scholarly journals Lifestyle, body mass index and wellness in youth: Strengthens and weakness in Italian youth

2019 ◽  
Vol 7 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Dina Di Giacomo ◽  
Jessica Ranieri ◽  
Fabiana Fiasca ◽  
Antonella Mattei
Keyword(s):  
Body Mass Index ◽  
Body Mass ◽  
Sexual Behaviors ◽  
Online Survey ◽  
Adult Population ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Self Report ◽  
Adolescent And Young Adult ◽  
Psychological Characteristics ◽  
Body Perception

This study investigated the psychological wellbeing and body perception among young Italian people. Drinking, eating, and sexual behaviors have been examined in relation to body mass index (BMI) and psychological well-being by EPOCH framework. This was a cross-sectional observational study conducted on Italian adolescent and young adult population through an online survey. Qualitative and quantitative data on lifestyle, BMI classes, and psychological characteristics of wellness in youth were obtained from a sample of 1221 Italian participants using a self-report questionnaire on body perception and habits, a socio-demographics inventory, and the EPOCH measure. Findings suggest that being underweight or overweight is associated with various factors, including gender, self-control regarding food, perception of one’s body, and the happiness domain. EPOCH framework revealed the psychological wellness of girls and young women did not seem strongly affected by BMI, though Perseverance and Happiness seemed reduced with increasing BMI. The Engagement, Optimism, and Connectedness domains were not significantly affected by the BMI variable. On the contrary, Perseverance and Happiness seemed reduced with increasing BMI and were related to physical shape. Our study offers a new perspective: promoting the development of positive psychological characteristics since adolescence to boost quality of life by improving wellness, by EPOCH approach could be functional reinforcing specific psychological aspects in young generations regarding future wellness, improving the positive perception and management of their own health.

scholarly journals Lifestyle Changes and Body Mass Index during COVID-19 Pandemic Lockdown: An Italian Online-Survey

Nutrients ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (4) ◽  
pp. 1117
Author(s):  
Silvia Maffoni ◽  
Silvia Brazzo ◽  
Rachele De Giuseppe ◽  
Ginevra Biino ◽  
Ilaria Vietti ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Body Mass Index ◽  
Body Mass ◽  
Online Survey ◽  
Negative Impact ◽  
Phase 1 ◽  
Adult Population ◽  
Lifestyle Changes ◽  
Eating Behaviours ◽  
Public Health Services ◽  
Activity Frequency

Background. COVID-19 pandemic has imposed a period of contingency measures, including total or partial lockdowns all over the world leading to several changes in lifestyle/eating behaviours. This retrospective cohort study aimed at investigating Italian adult population lifestyle changes during COVID-19 pandemic “Phase 1” lockdown (8 March–4 May 2020) and discriminate between positive and negative changes and BMI (body mass index) variations (ΔBMI). Methods. A multiple-choice web-form survey was used to collect retrospective data regarding lifestyle/eating behaviours during “Phase 1” in the Italian adult population. According to changes in lifestyle/eating behaviours, the sample was divided into three classes of changes: “negative change”, “no change”, “positive change”. For each class, correlations with ΔBMI were investigated. Results. Data were collected from 1304 subjects (973F/331M). Mean ΔBMI differed significantly (p < 0.001) between classes, and was significantly related to water intake, alcohol consumption, physical activity, frequency of “craving or snacking between meals”, dessert/sweets consumption at lunch. Conclusions. During “Phase 1”, many people faced several negative changes in lifestyle/eating behaviours with potential negative impact on health. These findings highlight that pandemic exacerbates nutritional issues and most efforts need to be done to provide nutrition counselling and public health services to support general population needs.

scholarly journals Accuracy of self-reported height, weight and BMI in a multiethnic Asian population

2021 ◽  
Vol 50 (4) ◽  
pp. 306-314
Author(s):  
Kumarasan Roystonn ◽  
Edimansyah Abdin ◽  
Rajeswari Sambasivam ◽  
Yunjue Zhang ◽  
Sherilyn Chang ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Body Mass Index ◽  
Body Mass ◽  
Adult Population ◽  
Asian Population ◽  
Epidemiological Survey ◽  
Self Report ◽  
Obesity Prevalence ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Intraclass Correlations ◽  
Kappa Agreement

