BACKGROUND: Substance abuse, violence, not eating nutritiously, not engaging in physical activity and other unhealthy behaviors increase the risk of developing health problems in adulthood. These behaviors, which are associated with the leading causes of mortality and morbidity, remain a major problem among adolescents and need to be prevented. The present study aimed to clarify some gender differences in the adoption of risk behaviors. METHODS: SEYLE (Saving and Empowering Young Lives in Europe) is a study, funded by the EU, aimed to evaluate outcomes of three different preventive programs and to recommend effective culturally adjusted models for promoting health and prevent suicidal behaviors among adolescents. The Italian sample comprises 1195 students (mean age 15.3±0.6; 68% females) from the high schools of Molise region. Baseline data about substance abuse (alcohol, illegal drugs and tobacco), unprotected sex and other healthy/unhealthy behaviors were collected using a structured questionnaire. RESULTS: About alcohol misuse, 20,8% of males vs. 8,6% of females drink alcohol 2-3 times a week or more and, respectively, 13,7% vs. 5,1% drunk so much alcohol to become really drunk 3 times or more in his life. Moreover, during the previous 12 months, 22,3% of males and 17,1% of females has ride in a car or other vehicle driven by someone who had been drinking alcohol. Concerning drugs and tobacco use, among males 10,9% has used drugs and 43,3% has smoked cigarettes at least once in their life, instead, among females, 6,5% has used drugs and 50,6% has smoked cigarettes. Sexual behaviors are also common, 30,9% of males vs. 21,6% of females had sexual intercourse, and 38% of both of them used condom only sometimes, rarely or never. About healthy lifestyles, 65,5% of males, and similarly females, eat fruit or vegetables at list once a day, and 72,6% of males vs. 49,1% of females have played some kind of sports during the previous 6 months. CONCLUSIONS: Unhealthy lifestyles, often associated with risky behaviors, may have a negative impact on the health of young people. To identify adolescents at risk, considering also the possible gender differences, and promote healthy lifestyle patterns became one of the most challenging issues facing health professionals.
HEALTHY AND UNHEALTHY LIFESTYLES AMONG YOUTH: GENDER DIFFERENCES IN AN ITALIAN SAMPLE FROM THE SEYLE PROJECT
Recchia L;SARCHIAPONE, Marco
2011-01-01
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Substance abuse, violence, not eating nutritiously, not engaging in physical activity and other unhealthy behaviors increase the risk of developing health problems in adulthood. These behaviors, which are associated with the leading causes of mortality and morbidity, remain a major problem among adolescents and need to be prevented. The present study aimed to clarify some gender differences in the adoption of risk behaviors. METHODS: SEYLE (Saving and Empowering Young Lives in Europe) is a study, funded by the EU, aimed to evaluate outcomes of three different preventive programs and to recommend effective culturally adjusted models for promoting health and prevent suicidal behaviors among adolescents. The Italian sample comprises 1195 students (mean age 15.3±0.6; 68% females) from the high schools of Molise region. Baseline data about substance abuse (alcohol, illegal drugs and tobacco), unprotected sex and other healthy/unhealthy behaviors were collected using a structured questionnaire. RESULTS: About alcohol misuse, 20,8% of males vs. 8,6% of females drink alcohol 2-3 times a week or more and, respectively, 13,7% vs. 5,1% drunk so much alcohol to become really drunk 3 times or more in his life. Moreover, during the previous 12 months, 22,3% of males and 17,1% of females has ride in a car or other vehicle driven by someone who had been drinking alcohol. Concerning drugs and tobacco use, among males 10,9% has used drugs and 43,3% has smoked cigarettes at least once in their life, instead, among females, 6,5% has used drugs and 50,6% has smoked cigarettes. Sexual behaviors are also common, 30,9% of males vs. 21,6% of females had sexual intercourse, and 38% of both of them used condom only sometimes, rarely or never. About healthy lifestyles, 65,5% of males, and similarly females, eat fruit or vegetables at list once a day, and 72,6% of males vs. 49,1% of females have played some kind of sports during the previous 6 months. CONCLUSIONS: Unhealthy lifestyles, often associated with risky behaviors, may have a negative impact on the health of young people. To identify adolescents at risk, considering also the possible gender differences, and promote healthy lifestyle patterns became one of the most challenging issues facing health professionals.I documenti in IRIS sono protetti da copyright e tutti i diritti sono riservati, salvo diversa indicazione.
