Associations Of Health Risk Behaviors Research Articles

Association of health-risk behaviors with perceived academic performance among middle and high school students: A cross-sectional study in Shanghai, China.

Adolescence is a susceptible period to establish health-risk behaviors, which may have an impact on academic performance. The aim of this study was to investigate the association between health-risk behaviors (HRBs) and perceived academic performance (PAP) of adolescents in Shanghai, China. The data of the present study included three-round Shanghai Youth Health-risk Behavior Survey (SYHBS). This cross-sectional survey investigated multiple HRBs of students involved in dietary behaviors, physical activity and sedentary behaviors, intentional and unintentional injury behaviors, and substance abuse behaviors, as well as PAP by using self-reported questionnaire. Using a multistage random sampling method, 40,593 middle and high school students aged 12 to 18 years were involved. Only participants with complete data on HRBs information, academic performance and covariates were included. A total of 35,740 participants were involved in analysis. We used ordinal logistic regression to analyze the association between each HRB and PAP adjusting for sociodemographic, family environment and duration of extracurricular study. The results showed that students who did not eat breakfast or drink milk everyday were more likely to have a lower PAP, with a decreased odds of 0.89 (95%CI: 0.86-0.93, P<0.001) and 0.82 (95%CI: 0.79-0.85, P<0.001), respectively. The similar association was also found in students who did exercise ≥60 minutes for less than 5 days/week, spend time on watch TV beyond 3 hours/day and other sedentary behaviors. Most intentional and unintentional injuries, and ever smoked were associated with a lower PAP. Our finding suggests that multiple HRBs negatively associated with PAP of adolescents. It needs to raise public health concerns with HRBs in adolescents, and to develop and implement comprehensive interventions on HRBs.

Associations of health-risk behaviors with mental health among Chinese children

ABSTRACT The study aimed to investigate the individual and combined association of health-risk behaviors with mental health among Chinese children. A cross-sectional study was conducted in Wuhan, China, from May to June 2018. Participants self-reported the information on physical activity (PA), screen time (ST), fruit and vegetable (FV) intake, and sleep duration. Mental health, including depression, social anxiety and self-esteem, was assessed using standard questionnaires. A total of 1296 children (704 males and 592 females) aged 9.2 ± 0.4 years were included in the present study. The prevalence of low PA, high ST, low FV intake, and inadequate sleep duration was 45.6%, 18.0%, 69.7%, and 64.7%, respectively. Overall, significant associations were found between individual health-risk behavior and increased risks of mental health. Furthermore, children with three or four health-risk behaviors showed significantly increased risks of anxiety (OR: 3.18, 95%CI: 1.63–6.21), depression (OR: 4.55, 95%CI: 2.28–9.09) and low self-esteem (OR: 3.59, 95%CI: 2.20–5.88) compared with those without health-risk behavior. Results of this study revealed a high prevalence of health-risk behaviors among Chinese children. Furthermore, the clustering of health-risk behavior was associated with significantly increased risks of mental health in this population. Considering these findings, it is important to perform early interventions to reduce children’s health-risk behavior and prevent mental health problems.

Association of Health Risk Behaviors with Cardiovascular Diseases: A Hospital-based Case Study in Noakhali district, Bangladesh

Cardiovascular diseases have become the most significant cause of global mortality and morbidity, particularly for low and middle-income countries such as Bangladesh. This condition is widely attributable to unhealthy outcomes in its association with risk factors such as age, obesity, smoking, low socioeconomic state, and sedentary lifestyle, which play a significant role in the progression of cardiovascular diseases. A prospective case study conducted in a few hospitals (both government and private) of Noakhali district, Bangladesh, and 50 subjects were included in the study. About 52% of patients had total cholesterol above normal level (&gt;200 mg/dl), 64% of patients had triglycerides &gt;150mg/dl, and hence HDL level also showed poor level for 80% of the patients (&lt;40mg/dl). About 58% were smokers, and 68% consumed smokeless tobacco at a certain point and mostly relied on carbohydrate consumption in their diet. 42% of them are living a sedentary lifestyle, and male patients had significantly higher triglyceride levels than females (P&lt;0.035). Moreover, with the increase of age, the level of physical activity decreased with time (p&lt;0.003), and female patients were more lethargic than males in doing so (p&lt;0.033). Obesity creped into patients if there were either widowed or separated from their partners (p&lt;0.009) with reducing physical mobility (p&lt;0.007). Smokeless tobacco uses found to be high in patients with low education levels (p&lt;0.005). Our study showed that the common risk factors among our subjects without comorbidity were age, obesity and overweight, physical inactivity, low socioeconomic status, and smoking.

Association of health-risk behaviors and depressive symptoms and anxiety symptoms: a school-based sample of Chinese adolescents.

