Health Behavior

Background To examine the time trends of leisure activity engagement among young-old adults aged 65–74 in China over a 16-year period. Methods Data for a nationally representative sample of young-old adults was sourced from the 2002–2018 Chinese Longitudinal Healthy Longevity Survey (N = 9504). Generalized estimating equations regressions were implemented to assess temporal trends for 10 different leisure-time activities. We also evaluated time trends for solitary versus social leisure-time activities. Results Young-old adults were less likely to engage in any form of social activities (e.g. participate in social events) over time, controlling for other confounders such as age, sex, education, income, and health characteristics. Trends in outdoor activities participation and tourism also declined over 2002-2014, but reversed in 2018. In contrast, solitary leisure activities (e.g. watching TV) became more popular. There was a significant spike in the likelihood of keeping pets from 2...

A sedentary lifestyle is associated with more than 25 chronic and ultimately fatal conditions such as heart disease, hypertension, stroke, type II diabetes, and certain forms of cancer . Therefore, most countries have formal position stands that recommend at least 150 minutes of moderate to vigorous physical activity per week. -Chronic diseases like most cancers, heart disease and diabetes have more in common than people know. The genetic, environmental and behavioral factors that can lead to one of such conditions can actually lead to all. But it is not likely that one person would suffer from all of these conditions. Yet if their lifestyle is sedentary, they are gambling with these conditions. If you are more interested in this point, look up "telomere length".

The Birbhum HDSS was established in 2008 and covers 351 villages in four administrative blocks in rural areas of Birbhum district of West Bengal, India. The project currently follows 54 585 individuals living in 12 557 households. The population being followed up is economically underprivileged and socially marginalized. The HDSS, a prospective longitudinal cohort study, has been designed to study changes in population demographic, health and healthcare utilization. In addition to collecting data on vital statistics and antenatal and postnatal tracking, verbal autopsies are being performed. Moreover, periodic surveys capturing socio-demographic and economic conditions have been conducted twice. Data on nutritional status (children as well as adults), non-communicable diseases, smoking etc. have also been collected in special surveys. Currently, intervention studies on anaemia, undernutrition and common preschool childhood morbidities through behavioural changes are under way. For access to the data, a researcher needs to send a request to the Data Manager

Background: A new cadre of village-based frontline health workers, called Accredited Social Health Activists (ASHAs), was created in India. However, coverage of selected community-based maternal, newborn and child health (MNCH) services remains low. Objective: This article describes the process of development and formative evaluation of a complex mHealth intervention (ImTeCHO) to increase the coverage of proven MNCH services in rural India by improving the performance of ASHAs. Design: The Medical Research Council (MRC) framework for developing complex interventions was used. Gaps were identified in the usual care provided by ASHAs, based on a literature search, and SEWA Rural's 1 three decades of grassroots experience. The components of the intervention (mHealth strategies) were designed to overcome the gaps in care. The intervention, in the form of the ImTeCHO mobile phone and web application, along with the delivery model, was developed to incorporate these mHealth strategies. The intervention was piloted through 45 ASHAs among 45 villages in Gujarat (population: 45,000) over 7 months in 2013 to assess the acceptability, feasibility, and usefulness of the intervention and to identify barriers to its delivery. Results: Inadequate supervision and support to ASHAs were noted as a gap in usual care, resulting in low coverage of selected MNCH services and care received by complicated cases. Therefore, the ImTeCHO application was developed to integrate mHealth strategies in the form of job aid to ASHAs to assist with scheduling, behavior change communication, diagnosis, and patient management, along with supervision and support of ASHAs. During the pilot, the intervention and its delivery were found to be largely acceptable, feasible, and useful. A few changes were made to the intervention and its delivery, including 1) a new helpline for ASHAs, 2) further simplification of processes within the ImTeCHO incentive management system and 3) additional web-based features for enhancing value and supervision of Primary Health Center (PHC) staff. Conclusions: The effectiveness of the improved ImTeCHO intervention will be now tested through a cluster randomized trial.

Background: The aim was to determine the lifestyle behaviors and the practices for early diagnosis of cancer of cancer patients. Materials and Methods: A descriptive cross-sectional design was used for this study. The sample consisted of 222 patients with a diagnosis of cancer (non-random sample method). Ethical permission was obtained of the Non-interventional Research Ethics Committee of our Institution. Values of p<0.05 were accepted as statistically significant. Results: It was observed that 54.4% of the patients had never performed breast self-examination, 60.8% had never had a mammography, and 71.2% had never had a Pap smear. Sixty-six point two percent of patients had never had screening for colon cancer within the past ten years. GIS cancers were higher in smokers and ex-smokers (p=0.005), in drinkers and in ex-drinkers (p=0.000). The breast cancer rate was higher in obese people (p=0.019). Conclusions: The results of this study provide information on the healthy lifestyle behavior of cancer patients before their diagnosis, and their use of early diagnosis practices. The important aspect of this study is to extend cancer patients' period of life after the diagnosis and treatment process, to make them conscious of risky lifestyle and nutritional behavior so that they can maintain a high quality of life, and to start initiatives in this direction that would ensure changes in behavior.

