A pilot study with early adolescents: dealing with diet, tobacco and air pollution using practical experiences and biological markers

Multidisciplinary Respiratory Medicine

卷:12

Giulia Garrone¹  Giuliana Gargano¹  Franco Berrino¹  Adalberto Cavalleri¹  Eleonora Bruno¹  Paolo Pozzi²  Roberto Boffi³  Elena Munarini³  Chiara Veronese³  Chiara Marabelli³  Giorgia Angellotti³  Cinzia De Marco³  Ario Ruprecht³  Roberto Mazza³  Micaela Lina³ 

[1] Department of Predictive & Preventive Medicine, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Nazionale Tumori;

[2] Pulmonary Rehabilitation Unit, Azienda Sociosanitaria Lariana, Sant’Antonio Abate Hospital;

[3] Tobacco Control Unit - Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Nazionale Tumori;

关键词: Prevention;    Smoking and tobacco use;    Tobacco control and policy;    Dietary;    Pollution;    School-based;   

DOI  :  10.1186/s40248-017-0111-6

来源: DOAJ

【 摘 要 】

Abstract Background Tobacco use and the Western diet are two of the most important and investigated topics in relation to adolescents’ health. In addition, air pollution is a crucial subject for future generations. School is a key social environment that should promote healthy behaviors in children and adolescents. In this field many different programs have been conducted, with mixed results and effectiveness. Research data suggest that comprehensive and multicomponent approaches may have a greater effect on tobacco use and diet, especially when integrated into a community-wide approach. Methods The present work describes a multi-area pilot study called “La Scuola della Salute” (the School of Health) with a focus on the methodological aspects of the intervention. In our study we assessed different web-based and practical experiences related to adolescents’ smoking and dietary behaviors and awareness of smoke-related air pollution. Furthermore, to make adolescents more conscious of smoking and dietary behaviors, we conducted experiential workshops that addressed smoking and environmental pollution, food education, and lifestyle. Teachers and school administrators were involved in the project. Results At baseline we investigated dietary habits, tobacco use, and individual and social characteristics by means of lifestyle questionnaires. In addition, we collected anthropometric parameters and performance indicators such as exhaled carbon monoxide and urinary fructose to assess smoking and nutrition habits. At the end of the intervention lifestyle questionnaire and biological markers were collected again: knowledge about these topics was significantly improved, and the urinary fructose was able to estimate the levels of obesity in the classes. Conclusions The integrated approach, combined with the use of biological markers, could be an innovative approach to the promotion of healthy lifestyles among adolescents, but further research is needed.

【 授权许可】

Unknown