Multiple health behaviors: patterns and correlates of diet and exercise in a Hispanic college sample

Obesity rates are alarming in various ethnocultural groups, particularly in Hispanics. With Hispanics being the fastest growing group to enter college, the aims of the current study were to examine patterns and correlates of exercise and dietary behaviors in Hispanic college students. Data were collected from 693 Hispanic undergraduates who enrolled online and received course extra credit for participation. Individuals completed questionnaires assessing constructs of the transtheoretical model for three health behaviors (exercise, dietary fat, and fruit/vegetable stages of change) along with demographic, psychosocial, and acculturation measures. Less than 1% of students had 0 obesity-relevant risks, while 68% indicated 2 or more risks. Only 2% of the sample met fruit and vegetable guidelines. Lower income was associated with greater obesity-relevant risks, while stress coping ability was associated with fewer such risks. Findings indicate specific obesity risk behaviors in Hispanic college students and suggest demographic and psychosocial targets for prevention and intervention according to stage of change.     

Assessing readiness to change binge eating and compensatory behaviors

The purpose of this study was to evaluate whether assessing motivation to change binge eating and compensatory behaviors separately would better describe concurrent bulimic symptomatology compared with a general measure of readiness to change eating behaviors. Participants completed the Eating Disorder Diagnostic Scale [EDDS: Stice, Telch, & Rizvi, in Psychol. Assess. 12 (2000) 123] to assess binging and compensatory behaviors, as well as three measures of readiness to change based on the University of Rhode Island Change Assessment Scale (URICA; McConnaughy, DiClemente, Prochaska, & Velicer (1989)): a general measure, which asked about eating behaviors in general, and two behavior specific measures, one asking about binging behavior only and the other asking about compensatory behaviors only. Results revealed that assessing readiness to change binge eating and compensatory behaviors separately accounted for greater variance in bulimic behaviors than a general measure of readiness to change. Results also provided discriminate validity for measuring readiness to change binge eating and compensatory behaviors separately. Results highlight the utility of assessing readiness to change bulimic symptomatology and the importance of measuring motivation to change binging and compensatory behaviors separately.     

北京市2014年高中生饮酒行为及其影响因素分析

了解北京市高中生饮酒相关行为现状及其影响因素,为预防青少年过早饮酒和过量饮酒提供依据.方法 2014年3-5月,采用分层整群随机抽样方法,抽取北京市18个区县的15 726名高中生进行健康危险行为自填问卷调查.结果 北京市高中生曾饮酒率为67.9%,13岁前饮酒率为35.2%,现在饮酒率为41.0%,过量饮酒率为16.6%.“与家人朋友喝”是北京市高中生饮酒的最主要原因.职业技术学校、男生、高二、母亲高中文化水平、重组家庭、人均月收入高和学习成绩差的高中生各项饮酒率均较高.有健康危险行为的高中生更容易出现饮酒相关行为,如有吸烟行为的学生更容易发生现在饮酒行为(OR=4.41,95%CI=3.90~4.98),有打架行为的学生更容易出现过量饮酒行为(OR=2.00,95%CI=1.77~2.26),有性行为的学生更容易出现13岁前饮酒行为(OR=1.58,95%CI=1.36~1.84),有尝试自杀行为的学生更容易出现过量饮酒行为(OR=1.67,95%CI=1.27~2.19).结论 在预防青少年饮酒相关行为时,应考虑年龄、家庭、性别等因素,并重视其他健康危险行为因素的影响,家庭和学校需尽早积极开展预防青少年饮酒行为的综合性健康教育.     

