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Psychosocial factors may explain variance in health beyond conventional indicators, such as behaviours. This study aimed to examine changes in health associated with perceived stress, social support, and self‐efficacy, controlling for sociodemographic characteristics and health behaviour. A random sample of 45‐ to 54‐yr‐old subjects was surveyed in 2004–2005, with a follow‐up 2 yr later. The outcomes were self‐reported changes in oral and general health. Explanatory variables included stress, social support, and perceived health competence with covariates of income, gender, dentition status, toothbrushing, and smoking. Responses were collected from 986 persons (response = 44.4%). At the 2‐yr follow‐up, 25.6% reported worsening in oral health and 15.3% reported worsening in general health. Prevalence ratios (PR) from adjusted log‐binomial regression showed an association between worsening oral health and higher perceived health competence (PR = 0.75, 95% CI: 0.57–0.99), and worsening general health was associated with perceived health competence (PR = 0.82, 95% CI: 0.72–0.94) and stress (PR = 1.17, 95% CI: 1.03–1.32). Worsening oral and general health were seen for male subjects (PR = 1.33, 95% CI: 1.06–1.68 and PR = 1.14, 95% CI: 1.01–1.29) and low income (PR = 1.40, 95% CI: 1.04–1.89 and PR = 1.20, 95% CI: 1.03–1.40). Health‐related self‐efficacy representing psychosocial resilience was associated with oral and general health, while stress was associated with general health. Psychosocial factors were independent predictors of change in health after controlling for sociodemographic characteristics and health behaviours. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: The present review evaluated the effectiveness of environmental-based interventions aimed at improving the dietary and physical activity behaviours and body composition indices of adults in institutions.Design: A systematic review was conducted. Electronic databases (MEDLINE, Embase, PsycINFO, CINAHL, The Cochrane Library, Web of Science, ProQuest Dissertation and Theses, Scopus and Athena) were searched for relevant articles published between database inception and October 2017. Searching, selecting and reporting were undertaken according to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) statement.Setting: Military establishments and maritime workplaces.ParticipantsAdults in institutions, aged 18-45 years.Results: A total of 27842 articles were screened for eligibility, nine studies (reported in eleven articles) were included in the review. Five studies used multilevel strategies and four used environmental strategies only. Duration of follow-up ranged from 3 weeks to 10 years. Eight of the studies reported significant positive effects on dietary behaviours, but effect sizes varied. The study that targeted physical activity had no effect on activity levels but did have a significant positive effect on physical fitness. No evidence was identified that the studies resulted in improvements in body composition indices.Conclusions: The evidence base appears to be in favour of implementing environmental interventions in institutions to improve the dietary behaviours of adults. However, due to the small number of studies included in the review, and the variable methodological quality of the studies and intervention reporting, further well-designed evaluation studies are required. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aims: To estimate the prevalence and co‐occurrence of health‐related behaviours among nurses in Scotland relative to other healthcare workers and those in non‐healthcare occupations. Design: Secondary analysis of nationally representative cross‐sectional data, reported following STROBE guidelines. Methods: Five rounds (2008–2012) of the Scottish Health Survey were aggregated to estimate the prevalence and co‐occurrence of health‐related behaviours (smoking, alcohol consumption, physical activity, fruit/vegetable intake). The weighted sample (n = 18,820) included 471 nurses (3%), 433 other healthcare professionals (2%), 813 unregistered care workers (4%), and 17,103 in non‐healthcare occupations (91%). Logistic regression models compared the prevalence of specific health‐related behaviours and principal component analysis assessed co‐occurrence of health‐related behaviours between occupational groups. Results: Nurses reported significantly better health‐related behaviours relative to the general working population for smoking, fruit/vegetable intake, and physical activity. No significant difference was found for alcohol consumption between occupational groups. Nurses reported lower levels of harmful co‐occurring behaviours (tobacco smoking and alcohol consumption) and higher levels of preventive behaviours (physical activity and fruit/vegetable intake) compared with the general working population. Other healthcare professionals had the lowest level of harmful health behaviours and the highest level of preventive health behaviours. Health‐related behaviours were poorest among unregistered care workers. Conclusion: Nurses' health‐related behaviours were better than the general population but non‐adherence to public health guidelines was concerning. Impact: Nurses play an important role in health promotion through patient advice and role‐modelling effects. To maximise their impact, healthcare providers should prioritise increasing access to healthy food, alcohol awareness, and smoking cessation programmes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Wearable cameras have been used to study health behaviours, but their utility in assessing third-party behaviours and the built environment is uncertain. This paper reports on the feasibility of using wearable cameras for this purpose in a study of sun-protective behaviours and shade availability during school lunch-breaks. The Kids'Cam study provided 168 children (aged 11–13 years), recruited from 16 randomly selected schools in the Wellington region of New Zealand, with wearable cameras. The devices automatically captured images every 7 s from the child's perspective. Images captured during school lunch-breaks by a random sample of 15 children who took part during terms 4 and 1 (October 2014–April 2015) were selected and assessed for usability. The feasibility of studying third-party sun-protective behaviours and school shade availability was assessed for a subset of 320 images. Of the 3492 eligible lunch-break images, 96.4% were useable; the remainders were excluded due to obstruction, blurriness or unsuitable camera position. Overall, 1278 children and 108 shade structures were observed in the sample images. The use of shade, hats, sleeves, collars and sunglasses could be determined for 97.0%, 77.2%, 74.4%, 47.6% and 54.9% of children, respectively. All shade structures could be classified according to type, and canopy composition could be assessed for 95.4% of structures. Wearable cameras are a feasible tool for assessing sun-safety, particularly shade availability, hat wearing and shade use. This methodology could be used to objectively study other third-party health-related behaviours, and other features of the built environment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background The co-occurrence of unhealthy lifestyles, calls for interventions that target multiple health behaviours. This study investigates the clustering of health behaviours and examines demographic differences between each cluster. Methods In total, 934 adults from Queensland, Australia completed a cross-sectional survey assessing multiple health behaviours. A two-step hierarchical cluster analysis using multiple iterations identified the optimal number of clusters and the subset of distinguishing health behaviour variables. Univariate analyses of variance and chi-squared tests assessed difference in health behaviours by socio-demographic factors and clusters. Results Three clusters were identified: the 'lower risk' cluster (n = 436) reported the healthiest profile and met all public health guidelines. The 'elevated risk' cluster (n = 105) reported a range of unhealthy behaviours such as excessive alcohol consumption, sitting time, fast-food consumption, smoking, inactivity and a lack of fruit and vegetables. The 'moderate risk behaviour' cluster (n = 393) demonstrated some unhealthy behaviours with low physical activity levels and poor dietary outcomes. The 'elevated risk' cluster were significantly younger and more socio-economically disadvantaged than both the 'lower and moderate risk' clusters. Discussion Younger people who live in more deprived areas were largely within the 'elevated risk' cluster and represent an important population for MHBC interventions given their wide range of unhealthy behaviours. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Self-rated health (SRH) and health-related quality of life (HRQoL) are related with health outcomes. It is expected that these constructs are also associated with healthy behaviours. Thus, the present study sought to analyse the associations between a healthy lifestyle composite score and SRH and HRQoL among adolescents. This was an observational, cross-sectional study. Data were obtained from the cross-sectional health behaviour in school-aged children (HBSC) 2014 Portuguese survey. Participants were 5024 adolescents (2373 boys), aged 10–17 years. A composite score of healthy lifestyle was obtained using the combination of the following factors: daily physical activity, sleep at least 8–9 h/night, daily consumption of fruit and vegetables, spend <2 h daily in screen-based behaviours, never drink and never smoke. Adolescents with a healthy lifestyle had significantly better SRH and higher HRQoL than those who were not engaged in all healthy behaviours. Healthy lifestyle (composed of physical activity, sleep at least 8–9 h/night, daily consumption of fruit and vegetables, spend <2 h daily in screen-based behaviours, never drink and never smoke) is related to SRH and HRQoL. Promoting a comprehensive approach to these behaviours is a public health strategy to be considered when aiming to improve health, in general, and SRH and HRQoL, in particular. • Only 1.4% of Portuguese adolescents had a healthy lifestyle. • Healthy lifestyle is related with perceived health and quality of life. • Public health policies should focus on promoting several lifestyle behaviours. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: This meta-analysis tested the relation between forgiveness of others and physical health (PH) with age, gender, race, education level, employment status, sample type, research design, type of PH variables, and publication status as the potential moderators. Design: Eligible studies had participants with or without physical or mental health problems and had quantitative data on forgiveness of others and PH. The random-effects model was used to aggregate Fisher's z effect sizes, which were converted back to correlation coefficients. Main Outcome Measures: State forgiveness (forgiving an offense or offender) measures, trait forgiveness (a disposition to forgive) measures and physical health measures were included in the meta-analysis. Results: A hundred and twenty-eight studies (N = 58,531) were retrieved, in which the mean effect sizes showed a significant positive relationship between forgiveness of others and PH (r = 0.14, p < 0.001, 95% CI [0.11, 0.17]). Further, no moderators showed a significant relation between forgiveness of others and PH. Conclusions: The positive relation between forgiveness of others and PH was not affected by potential moderators. Because the results are correlational, more forgiveness interventions may be needed to examine the causal effect of the relation between forgiveness of others and PH. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Increases in life expectancy and the underlying age structure of the Canadian population have contributed to dramatic increases in the number of seniors who are caregivers. While caregiving is associated with several adverse health impacts, there is a need to better understand how these impacts might be different among older caregivers, and whether those impacts are modified by socioeconomic status. Methods: We sought to address these research gaps by using cross-sectional data provided by participants of the 2012 Canadian General Social Survey (GSS). Descriptive analyses were performed to compare the self-reported health impacts that participants attributed to caregiving, and how these varied by age and income. Logistic regression analyses were performed to identify which factors were associated with self-reported impacts on overall health among caregivers 65 years of age and older. Results: The demographic characteristics of the care-providers varied substantially by age with older caregivers having lower incomes and devoting more time to caregiving relative to those who were younger. The self-reported impacts of caregiving on overall health were greatest among those between the ages of 35 and 64, and this pattern was evident across all income groups. Feelings of loneliness and social isolation as a result of caregiving responsibilities appeared to be mitigated by both greater age and income. However, across all age groups, caregiving was more likely to adversely impact exercise habits, healthy eating, and alcohol consumption than to promote more positive behaviours. Conclusion: Providing care impacts health behaviours and mental health regardless of age and income. However, our findings suggest that older caregivers (who are most often women)--who provide the most hours of care and on reduced incomes relative to younger caregivers--appear less impacted in terms of health behaviours, perhaps as a result of fewer competing demands relative to younger caregivers. Taken together, these findings suggest that support systems must consider caregiver impacts that vary in complex ways across age, sex, and income. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Issue Addressed: The SunSmart Policy Support and Intervention Study (SSPSIS) (ACTRN12614000926639) investigated the feasibility of improving schools' implementation of the SunSmart Program, which is a resource for primary school communities to support their development of a comprehensive sun protection policy.Methods: A cluster randomised controlled trial (RCT) was used to evaluate the SSPSIS, which was conducted in NSW SunSmart schools (n = 20). Objective measurements of students' sun-safe hat-wearing behaviours and sunscreen application, and teachers' role-modelling behaviours, were collected for baseline, post-test and follow-up data. Interviews with school community stakeholders, including students (n = 103), parents (n = 31), teachers (n = 11) and executive staff (n = 4), were conducted to inform the intervention design, which was implemented following baseline data collection.Results: The results of baseline observations and interviews have been published previously. The intervention design aimed to combat negative perceptions of hat-wearing policy and create a trigger for sunscreen application by rewarding students practising these sun protection behaviours with play-based incentives. Although this intervention had no significant effect on the wearing of sun-safe hats among students or teachers, it did have a large effect on the consumption of sunscreen.Conclusions: Associating sunscreen and play-based incentives can create an effective trigger for students' sunscreen application behaviours. However, further evidence is needed to investigate how students' and teacher role models' hat-wearing behaviours could be increased. SO WHAT?: While combining a play-based incentive with a trigger for behaviour can promptly increase students' sunscreen application, it was unable to increase students' or teacher role models' hat-wearing behaviours. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Issue Addressed: The aim of this study was to characterise lifestyle and training habits of a large cohort of Australian recreational runners. Understanding the health benefits of recreational running and differentiating between the habits of males and females may allow for the development of gender-specific messaging for promoting recreational running as a form of physical activity.Methods: An online questionnaire was used to collect data from 4720 Australian recreational runners. Data on physical, lifestyle and training characteristics of male and female subgroups were compared using chi-square tests. Multiple logistic regression method was used to assess the effect of running experience on the reported clinically significant weight loss.Results: The study cohort was 54.1% female and 45.9% male. Smoking was uncommon among surveyed runners. The most typical weekly running distance in the cohort was 20-40 km, usually distributed by 2-5 running sessions. Significantly more males than females reported running over 40 km per week (29.9% vs 18.9%, P < .001) and running at least six sessions per week (11.5% vs 6.7%, P < .001). The majority (72.9%) of runners had normal BMI, and the cohort reported a lower overweight/obesity rate than the Australian population. The logistic regression model indicated that commencing running may lead to a clinically significant weight loss irrespectively of sex, participation in other sports and injury history.Conclusion: Recreational running was associated with beneficial health outcomes. Commencement of running is associated with weight loss, and regular running supports healthy weight maintenance. Male and female runners had different running preferences which should be taken into account for physical activity promotion. SO WHAT?: Captured health outcomes associated with running and described sex differences in training patterns may assist in development of physical activity promotion programmes involving recreational running, particularly targeting weight loss and healthy weight maintenance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: "Workplace health promotion and protection" broadly refers to an integrated approach to workplace health and safety initiatives. There are substantial benefits to adopting such an approach, including the potential for: improvements to individual employees' health and well-being; increased productivity; and reduced safety risks and expenses. Yet many employers remain reluctant to shift from traditional safety initiatives and spending. This paper aims to demonstrate the value of investing in an integrated health promotion and protection approach by calculating the productivity costs associated with 11 modifiable health risks and 14 chronic conditions in an Australian mining company.Method: Eight hundred and ninety-seven employees participated in a self-report health survey aimed at investigating employee health behaviours, health conditions and productivity.Results: Overall, modifiable health risks and chronic health conditions were calculated to contribute to an estimated $22.15 million (AUD) and $7.95 million (AUD) in lost productivity per 1000 employees per annum, respectively. Although employee stress was identified as the third highest prevalence health risk across the employee sample (at 42%), it accounted for the highest financial burden.Conclusion: Employee health plays a vital role in the profitability, productivity, and safety outcomes of an organisation. For modifiable health risks and chronic conditions, ailments that affected cognition resulted in the highest financial burden (ie, stress and migraine headaches). SO WHAT?: These findings make a strong financial and business case for the integration of preventative health and safety initiatives, with particular emphasis on modifiable health risk behaviours. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study used data from the 2010 New Zealand Attitudes and Values Study (N = 4,441) to examine the demographic, health and personality correlates of healthy lifestyle habits among New Zealand adults. Participants reported their perceived importance of various behaviours (e.g. limiting salt, sugar intake) for leading a healthy lifestyle and regularity of engaging in them. Relative to importance ratings, considerably fewer people reported habitually engaging in positive health behaviours. Women, older, partnered individuals, those living with diabetes, high on Conscientiousness and Honesty-Humility showed increased regularity of healthy dietary behaviours. Māori and Pacific individuals, those living in highly deprived areas and with high BMI and Neuroticism showed reduced behaviour regularity. There were also important group differences in health-related perceptions (e.g. access to resources, social support to live healthy lifestyle). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: The concept of lifestyle is closely related to the concept of health. Several studies have been conducted on the dimensions of health-related lifestyle in patients living with human immunodeficiency virus/acquired immunodeficiency disease (HIV/AIDS), but none has comprehensively addressed it. This study is carried out for the purposes of defining and clarifying its concept in HIV/AIDS patients. Material and methods: This study used a hybrid model of concept analysis comprising three phases; namely, a theoretical phase, field work phase, and a final analysis phase. To find relevant literature, an electronic search of valid databases was utilised using keywords related to the concept of healthrelated lifestyle. In the field work phase semi-structured interviews were performed with 12 people living with HIV/AIDS. The conventional content analysis was used in two theoretical and field work phases, and the results were combined in the final analysis phase. Results: From the sum of 1362 gained titles in theoretical phase, 71 texts were analysed and five attributes were extracted, including physical health behaviours, social and recreational activities, sexuality and fertility health, health-centred care, and distress and coping. The most important consequence of a healthy lifestyle in literature review is enhanced physical and mental health. Working in the field phase added a social interactions category to the feature of the concept. In the third phase with the combination of the results of two phases, the final definition of the concept was presented. Conclusions: Health-related lifestyle in HIV/AIDS patients is a set of behaviours that have different physio-psycho-social dimensions that people display in their individual and social lives, thereby providing their physical and mental health. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Rozprawy Naukowe is the property of Akademia Wychowania Fizycznego we Wroclawiu and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Aim: This paper describes the design and rationale of multicenter practice‐based research that aims to develop and evaluate an innovative mobile health (mHealth) intervention programme directed to promote healthy behaviours and prevent adolescent obesity. Design: This study is designed as a non‐randomized controlled trial with a three‐arm structure. Methods: Twelve to 16 years old participants will be recruited from schools, with access to the Internet and smartphone/tablet devices. The intervention group will be invited to engage in the TeenPower mHealth programme and divided into two subgroups: Group A (additionally engaged in a structured school‐based intervention programme) and Group B (only engaged in the mHealth programme). The mHealth app includes educational resources, self‐monitoring, social support, interactive training modules and motivational tools. The control group will only follow the structured school‐based intervention programme. The intervention length will be 3 months, including the direct support of an interdisciplinary team (nursing, nutrition, sports, psychology, among others). This research was approved and funded in August 2017. Discussion: The positive evaluation of the intervention programme will stimulate the inclusion of technologies in the promotion of salutogenic behaviours and obesity prevention. Impact: Adolescent obesity reached epidemic proportions. It is urgent to find effective prevention strategies to induce change at the individual, family and community level. If effective, this protocol can be used by health and exercise professionals in improving community interventions tailored to teenagers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

