Prevalence Of Unhealthy Behaviors Research Articles

Prevalence of unhealthy behaviors and their associations with non-suicidal self-injury, suicidal ideation and suicide attempt among Chinese adolescents

BackgroundUnhealthy lifestyle behaviors among adolescents have emerged as a significant public health concern worldwide, however, there is little investigation on the impact of unhealthy behaviors on non-suicidal self-injury (NSSI), suicidal ideation (SI) and suicide attempt (SA). This study aimed to investigate the prevalence of seven unhealthy behaviors as well as their associations with NSSI, SI and SA, and to explore whether the aforementioned associations differ across sex.MethodsA total of 74,152 adolescents were included in this study via a multi-stage, stratified cluster, random sampling method in 2021. Information about unhealthy behaviors (insufficient physical activity, current smoking, current drinking, excessive screen time, long homework time, insufficient sleep and unhealthy BMI), NSSI, SI, SA and other demographics was collected. Sampling weights were used to estimate the prevalence, and the weighted logistic regression models were performed. Stratified analyses by sex and sensitive analyses were conducted.ResultsOverview, the weighted prevalence of adolescents had more than five unhealthy behaviors were 5.2%, with boys showing a higher prevalence than girls (6.5% vs.3.8%). Current smoking, current drinking, excessive screen use, long homework time, insufficient sleep, and unhealthy BMI were significantly associated with NSSI, SI and SA. Moreover, adolescents with high lifestyle risk scores were associated with an increased risk of NSSI (5–7 vs. 0: OR 6.38, 95% CI 5.24–7.77), SI (5–7 vs. 0: OR 7.67, 95% CI 6.35–9.25), and SA (5–7 vs. 0: OR 9.57, 95% CI 6.95–13.17). Significant sex differences were found in the associations of unhealthy behaviors with NSSI, SI and SA.ConclusionUnhealthy behaviors are quite common among Chinese adolescents. Adolescents with multiple unhealthy behaviors are associated with increased risks of NSSI, SI, and SA. The implementation of school and family-based interventions to promote healthy lifestyles is recommended as a preventive measure against self-injurious behavior and suicidality in adolescents.

The first year of the COVID-19 pandemic and health among cancer survivors in the United States.

BackgroundCancer survivors represent a population with high health care needs. If and how cancer survivors were affected by the first year of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID‐19) pandemic are largely unknown.MethodsUsing data from the nationwide, population‐based Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (2017–2020), the authors investigated changes in health‐related measures during the COVID‐19 pandemic among cancer survivors and compared them with changes among adults without a cancer history in the United States. Sociodemographic and health‐related measures such as insurance coverage, employment status, health behaviors, and health status were self‐reported. Adjusted prevalence ratios of health‐related measures in 2020 versus 2017–2019 were calculated with multivariable logistic regressions and stratified by age group (18–64 vs. ≥65 years).ResultsAmong adults aged 18–64 years, the uninsured rate did not change significantly in 2020 despite increases in unemployment. The prevalence of unhealthy behaviors, such as insufficient sleep and smoking, decreased in 2020, and self‐rated health improved, regardless of cancer history. Notably, declines in smoking were larger among cancer survivors than nonelderly adults without a cancer history. Few changes were observed for adults aged ≥65 years.ConclusionsFurther research is needed to confirm the observed positive health behavior and health changes and to investigate the role of potential mechanisms, such as the national and regional policy responses to the pandemic regarding insurance coverage, unemployment benefits, and financial assistance. As polices related to the public health emergency expire, ongoing monitoring of longer term effects of the pandemic on cancer survivorship is warranted.

Abstract P073: Cardiometabolic Conditions And Their Risk Factors Among Adults In Puerto Rico Before And After Hurricane María, 2015-2019