Background Depressive symptoms and anxiety symptoms of adolescents not only affect youth but also have wide-ranging impacts on the health of adults. The study was carried out to determine the epidemiological characteristics of depressive symptoms and anxiety symptoms and the associations between the two and health-risk behaviors in Chinese adolescents. Methods Participants were recruited from the junior and senior high schools in China. Data were collected by self-designed questionnaires. The questionnaires included questions about demographic characteristics, depressive symptom scales, anxiety symptom scales and nine categories of health-risk behaviors. Descriptive analysis and binary logistic regression were performed by SPSS 21.0 software. Results There were 4.4% of the participants with depressive symptoms. Approximately 32.0% of the participants had anxiety symptoms. Girls and general senior school students were risk factors for depressive symptoms and anxiety symptoms. Multiple health-risk behaviors were associated with depressive symptoms and anxiety symptoms in Chinese adolescents. Conclusion Depressive symptoms and anxiety symptoms were prevalent in Chinese adolescents. Their distribution was affected by certain health-risk behaviors. Multiple health-risk behaviors were associated with depressive symptoms and anxiety symptoms in Chinese adolescents.

Associations of Health-Risk Behaviors and Health Cognition With Sexual Orientation Among Adolescents in School: Analysis of Pooled Data From Korean Nationwide Survey From 2008 to 2012.

Homosexual adolescents may face significant health disparities. We examined health-risk behaviors and health cognition related to homosexual behavior in a representative sample of adolescents.Data were obtained from 129,900 adolescents between 2008 and 2012 over 5 cycles of the Korean Youth Risk Behavior Survey, a national survey of students in grades 7 to 12. Various health-risk behaviors and aspects of health cognition were compared between homosexual and heterosexual adolescents and analyzed with multiple logistic regression models.Compared with heterosexual adolescents (n = 127,594), homosexual adolescents (n = 2306) were more likely to engage in various health-risk behaviors and to have poor health cognition. In multiple logistic regression analysis, not living with parents, alcohol experience (adjusted odds ratio, 1.50; 95% confidence interval, 1.26–1.78 for males and 1.66; 1.33–2.07 for females), smoking experience (1.80; 1.54–2.10 for males and 3.15; 2.61–3.79 for females), and drug experience (3.65; 2.81–4.80 for males and 3.23; 2.35–4.46 for females) were associated with homosexual behavior. Homosexual adolescents were more likely to use adult internet content (2.82; 2.27–3.50 for males and 7.42; 4.19–13.15 for females), and to be depressed (1.21; 1.03–1.43 for males and 1.32; 1.06–1.64 for females). In addition, suicide ideation (1.51; 1.26–1.81 for males and 1.47; 1.16–1.86 for females) and attempts (1.67; 1.37–2.05 for males and 1.65; 1.34–2.03 for females) were significantly more prevalent among homosexual adolescents.Homosexual adolescents report disparities in various aspects of health-risk behavior and health cognition, including use of multiple substances, adult internet content and inappropriate weight loss methods, suicide ideation and attempts, and depressive mood. These factors should be addressed relevantly to develop specific interventions regarding sexual minorities.

Association of Health Risk Behaviors with Mental Health among Elderly Koreans

Results: The prevalence of depression, anxiety experience, and poor quality of life was 40.8%, 29.9%, and 54.6%, respectively. Current smoking was significantly associated with the risk of anxiety symptoms and poor quality of life (adjusted prevalence odds ratio (POR), 1.24; 95% confidence interval (CI), 1.02 to 1.52 and adjusted POR, 1.34; 95% CI, 1.12 to 1.60, respectively). Also, not exercising regularly was significantly associated with all of the mental health problems (depression and anxiety symptoms, and poor quality of life), which were measured in this study (adjusted POR, 1.31; 95% CI, 1.14 to 1.51 and adjusted POR, 1.39; 95% CI, 1.19 to 1.62 and adjusted POR, 1.45; 95% CI, 1.27 to 1.65, respectively). Conclusion: Elderly Koreans with health risk behaviors are likely to be vulnerable to mental health concerns. This finding underscores the continued needs to design and implement mental health policies at the community or the country level, especially in elderly Koreans with health risk behaviors.

Associations Between Risk Behaviors and Suicidal Ideation and Suicide Attempts: Do Racial/Ethnic Variations in Associations Account for Increased Risk of Suicidal Behaviors Among Hispanic/Latina 9th- to 12th-Grade Female Students?