INTRODUCTION: The literature describes relationships between negative emotions arising in connection with a dental appointment. Emotional processes and states thus represent factors that can considerably influence human health and oral health. OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to determine factors related to one’s mood before visiting a dental office. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Seventy-eight first-time dental patients (40 females, 38 males; Mage = 40.7, SD = 14.4) participated in the study. The participants completed a questionnaire consisting of a demographic data questionnaire, statements measuring subjective oral health, hygiene, and patients’ knowledge about the oral cavity, and standardised research tools: the Mood Adjective Checklist (UMACL) and the Health Behaviour Questionnaire (HBI), prior to a dental visit. The DMFT index (DT – mean number of decayed teeth, MT – mean number of missing teeth, FT – mean number of filled teeth), Dental Treatment Index (DTI), and Approximal Plaque Index (API) were assessed during a clinical examination. RESULTS: Hedonic tone (HT) was significantly related to number of filled teeth (FT) (p = 0.036), subjective oral hygiene (p < 0.02), and level of knowledge about the oral cavity (p < 0.01). There was a significant correlation between HT and the HBI global score (p < 0.02) and Health practices (p < 0.01). Energetic arousal (EA) was related to the level of education (p < 0.04) and subjective factors influencing mood before the visit. CONCLUSIONS: The study shows that the factors that affect one’s mood before a dental visit comprise education, oral health and hygiene, and health behaviours. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose. The aim was to adjust the positive health behaviours scale (PHBS) to make it suitable for use by nurses, and to validate the new version of the tool. Methods. A previously formulated PHBS was modified. The scale comprises 29 statements describing certain positive health behaviours in four subscales: nutrition, physical activity, relaxation and behaviours related to mental health, and preventive behaviours. The scale was enriched with items on avoiding risky behaviours and a question regarding respondents' own assessment of their care for health. Analyses were conducted of reliability, construct validity, criterion validity and dimensionality of subscales. The questionnaire was completed by 1017 nurses. Results. Cronbach's α reached 0.844 for the entire scale and 0.623-0.761 for specific subscales. Empirical data did not confirm theoretical assumptions regarding the existence of a four-element structure of the PHBS. The scale's diagnostic criteria were validated on the basis of positive results of correlation and trend analysis. Only one of the subscales proved homogeneous and could be considered unidimensional. Conclusions. The results confirmed the high internal consistency of the scale and its subscales. The factor structure of the PHBS was equivocal. The PHBS could be used in workplace-based health promotion programmes designed for nurses. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aim: Home delivery drivers are particularly likely to have unhealthy lifestyles and high stress because of their unusually strenuous work. This study identified differences in their lifestyles and stress according to self-kindness and goal directedness. Methods: Participants were drivers from a western Tokyo branch of a large company that included a Japanese transportation business. A total of 407 drivers completed a questionnaire including items about self-kindness from the Self-Compassion Scale, goal directedness from the Japanese Experiential Time Perspective Scale, stress responses, and job stress; data from 362 male drivers were analyzed, mean age = 41.87 years (SD = 7.8). Participants were divided into four groups based on these scores: high self-kindness and high goal directedness (HS/HG), low self-kindness and high goal directedness (LS/HG), high self-kindness and low goal directedness (HS/LG), and low selfkindness and low goal directedness (LS/LG). Responses were compared among groups using Kruskal-Wallis test, Bonferroni's multiplecomparison test, and X² test. Results: Median fatigue, anxiety, and depression scores differed significantly among the four groups. More drivers with HS/HG than with LS/LG reported feeling rested because of sleeping well. Discussion: Home delivery drivers with high self-kindness and high goal directedness exhibited restful sleep and lower levels of stress responses. Home delivery drivers should work on and manage both self-kindness and goal directedness, which employers should also facilitate. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: The primary objective of this study was to examine associations between depression and several measures of health behaviour change across 8 cycles of a population-based, cross-sectional survey of Canadians. The secondary objective of this study was to describe the prevalence of the types of health behaviour changes undergone/sought and types of barriers to change reported, comparing those with and without depression.Methods: The sample comprised 65,801 respondents to the Canadian Community Health Survey between 2007 and 2014. Past-year depression was assessed via structured interview (CIDI-SF). Measures of health behaviour change included recent changes made, desire to make changes, and barriers towards making changes. Analyses involved logistic regression, with estimates across cycles pooled using fixed-effects meta-analyses. Pooled prevalences of types of health behaviour changes undergone/sought and types of barriers to change experienced were reported, and associations with depression were examined.Results: Depression was associated with higher odds of reporting a recent health behaviour change (pooled odds ratio [OR] = 1.39; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.30 to 1.48), desire to make health behaviour changes (pooled OR = 1.61; 95% CI, 1.49 to 1.74), and barriers towards change (pooled OR = 1.54; 95% CI, 1.44 to 1.65). The most common change undergone and sought was increased exercise; the most common barrier reported was a lack of willpower.Conclusions: Individuals dealing with depression are more likely to report recent health behaviour changes and the desire to make changes but are also more likely to report barriers towards change. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction. Research on the meaning of health and health behaviors is important for the development of health education programmes which should be tailored to the needs of patients. Objective. The aim of the study is to determine whether the place of residence and age have an impact on health behaviours and the perception of health by women past menopause. Materials and method. A survey method and three research instruments were employed: authors' questionnaire, the Health Behaviour Inventory and the Health Criteria List by Juczyński, and the Kupperman Index. The study was carried out among a sample of 102 women after menopause hospitalised in a hospital in eastern Poland. Results. The overall health behaviour indicator (HBI) in the study group was found to reach an average value of 80.1±12.7points. A higher HBI indicator was found to be characteristic of urban rather than rural residents; however, there was no statistically significant difference (p>0.05). The age of respondents did not differentiate statistically their health behaviours (p>0.05). Women who reported their last menstruation before the age of 50 obtained higher results in the dimension of health practices (HPs) than those whose last menstruation ceased after the age of 50 (p<0.05). The respondents attributed the highest importance to health, understood as a property, a state and a goal. Statistically significant differences were observed in the importance of the statement according to which health is a process of "being able to work without tension and stress", as the respondents from urban areas assigned to it a higher average weight than those from rural areas (p< 0.05). Conclusions. A higher overall HBI, as well as indicators for particular categories, were characteristic of women from urban areas. Age did not significantly differentiate the women's health behaviours. Rural residents were dominant in the group of women who rated their health to be very good or good. The respondents attributed the highest importance to health understood as a property, state and goal. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction. Problems concerning occupational safety and health are commonly found in the construction industry, including falling materials, tools or people from a height, stepping on objects, and injuries caused by hand tools. An important factor in occupational safety in the construction industry is the use of scaffolds. All scaffolds used in construction, renovation, repair (including isolating, painting and decorating) and demolition, should be erected, maintained and dismantledin accordance with safety procedures. Therefore, it is crucial to deal with the safety of scaffolds and risk assessment in the construction industry; thus, the way of undertaking the assessment and the liability of assessment seems to be essential for professionals. However, it has been found that those professionals are prone to rely heavily on their own experience and knowledge in decision-making regarding risk assessment. Materials and method. The Scaffold Use Risk Assessment Model (SURAM) has been developed for assessing risk levels at various stages of the construction process in various work trades. The SURAM is the result of a research project carried out at 60 construction sites in Poland and Portugal where 504 observations have been completed including both harmful physical and chemical factors, stress level, workers' habits, as well as a hundreds ex-post reconstruction of construction accidents scenarios. Results. It was found that the workers' Health Behaviour Index (HBI) seems to be a more direct predictor for development of the unsafe chain of events leading to an accident than the workload, and concentration of harmful factors at the workplace. Conclusions. The developed HBI module of SURAM seems to be beneficial for predicting high-risk construction activities, and thus preventing the occurrence of accidents, based on a set of historical accident data. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction. A vital role in health maintenance and the prevention of non-communicable chronic diseases is played by an adequate level of physical activity. In recent decades, numerous guidelines have been developed to determine the criteria of physical activity levels that are essential to obtain overall health benefits. Objective. The aim of the presented study was evaluation of the physical activity of adult members of non-governmental organizations promoting active lifestyle, in compliance with recommendations of the World Health Organization and the American College of Sport Medicine. Materials and method. The study examined 95 adult members of non-governmental organizations (NGOs) promoting an active lifestyle in the Silesian Province of Western Poland. In order to make a comprehensive physical activity evaluation (including all criteria of most complex health-recommendations), both an objective tool (ActiGraph GT3X) and a subjective tool (Daily Physical Activity Log) were used. Results. Compliance with a weekly total time of moderate to vigorous aerobic efforts were observed in 47% of women and 44% of men with regard to WHO guidelines, and in 29% of women and 23% of men, respectively, regarding ACSM guidelines. The criterion for the frequency of strength exercises was met by 24% of women and 15% of men. Flexibility exercises level was adequate in 35% of women and 28% of men. Conclusions. The most frequent cause of non-meeting the criteria of the above-mentioned organisations were insufficient frequency of the weekly resistance (strength) exercises and flexibility exercises. There is a need to create public health programmes based on the complex physical activity recommendations, including all types of physical efforts (aerobic, strength, flexibility), and to emphasise the fact that meeting all of them is essential to obtain overall health benefits. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Journal of Traditional Medical Complementary Therapies is the property of Turkiye Klinikleri and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

The aim of this article is to present the phenomenon of the increase in the consumption of energy drinks particularly among children and adolescents and to show their negative health effects. In the education process, the young generation is to acquire the necessary knowledge about health, its conditions and threats, as well as develop the ability to use this knowledge in everyday life to know, want and be able to enhance their own health and that of other persons and to improve the quality of life. Therefore, in education, physical education teachers who are prepared for this function play a special role in the health education of students. Their task is education in the field of healthy lifestyle, transferring knowledge about the adverse consequences of one's behaviour and related health threats, including sensitizing children and adolescents to the negative effects of drinking energy drinks, as well as building health awareness of students and shaping a sense of responsibility for one's own health. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Emerging evidence indicates self-compassion can be beneficial for medical populations and for medical adherence; yet, research to date has not fully examined the reasons for this association. This study examined the association of dispositional self-compassion to adherence across five medical samples and tested the extent to which perceived stress accounted for this association. Five medical samples (total N = 709), including fibromyalgia, chronic fatigue syndrome, and cancer patients, recruited from various sources, completed online surveys. Self-compassion was positively associated with adherence in all five samples. A meta-analysis of the associations revealed a small average effect size (average r = .22, [0.15, 0.29]) of self-compassion and adherence and non-significant heterogeneity among the effects (Q (4) = 3.15, p = .532). A meta-analysis of the kappa2 values from the indirect effects of self-compassion on adherence revealed that, on average, 11% of the variance in medical adherence that was explained by self-compassion could be attributed to lower perceived stress. Overall, findings demonstrate that dispositional self-compassion is associated with better medical adherence among people with fibromyalgia, chronic fatigue syndrome, and cancer, due in part to lower stress. This research contributes to a growing evidence base indicating the value of self-compassion for health-related behaviours in a variety of medical populations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of this study was to assess the quality of life and health behaviours and to analyse the relationship between the quality of life and health behaviours in the group of patients with low back pain (LBP). Material and methods: The research was conducted on a sample of 52 patients with LBP (29 female and 23 male, M(age) = 48.96±15.86). The tool used for assessing the quality of life was the Quality of Life