scholarly journals The untapped potential of the gaming community: A narrative review. (Preprint)

2018 ◽  
Author(s):  
William Goodman ◽  
Ethna McFerran ◽  
Richard Purves ◽  
Ian Redpath ◽  
Rebecca J Beeken
Keyword(s):  
Video Games ◽  
Health Information ◽  
Health Behaviour ◽  
Exponential Growth ◽  
Virtual Communities ◽  
Health Behaviours ◽  
Positive Health ◽  
Video Gamers ◽  
Positive Results ◽  
Improve Health

UNSTRUCTURED Video gamers are a population at heightened risk of developing obesity due to the sedentary nature of gaming, increased energy intake and the disruption caused to their sleep. This increases their risk of developing a number of non-communicable diseases. To date, research seeking to improve health behaviours has focussed on developing novel video games to promote behaviour change. Although positive results have emerged from this research, the success has been limited due to the lack of transferability to more mainstream games and the focus on children and adolescents. However, the gaming community has a number of unique aspects which, in comparison to the development of new video games, have received less attention. Research has found that advertising can have implicit effects on individual’s memories which could influence their later decisions. Yet the effect of the exponential growth of in-game advertisements, and brand sponsorship of gaming events and professional gamers, has not been explored in the gaming community. Nor has the possibility of using advertising techniques to encourage positive health behaviours within games or at these events. Research suggests that virtual communities can be effective at disseminating health information, but the efficacy of this needs to be explored utilising known community influencers within the gaming community. The purpose of this paper is to highlight these under-researched areas that have the potential to encourage positive health behaviour among this community.

scholarly journals A Survey of Therapeutic Radiographers’ Knowledge, Practices, and Barriers in Delivering Health Behaviour Advice to Cancer Patients

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nickola D. Pallin ◽  
Rebecca J. Beeken ◽  
Kathy Pritchard Jones ◽  
Nick Woznitza ◽  
Abigail Fisher
Keyword(s):  
Cancer Patients ◽  
Health Behaviour ◽  
Online Survey ◽  
Healthy Lifestyle ◽  
Health Behaviours ◽  
Positive Health ◽  
Knowledge Resources ◽  
The Uk ◽  
Healthy Behaviour ◽  
And Training

Abstract Therapeutic radiographers (TRs) are well-placed to deliver advice to cancer patients; however, limited research exists on their practices in providing advice on healthy lifestyle behaviours. Through an online survey, this study aimed to explore TRs’ current practices, barriers, and facilitators around delivering healthy behaviour advice to cancer patients. An online survey was sent to 72 radiotherapy departments in the UK and 583 TRs responded to the survey. Findings showed that levels of enquiry and provision of advice on healthy behaviours were low, with less than 25% advising patients on physical activity, healthy eating, weight management, smoking cessation, and reducing alcohol intake as standard practice. Lack of knowledge, resources, and training were identified as barriers, in addition to perceived lack of patient interest and lack of time. TRs reported a strong desire to undergo training to enable them to deliver health behaviour advice to patients, with an identified preference for online training. Cancer patients look to healthcare professionals for advice on health behaviours, and TRs are well-placed to deliver this advice. The findings of this study provide insight into the areas that need addressing to enable TRs to support positive health behaviours among cancer patients.

scholarly journals Does health literacy explain the link between structural stratifiers and adolescent health?

2019 ◽  
Vol 29 (5) ◽  
pp. 919-924 ◽  
Author(s):  
Leena T Paakkari ◽  
Minna P Torppa ◽  
Olli-Pekka Paakkari ◽  
Raili S Välimaa ◽  
Kristiina S A Ojala ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Health Disparities ◽  
Health Literacy ◽  
Health Outcomes ◽  
Health Behaviour ◽  
Educational Aspirations ◽  
Pearson Correlation ◽  
School Achievement ◽  
Health Indicators ◽  
Health Behaviours ◽  
Positive Health

Abstract Background The concept of health literacy (HL) may help us to better understand the mechanisms leading to health disparities, and to focus on the factors that can be influenced. However, not much is yet known about how HL is related to health disparities, or whether the association exists among adolescents. The aim of the study was to examine the associations between structural stratifiers, HL and health indicators among adolescents. Methods The nationally representative Finnish Health Behaviour in School-aged Children survey data (n=3833) were collected from 13- and 15-year-old pupils in the spring of 2014. Pearson correlation coefficients were calculated, and separate path models were estimated for the perceived health and health behaviour measures. Results HL was found to be an independent factor explaining disparities in health. Higher HL was related to positive health outcomes. HL also acted as a mediator between health behaviours and structural stratifiers, except for gender. School achievement and educational aspirations were among the factors explaining the HL level, which in turn, explained the health indicators. Conclusion The concept of HL is of use in understanding health disparities. In particular, HL provides a mechanism via which school achievement and educational plans affect health outcomes. Low HL places adolescents who have poor school achievement and who do not intend to continue on an academic path in an unequal position with respect to their health.

