Habits Of Adolescents Research Articles

Use of Fitness and Nutrition Apps: Associations With Body Mass Index, Snacking, and Drinking Habits in Adolescents.

BackgroundEfforts to improve snacking and drinking habits are needed to promote a healthy body mass index (BMI) in adolescents. Although commercial fitness and nutrition mobile phone apps are widely used, little is known regarding their potential to improve health behaviors, especially in adolescents. In addition, evidence on the mechanisms through which such fitness and nutrition apps influence behavior is lacking.ObjectivesThis study assessed whether the use of commercial fitness or nutrition apps was associated with a lower BMI and healthier snacking and drinking habits in adolescents. Additionally, it explored if perceived behavioral control to eat healthy; attitudes to eat healthy for the good taste of healthy foods, for overall health or for appearance; social norm on healthy eating and social support to eat healthy mediated the associations between the frequency of use of fitness or nutrition apps and BMI, the healthy snack, and beverage ratio.MethodsCross-sectional self-reported data on snack and beverage consumption, healthy eating determinants, and fitness and nutrition app use of adolescents (N=889; mean age 14.7 years, SD 0.8; 54.8% [481/878] boys; 18.1% [145/803] overweight) were collected in a representative sample of 20 schools in Flanders, Belgium. Height and weight were measured by the researchers. The healthy snack ratio and the healthy beverage ratio were calculated as follows: gram healthy snacks or beverages/(gram healthy snacks or beverages+gram unhealthy snacks or beverages)×100. Multilevel regression and structural equation modeling were used to analyze the proposed associations and to explore multiple mediation.ResultsA total of 27.6% (245/889) of the adolescents used fitness, nutrition apps or both. Frequency of using nutrition apps was positively associated with a higher healthy beverage ratio (b=2.96 [1.11], P=.008) and a higher body mass index z-scores (zBMI; b=0.13 [0.05], P=.008. A significant interaction was found between the frequency of using nutrition and for the zBMI (b=−0.03 [0.02], P=.04) and the healthy snack ratio (b=−0.84 [0.37], P=.03). Attitude to eat healthy for appearance mediated both the fitness app use frequency-zBMI (a × b=0.02 [0.01], P=.02) and the nutrition app use frequency-zBMI (a × b=0.04 [0.01], P=.001) associations. No mediation was observed for the associations between the frequency of use of fitness or nutrition apps and the healthy snack or beverage ratio.ConclusionsCommercial fitness and nutrition apps show some association with healthier eating behaviors and BMI in adolescents. However, effective behavior change techniques should be included to affect key determinants of healthy eating.

Enfermera familiar o de pediatría: ¿qué modelo de trabajo es más efectivo en Atención Primaria?

Objective: to compare the effectiveness of two organization models for nursing care: the Family Nurse Model (FNM) and the Model for Differentiated Care for Adults / Paediatrics (ANM / PNM). Method: an observational transversal study on the coverage reached by the indicators from the Portfolio of Services and the 2014 Contract Program, in all Health Centres from the Healthcare Management for Central Madrid. There was a comparison of the outcomes between the health centres working with each model: FNM vs. ANM/PNM. Results: the study included the 49 health centres within the Healthcare Management for Central Madrid; 43% of them had the FNM Model of Care, and 57% had the ANM/PNM Model. There were statistically significant differences of coverage in 14 of the 15 indicators, showing the disparities in healthcare services according to the FNM or the ANM/PNM model. The highest differences were found in the indicators “Patients with results in healthcare plans by Nursing CIAS (Health Area Identification Codes): coverage was superior in the FNM Model with CR= 1.68 (CI 95% 1.65-1.71) and “Promotion of Healthy Habits in Adolescence” (201), with higher coverage results in the ANM/PNM Model with CR= 0.63 (CI95% 0.58-0.69). Variation coefficients are excessive in practically all the indicators studied. Conclusions: it cannot be demonstrated that any of the two models for the organization of nursing work in Primary Care is clearly more effective than the other. A great variability of results was found between health centres, regardless of their organization model.