The objective of this study was to identify factors that may account for the disproportionately high prevalence of suicidal behaviors among Hispanic/Latina youth by examining whether associations of health risk behaviors with suicidal ideation and suicide attempts vary by race/ethnicity among female students. Data from the school-based 2007 national Youth Risk Behavior Survey were analyzed. Analyses were conducted among female students in grades 9 through 12 and included 21 risk behaviors related to unintentional injuries and violence; tobacco use; alcohol and other drug use; sexual behaviors that contribute to unintended pregnancy and sexually transmitted infections, including human immunodeficiency virus; physical activity; obesity and weight control; and perceived health status. With the exception of physical activity behaviors and obesity, all risk behaviors examined were associated with suicidal ideation and suicide attempts. Associations of risk behaviors with suicidal ideation varied by race/ethnicity for 5 of 21 behaviors, and for 0 of 21 behaviors for suicide attempts. Stratified analyses provided little insight into factors that may account for the higher prevalence of suicidal behaviors among Hispanic/Latina female students. These results suggest that the increased risk of suicidal behaviors among Hispanic/Latina female students cannot be accounted for by differential associations with these selected risk behaviors. Other factors, such as family characteristics, acculturation, and the socio-cultural environment, should be examined in future research.

The associations between health risk behaviors and suicidal ideation and attempts in an urban Chinese sample of adolescents

Background To investigate the prevalence of suicidal ideation and attempts among adolescents in Guangzhou, China, and to explore the associations between health risk behaviors and suicidal behaviors. Methods A two-stage stratified cluster sample design produced a representative sample of 12–19-year-old students who attended public middle schools in Guangzhou. Prevalence estimates and standard errors (SEs) of suicidal ideation and attempts were calculated using SUDAAN statistical software. Logistic regression was used to examine the associations between health risk behaviors and suicidal behaviors. Results Overall, 17.25% of students reported suicidal ideation, and 3.04% reported suicidal attempts during the past 12 months. Almost all investigated health risk behaviors were significantly associated with suicidal ideation and attempts among adolescent females and males. In adjusted logistic regression analyses, physical fight was associated with suicidal attempts (adjusted odds ratio (AOR) = 4.358; 95% confidence interval (CI) = 1.080, 17.589), but not with suicidal ideation for females. Considering themselves overweight (AOR = 1.257; 95%CI = 1.082, 1.610) and current smoking (AOR = 1.708; 95%CI = 1.134, 4.605) were associated with suicidal ideation, but not with suicidal attempts for females. Among adolescent males, sad/hopeless (AOR = 2.280; 95%CI = 1.615, 3.219), current drinking (AOR = 1.904; 95%CI = 1.269, 2.857), and participating in vigorous physical activities ≥ 3 times/week (AOR = 0.639; 95%CI = 0.477, 0.854) were associated with suicidal ideation, but not with suicidal attempts. Ever having had sexual intercourse was associated with suicidal attempts (AOR = 2.588; 95%CI = 1.125, 5.952), but not with suicidal ideation for males. Conclusions The associations of health risk behaviors with suicidal ideation and attempts varied by gender, and the correlates of suicidal ideation and suicidal attempts were different.

Health Risk Behaviors and Prostate Specific Antigen Awareness Among Men in California

Differences in prostate specific antigen awareness may contribute to differences in the frequency of prostate specific antigen testing. We investigated the association of health risk behaviors, including smoking, physical inactivity, obesity and excessive alcohol consumption, with awareness of the prostate specific antigen test in men in California at risk for prostate cancer. Using 2003 data from the California Health Interview Survey, a population based, random digit dial telephone survey, the records of 7,297 men 50 years or older without a history of prostate cancer were identified. The outcome was self-reported awareness of the prostate specific antigen test. The main independent variables were smoking status, physical activity level, body mass index and alcohol consumption. The prevalence, OR and 95% CI for prostate specific antigen awareness were calculated using SUDAAN to account for the complex sampling design. The overall prevalence of prostate specific antigen awareness was 73.0%. After controlling for potential confounders the odds of being aware of the prostate specific antigen test was lower in current smokers (vs never smoked OR 0.53, 95% CI 0.41-0.68), physically inactive men (vs physically active OR 0.77, 95% CI 0.63-0.93) and obese men (vs normal weight OR 0.77, 95% CI 0.62-0.95). Health risk behaviors are associated with lower prostate specific antigen awareness. Our findings suggest opportunities for focused health education interventions and quality improvement programs tailored to men who engage in unhealthy behaviors to improve their prostate specific antigen test awareness.

