Enza Sidoti

Body Mass Index, family lifestyle, physical activity and eating behavior on a sample of primary school students in a small town of Western Sicily

Background : Obesity is actually a discernible issue in prosperous western society and is dramatically increasing in children and adolescents. Many studies indicate that obesity in childhood may become chronic disease in adulthood and, particularly, those who are severely overweight have an increased risk of death by cardiovascular disease. Understanding the determinants of life style and behavior in a person’s youth and making attempts to change children’s habits is considered a key strategy in the primary prevention of obesity. This study aims to find a correlation between Body Mass Index, (BMI), physical activity and eating behavior and to identify, eventually, risks, protective factors and possible directions for interventions on incorrect nutritional/physical activity and intra-familiar life styles in a sample of young adolescents in a small town of Western Sicily. Methods : The research surveyed the entire population of the last three curricular years of two Primary Schools in a town of western Sicily, (n=294). The instrument used for the survey was a questionnaire containing 20 different items with multiple choices answers. Personal information, physical activity and eating behaviors were collected both for parents and students to cross students’ and parents’ characteristics. Data were codified and statistical analysis was computed through Statistica and Openstat software. Results : Data obtained demonstrated a relevant percentage (18%) of obese children. Prevalence of overweight was high as well, (23%), and many in this area (12%) were at risk since they were on the limits of the lower class. A significant association was found between the percentage of students classified as having an elevated BMI and a sedentary habit and/or an incorrect eating behavior. Among the overweight and obese children a direct statistical association was also shown between the weight of their parents and some daily life styles. An inverse association, on the contrary, was observed between those variables and the cultural level of the family. Cultural level, in fact, was significantly associated with having breakfast, fruit and vegetable consumption and practice of physical exercise. Multi linear regression analysis showed the weight of some independent variables which were more strictly correlated with children’s BMI. Conclusions : Increasing the proportion of adolescents meeting recommended dietary and physical activity guidelines has been identified as an important strategy to contrast the epidemic increase in obesity, especially in western countries. This study stressed the need to increase the knowledge and monitoring of the consequent behaviors of adolescents with regards to dietary habits and the practice of physical activity. School, communities and families are considered the best pathways to disseminate correct information and knowledge and the more suitable channels to raise the awareness of the importance of correct dieting and regular physical activity School and community-based intervention programs are, then, strongly requested to activate preventive actions early in life and mainly in the development age. The importance of the family andof the social context factors in health behavior was also emphasized. A familiar eco-systemic model that takes into account the whole bio-social-psychological aspects was also sustained for a global therapeutic approach to the obese child.

A pilot study of Internet usage patterns in a group of Italian university students

enrolled university students met the criteria of definite Iad, although a fairly high level of at-risk Internet attitudes and behaviors was found. Finally, some gender differences in Internet attitudes and behaviors were found. conclus Ions: the implications drawn from this study, including the adequacy of the available measurement instruments for I ad, are discussed.

Prevalence, knowledge, attitudes and practices towards body art in university students: body art as an indicator of risk taking behaviours?

Background : Young people are attracted by body art and consider it as a way of being “different”. Body art (tattoos, piercing, etc.) represents an important socio-cultural phenomenon which is not risk free for health. Existing literature, moreover, points out that deviant behaviours and unhealthy lifestyles are significantly associated with body art. Objective and methods : The research was aimed to describe the knowledge, attitudes, and practices of university students towards body art, highlighting the association between body art and some demographic variables, deviant behaviours, unhealthy lifestyles, knowledge of health risks and medical complications potentially involved. Data came from a cross-sectional study conducted on a sample, selected at random, of 1.200 undergraduate university students, (570, human sciences; 630, scientific areas). The instrument for the survey was a 21 item multiple choice questionnaire. Data was codified and statistical analysis was computed through Epi-Info and Openstat software. Results : Students from a scientific background showed a higher rate of interest, (p<0.01) for the argument of body art. About one third of the surveyed individuals had at least one body art. Cultural choice and gender was associated with body art. Males, especially from the scientific area, were more attracted by temporary body art, while females preferred permanent tattoos. Students from humanistic backgrounds were associated with one body art and those from a scientific area with more than one (p<0.01). Unemployment, lack of partnership and family attitude towards body art, were positively associated with students’ body art. Body art was strictly associated with different unhealthy lifestyles, such as drug, alcohol and tobacco consumption, problem gambling and sexual activity before 18 years of age. A relevant part of students considered piercing and tattooing as having no consequences for infections and/or disease. Conclusions : Body art was associated with unhealthy ifestyles and may be considered an indicator of risk taking behaviours. Individuals had no accurate idea of the consequences for their health and body, apart from a generic risk of infections. Education is a necessary tool for the modification of lifestyles and as a form of prevention ensuring the correct understanding and assessment of the health risk involved.