Risk behaviors among Italian healthcare students: a cross-sectional study for health promotion of future healthcare workers

Background:Risk behaviors are frequent among young adults and they are particularly relevant when considering healthcare students.Objectives:The study is aimed to examine the prevalence of smoking, binge drinking, physical inactivity, and excessive bodyweight in a population of healthcare students attending an Italian university.Methods:Healthcare students filled an anonymous multiple-choice questionnaire on the occasion of the occupational health visit that preceded their hospital internship. The questionnaire covered socio-demographic characteristics (including student’s working status and cohabitation) and risk behaviors. We evaluated the prevalence of risk behaviors and their association with socio-demographic characteristics.Results:The sample consisted of 494 students (65% women): 23.2% were smokers, 7.9% had excessive bodyweight, 35% did not practice any physical activity and 50% reported binge drinking at least once in the last 12 months. We found associations of male sex (30.5%) and being nursing students (29.9%) with smoking habit. The frequency of binge drinking was higher in men (38.4%), working students (53.9%), and among those who lived without family (50%). Physical inactivity was associated with female sex (44.2%) and living without family (57.1%). Finally, the co-presence of 2 risk behaviors or more was higher in men (36.8%), in nursing students (39.6%) and in working students (44.7%).Conclusions:Our findings regarding the prevalence of risk behaviors and their potential association with socio-demographic factors may be a clue to the definition of targeted strategies aimed at reducing of risk behaviors among healthcare students.Key words: risk behaviors, healthcare students, smoking, binge drinking, physical inactivity     

浙江、广西两地大学生健康危险行为调查

目的了解我国经济发达地区与欠发达地区大学生健康危险行为发生现状及差异性。方法随机抽取浙江省大学生769名、广西壮族自治区大学生810名进行健康危险行为的问卷调查。结果被调查大学生各种危害健康行为发生率在3.7%～84.7%之间,其中喝酒率最高,为84.7%;其次是不在医生指导下用药,为82.2%;第三位是睡眠不足7小时,为65.9%。大学生中有吸烟行为的占16.1%,男生为31.7%。发生过性行为的占19.7%,男生占30.7%。在休闲娱乐方式选择中,男女生首选上网都占最高比率,男生为39.8%,女生为20.0%。多数危险行为的发生率男生明显高于女生、广西大学生明显高于浙江大学生、高年级高于低年级。结论大学生健康危险行为发生较普遍,尤以男生更严重,有随年级增长而增高的趋势,经济发达与欠发达地区大学生健康危险行为存在较大差异,高校应针对大学生健康危险行为的发生状况和特点开展针对性的健康教育与行为干预。     

Stages of change for physical activity, diet, and smoking among HMO members with chronic conditions

PURPOSE: This paper investigated whether stage of change for health behaviors was associated with the presence of chronic conditions. DESIGN: A stratified cross-sectional survey by mail with telephone follow-up. SETTINGS: This study was conducted at a mixed-model HMO with 650,000 members based in Minnesota. SUBJECTS: The sample consisted of a random sample of 8000 HMO members age 40 or over with systematic oversampling of members with hypertension, diabetes, dyslipidemia, or heart disease. MEASURES: In addition to demographics, readiness to change for physical activity, fat intake, fruit and vegetable intake, and smoking were assessed. RESULTS: The adjusted response rate was 82.4%. In a logistic regression analysis, members with one or more than one chronic condition had greater readiness to change for three out of four risk factors compared to members with no chronic conditions. CONCLUSIONS: The stage-of-change distribution of HMO members with chronic conditions suggests that members at highest risk of adverse health outcomes have the greatest readiness to change behavioral risk factors. Based on these observations, targeted, stage-specific efforts to support behavior change are likely to be both acceptable and effective in HMO members with chronic conditions. Improving stage of change for behavioral risk factors for members with diabetes may present special problems and opportunities.     

Randomized controlled trial of a web-based primary care intervention for multiple health risk behaviors

BACKGROUND: Physical inactivity, low fruit and vegetable intake, hazardous drinking, and smoking are leading risk factors for disease and injury. The aim of this study was to obtain estimates of efficacy in reducing the first three of these behaviors. METHOD: The design was a randomized controlled trial: 218 patients (17-24 years) attending a student health service at a New Zealand university in 2003 were assigned to: (A) web-based assessment and personalized feedback (n = 72); or (B) assessment only (n = 74); or (C) minimal contact (n = 72). Outcome measures were the proportion meeting recommendations for fruit and vegetable consumption, physical activity, and alcohol consumption 6 weeks later. RESULTS: Follow-up assessments were attained for 86% of participants, with no evidence of differential attrition. There were significant differences in the proportion meeting recommendations for fruit and vegetable consumption and physical activity in group A relative to C. Hazardous drinking prevalence did not vary significantly by group. CONCLUSIONS: Differences appear attributable to the intervention. The intervention could be routinely provided in primary care, and its efficacy could be assessed in a large randomized controlled trial.     

