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Youth Assets and Sexual Risk Behavior: Differences Between Male and Female Adolescents

Mueller, T., Gavin, L., Oman, R., Vesely, S., Aspy, C., Tolma, E., Rodine, S. — Tue, 03 Nov 2009 10:16:01 PST

Youth internal assets and external resources are protective factors that can help youth avoid potentially harmful behaviors. This study investigates how the relationship between youth assets or resources and two sexual risk behaviors (ever had sex and birth control use) varied by gender. Data were collected through in-home interviews from parent–adolescent dyads, including 1,219 females and 1,116 males. Important differences exist between male and female adolescents. Females with the nonparental role models or the family communication resource were more likely to report never having had sexual intercourse than were females without the resources. Among males, the aspirations for the future and responsible choices assets were associated with never having had sexual intercourse. Males and females had two assets or resources in common that were protective of never having had sex: peer role models and use of time (religion). Considering which youth assets and resources are more likely to positively influence sexual behaviors of males and females may be important when planning prevention programs with youth.

An Urban Food Store Intervention Positively Affects Food-Related Psychosocial Variables and Food Behaviors

Tue, 03 Nov 2009 10:16:02 PST

Obesity and other diet-related chronic diseases are more prevalent in low-income urban areas, which commonly have limited access to healthy foods. The authors implemented an intervention trial in nine food stores, including two supermarkets and seven corner stores, in a low-income, predominantly African American area of Baltimore City, with a comparison group of eight stores in another low-income area of the city. The intervention (Baltimore Healthy Stores; BHS) included an environmental component to increase stocks of more nutritious foods and provided point-of-purchase promotions including signage for healthy choices and interactive nutrition education sessions. Using pre- and postassessments, the authors evaluated the impact of the program on 84 respondents sampled from the intervention and comparison areas. Exposure to intervention materials was modest in the intervention area, and overall healthy food purchasing scores, food knowledge, and self-efficacy did not show significant improvements associated with intervention status. However, based on adjusted multivariate regression results, the BHS program had a positive impact on healthfulness of food preparation methods and showed a trend toward improved intentions to make healthy food choices. Respondents in the intervention areas were significantly more likely to report purchasing promoted foods because of the presence of a BHS shelf label. This is the first food store intervention trial in low-income urban communities to show positive impacts at the consumer level.

Impact of a Community-Based Prevention Marketing Intervention to Promote Physical Activity Among Middle-Aged Women

Thu, 29 Oct 2009 10:12:28 PDT

A physical activity intervention applied principles of community-based participatory research, the community-based prevention marketing framework, and social cognitive theory. A nonrandomized design included women ages 35 to 54 in the southeastern United States. Women (n = 430 preprogram, n = 217 postprogram) enrolled in a 24-week behavioral intervention and were exposed to a media campaign. They were compared to cross-sectional survey samples at pre- (n = 245) and postprogram (n = 820) from the media exposed county and a no-intervention county (n = 234 pre, n = 822 post). Women in the behavioral intervention had statistically significant positive changes on physical activity minutes, walking, park and trail use, knowledge of mapped routes and exercise partner, and negative change on exercise self-efficacy. Media exposed women had statistically significant pre- to postprogram differences on knowledge of mapped routes. No-intervention women had significant pre- to postprogram differences on physical activity minutes, walking, and knowledge of mapped routes.

Examining Elementary School-Aged Children's Self-Efficacy and Proxy Efficacy for Fruit and Vegetable Consumption

Geller, K. S., Dzewaltowski, D. A. — Mon, 26 Oct 2009 09:40:37 PDT

Children’s self-efficacy for fruit and vegetable consumption (FVC) and proxy efficacy to influence others to make fruit and vegetables (FV) available may influence their FVC. A previous investigation has demonstrated that self-efficacy for fruit consumption, self-efficacy for vegetable consumption, proxy efficacy to influence parents to make FV available, and proxy efficacy to influence after-school staff to make FV available can be measured with four independent but related scales. The purpose of the present investigation is to confirm this factor structure and determine if the scales were invariant across gender, ethnicity, and socioeconomic status (SES) subgroups of children attending after-school programs. Results provide further validity evidence for the four correlated scales. In addition, results confirm measurement invariance across gender, SES, and ethnicity, confirming the unbiased generalizability of the current measure to these demographic groups. Lastly, tests of population heterogeneity reveal no meaningful differences in self- and proxy efficacy among gender, SES, and ethnicity subgroups.