Health information seeking, beliefs about abilities, and health behaviour among Finnish seniors

2018 ◽  
Vol 50 (3) ◽  
pp. 284-295 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kristina Eriksson-Backa ◽  
Heidi Enwald ◽  
Noora Hirvonen ◽  
Isto Huvila
Keyword(s):  
Health Information ◽  
Health Behaviour ◽  
Information Seeking ◽  
Health Behaviours ◽  
Chi Square ◽  
Current Health ◽  
Related Information ◽  
Health Related ◽  
Cross Tabulation ◽  
The Relationship

The paper presents a study that examines older Finnish adults’ self-perceived capability to access, evaluate, understand and use health-related information, and their perceived ability to influence their health themselves, and the relationship between these factors and their current health, health behaviour and information seeking. Questionnaires were mailed by post to 1000 Finns aged 65–79 years, and a total of 281 completed questionnaires (28%) were returned. Of these, 273 were included in the study. Cross-tabulation and chi-square tests were used for the analysis. Results showed that both a stronger belief in one’s capability to master health information and to act in a healthy manner were positively linked to better health and health behaviour as well as more active information behaviour. These beliefs can be important factors for influencing certain health behaviours and even behaviour change.

Health Behaviour Change following Persuasive Communication

1996 ◽  
Vol 26 (1) ◽  
pp. 23-28 ◽  
Author(s):  
Helgo Schomer ◽  
Sarah Wadlow ◽  
Tim Dunne
Keyword(s):  
Health Psychology ◽  
Drug Use ◽  
Health Behaviour ◽  
Health Behaviours ◽  
Self Report ◽  
Persuasive Communication ◽  
Positive Health ◽  
Significant Change ◽  
The Impact

This study was undertaken to assess the impact of a persuasively presented academic course in Health Psychology on students' health behaviour. Ninety-eight students attending a third-year optional course in Health Psychology at the University of Cape Town volunteered to participate in the study. The students completed a self-report Lifestyle Evaluation Questionnaire (LEQ) at the beginning of the six-week course, at the completion of the course and at an eight-month follow-up. A Lifestyie Beliefs Questionnaire (LBQ) based on the Health Belief Model was also filled out at the follow-up date. The results showed a statistically significant change in the exercise health behaviour, improving as the study progressed. LEQ factors of food and care improved significantly from the beginning to the completion of the course, with the care factor also maintaining a significant change from beginning to follow-up. Analysis of the LBQ indicated that the benefits component predicted exercise and drug use, the barriers component predicted exercise behaviour, and the susceptibility component predicted drug use. It was concluded that persuasive communication had a motivating effect on young, healthy adults to practise positive health behaviours.

scholarly journals A REVIEW OF HEALTH BEHAVIOUR DYNAMICS IN AYURVEDA

2021 ◽  
Vol 9 (8) ◽  
pp. 1831-1838
Author(s):  
Dileep. G. L ◽  
Jishnu. R ◽  
Athri. S. S
Keyword(s):  
Health Behaviour ◽  
Health Behaviours ◽  
Positive Health ◽  
Root Cause ◽  
Causative Factors ◽  
Lack Of Control ◽  
Individual Branch ◽  
Negative Impacts ◽  
Sleep Sex ◽  
The Ideal

Health behaviour was essentially a part of sociology. It has now evolved as an individual branch focusing on hu- man therapeutic care. The human behaviour or actions that have a definite impact on his health is named health behaviour. Those which complements one's health are known as positive health behaviours. The negative/altered health behaviour is considered one of the major causative factors for diseases. Alterations from the ideal health behaviour (misdeeds) are due to the wrong psychotic process. These unhealthy behaviours are usually focused on few factors like food, physical activities, sleep, sex and substance use. The positive, as well as negative impacts of behaviour on health, should be understood as part of sociology about psychology, medicine and ethics. In ancient literature, there were such descriptions of health behaviour in the form of do’s and don’ts or taboos. Ayurveda considers misdeeds (prajnaparadha) as the root cause of diseases. They are happening by an unsuitable psychotic process like ignorance (unawareness), lack of control/thinking over actions or lack of remembrance. This work attempts to list out the health behaviours mentioned in Ayurveda. The ways to abstain from such misdeeds are also disclosed here. Keywords: health behaviour, Prajnaparadha

