Clustering of Specific Health-related Behaviours: Among Toronto Adolescents

2011 ◽  
Vol 72 (3) ◽  
pp. e155-e160 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kaitlin Turner ◽  
John J. M. Dwyer ◽  
A. Michelle Edwards ◽  
Kenneth R. Allison

Purpose: The clustering of specific health-related behaviours was examined among adolescents. Methods: In 2005, cluster analysis was conducted to identify homogeneous groups of Toronto, Ontario, 14- to 17-year-old adolescents (n=445) with similar behaviour patterns according to self-reported measures of moderate to vigorous physical activity (metabolic equivalent [MET] hours a week of MVPA), sedentary behaviours (viewing television or videos, using a computer/the internet, doing homework, and talking with friends), fruit and vegetable consumption, and alcohol consumption. Results: Three clusters of adolescents were identified: “active, high screen-time users,” “active, low screen-time users,” and “less active, least frequent drinkers.” Conclusions: Identifying clusters of adolescents with similar health-related behaviour patterns suggests that researchers and practitioners should develop and implement interventions tailored to specific clusters.

2016 ◽  
Vol 20 (3) ◽  
pp. 481-491 ◽  
Author(s):  
Inger M Oellingrath ◽  
Martin V Svendsen

AbstractObjectiveTo investigate BMI-specific associations between health-related behaviours in early adolescence and the likelihood of overweight in mid-adolescence in a sample of Norwegian adolescents.DesignLongitudinal study of 393 adolescents recruited from schools in Telemark County, Norway. Parents reported baseline data on children’s behavioural variables and background data (at age 12–13 years). Dietary data were reported by means of a retrospective FFQ. Eating patterns were identified using principal component analysis. Height and weight were measured at baseline and 3-year follow-up. BMI-specific differences in health-related behaviours (eating patterns, physical activity and screen time) at baseline were analysed using cross-tabulation and Pearson’s χ2 test (Fisher’s test). Associations between early health-related behaviours and the likelihood of later overweight were examined using multiple logistic regression.SettingPrimary and secondary schools, Telemark, Norway.SubjectsChildren (n 393) in 7th grade (mean age 12·7 (sd 0·3) years), followed up in 10th grade, and parents.ResultsA moderate to high intake of a varied Norwegian eating pattern combined with moderate-to-vigorous physical activity ≥1 h/d in the 7th grade were associated with a reduced likelihood of being overweight in the 10th grade, but only among already overweight adolescents (adjusted OR=0·2; 95 % CI 0·1, 1·0). Screen time of >3 h/d in the 7th grade was associated with an increased likelihood of subsequent overweight only among adolescents with an initial normal weight (adjusted OR=2·8; 95 % CI 1·1, 7·3).ConclusionsBMI-specific associations were observed between health-related behaviours in early adolescence and the likelihood of being overweight in mid-adolescence.


2014 ◽  
Vol 11 (2) ◽  
pp. 348-358 ◽  
Author(s):  
Victoria Catenacci ◽  
Christopher Barrett ◽  
Lorraine Odgen ◽  
Ray Browning ◽  
Christine Adele Schaefer ◽  
...  

Background:The America on the Move (AOM) Family Intervention Program has been shown to prevent excess weight gain in overweight children. Providing intervention materials via the internet would have the potential to reach more families but may increase sedentary behavior. The purpose was to evaluate whether delivering the AOM Family Intervention via the internet versus printed workbook would have a similar impact on sedentary behaviors in children.Methods:131 children (age 8–12) were randomized to receive the AOM Family Intervention via the internet or workbook for 12 weeks. Changes in objectively measured sedentary time and moderate-to vigorous physical activity (MVPA) as well as self-reported screen time were compared between groups.Results:There were no significant differences between groups in screen time, sedentary time, or MVPA at the end of the 12 week intervention. Families receiving the intervention via the internet were more likely to remain in the study (98% vs. 82%, P = .016).Conclusions:Using the internet to deliver the lifestyle intervention did not increase sedentary behavior in children. Attrition rates were lower when the program was delivered by internet versus via printed materials. These results provide support for using the internet to deliver healthy lifestyle programs for children.


Nutrients ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (12) ◽  
pp. 4467
Author(s):  
Björg Helgadóttir ◽  
Hanna Baurén ◽  
Karin Kjellenberg ◽  
Örjan Ekblom ◽  
Gisela Nyberg

This study explored whether breakfast habits were associated with intake of fruits and vegetables, minutes in moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA), minutes spent sedentary, and screen time among adolescents. Cross-sectional data were collected among 13–14-year-old boys and girls (n = 1139). Breakfast habits and screen time were determined via questionnaire, fruit and vegetable intake were determined through dietary recall, and physical activity and sedentary time were determined via accelerometers. Multilevel mixed models and general estimation equation models were applied. Almost 40% of participants skipped breakfast at least one day of the week. Participants with irregular breakfast habits on weekdays had lower fruit and vegetable consumption by 26.7 g (95% CI = −49.3, −5.9) while irregular breakfast habits during the whole week were associated with higher levels of screen time (OR = 1.5, 95% CI = 1.1, 2.1) compared to regular breakfast habits. Girls with irregular breakfast habits on weekdays had 7.7 min more sedentary time (95% CI = 0.8, 15.7) than girls with regular breakfast habits, while the opposite was found in boys (β = −13.3, 95% CI = −25.3, −2.6)). No significant associations were found for MVPA. Regular breakfast habits should be encouraged, as they might contribute to a higher intake of fruit and vegetables and are associated with lower levels of screen time, although further studies are necessary to establish causation.


