RHP&EO is the electronic journal of the International Union for Health Promotion and Education

Health Behaviors Among Young Adults

Lisbet Oygard

Research Center for Health Promotion, Bergen, Norway

The purpose of the study was to gain knowledge about factors associated with health behaviours among young adults. The health behaviours selected were dietary patterns, smoking, levels of physical activity.

The study was based on the Oslo Youth study which started in 1979. Fifth, sixth and seven grade students (N=1040) from 6 schools in Oslo, Norway, were invited to participate in the baseline survey in 1979. 827 students participated. At the follow-up in 1981, 718 participated. In 1989 (N=808) and 1991 (N=707), the participants were again asked to take part.

The results indicated that both cognitions, significant others, and social position were of importance in the area of health behaviours among young adults. There were also significant gender differences. Regarding intention to eat healthier food, attitude was more important than self-efficacy. and subjective norm. Concerning the role of significant others, it was observed significant relationships between mothers' smoking at baseline and their daughters', and between physical activity levels of fathers and their daughters. In addition, partner's norm was significantly related to both males' and females' eating patterns, i.e. those who perceived that their partner was interested in healthy food ate more healthy than their counterparts. Furthermore, males who felt more attached to their partner reported to eat more healthy than those who felt less attached. Education represented an important factor. Males with highly educated fathers smoked less than those who had less educated fathers, both genders ate more healthy if highly educated, and highly educated females were more physically active compared to the less educated. Status of school was of importance for females' activity levels. Females belonging to high status schools were more physically active than those from low status schools. Females were more healthy than males in the domain of food, but females smoked more than males. No gender differences were observed in adulthood concerning levels of physical activity.

The results of this study support both the Enduring Family Socialization Model and the Lifelong Openness Model in that people seem to be influenced by both parents and partners. Additionally, the factors under investigation may be seen as personal resources with regards to health behaviours, e.g. attachment and education may increase people's "health ability".

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