Introduction: The study assessed whether self-reported height, weight and derived body mass index (BMI) can provide an accurate measure of anthropometric data in a multiethnic adult population in Singapore. Methods: Standardised anthropometric measurements were compared against the self-reported values from 5,132 adult residents in a cross-sectional, epidemiological survey. Discrepancies in self-reports from measurements were examined by comparing overall mean differences. Intraclass correlations, Cohen’s kappa and Bland-Altman plots with limits of agreement, and sub-analysis by sex and ethnicity were also explored. Results: Data were obtained from 5,132 respondents. The mean age of respondents was 43.9 years. Overall, the height was overestimated (0.2cm), while there was an underestimation of weight (0.8kg) and derived BMI (0.4kg/m2). Women had a larger discrepancy in height (0.35cm, 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.22 to 0.49), weight (-0.95kg, 95% CI -1.11 to -0.79) and BMI (-0.49kg/m2, 95% CI -0.57 to -0.41) compared with men. Height reporting bias was highest among Indians (0.28cm, 95% CI 0.12 to 0.44) compared with Chinese and Malays, while weight (-1.32kg, 95% CI -1.53 to -1.11) and derived BMI (-0.57kg/m2, 95% CI -0.67 to -0.47) showed higher degrees of underreporting among Malays compared with Chinese and Indians. Substantially high self-reported versus measured values were obtained for intraclass correlations (0.96–0.99, P<0.001) and kappa (0.74). For BMI categories, good to excellent kappa agreement was observed (0.68–0.81, P<0.0001). Conclusion: Self-reported anthropometric estimates can be used, particularly in large epidemiological studies. However, sufficient care is needed when evaluating data from Indians, Malays and women as there is likely an underestimation of obesity prevalence. Keywords: Body mass index, epidemiology, public health, self-report, validity

Body mass index, self-esteem and weight contentment from adolescence to young adulthood and women’s risk for sexually transmitted disease

Sexual Health ◽  
2014 ◽  
Vol 11 (6) ◽  
pp. 561 ◽  
Author(s):  
Michael J. Merten ◽  
Amanda L. Williams
Keyword(s):  
Body Mass Index ◽  
Young Adult ◽  
Body Mass ◽  
Young Adulthood ◽  
Young Women ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Self Esteem ◽  
Adolescent And Young Adult ◽  
Sexually Transmitted ◽  
Adolescence And Young Adulthood

Background Women’s risk for sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) were examined in terms of adolescent and young adult weight status, self-esteem trajectories and weight contentment using two waves of a nationally representative dataset. Methods: Using Waves 1 and 3 of the National Longitudinal Study of Adolescent Health, body mass index (BMI), self-esteem and weight contentment were examined during adolescence and young adulthood to assess the likelihood of STDs among 4000 young adult single women. Results: Change in BMI, specifically weight loss between adolescence and young adulthood, significantly increased women’s risk for STDs. Continuously low self-esteem during adolescence and young adulthood significantly increased women’s risk for STDs. When women’s contentment with their weight decreased from adolescence to young adulthood, women’s risk for STDs was greater. Regardless of other variables, Black women were more likely to have an STD. Conclusions: Results suggest that women’s self-perception is important in reducing sexual risk; specifically, patterns of self-esteem, BMI and weight contentment across developmental periods should be a critical focus of research and practice related to adolescent and young adult sexual health. There are many known benefits to fostering self-esteem during adolescence and findings from this study add STD prevention among young women to this list. Results emphasise the needed prevention during adolescence to address self-perspective and self-esteem for the long-term sexual well-being of young women.

The Draw-A-Person Test and Body Image

2014 ◽  
Vol 35 (1) ◽  
pp. 3-22 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jonathan E. Handelzalts ◽  
Yael Ben-Artzy-Cohen
Keyword(s):  
Body Mass Index ◽  
Body Image ◽  
Body Mass ◽  
Significant Relationship ◽  
Diet Group ◽  
Female Students ◽  
Self Report ◽  
Body Image Scale ◽  
Healthy Female

The Draw-A-Person (DAP) test has been the center of a long-lasting debate regarding its validity. This study investigated the DAP indices of height, width (size), and inclusion/omission of details and their relation to body image as measured by a self-report scale (Gray’s body image scale) and manifested by the diet behaviors and body mass index of 55 healthy female students. Although the drawings of the diet group were smaller, there was no significant relationship between figure size and diet behaviors. However, body image as measured by a self-report scale did result in significant differences between groups. Moreover, there was a significant correlation between the size of the figure drawn and body image as measured by a self-report scale (larger figures correlated with better body image). No significant results were found for the omission/inclusion indices of the DAP. These results are discussed in light of previous findings regarding the DAP.