天津某理工科高校学生健康危险行为影响因素分析

目的了解天津市某理工科高校大学生健康危险行为发生情况及其影响因素,为探讨大学生健康危险行为的形成原因提供参考。方法选取天津市某理工科大学一～四年级的学生268名,采用《青少年健康与发展问卷》的中文版进行调查。结果男女生吸烟、饮酒行为发生率差异有统计学意义;而在每周运动时间、试图自杀、饮食行为和步行危险行为上的发生率差异无统计学意义。影响行为的主要因素包括了个人、环境和行为等方面。成功期望(OR=0.84)是完整吸完一支烟的保护因素,压力情绪(OR=1.18)是其危险因素;同伴控制(OR=0.50)是每周吸烟次数大于1次的保护因素,偏差行为(OR=1.36)是其危险因素;学校控制(OR=0.83)是每次饮酒量大于5杯的保护因素,同伴支持(OR=1.39)是其危险因素;同伴支持(OR=0.84)是每周饮酒次数大于1次的保护因素,学校危险行为榜样(OR=1.21)是其危险因素;自尊(OR=0.77)是每周运动时间<3 h的保护因素,压力(OR=1.19)是其危险因素;学习行为(OR=0.88)等是经常吃早饭的保护因素,抑郁情绪等(OR=1.17)是其危险因素;学习行为等(OR=0.83)是尝试自杀的保护因素,偏差行为(OR=1.27)是其危险因素;同伴健康行为榜样(OR=0.65)是步行危险行为的保护因素,抑郁情绪(OR=1.16)是其危险因素。结论应用问题行为理论可以部分解释大学生健康危险行为问题。     

Credit card debt, stress and key health risk behaviors among college students

PURPOSE: To examine cross-sectional associations between credit card debt, stress, and health risk behaviors among college students, focusing particularly on weight-related behaviors. DESIGN: Random-sample, mailed survey. SUBJECTS/SETTING: Undergraduate and graduate students (n = 3206) attending a large public university. MEASURES: Self-reported health indicators (e.g., weight, height, physical activity, diet, weight control, stress, credit card debt). RESULTS: More than 23% of students reported credit card debt > or = $1000. Using Poisson regression to predict relative risks (RR) of health behaviors, debt of at least $1000 was associated with nearly every risk indicator tested, including overweight/obesity, insufficient physical activity, excess television viewing, infrequent breakfast consumption, fast food consumption, unhealthy weight control, body dissatisfaction, binge drinking, substance use, and violence. For example, adjusted RR [ARR] ranged from 1.09 (95% Confidence interval [CI]: 1.02-1.17) for insufficient vigorous activity to 2.17 (CI: 0.68-2.82) for using drugs other than marijuana in the past 30 days. Poor stress management was also a robust indicator of health risk. CONCLUSION: University student lifestyles may be characterized by a variety of coexisting risk factors. These findings indicate that both debt and stress were associated with wide-ranging adverse health indicators. Intervention strategies targeting at-risk student populations need to be tailored to work within the context of the many challenges of college life, which may serve as barriers to healthy lifestyles. Increased health promotion efforts targeting stress, financial management, and weight-related health behaviors may be needed to enhance wellness among young adults.     