Like everything in the universe, family institution has been changing continuously, both structurally and functionally. The pace of the change has increased in the last decade. The structural and functional change in the family institution has made the family members change their roles and behaviour patterns. Although the phenomenon of divorce seems to be a personal problem, it has a social dimension as well and creates social problems with this aspect since the family union, known as the keystone of society is falling apart. Purpose of the Study: Divorce creates a serious and significant tremor in a person's life. This tremor affects both sexes; however, it is known that it affects women more. Therefore the women's social-economic level and their achieving internal support in marriage patterns have been studied. Method: This is an experimental study based on pre-test control group, final-test and surveillance test model. As a means of getting data, Personal Information questionnaire and Personal Orientation Inventory reformed by Shostrom and adapted to Turkish by Kuzgun (1973) have been used. In this study taking the women's demands into consideration, a Psycho-education Program has been prepared within the scope of their self-actualization. Life Skills Psycho-education Program has been applied to the test group for ten weeks. The program has been prepared by taking Humanistic Philosophical Trend and Cognitive Behavioural Theory as basis. The data was analysed on SPSS 17.0. Multiple Regression Analysis techniques were used to find out. In the analysis of data Split-Plot pattern ANOVA, Mann Whitney-U, t-test techniques of have been used.

The purpose of the study was to compare aggression and anxiety among volleyball players and basketball players. Psychological variables play an important role in determining sports performance, especially in competitive team games. Aggression helps athletes maintain competitiveness and confidence, whereas anxiety influences concentration, emotional stability, and decision-making during competition. For the purpose of the study, thirty male players were selected, including fifteen volleyball players and fifteen basketball players aged between 18 to 25 years. Standardized questionnaires were used to measure aggression and sports anxiety among the subjects. The collected data were analyzed with the help of the independent sample t-test. The findings revealed that basketball players showed higher aggression levels, while volleyball players demonstrated lower anxiety compared to basketball players. Significant differences were found between the groups in both variables. The study concluded that the nature and demands of different sports influence the psychological characteristics of athletes.

Health behavior encompasses the attitudes, decisions, and actions that individuals adopt in their daily lives and that directly influence their well-being. The objective of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of a nursing intervention based on Nola Pender's Health Promotion Model in promoting healthy behaviors among adults over 20 years of age. A quasi-experimental design was used with a sample of adults from a Colombian community. In 2022, sociodemographic data were collected, and the Health-Promoting Lifestyle Profile II (HPLP-II), developed by Nola Pender to measure healthy lifestyles, was administered. In 2023, the intervention was carried out in 24 group sessions of 40 min each, supported by printed educational material and focused on the dimensions of Pender's theory. Statistical analysis using nonparametric tests such as the Mann-Whitney U and Kruskal-Wallis tests showed significant improvements: the overall score increased from 22.92 in the pre-test to 27.30 in the post-test. The physical activity dimension received the lowest score, while the spiritual growth dimension showed the highest improvement. The results indicate that nursing interventions based on Pender's model led to statistically significant improvements in multiple dimensions of healthy behavior, with the greatest impact on spiritual growth and health responsibility.

Health behavior encompasses the attitudes, decisions, and actions that individuals adopt in their daily lives and that directly influence their well-being. The objective of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of a nursing intervention based on Nola Pender's Health Promotion Model in promoting healthy behaviors among adults over 20 years of age. A quasi-experimental design was used with a sample of adults from a Colombian community. In 2022, sociodemographic data were collected, and the Health-Promoting Lifestyle Profile II (HPLP-II), developed by Nola Pender to measure healthy lifestyles, was administered. In 2023, the intervention was carried out in 24 group sessions of 40 min each, supported by printed educational material and focused on the dimensions of Pender's theory. Statistical analysis using nonparametric tests such as the Mann-Whitney U and Kruskal-Wallis tests showed significant improvements: the overall score increased from 22.92 in the pre-test to 27.30 in the post-test. The physical activity dimension received the lowest score, while the spiritual growth dimension showed the highest improvement. The results indicate that nursing interventions based on Pender's model led to statistically significant improvements in multiple dimensions of healthy behavior, with the greatest impact on spiritual growth and health responsibility.

Background Widespread COVID-19 vaccine uptake can facilitate epidemic control. A February 2021 study in Uganda suggested that public vaccine uptake would follow uptake among leaders. In May 2021, Baylor Uganda led community dialogue meetings with district leaders from Western Uganda to promote vaccine uptake. We assessed the effect of these meetings on the leaders’ COVID-19 risk perception, vaccine concerns, perception of vaccine benefits and access, and willingness to receive COVID-19 vaccine. Methods All departmental district leaders in the 17 districts in Western Uganda, were invited to the meetings, which lasted approximately four hours. Printed reference materials about COVID-19 and COVID-19 vaccines were provided to attendees at the start of the meetings. The same topics were discussed in all meetings. Before and after the meetings, leaders completed self-administered questionnaires with questions on a five-point Likert Scale about risk perception, vaccine concerns, perceived ...