Predictors of Injury in U.S. Army Basic Training

Nine-week (wk) Army basic training (BT) physically challenges new recruits, some of whom are unaccustomed to high levels of activity. Injury incidence is 19% - 37% for men and 42% - 67% for women, with 80% - 85% of injuries being overuse-related. Similar types of injuries occur in sports and recreation. The association of health risk behaviors and BT injury is poorly understood due to insufficient data for baseline measures. PURPOSE: To examine potential risk factors for BT injury from a self-reported health and health risk behavior survey. METHODS: Between 1 October 2002 and 30 September 2003, 6584 male and 4754 female Regular Army recruits at Ft. Jackson, SC completed a165-item survey of health status and health risk behaviors. Survey data were linked to routinely collected medical data for 5324 men and 3873 women to identify those injured during BT. Univariate and multivariate logistic regression (adjusted for days of training) were used to examine the association of potential risk factors and BT injury. RESULTS: Cumulative injury incidence during BT was 27% and 54% for men and women, respectively. Mean age (±SD) was 21±4 years (yrs) for men and women. Independent risk factors for injury among men included older age (Odds Ratio [OR] [Υ≥23 yrs/≤18 yrs]=1.52; 95% confidence interval [CI]=1.25-1.85), history of physical abuse (OR [often/never]=1.48; 95% CI=1.10-1.98), history of extreme anger (OR [>1x-wk/never]=1.46; 95% CI=1.09-1.97), age began smoking (OR [≤12/≥18]=1.37; 95% CI=1.00-1.87), history of stiff/painful joints (OR [yes/no]=1.58; 95% CI=1.32-1.90), and non-high school graduate (OR [GED/high school diploma]=1.34; 95% CI=1.07-1.67). Among women, independent risk factors included being divorced (OR [divorced/never married]=2.68, 95% CI=1.55-4.63), lower BMI (OR [3rd quartile/1st quartile]=0.76; 95%CI=0.53-0.92), having fewer close friends/relatives for support (OR [1vs.5]=1.51; 95% CI=1.12-2.04), previous work-related injury (OR [yes/no]=1.70; 95% CI=1.30-2.22) and smoking (OR [smoked 1-2 packs/day/never smoked]=1.71; 95% CI=1.23-2.38). CONCLUSION: Independent risk factors for BT injury among men included history of physical abuse, higher levels of anger, and age began smoking and among women included less social support, smoking 1-2 packs/day, and a previous work-related injury.

Associations of Health Risk Behaviors With School Absenteeism. Does Having Permission for the Absence Make a Difference?

Nearly 10% of students enrolled in US public schools are absent daily. Although previous research has shown associations of school absenteeism with participation in risk behaviors, it is unclear if these associations vary by whether the absence was excused. The purpose of this study was to examine the associations of health risk behaviors with being absent from school with and without permission among high school students. During spring 2004, questionnaires similar to the Youth Risk Behavior Survey questionnaire were completed by 4517 ninth- and eleventh-grade students. Responses to items assessing frequency of school absences during the past 30 days for any reason and without permission were combined to create a variable coded as absent on: 0 days; > or =1 day, all with permission (WP); and > or =1 day, at least 1 day without permission (WOP). Logistic regression analyses controlling for gender, grade, and race/ethnicity examined the association of risk behaviors with absenteeism. Controlling for demographic variables, compared to students who were absent 0 days, students who were absent WP had significantly higher odds of engaging in 25 of 55 risk behaviors examined and students who were absent WOP had significantly higher odds of engaging in 43 of the 55 behaviors. Students who were absent WOP also had approximately twice the odds of engaging in risk behaviors compared to students who were absent WP. School absenteeism, with and without permission, is associated with risk behaviors. Schools should recognize absenteeism for any reason as a warning sign for a variety of risk behaviors.

Variations in associations of health risk behaviors among ethnic minority early adolescents

Purpose To investigate patterns of vulnerability and protection factors associated with risk behaviors and the co-occurrence of risk behaviors in minority ethnicity early adolescents. Methods Analysis of data from the Research with East London Adolescents Community Health Survey (RELACHS), a school-based study of a representative sample of 2789 adolescents age 11–14 in 2001 (sample 73% non-Caucasian, 21% born outside the United Kingdom). Questionnaire data were obtained on sociodemographic variables, ethnicity, smoking, drinking, drug use, psychological well-being, physical health, and social support from family and peers. Models of associations for each behavior and co-occurrence of risk behaviors (defined as engaging in ≥ 2 behaviors) were developed by hierarchical stepwise logistic regression. Results Two hundred ninety-two (10.9%) reported 1 risk behavior, 84 (3.1%) reported 2, and 25 (0.9%) reported 3 behaviors. In multivariate models, psychological morbidity was associated with higher risk of all behaviors and co-occurrence, while higher family support was associated with lower risk in all models. Non-Caucasian ethnicity was associated with lower risk of regular smoking and co-occurrence but not drinking or drugs. Birth outside the United Kingdom was associated with lower risk for individual behaviors but not co-occurrence. Religion and religious observance were associated with lower risk of smoking and drinking but not drug use or co-occurrence. Peer connectedness was associated with drug use, but with increased risk. Socioeconomic status was associated only with smoking. Conclusions Patterns of associations of personal, family, and environmental factors appear to differ between smoking, drinking, lifetime drug use, and the co-occurrence of these behaviors. Hypotheses regarding common factors related to health risk behaviors may be misleading in ethnic minorities and immigrants. Co-occurrence may represent a distinct behavioral domain of risk that is partly culturally determined.