Growing through adolescence: a gendered approach is needed

Personal values, food habits and lifestyles in a sample of adolescents with different adherence to the Mediterranean Diet

BACKGROUND

The aim of this cross-sectional study was to explore the personal values system of an Italian adolescent sample and examine the interrelations of their values with some variables characterizing their lifestyles.

METHODS

A representative sample of 365 adolescents (56.2% females), 15-16 years old from the randomly selected second classes of public/private upper secondary schools of an Italian model region was investigated. The lifestyle of adolescents was explored through a 37-items structured, self-administered questionnaire. Ponderal status was evaluated from measured weight and height. The adherence to the Mediterranean Diet of the sample was determined by the KIDMED Test. The adolescents completed the 21-item Portrait Values Questionnaire, which assesses respondents' endorsement of the ten basic human values.

RESULTS

The results suggest that variables related to their eating habits may be associated with their basic values. Some not healthy eating habits, such as eating while "watching TV"/using PC"/ "studying," were negatively related to tradition, conformity, and security values. The adolescents with both moderate and strong alcohol use, and with smoking habits also showed the highest percentage of low adherence to the Mediterranean Diet.

CONCLUSIONS

Our findings might provide some useful information to support the development of more effective and targeted health promotion interventions approaches tailored for this age group.

Adolescent Neglect and Health Risk

This study examined relationships between adolescent neglect and abuse and later health risk in a sample of 1050 youth (53% female, 56% Black, and 24% White) from the Longitudinal Studies of Child Abuse and Neglect. At age 16, the youth reported any adolescent exposure to neglect and physical, sexual, and emotional abuse. At age 18, they reported risk behaviors (delinquency, substance use, and sexual behavior) and emotional and behavioral problems (externalizing and internalizing problems, suicidality). Control variables were childhood maltreatment (self-reports and early childhood child protective services reports), risk behaviors and emotional and behavioral problems at age 16, and demographics. Analysis confirmed a 5-factor model of adolescent neglect (Exposure to Risk, Inadequate Monitoring, Inattention to Basic Needs, Permitting Misbehavior, and Inadequate Support). Inadequate Support and Exposure to Risk were associated with more substances used; Exposure to Risk was also associated with delinquency and suicidality. Adolescent emotional abuse was associated with not using a condom use and internalizing and externalizing problems. Findings underscore the importance of preventing or addressing neglect during adolescence.

Contexts of vulnerabilities experienced by adolescents: challenges to public policies

OBJECTIVES

to understand the context of vulnerability experienced by adolescents from the perspective of health professionals from the Family Health Strategy.

METHODS

a descriptive-exploratory qualitative study developed with 80 Family Health Strategy professionals in the Midwest region of Brazil. Data collection was developed from July to September 2018 through a focus group, and submitted to Thematic Analysis.

RESULTS

it was understood that the vulnerability experienced by adolescents is not an exposure to something isolated, but is linked to risk and protection factors, socioeconomic and cultural contexts, public and health policies.

FINAL CONSIDERATIONS

there are still gaps in public policies for this population, which impacts on the access and development of promotion actions by health professionals.