Healthy lifestyle as a preventive measure against victimization among school-going adolescents

Shah, N., Rao, S., Inam, S., Jawed, N., Siiger, C., Adil, S. O. and Shafique, K. (2019) Healthy lifestyle as a preventive measure against victimization among school-going adolescents. Eastern Mediterranean Health Journal, 25(9), pp. 604-612. (doi: 10.26719/emh.19.007) (PMID:31625585)

Abstract

Background: Bullying and violence are problems of aggression in adolescents. Healthy lifestyle practices are common health promotion approaches in school settings; however, their association with aggressive behaviours in school-going adolescents is less explored. Aims: This study examined the associations of healthy lifestyle behaviours including good hygiene, physical activity, recommended diet and refrainment from tobacco use with bully victimization and violence among adolescents. Methods: Data were obtained from the Global School Health Survey conducted in Pakistan (2009). The study population consisted of school-going adolescents aged 13 to 15 years. We constructed our final dataset using information from 4102 participants. Association of healthy lifestyle behaviours with bully victimization and violence experience were assessed using multivariate logistic regression. Results: Results indicate lower odds of being bullied (good hygiene: OR = 0.62, 95% CI 0.50–0.76, P Conclusions: Our study supports the significance of healthy lifestyle as a preventive measure against victimization. Anti-bullying programmes focusing on social–emotional skill development may also consider promotion of healthy lifestyle behaviours among adolescents, aiming at reducing victimization and its related consequences.

• Item Type: Articles
• Keywords: Adolescents, bully victimization, physical activity, tobacco, violence.
• Status: Published
• Refereed: Yes
• Glasgow Author(s) Enlighten ID: Shafique, Dr Kashif
• Authors: Shah, N., Rao, S., Inam, S., Jawed, N., Siiger, C., Adil, S. O., and Shafique, K.
• College/School: College of Medical Veterinary and Life Sciences > School of Health & Wellbeing > Public Health
• Journal Name: Eastern Mediterranean Health Journal
• Publisher: World Health Organization
• ISSN: 1020-3397
• ISSN (Online): 1687-1634
• Copyright Holders: Copyright © 2019 World Health Organization (WHO)
• First Published: First published in Eastern Mediterranean Health Journal 25(9): 604-612
• Publisher Policy: Reproduced under a Creative Commons License

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