Health risk behavior among young people is a public health problem in Vietnam. In addition, road traffic injuries are the leading cause of death for those aged 15-29 years. The consequences can be devastating for adolescents and their families, and can create a significant economic burden on society. The aim of this study was to identify protective and risk factors that may influence three health risk behaviors among school children: suicidal thinking (ST), drinking alcohol (DA), and underage motorbike driving (MD). A cross-sectional survey of 972 adolescents (aged 12-15 years) was conducted in two secondary schools in Hanoi, Vietnam. The schools were purposely selected, one each from the inner city and a suburban area, from which classes (grade 6 to 8) were randomly selected. All students attending classes on survey days took part in the survey. The anonymous, self-completed questionnaire included measures of risk behavior, school connectedness, parental bonding, and other factors....

Objective-To evaluate whether the evidence-based Body & Soul program, when disseminated and implemented without researcher or agency involvement and support, would achieve similar results to earlier efficacy and effectiveness trials. Setting-Churches with predominantly African American membership. Participants-A total of 1033 members from the fifteen churches completed baseline surveys. Of these, 562 (54.4%) completed the follow-up survey six months later. Intervention-Church-based nutrition program for African Americans that included pastoral involvement, educational activities, church environmental changes, and peer counseling. Main Outcome Measure-Daily fruit and vegetable (FV) intake was assessed at pre-and posttest. Analysis-Mixed-effects linear models.

Objective: To evaluate the feasibility and efficacy of the 'Healthy Dads, Healthy Kids' (HDHK) program, which was designed to help overweight fathers lose weight and be a role model of positive health behaviors for their children. Design: Randomized controlled trial. Participants: A total of 53 overweight/obese men (mean (s.d.) age ¼ 40.6 (7.1) years; body mass index (BMI) ¼ 33.2 (3.9)) and their primary school-aged children (n ¼ 71, 54% boys; mean (s.d.) age ¼ 8.2 (2.0) years) were randomly assigned (family unit) to either (i) the HDHK program (n ¼ 27 fathers, n ¼ 39 children) or (ii) a wait-list control group (n ¼ 26 fathers, n ¼ 32 children). Intervention: Fathers in the 3-month program attended eight face-to-face education sessions. Children attended three of these sessions. Outcomes: The primary outcome was fathers' weight. Fathers and their children were assessed at baseline, and at 3-and 6-month follow-up, for weight, waist circumference, BMI, blood pressure, resting heart rate (RHR), objectively measured physical activity and self-reported dietary intake. Results: Intention-to-treat analysis revealed significant between-group differences at 6 months for weight loss (Po0.001), with HDHK fathers losing more weight (À7.6 kg; 95% confidence interval (CI) À9.2, À6.0; d ¼ 0.54) than control group fathers (0.0 kg; 95% CI À1.4, 1.6). Significant treatment effects (Po0.05) were also found for waist circumference (d ¼ 0.62), BMI (d ¼ 0.53), systolic blood pressure (d ¼ 0.92), RHR (d ¼ 0.66) and physical activity (d ¼ 0.91), but not for dietary intake. In children, significant treatment effects (Po0.05) were found for physical activity (d ¼ 0.74), RHR (d ¼ 0.51) and dietary intake (d ¼ 0.84). The HDHK program resulted in significant weight loss and improved health-related outcomes in fathers and improved eating and physical activity among children. Targeting fathers is a novel and efficacious approach to improving health behavior in their children.

Advances in technology have made it possible for many standard diagnostic and monitoring procedures, previously the preserve of qualified providers in medical facilities, to be undertaken by patients or carers in their own homes. The results can then be available over the internet for review, assessment and possibly timely response by service providers. It is suggested that this approach can both improve patient quality of life, by reducing the need for facility visits, and possibly quality of care, by engaging patients in the active management of their condition, for example encouraging lifestyle changes (McDermott and While 2013). It is also seen by many developed economies with aging population as a way to reduce the ever rising cost of providing medical care (Lindberg et al., 2013).