Understanding Adolescent Caffeine Use: Connecting Use Patterns With Expectancies, Reasons, and Sleep

Ludden, A. B., Wolfson, A. R. — Mon, 26 Oct 2009 09:40:38 PDT

Little is known about adolescents’ caffeine use, yet caffeinated soda, and more recently coffee and energy drinks, are part of youth culture. This study examines adolescents’ caffeine use and, using cluster analysis, identifies three groups of caffeine users who differed in their reasons for use, expectancies, and sleep behaviors. In this high school student sample (N = 197), 95% of participants reported recent caffeine use—most often soda—where typical first use of the day was in the evening. Results reveal that adolescents in the mixed use and high soda use groups consumed similar amounts of soda, reporting significantly more use than the low caffeine use group. In contrast with high soda users, mixed users drank more coffee, expected more dependence symptoms and energy enhancement from caffeine, and were more likely to report getting up early, daytime sleepiness, and using caffeine to get through the day.

Project ACTS: An Intervention to Increase Organ and Tissue Donation Intentions Among African Americans

Arriola, K., Robinson, D. H., Thompson, N. J., Perryman, J. P. — Mon, 26 Oct 2009 09:40:37 PDT

This study sought to evaluate the effectiveness of Project ACTS: About Choices in Transplantation and Sharing, which was developed to increase readiness for organ and tissue donation among African American adults. Nine churches (N = 425 participants) were randomly assigned to receive donation education materials currently available to consumers (control group) or Project ACTS educational materials (intervention group). The primary outcomes assessed at 1-year follow-up were readiness to express donation intentions via one’s driver’s license, donor card, and discussion with family. Results indicate a significant interaction between condition and time on readiness to talk to family such that participants in the intervention group were 1.64 times more likely to be in action or maintenance at follow-up than were participants in the control group (p = .04). There were no significant effects of condition or condition by time on readiness to be identified as a donor on one’s driver’s license and by carrying a donor card. Project ACTS may be an effective tool for stimulating family discussion of donation intentions among African Americans although additional research is needed to explore how to more effectively affect written intentions.

The Relationships Between Feelings of Satisfaction and Burden With Respect to Activity and Social Support Among Health Promotion Volunteers in Japan

Murayama, H., Taguchi, A., Murashima, S. — Tue, 20 Oct 2009 09:49:38 PDT

Health promotion volunteers (HPVs) working to promote community health in Japan feel both satisfaction and burden with their community engagement activities. This study examined the relationship between their satisfaction and burden toward their activities and social support. A mail-in self-check questionnaire survey was distributed to 604 HPVs in Japan in September 2005. Multiple regression analysis showed that high "activity attachment" was associated with more support from family, colleagues, and public health nurses; high "personal benefit" was associated with more support from colleagues and public health nurses. It was also found that low "burden on everyday life" was associated with more support from family and colleagues and that low "psychological burden" was associated with more support from colleagues and community members. It became clear that social support from various sources was positively related to HPVs’ satisfaction and negatively related to HPVs’ burden with their activities. To encourage HPV activities, it is important to consider what kinds of social support would be most useful to increase the satisfaction and reduce the burden felt by HPVs.

Photovoice: A Review of the Literature in Health and Public Health

Catalani, C., Minkler, M. — Thu, 01 Oct 2009 09:59:41 PDT

Although a growing number of projects have been implemented using the community-based participatory research method known as photovoice, no known systematic review of the literature on this approach has been conducted to date. This review draws on the peer-reviewed literature on photovoice in public health and related disciplines conducted before January 2008 to determine (a) what defines the photovoice process, (b) the outcomes associated with photovoice, and (c) how the level of community participation is related to photovoice processes and outcomes. In all, 37 unduplicated articles were identified and reviewed using a descriptive coding scheme and Viswanathan et al.’s quality of participation tool. Findings reveal no relationship between group size and quality of participation but a direct relationship between the latter and project duration as well as with getting to action. More participatory projects also were associated with long-standing relationships between the community and outside researcher partners and an intensive training component. Although vague descriptions of project evaluation practices and a lack of consistent reporting precluded hard conclusions, 60% of projects reported an action component. Particularly among highly participatory projects, photovoice appears to contribute to an enhanced understanding of community assets and needs and to empowerment.

