce cardiovascular disease risk factors. This protocol paper describes the HOT program in detail, along with the methods to measure reach, outcomes, engagement, user experiences, and program satisfaction. Trial Registration Australian New Zealand Clinical Trials Registry ACTRN12618000465257; https://www.anzctr.org.au/Trial/Registration/TrialReview.aspx?id=374771 International Registered Report Identifier (IRRID) DERR1-10.2196/13340

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The Association of Lifestyle Factors and ADHD in Children

Journal of Attention Disorders ◽

10.1177/1087054716646452 ◽

2016 ◽

Vol 24 (11) ◽

pp. 1511-1520 ◽

Cited By ~ 7

Author(s):

Kathleen F. Holton ◽

Joel T. Nigg

Keyword(s):

Healthy Lifestyle ◽

Future Research ◽

Lifestyle Behaviors ◽

Typically Developing ◽

Healthy Behaviors ◽

Supplement Use ◽

Multivitamin Supplement ◽

Ordered Logistic Regression ◽

Healthy Lifestyle Behaviors ◽

Lifestyle Questionnaire

Objective: The objective of the study is to examine whether children aged 7 to 11 years with very well-characterized ADHD, recruited from the community, have a similar number of healthy lifestyle behaviors as compared with typically developing children from the same community. Method: Parents of children with ( n = 184) and without ( n = 104) ADHD completed a lifestyle questionnaire asking about water intake, sweetened beverage consumption, multivitamin/supplement use, reading, screen time, physical activity, and sleep. A lifestyle index was formed from these seven domains (0-7), and multivariable ordered logistic regression was used to examine the association of ADHD status and total healthy lifestyle behaviors. Results: Children with ADHD were almost twice as likely to have fewer healthy behaviors, even after adjustment for age, sex, intelligence quotient (IQ), ADHD medication use, household income, and four comorbid psychiatric disorders (odds ratio [OR] [95% confidence interval] = 1.95 [1.16, 3.30], p = .01). Conclusion: Future research is needed to assess the effects of a combined lifestyle intervention in this group.

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A Digital Intervention for Australian Adolescents Above a Healthy Weight (Health Online for Teens): Protocol for an Implementation and User Experience Study (Preprint)

10.2196/preprints.13340 ◽

2019 ◽

Author(s):

Carly Jane Moores ◽

Anthony Maeder ◽

Jacqueline Miller ◽

Ivanka Prichard ◽

Lucy Kate Lewis ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Physical Activity ◽

Behavior Change ◽

User Experience ◽

Healthy Lifestyle ◽

Disease Risk ◽

Life Stage ◽

Well Being ◽

Lifestyle Behaviors ◽

Healthy Weight ◽

Lifestyle Behavior

BACKGROUND More than one-fourth of Australian adolescents are overweight or obese, with obesity in adolescents strongly persisting into adulthood. Recent evidence suggests that the mid-teen years present a final window of opportunity to prevent irreversible damage to the cardiovascular system. As lifestyle behaviors may change with increased autonomy during adolescence, this life stage is an ideal time to intervene and promote healthy eating and physical activity behaviors, well-being, and self-esteem. As teenagers are prolific users and innate adopters of new technologies, app-based programs may be suitable for the promotion of healthy lifestyle behaviors and goal setting training. OBJECTIVE This study aims to explore the reach, engagement, user experience, and satisfaction of the new app-based and Web-based Health Online for Teens (HOT) program in a sample of Australian adolescents above a healthy weight (ie, overweight or obese) and their parents. METHODS HOT is a 14-week program for adolescents and their parents. The program is delivered online through the Moodle app–based and website-based learning environment and aims to promote adolescents’ lifestyle behavior change in line with Australian Dietary Guidelines and Australia’s Physical Activity and Sedentary Behaviour Guidelines for Young People (aged 13-17 years). HOT aims to build parental and peer support during the program to support adolescents with healthy lifestyle behavior change. RESULTS Data collection for this study is ongoing. To date, 35 adolescents and their parents have participated in one of 3 groups. CONCLUSIONS HOT is a new online-only program for Australian adolescents and their parents that aims to reduce cardiovascular disease risk factors. This protocol paper describes the HOT program in detail, along with the methods to measure reach, outcomes, engagement, user experiences, and program satisfaction. CLINICALTRIAL Australian New Zealand Clinical Trials Registry ACTRN12618000465257; https://www.anzctr.org.au/Trial/Registration/TrialReview.aspx?id=374771 INTERNATIONAL REGISTERED REPORT DERR1-10.2196/13340