Background: HIV/AIDS affects the most productive age group, the
knowledge of which is clouded with many myths and misconceptions.
Objective: To determine the knowledge and awareness about various
aspects of HIV/AIDS among the students of MBBS first year. Methodology:
The students were asked to fill a pre-designed, structured, semi open ended questionnaire. All efforts were made to ensure the originality of the
responses. Statistical Analysis: The data collected so, was analysed,
tabulated and presented in the forms of percentages and proportions.
Appropriate statistical tests applied, wherever applicable. Results: Among
the total of 122 respondents, all of them have heard about HIV/AIDS and
that it is caused by a virus. About 43.4% students believed that HIV infection means AIDS. The place where HIV testing is done, was known to about 78%. Knowledge about the routes of spread included; through infected injections (100%), through blood transfusion (98%), Unprotected Sexual contact (97.5%), Infected Mother to child (86%). The respondents were aware that it doesn’t spread through  touching/hand shaking (99.2%),
sharing food (93.4%), using common cups/glasses (89%), used
clothes/towels/soap (88.5%). About 80% responded to have discussed about HIV/AIDS ever with anybody, while about 82% considered safe working with a patient of HIV/AIDS. Conclusion: Most of students were aware about the basic knowledge while they also had a misconception which implies that the students should be equipped more, especially since the beginning of their career.

Background: Unsafe disposal of child faeces is persistent and may lead to considerable impact on the health of young children. Research is limited on the impact of sanitation or hygiene interventions to improve child faeces disposal practices. Methods: In the context of a randomised controlled trial to assess the health impact of a programme in Odisha, India, to promote rural sanitation under the Government of India's Total Sanitation Campaign, we explored whether the intervention affected the safe disposal of faeces of children under-5 years of age. Results: At baseline, 1.1% of households practised 'safe' disposal of child faeces, either disposing it in a toilet or by burial. The intervention increased safe disposal of child faeces to 10.4% in intervention households, compared to 3.1% in the control households (RR 3.34; 95% CI 1.99-5.59). This increase in safe disposal is attributable to increases in latrine presence in the intervention communities; the intervention did not change safe disposal practices above and beyond the increase in latrine coverage. The very modest increase in safe disposal, while statistically significant, is not likely to have consequential health benefit. To achieve open defecation free communities, sanitation interventions will need to develop behaviour change approaches to explicitly target safe disposal behaviours.

The purpose of this article is to provide a review of research literature related to factors that influence employee participation in physical activity. Eleven published studies investigating physical activity in samples of adult employees were included in this review. Across these studies, self-efficacy, or belief in personal ability to perform this health behavior, was the best predictor of physical activity among employees. Perceived benefits of physical activity and perceived health status were also found to influence participation in physical activity. Occupational health nurses could offer self-care classes and intervention programs that assist employees in improving their perceptions of self-efficacy to perform physical activity. Additionally, occupational health nurses should continue to reinforce the benefits of physical activity in all health promotion venues.

Background: Arabs in Israel have high morbidity and mortality from diabetes and cardiovascular disease. Obesity is a risk factor for both conditions. Objectives: To investigate the prevalence of obesity (body mass index >30 kg/m2), subjects' knowledge and behaviors, and their reports on practices of health-care professionals regarding body weight among Arabs and Jews. Methods: The study participants (n=880) were randomly sampled from the urban population of the Hadera district in Israel. Data on demographic, socioeconomic and lifestyle characteristics; reports on height, current body weight and body weight at the age of 18 years; knowledge and behavior; and health-care professionals' practices with regard to body weight were obtained by interview. Anthropometric measurements were performed subsequently. Results: Information on BMI was available on 868 participants (49% Arabs, 49% women, median age 46 years). Although the median BMI did not differ significantly between Arabs and Jews at age 18, the prevalence of current obesity was 52% in Arab women compared to 31% in Jewish women (P < 0.001), and 25% in Arab men compared to 23% in Jewish men (P = 0.6). On multivariate analysis, obesity was significantly associated with age, BMI at the age of 18 years, leisure time physical activity and cigarette smoking, but not with ethnicity. Fewer Arabs reported measuring their body weight and Arab women were less frequently advised to maintain an active lifestyle. Conclusions: The high prevalence of obesity among Arab women may be explained by lifestyle characteristics. Prevention of obesity in Arabs should be directed at women and should start preferably before adulthood.

This chapter proposes a hybrid model for evaluating the efficacy of game-based interventions for obesity. It focuses on how game-based learning and intervention approaches can support obesity prevention and management by encouraging engagement, motivation, and behavioural change. The model provides a structured way to assess the effectiveness of such interventions, especially in relation to health outcomes, user participation, and intervention design.

Objective.-Racial/ethnic differences with regard to complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) use have been reported in the US. However, specific details of CAM use by African Americans with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) are lacking. Methods.-Data were collected from African Americans with RA enrolled in a multicenter registry regarding the use of CAM, including food supplements, topical applications, activities, and alternative care providers. Factors associated with CAM use by sex and disease duration were assessed using t-test, Wilcoxon's rank sum test, chi-square test, and logistic regression analyses. Results.-Of the 855 participants, 85% were women and mean age at enrollment was 54 years. Overall, ever using any of the CAM treatments, activities, and providers was 95%, 98%, and 51%, respectively (median of 3 for number of treatments, median of 5 for activities, and median of 1 for providers). Those with longer disease duration (>2 years) were significantly more likely (odds ratio >2.0, P < 0.05) to use raisins soaked in vodka/gin, to take fish oils, or to drink alcoholic beverages for RA treatment than those with early disease. As compared to men, women were significantly (P < 0.05) more likely to pray/attend church, write in a journal, and use biofeedback, but were less likely to smoke tobacco or topically apply household oils for treatment of RA.