scholarly journals Young adults’ coping strategies against loneliness during the COVID-19-related quarantine in Greece

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Adrianos Golemis ◽  
Panteleimon Voitsidis ◽  
Eleni Parlapani ◽  
Vasiliki A Nikopoulou ◽  
Virginia Tsipropoulou ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Social Media ◽  
Young Adults ◽  
Social Responsibility ◽  
Coping Strategies ◽  
Online Survey ◽  
Adult Population ◽  
Psychological Impact ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Daily Routine ◽  
Cross Sectional

Summary COVID-19 and the related quarantine disrupted young adults’ academic and professional life, daily routine and socio-emotional well-being. This cross-sectional study focused on the emotional and behavioural responses of a young adult population during the COVID-19-related quarantine in April 2020, in Greece. The study was conducted through an online survey. A total of 1559 young adults, aged 18−30 years, completed Steele’s Social Responsibility Motivation Scale and the De Jong Gierveld Loneliness Scale, and answered questions about compliance with instructions, quarantine-related behaviours and coping strategies. According to the results, participants displayed a relatively high sense of social responsibility (M = 16.09, SD = 2.13) and a trend towards moderate feeling of loneliness (M = 2.65, SD = 1.62); young women reported significantly higher levels of loneliness than men. The majority complied with instructions often (46.4%) or always (44.8%). Significantly more women created a new social media account and used the social media longer than 5 h/day, compared with men. Resorting to religion, practicing sports and sharing thoughts and feelings about COVID-19 with others predicted higher levels of social responsibility; humour, practicing sports and sharing thoughts and feelings about COVID-19 with others predicted lower levels of loneliness. Conclusively, COVID-19 is expected to have a significant psychological impact on young adults. Currently, Greece is going through the second quarantine period. This study raises awareness about loneliness in young adults during the COVID-19-related quarantine and highlights the importance of developing online programmes, attractive to younger people, to nurture adaptive coping strategies against loneliness.

scholarly journals Mental Health, Greenness, and Nature Related Behaviors in the Adult Population of Stockholm County during COVID-19-Related Restrictions

2021 ◽  
Vol 18 (6) ◽  
pp. 3303
Author(s):  
Mare Lõhmus ◽  
Cecilia U. D. Stenfors ◽  
Tomas Lind ◽  
André Lauber ◽  
Antonios Georgelis
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Online Survey ◽  
Vegetation Index ◽  
Normalized Difference Vegetation Index ◽  
Adult Population ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Stockholm County ◽  
Cognitive Stress ◽  
Symptoms Of Depression ◽  
International Data

International data suggest that exposure to nature is beneficial for mental health and well-being. The restrictions related to the COVID-19 pandemic have created a setting that allows us to investigate the importance of greenness exposure on mental health during a period of increased isolation and worry. Based on 2060 responses from an online survey in Stockholm County, Sweden, we investigated: (1) whether the COVID-19 pandemic changed peoples’ lifestyle and nature-related habits, and (2) if peoples’ mental health differed depending on their exposure to greenness. Neighborhood greenness levels were quantified by using the average normalized difference vegetation index (NDVI) within 50 m, 100 m, 300 m, and 500 m buffers surrounding the participant’s place of residence. We found that the number of individuals that reported that they visited natural areas “often” was significantly higher during the pandemic than before the pandemic. Higher levels of greenness surrounding one’s location of residence were in general associated with higher mental health/well-being and vitality scores, and less symptoms of depression, anxiety, and perceived and cognitive stress, after adjustments for demographic variables and walkability. In conclusion, the results from the present study provided support to the suggestion that contact with nature may be important for mental health in extreme circumstances.

scholarly journals Clinical Profiles and Socio-Demographic Characteristics of Adults with Specific Learning Disorder in Northern Greece

2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (5) ◽  
pp. 602
Author(s):  
Eleni Bonti ◽  
Sofia Giannoglou ◽  
Marianthi Georgitsi ◽  
Maria Sofologi ◽  
Georgia-Nektaria Porfyri ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Adult Population ◽  
Relevant Literature ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Demographic Characteristics ◽  
Self Report ◽  
Learning Disorder ◽  
Northern Greece ◽  
Everyday Functioning ◽  
Specific Learning Disorder ◽  
Specific Learning

