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1.
Application of protection motivation theory (PMT) on skin cancer preventive behaviors amongst primary school students in rural areas of Fasa city-Iran.
Khani Jeihooni, A, Bashti, S, Erfanian, B, Ostovarfar, J, Afzali Hasirini, P
BMC cancer. 2022;(1):21
Abstract
BACKGROUND Considering that exposure to sunlight in childhood and adolescence has an important role in skin cancer, so it seems that training protective behaviors in this period is more effective. OBJECTIVES To survey the application of protection motivation theory (PMT) on skin cancer preventive behaviors among students in rural areas of Fasa city, Iran. METHODS This study was done in two stages: Phase I of this study, the descriptive-analytic and cross-sectional study was conducted in 2018 to investigate the predictive value of the protection motivation theory on skin cancer preventive behaviors. In the second stage, a quasi-experimental interventional study was conducted on 400 primary school students in 2019. The educational intervention was performed in the experimental group for 8 sessions. Data were collected using a demographic information questionnaire and protection motivation theory before and six months after the intervention. RESULTS The constructs of protection motivation theory predicted 58.6% of skin cancer preventive behaviors. The results indicated that there was no significant difference between the two groups in terms of knowledge, perceived sensitivity, perceived severity, reward, fear, protection motivation, response efficacy, self-efficacy, response costs, and the skin cancer preventive behaviors in before the intervention (p > 0.05). However, six months after the intervention, the experimental group showed a significant increase in each of the mentioned constructs and skin cancer protective behaviors (p < 0.05). CONCLUSION This study showed the effectiveness of the intervention based on the PMT constructs in adoption of skin cancer preventive behaviors in 6 months' post intervention in primary school students.
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2.
Impact of COVID-19 induced lockdown on physical activity and sedentary behavior among university students: A systematic review.
Rivera, PA, Nys, BL, Fiestas, F
Medwave. 2021;(8):e8456
Abstract
BACKGROUND The COVID-19 pandemic has entailed a significant socio-economic impact on various layers of the population. In many countries, attempts to control viral dissemination involved lockdown measures that limited citizens' overall mobility and professional and leisure activities. OBJECTIVE This systematic review investigates the impact of COVID-19-induced lockdowns on university student physical activity and sedentary behav-ior, as these relate to physical and mental well-being. METHODS Data was collected through PubMed/MEDLINE, Embase, SCOPUS, and APA PsycInfo databases until January 2021. RESULTS Seven studies conducted in five different countries (United States, Spain, Italy, China, and United Kingdom) were included in the final review. Overall, most studies reported a significant decrease in mild physical activity (i.e., walking) among undergraduate students but not among graduate students. Consistently, most studies reported a significant increase in sedentary time (i.e., sitting time on weekdays) in undergraduate students but not in graduate students. We observed that students who were more sedentary previous to lockdown, increased or did not change their moderate and/or vigorous physical activity. In contrast, those who were less sedentary previous to lockdown decreased their moderate and/or vigorous physical activity. CONCLUSIONS COVID 19 induced lockdowns appear to have negatively affected walking and sedentary behavior among undergraduate students but not among graduate students. Our results highlight the importance of promoting the World Health Organization recommendations for physical activity and sedentary behavior among university students to improve health outcomes.
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3.
The impact of sleep, physical activity and sedentary behaviour on symptoms of depression and anxiety before and during the COVID-19 pandemic in a sample of South African participants.
Lewis, R, Roden, LC, Scheuermaier, K, Gomez-Olive, FX, Rae, DE, Iacovides, S, Bentley, A, Davy, JP, Christie, CJ, Zschernack, S, et al
Scientific reports. 2021;(1):24059
Abstract
During lockdowns associated with the COVID-19 pandemic, individuals have experienced poor sleep quality and sleep regularity, changes in lifestyle behaviours, and heightened depression and anxiety. However, the inter-relationship and relative strength of those behaviours on mental health outcomes is still unknown. We collected data between 12 May and 15 June 2020 from 1048 South African adults (age: 32.76 ± 14.43 years; n = 767 female; n = 473 students) using an online questionnaire. Using structural equation modelling, we investigated how insomnia symptoms, sleep regularity, exercise intensity/frequency and sitting/screen-use (sedentary screen-use) interacted to predict depressive and anxiety-related symptoms before and during lockdown. We also controlled for the effects of sex and student status. Irrespective of lockdown, (a) more severe symptoms of insomnia and greater sedentary screen-use predicted greater symptoms of depression and anxiety and (b) the effects of sedentary screen-use on mental health outcomes were mediated by insomnia. The effects of physical activity on mental health outcomes, however, were only significant during lockdown. Low physical activity predicted greater insomnia symptom severity, which in turn predicted increased depressive and anxiety-related symptoms. Overall, relationships between the study variables and mental health outcomes were amplified during lockdown. The findings highlight the importance of maintaining physical activity and reducing sedentary screen-use to promote better sleep and mental health.