Design of a school-based intervention to promote healthy lifestyles in adolescents (12-14 years old)

Introduction : The benefits of having a healthy lifestyle are widely known, a healthy diet and being physically active are key elements in improving and maintaining optimal health. However, studies on dietary habits in adolescents suggest that the adherence to the Mediterranean diet is being reduced, decreasing the consumption of vegetables and fruits. Also, according to recent studies the Spanish teenager population practices less physical exercise comparing with the Europe teenager population. All this is causing an increase in sedentary lifestyles, a decrease in energy expenditure and an increase in obesity. Short description : An intervention program to promote healthy lifestyle has been designed and implemented. The program is aimed at students (12-14 years old) of 2 schools in Irun (Basque Country). The intervention will consist of the Bidasoatik Mundura, Sasoi Erronka program that encourages students to join the challenge of going around the world through an imaginary tour and performing activities of different countries. The study is a quasi-experimental pre-post study with a control group (2 different schools) and an intervention group. The program addresses three aspects: physical activity by participating in activities designed and related to different countries; healthy eating with educational training by experts and creativity by developing a video summary of what happened in the quarter. Also, students will receive two educational workshops given by two nutritionists whose content will focus on the importance of healthy lifestyles. For the development of the program the website www.bidasoatikmundura.eus has been launched. It is an interactive, intuitive, attractive and updated website that will serve as a reference for the different activities that are being performance in schools tool. In the webpage, the students will learn about the activity they need to develop, meet weekly scores and standings, can find information about healthy habits and can answer to questionnaires on diet and they can view videos developed by each school. Results : The expected result is an increase in the level of physical activity and increased adherence to healthy eating habits of 362 adolescents aged 12-14 years old. For this, the level of physical activity, sedentary time and dietary habits at the beginning and end of the intervention will be evaluated through validated questionnaires (ASAQ, PAQ-A, KIDMED) and compared with data collected in the control group. Highlights : The key elements for the success implementation of the program identified to date are: - Design of a program of health promotion and promotion of lifestyles schools. The design has to be a collaborative work with the intervention of different stakeholders: teachers, health professional, public health professionals, researchers… - Involvement of teachers for the implementation and deployment of the program is essential for the success of the program. - The importance of use of new technologies (webpage) for the management and monitoring the program and the interaction among adolescents. Conclusion : The school is an ideal place to promote healthy lifestyles, and all adolescents (12-14 years old) are in compulsory education and it is the age in which the personality develops ,making it easier to acquire habits of place life.

Physical activity and sedentary behavior levels in children and adolescents with type 1 diabetes using insulin pump or injection therapy – The importance of parental activity profile

In children and adolescents, treatments for type 1 diabetes (T1D) have recently evolved with the introduction of the insulin pump. However, little is known about how a pump is associated with physical activity (PA) patterns. The goal of the study was to examine the activity profile of Canadian children and adolescents with T1D according to their insulin treatment (pump vs. injections), as well as barriers to exercise and parental lifestyle habits. A self-administered questionnaire was completed by 188 subjects with T1D aged 6 to 17 and their parents at the endocrinology clinic of Sainte-Justine's University Hospital Center (Montreal, Canada). Sixty percent of patients used an insulin pump. There were no significant differences in any components of the PA profile, sedentary habits, and exercise barriers between subjects using injections and those using a pump. Fear of hypoglycemia was the main PA barrier in both treatment groups. A more diverse PA practice by parents was associated with more moderate-to-vigorous PA and less screen time in adolescents. In conclusion, type of treatment was not associated with more activity in pediatric patients with T1D and a varied parental PA profile was the main factor of interest for healthier habits in adolescents with T1D.

Levels and patterns of physical activity and sedentary time among superdiverse adolescents in East London: a cross-sectional study