Athletic Participation and Seatbelt Omission Among U.S. High School Students

Melnick, M. J., Miller, K. E., Sabo, D. F., Barnes, G. M., Farrell, M. P. — Thu, 01 Oct 2009 09:59:42 PDT

Although seatbelts save lives, adolescents may be disproportionately likely to omit their use. Using data from the 1997 Youth Risk Behavior Survey, a national survey of more than 16,000 U.S. public and private high school students, the authors employed a series of logistic regression analyses to examine cross-sectional associations between past year athletic participation and regular seatbelt omission. Controlling for the effects of gender, age, race, parental education, and school urbanicity, student athletes were significantly less likely than nonathletes to report seatbelt omission. Separate gender-specific analyses showed that this effect was significant for girls but only marginally significant for boys; in addition, the effect was strongest for adolescents who participated on three or more school or community sports teams. Possible explanations for the relationship between athletic participation and seatbelt omission, including Jessor’s problem behavior syndrome, prosocial sport subcultures, and sensation seeking, are considered.

Promoting Elementary Physical Education: Results of a School-Based Evaluation Study

Fri, 11 Sep 2009 09:53:37 PDT

Using a quasiexperimental design, the authors examine whether fourth- and fifth-grade students exposed to a developmental physical education (PE) curriculum, Michigan’s Exemplary Physical Education Curriculum (EPEC), demonstrated stronger motor skill–specific self-efficacy and perceptions of physical activity competence, physical activity levels, motor skills, and physical fitness than did students exposed to existing PE curricula. The authors conducted a multilevel regression analysis with data from 1,464 students in the fourth and fifth grades. Data were collected using a student survey, an activity checklist, and motor and fitness assessments. Compared to students receiving standard PE, students exposed to EPEC showed significantly stronger results in motor skills but not fitness outcomes. The authors found significant positive intervention effects on indicators of motor skill self-efficacy and physical activity levels among the fourth-grade cohort. EPEC was more effective than standard PE curricula at improving motor skill performance (fourth- and fifth- grade cohorts) and at increasing self-reported motor skill-specific self-efficacy and physical activity (fourth- grade cohort).

Attitudes and Beliefs Associated With Mammography in a Multiethnic Population in Israel

Baron-Epel, O. — Tue, 18 Aug 2009 12:48:18 PDT

This article highlights beliefs, attitudes, and barriers that are associated with mammography use in four distinct cultural and ethnic groups in Israel: veteran, ultra-orthodox, and immigrant Jewish and Arab women. A random telephone survey of 1,550 women was performed. Information from claims records concerning mammography use was obtained for each woman from Maccabi Health Services. Of the barriers studied, no one barrier was associated with mammography performance in all population groups. However, the combined measure was associated with mammography use in all groups. Subjective norms, fatalism, fear of breast cancer, and perceived effectiveness were associated with mammography in some of the population groups but not in others. Each population seems to have a unique set of variables predicting mammography use. It is not possible to generalize from one population to another and it implies that information concerning beliefs and attitudes should be studied in each subpopulation before planning interventions.

The Domestic Foodscapes of Young Low-Income Women in Montreal: Cooking Practices in the Context of an Increasingly Processed Food Supply

Engler-Stringer, R. — Tue, 18 Aug 2009 12:48:18 PDT

Over the course of the past century, the quantity of prepackaged, pre-prepared foods available in the North American context has increased dramatically. This study examines the shifts in food practices that are taking place through an exploration of the day-to-day cooking practices of a group of young, low-income women in Montreal and considers how these contribute to health problems such as obesity and nutritional deficiencies in addition to health inequalities within populations. The participatory study uses data from five focus groups with a total of 22 participants to contribute to our understanding of how social and physical food environments (the "foodscape") shape daily food and cooking practices. Aspects of these environments that were discussed include household roles and responsibilities that require complex management, personal food choice and skill, as well as health, learning, and access to food.

