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Health Behaviour and Health Promotion in School-Aged Children

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A special issue of International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health (ISSN 1660-4601). This special issue belongs to the section "Health Behavior, Chronic Disease and Health Promotion".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (31 March 2023) | Viewed by 25561

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Special Issue Editors

Dr. Alberto Borraccino

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Guest Editor

Department of Public Health and Paediatrics, University of Torino, 10126 Torino, Italy
Interests: public health; programme planning and evaluation; health promotion; health education; adolescents health; quantitative methods; qualitative approaches in research

Dr. Alina Cosma

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Guest Editor

Olomouc University Social Health Institute, Palacký University Olomouc, 771 47 Olomouc, Czech Republic
Interests: adolescent mental health; gender differences; socio-economic determinants of health; bullying; victimization; cross-national differences; trends in health outcomes

Dr. Meyran Boniel-Nissim

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Guest Editor

Department of Behavioral Sciences, Kinneret Academic College, Lake Kinneret, Israel
Interests: adolescent health; problematic internet use; risk behaviour; relationships with parents; peer support; bullying and cyberbullying

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Promoting and protecting young people’s health are important actions to guarantee public health, economic and demographic benefits worldwide.

Investments in school-aged children and adolescents have shown benefits in the promotion of important positive health practices (e.g., nutrition choices, physical activity, sleeping habits and participation in cultural and social activities), in the prevention of risky behaviours or negative health outcomes, and in the treatment of health problems (e.g., mental health illnesses, addictions, etc.). This commitment is vital to foster long-term healthy lifestyles and reduce the lifetime risk for a particular morbidity, disability or premature mortality. Therefore, it is important to continue expanding this scientific evidence. This would inherently allow health professionals and policy makers to access the best evidence to foster child and adolescent health and well-being and to contribute, among others, to achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs 2030).

This Special Issue aims to share recent empirical evidence in the field of health education and health promotion in school-aged children, with a specific focus on the social determinants of the health and well-being of children and adolescents. Moreover, this issue will disseminate knowledge that could improve the understanding on effective interventions and health policies to reduce the health risks of vulnerable youth (e.g., gender, socio-economic status, immigrant background, chronic conditions, LGBTQ, etc.) and to foster understanding of any protective factors needed to address challenges youth encounter as they progress through adolescence.

We welcome both quantitative, qualitative and mixed-methods research manuscripts (original research or reviews) related to this issue. The submissions could focus on exploring the health and well-being of school-aged children; evidence-based health promotion initiatives; or translational research able to explore effective community health promotion interventions.

Kind regards,

Prof. Dr. Alberto Borraccino
Dr. Alina Cosma
Dr. Meyran Boniel-Nissim
Guest Editors

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Keywords

adolescents’ health
vulnerable youths
familial and social support
health behaviours
media use
physical activity and sedentary behaviours
bullying and cyberbullying
health complaints
school experience
school support
qualitative research
quantitative research
mixed-methods research

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Published Papers (8 papers)

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Research

16 pages, 1978 KiB

Open AccessArticle

How the Built Environment Moderates Gender Gap in Active Commuting to Schools

by Masoud Javadpoor, Ali Soltani, Leila Fatehnia and Negin Soltani

Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2023, 20(2), 1131; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph20021131 - 9 Jan 2023

Cited by 4 | Viewed by 2935

Abstract

This study investigates the influences of built environmental (BE) factors, network design, and sociodemographic factors on active school travel (AST). Although numerous studies have explored these relationships, this study is trying to assess this issue with a focus on gender differences. Data from a cross-sectional sample of children from first to sixth grades from 16 public primary schools exclusive for girls and boys (N = 1260) in Shiraz collected in November 2019 was used. The analysis of the data revealed that, on average, boys are more willing to walk than girls, but that the boys’ tendency to walk is less elastic with respect to distance. Moreover, it is shown that street connectivity for all distance thresholds has a positive relationship with walking level, but the street network choice parameter decreases the chance of walking within an 800 metre threshold. It is demonstrated the need to take gender differences into account in local planning policies to promote AST in a developing country context. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Health Behaviour and Health Promotion in School-Aged Children)

