Engagement In Health-related Behaviors Research Articles

The Influence of Health-Related Behavior Profiles on College Students' Perceptions of COVID-19 Safety Measures.

College students often engage in multiple health-related behaviors simultaneously which can lead to negative outcomes and further risky behaviors. During the COVID-19 pandemic, college students reported decreased condom use, increased solitary cannabis use, and increased alcohol consumption. This current study aimed to (1) identify profiles of health-related behaviors (i.e., alcohol consumption, cannabis use, and sexual behaviors), and (2) determine if these profiles would differ in engagement and perceived effectiveness of COVID-19 preventative measures. Participants were 273 college students from a large Northeastern U.S. public university who completed surveys about health-related behaviors during the 2021 academic year. We used a latent profile analysis to identify distinct subgroups of college students based on their engagement in health-related behaviors. Based on fit indices a three-profile solution showed the best fit: low (N = 196), moderate (N = 54), and high (N = 23). Two one-way ANOVAs examined whether profile membership predicted engagement and perceived effectiveness of COVID-19 safety measures. Participants in the low health-related behaviors profile engaged in preventative measures more than students in the other two profiles. However, profile membership did not predict perceived effectiveness of preventative behaviors. Taken together, our results indicate that college students reporting lower levels of health-related behaviors engage in more preventative measures during a pandemic. Understanding distinct health-related behaviors profiles among college students, and their links with COVID-preventative health-related behaviors, can inform prevention strategies.

Trends in U.S. self-reported health and self-care behaviors during the COVID-19 pandemic.

The COVID-19 pandemic represents a unique stressor in Americans' daily lives and access to health services. However, it remains unclear how the pandemic impacted perceived health status and engagement in health-related behaviors. To assess changes in self-reported health outcomes during the COVID-19 pandemic, and to explore trends in health-related behaviors that may underlie the observed health changes. Interrupted time series stratified by age, gender, race/ethnicity, educational attainment, household income, and employment status. United States. All adult respondents to the 2016-2020 Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (N = 2,146,384). Survey completion following the U.S. public health emergency declaration (March-December 2020). January 2019 to February 2020 served as our reference period. Self-reported health outcomes included the number of days per month that respondents spent in poor mental health, physical health, or when poor health prevented their usual activities of daily living. Self-reported health behaviors included the number of hours slept per day, number of days in the past month where alcohol was consumed, participation in any exercise, and current smoking status. The national rate of days spent in poor physical health decreased overall (-1.00 days, 95% CI: -1.10 to -0.90) and for all analyzed subgroups. The rate of poor mental health days or days when poor health prevented usual activities did not change overall but exhibited substantial heterogeneity by subgroup. We also observed overall increases in mean sleep hours per day (+0.09, 95% CI 0.05 to 0.13), the percentage of adults who report any exercise activity (+3.28%, 95% CI 2.48 to 4.09), increased alcohol consumption days (0.27, 95% CI 0.18 to 0.37), and decreased smoking prevalence (-1.11%, 95% CI -1.39 to -0.83). The COVID-19 pandemic had deleterious but heterogeneous effects on mental health, days when poor health prevented usual activities, and alcohol consumption. In contrast, the pandemic's onset was associated with improvements in physical health, mean hours of sleep per day, exercise participation, and smoking status. These findings highlight the need for targeted outreach and interventions to improve mental health in individuals who may be disproportionately affected by the pandemic.