Use (and Misuse) of the Responsible Drinking Message in Public Health and Alcohol Advertising: A Review

Barry, A. E., Goodson, P. — Mon, 10 Aug 2009 09:15:17 PDT

The objective is to present a comparative analysis examining the alcohol industry’s and scholarly researchers’ use of the concept "responsible drinking." Electronic databases associated with health, education, sociology, psychology, and medicine were the date sources. Results were limited to English, peer-reviewed articles and commentaries specifically addressing "responsible drinking." Search descriptors included responsible, responsibility, drinking, alcohol, brewer, and campaign. Eighteen articles constituted the final sample. The matrix method was utilized to organize and abstract pertinent information. Misunderstanding stemming from the inconsistency and counterintuitive nature of brewer-sponsored "responsible drinking" campaigns is further compounded by researchers’ use of the term and concept of "responsible drinking" in their scholarly reports. In articulating the definition of "responsible drinking," researchers employ subjective notions and personal ideas, thus not differentiating the construct’s meaning from the one acquired in brewer-sponsored campaigns. Researchers are consistently inconsistent when identifying specific health measures that promote and/or contradict responsible alcohol consumption. To evade the subjective notions of researchers and restrictive impressions attached by the alcohol industry, the manner in which individuals interpret, perceive, and practice responsible drinking must be systematically explored and examined using theoretically based constructs.

In the Dark: Young Men's Stories of Sexual Initiation in the Absence of Relevant Sexual Health Information

Kubicek, K., Beyer, W. J., Weiss, G., Iverson, E., Kipke, M. D. — Thu, 02 Jul 2009 16:06:19 PDT

A growing body of research has investigated the effectiveness of abstinence-only sexual education. There remains a dearth of research on the relevant sexual health information available to young men who have sex with men (YMSM). Drawing on a mixed-methods study with 526 YMSM, this study explores how and where YMSM receive relevant information on sexual health/behavior. Findings indicate that information related to gay men’s sexuality is not readily available from family, friends, or schools. At initiation of anal intercourse, respondents generally had limited information about HIV and sexually transmitted infections (STIs). In some cases, this resulted in the perception that activities such as unprotected sex were "low risk." Many mentioned they first learned about anal sex during their sexual debut, describing painful and/or unpleasant experiences. Some relied on older/more experienced partners, the Internet, and pornography for information. Findings are discussed in relation to how providers can help YMSM build solid foundations of sexual education to protect them from STI and HIV infection.

Project ORE: A Friendship-Based Intervention to Prevent HIV/STI in Urban African American Adolescent Females

Dolcini, M. M., Harper, G. W., Boyer, C. B., Pollack, L. M. — Wed, 17 Jun 2009 10:23:58 PDT

There is an urgent need for continued innovation in the design of HIV/STI prevention interventions for African American females, a group at high risk for STIs and HIV. In particular, attention to social development and to culture is needed. The present study reports on a group randomized controlled trial of a friendship-based HIV/STI prevention intervention delivered at community-based centers in four San Francisco neighborhoods (n = 2, experimental; n = 2, control). This brief program focuses on youth and their friendship group (N = 264). Program outcomes vary by age at 3-month follow-up, evidencing decreases in risky sex in the oldest group (p ≤ .05), decreases in multiple partners in the middle age group (p ≤ .05), and increases in HIV testing in the youngest group (p = .05). Findings extend recent work on the efficacy of interventions to reduce sexual risk for racial and ethnic minority youth.

