Reliability and validity of brief psychosocial measures related to dietary behaviors

Background  

Measures of psychosocial constructs are required to assess dietary interventions. This study evaluated brief psychosocial scales related to 4 dietary behaviors (consumption of fat, fiber/whole grains, fruits, and vegetables).     

Prevalence and correlates of problem behaviors among adolescents in Hong Kong

The aims of this study were to examine the frequency and correlates of problem behaviors among Hong Kong adolescents. It is a cross-sectional survey targeting secondary forms 1 to 3 (equivalent to grades 7-9 in the United States) students (N = 1029). A self-administered questionnaire was used as the measurement tool. The study found that there are intercorrelations of problem behaviors in adolescence, such as tobacco use, alcohol use, drug abuse, and having connections with triad society. Given the intercorrelations among problem behaviors, identification of a single type of problem behavior in adolescents can help discover the likelihood of the occurrence of other problem behaviors. It can facilitate identification and intervention at an early stage. The results provide some insights for the concerned authorities to develop a syndrome approach addressing problem behaviors.     

Disordered eating and its psychosocial correlates among chinese adolescent females in Hong Kong

Objectives: To study the prevalence of disordered eating and its relationship with body dissatisfaction, family dysfunction, and depression among Chinese adolescent females in Hong Kong. Method: Two hundred ninety-four schoolgirls completed a demographic and weight history sheet, Eating Attitudes Test-26, Body Dissatisfaction Scale, cohesion and conflict subscales of the Family Environment Scale, and the Beck Depression Inventory. Results: 6.5% of subjects were EAT-26 high scorers. Disordered eating was positively predicted by body dissatisfaction and, to a lesser extent, family cohesion and conflict. Body dissatisfaction was in turn positively predicted by depression, which was negatively predicted by family cohesion. Discussion: Western patterns of body dissatisfaction and disordered eating attitudes are common among Chinese adolescent females. In the presence of psychosocial vulnerability factors, more weight control behavior and eating disorders may be expected to arise in Hong Kong. © 1996 by John Wiley & Sons, Inc.     

Reliability and validity of a physical activity questionnaire in children

Background: valid and appropriate assessment of physical activity in children is still needed. Aim: to determine the test–retest reliability and validity of the Arabic version of the Questionnaire l'Activite Physique en Altitude Chez les Enfants. Methods: Population: 6- to 9-year-old children were recruited in Al Ain, United Arab Emirates. Reliability: questionnaire was administered twice, 3 weeks apart. Intraclass correlation coefficients and 95% confidence interval calculated. Validity: comparison between the questionnaire and pedometer. Spearman's correlation coefficients were calculated. Bland–Altman method was used to detect potential bias. Results: a fair-to-good reliability was found, with the highest values for running during breaks at school and total active time during weekdays. No significant difference between the two measurements was observed. The validity was acceptable for total active time during weekdays. Discussion: for the first time, a questionnaire was identified as very promising to assess physical activity in Arabic children.     

北京东城区小学生身体活动视屏行为与抑郁症状的相关性

研究儿童身体活动、视屏行为与抑郁症状的相关性,为有效预防儿童抑郁的发生提供科学依据.方法 方便抽取北京市东城区12所小学的1 472名三~五年级学生,采用问卷调查法,比较不同性别儿童的身体活动、视屏时间、抑郁情况,采用Logistic回归分析身体活动、视屏行为与抑郁的关系.结果 1 472名学生在过去7d中,身体活动不足的天数为(4.36±2.56)d,仅16.37%的儿童每天均达到推荐水平;视屏时间为(1.49±1.43) h/d,22.15%的儿童每天视屏时间过长;儿童抑郁量表的平均得分为(9.75±6.38),抑郁症状率为31.05%(457/1 472).男生每天身体活动不足率为79.73% (594/745),低于女生的87.62% (637/727)(x2=16.72,P<0.01);而男生视屏时间过长率为28.46% (212/745)、抑郁率37.99%(283/745)均高于女生的15.68%(114/727),23.93%(174/727)(x2值分别为34.83,33.94,P值均<0.01).单因素分析显示,有抑郁症状学生的身体活动不足率86.87%(397/457)高于无抑郁症状学生的82.17%(834/1 015) (x2=5.09,P=0.024);仅男生的抑郁与身体活动不足相关(x2=7.27,P=0.007).有抑郁症状学生的视屏时间过长率22.98% (105/457)高于无抑郁症状学生的9.36%(95/1 015)(x2=49.76,P<0.01);男、女生的抑郁症状均与视屏时间过长相关(P值均<0.01).多因素分析显示,有抑郁症状男生的身体活动不足率、视屏时间过长率分别为无抑郁症状男生的1.74(95%CI:1.17~2.58),2.48倍(95%CI:1.69~ 3.64);有抑郁症状女生的视屏时间过长率为无抑郁症状女生的3.04倍(95% CI:1.80~5.12).结论 男生的抑郁症状与身体活动不足、视屏时间过长相关,女生的抑郁症状仅与视屏时间过长相关.     

