Health-promoting domains and lifestyle of a sample of Brazilian adolescents.

BACKGROUND: Reports indicate that the health habits of adults are strongly linked to the behaviors incorporated in adolescence. Therefore, it is essential to monitor the lifestyle of adolescents to promote their present and future health. This study aimed to identify differences in health-promoting domains according to demographic data and lifestyle behaviors, including physical activity, sedentary behavior, sleep duration, and food intake, in a sample of Brazilian adolescents. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Cross-sectional school-based study, with the participation of 306 adolescents aged 14 to 18 years. A questionnaire was applied with structured questions to collect demographic data and lifestyle behaviors. To examine the health-promoting domains the Adolescent Health Promotion Scale (AHPS) was used. Data were analyzed using multivariate analysis. RESULTS: Scores attributed to each of the health-promoting domains showed substantial variations according to sex, age, year of study, parents' schooling, and family economic class. After adjustment for covariables, the adolescent who presented significantly higher scores equivalent to the overall index of health promotion reported being more physically active (F = 4.848; P = 0.009), sleeping 6-8 hours/night (F = 2.328; P = 0.046), consuming fruit/vegetable more frequently (F = 3.168; P = 0.024), while sedentary behavior and intake of sweetened products/soft drinks have not shown any significant effect. CONCLUSION: The findings confirmed the consistent positive influence of health-promoting domains assessed by AHPS on healthy lifestyle behaviors, suggesting in the intervention programs aimed at adopting healthy lifestyle approaches it is important enough to contemplate actions aimed at all the areas of health promotion with characteristics aimed at nutrition behavior, social support, health responsibility, life appreciation, exercise behavior, and stress management.

Adherence to Combined Healthy Movement Behavior Guidelines among Adolescents: Effects on Cardiometabolic Health Markers.

BACKGROUND: The combined movement behavior guidelines for adolescents recommend ≥60 min of moderate to vigorous physical activity, ≤2 h of screen time, and 8-10 h of sleep. Considering that the information available on this topic in the young Latin American population is rare, this study aimed to identify the proportion of a sample of Brazilian adolescents meeting individual guidelines as well as the combination of the three healthy movement behavior guidelines. In addition, another objective of the study was to examine the effects of compliance with these guidelines on cardiometabolic health markers. METHODS: This is a cross-sectional school-based study, with the participation of 306 adolescents aged 14 to 18 years. A questionnaire with structured questions was applied to collect data on physical activity, screen time, and sleep duration. Cardiometabolic health was assessed by the calculation of a continuous risk score, including twelve markers related to body fat, blood pressure, plasma lipids and lipoproteins, glycemia, and insulin. RESULTS: Only 4.8% (4.3-5.4) of the adolescents met the three healthy movement behavior guidelines, while 9.3% (8.4-10.4) of the sample did not meet any of the guidelines. No significant difference between sexes was found in the simultaneous compliance of the three movement guidelines. Adolescents who did not meet any of the movement guidelines were twice as likely to have higher cardiometabolic risk (OR = 2.05 (1.41-3.17)) than their peers who met all three guidelines. CONCLUSIONS: Considering the high proportion of adolescents who did not meet the movement behavior guidelines and the negative effects on cardiometabolic health, it is suggested that future policies and interventions should consider an integrated and holistic approach aimed at simultaneous actions of maximizing physical activity, minimizing screen time, and ensuring sufficient sleep duration.

Theory-based training to promote breast cancer screening among women with breast cancer worries: randomized controlled trial

ABSTRACT BACKGROUND: Breast cancer worries are important determinants in relation to behavior favoring breast cancer screening. OBJECTIVE: To determine the effect of theory-based training to promote breast cancer screening among women with high and low levels of breast cancer worries. DESIGN AND SETTING: Randomized controlled trial, conducted in two family health centers. METHODS: In total, 285 women were recruited. Women with low levels of breast cancer worries were included in the first intervention group (112 women) and the first control group (112 women), while women with high levels of breast cancer worries were included in the second intervention group (37 women) and the second control group (43 women). Theory-based training to promote breast cancer screening was given to intervention groups. The women's willingness to undergo breast cancer screening and breast cancer worry scores were evaluated at 1, 3 and 6 months. RESULTS: The women in the low cancer-worry intervention group performed breast self-examination more in months 1 and 6 following the training, and the women in the high cancer-worry control group performed breast self-examination more in month 3 (P < 0.05). No difference between the women who had low or high levels of breast cancer worries were observed in relation to breast self-examination, clinical breast examination or mammography (P > 0.05). CONCLUSION: The level of worry did not affect the success of theory-based training, and the training was partially effective with regard to willingness to undergo breast cancer screening.

Estilos promotores de salud y funcionamiento familiar: Comuna de Hualpén, Región del Bío Bío, Chile / Styles health workers and family functioning: Hualpén Commune Bío Bío Region, Chile

Estudio correlacional y de corte transversal que buscó conocer las variables del funcionamiento familiar presentes en la adopción de estilos promotores de salud, en la Comuna de Hualpén. El universo estuvo conformado por las usuarias del Programa de Salud de la Mujer de un centro de salud de la Comuna de Hualpén y que se hayan realizado el examen Papanicolaou entre los meses de enero y diciembre de 2011 y que pertenecieran a familias con hijos adolescentes. De las mujeres que cumplían los requisitos se obtuvo una población de estudio compuesta por un total de 141 mujeres. Destacaron correlaciones significativas inversas de estilos de vida saludable; la búsqueda de apoyo social y profesional. A partir de los resultados, se hace necesario fomentar la inclusión de factores determinantes sociales de la salud en las políticas públicas que permitan incentivar a las familias a participar como agente promotor en conductas de salud.

Study correlational and cross-sectional aimed to know the family functioning variables present in the adoption of health promoters styles, in the municipality of Talcahuano. The universe was made by the users of the Health Program for Women of a health center and Hualpén Commune have been performed Pap test between January and December 2011 and who belonged to families with teenage children. Of the women who qualified obtained a study population comprised a total of 141 women. Significant inverse correlations stressed healthy lifestyles, seeking social support and professional. From the results, it is necessary to promote the inclusion of social determinants of health in public policies to encourage families to participate as an advocate on health behaviors.