This study was conceived to analyze how exercise and weight management psychosocial variables, derived from several health behavior change theories, predict weight change in a short-term intervention. The theories under analysis were the Social Cognitive Theory, the Transtheoretical Model, the Theory of Planned Behavior, and Self-Determination Theory. Methods: Subjects were 142 overweight and obese women (BMI = 30.2 ± 3.7 kg/m 2 ; age = 38.3 ± 5.8y), participating in a 16-week University-based weight control program. Body weight and a comprehensive psychometric battery were assessed at baseline and at program's end. Results: Weight decreased significantly (-3.6 ± 3.4%, p < .001) but with great individual variability. Both exercise and weight management psychosocial variables improved during the intervention, with exercise-related variables showing the greatest effect sizes. Weight change was significantly predicted by each of the models under analysis, particularly those including self-efficacy. Bivariate and multivariate analyses results showed that change in variables related to weight management had a stronger predictive power than exercise-specific predictors and that change in weight management self-efficacy was the strongest individual correlate (p < .05). Among exercise predictors, with the exception of self-efficacy, importance/effort and intrinsic motivation towards exercise were the stronger predictors of weight reduction (p < .05). The present models were able to predict 20-30% of variance in short-term weight loss and changes in weight management self-efficacy accounted for a large share of the predictive power. As expected from previous studies, exercise variables were only moderately associated with short-term outcomes; they are expected to play a larger explanatory role in longer-term results.

Background. No longitudinal study addressed whether systolic blood pressure level (SBPL) or variability (SBPV) predict arterial properties or vice versa. Methods and Results. In families randomly recruited from a Flemish population, we determined SBPL and SBPV from 5 consecutive blood pressure readings. The indexes of SBPv were variability independent of mean (VIM), the difference between maximum and minimum SBPL (MMD), and average real variability (ARV). We measured carotid intima-media thickness (cIMT) and distensibility (cD) by ultrasound and carotid-femoral pulse wave velocity (cfPWV) by tonometry (SphygmoCor, version 8.2). Effect sizes were computed for 1 SD increments in the predictors, while accounting for covariables and family clusters. Among 1171 participants (51.0% women; mean age, 39.8 years), followed up for 2.48 years (median), higher SBPL predicted (P 0.036) higher cIMT (+14 mm), lower cD (e1.57 10-3/kPa) and faster cfPWV (+0.298 m/s) at follow-up, whereas none of the SBPV indexes predicted the arterial traits at follow-up (P!0.11). In a subset of 749 participants, followed up for another 3.07 years, lower cD predicted (P 0.026) higher SBPL (+1.69 mm Hg), VIM (+0.304 units), MMD (+1.05 mm Hg) and ARV (+0.389). Higher cfPWV predicted a 1.06 mm Hg increase SBPL (P Z 0.027). Conclusions. Temporality and effect size suggest that SBPL but not SBPV cause arterial stiffening and cIMT thickening. Carotid stiffening, independent of SBPL, predicts SBPV, possibly because baroreflexes originating from a stiffer carotid artery wall are impaired. Finally, stiffening of the aorta contributes to the age-related SBPL possibly because faster returning reflected waves augments SBPL.

This publication synthesizes foundational and contemporary scholarly perspectives on the relationship between mental health and social structure. Drawing from sociology, psychology, neuroscience, and public health, the analysis demonstrates that mental health functions as a critical systemic element of society, analogous to the nervous system in the human body. Through an examination of eleven seminal scholars and their respective theoretical contributions, this work illustrates how social conditions, economic structures, inequality, and interpersonal relationships collectively shape psychological well-being atboth individual and population levels. The synthesis reveals a convergent scholarly consensus: mental health is not merely an individual biomedical concern but a fundamental indicator of societal functioning that warrants integrated social, economic, and health policy responses.
Keywords:
mental health, social structure, anomie, alienation, stress process, social support, inequality, allostatic load, belonging

*The findings and conclusions of this report are those of the authors and do not necessarily represent the views of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The 2012 Statistical Update full text is available online at . The American Heart Association makes every effort to avoid any actual or potential conflicts of interest that may arise as a result of an outside relationship or a personal, professional, or business interest of a member of the writing panel. Specifically, all members of the writing group are required to complete and submit a Disclosure Questionnaire showing all such relationships that might be perceived as real or potential conflicts of interest.