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4.
Impacts of a School-Based Intervention That Incorporates Nutrition Education and a Supportive Healthy School Canteen Environment among Primary School Children in Malaysia.
Teo, CH, Chin, YS, Lim, PY, Masrom, SAH, Shariff, ZM
Nutrients. 2021;(5)
Abstract
In this study, a school nutrition program (SNP) that incorporates nutrition education and a healthy school canteen environment was developed to improve nutrition knowledge among intervention respondents and provide a healthier environment for them to practice healthy eating. In the current study, we evaluated the impacts of the SNP on eating behaviors, physical activity, body mass index-for-age (BAZ), and cognitive performance at pre-intervention, post-intervention, and 3-month follow-up points between intervention and comparison groups. This intervention study involved 523 primary school children (7-11 years old) from six selected schools in Batu Pahat District, Malaysia. Each respondent completed anthropometric and cognitive performance assessments and a set of standardized questionnaire at pre-intervention, post-intervention, and 3-month follow-up points. Multiple linear mixed model analysis was performed to determine the impacts of that SNP after being adjusted for covariates. After the program, the intervention group increased their frequency of breakfast, lunch, and dinner consumption and morning tea snacking and showed more frequent physical activity and better cognitive performance as compared to the comparison group overtime (p < 0.05). At 3-month follow-up, the intervention group showed lower BAZ scores than their comparison counterparts (p < 0.05). The SNP showed positive effects on eating behaviors, physical activity, BAZ, and cognitive performance in school children. Hence, the SNP is highly recommended for all primary school children.
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5.
University students' perceptions and factors contributing to obesity and overweigh in Southern of Morocco.
Boukrim, M, Obtel, M, Lahlou, L, Razine, R
African health sciences. 2021;(2):942-950
Abstract
BACKGROUND Weight load is a cosmopolitan health problem. In Morocco, women are the most affected by the phenomenon since obesity has risen from 26.8% to 29.0%. OBJECTIVE To determine the prevalence of weight load and associated factors among female students in higher education. METHODS Data were collected by a questionnaire. Anthropometric measurements were made using a scale and a wall-mounted scale. Data were analysed by the statistical software SPSS version 13.0. Quantitative variables were described in mean ± standard deviation. Factors associated with obesity were determined by binary logistic regression. RESULTS About two-thirds of the students had a normal weight, 21% were overweight and 3% were obese. In addition, 58% of students were physically inactive and 77% ate cake and fast food. In addition, 63% of students were dissatisfied with their weight. A significant relationship is found between level of primary education, type of establishment, cake and fast food consumption and weight load. CONCLUSION The results revealed that 24% of participants were weight load and had behavioral risk factors such as a sedentary lifestyle and an unbalanced diet, which requires the promotion of a healthy lifestyle among these students as well as psychological support for those dissatisfied with their body image.
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6.
Physical activity, screen exposure and sleep among students during the pandemic of COVID-19.