Changes and New Trends in Health Communication

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mustafa Narcı ◽  
Nebiye Konuk Kandemir
Keyword(s):  
New Media ◽  
Health Communication ◽  
Health Information ◽  
Communication Technologies ◽  
Health Problems ◽  
Patient Communication ◽  
Positive Health ◽  
Paradoxical Situation ◽  
Online Platforms ◽  
Improve Health

Health communication can be considered in terms of different groups such as communication of healthcare professionals with each other, patient-healthcare worker communication, patient-patient communication and patient relatives communication with each other. Communication is the primary tool in ensuring health literacy and disseminating effective health information to the wider audience. Effective health communication raises awareness about health problems, risks and solutions; influences and strengthens individuals' attitudes. All mass media are used within the scope of health education to develop and adopt healthy living habits in society in order to improve health. The dizzying developments and changes in communication technologies have diversified and enriched the ways to obtain more information and support about health problems. The transition from monologue to dialogue in the internet field has caused the transformation from one-way information transmission to dynamic, multi-faceted interactive and discussions. Thus, the period began in which not only consuming but also producing users took part. While this has improved those who use social networks, it has also made it difficult to control health information. The coexistence of the media's potential to generate negative behavior as well as the possibilities and capacity to develop positive health behaviors also constitutes a paradoxical situation. Individuals who try to collect information about diseases and treatment methods by using new media tools sometimes risk their health with false information. In addition, the communication between the different groups mentioned above through forums on online platforms takes on a remarkable new form in terms of patient-patient communication. In this context, the aim of the study is to discuss the transformation of patient-patient communication on online platforms within the framework of the literature.

scholarly journals Diet and lifestyle behaviour disruption related to the pandemic was varied and bidirectional among US and UK adults participating in the ZOE COVID Study

Nature Food ◽  
2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mohsen Mazidi ◽  
Emily R. Leeming ◽  
Jordi Merino ◽  
Long H. Nguyen ◽  
Somesh Selvachandran ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Health Behaviour ◽  
Relative Deprivation ◽  
Total Population ◽  
Health Behaviours ◽  
Lifestyle Behaviour ◽  
Diet And Physical Activity ◽  
Economically Deprived ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Diet And Lifestyle ◽  
Improve Health

AbstractEvidence of the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on health behaviours in the general population is limited. In this retrospective longitudinal study including UK and US participants, we collected diet and lifestyle data pre-pandemic (896,286) and peri-pandemic (291,871) using a mobile health app, and we computed a bidirectional health behaviour disruption index. Disruption of health behaviour was higher in younger, female and socio-economically deprived participants. Loss in body weight was greater in highly disrupted individuals than in those with low disruption. There were large inter-individual changes observed in 46 health and diet behaviours measured peri-pandemic compared with pre-pandemic, but no mean change in the total population. Individuals most adherent to less healthy pre-pandemic health behaviours improved their diet quality and weight compared with those reporting healthier pre-pandemic behaviours, irrespective of relative deprivation; therefore, for a proportion of the population, the pandemic may have provided an impetus to improve health behaviours. Public policies to tackle health inequalities widened by the pandemic should continue to prioritize diet and physical activity for all, as well as more targeted approaches to support younger females and those living in economically deprived areas.

Social Media and the Transformation of Healthcare: A Viewpoint (Preprint)

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ella Forgie ◽  
Hollis Lai ◽  
Bo Cao ◽  
Eleni Stroulia ◽  
Andrew James Greenshaw ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Social Media ◽  
Health Information ◽  
Information Seeking ◽  
Virtual Communities ◽  
Community Support ◽  
Security And Privacy ◽  
Support Network ◽  
Full Potential ◽  
Physician Patient Relationship ◽  
Mediation Effects

