A1 Refereed original research article in a scientific journal

Family factors and health behaviour of thin adolescent boys and girls




AuthorsMason A, Rantanen A, Kivimaki H, Koivisto AM, Joronen K

PublisherWILEY-BLACKWELL

Publication year2017

JournalJournal of Advanced Nursing

Journal name in sourceJOURNAL OF ADVANCED NURSING

Journal acronymJ ADV NURS

Volume73

Issue1

First page 177

Last page189

Number of pages13

ISSN0309-2402

DOIhttps://doi.org/10.1111/jan.13096

Web address https://api.elsevier.com/content/abstract/scopus_id/84994030456


Abstract
AimThe aim of this study was to examine prevalence of extreme thinness and thinness in adolescent boys and girls and to study associations between family factors, health behaviour and thinness in boys and girls.BackgroundExtreme thinness carries high health risks. The family and health behavioural factors related to adolescent thinness have not been studied previously using a nationally representative data.DesignThis is a cross-sectional quantitative study.MethodsThe nationally representative data were obtained from the Finnish School Health Promotion study conducted in 2013. The sample of this study included 12-17year old adolescents (n=71,973) who were categorised as extremely thin, thin and normal weight using international age and gender body mass index (BMI) cut-off points for children and adolescents. Associations with family factors and health behaviour were examined separately for boys and girls using cross-tabulations, Chi-square test and multinomial logistic regression.ResultsThinness and extreme thinness were more common in girls than in boys. Health behaviour, such as smoking and exercise, were associated with thinness and extreme thinness in both genders. Regarding family factors; low maternal education, family meal and parental knowledge of adolescents' friends and whereabouts were associated with thinness and, or extreme thinness in both boys and girls. However, there were gender differences in the associations.ConclusionsIt is important for healthcare professionals working with adolescents to be aware of prevalence in thinness and aware of health behaviour and family factors that are associated with thinness and extreme thinness in adolescence.



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