Guo, YF, Liao, MQ, Cai, WL, Yu, XX, Li, SN, Ke, XY, Tan, SX, Luo, ZY, Cui, YF, Wang, Q, et al
Scientific reports. 2021;(1):8529
Abstract
This study aimed to determine the levels of health-related behaviours (physical activity, screen exposure and sleep status) among Chinese students from primary, secondary and high schools during the pandemic of COVID-19, as well as their changes compared with their status before the pandemic. A cross-sectional online survey of 10,933 students was conducted among 10 schools in Guangzhou, China, between 8th and 15th March, 2020. After getting the informed consent from student's caregivers, an online questionnaire was designed and used to obtain time spending on health-related behaviours during the pandemic of COVID-19, as well as the changes compared with 3 months before the pandemic, which was completed by students themselves or their caregivers. Students were stratified by regions (urban, suburban, exurban), gender (boys and girls), and grades (lower grades of primary school, higher grades of primary schools, secondary schools and high schools). Data were expressed as number and percentages and Chi-square test was used to analyse difference between groups. Overall, the response rate of questionnaire was 95.3% (10,416/10,933). The median age of included students was 13.0 (10.0, 16.0) years and 50.1% (n = 5,219) were boys. 41.4%, 53.6% and 53.7% of total students reported less than 15 min per day in light, moderate and vigorous activities and 58.7% (n = 6,113) reported decreased participation in physical activity compared with the time before pandemic. Over 5 h of screen time spending on online study was reported by 44.6% (n = 4,649) of respondents, particular among high school students (81.0%). 76.9% of students reported increased screen time compared with the time before pandemic. Inadequate sleep was identified among 38.5% of students and the proportion was highest in high school students (56.9%). Our study indicated that, during the COVID-19 pandemic, the school closure exerted tremendous negative effects on school-aged children's health habits, including less physical activity, longer screen exposure and irregular sleeping pattern.
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7.
Fast Eating Is Associated with Increased BMI among High-School Students.
Fagerberg, P, Charmandari, E, Diou, C, Heimeier, R, Karavidopoulou, Y, Kassari, P, Koukoula, E, Lekka, I, Maglaveras, N, Maramis, C, et al
Nutrients. 2021;(3)
Abstract
Fast self-reported eating rate (SRER) has been associated with increased adiposity in children and adults. No studies have been conducted among high-school students, and SRER has not been validated vs. objective eating rate (OBER) in such populations. The objectives were to investigate (among high-school student populations) the association between OBER and BMI z-scores (BMIz), the validity of SRER vs. OBER, and potential differences in BMIz between SRER categories. Three studies were conducted. Study 1 included 116 Swedish students (mean ± SD age: 16.5 ± 0.8, 59% females) who were eating school lunch. Food intake and meal duration were objectively recorded, and OBER was calculated. Additionally, students provided SRER. Study 2 included students (n = 50, mean ± SD age: 16.7 ± 0.6, 58% females) from Study 1 who ate another objectively recorded school lunch. Study 3 included 1832 high-school students (mean ± SD age: 15.8 ± 0.9, 51% females) from Sweden (n = 748) and Greece (n = 1084) who provided SRER. In Study 1, students with BMIz ≥ 0 had faster OBER vs. students with BMIz < 0 (mean difference: +7.7 g/min or +27%, p = 0.012), while students with fast SRER had higher OBER vs. students with slow SRER (mean difference: +13.7 g/min or +56%, p = 0.001). However, there was "minimal" agreement between SRER and OBER categories (κ = 0.31, p < 0.001). In Study 2, OBER during lunch 1 had a "large" correlation with OBER during lunch 2 (r = 0.75, p < 0.001). In Study 3, fast SRER students had higher BMIz vs. slow SRER students (mean difference: 0.37, p < 0.001). Similar observations were found among both Swedish and Greek students. For the first time in high-school students, we confirm the association between fast eating and increased adiposity. Our validation analysis suggests that SRER could be used as a proxy for OBER in studies with large sample sizes on a group level. With smaller samples, OBER should be used instead. To assess eating rate on an individual level, OBER can be used while SRER should be avoided.
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8.
Experiences with and Perception of a Web-Based Mindfulness, Nutrition, and Fitness Platform Reported by First-Year University Students: A Qualitative Study.
