scholarly journals Associates of obesity and weight dissatisfaction among Finnish adolescents

2003 ◽  
Vol 6 (1) ◽  
pp. 49-56 ◽  
Author(s):  
Vera Mikkilä ◽  
Marjaana Lahti-Koski ◽  
Pirjo Pietinen ◽  
Suvi M Virtanen ◽  
Matti Rimpelä

AbstractObjective:We investigated behavioural and socio-economic factors associated with obesity and weight dissatisfaction among Finnish adolescents.Design:A total of 60252 Finnish adolescents aged 14 to 16 years filled in a questionnaire about their health, health behaviour and socio-economic background. Food choices were obtained by using a short food-frequency questionnaire. Obesity was defined as a weight at least 120% of the sex- and height-specific mean weight for subjects.Results:Of girls and boys, 54% and 66%, respectively, were satisfied with their weight. Among dissatisfied normal-weight adolescents, 81% of girls but only 48% of boys thought they were overweight. Of obese boys, 25% were satisfied with their weight. For both genders, obesity and weight dissatisfaction were associated with economic problems in the family. In girls, an association was also found with poor school performance, low educational level of parents and not having evening meals at home; and in boys, with physical inactivity and not eating school lunch. Smoking was more common among girls who were dissatisfied with their weight. Differences in food choices were small between different weight and weight satisfaction categories.Conclusions:Having normal weight and being satisfied with that weight are favourable for an adolescent. Obesity and weight dissatisfaction are associated mostly with disadvantageous health behaviours and low socio-economic status. Health behaviour seems to be associated more with weight satisfaction than with actual weight.

2010 ◽  
Vol 13 (6A) ◽  
pp. 980-986 ◽  
Author(s):  
Clarissa ML Bingham ◽  
Piia Jallinoja ◽  
Marjaana Lahti-Koski ◽  
Pilvikki Absetz ◽  
Merja Paturi ◽  
...  

AbstractObjectiveEating habits of Finns have improved dramatically in 40 years. The proportion of fat in the diet has decreased and vegetable and fruit consumption increased. Knowledge of Finnish young men’s dietary habits is limited. The aim was to assess food choices and quality of diet among young men and to analyse how background and health behaviour factors explain it.DesignIn 2007, data on eating habits, sociodemographic background factors and health behaviours of 17–21-year-old men (n 2905) entering military service were collected by self-administrated questionnaire. Two indexes – core food index (CFI) and extra food index (EFI) – were formed to describe daily and redundant snacking-type eating, respectively. Associations of background factors and health behaviours on the indexes were analysed by general linear modelling.ResultsIn all, 13 % consumed fruits and berries daily and 8 % consumed vegetables, whereas 24 % consumed pizza and 19 % consumed hamburgers more than once a week. CFI increased with educational level (P < 0·001) and was explained by background and health behaviour (smoking, physical activity and eating breakfast). EFI was inversely associated with BMI (P < 0·001) and explained by health behaviour: (smoking, physical activity, drinking beer and eating breakfast).ConclusionsThese results indicate that in early adulthood, eating habits cluster with other health behaviours among men. In this age group, education is associated with core food but not with extra food eating habits. Furthermore, seasonal variation is seen in both types of eating. When promoting healthy eating, a distinction between core foods and extra foods by using feasible indexes will be helpful in targeting the efforts.


2020 ◽  
Vol 27 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Ayah M. Barakat ◽  
Zeinab A. Kasemy

Abstract Background Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is spreading rapidly in the world, and on 11 March 2020, WHO announced the outbreak a global pandemic. Given the severity of this major outbreak and the importance of prevention and protection against the spread of SARS-CoV-2, the predictors of engaging in the preventive behaviours could potentially be of great practical importance as it could help us identify high-risk groups and take the necessary steps towards improving their health behaviour. As the health behavioural response of the Egyptian population during COVID-19 is unknown and the health belief model constructs can be used to explain health behaviour, this study was conducted to assess the preventive behaviours to COVID-19 and the associated role of health belief model constructs over three periods of time; at the beginning of COVID-19 pandemic then 4 weeks and10 weeks later. Results Perceived severity and benefits of health belief model constructs showed significant decrease in the 2nd interview, followed by an increase in the 3rd interview (P < 0.001). Perceived barriers showed a significant increase in the 2nd interview followed by a significant decrease in the 3rd interview (P < 0.001). Knowledge score was significantly lower at the start, then a surge happened in the next interview followed by a slight drop in the 3rd interview (P < 0.001). Preventive behaviours were significantly lower in the 2nd interview then significantly higher in the 3rd interview (P < 0.001). On the analysis of the factors associated with preventive behaviours using multivariate regression, the results determined age, high education, being a health care worker, perceived susceptibility, benefits, barriers and self-efficacy. Conclusions Perceptions of benefits could be increased by tailoring communication strategies to various groups, emphasizing how different people can engage in effective preventive behaviours. Policy makers should pay attention to lower-educated persons living in rural areas being a group with the least engagement in health-protective actions.