Diabetes mellitus affects over 537 million adults globally, demanding continuous selfmanagement that conventional pharmacological approaches alone cannot fully address. Music
therapy has emerged as a promising complementary intervention, with clinical research
demonstrating that slow-tempo music can reduce blood glucose by 15-30 mg/dL through
parasympathetic activation and cortisol reduction. BeatSugar is a cross-platform mobile
application that integrates real-time blood sugar and heart rate monitoring with personalized,
evidence-based music therapy recommendations. The system employs a context-aware
algorithm that maps blood glucose levels, measurement timing, and diabetic status to clinically
appropriate music tempos, incorporating Traditional Chinese Medicine Five Element tonal
sequences alongside AI-generated therapeutic compositions. A personalized effectiveness
scoring engine learns from individual listening sessions, adapting recommendations based on
measurable health outcomes. Experimental evaluation demonstrates 94.2% recommendation
accuracy and algorithm convergence within 8-12 sessions. BeatSugar offers a scientifically
grounded, scalable approach to complementary diabetes management through accessible
digital music therapy.

Our objective was to identify individual and school-level contextual factors related to adherence to the recommendations for physical activity in adolescents. The study used a representative sample of 15,902 students from 328 schools aged 11-18 years participating in the Spanish Health Behaviour in School-aged Children (HSBC) survey 2006. In addition to the student questionnaire, the school management board completed a questionnaire about school-based policies related to physical activity. Adherence to the recommendations was defined as "having carried out moderate and/or vigorous physical activity for at least 60 minutes a day on five or more days during the last week". Analysis was undertaken using multilevel logistic regression models. Individual factors associated in a statistically significant way with a higher non-compliance were: being female; being older; immigrants; tobacco smoking; being overweight or obese; low consumption of fruit and vegetables; low level of satisfaction with life; not having a high level of academic achievement; and spending a lot of time studying. The family variables were: not undertaking sports activities with the family; low socioeconomic status; and a low level of satisfaction with family relationships. Compared with schools that have a low level of policies to promote physical activities, those with a high level of promotion had an odds ratio of 0.76 (CI 95%: 0.61-0.94). In summary, irrespective of personal and family factors, students from schools with better policies of promotion of physical activity showed a higher compliance with the recommendations.

Heat stroke is a life-threatening condition characterized by hyperthermia and systemic dysfunction, posing significant morbidity and mortality risks, particularly during the summer time. This article examines the epidemiology, pathophysiology, clinical presentation, diagnosis, prevention strategies, management considerations in heat stroke, with a focus on implications for anesthesia practice. Anesthetic techniques, perioperative challenges and patient outcomes are explored. Emerging technologies, advancements in understanding heat stress physiology, and policy implications for public health initiatives are also addressed. This review underscores the importance of awareness, education, and interdisciplinary collaboration in mitigating the impact of heat-related illnesses and promoting patient safety. Healthcare providers, policymakers, and the public are urged to take proactive measures to prevent heat stroke, enhance clinical management, and foster resilience in the face of rising temperatures.

Objective-The objective of this study was to test three hypotheses in a sample of individuals with COPD: 1) unsupportive family relationships are associated with psychological distress; 2) psychological distress is associated with smoking status; and 3) unsupportive family relationships are indirectly associated with smoking status via psychological distress. Method-Cross-sectional data were collected via self-report questionnaires completed by 455 individuals with COPD who had at least a 10 pack-year smoking history. The hypotheses were tested with structural equation modeling. Results-All three hypotheses were supported. Unsupportive family relationships were associated with psychological distress (β = .67, p < .001), psychological distress was associated with smoking status (β = .40, p < .001), and unsupportive family relationships were indirectly associated with smoking status via psychological distress (β = .27, p < .001). of this study suggest that family relationships are an important factor to include in future longitudinal research that attempts to elucidate social and psychological influences on smoking behavior.

Background: Development of effective behavioral interventions to promote weight control and physical activity among diverse, underserved populations is a public health priority. Community focused wellness organizations, such as YMCAs, could provide a unique channel with which to reach such populations. This study assessed health behaviors and related characteristics of members of an urban YMCA facility. We surveyed 135 randomly selected members of an urban YMCA facility in Massachusetts to examine self-reported (1) physical activity, (2) dietary behaviors, (3) body mass index, and (4) correlates of behavior change among short-term (i.e., one year or less) and long-term (i.e., more than one year) members. Chi-square tests were used to assess bivariate associations between variables, and multivariate linear regression models were fit to examine correlates of health behaviors and weight status. Results: Eighty-nine percent of short-term and 94% of long-term members reported meeting current physical activity recommendations. Only 24% of short-term and 19% of long-term members met fruit and vegetable consumption recommendations, however, and more than half were overweight or obese. Length of membership was not significantly related to weight status, dietary behaviors, or physical activity. Most respondents were interested in changing health behaviors, in the preparation stage of change, and had high levels of self-efficacy to change behaviors. Short-term members had less education (p = 0.02), lower household incomes (p = 0.02), and were less likely to identify as white (p = 0.005) than long-term members. In multivariate models, females had lower BMI than males (p = 0.003) and reported less physical activity (p = 0.008). Physical activity was also inversely associated with age (p = 0.0004) and education (p = 0.02). Rates of overweight/obesity and fruit and vegetable consumption suggested that there is a need for a weight control intervention among members of an urban community YMCA. Membership in such a community wellness facility alone might not be sufficient to help members maintain a healthy weight. The data indicate that YMCA members are interested in making changes in their dietary and physical activity behaviors. Targeting newer YMCA members might be an effective way of reaching underserved populations. These data will help inform the development of a weight control intervention tailored to this setting.