ABSTRACTObjectives: Little is known about the physical activity (PA) and sedentary time (ST) habits of adolescents from superdiverse communities in the UK. The objectives of this study are to examine and report the patterns of PA/ST among adolescents in East London living in superdiverse communities, to identify opportunities/barriers to PA and inform policy/practice.Design: A total of 1260 young people (aged 11–13 years) from seven secondary schools in East London completed a questionnaire on PA/ST over the past seven days as part of the Newham’s Every Child a Sports Person (NECaSP) intervention. Socio-demographic and anthropometric data were obtained. Significance tests were conducted to determine differences between socio-demographic and anthropometric predictors and PA/ST. Multinomial logit regression was used to explore the effects of ethnicity, sex, and body mass index (BMI) on PA levels.Results: Males were significantly more likely to engage in PA at least five times during school in the past week (U = 5.07, z = −11.76, p < .05). Obese participants were less likely to report engaging in PA five times in the past week (U = 4.11, z =−1.17, p < .05). Black Caribbean girls (U = 5.08, z = −1.92, p < .05) were significantly more likely to report engaging in no activity. Multinomial logit regression analyses revealed that girls with higher BMI were less likely to engage in PA at least four times after school in the last week than boys (b = .11, Wald X2(1) = 9.81, p < .01). Walking (36.4%), jogging/running (29.9%), and football (28%) were the most frequently reported activities.Conclusion: Engaging girls in PA during and after school is important and making sports clubs and activities available and attractive to this target group may help increase engagement in PA and reduce ST. Findings support the need for more sex-specific and culturally responsive pedagogy in schools with curricula that respects diversity and individuality and has meaning and value amongst superdiverse young people. Finally, we need to extend current work presented and provide substantial evidence of the ways young people from minority ethnic groups process and act on the public health policy and the ways they understand and enact PA.

Search for protective factors for psychosis – a population‐based sample with special interest in unaffected individuals with parental psychosis

To find factors that are associated with not having psychotic illness in a prospective general population sample, with a special interest in individuals with parental psychosis. Data from the Northern Finland Birth Cohort 1966 (n = 10 458) and several registers were used to detect individuals with and without parental psychosis. Altogether, 594 persons had parent(s) with psychosis and 48 of them also had psychosis subsequently. Variables related to pregnancy and birth, family and childhood, health and habits in adolescence, school performance and physical activity were studied to identify determinants of unaffected status among individuals with and without parental psychosis. In the parental psychosis group, the unaffected persons had more likely a mother who was non-depressed during pregnancy, and who worked outside the home or studied than among those who developed psychosis. Protective factors for psychosis were surprisingly few in this sample. These factors were related to the mother's non-depressed mood and the mother's work outside the home or studies. This could relate to better health and functioning of a mother. This work highlights the need for more research on protective factors for psychosis in order to identify methods for prevention of psychosis.

The Effects of Aerobics Exercise Programmes on Body Composition and Some Physical Parameters for the Pre-obese Class 1 Obese Students at High School Aged 15-17

Today, it is known that adult obesity is a result of child and adolescent obesity. For this reason, to prevent obesity in adulthood, obesity must be controlled through organising exercise habits of adolescents in addition to organising other habits. Taking the importance of physical beauty in psychology of puberty period into consideration, the effects of aerobics exercise on the obese and fighting against obesity through exercise form the basis for our study to fight against obesity through the habit of exercise. Our study was conducted on 22 male, 27 female of high school level students through 12 weeks aerobics exercise programme, 3 days a week at least, approximately 60 minutes, interval training model. This study focuses on measurements of age, weight, gender characteristics, physical composition as anthropometric measurement (subcutaneous fat, peripheral and diametric measurement), stretching test (sit-reach test), strength test (hand dynamometer), standing long jump, vertical jump, sit-up and push-up.

Lack of parental rule-setting on eating is associated with a wide range of adolescent unhealthy eating behaviour both for boys and girls.

BackgroundUnhealthy eating habits in adolescence lead to a wide variety of health problems and disorders. The aim of this study was to assess the prevalence of absence of parental rules on eating and unhealthy eating behaviour and to explore the relationships between parental rules on eating and a wide range of unhealthy eating habits of boys and girls. We also explored the association of sociodemographic characteristics such as gender, family affluence or parental education with eating related parental rules and eating habits of adolescents.MethodsThe data on 2765 adolescents aged 13–15 years (mean age: 14.4; 50.7 % boys) from the Slovak part of the Health Behaviour in School-Aged Children (HBSC) study 2014 were assessed. The associations between eating-related parental rules and unhealthy eating patterns using logistic regression were assessed using logistic regression.ResultsUnhealthy eating habits occurred frequently among adolescents (range: 18.0 % reported skipping breakfast during weekends vs. 75.8 % for low vegetables intake). Of all adolescents, 20.5 % reported a lack of any parental rules on eating (breakfast not mandatory, meal in front of TV allowed, no rules about sweets and soft drinks). These adolescents were more likely to eat unhealthily, i.e. to skip breakfast on weekdays (odds ratio/95 % confidence interval: 5.33/4.15–6.84) and on weekends (2.66/2.12–3.34), to report low consumption of fruits (1.63/1.30–2.04) and vegetables (1.32/1.04–1.68), and the frequent consumption of sweets (1.59/1.30–1.94), soft drinks (1.93/1.56–2.38) and energy drinks (2.15/1.72–2.70).ConclusionsParental rule-setting on eating is associated with eating behaviours of adolescents. Further research is needed to disentangle causality in this relationship. If causal, parents may be targeted to modify the eating habits of adolescents.