Questionnaire (WHOQoL-BREF, Polish version), whereas the methodological basis for investigating health behaviours was the Health Behaviour Inventory (HBI). Results: The analysis revealed that the General Index of Intensity of Health Behaviours (GIIHB) was high in 30.8%, average in 40.4% and low in 28.8% of the respondents. Statistically significant positive relationships were observed between: (1) Positive Thinking (HBI) and: Overall Quality of Life (R=0.42), General Health (R=0.29), Psychological domain (R=0.46) and Environmental domain (R=0.44); (2) between Proper Nutritional Habits (HBI) and Overall Quality of Life (R=0.38), Psychological domain (R=0.28), Environmental domain (R=0.30); (3) between Health Practices (HBI) and: Overall Quality of Life (R=0.31) and Psychological domain (R=0.28); (4) between Preventive Behaviours (HBI) and two domains: Psychological domain (R=0.34) and Environmental domain (R=0.34). GIIHB for the respondents in general was a factor that significantly differentiated quality of life in Psychological domain (p=0.031) and Environmental domain (p=0.026). Conclusion: In general, positive correlations concerning quality of life and health behaviours of the respondents were observed between the Psychological domain and all categories of health behaviours (HBI). Furthermore, positive correlations were found for Overall Quality of Life and Environmental domain with most of HBI categories. In light of these findings, it should be indicated that the focus during therapies for patients with LBP aimed to improve their quality of life should be on education in the field of health behaviours. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The aim of the study was to assess the relationship between the level of knowledge regarding health and health education as well as the pro-health behaviours of students of physical education and other teaching specialisation. Material and methods: Anonymous and voluntary research was carried out in the years 2013-2014 among a randomly chosen group of Krakow academic youth. The research applied: involved the Inventory of Health Behaviours (IHB) (Polish: Inwentarz Zachowań Zdrowotnych) by Z. Juczyński, a short version of the International Physical Activity Questionnaire (IPAQ) and an original test on knowledge regarding health determinants and education. Results: Research has indicated differences in some health behaviours (IHB) and physical activity (IPAQ) of the students. It was found that along with an increase in the level of knowledge about health and health education, the level of pro-health behaviours, especially regarding healthy eating habits, also increased. However, there were no statistically significant correlations between knowledge about health and health education and the level of physical activity of students of the teaching specialisation. Conclusions: Preparing students -- future teachers -- for the to implementation of health education at school requires comprehensive impact on various areas of health culture, including the level of knowledge about health determinants, pro-health behaviours, the position of health within one's value system and appropriate methodological competences. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The health of parents before pregnancy influences the short- and long-term health of their offspring. This systematic review explored the preconception knowledge, beliefs and behaviours held by women and men of childbearing age. Databases were searched from 2009 to 2022 (MEDLINE, CINAHL Full-text, PsycINFO, EMBASE). Inclusion criteria specified qualitative research papers which recruited individuals of reproductive age (16–45 years) without existing chronic illnesses. Data were quality assessed and analysed using thematic synthesis. Twelve papers met inclusion criteria. Six themes were identified (cultural context, pregnancy planning, knowledge, gender roles and responsibility, information seeking, prior health behaviours) which relate to individual, social, psychological and cultural factors. Cultural context was related to all other themes. Pregnancy planners had greater motivation to optimise their health whereas those not actively planning were focused more on becoming financially stable. Women and men's knowledge of how and why to engage in health protective behaviours was limited, with health risks and behaviour change discussed in the context of pregnancy rather than preconception. Gender roles influenced individual responsibility for preparation for pregnancy, which in turn influenced information seeking behaviours and engagement in health behaviours. Online sources of support and information were seen as desirable, regardless of pregnancy planning stage. Our findings indicate that behaviour change interventions designed to support people to optimise health before conception should address cultural, individual, social and psychological factors to facilitate behaviour change. Development of online resources may help to increase accessibility for people across different cultural contexts and stages of pregnancy planning. • Themes span individual, psychological, social and cultural factors. • Life stage and past pregnancy influenced receptivity to preconception information. • Online preconception health information was preferred by women and men. • Preconception health was perceived as the responsibility of women more than men. • Understanding and importance of preconception health was lacking among individuals. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract Background Parenting programs integrating general parenting and health behaviour messaging may be an effective childhood obesity prevention strategy. The current study explored workplaces as an alternate setting to deliver parenting programs. Methods This study involved two phases. The objective of the first phase was to explore interest in and preferred delivery mode of a workplace program that addresses general parenting and health behaviours. The objective of the second phase was to adapt and test the feasibility and acceptability of a pre-existing program that has been successfully run in community settings for parents in their workplace. To achieve the first objective, we conducted 9 individual or small group qualitative interviews with 11 workplace representatives involved in employee wellness/wellness programming from 8 different organizations across Southwestern Ontario. To achieve the second objective, we adapted a pre-existing program incorporating workplace representatives’ suggestions to create Parents Working Together (PWT). We then tested the program using a pre/post uncontrolled feasibility trial with 9 employees of a large manufacturing company located in Guelph, Ontario. Results Results from the qualitative phase showed that a workplace parenting program that addresses general parenting and health behaviour messages is of interest to workplaces. Results from the feasibility trial suggest that PWT is feasible and well received by participants; attendance rates were high with 89 % of the participants attending 5 or more sessions and 44 % attending all 7 sessions offered. All participants stated they would recommend the program to co-workers. Just over half of our parent participants were male (55.6 %), which is a unique finding as the majority of existing parenting programs engage primarily mothers. Impact evaluation results suggest that changes in children’s and parents’ weight-related behaviours, as well as parents’ reports of family interfering with work were in the desired direction post-intervention; however, confidence intervals substantially overlapped zero. Contrary to expectations, parents also reported an increase in restrictive feeding practices. Conclusion Our results indicate that a workplace-based program that addresses general parenting skills and weight-related behaviours may be a feasible way to engage and educate parents, including fathers. A full-scale trial is needed to examine the effectiveness of this approach.