Compared to other states, Oklahomans suffer higher levels of morbidity and mortality from several common conditions--coronary heart disease, chronic lung disease, stroke and injury. Unhealthy personal behaviors contribute significantly to each of these conditions, thus rendering them at least partially preventable by changing those behaviors. Research has shown that many patients will modify unhealthy behaviors as a result of services provided by physicians or staff in their offices, often with briefly delivered messages. In this report we will discuss the most common preventable illnesses suffered by Oklahomans and the risk factors associated with those illnesses. Physicians should make maximum use of their ability to promote healthy behaviors by their patients, with emphasis on the risk factors associated with significant morbidity in the state. They should also focus on those risk factors patients are likely to change following physician counseling, as determined by prevention research and described in the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force document Guide to Clinical Preventive Services. In general, physicians should consistently deliver messages that address tobacco products, alcohol and other drugs, the use of seat belts, and diet and exercise. Also, they should recommend that all women of childbearing age who are capable of becoming pregnant take a multivitamin containing folic acid daily.

To determine the factors affecting the health-seeking behavior of couples with secondary infertility in Karachi. A descriptive case series. The data was collected from women attending infertility clinics in five tertiary care hospitals in Karachi from March to June 2003. All currently married women, between the age of 15-35 years, with at least one previous conception, irrespective of outcome, attending an infertility clinic and consenting to participate in the study, were included. Women with corrective surgery on vagina and uterus, and cases of primary infertility, were excluded. Multiple logistic regression models were used to determine the association of various factors, affecting the health-seeking behavior, with statistical significance set at p &lt; 0.05 for the covariates and the interaction terms between various factors. The women consulted multiple health care providers for treatment of secondary infertility. The main reasons for seeking treatment were couple s wish (54.2%...

Although exercise has both physical and psychological benefits, most older adults do not exercise on a regular basis. Physical therapists need to explore ways to encourage sustained commitment. This article proposes that cognitive factors contribute to older adults' inactivity and that the self-regulation of exercise maintenance model is a means of promoting exercise. Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), an intervention guided by the self-regulation model, is presented as a practical way to help older adults see how thoughts guide their exercise behavior. The article concludes with a hypothetical case in which principles of CBT are used to promote exercise with older adults.

The Caribbean including Jamaica is undergoing rapid population ageing with implications for health service planning and delivery. Such planning should take into account gender differentials. This study describes and analyses the health status and health-seeking behaviour of men 55 years and over in Jamaica. A quantitative cross-sectional survey employing cluster sampling techniques was utilized to recruit 2000 men, 55 years and older in the parish of St Catherine, Jamaica. A 126-item questionnaire was administered and standard instruments utilized to assess functional status. Respondents (74%) rated their health status as excellent/good. Few men were highly dependent with regard to Activities of Daily Living with incontinence being a major concern. Medication management and shopping were the major Instrumental Activities of Daily Living domains where assistance was needed. Depression was associated with non-involvement in community/social organizations and not being in physical cont...

Most models of health behavior change applied to condom use behavior have focused on individual differences in theoretical constructs to explain condom use or non-use, while ignoring the possibility that day-to-day within-person changes in these constructs may contribute to understanding this behavior. Using a daily process approach, the present study investigated if condom use attitudes, self-efficacy and behavioral intentions vary day-to-day, if this within-person variability predicts behavior, and if negative affective states help to explain this variability. Sexually-active college students (N = 116) reported their current feelings of negative affect, prospectively reported their condom use attitudes, self-efficacy, and behavioral intentions and retrospectively reported their prior evening's sexual behaviors every evening for 30-days using a web-based structured daily diary. Within-person variability was found for each of the constructs. Within-person day-to-day changes in behavioral intentions and attitudes predicted the instances in which an individual would use a condom and daily negative affect partially explained within-person day-to-day changes in behavioral intentions and self-efficacy. Implications for models of health behavior change and for behavior change interventions are discussed.