Dietary habits of adolescents and associated cardiovascular risk factors: a systematic review

The scope of this study was to conduct a systematic review to establish the major dietary habits of adolescents and the corresponding association with cardiovascular risk factors. Research was performed in the LILACS, SciELO, PubMed, Scopus and Web of Science databases in addition to a manual search for original articles published between 2005 and 2014. Of the 371 entries identified; 26 fulfilled the inclusion criteria and were covered in the review. The main dietary habits observed were Western (61%) Healthy (42%) and Traditional (38%). Western dietary habits were positively associated with total cholesterol and SM, while Healthy dietary habits were inversely associated with fasting glycaemia, DBP and SM and positively with HDL-C, all of the aforementioned associations with very low (D) quality of evidence in accordance with the GRADE rating. The Traditional dietary habits were considered a risk factor for hyperglycemia, hyperinsulinemia and hypertriglyceridemia and protection for physical activity and eutrophic BMI. Although these results need to be analyzed with caution, due to the low quality of evidence, there is a clear need for actions aimed at promoting healthy dietary habits in adolescents in order to contribute to the prevention of cardiovascular risk factors.

Sex and age group differences in the associations between sleep duration and BMI from adolescence to young adulthood

Objective: We examine concurrent and longitudinal associations between sleep duration (SD) and body mass index (BMI) from adolescence to young adulthood, controlling for physical activity and internalising symptoms. Sex and age group differences (early adolescent group ages 12–15 years and late adolescent group ages 16–18 years) are examined.Design: A randomly selected community-based sample of youth (N = 662; 48.3% males) were surveyed biannually from 2003 (T1) to 2014 (T6).Results: We found sex and age group differences for the concurrent and longitudinal associations between SD and BMI. For males, shorter SD at baseline was concurrently related to higher BMI. For females, shorter SD at baseline was associated with longitudinal increases in BMI, for the late adolescent group only.Conclusion: Findings show that the association between SD and BMI, previously shown in childhood, continues to be significant in adolescence and young adulthood. Developmentally appropriate and sex-specific strategies for motivating and supporting healthy sleep habits in adolescence that may help to prevent weight gain into young adulthood are discussed.

Academic Achievement of Adolescents in Relation to Study Habits

The purpose of the present study was to find out the relationship between academic achievement and study habits of adolescents. A representative sample of 100 students studying in 9th class was randomly selected from senior secondary schools of Ludhiana district of Punjab (India). Marks obtained by the adolescents in previous annual examination were taken as an index of Academic Achievement .Study Habits Inventory by Dr. N.S Yadav has been used for data collection. Data was analyzed by using t-test and coefficient of correlation. The result indicates that there is a strong positive correlation between academic achievement and study habits of adolescents.