Knowledge, beliefs and attitudes of Italian female undergraduate students towards HIV infection and risky sexual behaviour. Do female medical students make good peer educators?

Background : The main purpose of this study was to identify and describe knowledge, beliefs and attitudes towards HIV infection and risky sexual behaviour in female medical freshmen in order to evaluate the possibility of female medical student-based peer education. Methods : Researchers surveyed 560 freshmen: 280 medical students and 280 non medical students at two Italian Universities, collecting the data through anonymous, self administered questionnaires. Data were codified and statistical analysis was computed using Statistica and Openstat 4 software. Results : Female medical freshmen showed higher levels of knowledge and risk perception about HIV infection, and higher levels of self-awareness in preventing infection when compared with non-medical freshmen. Moreover, medical student’s had a lower rate of sexual activity and a higher rate of condom usage. Conclusions : Our data leads to the hypothesis that the involvement of female medical students in developing and providing safe sex education may be an important and effective way of better enhancing young people’s knowledge, attitude and behaviour towards the prevention of HIV and other sexually transmitted infections.

A survey on lifestyle and attitudes on fruit and vegetable consumption and participation in physical activity in a sample of secondary school and university students from Palermo, Western Sicily

Background : Fruit and vegetable (F&V) consumption, and physical activity (PA), are thought to be some of the most important protective factors that can improve long-term health quality of life. Many epidemiological studies indicate, in fact, that F&V consumption and PA are health-promoting and are correlated with the beneficial effects and positive outcomes such as preventing some chronic diseases. Evidence, however, indicates that large proportions of adolescents are not consuming the minimum servings of F&V as recommended by experts and a high percentage of them have sedentary habits. Objective and method : The purpose of this research was to investigate knowledge and behaviors in a sample of secondary school, (250), and university students, (200), referred to F&V consumption and PA. The instrument used for the survey was a questionnaire containing 19 items with multiple choice answers. Data were codified, descriptive analysis and ÷2 tests were computed through Openstat and Statistica software. Results : Only 24,2% of the individuals identified welfare as including healthy eating, and this attitude seemed to be associated with the students’ families educational level. Educational level was also positively associated with the awareness of the importance of a healthy diet for well-being and with PA practice. The percentage of students having knowledge of the expert recommendations on PA and eating guidelines about F&V consumption was about one third of the entire population. Students who met the expert recommendation for daily servings of fruit and vegetables were 27,8%, while only 17,8% practiced regular PA. The principal source of information was university/school, (48,0% and 57,0%). Conclusions : Healthy dietary and PA habits are far from the optimal in our sample of students. Because of the importance for the prevention of many diseases and long term health, there is a need for interventions that target the youth and promote correct dietary habits and avoidance of physical inactivity. In particular, F&V intake and PA practice should be implemented by means of educational interventions in opportune settings, especially targeting schools, families and communities

Skin surveillance attitudes and behaviors in relation to skin checks for early signs of skin cancer in a sample of secondary school students and teachers in Palermo, Western Sicily

Background : Malignant melanoma (MM) can be readily treated in its earliest stages: survival rate, when detected early, is up to 95,0%. This justifies investigations on contributive factors and measures for precocious detection of skin tumors to improve early detection and to increase survival rates. The purpose of this survey was to collect information about knowledge, attitudes and behaviors on prevention in relation to skin checks for early signs of skin cancer on a sample of secondary school students and teachers. Methods : A sample of secondary school students and teachers from Palermo, was recruited using the clustersampling method. A self-administered questionnaire, consisting of twenty four multiple choice questions was used as the survey instrument. Statistical analysis of data obtained was performed using Openstat software. Results : The research showed a good level of awareness about skin cancer risk factors, which seemed to be strictly correlated with age. On the contrary, practice of skin self-examination (SSE) is not as widespread, and only 4,8% regularly checked the parts of their bodies most exposed to the risk of developing skin cancer. Both students and teachers indicated that school-based health education programs are the best way to promote the importance of prevention. Conclusions : In many countries mortality is not increasing at the same rate as incidence for MM. The practice of SSE may play a vital role in improving early detection and survival rates. Therefore, school interventions to promote knowledge of the benefits of regular SSE should be implemented.