Promoting Healthy Lifestyle in High School Students: Determination of the Lifestyle Status through the Healthy Lifestyle Screen (HLS) Assessment

Navigating the Challenges: A Comprehensive Review of Adolescent Gynecological Problems

This comprehensive review delves into the spectrum of adolescent gynecological problems, shedding light on the multifaceted challenges faced by individuals between the ages of 10 and 19. Covering normal developmental changes, common issues such as menstrual disorders, and the intricate interplay of psychosocial and cultural factors, the review provides a holistic understanding of adolescent gynecological health. Key findings underscore the importance of tailored education, destigmatizing reproductive health discussions, and recognizing the critical role of mental health in overall well-being. The conclusion issues a compelling call to action, urging healthcare providers to adopt patient-centered practices, educators to integrate comprehensive sexual education, and policymakers to advocate for inclusive policies. This review serves as a valuable resource, guiding collective efforts to enhance the well-being of adolescents as they navigate the challenges of gynecological health on their journey to adulthood.

Socio-demographic factors and healthy lifestyle behaviours among Malaysian adults: National Health and Morbidity Survey 2019

This study aimed to investigate the association between socio-demographic factors and designated healthy lifestyle behaviours in a nationally-representative sample of Malaysian adults aged 18 years and above. Secondary data involving 7388 participants aged 18-96 years from the National Health and Morbidity Survey 2019, a national cross-sectional survey, was used in this study. A healthy lifestyle score (0-5 points) was calculated based on five modifiable lifestyle factors: non-smoker, body mass index < 25 kg/m², physically active, moderate (or less) alcohol intake, and daily consumption of ≥ 5 servings of fruits and vegetables. Associations between socio-demographic factors and healthy lifestyle behaviours were examined using multinomial logistic regression adjusted for sampling design. About 30.6% of the participants met at least four out of the five healthy lifestyle factors. In multinomial model, subjects who were female (aOR = 3.26, 95%CI = 2.58, 4.12), of Chinese (aOR = 2.31, 95%CI = 1.62, 3.30 or other ethnicity (aOR = 1.44, 95%CI = 1.05, 1.98), and aged 18-30 years (aOR = 1.74, 95% CI = 1.12, 2.71) showed significant association with achieving healthy lifestyle compared to male, Malay and ≥ 61 years old as reference categories. Our results indicated that gender, age and ethnicity associated with healthy lifestyle behaviours. Information on the influence of socio-demographic factors on the prevalence of healthy lifestyles will facilitate the development of effective intervention strategies to improve the adaptation of healthy lifestyle practices.

HelperFriend, a Serious Game for Promoting Healthy Lifestyle Behaviors in Children: Design and Pilot Study

Background

The use of health games is a promising strategy for educating and promoting healthy lifestyle behaviors among children.

Objective

We aimed to describe the design and development of a serious game, called HelperFriend, and evaluate its feasibility, acceptability, and preliminary effects in children in a pilot study. HelperFriend is a vicarious experiential video game designed to promote 3 lifestyle behaviors among young children: physical activity, healthy eating, and socioemotional wellness.

Methods

Participants aged 8 to 11 years were recruited from an elementary school and randomized to receive a healthy lifestyle behavior educational talk (control) or play six 30-minute sessions with HelperFriend (intervention). Assessments were conducted at baseline (T0) and after the intervention (ie, 4 weeks) (T1). The primary outcome was gain in knowledge. The secondary outcomes were intention to conduct healthy behaviors, dietary intake, and player satisfaction.

Results

Knowledge scores of intervention group participants increased from T0 to T1 for physical activity (t₁₄=2.01, P=.03), healthy eating (t₁₄=3.14, P=.003), and socioemotional wellness (t₁₄=2.75, P=.008). In addition, from T0 to T1, the intervention group improved their intention to perform physical activity (t₁₄=2.82, P=.006), healthy eating (t₁₄=3.44, P=.002), and socioemotional wellness (t₁₄=2.65, P=.009); and there was a reduction in their intake of 13 unhealthy foods. HelperFriend was well received by intervention group.

Conclusions

HelperFriend appears to be feasible and acceptable for young children. In addition, this game seems to be a viable tool to help improve the knowledge, the intention to conduct healthy behaviors, and the dietary intake of children; however, a well-powered randomized controlled trial is needed to prove the efficacy of HelperFriend.

Physical Activity for Health and Fitness: Past, Present and Future

It’s a saying “The early we start, the early we attain good health”. Health is a state of complete physical, mental and social well-being and not merely absence of disease Fitness is an ability to execute daily functional activities with optimal performance, endurance, and strength to manage minimalist of disease, fatigue, stress and reduced sedentary behavior. In the modern era with advancement in technology, erosion of physical activity has drastically led to retardation in health and fitness. Hoods of luxurious and competition among students for scores/grades and professionals for promotions/incentives/benefits have deviated people from concentrating towards their health and putting it secondary. In 2016, across the globe, prevalence of physical inactivity was estimated at 27.5%, among adult population. To support further, in June 2018, WHO reported, 1 in five adults, and 4 of five adolescents to pose reduced physical activity. In the current ongoing pandemic era this scenario has been further negatively impacting the society to suffer from psychosocial, financial and economic loss, contributing to lack of physical activity. Health benefits of physical activity are not limited only to improved cardiorespiratory and muscular fitness, bone and cardiometabolic health, and positive effects on weight status, but it also boosts mental health and social health. Acknowledging the significance and urgency of decreasing insufficient physical activity globally, WHO endorsed a Global Action Plan on Physical Activity (GAPPA) at the World Health Assembly in 2018, wherein the member countries agreed to reach a new target of 15% relative reduction in insufficient physical activity among adolescents by 2030.