Lieffers, JRL, Quintanilha, M, Trottier, CF, Johnson, ST, Mota, JF, Prado, CM
Journal of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics. 2021;(12):2409-2418.e3
Abstract
BACKGROUND My Viva Plan (MVP) (https://www.myvivainc.com/) is a web-based application developed by a dietitian that aims to support healthy living by providing resources and self-monitoring tools to help promote a healthy diet, healthy mind, and physical fitness. First-year university students have the potential to benefit because poor dietary choices, limited physical activity, and high stress are prevalent in this population. In addition, they are also active technology users. OBJECTIVE This study aims to understand experiences and perception of MVP by first-year university students using this tool as part of a 12-week randomized controlled trial. DESIGN One-on-one semistructured interviews were conducted following a 12-week intervention involving use of MVP. PARTICIPANTS/SETTING First-year university students from the University of Alberta, Edmonton, Canada (n = 32). INTERVENTION Participants were instructed to use MVP as much as possible for 12 weeks in either the fall/2018 or winter/2019 semesters. QUALITATIVE DATA ANALYSIS Interviews were audio-recorded, transcribed verbatim, and analyzed abductively using content analysis. RESULTS Participants reported varied use of MVP across the 12-week period. Data were categorized using the HealthChange Methodology (Behaviors, Emotions, 37 Situations, Thinking) framework. Participants provided various examples of emotions (eg, motivation, stress), situations (eg, time, living arrangements, finances), and thinking (eg, self-awareness, level of satisfaction with MVP, and how MVP was or could be better tailored for students) that acted as either facilitators or barriers to MVP use and explained their behaviors associated with this tool. CONCLUSIONS Overall, participant behaviors regarding MVP varied and were influenced by several factors, including their emotions, situations, and thinking. The Behaviors, Emotions, Situations, Thinking framework may be helpful for dietitians to identify barriers and facilitators affecting their client's use of ehealth tools for lifestyle behavior change. This information can be used to optimize client support when using these tools.
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9.
Outcomes of a Cluster Randomized Controlled Trial of the SoMe Social Media Literacy Program for Improving Body Image-Related Outcomes in Adolescent Boys and Girls.
Gordon, CS, Jarman, HK, Rodgers, RF, McLean, SA, Slater, A, Fuller-Tyszkiewicz, M, Paxton, SJ
Nutrients. 2021;(11)
Abstract
Although the negative effect of social media use among youth on body image and eating concerns has been established, few classroom-based resources that can decrease these effects through targeting social media literacy skills have been developed. This study aimed to test the efficacy of SoMe, a social media literacy body image, dieting, and wellbeing program for adolescents, through a cluster randomized controlled trial. Participants (n = 892; Mage = 12.77, SD = 0.74; range 11-15; 49.5% male) were randomized by school (n = 8) to receive either weekly SoMe (n = 483) or control sessions (lessons as usual; n = 409) over 4 weeks in their classroom. Participants completed surveys at four timepoints (baseline, 1-week post-intervention, and 6- and 12-month follow-up) assessing body dissatisfaction, dietary restraint, strategies to increase muscles (primary outcomes), self-esteem and depressive symptoms (secondary outcomes), and internalization of appearance ideals and appearance comparison (exploratory outcomes). Modest positive intervention effects were found in dietary restraint and depressive symptoms at 6-month follow-up in girls but few positive effects emerged for boys. The findings provide only preliminary support for a social media literacy intervention, but suggest the usefulness of both identifying those who benefit most from a universally delivered intervention and the need to refine the intervention to maximize intervention effects.
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10.
The effect of mobile text messages on knowledge and perception towards cancer and behavioral risks among college students, Northeast Ethiopia: A randomized controlled trial protocol.
Hussien, FM, Hassen, AM, Asfaw, ZA, Ahmed, AY, Hassen, HY
PloS one. 2021;(7):e0253839
Abstract
BACKGROUND Cancer is an emerging public health problem in Ethiopia. A significant proportion of premature cancer deaths are preventable. The socioeconomic impact of cancer can be considerably reduced provided that effective interventions are put in place to control risk factors. Text-messaging has been currently targeted as a simple and efficient tool for providing people with health information. OBJECTIVE To evaluate the effectiveness of mobile text messages in improving knowledge and perception on cancer and behavioral risks among college students. METHODS Design: a single-blind, 2-arm randomized controlled trial will be used. Setting: the study will be conducted among public colleges in Dessie town, Northeast Ethiopia. Study population: students who are studying in all public colleges. Intervention: a text message related to cancer risk factors once a day for two months. Control groups will receive general health messages daily for two months. Data: Socioeconomic characteristics, health belief variables, and behavioral risk factors of cancer will be collected before and after the intervention. Text messages will be provided based on the health belief model (HBM). Primary outcomes: cancer risk knowledge score and risk perception will be measured at baseline and 6 months post-randomization. Secondary outcomes: a change in mean healthy diet score, physical activity level, alcohol intake, and tobacco use will be measured at baseline-, 3, and 6 months post-randomization. Analysis: We will compute descriptive statistics for each outcome pre and post-intervention. To test the change in knowledge and perception, paired t-test will be used. Analysis of Covariance will be used to test over group comparison. TRIAL REGISTRATION ClinicalTrials.gov (https://register.clinicaltrials.gov) NCT04269018.