UNSTRUCTURED As many as 80% of internet users seek health information online. The social determinants of health (SDoH) are intimately related to who has access to the internet and healthcare as a whole. Those who face more barriers to care are more likely to benefit from accessing health information online, granted the information they are retrieving is accurate. Virtual communities on social media platforms are particularly interesting as venues for seeking health information online because peers have been shown to influence health behaviour more than almost anything else. Thus, it is important to recognize the potential of social media to have positive mediation effects on health, so long as any negative mediation effects are reconcilable. As a positive mediator of health, social media can be used as a direct or indirect mode of communication between physicians and patients, a venue for health promotion and health information, and a community support network. False or misleading content, social contagion, confirmation bias, and security and privacy concerns must be mitigated in order to realize full potential of social media as a positive mediator of health. In any case, it is clear that the intersections between the SDoH, social media, and health are intimate, and they must be taken into consideration by physicians. Here, we argue that a paradigm shift in the physician-patient relationship is warranted, one where physicians: a) acknowledge the impacts of the SDoH on information-seeking behaviour, b) recognize the positive and negative roles of social media as a mediator of health through the lens of the SDoH, and c) use social media to catalyze positive changes in the standard of care.

scholarly journals Letter to the Editor: The development of knights cabin cancer retreats: a community program to engage cancer survivors’ proactive health behaviors

2019 ◽  
Vol 39 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Iris Lesser ◽  
Erin McGowan ◽  
Lisa Belanger
Keyword(s):  
Health Behaviors ◽  
Cancer Survivors ◽  
Learning Outcomes ◽  
Emotional Support ◽  
Behavioral Change ◽  
Health Behaviours ◽  
Positive Health ◽  
Charitable Organization ◽  
Sleep Management ◽  
Management Techniques

Abstract Purpose Cancer survivors often lack the knowledge and skills to return to positive health behaviors following a cancer diagnosis. The use of retreats may be an ideal environment for cancer survivors to learn about health behaviours while receiving social support from other survivors. Methods Knights Cabin Cancer Retreats was created as a charitable organization in 2014 and is at no cost to participants or their supporters. Elements of the retreat include guided hikes, yoga, classes on nutrition, stress, mindfulness and sleep management techniques, all with a focus on the evidence based theories of behavioral change. Results Ten retreats have been hosted across Canada to date with 137 cancer survivors and their supporters. Survivors reported that their top learning outcomes from the retreat were physical activity/nutrition and behavioral change/habit development. Conclusion Knight’s Cabin Cancer retreats are unique in their programming with a format of health education that allows for emotional support and engagement with other cancer survivors in a therapeutically natural environment.

scholarly journals Understanding disadvantaged adolescents’ perception of health literacy through a systematic development of peer vignettes

2021 ◽  
Vol 21 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Hannah R. Goss ◽  
Clare McDermott ◽  
Laura Hickey ◽  
Johann Issartel ◽  
Sarah Meegan ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Health Literacy ◽  
Young People ◽  
Research Methods ◽  
Health Behaviours ◽  
Potential Health ◽  
Socially Disadvantaged ◽  
Unhealthy Behaviour ◽  
Health Related ◽  
Literacy Profiles ◽  
Improve Health

Abstract Background Adolescence represents a crucial phase of life where health behaviours, attitudes and social determinants can have lasting impacts on health quality across the life course. Unhealthy behaviour in young people is generally more common in low socioeconomic groups. Nevertheless, all adolescents should have a fair opportunity to attain their full health potential. Health literacy is positioned as a potential mediating factor to improve health, but research regarding health literacy in adolescents and socially disadvantaged populations is limited. As part of Phase one of the Ophelia (OPtimising HEalth LIterAcy) framework, The purpose of this study was to explore the perceptions of socially disadvantaged Irish adolescents in relation to health literacy and related behaviours, and utilise this data to develop relevant vignettes. Methods A convergent mixed method design was used to co-create the vignettes. Questionnaires were completed by 962 adolescents (males n = 553, females n = 409, Mean age = 13.97 ± 0.96 years) from five participating disadvantaged schools in Leinster, Ireland. Focus groups were also conducted in each school (n = 31). Results were synthesised using cluster and thematic analysis, to develop nine vignettes that represented typical male and female subgroups across the schools with varying health literacy profiles. These vignettes were then validated through triangular consensus with students, teachers, and researchers. Discussion The co-creation process was a participatory methodology which promoted the engagement and autonomy of the young people involved in the project. The vignettes themselves provide an authentic and tangible description of the health issues and health literacy profiles of adolescents in this context. Application of these vignettes in workshops involving students and teachers, will enable meaningful engagement in the discussion of health literacy and health-related behaviours in Irish young people, and the potential co-designing of strategies to address health literacy in youth. Conclusion As guided by the Ophelia framework, the use of authentic, interactive and participatory research methods, such as the co-creation of vignettes, is particularly important in groups that are underserved by traditional research methods. The approach used in this study could be adapted to other contexts to represent and understand stakeholders’ perceptions of health, with a view to explore, and ultimately improve, health literacy.

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