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12 pages, 1440 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Ten-Year Trend in Emergency Department Visits for Sexually Transmitted Infections among Adolescents: A Retrospective Cross-Sectional Study in Italy

by Elena Viottini, Beatrice Albanesi, Elena Casabona, Roberta Onorati, Sara Campagna and Alberto Borraccino

Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2022, 19(21), 14207; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph192114207 - 31 Oct 2022

Cited by 2 | Viewed by 1873

Abstract

Sexually transmitted infections (STIs) are frequently underdiagnosed, representing a serious public health concern, especially during adolescence and in more vulnerable communities. Aim: to describe the last ten years of emergency department (ED) visits for STIs among adolescents. Methods: a retrospective cross-sectional observation was carried out in the Piedmont region in Italy. Data were retrieved through the Italian National Information System database. ED visits related to specific ICD-9-CM codes carried out on 11 to 19-year-old youths between 2011 and 2020 were investigated. Age-specific, crude, and standardized rates and admission ratios, with 95% confidence intervals (CIs), were calculated to estimate the STI trend. Results: from a total of 1,219,075 ED visits, 339 were related to STIs, representing an increasing ratio of 28 per 100,000 visits, primarily in females. Most infections occurred in girls (83.5%) and among 17 to 19-year-olds (71.5%). A drop in both ED visits and STI cases was observed in 2020. Genital Herpes and Genital Warts were more frequent in girls while Gonorrhea was more frequent in boys. Conclusions: the increasing trend of ED visits for STIs, particularly in girls, represents an emerging relevant public health issue that needs to be urgently tackled. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Health Behaviour and Health Promotion in School-Aged Children)

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10 pages, 493 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Eating Disorders in Hospitalized School-Aged Children and Adolescents during the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Cross-Sectional Study of Discharge Records in Developmental Ages in Italy

by Gianmarco Giacomini, Heba Safwat Mhmoued Abdo Elhadidy, Giovanni Paladini, Roberta Onorati, Elena Sciurpa, Maria Michela Gianino and Alberto Borraccino

Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2022, 19(20), 12988; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph192012988 - 11 Oct 2022

Cited by 10 | Viewed by 2790

Abstract

Eating disorders (EDs) are characterized by behavioral and cognitive aspects that result in a significant impairment of an individual’s well-being. COVID-19 pandemic consequences negatively impacted healthcare services and people’s mental health. Particularly, in developmental ages, difficulties in coping with the situation could have had an impact on eating behaviors. Therefore, the aim of this study was to assess EDs’ hospitalization trend before, during and after the pandemic peak to evaluate whether it has been influenced. A retrospective cross-sectional study was conducted on the hospital discharge forms of patients from 5 to 19 years old in Piedmont, which is a region in northern Italy. Overall, hospitalization, age, and gender-specific rates due to EDs that occurred in 2020 and 2021 were compared to those that occurred in 2018–2019. Since 2020, there has been a 55% reduction in overall hospitalizations, while the total proportion of EDs admissions has doubled from 2020 to 2021 (from 13.9‰ to 22.2‰). Significant hospitalization rate increases were observed both in 15–19 and in 10–14 females’ age groups in 2021. Non-significant increases were observed in all males’ age groups. The increase in hospitalizations for EDs should be further investigated, as it might be the tip of an iceberg not yet acknowledged. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Health Behaviour and Health Promotion in School-Aged Children)

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9 pages, 337 KiB

Open AccessArticle

School Satisfaction and Its Associations with Health and Behavioural Outcomes among 15-Years Old Adolescents

by Simona Horanicova, Daniela Husarova, Andrea Madarasová Gecková, Andrea F. De Winter and Sijmen A. Reijneveld

Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2022, 19(18), 11514; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph191811514 - 13 Sep 2022