Reliability and validity of 2 single-item measures of psychosocial stress

BACKGROUND: Practical limitations in epidemiologic research may necessitate use of only a few questions for assessing the complex phenomenon called "stress." The objective of this study was to evaluate the measurement characteristics of 2 single-item measures on the amount of stress and the ability to handle stress. METHODS: We selected 218 adults age 50 to 76 years living in western Washington state from a large prospective cohort study of lifestyle factors and cancer risk to evaluate the 3-month test-retest reliability and intermethod reliability of the stress questions. To assess the latter, we compared 2 single-item measures on stress with 3 more fully validated multi-item instruments on perceived stress, daily hassles, and life events, which assessed the same underlying constructs as the single-item measures. RESULTS: The test-retest reliabilities for the single-item stress measures were good (kappa and intraclass correlations between 0.66 and 0.74). The intermethod reliabilities comparing the 2 single-item stress measures with 3 multi-item instruments were moderate (r = 0.31-0.46) and comparable to correlations observed among the 3 multi-item instruments (r = 0.25-0.47). CONCLUSIONS: The 2 single-item stress measures are reliable at measuring stress with validity similar to longer questionnaires. Single-item measures offer a practical instrument for assessing stress in large prospective epidemiologic studies that lack space for longer instruments.     

Prevalence and correlates of smoking and sexual activity among Hong Kong adolescents.

PURPOSE: To report on the prevalence and correlates of smoking and sexual activity in a community sample of Hong Kong Chinese adolescents. METHODS: Participants (N = 4116) aged 13 to 18 years were surveyed regarding smoking and physical heterosexual activity, relationships with family members, family involvement, social support, school performance and emotional adjustment. Data were analyzed using logistic regression analyses. RESULTS: About 30% of participants reported ever smoking and 3.5% reported sexual intercourse. Current smoking was correlated with age, school performance and quality of relationship with mother. Sexual intercourse was correlated with age, gender, family involvement and social support. Smoking and sexual activity were significantly correlated with each other. Smoking and increasing levels of heterosexual physical contact were negatively correlated with emotional adjustment, even after controlling for common predictors to health-endangering behaviors and emotional adjustment. CONCLUSIONS: Smoking and sexual activity among adolescents are far less common in Hong Kong than in the West and their presence in a Hong Kong adolescent should alert the health practitioner to the possibility of significant psychosocial stress and maladjustment.     