Future HIV Vaccine Acceptability Among Young Adults in South Africa

Sayles, J. N., Macphail, C. L., Newman, P. A., Cunningham, W. E. — Tue, 09 Jun 2009 09:23:25 PDT

Developing and disseminating a preventive HIV vaccine is a primary scientific and public health objective. However, little is known about HIV vaccine acceptability in the high-prevalence setting of South Africa—where young adults are likely to be targeted in early dissemination efforts. This study reports on six focus groups (n = 42) conducted in 2007 with South Africans aged 18 to 24 years. A deductive framework approach is used to identify key motivators and barriers to future HIV vaccine uptake. Participants identify HIV testing, HIV stigma, mistrust of the health care system, and concerns about sexual disinhibition as barriers to vaccine uptake. For women, family members and friends are strong motivators for vaccine uptake, whereas men are more likely to see vaccines as an opportunity to stop using HIV prevention strategies such as condoms and partner reduction. Implications of these findings for developing HIV vaccine dissemination strategies and policy in South Africa are discussed.

The Role of Self-Efficacy on the Relationship Between the Workplace Environment and Physical Activity: A Longitudinal Mediation Analysis

Plotnikoff, R. C., Pickering, M. A., Flaman, L. M., Spence, J. C. — Mon, 08 Jun 2009 15:32:43 PDT

Cross-sectional studies show that self-efficacy (SE) serves as a partial mediator of the effect that perceptions of workplace environment have on self-reported workplace physical activity (PA). To further explore the role SE plays in the relationship between perceptions of the workplace environment and workplace PA, cross-sectional mediation analyses were performed on adult employees at baseline (n = 897), 6 months (n = 616), and 12 months (n = 612); a longitudinal time-sequence was incorporated into the mediation model; and correlates of residual change version of the mediation were tested. The R² ranged from .05 to .08 for the three cross-sectional analyses, .03 for the longitudinal analyses, and from .02 to .03 for the residual analyses. The results from the residual change model analyses supported those of the cross-sectional and longitudinal analyses, suggesting the relationship between perceived workplace environment and PA was partially mediated by SE. Future research should include similar studies with different population groups and in different settings.

Adapting an HIV Prevention Intervention for High-Risk, Incarcerated Adolescents

Hurd, N. M., Valerio, M. A., Garcia, N. M., Scott, A. A. — Wed, 03 Jun 2009 08:56:18 PDT

This study examined the effectiveness of an adapted 4-session HIV prevention program. Participants included 490 adolescents who participated in either the 8- or the adapted 4-session HIVEd program. Analyses to identify mean changes in HIV-related knowledge, attitudes, self-efficacy, and behavioral intentions between participants in either the 4- (n = 274) or 8-session (n = 216) programs were completed. Findings indicate participants in both programs had positive changes at post interview across all study outcomes. No significant differences in changes between participants in the 4- and 8-session programs were found except that male adolescents in the 4-session program had significantly higher mean changes in condom knowledge (p < .01). The adaptation of the 8-session HIVEd program was undertaken to better reach and accommodate the needs of a high risk incarcerated adolescent population. Findings demonstrate that HIV prevention interventions for high risk populations may be successfully adapted and condensed when based on rigorously evaluated and theoretically driven programs.

Mediating Variables in a Transtheoretical Model Dietary Intervention Program

Di Noia, J., Prochaska, J. O. — Wed, 03 Jun 2009 08:56:18 PDT

This study identified mediators of a Transtheoretical Model (TTM) intervention to increase fruit and vegetable consumption among economically disadvantaged African American adolescents (N = 549). Single- and multiple-mediator models were used to determine whether pros, cons, self-efficacy, and stages of change satisfied four conclusions necessary for establishing mediation of intervention effects on youths’ dietary behavior. All four conclusions were satisfied for stages of change and pros in the single-mediator models and for stages in the multiple-mediator model. Stages mediated 31% of the intervention effect, and pros mediated 7% of the intervention effect in the single-mediator models. In the multiple-mediator model, stages accounted for 72% of the intervention effect. Findings add to the limited data on mediating variables in TTM dietary intervention programs. Replication studies are needed before it can be concluded that stages of change and pros are consistent mediators of TTM intervention program effects.