Relationships among multiple behaviors for childhood and adolescent obesity prevention

BACKGROUND: Curbing the epidemic of childhood and adolescent obesity requires impacting multiple behaviors. This article examines the interrelationships of physical activity, fruit and vegetable consumption, and limiting television time among elementary, middle, and high school students. METHODS: Nationwide samples of students in grades 4 through 12 (n=4091) completed self-administered questionnaires assessing Transtheoretical Model constructs and behavioral indicators for physical activity, fruit and vegetable consumption, and limiting television time. Analyses were conducted to compare the prevalence of students at-risk for the target behaviors across the age groups and to examine the interrelationships of the target behavior risks. RESULTS: Across the three age groups, physical activity and fruit and vegetable consumption declined, while limiting TV time increased. In addition, high school students had the greater number of behavioral risks. Across all three samples, being at-risk for one behavior almost always significantly increased the odds of being at-risk for another behavior. CONCLUSION: The findings of this study provide further evidence for the need for early promotion of healthy lifestyle behaviors. The relationships among the target behaviors in three samples strongly support a multiple behavior approach for obesity prevention. Transtheoretical Model-based tailored interventions are currently being used to change multiple behaviors without overwhelming students.     

北京市顺义区中学生健康危险行为现状调查

目的了解北京市顺义区中学生意外伤害、吸烟、饮酒、不良饮食习惯及体育锻炼、网络成瘾和赌博、过早的不安全的性行为等方面的健康危险行为流行现状。方法 2010年4月,选取顺义区3所中学、5所高中和1所职业高中学生进行问卷调查,采用自己设计的初中生、高中生健康相关行为问卷。结果调查中有37.3%的学生在过去30 d内有骑自行车违规行为,经常在玩滚轴溜冰、滑板车等时不戴保护装备的比例达14.2%;在过去12个月里,12.1%的学生有过自杀意念,6.9%有过自杀计划;有26.2%的学生尝试过吸烟;有52.3%学生尝试饮酒;在调查前1周里,有30.8%的学生在西式快餐店吃过饭,有18.2%的学生每天玩电子游戏时间达到或超过4 h,有12.0%的学生有网络成瘾行为,有4.8%的高中学生与他人发生过性行为。结论危险行为的发生在不同类型学校、不同性别的学生中存在一定差异,及时、有效地开展以生活技能为基础的学校健康教育,对帮助学生形成良好的生活习惯是很有必要的。     

密云县校内青少年健康危险行为流行现况研究

目的了解密云县校园内青少年健康危险行为的流行现况,为学校和有关部门制定相关政策与防制措施提供科学依据。方法应用整群随机抽样的方法抽取1145名中学生,采用《中国青少年健康相关行为调查问卷》进行调查。结果被调查校内青少年中,9.5%～70.5%的学生存在不健康的饮食行为;8.7%～42.6%的学生骑车不遵守交通规则;8.9%的学生曾想过自杀,33.5%的学生曾想过离家出走;35.0%的学生曾尝试过吸烟;62.1%的学生曾喝过酒;0.7%的学生曾使用过毒品;5.0%～20.4%存在不同程度上的网络成瘾行为;31.0%的学生曾参加过类似赌博的娱乐活动;5.3%的学生曾有过性行为。结论密云县中学生不健康饮食行为发生率较高,乱穿马路、不遵守交通规则及打架是学生中最常见、最易导致伤害的危险行为。此外,在中学生群体中普遍存在吸烟和饮酒行为,运动不足、沉迷于网络、不安全性行为等危险行为在不同程度上影响了中学生的心理健康,应引起相关部门的关注和重视,并将其作为今后学生健康危险行为干预工作的重点。     

Latent Class Analysis of Multiple Health Risk Behaviors among Australian University Students and Associations with Psychological Distress

University students have high rates of health risk behaviors and psychological distress. This study explores patterns of health behaviors among a sample of Australian university students, and determines whether patterns of health behaviors are associated with psychological distress and demographic characteristics. Cross-sectional data from the University of Newcastle Student Healthy Lifestyle Survey 2019 were analyzed. Fruit and vegetable intake, sugar-sweetened beverage intake, physical activity, sitting time, smoking, alcohol intake, drug use, sleep and psychological distress were assessed. Latent class analysis (LCA) was used to identify patterns of health risk behaviors, and latent class regression to explore associations between psychological distress and demographic characteristics with health behavior classes. Analysis included 1965 students (mean age 25.8 ± 8.6 years, 70.7% female). Three patterns of health behaviors were identified: healthier (48.6%), moderate (40.2%) and unhealthy (11.2%) lifestyle classes. Students in the moderate and unhealthy lifestyle classes had higher odds of moderate (OR 1.43 and 2.37) and high/very high psychological distress risk (OR 2.71 and 11.69). Students in the unhealthy and moderate lifestyle classes had a higher odds of being male, younger, enrolled in transition to university and English language courses, Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander descent and to report some financial difficulty. Study findings may be used to inform the design of mental health interventions for university students that target key health risk behaviors.     