Most models of health behavior change applied to condom use behavior have focused on individual differences in theoretical constructs to explain condom use or non-use, while ignoring the possibility that day-to-day within-person changes in these constructs may contribute to understanding this behavior. Using a daily process approach, the present study investigated if condom use attitudes, self-efficacy and behavioral intentions vary day-to-day, if this within-person variability predicts behavior, and if negative affective states help to explain this variability. Sexually-active college students (N = 116) reported their current feelings of negative affect, prospectively reported their condom use attitudes, self-efficacy, and behavioral intentions and retrospectively reported their prior evening's sexual behaviors every evening for 30-days using a web-based structured daily diary. Within-person variability was found for each of the constructs. Within-person day-to-day changes in behavioral intentions and attitudes predicted the instances in which an individual would use a condom and daily negative affect partially explained within-person day-to-day changes in behavioral intentions and self-efficacy. Implications for models of health behavior change and for behavior change interventions are discussed.

Background: Mexico has high levels of adolescent obesity (40.4%), with an increase from 17.6 to 18.1% between 2020 and 2023. Technological advancement and early access to electronic devices and video games after the COVID-19 pandemic, along with morbid lifestyles, contribute to this problem. Objective: To determine the association between video game use, lifestyle, and obesity in adolescents. Methods: A cross-sectional, analytical study was conducted. Subjects with and without video game use and percentiles >5 and <95 were included. Those with metabolic, hormonal, neurological, and autoimmune diseases were excluded. Questionnaires were administered regarding lifestyle and video game use. A multiple binary logistic regression model including the variables male sex, morbid lifestyle, video game use, and physical inactivity was developed, yielding exponential B coefficients, 95% CI, and p-values.

In this case study we wanted to find out the impact of Preventive Medicine and implicitly social marketing upon young students with the average age of 19, belonging to the academic environment in Romania. The study lasted one month and consisted of a questionnaire that was conceived and applied to 304 adolescents. The questionnaire contained demographic and personal information, such as age, origin, gender, marital status and some questions related to the respondents&#39; attitude towards several issues that are inserted in the preventive medicine discipline, such as the date of their last consultation, if the respondents were registered to a family physician, suffered from chronic diseases, what was the rate of doing physical exercises, if they ate salty and fat meals, if they were on a diet, their rate of alcohol, caffeine and tobacco consumption. The panel was made up of more female respondents than male, with the average age rate of 19, who had medical consultations in the last ...

Major depressive episode (MDE) among adolescents is a significant public health issue. Approximately, 4.5 million adolescents have experienced an MDE in the past year. This study examined whether MDEs among adolescents differed based on specific parenting behaviors. A national sample of adolescents ages 12 to 17 years (n = 11,572) completed the 2023 National Survey of Drug use and Health. Univariate and multivariable logistic regression analyses were conducted to determine whether lifetime and past year MDE differed based on parenting behaviors. Results indicated that adolescents at highest risk for both lifetime and past-year MDE were female, older (14-15 or 16-17-years-old), and white. Regarding parenting behaviors, adolescents at highest risk for lifetime and past-year MDE were those who had parents never/seldom check their homework, never/seldom help with their homework, never/seldom limit the amount of TV, never/seldom tell them they did a good job, never/seldom tell them they were proud of them, and who argued/fought with them ten or more times in the past year. These findings show the intricate relationship between adolescent MDE and parenting behaviors. Public health educators should encourage parents to engage in authoritative parenting behaviors (defined as high levels of parental support, warmth, and clear expectations) to help prevent MDE among adolescents. Findings should be used to assist program developers in incorporating parenting components in MDE prevention and treatment efforts.

This study investigated the nature and frequency of the contacts that occur between dogs, and between dogs and people, by means of a questionnaire survey of 260 dog‐owning households in a community in Cheshire, uk. The contacts were highly variable and were affected by the size, sex and age of the dog, individual dog behaviours, human behaviours and human preferences in the management of the dog. A number of situations were identified that may be important in relation to zoonoses, including sleeping areas, playing behaviours, greeting behaviours, food sources, walking, disposal of faeces, veterinary preventive treatment and general hygiene.

OBJECTIVE-To document frequency of hygiene practices of mothers and children in a shantytown in Lima, Peru. METHODS-Continuous monitoring over three 12-h sessions in households without in-house water connections to measure: (i) water and soap use of 32 mothers; (ii) frequency of interrupting faecal-hand contamination by washing; and (iii) the time until faecal-hand contamination became a possible transmission event. RESULTS-During 1008 h of observation, 55% (65/119) of mothers' and 69% (37/54) of children's faecal-hand contamination events were not followed within 15 min by handwashing or bathing. Nearly 40% (67/173) of faecal-hand contamination events became possible faecal-oral transmission events. There was no difference in the time-until-transmission between mothers and children (P = 0.43). Potential transmission of faecal material to food or mouth occurred in 64% of cases within 1 h of hand contamination. Mean water usage (6.5 l) was low compared to international disaster relief standards. CONCLUSIONS-We observed low volumes of water usage, inadequate handwashing, and frequent opportunities for faecal contamination and possible transmission in this water-scarce community.