Abstract P654: Neighborhood Social Determinants of Health Influence Cardioprotective Behaviors Among Church Members in New Orleans

Introduction: Favorable neighborhood-level social determinants of health (SDOH) are associated with less cardiovascular disease risk, but there is limited research evaluating their influence on cardioprotective behaviors. We evaluated the association between neighborhood-level SDOH and cardioprotective behaviors among members of predominantly Black churches in New Orleans, LA. Hypothesis: Participants residing in more-resourced neighborhoods will be more likely to engage in cardioprotective behaviors than participants residing in less-resourced neighborhoods. Methods: A health needs assessment was conducted during the planning phase of a local church-based health intervention. It included a survey distributed between November 2021-February 2022 to church members on their demographics, engagement in health-related behaviors, aspects of the neighborhood environment, and home address (which was linked to their census tract data and a corresponding social deprivation index [SDI]). We conducted descriptive analyses and multivariable logistic regression models to assess the influence of neighborhood predictor variables on the likelihood of engaging in cardioprotective behaviors. Results: Overall, there were 302 respondents, 77% were female, 99% were of Black race, and 50% completed an associate’s/bachelor’s degree or higher. Neighborhood social cohesion, availability of fruits and vegetables, and the neighborhood’s walkability and conduciveness to exercise were positively associated with the composite outcome of beneficial health behaviors after adjusting for age, sex, and education. [Table] Neighborhood predictors were not associated with medication adherence or regular medical care. Conclusions: Neighborhood-level SDOH were associated with cardioprotective behaviors in this group of predominantly Black church members in New Orleans.

Trends in and relations between children's health-related behaviors pre-, mid- and post-Covid.

Covid-19 has had a major negative impact on children's engagement in health-related behaviors. This study examines trends in children's screen time, outdoor play and sports club membership in pre- (2016-19), mid- (2020-21) and post- (2021-22) Covid years. Also, predicting factors (gender, age and active commuting) of these health-related behaviors are examined. Data were collected via yearly self-report questionnaires among pupils in Grades 3-6 (mean age 10.14 ± 1.25 years; total n over the five cohorts = 6351, 50.8% girls). Multilevel path models were constructed in Mplus to examine whether children's screen time, outdoor play and sports club membership differed between pre-, mid- and post-Covid years; and which factors predicted engagement in these health-related behaviors (using data of all cohorts). During and after Covid-19, children's screen time was higher, while they engaged less in outdoor play and were less often member of a sports club than before. Although these negative trends peaked during Covid-19, they slowly seem to be returning to pre-Covid levels in recent year. Younger children, girls and active commuters had less minutes screen time per day and played outdoors more days per week; boys and active commuters were more often sports club member. Although in the first year post-Covid children seem to be engaging more in health-related behaviors than during Covid-19, we still found lower levels of engagement than in the years before Covid-19, underlining the importance of early intervention to ensure an appropriate amount of engagement in health-related behaviors for all children.

Psychosocial Adjustment in Emerging Adults With and Without Spina Bifida: A 14-Year Follow-up Study.

A 14-year follow-up of youth with spina bifida (SB), as compared to a matched comparison sample without a chronic health condition, focused on psychosocial adjustment during emerging adulthood (ages 22-23). The initial cohort at time 1 consisted of 68 families with an 8-year-old or 9-year-old child with SB and a matched comparison sample of 68 typically developing children and their families. At the final assessment (time 7), participants included 56 emerging adults with SB (82% of those who participated at time 1) and 62 comparison youth (91% of those who participated at time 1) who completed a set of self-report measures. Emerging adults with SB continue to lag behind across several important developmental milestones, including decision-making responsibility, involvement in social and romantic relationships, sexual intimacy, educational and vocational achievement, financial independence, and engagement in health-related behaviors. However, from a resilience perspective, these individuals also exhibited a number of strengths across the following areas: identity development, quality of social supports, and fewer problem behaviors (e.g., alcohol and other substance use). Most findings were still significant after controlling for a verbal intelligence quotient proxy. This study highlighted vulnerabilities and strengths of individuals with SB as they enter emerging adulthood, with considerable continuity across childhood, adolescence, and emerging adulthood.