Adults living in Puerto Rico (PR) have high prevalence of multiple cardiometabolic conditions and their risk factors. It remains unknown if the destructive events of Hurricane María in 2017 influenced disease burden. We aimed to contrast estimated prevalence of chronic diseases and lifestyle and psychosocial risk factors among adults living in PR before and after the Hurricane. Data from adults aged 30-75y was obtained from PRADLAD, a pilot cross-sectional study of 380 adults conducted in 2015, and from PROSPECT, a longitudinal study that started in 2019 and had 534 participants recruited by March 2020. A subset of 87 PRADLAD participants returned to PROSPECT. Data collection protocols were similar between studies and included validated questions on sociodemographic factors, lifestyle behaviors, psychosocial factors, self-reported medically-diagnosed diseases, and measured anthropometrics. We estimated crude and age-standardized characteristics contrasting the two study populations at different time points (PRADLAD 2015 vs. PROSPECT 2019). Analysis was also conducted solely for the 87 returning participants. Sociodemographic characteristics were similar between studies. Contrasting all participants from both studies showed significantly (p<0.05) higher crude abdominal obesity (73.2 vs. 61.3%), sedentarism (44.4 vs. 35.8%), binge drinking (17.9 vs. 12.1%), and social support (26.9 vs. 24.7 mean score) in 2019 vs. 2015, but lower depressive symptoms (31.7 vs. 52.6%) and perceived stress (19.3 vs. 21.7 mean score). In 2019 (vs. 2015), there was significantly higher crude self-reported hypertension (47.3 vs. 39.2%), arthritis (32.3 vs. 25.6%), high cholesterol (36.4 vs. 23.8%), pre-diabetes (20.3 vs. 15.2%), high triglycerides (23.1 vs. 14.7%), eye disease (17.6 vs. 12.7%), fatty liver disease (12.8 vs. 7.5%), and osteoporosis (13.9 vs. 5.2%). Trends remained, albeit slightly attenuated, after age-standardization. Similar differences in depressive symptoms, perceived stress, social support, high cholesterol, and fatty liver disease were noted for the 87 returning participants, who also reported higher gastrointestinal disease (30.6 vs. 15.1%) and heart disease or stroke (9.5 vs. 2.3%) in 2019 vs. 2015. In conclusion, adults in PR have higher prevalence of unhealthy behaviors and chronic diseases, including multiple cardiometabolic conditions, after Hurricane María, suggesting that natural disasters may amplify cardiovascular-related disparities. Despite this, depressive symptoms and stress were lower and social support was higher post-Hurricane. Larger longitudinal studies and trend data should confirm these observations. Leveraging positive psychosocial factors may bolster population-wide behavioral and clinical preventive measures to improve cardiometabolic health and close inequities among adults in PR, who often face natural disasters.

Factors Associated with Health Behaviors in Thyroid Cancer Survivors.

In this study, we compared health behaviors, including current smoking, drinking, and physical inactivity, in thyroid cancer survivors and non-cancer controls and investigated the factors associated with unhealthy behaviors among survivors. Baseline data from the Health Examinees study, collected from 2004 to 2013, were used. Thyroid cancer survivors (n = 942), defined as those who had received a clinical diagnosis of thyroid cancer, and 9,420 matched non-cancer controls without past history of any cancer were included in the analysis. The prevalence of smoking, alcohol consumption, and physical inactivity in thyroid cancer survivors were 2.3%, 26.6%, and 52.0%, respectively, with adjusted OR (aOR) and 95% CI between survivors and non-cancer controls of 0.35 (95% CI = 0.08-1.56), 0.46 (95% CI = 0.29-0.74), and 0.65 (95% CI = 0.44-0.96). The prevalence of unhealthy behaviors was higher among male thyroid cancer survivors than female thyroid cancer survivors. In thyroid cancer survivors, those who smoked were more likely to drink (aOR = 4.55 [95% CI = 1.61-12.85]) and those who were physically inactive were less likely to drink (aOR = 0.58 [95% CI = 0.42-0.82]). Current drinking and physical inactivity contributed to a higher likelihood of smoking (aOR = 4.31 [95% CI = 1.35-13.73] and 6.34 [95% CI = 1.65-24.34]). Thyroid cancer survivors had better health behaviors than the non-cancer controls. However, some survivors still had unhealthy lifestyles, especially displaying a clustering of unhealthy behaviors. Thus, health behavior promotion through medical intervention is important for thyroid cancer survivors.

Health and Health-Related Resources in Newly Designated Federally Qualified Opportunity Zones: United States, 2012-2016.