Children's Sensitivity to External Food Cues: How Distance to Serving Bowl Influences Children's Consumption

Fri, 29 May 2009 09:05:18 PDT

Overweight is increasing in children, leading to negative health consequences. Children also lack appropriate levels of important vitamins and nutrients in their diets. Environmental cues, such as food proximity, have been shown to influence consumption rates in adults. The present study has tested whether proximity to either a nutrient-dense or caloric-dense food would influence children’s snack consumption in a day care setting. Children (N = 46, age range 3.4-11) consumed more of both nutrient- and energy-dense foods when they are sitting closer to the food than if they are sitting farther away from the food, above and beyond the effects of age. The data indicate that it may be possible to increase the consumption of nutrient-dense foods or decrease the consumption of energy-dense foods, respectively, by modifying the proximity of such foods within a child’s environment.

Self-Surveillance by Adolescents and Young Adults Transitioning to Self-Management of a Chronic Genetic Disorder

Giarelli, E., Bernhardt, B. A., Pyeritz, R. E. — Mon, 06 Apr 2009 09:07:16 PDT

Adolescents and young adults with Marfan syndrome (MFS) use information from self-surveillance to manage their disorder. Thirty-seven male and female adolescents with MFS aged 14 to 21 years were interviewed. They identified 58 distinct self-surveillance behaviors that fell into four categories and multiple subcategories (SCs): tracking phenotype (SCs: physical appearance, physical fitness, medical problems, and other observations); tracking medical care (SCs: medical evaluations and treatments, and pharmacotherapy); tracking behavior (SCs: personal choices and social relations); and tracking emotions (SCs: positive emotional impact and negative emotional impact). The frequency and range of self-monitoring increased with the age of the child. On average, a child of 14 self-monitored from 1 to 3 times per day, whereas a person aged 21 might self-monitor many more times per day. The patient–parent–physician relationship is the context for teaching adolescents and young adults self-surveillance skills. Self-surveillance by patients is first-line symptom assessment and an adjunct to medical monitoring.

Stages of Change in Physical Activity: A Validation Study in Late Adolescence

Parker, P. D., Martin, A. J., Martinez, C., Marsh, H. W., Jackson, S. A. — Wed, 01 Apr 2009 15:48:54 PDT

The present study explores the validity of a recent stages of change (SoC) measure and algorithm among a sample of late adolescents. MANOVA and structural equation modeling are used to assess the relationship between five SoC groups (precontemplation, contemplation, preparation, action, and maintenance) and a set of dependent measures including physical activity level, physical activity motivation, physical self-concept, and flow. Findings are based on 705 Australian adolescents, using scale score and latent variable approaches, provided support for the construct validity of the SoC measure and algorithm. Specifically, findings reveal that participants in the upper SoC (action and maintenance) score significantly higher on positively geared dimensions (e.g., physical self-concept, flow, etc.) and significantly lower on negatively geared dimensions (e.g., maladaptive behavior). Implications for future research and practice with adolescent populations are discussed.

Psychological Factors Associated With Weight Loss in Obese and Severely Obese Women in a Behavioral Physical Activity Intervention

Annesi, J. J., Whitaker, A. C. — Wed, 18 Feb 2009 08:58:38 PST

The behavioral processes of weight reduction are poorly understood, and responses to treatments based primarily on caloric restriction have been unfavorable. A theory-based path derived from proposed relations of physical activity, changes in psychological factors, and weight loss was separately tested with women with Class I and Class II obesity (body mass index [BMI] from 30 to 39.9 kg/m²; n = 116), and Class III (BMI ≥ 40.0 kg/m²; n = 57) obesity. Participation in a cognitive-behavioral exercise support treatment along with nutrition education was significantly associated with changes in measures of self-efficacy, body satisfaction, and mood. Changes did not significantly differ by BMI group. Multiple regression analyses indicated that changes in the psychological factors explained 14% (Class I/II obesity group) and 22% (Class III obesity group) of the variance in exercise session attendance, and attendance was strongly related to weight loss. Implications for weight loss theory and treatment are discussed.