Influence of fatigue on adolescents sleep habits in Nigeria

IntroductionAdolescents in Nigeria tend to report feelings of mental, physical and general fatigue without having correspondingly exerted themselves to trigger this. This tiredness has been observed to also affect their sleep habits.AimWe set out to investigate how the report of tiredness by in-school adolescents tends to affect their sleep habits both on weekdays and weekends.MethodsThe Tripartite Fatigue Scale (TFS) and a modified version of the School Sleep Habits Survey (SSHS) were administered on 606 (272 males and 334 females) secondary school adolescents in Lagos and Ogun states of Nigeria aged between 12–19 years (χ2 = 15.24; SD = 1.42) in their classrooms.ResultsA multivariate analysis of variance (MANOVA) was used to analyse the effect of fatigue on the sleep habits of adolescents. The result shows that fatigue significantly affects the sleep habits of adolescents during weekends and weekdays, F (3, 602) = 20.068, P ≤ 0.01; Pillai's Trace = 0.91, partial η2 = 0.91. The adolescents also reported general inadequate sleep (χ2 = 6.29 SD = 2.32), less than the required amount of adequate sleep their age. Additional Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) result showed that fatigue significantly affected the students self-reported grade F (3, 605) = 5.32, P = 0.01.ConclusionsThe present study has empirically highlighted that the consistent complaint of tiredness by secondary school adolescents in Nigeria emanates from fatigue marked mostly by insufficient sleep.Disclosure of interestThe authors have not supplied their declaration of competing interest.

Impact of Mindfulness-Based Eating Awareness on Diet and Exercise Habits in Adolescents.

Childhood and adolescent overweight is one of the most important current public health concerns. There is an urgent need to initiate community-based prevention to support healthy eating and physical activity in children. Mindfulness-Based Eating Awareness Training (MB-EAT) is a 12-w eek manualized intervention developed by Kristeller et al. that uses focused meditation techniques to help obese individuals normalize eating behaviors, and improve exercise and dietary habits. To adapt the MB-EAT program to adolescents (MB-EAT-A) and assess the impact of the MB-EAT-A program implemented in a high school setting on self-reported assessment of eating and exercise habits and dietary intake of fat. 40 ninth grade adolescents (14 males; 35 African-Americans, 1 Caucasian, 4 Others; mean age 16.2±1.2 yrs; BMI=32.4±9.0, BMI range 19.1 to 58.4) from 6 high school health/physical education classes were randomly assigned to 12-weekly sessions of MB-EAT-A intervention (n=18) or health education control (CTL, n=22). Assessments of eating and exercise habits and dietary fat and caloric content were conducted at pre-test, post-test at 3 mo. immediately following intervention and follow-up, 3 months after intervention ended, with 85% retention at follow up. At 6 mo. follow-up, the MB-EAT-A group increased days/week of moderate exercise >30 min/day (0.8 vs -0.7 days/week), and intense aerobic exercise >20 min/day (1.4 vs. -0.5 days/week, both ps<.05) compared to decreases in CTLs. At 6 mo. follow-up the MB-EAT-A group increased number of servings per week of low calorie foods (7.7 vs. -.05, p<.02), foods with no saturated fats (5.1 vs. -0.4, p<.10) and low in saturated fats (4.6 vs. -2.7, p<.02). At 6 mo. follow-up the MBEAT-A group increased number of foods with no fat (3.9 vs -0.3, p<.08) and low in fat (5.8 vs. -1.4, p<.02) compared to decreases in CTLs. Weight gains at follow-up (4.2 vs 6.2 lbs, MB-EAT-A vs CTL) did not differ significantly between the two conditions (p=.87). In a sub-sample of 29 African American adolescents, 58% reported, a binge eating problem with most being mild to moderate in severity. Excessively eating on a regular basis and thinking about trying to control eating urges were the most common features present. Binge eating severity did not significantly correlate with anxiety, depression, or self-esteem. The MB-EAT-A program increased moderate and intense aerobic exercise and improved dietary habits in favor of low calorie and low fat foods in an overweight/obese adolescent sample. The MB-EAT-A program increased moderate and intense aerobic exercise and improved consumption of low calorie and low fat foods in overweight/obese adolescents. The study demonstrated feasibility of conducting the MB-EAT-A program in a high school setting, and good acceptability by the students. The successful implementation of MB-EAT-A points to the potential of school-based mindful eating programs as a means of addressing early onset of obesity in high-risk youth.

Oral Hygiene and Dietary Habits in Adolescents with Fixed Orthodontic Appliances: A Cross-sectional Study.