Testing the relationship between health values consistent living and health-related behavior

The present study examined whether a domain-specific measure of health values consistent living would predict engagement in health-related behaviors above and beyond measures of values consistent living in general. Participants were 111 individuals aged 18 to 49 years (M = 21.41, SD = 3.721) who attended a single assessment session to complete the Values Wheel measure of health values consistent living, and questionnaire measures of general values consistent living and engagement in health behaviors. The findings indicated that neither dietary quality nor alcohol consumption were related to health or general values consistent living. Greater levels of physical activity were associated with greater commitment to valued action in general. Lower sleep disturbance was associated with greater commitment to valued action in general and greater health values consistent living. Health values consistent living did not predict incremental variance in sleep quality over and above commitment to valued action in general. The present findings suggest that assessing abstract values alone is not sufficient to predict specific behaviors. Findings are discussed with reference to the need to improve measures of values consistent living by increasing their specificity.

Prevalence of Five Health-Related Behaviors for Chronic Disease Prevention Among Sexual and Gender Minority Adults — 25 U.S. States and Guam, 2016

In recent decades, public health awareness of health disparities among lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) populations has increased (1). Healthy People 2020 included objectives to improve health of LGBT persons.† Five key health-related behaviors were found to be likely associated with reduced all-cause mortality: never smoking, performing regular physical activity, consuming no or moderate amounts of alcohol, having a normal body weight, and obtaining sufficient sleep daily (2). CDC estimated these five health-related behaviors among adults aged ≥21 years by sexual orientation and transgender status using data from the 2016 Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS) in 25 U.S. states and Guam. Patterns of these five health-related behaviors varied by sexual orientation among men and women, and among transgender adults. Lesbian and bisexual women were less likely to engage in all five health-related behaviors than were heterosexual women (5.4% and 6.9%, respectively, versus 10.6%). Compared with cisgender§ adults, male-to-female transgender adults were less likely to engage in any two of five health-related behaviors (12.3% versus 18.6%). Male-to-female transgender adults, however, were more likely to engage in any three of five health-related behaviors than were female-to-male transgender adults (47.2% versus 28.2%). The number of health-related behaviors did not differ between gay or bisexual men and heterosexual men. Continued efforts are needed to target LGBT populations for overall well-being, including strategies for health promotion and engagement in health-related behaviors.

Healthy Parent Carers programme: development and feasibility of a novel group-based health-promotion intervention

BackgroundParent carers of disabled children report poor physical health and mental wellbeing. They experience high levels of stress and barriers to engagement in health-related behaviours and with ‘standard’ preventive programmes (e.g. weight loss programmes). Interventions promoting strategies to improve health and wellbeing of parent carers are needed, tailored to their specific needs and circumstances.MethodsWe developed a group-based health promotion intervention for parent carers by following six steps of the established Intervention Mapping approach. Parent carers co-created the intervention programme and were involved in all stages of the development and testing. We conducted a study of the intervention with a group of parent carers to examine the feasibility and acceptability. Standardised questionnaires were used to assess health and wellbeing pre and post-intervention and at 2 month follow up. Participants provided feedback after each session and took part in a focus group after the end of the programme.ResultsThe group-based Healthy Parent Carers programme was developed to improve health and wellbeing through engagement with eight achievable behaviours (CLANGERS – Connect, Learn, be Active, take Notice, Give, Eat well, Relax, Sleep), and by promoting empowerment and resilience. The manualised intervention was delivered by two peer facilitators to a group of seven parent carers. Feedback from participants and facilitators was strongly positive. The study was not powered or designed to test effectiveness but changes in measures of participants’ wellbeing and depression were in a positive direction both at the end of the intervention and 2 months later which suggest that there may be a potential to achieve benefit.ConclusionsThe Healthy Parent Carers programme appears feasible and acceptable. It was valued by, and was perceived to have benefited participants. The results will underpin future refinement of the intervention and plans for evaluation.