Prior Victimization and Sexual and Contraceptive Self-Efficacy Among Adolescent Females Under Child Protective Services Care

Hovsepian, S. L., Blais, M., Manseau, H., Otis, J., Girard, M.-E. — Tue, 03 Feb 2009 09:20:19 PST

Adolescent females under Child Protective Services care in Quebec, Canada (n = 328) completed a questionnaire designed to explore associations between prior victimization (childhood sexual abuse and four forms of dating violence) and four dimensions of sexual and contraceptive self-efficacy. Five MANCOVAs were performed. In each model, a victimization index served as the independent variable, four Contraceptive Self-Efficacy subscales as dependant variables, and age, age at first sexual intercourse, and lifetime number of sexual partners as covariates. Childhood sexual abuse was negatively associated with adolescent’s perceived ability to communicate about her sexuality and contraceptive practices. Sexual coercion in dating relationships was negatively associated with the adolescent’s perceived ability to communicate about her sexuality and contraception, her perceived control over her sexual activity, and her perceived control over her use of contraceptives in passionate situations. Sexual victimization was found to impair important aspects of adolescent females’ sexual and contraceptive self-efficacy.

Health Behavior and Academic Achievement Among Adolescents: The Relative Contribution of Dietary Habits, Physical Activity, Body Mass Index, and Self-Esteem

Kristjansson, A. L., Sigfusdottir, I. D., Allegrante, J. P. — Mon, 09 Jun 2008 08:48:40 PDT

This study tested a structural equation model to estimate the relationship between health behaviors, body mass index (BMI), and self-esteem and the academic achievement of adolescents. The authors analyzed survey data from the 2000 study of Youth in Iceland, a population-based, cross-sectional sample of 6,346 adolescents in Iceland. The model demonstrated good fit with chi-square of 2685 (n = 5,810, df = 180), p < .001, Comparative Fit Index value of .94, and a root mean square error of approximation of .049. Lower BMI, physical activity, and good dietary habits were all associated with higher academic achievement; however, health behavior was positively and robustly associated with greater self-esteem. Self-esteem was positively influenced both through physical activity (β = .16) and the consumption of fruits and vegetables (β = .14). In contrast, poor dietary habits negatively influenced self-esteem and academic achievement, and self-esteem was negatively influenced by increasing levels of BMI (β = -.05).

The Effectiveness of a School-Based Adolescent Depression Education Program

Wed, 25 Jul 2007 10:37:39 PDT

In an effort to decrease the suicide rate in adolescents, many interventions have focused on school-based suicide prevention programs. Alternatively, depression education in schools might be effective in decreasing the morbidity, mortality, and stigma associated with adolescent depression. The Adolescent Depression Awareness Program (ADAP) developed a 3-hour curriculum to teach high school students about the illness of depression. The purpose of this study was to assess the effectiveness of the ADAP curriculum in improving high school students' knowledge about depression. From 2001 to 2005, 3,538 students were surveyed on their knowledge about depression before and after exposure to the ADAP curriculum. The number of students scoring 80% or higher on the assessment tool more than tripled from pretest to posttest (701 to 2,180), suggesting the effectiveness of the ADAP curriculum. Further study and replication are required to determine if improved knowledge translates into increased treatment-seeking behavior.

What Does the Public Know About Preventing Cancer? Results From the Health Information National Trends Survey (HINTS)

Hawkins, N. A., Berkowitz, Z., Peipins, L. A. — Thu, 03 May 2007 09:31:08 PDT

This study provides information about the public's familiarity with cancer prevention strategies and examines the association between this familiarity and actual prevention behavior. Data from interviews with 5,589 adults included in the 2003 Health Information National Trends Survey (HINTS) were analyzed. Most respondents were able to cite one or two strategies for reducing the chances of cancer. On average, the fewest number of strategies were cited by Hispanics, respondents aged 65 years or older, and those with the lowest levels of education and income. Avoiding tobacco and eating a healthy diet were most commonly cited. People who cited the following strategies for preventing cancer were more likely to practice them: eating plenty of fruits and vegetables, exercising regularly, not smoking, and participating in cancer screening. Results indicate that efforts are needed to increase public familiarity with recommended strategies, especially among groups that are least familiar with recommendations for cancer prevention.