Cited by 4 | Viewed by 1724

Abstract

Background: Health and behavioural outcomes of adolescents have been shown to be related to school pressure, demands or unfavourable relationships with classmates or teachers. These associations may relate to school satisfaction, but evidence on this is lacking. Therefore, our aim is to explore the associations of school satisfaction with hopelessness, health complaints, fighting and truancy. Methods: Data come from the cross-sectional Health Behaviour in School-aged Children study collected in 2018 from Slovak 15-year-old adolescents (N = 816; 50.9% boys). School satisfaction was measured by school engagement and attitudes towards education, grouped as: satisfied (both positive), inconsistent (one positive, one negative) and indifferent (both negative). Hopelessness, health complaints, fighting and truancy were measured using self-report questionnaires. Logistic regression models were used to explore the associations of school satisfaction with hopelessness, health complaints, fighting and truancy separately. Results: Indifferent adolescents were more likely to feel hopeless, to frequently experience two or more health complaints, to be involved in a fight and to skip school (odds ratios/95%-confidence interval: 2.57/1.49–4.45; 2.51/1.48–4.25; 1.92/1.02–3.60; and 2.34/1.25–4.40, respectively) than satisfied adolescents. Inconsistent adolescents were more likely to frequently experience two or more health complaints than satisfied adolescents (1.72/1.05–5.79). Conclusions: School satisfaction affects adolescents’ health and social behaviour and may threaten their healthy development. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Health Behaviour and Health Promotion in School-Aged Children)

12 pages, 379 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Measurement Invariance of the WHO-5 Well-Being Index: Evidence from 15 European Countries

by Alina Cosma, András Költő, Yekaterina Chzhen, Dorota Kleszczewska, Michal Kalman and Gina Martin

Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2022, 19(16), 9798; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph19169798 - 9 Aug 2022

Cited by 7 | Viewed by 4001

Abstract

(1) Background: The World Health Organization (WHO)-5 Well-Being Index has been used in many epidemiological studies to assess adolescent mental well-being. However, cross-country comparisons of this instrument among adolescents are scarce and, so far, no good-fitting, common invariant measurement model across countries has been reported. The present study aims to evaluate and establish a version of the WHO-5 Well-Being Index that allows for a valid cross-country comparison of adolescent self-reported mental well-being. (2) Methods: Using data from the 2018 Health Behaviour in School-aged Children study, we evaluated the measurement model and measurement invariance of the five items of the WHO-5 Well-Being Index. We used nationally representative samples of 11-, 13-, and 15-year-old adolescents (N = 74,071) from fifteen countries and regions in Europe. Measurement invariance of the WHO-5 was assessed using a series (country, gender, and age) of multi-group confirmatory factor analyses. In addition, we evaluated the convergent validity of the measure by testing its correlations with psychosomatic complaints, life satisfaction, and self-rated health. (3) Results: We found that WHO-5 does not show good psychometric properties or good measurement invariance fit. However, by excluding the first item of the scale (“I have felt cheerful and in good spirits”), the WHO-4, consisting of the other four original items, had good psychometric properties, and demonstrated good suitability for cross-national comparisons (as well as age and gender) in adolescent mental well-being. (4) Conclusions: The present study introduces the WHO-4—a revised version of the WHO-5—, that allows for a valid comparison of mental well-being across fifteen countries and regions in Europe. The WHO-4 proved to be a reliable and valid instrument to assess mental well-being in the adolescent population. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Health Behaviour and Health Promotion in School-Aged Children)

10 pages, 349 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Problematic Social Media Use and Cyber Aggression in Italian Adolescents: The Remarkable Role of Social Support

by Alberto Borraccino, Noemi Marengo, Paola Dalmasso, Claudia Marino, Silvia Ciardullo, Paola Nardone, Patrizia Lemma and The 2018 HBSC-Italia Group

Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2022, 19(15), 9763; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph19159763 - 8 Aug 2022

Cited by 15 | Viewed by 3530

Abstract

The recent increase in electronic and social media use among young people has highlighted the importance of focusing on problematic social media use (PSMU) and the concurrent phenomenon of cyber aggression, as well as the role of social support. As part of the 2018 Health Behavior in School-aged Children study in Italy, this study aims to explore the role of family, peer, and teacher support in the association between cyberbullying and PSMU. Methods: Data were collected from 4183 school classes in Italy for a total of 58,976 adolescents aged 11, 13, and 15 years. The prevalence of cyber aggression (both cybervictimization and perpetration) and PSMU was estimated across subgroups of different age, gender, and geographical residence. A set of multivariable logistic regressions was then used to investigate the association between cyberbullying and PSMU, considering the effect of social support. Results: Cybervictimization was more frequent among girls than in boys. PSMU was higher in 11-year-old boys and 13-year-old girls; 8.3% and 12.7%, respectively. Social support was highest in 11-year-olds, for both sexes, and then decreased with increasing age. The risk of cyberbullying, both suffered and perpetrated, was higher in girls and in the presence of PSMU. Social support showed to be highly protective against PSMU and cyberbullying in all ages and both genders. Conclusion: Although cyber aggression is less represented in Italy than in other European countries, it is likely to increase. PSMU appears to be an important contributor to the risk of cyber aggression; however, social support has been shown to be capable of reducing the risk of both phenomena. Public health policies fostering familiar and school support can help protect adolescents’ mental health, reducing the risk of problematic media use and cyberbullying. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Health Behaviour and Health Promotion in School-Aged Children)