Structured physical activity and psychosocial correlates in middle-school girls

OBJECTIVE: Little is known about the types of physical activity (PA) in which adolescent girls participate. Understanding this, along with examining specific psychosocial correlates of PA, may help guide the development of effective interventions to prevent the decline in PA in female youth. METHODS: 2791 sixth grade girls participating in the Trial of Activity for Adolescent Girls from six geographical locations completed surveys assessing participation in sports teams and activity classes/lessons in and out of school, self-efficacy for PA, PA enjoyment, physical education (PE) enjoyment, and perceived school climate for girls' PA (data collection: January-May 2003). Correlates of girls' participation in structured PA and sociodemographic differences were explored. RESULTS: 89.5% of girls participated in structured PA: 39% at school and 86% outside of school. Across race/ethnicity, most reported activities were basketball (44%), cheerleading/dance (41%), and swimming (39%). Controlling for socioeconomic status, geographical location, and race/ethnicity, girls with a higher self-efficacy (OR=3.44, CI=1.72-6.92) and higher enjoyment of PE class (OR=1.97, CI=1.25-3.120) were more likely to participate in structured PA. PA enjoyment and perceived school climate for girls' PA were not associated with participation in structured PA. CONCLUSION: Interventions that increase self-efficacy and enjoyment of PE could result in greater participation in structured PA and higher overall PA levels among adolescent girls.     

Reliability and validity of a nutrition and physical activity environmental self-assessment for child care

Background  

Few assessment instruments have examined the nutrition and physical activity environments in child care, and none are self-administered. Given the emerging focus on child care settings as a target for intervention, a valid and reliable measure of the nutrition and physical activity environment is needed.     

Demographic and psychosocial correlates of physical activity in late life

INTRODUCTION: According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the World Health Organization, increasing physical activity may help prolong health and preserve the quality of life in late adulthood. Physical activity has taken center stage as the behavior most likely to alter health. However, there is little recent population-wide information about the demographic and psychosocial correlates of physical activity in the elderly population. The purpose of the study was to identify the factors associated with older adults' frequency of physical activity. The study may have implications for preventive interventions. METHODS: Data for 12,611 community-dwelling people aged > or = 65 from the 1996-1997 Canadian National Population Health Survey were examined. Predictors of frequent versus infrequent self-reported physical activity lasting > 15 minutes were examined using logistic regression analyses. The predictor variables included geographic location, psychological distress (Generalized Distress Scale), demographic factors (age, gender, educational level, and marital status), perceived social support, chronic medical conditions, physical limitations due to injury, functional limitations, smoking behavior, and body mass index (BMI). RESULTS: Gender (male); younger age; higher levels of education; being unmarried; absence of chronic conditions, injuries, and functional limitations; lower BMI; social support (females); nonsmoking; region; and lower levels of psychological distress were associated with frequent physical activity in late life. Older adults in western Canadian provinces were more active than those in eastern provinces. CONCLUSIONS: The results will be useful for the design of interventions aimed at improving older adults' health behavior and other health and functional outcomes, especially for subgroups in particular need. Recommendations for further longitudinal research are presented.     

Reliability of physical activity measures from accelerometry among preschoolers in free-living conditions

BACKGROUND & AIMS: Physical activity (PA) is a major determinant of obesity. Accelerometers have been reported to provide valid measures among adults. However, studies among preschoolers rarely report positive findings. To assess the day-to-day variability of accelerometers in preschoolers. METHODS: Uni-axial accelerometer (Actigraph monitor AM 7164-2.2) counts including one weekend from the time of getting up in the morning until bedtime. RESULTS: On average, boys showed 899 counts per minute (cpm) compared to 764 for girls (p<0.01; overall mean 828 cpm). Intra-individual correlation for accelerometry data between single days of examination was low with Pearson correlation coefficients between r=0.31 and 0.51. Furthermore, child's body mass index (BMI) and accelerometer measures were not related to each other (Pearson's correlation coefficient r=-0.06). Subsequent analyses showed higher measures (+50%cpm; p<0.01) for instruments placed in front of the umbilicus compared to instruments placed at the right hip. CONCLUSIONS: Measurements of uni-axial accelerometers showed a low reliability among preschoolers. Uni-axial accelerometers placed on elastic belts might measure PA with low precision among preschoolers under free-living conditions possibly due to slipping instruments. This might explain lacking findings of an association between PA and obesity in studies among preschoolers.     