Nutrients ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (7) ◽  
pp. 2329
Author(s):  
Christine Bergman ◽  
Yuan Tian ◽  
Andrew Moreo ◽  
Carola Raab

The obesity pandemic is associated with increased consumption of restaurant food. Labeling of menus is an intervention used to provide consumers with kilocalorie (calorie) information in hopes of them making healthier food choices. This study evaluated the relationship between young adults’ calorie choices on restaurant menus and menu design, dietary behaviors, and demographic characteristics. A 3 (fast-casual restaurants) × 4 (menu-designs based on menu engineering theories) between-subjects (n = 480, 18–24-year olds) experimental design was used. The relationship between the participants’ calorie choices (high versus low) and menu design, stage of change, gender, race, educational level and weight status was evaluated using logistic regression. All independent variables had at least one category that had greater odds (CI 95% ± 5%) of subjects choosing a lower calorie entree, except education level and race/ethnic group. Normal weight and overweight subjects had greater odds of choosing lower calorie entrees than those that were obese. In addition, subjects that had started to control their calorie intake for less than six months or had sustained this change for at least six months, had greater odds of choosing lower calorie entrees compared to others. Including a green symbol and calories on fast casual restaurant menus may influence some young adults to choose lower calorie entrees.


2006 ◽  
Vol 21 (3) ◽  
pp. 383-418 ◽  
Author(s):  
BEATRICE MORING

The aim of this article is to explore the economic status and the quality of life of widows in the Nordic past, based on the evidence contained in retirement contracts. Analysis of these contracts also shows the ways in which, and when, land and the authority invested in the headship of the household were transferred between generations in the Nordic countryside. After the early eighteenth century, retirement contracts became more detailed but these should be viewed not as a sign of tension between the retirees and their successors but as a family insurance strategy designed to protect the interests of younger siblings of the heir and his or her old parents, particularly if there was a danger of the property being acquired by a non-relative. Both the retirement contracts made by couples and those made by a widow alone generally guaranteed them an adequate standard of living in retirement. Widows were assured of an adequately heated room of their own, more generous provision of food than was available to many families, clothing and the right to continue to work, for example at spinning and milking, but to be excused heavy labour. However, when the land was to be retained by the family, in many cases there was no intention of establishing a separate household.


SAGE Open ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (3) ◽  
pp. 215824402110441
Author(s):  
Cristina Maria Bostan ◽  
Tudor Stanciu ◽  
Răzvan-Lucian Andronic

Concordant with classical theoretical guidelines (i.e., social facilitation, social constructivism theory, and the Pygmalion effect) we tested the need for competition and perception of being valued by teachers to be better motivated for learning in school. We extend knowledge by testing these associations mediated by the social economic status given by the well-being of the family (i.e., controlling for gender and socio-economic status). A total of 214 Romanian students (45.3% boys) with ages between 13 and 17 years were administered the PEER questionnaire (i.e., perception of being valued by teachers, school-children motivation, and the need for competition). Results show a positive relation between the need for competition and motivation for learning. We also found positive relations between the perception of being valued by the teacher and motivation for learning and the need for competition. We conclude that motivation is higher when the need for competition is higher and the perception of being valued by teachers is higher.


2019 ◽  
Vol 3 (Supplement_1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Valerie Flax ◽  
Chrissie Thakwalakwa ◽  
Lindsay Jaacks ◽  
John Phuka

Abstract Objectives Overweight in mothers and children in sub-Saharan Africa is rapidly increasing and may be related to body size preferences. The objective of this study was to measure mothers’ preferences for their own and their child's body size and how they relate to food choices. Methods We enrolled 271 mothers and their children (6–59 months) in Lilongwe and Kasungu Districts. Based on standard body-mass index and weight-for-height z-score cutoffs, 78 mothers (29%) were normal weight and 193 (71%) were overweight; 120 children (44%) were normal weight and 151 (56%) were overweight. Interviewers used a set of 7 adult female and 7 child body silhouette drawings and a semi-structured question guide to measure mothers’ perceptions of their own and their child's preferred and healthy body sizes and how their preferences affected food choices. We performed chi-squared tests comparing body size perceptions and grouped open-ended responses by weight status. Results Mothers’ selection of silhouettes that represented their body size preferences (67% normal weight, 68% overweight preferred overweight) and perceptions of a healthy body size (96% normal weight, 94% overweight selected overweight as healthy) did not differ by their weight status. A higher percentage of mothers of overweight than normal weight children preferred overweight child body sizes (70% vs. 48%, P = 0.003). Mothers’ perceptions of a healthy child body size (89% normal weight, 94% overweight selected overweight as healthy) did not differ by the child's weight status. To attain a larger body size, mothers said they could eat or feed the child larger quantities or more frequently and increase consumption of fatty/oily foods and drinks (such as sodas, sweetened yoghurt, and milk), but many cannot afford to do this. Conclusions Malawian mothers had strong preferences for overweight body sizes for themselves and mixed preferences for their children. Their desired strategies for increasing weight indicate that body size preferences may drive food choice but could be limited by cost. Funding Sources Drivers of Food Choice (DFC) Competitive Grants Program, funded by the UK Government's Department for International Development and the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, and managed by the University of South Carolina, Arnold School of Public Health.