15 pages, 902 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Profiles of Internet Use and Health in Adolescence: A Person-Oriented Approach

by Henri Lahti, Nelli Lyyra, Lauri Hietajärvi, Jari Villberg and Leena Paakkari

Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2021, 18(13), 6972; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph18136972 - 29 Jun 2021

Cited by 13 | Viewed by 4574

Abstract

(1) Background: Internet use has become an integral part of adolescents’ daily lives. It is important to understand how adolescents use the internet, and how this use is associated with demographic factors and health from a person-oriented perspective. (2) Methods: The study applied the Finnish nationally representative HBSC data (persons aged 11, 13, and 15, n = 3408), descriptive observation, latent class analysis, and multinomial logistic regression analysis. (3) Results: Entertainment activities (listening to music) and socially oriented activities (liking posts, talking online) were the most prevalent among adolescents, but gender differences emerged. Five different internet user profiles were identified (encompassing interest-driven, friendship-driven, abstinent, irregular, and excessive users). Interest-driven users participated in interest- and media-oriented activities. Adolescents in the interest-driven user group were more likely to be boys and participants with low academic achievement, high parental monitoring, and high problematic social media use. Friendship-driven users participated in socially oriented activities. Adolescents in the friendship-driven user group were more likely to be girls and participants aged 13 or 15, with high peer and family support. Abstinent users participated only in entertainment, while irregular users showed no particularly high involvement in any internet activity. Adolescents in the abstinent and irregular user groups were likely to be boys and participants aged 11 with high family support. Excessive users had high involvement in internet activities overall. Adolescents in the excessive user group were more likely to be participants with high problematic social media use and were most likely to feel low and tired on school mornings. (4) Conclusion: The study confirmed the prevalence of internet use. It identified five internet user profiles and differences between user profiles regarding individual and social factors and health outcomes. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Health Behaviour and Health Promotion in School-Aged Children)

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11 pages, 473 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Tobacco Use Status and Temptation to Try E-Cigarettes among a Sample of Appalachian Youth

by Delvon T. Mattingly, Jayesh Rai, Osayande Agbonlahor, Kandi L. Walker and Joy L. Hart

Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2021, 18(13), 6755; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph18136755 - 23 Jun 2021

Viewed by 2605

Abstract

E-cigarettes are commonly used tobacco products among youth populations, including Appalachian youth. However, knowledge of the extent to which tobacco use status relates to temptation to try e-cigarettes is limited. Data from the Youth Appalachian Tobacco Study (n = 1047) were used. Temptation to try e-cigarettes was derived from a 12-item situational inventory. Tobacco use status was defined as never, ever non-e-cigarette, and ever e-cigarette use. A factorial ANOVA was used to estimate the adjusted association between tobacco use status and the e-cigarette use temptation scale. Two-way interaction terms between tobacco use status and gender, and tobacco use status and race/ethnicity, were plotted to depict effect modification. Approximately 10% of youth were ever non-e-cigarette users and 24% were ever e-cigarette users. Never and ever non-e-cigarette user middle schoolers had higher temptation to try e-cigarettes than their high school counterparts. The same relationship was found among never and ever e-cigarette users living in households with tobacco users. The ANOVA results suggest a positive, monotonic relationship between tobacco use status and temptation to try e-cigarettes, and that the adjusted group means differ by gender and race/ethnicity. The findings can inform tobacco prevention interventions for youth at higher risk for e-cigarette use, especially youth who have not yet tried e-cigarettes. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Health Behaviour and Health Promotion in School-Aged Children)

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