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The Relationship between Psychological Stress and Healthy Lifestyle Behaviors during COVID-19 among Students in a US Midwest University

International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health ◽

10.3390/ijerph18094752 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 18 (9) ◽

pp. 4752

Author(s):

Terence Moriarty ◽

Kelsey Bourbeau ◽

Fabio Fontana ◽

Scott McNamara ◽

Michael Pereira da Silva

Keyword(s):

College Students ◽

Psychological Stress ◽

Perceived Stress ◽

Social Connectedness ◽

Online Survey ◽

Healthy Lifestyle ◽

Annual Income ◽

Lifestyle Behaviors ◽

The Relationship ◽

Stress And Health

The gripping coronavirus disease (COVID-19) has imposed dramatic changes to many areas of daily living in all sectors of society across the world. We examined the relationship between perceived stress and health behaviors among college students during the COVID-19 pandemic. An online survey with measures of psychological stress, physical activity and exercise, and sleep and social connectedness was distributed in June and July of 2020. The survey was completed by 550 college students (mean age: 21.3 ± 3.8 years, 74.2% female, 94.4% Caucasian). Being female and unemployed and having a lower annual income were significantly associated with higher levels of stress. In addition, regression analysis found that reduced exercise and sleep during the COVID-19 pandemic significantly predicted the levels of stress of participants after controlling for gender, employment status, and annual income. University officials should aim to implement health-promotion strategies directed at preventing reductions in exercise and sleep duration, especially in those at greater risk of increased perceived stress such as females and economically disadvantaged students.

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Perceived Facilitators and Barriers to Nigerian Nurses’ Engagement in Health Promoting Behaviors: A Socio-Ecological Model Approach

International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health ◽

10.3390/ijerph17041314 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 17 (4) ◽

pp. 1314

Author(s):

Chinenye Uchendu ◽

Richard Windle ◽

Holly Blake

Keyword(s):

Ecological Model ◽

Healthy Lifestyle ◽

Healthcare Providers ◽

Lifestyle Behaviors ◽

Structured Interviews ◽

Related Factors ◽

Health Promoting Behaviors ◽

Healthy Behaviors ◽

Health Promoting ◽

Facilitators And Barriers

Nurses make up the single largest healthcare professional group in the Nigerian healthcare system. As frontline healthcare providers, they promote healthy lifestyles to patients and families. However, the determinants of Nigerian nurses’ personal health promoting behaviors (HPBs) remain unknown. Utilizing the socio-ecological model (SEM) approach, this study aimed to explore the perceived facilitators and barriers to Nigerian nurses’ engagement in HPBs. HPBs were operationalized to comprise of healthy dietary behaviors, engagement in physical activity, low-risk alcohol consumption, and non-smoking behaviors. Our study was carried out in a large sub-urban tertiary health facility in Nigeria. Data collection was via face-to-face semi-structured interviews and participants were registered nurses (n = 18). Interview data were transcribed verbatim and analyzed thematically to produce nine themes that were mapped onto corresponding levels of influence on the SEM. Findings show that in Nigeria, nurses perceive there to be a lack of organizational and policy level initiatives and interventions to facilitate their engagement in HPBs. The determinants of Nigerian nurses’ HPBs span across all five levels of the SEM. Nurses perceived more barriers to healthy lifestyle behaviors than facilitators. Engagement in healthy behaviors was heavily influenced by: societal and organizational infrastructure and perceived value for public health; job-related factors such as occupational stress, high workload, lack of protected breaks, and shift-work; cultural and religious beliefs; financial issues; and health-related knowledge. Organizations should provide facilities and services to support healthy lifestyle choices in Nigeria nurses. Government policies should prioritize the promotion of health through the workplace setting, by advocating the development, implementation, regulation, and monitoring of healthy lifestyle policies.