The manifestation of Specific Learning Disorder (SLD) during adulthood is one of the least examined research areas among the relevant literature. Therefore, the adult population with SLD is considered a “rare” and “unique” population of major scientific interest. The aim of the current study was to investigate, describe, and analyze the clinical, academic, and socio-demographic characteristics, and other everyday functioning life-skills of adults with SLD, in an attempt to shed more light on this limited field of research. The overall sample consisted of 318 adults, who were assessed for possible SLD. The diagnostic procedure included self-report records (clinical interview), psychometric/cognitive, and learning assessments. The main finding of the study was that SLD, even during adulthood, continues to affect the individuals’ well-being and functionality in all of their life domains. There is an ongoing struggle of this population to obtain academic qualifications in order to gain vocational rehabilitation, as well as a difficulty to create a family, possibly resulting from their unstable occupational status, their financial insecurity, and the emotional/self-esteem issues they usually encounter, due to their ongoing learning problems. Moreover, the various interpersonal characteristics, the comorbidity issues, and the different developmental backgrounds observed in the clinical, academic, personal, social, and occupational profiles of the participants, highlight the enormous heterogeneity and the continuum that characterizes SLD during adulthood. We conclude that there is an imperative need for further research and the construction of more sufficient tools for the assessment and diagnosis of SLD during adulthood, which will take into account the developmental challenges and milestones in a series of domains, in order to assist this “vulnerable” population with their life struggles.

Body Mass Index Accuracy in Preadolescents: Can We Trust Self-Report or Should We Seek Parent Report?

2015 ◽  
Vol 167 (2) ◽  
pp. 366-371 ◽  
Author(s):  
Marie-Christine Brault ◽  
Olivier Turcotte ◽  
Annie Aimé ◽  
Marilou Côté ◽  
Catherine Bégin
Keyword(s):  
Body Mass Index ◽  
Body Mass ◽  
Parent Report ◽  
Self Report

scholarly journals Associations between Apolipoprotein E Genotype, Diet, Body Mass Index, and Serum Lipids in Lithuanian Adult Population

PLoS ONE ◽  
2012 ◽  
Vol 7 (7) ◽  
pp. e41525 ◽  
Author(s):  
Janina Petkeviciene ◽  
Alina Smalinskiene ◽  
Dalia Ieva Luksiene ◽  
Kristina Jureniene ◽  
Vitalija Ramazauskiene ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Body Mass Index ◽  
Apolipoprotein E ◽  
Body Mass ◽  
Serum Lipids ◽  
Adult Population ◽  
Apolipoprotein E Genotype

scholarly journals Well-Being and the Lifestyle Habits of the Spanish Population: The Association between Subjective Well-Being and Eating Habits

2021 ◽  
Vol 18 (4) ◽  
pp. 1553
Author(s):  
Laura Cabiedes-Miragaya ◽  
Cecilia Diaz-Mendez ◽  
Isabel García-Espejo
Keyword(s):  
Body Mass Index ◽  
Body Mass ◽  
Eating Habits ◽  
Perceived Health ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Spanish Population ◽  
Sociological Research ◽  
Subjective Well Being ◽  
Lifestyle Habits ◽  
Independent Variables

The so-called Mediterranean diet is not simply a collection of foodstuffs but an expression of the culture of the countries of the south of Europe, declared Intangible Cultural Heritage by UNESCO. Despite the link between food and culture, little has been studied about how diet contributes to the well-being of the population. This article aims to analyze the association between subjective well-being and the eating habits of the Spanish population in order to gain a better understanding of the subjective well-being that food culture produces. For this study, we used a representative sample of the Spanish adult population from a survey by the Sociological Research Center (CIS 2017). Three indicators of subjective well-being were used: perceived health, life satisfaction, and feeling of happiness. The independent variables relating to eating habits considered in the analysis were, among others, how often meat, fish, vegetables, fruit, and sweets were consumed; how the food was prepared; how often meals were eaten out at restaurants or cafés and how often they were eaten with family or friends. Other independent variables related to lifestyle habits were also included in the analysis, in particular, physical exercise and body mass index. We used ordinal logistic regressions and multiple linear regression models. Our findings coincide in large measure with those obtained in earlier studies where perceived health and income play a key role in evaluating subjective well-being. In turn, several variables related to lifestyle habits, such as consuming sweets and fruits, social interaction around meals, exercising, and body mass index, were also associated with subjective well-being.

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