Fixed orthodontic appliances (FOAs) may cause a temporary deterioration of oral hygiene with corresponding gingival inflammatory changes. Optimal oral hygiene and dietary changes are essential in order to avoid periodontal inflammation. The present study investigates to what extent the recommendations made by the orthodontist are followed by young patients. A total of 67 adolescent patients with FOA were examined and interviewed. The control group consisted of 70 patients of the same age who had not undergone any orthodontic treatment. A specific questionnaire (assessing dietary habits, oral hygiene measures) was used and comprehensive oral findings along with oral hygiene status were evaluated. The analysis of the data showed that despite intensive oral hygiene and dietary advice in the patients with FOA, there was no change in diet or oral hygiene habits. There were significantly higher signs of gingival inflammation and amount of dental plaque in FOA patients. Nutritional recommendations and oral hygiene measures for young people with FOA were not adequately enforced. The findings indicate that frequent recalls should be scheduled with repeated reinforcement of oral hygiene and dietary modifications in FOA patients.

Use Of Tobacco And Related Products In Adolescents Of An English Medium School, Belgaum- A Cross Sectional Questionnaire Based Study

ABSTRACT BACKGROUND Majority of adults are aware of health hazards of tobacco, children and adolescents continue to get exposed to tobacco and many develop cancer in later years. AIM To document the smoking and tobacco consumption habits in adolescents in an English Medium school of age group between 17-18 years in the city of Belgaum. METHODOLOGY A cross-sectional survey was carried out by self-administered questionnaire to document the smoking and tobacco consumption among representative sample of 40 adolescent students selected by cluster sampling method. RESULTS In the School, 10% of students were using tobacco and cigarettes, 90% of students were not using them, 92.5% of students were aware of harmful effects of tobacco, supari and smoking, 92.5% of students saw other children using tobacco. CONCLUSION Health education should be given at school level to raise awareness about the use of tobacco, its related products and its consequences.

Nutritional awareness among Adolescents

Aim: To create awareness about nutrition among the adolescents. Objective: To analyse the nutritional awareness among the adolescents. Background: Nutrition is the science that interprets the interaction between nutrients and the relation with growth,reproduction, health etc. It also involves the intake of food,its absorption and its use in the body. In today's fast moving world where one depends on fast food , the awareness of proper nutrition and its significance remains very important as once health depends on it.As old habits die hard , it is necessary for adolescents to have a proper intake of nutritional food as this habit continues into adulthood. The survey regarding the nutritional intake by adolescents were analysed by a questionnaire based study. Reason: To create awareness about proper food habits in adolescents as it has its effect on their performance in their daily life activities.

EFFECTS OF AN INTERVENTION PROGRAM (HHP) ON THE PROMOTION OF HEALTHY HABITS IN EARLY ADOLESCENCE.

it is vital to monitor and promote healthy lifestyle habits in early adolescence, as it is a time of changes when future lifestyle habits are formed. a study was conducted to find out the effects of a Healthy Habits Program (HHP) in children between the ages of 10 and 12 years (N = 158). The study included an intervention group (IG) (n = 90), which participated in the HHP for 8 months, and a control group (CG) (n = 100). In order to assess healthy habits in these children we used the Inventory of Healthy Habits (IHH), the reliability of which was previously evaluated (N = 134). the IHH obtained good reliability, Interclass Correlation Coefficient (range .506 - 884; p < .001) and Spearman Correlation Coefficient (range r = 529 - 884; p < .001). As regards the HHP, there were no differences in eating habits initially (p = .564), but by the end of the study (p = .001) the IG showed better habits. As for the other healthy habits indicators, the CG had better habits initially (p = .047), but the score of the IG improved and there were no differences between the groups at the end of the study. it was shown that the IHH is a suitable and reliable questionnaire for studying habits in adolescents. The HHP brought about changes in the IG, which achieved better scores for eating habits and sum of health habits.

Dietary intake, leisure time activities and obesity among adolescents in Western Sweden: a cross-sectional study.