Objectives. To characterize health and health-related resources in the new qualified opportunity zones (QOZs) relative to tracts not selected or not eligible for this federal investment incentive.Methods. We used tract-level data from the 498 largest cities in the contiguous United States (n = 24 409), categorized using designations from the Department of Treasury. We compiled data on population characteristics, health-related resources, and health from the American Community Survey, the National Establishment Time Series, the National Land Cover Dataset, and the US Small-Area Life Expectancy Estimates Project and the 500 Cities projects. We calculated means and SDs for ineligible, eligible (but not designated), and designated QOZ tracts.Results. In general, designated QOZ tracts had lower access to health care facilities, physical activity resources, and healthy food. They had a higher prevalence of unhealthy behaviors and worse health outcomes across most measures.Conclusions. By benchmarking conditions, we facilitate tracking and assessment of QOZ impacts.Public Health Implications. QOZ could spur unprecedented neighborhood change with substantial influence on health resources and outcomes. Public health collaboration and strategic local governance of QOZ will be crucial for yielding health benefits for existing residents.

Does lifestyle matter for sickness absence?

Does lifestyle matter for sickness absence?

Use of alcohol, tobacco and illicit drugs among ethnic Norwegian and ethnic minority adolescents in Hordaland county, Norway: the youth@hordaland-survey

ABSTRACTObjective: To describe potential differences in unhealthy behaviours among ethnic Norwegian adolescents and minority adolescents from countries within the European Union, European Economic Area or US (EU/EEA countries) and adolescents from non-EU/EEA countries. Specifically, we aimed to investigate ethnic differences in use of alcohol, tobacco and illicit drugs, and potential confounding due to socio-demographic characteristics.Design: Cross-sectional population-based study of adolescents aged 16–19 (N = 10,122), with self-reported ethnicity as grouping variable, and self-reported use of alcohol, tobacco and illicit drugs as dependent variables.Results: We found that minority adolescents from EU/EEA and non-EU/EEA countries differed from ethnic Norwegian adolescents on important indicators of unhealthy behaviours. Compared to Norwegian adolescents, adolescents from EU/EEA were more likely to report having tried to smoke, to be a daily smoker and to ever having tried an illicit drug (adjusted odds ratio (OR) ranging from 2.01 to 3.74). They were, however, less likely to have tried snus (a form of smokeless tobacco; adjusted OR 0.64; confidence interval (CI) 95% 0.43–0.97) and to report daily snus use (adjusted OR 0.31; CI95% 0.15–0.67). There were no differences in having tried alcohol. Non-EU/EEA adolescents were less likely to have ever tried alcohol (OR 0.24; CI95% 0.18–0.31), snus (OR 0.47; CI95% 0.34–0.65) and to smoke (0.68; CI95% 0.52–0.91), and less likely to report daily snus use (OR 0.36; CI95% 0.21–0.62) compared to Norwegian adolescents. There were no differences with regard to having tried illicit drugs and reporting being a daily smoker. All differences observed were robust to adjustment for age, gender and family socio-economic status.Conclusion: The presents study identified important differences in unhealthy behaviours across different ethnic groups in Norway. The differences in the prevalence of unhealthy behaviours among ethnic minorities are still relevant in a public health perspective, and potential mechanisms should be investigated further.

Enhancing Motivational Interviewing Training in a Family Medicine Clerkship

Problem: Despite the prevalence of unhealthy behaviors among patients in the healthcare system, traditional medical training involves little or no exposure to effective behavior change techniques such as Motivational Interviewing. Intervention: An online learning community for enhanced training in Motivational Interviewing was developed for 3rd-year medical students. The website included educational materials about Motivational Interviewing as well as problematic health behaviors, a repository of exemplar videos and student videos with feedback, and a discussion board. Student participants were given the opportunity to record an encounter with a patient and to receive feedback on their use of Motivational Interviewing from a faculty member. Context: Student volunteers in the Family Medicine Clerkship at Georgetown University School of Medicine were randomized to enhanced training, which included the online learning community, or training as usual. All student volunteers completed a questionnaire assessing self-efficacy initially and at the end of the clerkship. Students also participated in an Observed Structured Clinical Exam, which was subsequently coded by a blinded rater for behavioral counts of Motivational Interviewing techniques, key steps in Motivational Interviewing, and overall Motivational Interviewing style. Outcome: Students in the enhanced training arm were rated as having significantly higher scores in Motivational Interviewing style in the Observed Structured Clinical Exam than training as usual students. A significant increase in self-efficacy from pre- to posttest in the overall sample was observed but between-group differences were not significant. Student feedback was particularly positive regarding video recorded practice sessions with patients and individualized feedback. Lessons Learned: The results of this study as well as student feedback suggest that future work should include patient practice sessions and individualized feedback in developing Motivational Interviewing curricula.