2018 ◽  
Vol 33 (1) ◽  
pp. 97-106 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jeanette M. Garcia ◽  
John R. Sirard ◽  
Diane E. Whaley ◽  
David J. Rice ◽  
Kayla Baker ◽  
...  

Background: Understanding factors that influence physical activity (PA) and sedentary behavior is crucial to develop interventions to improve adolescents’ health-related behaviors. Purpose: To compare the influence of friends and psychosocial factors on moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA) and screen time (ST) between normal weight (NW) and overweight (OW) adolescents. Methods: In all, 21 OW and 21 NW adolescents wore accelerometers and completed questionnaires assessing MVPA, ST, and psychosocial variables. The MVPA and ST were assessed in nominated friends. Adolescents participated in focus groups assessing influence on activity behaviors. Results: There were no differences in MVPA; however, NW adolescents reported less ST than OW adolescents (8.9 vs 13.1 h/wk, P = .04). For OW adolescents, friends’ ST ( P = .002) and psychosocial factors ( P = .05) were associated with ST, while only PA self-efficacy was associated with MVPA. For NW adolescents, only friends’ MVPA ( P = .04) was associated with self-reported PA. Exploratory analyses revealed differences among weight status and gender. Focus group discussions revealed that friends influenced both OW and NW adolescents’ MVPA; however, this appeared to be more apparent for NW males, while psychosocial factors played a role in both OW and NW females. The OW adolescents reported that friends were more of an influence on their ST levels, while NW adolescents indicated that their ST was not affected by their friends’ behaviors. Conclusions: Interventions to increase MVPA and/or decrease ST may need to be tailored for NW and OW adolescents.


2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Victoria Kordovski ◽  
Savanna M. Tierney ◽  
Samina Rahman ◽  
Luis D. Medina ◽  
Michelle A. Babicz ◽  
...  

Objective: Searching the Internet for health-related information is a complex and dynamic goal-oriented process that places demands on executive functions, which are higher-order cognitive abilities that are known to deteriorate with older age. This study aimed to examine the effects of older age on electronic health (eHealth) search behavior, and to determine whether executive functions played a mediating role in that regard. Method: Fifty younger adults (≤ 35 years) and 41 older adults (≥50 years) completed naturalistic eHealth search tasks involving fact-finding (Fact Search) and symptom diagnosis (Symptom Search), a neurocognitive battery, and a series of questionnaires. Results: Multiple regression models with relevant covariates revealed that older adults were slower and less accurate than younger adults on the eHealth Fact Search task, but not on the eHealth Symptom Search task. Nevertheless, executive functions mediated the relationship between older age and eHealth Fact Search and Symptom Search accuracy. Conclusions: Older adults can experience difficulty searching the Internet for some health-related information, which is at least partly attributable to executive dysfunction. Future studies are needed to determine the benefits of training in the organizational and strategic aspects of Internet search for older adults and whether these findings are applicable to clinical populations with executive dysfunction.


2021 ◽  
Vol 10 (8) ◽  
pp. 1592
Author(s):  
Laura Al-Dakhiel Winkler ◽  
Claire Gudex ◽  
Mia Beck Lichtenstein ◽  
Michael Ejnar Røder ◽  
Carol E. Adair ◽  
...  

A better understanding of explanatory factors for disease-specific health-related quality of life (HRQoL) in anorexia nervosa (AN) could help direct treatment providers to aspects of the most relevance for patient wellbeing and recovery. We aimed to investigate whether factors associated with HRQoL are the same for women with AN and normal-weight controls. The participants in this study were women with AN recruited from specialized eating disorder centers in Denmark and healthy, normal-weight controls invited via online social media. Participants completed online questionnaires on medical history, disease-specific HRQoL (Eating Disorders Quality of Life Scale, EDQLS) and generic HRQoL (SF-36), eating disorder symptomatology, depression, psychological wellbeing, and work and social adjustment. Questionnaires were fully completed by 211 women with AN (median age 21.7 years) and 199 controls (median age 23.9 years). Women with AN had poorer scores on all measures, i.e., worse HRQoL, psychological health, and work/social functioning. Eating disorder symptomatology affected EDQLS score in both groups, but poorer HRQoL in women with AN was also significantly associated with worse scores on bulimia, maturity fears, depression, vitality, and with older age. The factors investigated together explained 79% of the variance in EDQLS score. Management of disordered self-assessment and thought processes may be of particular importance to women with AN. Greater emphasis on these aspects alongside weight gain could enhance patient–clinician alliance and contribute to better treatment outcomes.


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