儿童攻击性行为及其相关因素的研究

目的：了解儿童少年攻击性行为状况及其影响因素。方法：应用ＹＧ－ＷＲ性格量表对武汉１０３２名７￣１０岁的小学生进行了性格检测和性行为的筛查,并影响儿童性行为的因素进行了调查。结果：儿童攻击性行为发生率为６．３０％,男（８．７７％）明显高于女（３．８３％）,男女间差异有显著性意义（Ｐ〈０．０５）;单因素分析表明,儿童本身的性格类型与攻击性行为的发生和发展有密切关系;逐步回归分析表明,儿童的性格特点和师     

Exposure to suicide and suicidal behaviors among Hong Kong adolescents

Suicidal behaviors (deliberate self-injury with the intent to hurt or kill oneself) have been little examined outside the West. The aims of this study were to (a) determine the correlates of suicidal behaviors, and (b) examine whether depression and suicide ideation moderated the effects of exposure to completed and attempted suicide on suicidal behaviors among a community sample of Hong Kong youth ages 12-17. Adolescents responded to questions regarding self-injurious behaviors, and also indicated presence of intention to hurt or kill themselves in the past 12 months. Based on their responses, two groups of interest were formed: 96 youths reported both self-injurious behaviors and the intent to hurt or kill themselves, and formed the "suicidal behaviors" group; and, 1213 adolescents reported neither self-injurious behaviors nor intent to hurt self or die, and formed the control group. The participants also responded to questions about depressive symptoms, anxiety, suicidal ideation and attempt, alcohol/drug use, stressful life events, and family relationships. They indicated whether anyone they knew had attempted or completed suicide in the previous 12 months. Logistic regression indicated that depressive symptoms, stressful life events, suicidal ideation and exposure to suicide attempt (but not completed suicide) contributed unique variance to the presence of suicidal behaviors, after controlling for demographic variables. Depression (and at trend levels, suicidal ideation) moderated the effect of exposure to suicide attempt by others on suicidal behaviors. Our results indicate that completed suicide in the social network increases risk for suicidal behaviors, but not when other risk factors are controlled. By contrast, a suicide attempt independently increases risk for suicidal behaviors. Furthermore, those youths who experience depressive symptoms or suicidal ideation are at particularly high risk for engaging in suicidal behaviors when an exposure to suicide attempt occurs.     

儿童青少年体力活动量表的信度和效度分析

目的 检验儿童青少年体力活动量表的信度及效度,为儿童及青少年体力活动的流行病学调查提供测量工具.方法 通过分层整群抽样,共抽取南京市两个区的6所学校852名学生作为研究对象.在7天的时间内,要求受试者在一周的每1天里填写体力日记,并在第8天填写量表.使用Cronbach's α系数对量表的信度进行评价,通过分析量表测量的体力活动水平与体力活动日记所得到的半客观的体力活动量之间的Spearman相关系数和Bland-Altman图来评价量表的效度.结果 有效调查816人,量表所测量的中等和高强度体力活动的Conranbach系数分别为0.722和0.731,表明该量表的信度较好.量表与体力活动日记的测量值之间的Sperman系数处于0.584～0.684之间(均有P＜0.05).Bland-Altman的一致性分析显示量表与体力活动日记对中等强度和高强度体力活动测量结果的一致性分别为95.44％和95.47％,具有较高的效度.结论 儿童青少年体力活动量表的信效度良好,可用于儿童及青少年人群体力活动的流行病学研究.     

Development and validation of psychosocial determinants measures of physical activity among Iranian adolescent girls

Background  

The present study aimed at assessing the psychometric properties of psychosocial determinants of physical activity-related measures in Iranian adolescent girls.     

Perceptions of school life among a sample of Chinese children in Hong Kong

Many studies have focused on the negative aspects of transition from kindergarten to school, such as bullying and difficulties adjusting to school life. Fewer studies have asked children to talk about both positive and negative aspects of school life across time. This study explores children’s perception of positive and negative aspects of school during the last month at kindergarten, first three months and last month in Year 1. Gender differences in children’s perceptions of life in Year 1 are explored. Positive and negative aspects of school included peer interactions, learning, rules, environment, school activities and teacher–child interaction. Other positive aspects of school also included parents’ or siblings’ engagement in school activities, teachers’ praise and pupils’ roles. This paper provides robust information for educators and parents to use as a reference for developing effective strategies to help children adapt to school life.