Health promoting lifestyles and self-efficacy in adolescent boys

Abstract

Background and purpose: This study aimed to determine the health promoting lifestyle status and its dimensions in adolescent boys and its relationship with self-efficacy and socio-demographic characteristics. Materials and methods: 760 adolescent boys selected by random sampling were enrolled this study in 2013. Inclusion criteria were being interested in participation in the research, having the Iranian nationality, being 14-18 years old and being resident of the city of Sanandaj, Iran. Data was collected by Adolescent Healthy Lifestyle questionnaire (nutrition, physical activity, stress management, health responsibility, social support, and spiritual growth dimensions) and Sherer General Self-Efficacy scale. Content and face validity were measured to determine the validity of the questionnaires. In addition, pre- and post-test were implemented on 30 adolescents to determine the reliability (ICC or Intra Class Correlation) and internal consistency (Cronbach's alpha coefficient). Multivariate linear regression analysis was used to analyse the data. Results: The mean of age was 15.6 آ± 1.0 years. Majority of the boy students were studying in governmental and semi-governmental schools. There was a significant correlation between variables of self-efficacy, course of education, father's occupation, and income with health promoting lifestyle. Conclusion: The findings show that in addition to self-efficacy as the main predictor, some of the socio-demographic characteristics also are among the predictors of health behaviors. With consideration of the importance of health promoting lifestyle, it is necessary to provide strategies to promote lifestyle in adolescents.