Pregnancy Intention and Health Behaviors: Results from the Central Pennsylvania Women’s Health Study Cohort

Objective Our objective was to determine whether intention for future pregnancy affects selected preconception health behaviors that may impact pregnancy outcomes. Methods Analyses are based on data from a population-based cohort study of women ages 18–45 residing in Central Pennsylvania. A subsample of 847 non-pregnant women with reproductive capacity comprise the analytic sample. We determined the associations between intention for future pregnancy and the pattern in the following health behaviors over a 2-year period: nutrition (fruit and vegetable consumption), folic acid supplementation, physical activity, binge drinking, smoking, and vaginal douching. Multivariable analyses controlled for pregnancy-related variables, health status, health care utilization, and sociodemographic variables. Results At baseline, 9% of women were considering pregnancy in the next year, 37% of women were considering pregnancy some other time in the future, and 53% of women were not considering future pregnancy. In multivariable analyses, there were no associations between intention for future pregnancy and maintaining healthy behavior or improving behavior for any of the seven longitudinal health behaviors studied. Conclusions The importance of nutrition, folic acid supplementation, physical activity, avoiding binge drinking, not smoking, and avoiding vaginal douching in the preconception period needs to be emphasized by health care providers and policy makers.     

广州市越秀区1139名青少年健康相关行为调查

目的了解广州市青少年的主要健康相关行为,为青少年健康教育工作及制定干预措施提供依据。方法采取整群随机分层抽样法,抽取广州市越秀区2所初中、3所高中和1所大学校共1 139名学生,对饮食、运动与吸烟饮酒情况进行问卷调查。结果广州市青少年健康危险行为主要有缺乏体育锻炼、喝酒、吸烟。初中生喝饮料、吃西式快餐、喝牛奶、吃早餐比例分别为26.7%、9.8%、54.9%、81.6%,高中生分别为18.0%、4.9%、41.2%、91.3%,均高于大学生(8.0%、3.4%、18.8%、64.2%);男生(7.1%)吃西式快餐比例高于女生(4.6%),而男生(75.0%)吃早餐比例低于女生(85.9%)。随着年龄的增大,1周内青少年每天活动至少1 h的天数相对减少;男生每周活动时间比女生长。结论缺乏体育锻炼、吸烟和喝酒普遍存在于广州市青少年当中,有必要采取干预措施,广泛开展各种健康促进活动。     

中国6省份中学生健康素养与饮酒行为的关联

目的 探讨中国6省份中学生健康素养与饮酒行为的关联,为预防和减少中学生的饮酒行为提供参考依据.方法 2015年11月-2016年1月,采用多阶段整群抽样方法,选择内蒙古自治区乌兰察布市、辽宁省沈阳市、河南省新乡市、安徽省蚌埠市、重庆市和广东省阳江市,抽取初、高中学生共22628名进行问卷调查.调查内容包括人口统计学信息...     

天津市东丽区中学生健康相关行为监测结果

目的了解天津市东丽区青少年群体中各类健康危险行为的流行现状、动态特征,以及伴随城市化进程的发展趋势,为制定青少年健康政策和采取干预措施提供科学依据。方法 2008年3月至5月期间采用分层整群抽样方法分别抽取东丽区2所初中、2所高中和1所职专约1000名学生进行不记名问卷调查。结果存在影响健康的不良生活方式有24.9%～30.1%的学生存在吸烟、饮酒或类似赌博等成瘾行为;6.2%～57.2%有不健康的饮食行为;大于50%的学生体育锻炼不足。结论东丽区青少年存在着影响健康的不良行为,应提高重视并采取多部门相结合的健康教育方式及早干预其危险行为,以促进青少年身心健康。     