Abstract Background Health behaviour patterns in older groups, including tobacco and alcohol use, are key factors in chronic disease prevention. We explore ageing self-perceptions as motivating factors behind smoking and drinking alcohol in older adults, and the complex reasons why individuals engage harmfully in these behaviours. Methods Cigarette and alcohol use was assessed in a large cross-sectional national sample aged 50 years and above from the Irish Longitudinal Study on Ageing (TILDA) (n = 6,576). The Brief Ageing Perceptions Questionnaire (BAPQ) assessed individual’s views of their own ageing across five domains. Study hypothesis that stronger beliefs on each of the BAPQ domains would be related to drinking and smoking was examined using multinomial logit models (MNLM). Regression parameter estimates for all variables were estimated relative risk ratios (RRR). Results More women were non-drinkers (30 % vs. 20 %) and men displayed significantly higher alcohol use patterns. One in five older Irish adults was a current smoker (16.8 % of women, 17 % of men), and smoking and harmful drinking were strongly associated (P

Introduction: The accelerating rate of incidence of malignant cancers in Polish women as compared to men and the higher mortality due to these diseases as compared to other regions in Europe is an important medical and social problem. Aim of the research : To attempt an assessment of cancer prevention awareness among young adult Polish females on the basis of the analysis of their knowledge as well as of the prevalence of negative health behaviours. Material and methods : The study was conducted in 270 young Polish females: students of nursing and pedagogy. The study was conducted using a proprietary questionnaire, the Inventory of Health Behaviour, the Fagerström Test for Nicotine Dependence, and Nina Schenider’s Motivation for Quitting Smoking Test. Results : The highest percentages of negative behaviours included low intake of fruit and vegetables (76.3%), whole-grain products (78.9%), and fish (93.3%), as well as tanning (56.7%) and smoking (37%) and health check behaviours (breast self-exams 60.7%, cervical cytological screening 36%). Conclusions: Despite the relatively high level of knowledge, cancer risk-related lifestyles and behaviours unfavourable for the possibility of early diagnosis were observed among the subjects. The less favourable model of cognitive and behavioural competence in health and cancer prevention was observed at bachelor-level students of pedagogy at the ages below 24 years. Development of skills and motivation for pro-health behaviours and the awareness of behaviour models presented by educators are, along with appropriate knowledge, the most desirable strategies for the success of health education in the area of cancer prevention.

Abstract Objective: To transform data from a research setting into a format that could be used to support strategies encouraging healthy lifestyle choices and service planning within local government. Methods: Details of the health status and lifestyle behaviours of the Geelong, Victoria, population were generated independently by the Geelong Osteoporosis Study (GOS), a prospective population‐based cohort study. Recent GOS follow‐up phases provided evidence about patterns of unhealthy diet, physical inactivity, smoking and harmful alcohol use. These factors are well‐recognised modifiable risk factors for chronic disease; the dataset was complemented with prevalence estimates for musculoskeletal disease, obesity, diabetes, cardiovascular disease, asthma and cancer. Results: Data were provided to Healthy Together Geelong in aggregate form according to age, sex and suburb. A population statistics company used the data to project health outcomes by suburb for use by local council. This data exchange served as a conduit between epidemiological research and policy development. Conclusion and implications: Regional policy makers were informed by local evidence, rather than national or state health survey, thereby optimising potential intervention strategies.

Abstract Background Evidence reports that schools influence children and young people’s health behaviours across a range of outcomes. However there remains limited understanding of the mechanisms through which institutional features may structure self-harm and suicide. This paper reports on a systematic review and meta-ethnography of qualitative research exploring how schools influence self-harm and suicide in students. Methods Systematic searches were conducted of nineteen databases from inception to June 2015. English language, primary research studies, utilising any qualitative research design to report on the influence of primary or secondary educational settings (or international equivalents) on children and young people’s self-harm and suicide were included. Two reviewers independently appraised studies against the inclusion criteria, assessed quality, and abstracted data. Data synthesis was conducted in adherence with Noblit and Hare’s meta-ethnographic approach. Of 6744 unique articles identified, six articles reporting on five studies were included in the meta-ethnography. Results Five meta-themes emerged from the studies. First, self-harm is often rendered invisible within educational settings, meaning it is not prioritised within the curriculum despite students’ expressed need. Second, where self-harm transgresses institutional rules it may be treated as ‘bad behaviour’, meaning adequate support is denied. Third, schools’ informal management strategy of escalating incidents of self-harm to external ‘experts’ serves to contribute to non-help seeking behaviour amongst students who desire confidential support from teachers. Fourth, anxiety and stress associated with school performance may escalate self-harm and suicide. Fifth, bullying within the school context can contribute to self-harm, whilst some young people may engage in these practices as initiation into a social group. Conclusions Schools may influence children and young people’s self-harm, although evidence of their impact on suicide remains limited. Prevention and intervention needs to acknowledge and accommodate these institutional-level factors. Studies included in this review are limited by their lack of conceptual richness, restricting the process of interpretative synthesis. Further qualitative research should focus on the continued development of theoretical and empirical insight into the relationship between institutional features and students’ self-harm and suicide.