The belief of control and engagement in health related behaviours in the groups of adolescents with type 1 diabetes and excess body weight

Introduction. The aim of this study is to assess the level of health-related behaviours among adolescents with type 1 diabetes and excess body weight, and the correlation occurring between the locus of control and the intensity of selected health-related behaviours among the respondents. Material and methods. The study was conducted among patients of the Diabetes Clinic of the University Clinical Hospital No. 1 in Lodz and the Outpatient Clinic for Obesity Prevention and Therapy, Polish Mother’s Memorial Hospital — Research Institute in Lodz. The age of the patients ranged from 12 to 20. The measurement of the variables was done utilising three methods: the Health Behaviour Inventory (IZZ), the Delta questionnaire to measure the locus of control and a survey of the author’s own design. Results. The results indicate, inter alia, that the surveyed young people suffering from type 1 diabetes or excess body weight do not engage in health-related behaviours more intensely than healthy individuals, though, the belief of having influence on their lives (the internal locus of control) dominates among them. What is more, a strong need for social approval is correlated, in the study groups, with the level of healthrelated behaviours, which can suggest that the average level of health-related behaviours stems from a desire to present oneself in a best possible light. Conclusion. Young people with type 1 diabetes and people with excess body weight present a comparable, unfortunately only average, level of health-related behaviours. Results suggest that the respondents probably tried to present themselves in a best possible light and the outcomes obtained, not higher than average, can be overstated, as compared with the actual level of health-related behaviours.

Selective effects of excessive engagement in health-related behaviours on disgust propensity

The present study examined the extent to which engagement in health-related behaviours modulate disgust propensity, a purportedly stable personality trait. Participants were randomised into a health behaviour (n = 30) or control condition (n = 30). After a baseline period, participants in the health behaviour condition spent one week actively engaging in a clinically representative array of health-related behaviours on a daily basis, followed by a second week-long baseline period. Participants in the control condition monitored their normal use of health behaviours. Compared to control participants, those in the health behaviour condition reported significantly greater increases in disgust propensity after the health behaviour manipulation. This effect was most robust for contamination disgust propensity and remained significant when controlling for changes in health anxiety and disease fear. In contrast, self-disgust and anxiety sensitivity did not significantly differ between the two groups as a function of the health behaviour manipulation. Mediational analyses were consistent with the hypothesis that changes in the frequency of health-related behaviours, but not changes in health anxiety and disease fear, mediated the effects of the experimental manipulation on changes in contamination disgust propensity. These findings suggest that the purportedly stable personality trait of disgust propensity can be modulated by excessive engagement in health-related behaviours.

Healthy Eating, Exercise, and Weight: Impressions of Sexual Minority Women

ABSTRACT Obesity is a risk factor for multiple disease outcomes, including cancer and cardiovascular disease. A healthy diet and physically active lifestyle can prevent obesity. Sexual orientation is an important demographic factor that has been suggested to affect engagement in health-related behaviors, and interventions developed for the general population of women are likely to be less effective in assisting sexual minority women to make healthy choices. We conducted seven focus groups with sexual minority women (i.e., lesbians and bisexual women) to explore issues, including barriers and motivations, regarding healthy eating, physical activity, and weight in this population. The participants reported a wide range of levels of engagement in health-related behaviors. While nearly all of the participants reported some awareness of the importance of good dietary choices, the majority reported some confusion about what constitutes a healthy diet. In contrast, the majority of participants seemed clearly aware that regular exercise was important for good health. These data can guide the design of effective intervention strategies to improve health behaviors in sexual minority women.

Mister In-between

The study of young men's health-related behaviour offers an opportunity to examine the links between masculine identity and social behaviour. This article presents a case study of a 19-year-old man living in London, who describes himself as different to his peers on several important dimensions, including his engagement in health-related behaviours. The case study demonstrates the importance of health-related social behaviours such as drinking, drug use, physical activity, sport and sexual behaviour in the construction of a masculine identity. This case study also reveals that the way in which men position themselves in relation to different discourses of masculinity can have important implications not only for their masculine identities, but also for their health-related behaviour.