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Concurrent Associations between Physical Activity, Screen Time, and Sleep Duration with Childhood Obesity

ISRN Obesity ◽

10.1155/2014/204540 ◽

2014 ◽

Vol 2014 ◽

pp. 1-6 ◽

Cited By ~ 29

Author(s):

Kelly R. Laurson ◽

Joey A. Lee ◽

Douglas A. Gentile ◽

David A. Walsh ◽

Joey C. Eisenmann

Keyword(s):

Physical Activity ◽

Childhood Obesity ◽

Sleep Duration ◽

Screen Time ◽

Healthy Lifestyle ◽

Total Sample ◽

Lifestyle Behaviors ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Healthy Lifestyle Behaviors ◽

Simultaneous Influence

Aim. To examine the simultaneous influence of physical activity, screen time, and sleep duration recommendations on the odds of childhood obesity (including overweight). Methods. Physical activity was assessed via pedometer and screen time, and sleep duration were assessed via survey in a cross sectional sample of 674 children (aged 7–12 years) from two Midwestern communities in the fall of 2005. Participants were cross tabulated into four groups depending on how many recommendations were being met (0, 1, 2, or all 3). Linear and logistic regression were used to examine the influence of physical activity, screen time and sleep duration on obesity and interactions among the three variables. Results. Children achieving all three recommendations simultaneously (9.2% of total sample) were the least likely to be obese. Approximately 16% of boys and 9% of girls achieving all recommendations were overweight or obese compared to 53% of boys and 42.5% of girls not achieving any. Conclusions. The odds of obesity increased in a graded manner for each recommendation which was not met. Meeting all three recommendations appears to have a protective effect against obesity. Continued efforts are warranted to promote healthy lifestyle behaviors that include meeting physical activity, screen time, and sleep duration recommendations concurrently.

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PERBEDAAN PENGETAHUAN PERILAKU HIDUP BERSIH DAN SEHAT SEBELUM DAN SESUDAH PENYULUHAN

Jurnal Kesehatan ◽

10.38165/jk.v5i2.176 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 5 (2) ◽

pp. 583-588

Author(s):

Imroatul Azizah ◽

Herlinawati Herlinawati

Keyword(s):