Abstract Background This study aimed to characterise the factors relating to participation in a postal follow-up study in Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal individuals, given the need to quantify potential biases from loss to follow-up and the lack of evidence regarding postal surveys among Aboriginal people. Methods The first 100,000 participants from the Sax Institute’s 45 and Up Study, a large scale cohort study, were posted a follow-up questionnaire gathering general demographic, health and risk factor data, emphasising Social, Economic and Environmental Factors (“The SEEF Study”). For each variable of interest, percentages of those invited who went on to participate in follow-up were tabulated separately for Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal participants and age- and sex-adjusted participation rate ratios (aPRR) were calculated. Results Of the 692 Aboriginal and 97,178 non-Aboriginal invitees to the study, 314 Aboriginal (45 %) and 59,175 non-Aboriginal (61 %) individuals responded. While Aboriginal people were less likely to respond than non-Aboriginal people (aPRR 0.72, 95 % CI 0.66–0.78), factors related to response were similar. Follow-up study participants were more likely than non-participants to have university versus no educational qualifications (1.6, 1.3–2.0 [Aboriginal]; 1.5, 1.5–1.5 [non-Aboriginal]) and an annual income of ≥70,000 versus

Introduction: Cervical cancer is a serious problem in gynaecological oncology, which gains even more importance when it concerns young women at reproductive age – 20–39. It is an alarming fact that despite the knowledge about causes of the development of the disease, its dynamics, diagnostic and treatment methods, in Poland, very high mortality rates are still observed, compared to the other countries of the European Union. Aim of the research : To evaluate health behaviours of women with respect to cervical cancer prophylaxis. Material and methods: The study included 115 women aged 20 to 50, and was conducted in the Regional Mother and Newborn Child Centre in Kielce by the method of a diagnostic survey. The research instrument was a questionnaire consisting of 28 items designed by the author. Results : Analysis of the results of the study showed that 17.39% of respondents initiated sexual activity when aged under 18. The examined women had a relatively good knowledge of the basic cervical cancer risk factors. Among the main cervical cancer risk factors, 80.00% of respondents mentioned infection with HPV virus. Conclusions : Health behaviours of women with respect to cervical cancer prophylaxis are becoming increasingly positive. However, educational actions should be enhanced concerning detailed information pertaining to cervical cancer and benefits resulting from vaccination against HPV virus.

Abstract Background Interventions to improve young people’s health are most commonly delivered via schools. While young people attending the lowest socioeconomic status (SES) schools report poorer health profiles, no previous studies have examined whether there is an ‘inverse care law’ in school health improvement activity (i.e., whether schools in more affluent areas deliver more health improvement). Nor have other factors that may explain variations, such as leadership of health improvement activities, been examined at a population level. This paper examines variability in delivery of health improvement actions among secondary schools in Wales, and whether variability is linked to organisational commitment to health, socioeconomic status and school size. Methods Of the 82 schools participating in the 2013/14 Health Behaviour in School-aged Children (HBSC) survey in Wales, 67 completed a questionnaire on school health improvement delivery structures and health improvement actions within their school. Correlational analyses explore associations of delivery of health improvement activity among schools in Wales with organisational commitment to health, socioeconomic context and school size. Results There is substantial variability among schools in organisational commitment to health, with pupil emotional health identified as a priority by 52 % of schools, and physical health by 43 %. Approximately half (49 %) report written action plans for pupil health. Based on composite measures, the quantity of school health improvement activity was greater in less affluent schools and schools reporting greater commitment to health. There was a consistent though non-significant trend toward more health improvement activity in larger schools. In multivariate analysis deprivation (OR = 1.06; 95 % CI = 1.01 to 1.12) and organisational commitment to health were significant independent predictors of the quantity of health improvement (OR = 1.60; 95 % CI = 1.15 to 2.22). Conclusions There is no evidence of an ‘inverse care law’ in school health, with some evidence of more comprehensive, multi-level health improvement activity in more deprived schools. This large-scale, quantitative analysis supports previous smaller scale, qualitative studies/process evaluations that suggest that senior management team commitment to delivering health improvement, and formulating and reviewing progress against written action plans, are important for facilitating the delivery of comprehensive interventions.

Numerous studies indicate that a person's lifestyle has a positive impact on their health. However, in spite of the predominant anti-health lifestyle, the average length of life in the past few decades has increased. What is the relation between a lifestyle and life expectancy? Does the lifestyle affect human life span? Epidemiological and prospective-retrospective studies were used to evaluate a 20-year long population-based experiment, which involved in-depth studies, analyses and evaluations of three related families who resided in the same community, had the same education level, and the same period of socialization and tradition. To evaluate the collected research material, the authors used their own: Scale for evaluating nutrition habits; Criteria to assess health behaviours of subjects; Criteria for diet assessment. The studied families led a similar lifestyle, with prevalence of anti-health behaviours. Theoretically, subjects should live a similar number of years. However, the length of their lives varied. Members of families with higher number of anti-health factors lived, in fact, longer. The authors confirmed the hypothesis that the lifestyle of the examined families was an important contributor to their health, but certainly it was not the only factor to determine their life expectancy. The length of lives of the examined family members varied despite a similar lifestyle.

Objectives: There is a consistent body of evidence to demonstrate that obesity in very early childhood tends to continue into adolescence and through to adulthood. Parental practices in relation to food can have an effect on this trajectory, however existing studies reporting on interventions for treating obesity suggest there is a need to involve populations from demographically diverse backgrounds childhood obesity research. Design/Methods: A qualitative study was carried out using semi-structured interviews with parents in a deprived inner city area. Results: Although parents had good intentions towards providing a health diet for their chidren, a number of barriers emerged. Findings were reported in relation to the following themes: information and education; barriers (having a child with special needs, children’s food preferences and using food to promote desirable behaviour) and techniques (household rules & routines, setting limits and parameters, modelling and food preparation). Conclusion: Parents and carers would benefit from targeted interventions based on improving techniques around food parenting practices, with a focus on equipping parents with the skills to overcome barriers encountered not only in early childhood, but as children progress to school age and through to adolescence.