The Assessment of Lifestyle Status among High School and College Students in Luzon, Philippines

BACKGROUND

Lifestyle has been one of the central subjects of increasing research interest worldwide and acknowledged as part of the relevant factors of an individual's health status. The World Health Organization defines health as a state of complete physical, mental, and social well-being, and not merely the absence of disease. The purpose of this study is to assess lifestyle status among high school and college students and to explore which sociodemographic variables have influenced such existing healthy lifestyle behaviors.

METHODS

This is a descriptive cross-sectional study that was conducted among 230 students from the high school and college. The questionnaire included descriptive information and the Healthy Lifestyle Screening Tool (HLST) to assess lifestyle scores among students from the high school and college. Socio-demographic characteristics of students included were perceived family income, domestic status or people living with, school life satisfaction, happiness rate, and self-rated health status.

RESULTS

The results of this study showed the significance of lifestyle status among high school and college students having total scores of 106.56 (SD = 28.11) and 100.9 (32.91) respectively. Sociodemographic and health-related characteristics had significance in perceived economic status, life satisfaction, health status, and happiness rate. Furthermore, healthy lifestyle subcomponents had significant differences in water, air, rest, exercise, nutrition, and trust.

CONCLUSION

Healthy lifestyle status among students both in high school and college is low specifically in components such as sunlight, water, air, rest, exercise, nutrition, temperance as well as the general physical condition. Adherence to healthy lifestyle behaviors among students are needing emphasis and guidance through promotion and education. Health education programs and promotions in institutions need to be carried out and be well-implemented for students to achieve and maintain healthy lifestyle behaviors.

The Health Behaviours of Students from Selected Countries-A Comparative Study

Health behaviour defined as any behaviour that may affect an individual's physical and mental health or any behaviour that an individual believes may affect their physical health. It is strongly related to their culture and plays a major role in shaping all health and illness-related behaviour. The purpose of the study was to compare and evaluate the lifestyles of students from multiple countries. The proposed work will determine the deficits in health behaviors undertaken by students. The survey was carried out from December 2016 to March 2017 comprising 532 students from Poland, Hungary, Turkey, and Greece. The sample was selected using the snowball method: a link to the online questionnaire was sent to students from the given countries via the Internet. For some participants, who did not have access to the online questionnaire, printed copies were used instead. As a method was used a diagnostic survey and the survey technique. The opinions of students were measured using the 5-level Likert scale with a neutral option. Students undertook health-promoting activities, but also list behaviours that did not contribute to strengthening their health. Students were shown to have the greatest problems with physical health behaviours and health prevention. There were noticeable differences in the lifestyle of students from different countries.

Pedagogic position of resident physicians as a factor contributing to forming a healthy-oriented lifestyle in patients

The paper describes the features and components of the academic course content and teaching techniques aimed at forming the pedagogic position (a set of pedagogical knowledges, skills, competences, values, and attitudes) of a doctor in young resident physicians. This position contributes to an effective health-oriented lifestyle dissemination and adoption, especially in patients with chronic diseases. It reflects a new perception of physician’s vocational duties, including care for patients’ life and their need for psychological support. Biopsychosocial approach to health and disease was chosen as a conceptual core of the academic course content and methodology design, specially elaborated to unite pedagogical aspects of the physician’s job with the clinical ones. The set of methods aimed at doctor’s pedagogical position formation and development of professional reflection, values and attitudes included lecturing, interviewing, case studies and clinical cases analysis, discussion, questionnaires, brainstorming, trainings and testing. Eighty-six resident physicians were observed within this study. Such components of the pedagogic position as knowledges, skills, attitudes and motivation showed more dynamics, whereas personal traits were seen as a more static and stable component of the pedagogic position in resident physicians. A remarkable divergence of progress was elicited between doctors of various specialties.

Determining the Cut Off Score of the Healthy Lifestyle Screening Tool among High School Students

Background

Several lifestyle factors such as not smoking, drinking alcohol in moderation, eating healthily, regular exercise, and maintaining a normal weight have been known to play an important role in optimal health. A screening tool that has a standardized score that indicates healthy or risky lifestyle behaviors is needed for health promotion. However, such a tool that focuses on lifestyle behaviors have not incorporated scores to summarize the results. The purpose of this study is to develop the cut-off points of the Healthy Lifestyle Screening tool.

Methods

Data collection in this study was done from 198 Filipino high school students utilizing the Healthy Lifestyle Screening Tool.

Results

Receiver Operating Curve (ROC) results indicated cut-off score of 98 to separate into low and high score groups. The mean scores for all subcomponents were significantly different in between two groups. The general population fell in the high score category with a mean total score of 105.61 in which 81.31% were categorized in the high score group and 18.61% in the low score group. Subjects in general obtained low mean scores in specific subscale components such as rest (2.46) water (2.66) and exercise (2.78).

Conclusion

Increasing the total score by working on low scoring components will be beneficial in achieving a healthy lifestyle. This study reinforced the importance of holistic approach regarding health and well-being among high school students.