2005 ◽  
Vol 2 (4) ◽  
pp. 423-434 ◽  
Author(s):  
Stuart J.H. Biddle ◽  
Sarah H. Whitehead ◽  
Toni M. O’Donovan ◽  
Mary E. Nevill

Background:Many adolescent girls have low levels of physical activity and participation declines with age. This review identifies recent correlates of physical activity in adolescent girls.Methods:Systematic review of papers published 1999 to mid-2003. Papers (k = 51) reporting a measure of physical activity and at least one potential correlate of physical activity in adolescent girls were analyzed.Results:Demographics related to physical activity were female gender (–), non-white ethnicity (–), age (–), and socio-economic status (+). Psychological correlates positively associated with physical activity were enjoyment, perceived competence, self-efficacy, and physical self-perceptions. Behavioral correlates showed that smoking was associated with lower and organized sport involvement with greater activity. Physical activity was associated with parental and family support but we found no consistent trends for environmental variables. Effects were small-to-moderate.Conclusions:Modifiable correlates for adolescent girls clustered around “positive psychology,” organized sport involvement, and the family.


2021 ◽  
Vol 10 ◽  
pp. 124-129
Author(s):  
Björn Quanjer ◽  
Kristina Thompson

While in modern, high-income populations, obesity is associated with being from a low socio-economic background, this may not have always been the case. We test the relationship between obesity and educational level (as a proxy for socio-economic status) in a historical cohort of Dutch military conscripts, from the conscription years 1950–1979. We find that in the 1950s cohort, being in tertiary education was significantly associated with an increased likelihood of being overweight. In contrast, in the 1970s cohort, being in tertiary education was significantly associated with a decreased likelihood of being overweight. We find evidence that the prevalence of obesity remained broadly similar among more highly educated men, while it increased among men of a lower educational level. This likely contributed to the overall rise in the obesity rate. Our findings echo other studies that find a crossover in education’s relationship to BMI as populations become wealthier and obesity rates rise.


1970 ◽  
pp. 21-25
Author(s):  
Ghena Ismail

One cannot tackle the issue of the family in Lebanon without referring to the women-headed households. According to the statistical survey of the populationand residence, conducted by the Ministry of Social Affairs and issued on October 14, 1996 , 14.2% of families in Lebanon are headed by women (i.e., 91 ,131 families). These women may be widows, divorcees, abandoned, or married to men who were kidnaped, worked abroad, or are sick and incapable of working. One common factor among these women, whatever the socio-economic background, is that they are in charge of their families by force of the situation.


2018 ◽  
Vol 18 (1) ◽  
pp. 215
Author(s):  
Nia Nurzia

Abnormal cervical is still  in high levels of  which marked by the outbreak of the Human Papilloma Virus, It is not offset by the use of vaccination (HPV) Human Papilloma Virus which as the primary prevention of the spread of Human Papilloma Virus . recorded in Dara Jingga clinic in  2015, there were 226 people in the state of the cervix abnormal while those who making vaccination extremely low at only 40 people. Likewise, in 2016 there were 301 people in a state of abnormal cervical and vaccinated only 16 people . Based on it, this research is the research which aimed to determine the relationship between knowledge, economic status, family role and the role of health personnel  against the Human Papilloma Virus vaccination in Dara Jingga Clinic  Jambi City. This research is descriptive analytic with cross sectional design, the data collected through questionnaires, with a population was 321 people. using  acidental sampling technique with  sample was 32 people, research has been conducted on 22 to 24 August 2016 using univariate  and bivariate analysis assisted by a computer program. The results of the univariate analysis of vaccination picture were 10 respondents (31.3%) take advantage of HPV vaccination and 22 respondents (68,8%) did not take advantage of the HPV vaccination, an overview of knowledge were five respondents (15,6%) have sufficient knowledge, 15 respondents (46,9%) had a good knowledge,12 respondents (37,5%) had poor knowledge, an overview of economic status,  13 respondents (40,6%) had high economic status and  19 respondents (59,4% ) have lower economic status, description of the role of health workers13 respondents (40,6%) have a good role of health personnel and  19 respondents (59,4%) has the role of health personnel is not good. Overview of the role of the family, 11 respondents (34,4%) has the role of a good family and  21 respondents (65,6%) had a family roles goodles. the result of these studies show a relationship between the mother's knowledge by vaccination with HPV (Human Papilloma Virus ) with a p value of 0,035, the relationship between economic status with vaccination HPV (Human Papilloma Virus with p value 0,002, their relationship with the role of HPV vaccination of health workers with p value 0,002, their relationship with the family role of HPV vaccination with a p value of 0,004.Keywords: Knowledge, Economic Status, Role of health personnel, Role of Family,HPV Vaccination (Human Papilloma Virus)


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