Human Behaviors Determine Health: Strategic Thoughts on the Prevention of Chronic Non-communicable Diseases in China

In the last three decades, people's living standards have significantly increased along with the rapid growth of the national economy of China. However, the prevalence of unhealthy behaviors and unfavorable lifestyles (e.g., smoking, excessive use of alcohol, physical inactivity, and unhealthy diets) also steadily increased, which may contribute to the growing epidemic of chronic non-communicable diseases (CNCDs) such as diabetes, coronary heart disease, stroke, and cancers. To briefly summarize the major studies from China concerning epidemic and burden of CNCDs and unhealthy lifestyles, and propose intervention strategies toward unhealthy lifestyles and behaviors aiming for effective control of the growing epidemic of CNCDs in China. We first review the major national studies addressing the epidemic and burden of CNCDs and unhealthy behaviors in China. Then, we aim to develop the preventive strategies against the increasing epidemic of CNCDs by focusing on the intervention campaign toward health unfavorable behaviors and lifestyles. CNCDs have posed major challenges to public health and the ongoing reform of health care system in China. Unhealthy lifestyles and behaviors (e.g., smoking, excessive alcohol consumpsion, physical inactivity, and imbalanced diets) are responsible for the growing epidemic of CNCDs. Adherence to healthy behaviors and lifestyles is critical for maintaining physical and mental health. Active implementation of the population-wide intervention program of health education and promotion by targeting unhealthy behaviors and lifestyles may help to constrain the growing epidemic of CNCDs in China.

Citizen-Centered Health Promotion: Building Collaborations to Facilitate Healthy Living

Unhealthy behaviors, notably tobacco use; unhealthy diets; and inadequate physical activity are major contributors to chronic disease in the U.S. and are more prevalent among socioeconomically disadvantaged groups. Differences in the prevalence of unhealthy behaviors among communities with different physical, social, and economic resources suggest that contextual environmental factors play an important causal role. Yet health promotion interventions often are undertaken in isolation and with inadequate attention to these holistic social and economic influences on lifestyle. For example, clinicians' advice to patients to stop smoking or lose weight can help motivate people to change behaviors, but their ability to take subsequent action can benefit from coordination with community-based and public health programs that offer intensive counseling services, and from modified environmental conditions to facilitate behavior change where people live, work, learn, and play. Reshaping these environmental conditions to support healthier living is the subject of six recommendations from the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation Commission to Build a Healthier America. Changing the conditions of daily life to make them conducive to healthy behaviors—what is here called citizen-centered health promotion—requires a concerted effort by clinical, educational, business, civic and governmental partners within communities. Linkages among clinical practices and community-based programs have been demonstrated to be effective, but moving from demonstration projects to sustainable community collaborations nationwide will require a proactive effort to establish the necessary infrastructure and financing.

De omgeving als determinant van gezond gedrag

The main reason that the development of population health in the Netherlands is less favorable than in other European countries is the high prevalence of unhealthy behaviors, such as smoking, unhealthy diets and lack of physical activity. In order to develop planned interventions to promote healthy behavior, insight in the determinants of health behavior is necessary. Behavioral determinants have mostly been studied by (social) psychologists with a strong focus on personal cognitive determinants such as attitudes, perceived control and motivation. We argue that health behavior is determined by motivation, abilities and opportunities for health behavior, and that more systematic well-designed studies are needed to investigate opportunities as determinants of health behavior, such as social-cultural, physical and economical environmental factors.

Socioeconomic Differences in Health: How Much Do Health Behaviors and Health Insurance Coverage Account For?

As evidence accumulates that both unhealthy behaviors and inadequate access to health care are responsible in part for poor health, there is a tendency to attribute the differences in health status between the poor and the affluent to the higher prevalence of unhealthy behaviors and inadequate access to health care among people of low socioeconomic status (SES). The purpose of this study is to determine quantitatively how much health behaviors and health insurance coverage account for the SES disparity in health. The study employed secondary analysis of data collected through the Kentucky Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System for 2000. After adjusting for health behaviors and health insurance coverage, the differences in health among different levels of SES (measured by education and income) remained strong and significant. Health behaviors and health insurance coverage accounted for 10-16% of the socioeconomic differences in health.