Evaluating the believability and effectiveness of the social norms message "most students drink 0 to 4 drinks when they party"

In an effort to reduce dangerous drinking levels among college students, university health educators have initiated social norms campaigns based on the rationale that students will be more likely to reduce their own drinking behaviors if they think that most students on campus are not heavy or binge drinkers. Within the framework of social comparisons theory, this study reports the findings of a survey of 277 college students and explores the correlates of accuracy and bias in students' estimates of whether or not most other students think that binge drinking on campus is a problem and whether or not most other students believe the campaign message. The overwhelming majority (72.6%) of students did not believe the norms message that most students on campus drink "0 to 4" drinks when they party, and 52.7% reported drinking "5 or more" drinks in a sitting. The social norms campaign was effective in motivating 61% of the respondents to think about binge drinking as a problem. For the most part, group or social network norms were more influential on students' own drinking behavior than were their estimates of the campus drinking norm. The findings also clarify that accuracy in estimating the campus social norm in and of itself does not necessarily lead to an increase or reduction in alcohol consumption. The social comparisons approach underscores the complex and social nature of human interaction and reinforces the need for the development of multiple approaches to alcohol education with messages that are designed to target the specific needs of students based on their orientations toward alcohol consumption.     

云浮市大中学生健康危险行为调查

了解云浮市青少年健康危险行为流行特征,为制定青少年健康危险行为综合性干预措施提供科学依据.方法 采用多阶段分层整群随机抽样方法,抽取云浮市2 666名大中学生进行健康危险行为问卷调查.结果 初中生骑自行车违规、动手打架、自我伤害的发生率分别为45.79%,16.85%,10.65%,均高于初中以上学生.高职学生不能每天吃早餐、运动时间不足、非安全游泳、现在吸烟、现在喝酒、游戏成瘾、赌博行为的发生率分别为47.87%,57.38%,12.79%,15.41%,42.79%,23.11%,25.57%,均高于其他学段学生.10.39%的学生无任何健康危险行为,具有4种及以上危险行为的高职学生比例(35.74%)高于其他学段的学生.与具有1种健康危险行为的人群相比,同时具有4种及以上危险行为的男生动手打架发生风险最高(OR=65.01),女生网络成瘾发生风险最高(OR=77.54).结论 云浮市青少年健康危险行为多发现象表现突出,应开展针对性的健康促进活动,加强健康指导.     

Tailored eHealth Lifestyle Promotion: Which Behavioral Modules Do Users Prefer?

Health risk behaviors are widespread among adults and often co-occur. eHealth computer-tailored technology provides individuals with personalized feedback regarding multiple lifestyle behaviors. First, the authors investigated individuals’ preferences for particular lifestyle modules and hypothesised that health preventive behavior modules would be preferred over addictive behavior modules. Second, characteristics associated with these choices were examined. A web-based questionnaire assessed demographics, health status, and five lifestyle behaviors (i.e., physical activity, fruit consumption, vegetable consumption, alcohol intake and tobacco use) among adults (N = 1,828). Responses were translated into a health risk appraisal outlining whether respondents adhered to the national guidelines for these behaviors. Next, respondents could select one of the lifestyle modules providing personalized advice. More than 60% of the participants failed to meet the guidelines for more than one lifestyle behavior. The physical activity module was the most popular, followed by the smoking and fruit modules. Young adults tended to prefer the physical activity and fruit modules, whereas the vegetable module was more popular among older adults. No consistent pattern was identified for the alcohol and smoking modules. The results support the authors’ hypothesis that health preventive behaviors—in particular, physical activity—would be preferred. Although this could imply that physical activity could serve as a gateway behavior when aiming at multiple behavior changes, it is also conceivable that other mechanisms, such as the actual success of behavior change, or the fact that people can choose, may increase chances of multiple behavior change. Hence, mechanisms leading to multiple behavior change need to be further explored.