BackgroundOverweight and obesity among adolescents are increasing worldwide. Risk factors include dietary intake characteristics and high levels of physical inactivity. In Sweden, few large comprehensive population-based surveys of dietary intake and lifestyle among adolescents have been carried out. Thus, the purpose of the current study was to describe dietary intake and food choices as well as leisure time activities in relation to overweight and obesity in a total sample of all schoolchildren aged 15 years in Western Sweden.MethodsIn 2008, a questionnaire was sent to all 21,651 adolescents born in 1992 in Västra Götaland Region, Sweden. Participation rate was 54.3 % (50.7 % girls/49.3 % boys). The questionnaire included a 73-item semi-quantitative food frequency questionnaire and questions on lifestyle. Results were evaluated against the Nordic Nutrition Recommendations and Swedish indicators of healthy diet and exercise habits. Associations with concurrent overweight and obesity were evaluated in multiple linear regression analysis.ResultsAmong girls, 49.5 % reached the goal of consuming fruit and vegetables at least daily, whereas for boys the figure was 34.4 %. Among both sexes, 15 % reached the goal of consuming fish at least twice weekly. Two-thirds of both sexes reached the goal of regular moderate or vigorous physical activity weekly. In total, 12.4 % were overweight and 2.4 % were obese. More girls than boys were underweight, whereas more boys than girls were overweight or obese (p < 0.001). Boys exhibited a more frequent intake of sodas and concentrated fruit juices, milk 3 % fat, bread and potatoes and fast food (p < 0.001). Frequent intake of candies and chocolate was reported by both sexes. Among girls and boys, living in rural areas, living in apartments and reporting no frequent leisure time physical activity were significant risk factors for being overweight or obese, also when adjusted for other risk factors.ConclusionsDietary habits of adolescents in Western Sweden warrant improvements. Public health actions should be taken to increase consumption of fruit, vegetables and fish, and decrease consumption of sodas and candies and also to increase frequency of physical activity. These actions may be helpful in reducing risks for overweight and obesity.

The habitual nature of unhealthy snacking: How powerful are habits in adolescence?

Many adolescents engage in unhealthy snacking behavior, and the frequency and amount of unhealthy consumption is increasing further. In this study, we aim to investigate the role that habit strength plays in unhealthy snacking during adolescence and whether self-regulation strategies can overcome habitual snacking. A total of 11,392 adolescents aged 10–17 years from nine European countries completed a cross-sectional survey about healthy eating intentions, snacking habit strength, eating self-regulation strategies, and daily intake of unhealthy snacks. The results showed that habit strength was positively associated with intake of unhealthy snack foods, also when healthy eating intentions were accounted for. Use of self-regulation strategies was negatively associated with unhealthy snacking. The interaction effect of habit strength and use of self-regulation strategies was significant. Strong snacking habits were associated with higher consumption, but this effect could be attenuated by use of temptation-oriented self-regulation strategies. The present study highlights that habit strength is associated with unhealthy snacking already in adolescents. The findings suggest that teaching self-regulation strategies may help adolescents to overcome unhealthy snacking habits.

EFEKTIVITAS KONSELING GIZI DENGAN MEDIA BUKU SAKU TERHADAP PENGETAHUAN, SIKAP MENGENAI PENCEGAHAN HIPERTENSI, DAN KEBIASAAN MAKAN NATRIUM DAN SERAT PADA REMAJA DI SMAN 15 SEMARANG

Background : Hypertension is common in adults but hypertension now occurs in adolescents. Prevalence of hypertension according to Semarang City Health Office teen age group has increased from 6,01% (2009) to 8,7% (2013). Preliminary survey with blood pressure measurement on 60 adolescents at SMAN 15 Semarang, 43,3% high blood pressureObjective : To know the effectiveness of nutritional counseling with pocket book media to knowledge, attitude about hypertension prevention, sodium and fiber feeding habit in adolescents at SMAN 15 Semarang. Method : Clinical nutrition study with quasi experimental research type and randomized pre and post test group control design. Number of sampelts 20 treatments and 20 controls. Data collected were data of knowledge, attitude, eating habits of sodium and fiber. The analysis used to test the average difference in the treatment and control group using the Independent t-test. Results: The result of post test of knowledge of treatment group 100% good and control group 30% good. Post test attitude of treatment group 55% support and control group 50% support. Post test feeding habits sodium treatment group 55% good and control group 10% good. Post test feeding habits fiber group treatment 25% good and control group 10% good.Conclusion: Nutrition counseling with pocket book is effective to improves knowledge and eating habits of sodium but is not effective at improving fiber eating attitudes and habits. Efforts to prevent hypertension need to be done cooperation between BK with Local Health Center to do filtering especially hypertension.