Healthy Lifestyle ◽

Analytical Techniques ◽

Sixth Grade ◽

Total Sample ◽

T Test ◽

School Age Children ◽

Experimental Program ◽

P Value ◽

Lifestyle Behaviors ◽

School Students

Laporan hasil pendataan PHBS tatanan sekolah tahun 2012 memperlihatkan bahwa anak usia Sekolah Dasar di SDN 1 Watubelah Kabupaten Cirebon belum memiliki kebiasaan yang menunjuk perilaku hidup bersih dan sehat. Sedangkan dari pihak puskesmas sudah dilakukan penyuluhan setiap tahunnya disekolah-sekolah namun hasil dari penerapannya pada siswa disekolah masih kurang. Tujuan penelitian ini adalah untuk mengetahui perbedaan pengetahuan perilaku hidup bersih dan sehat sebelum dan sesudah penyuluhan pada siswa kelas VI di SDN 1 Watubelah Kabupaten Cirebon Tahun 2013. penelitian ini menggunakan metode pra experimen design dengan pendekatan one group pretest posttest dalam rancangan ini tidak ada kelompok pembanding (kontrol), tetapi paling tidak sudah dilakukan observasi pertama (pretest) yang memungkinkan menguji perubahan-perubahan yang terjadi setelah adanya eksperimen (program). Jumlah sampel sebanyak 30 dengan menggunakan total sampling. Data diperoleh melalui kuesioner dengan wawancara. Teknik analisis penelitian ini menggunakan teknik analisis perbedaan dua perlakuan dengan uji T. Untuk pengetahuan perilaku hidup bersih siswa sebelum diberikan penyuluhan adalah pada kategori baik yaitu sebanyak 20 responden (66,7%). Kemudian hasil penelitian yang menunjukan bahwa pengetahuan perilaku hidup bersih dan sehat siswa sesudah diberikan penyuluhan dalam kategori baik yaitu sebanyak 27 responden (90,0%) Hasil pengujian hipotesis di peroleh nilai T (T test) 2.249 dan nilai sig. (p-Value) 0,032.Kata Kunci : Pengetahuan, perilaku hidup bersih dan sehat ABSTRACTReport school survey results PHBS order in 2012 showed that elementary school-age children in SDN 1 Watubelah Cirebon has a habit of pointing yet clean and healthy lifestyle behaviors. While the parties have conducted outreach clinic every year in schools, but the results of its application to the school students are still lacking. The purpose of this study was to determine differences in knowledge of healthy living behaviors before and after counseling on sixth grade students at SDN 1 Watubelah Cirebon in 2013. This study uses a pre-experimental design with one-group pretest-posttest approach in this design there is no comparison group (controls), but at least we have made the first observation (pretest) that allows to test the changes that occurred after the experimental (program). The total sample of 30 by using the total sampling. Data were obtained through a questionnaires with interview. this analysis technique using two different analytical techniques to test treatment T. To the knowledge of hygienic behavior of students before giving information on both categories are as many as 20 respondents (66.7%). Then the results of the study showed that knowledge of clean and healthy lifestyle after given counseling students in both categories as many as 27 respondents (90.0%) in the hypothesis testing results obtained values T (T test) and 2,249 sig. (P-value) of 0.032. Keywords : Knowledge, clean and healthy lifestyle

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Are Health Literacy and Lifestyle of Undergraduates Related to the Educational Field? An Italian Survey

International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health ◽

10.3390/ijerph17186654 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 17 (18) ◽

pp. 6654

Author(s):

Francesca Gallè ◽

Patrizia Calella ◽

Christian Napoli ◽

Fabrizio Liguori ◽

Eduardo Alfonso Parisi ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Health Literacy ◽

Assessment Tool ◽

Healthy Lifestyle ◽

Total Sample ◽

Activity Levels ◽

Literacy Assessment ◽

Healthy Behaviors ◽

Health And Illness ◽

Newest Vital Sign ◽

Educational Field

Background: Health literacy (HL) is a fundamental ability to successfully deal with health and illness issues. This study aimed to assess HL among undergraduates from healthcare and non-healthcare degree courses of two Italian universities and the association between their HL, lifestyles, and BMI assumed as health outcome. Methods: The Health Literacy Assessment Tool (HLAT-8) and the Newest Vital Sign (NVS) were used to assess health literacy dimensions. Demographic and anthropometric data, adherence to Mediterranean diet (MD), physical activity levels, and smoking habits were assessed in the enrolled sample to highlight possible associations. Results: A total sample of 806 undergraduates (46% males, mean age 21.01 ± 1.78 years) was recruited. Higher HL scores were found among healthcare rather than non-healthcare students (28.7 ± 4.5 vs. 26.7 ± 4.2 for HLAT-8 and 4.9 ± 1.5 vs. 3.9 ± 1.8 for NVS, p < 0.01). However, healthcare undergraduates were more likely to report unhealthy behaviors. Body Mass Index (BMI) was associated with literacy and numeracy skills only in non-healthcare undergraduates. Significant associations were found between HL scores and adherence to MD in both groups. In the regression analysis, educational field and MD were shown to be predictors of HL scores. Conclusions: Attending a healthcare related degree course was associated with higher HL scores but not with healthy behaviors. This issue should be addressed considering the role that healthcare professionals may have in educating patients towards a healthy lifestyle. Adherence to MD seems to be related to higher HL scores.

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