The Association between Demographic Characteristics, Lifestyle Health Behaviours, and Quality of Life among Adolescents in Asia Pacific Region

Regina L.T. Lee, Wai Tong Chien, Keiko Tanida, Sachi Takeuchi, Phuphaibul Rutja, Stephen W. H. Kwok and Paul H. Lee
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Regina L.T. Lee: Faculty of Health and Medicine, School of Nursing and Midwifery, The University of Newcastle, Callaghan 2308, New South Wales, Australia
Wai Tong Chien: The Nethersole School of Nursing, Faculty of Medicine, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China
Keiko Tanida: College of Nursing Art and Science, University of Hyogo, World Health Organization Collaborating Center for Nursing in Disasters and Health Emergency, Hyogo 13-71 Kitaoji-cho, Japan
Sachi Takeuchi: College of Nursing Art and Science, University of Hyogo, World Health Organization Collaborating Center for Nursing in Disasters and Health Emergency, Hyogo 13-71 Kitaoji-cho, Japan
Phuphaibul Rutja: Ramathibodi School of Nursing, Faculty of Medicine, World Health Organization Collaborating Center, Krung Thep Maha Nakhon 10400, Thailand
Stephen W. H. Kwok: School of Nursing, World Health Organization Collaborating Center for Community Health Services, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hong Kong, China
Paul H. Lee: School of Nursing, World Health Organization Collaborating Center for Community Health Services, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hong Kong, China

IJERPH, 2019, vol. 16, issue 13, 1-12

Abstract: Background : Given the risk of physical and psychosocial health that emerge in adolescents that are continuing into adulthood, identifying and addressing early signs of health-related quality of life (HRQoL) decline provides an opportunity to ensure that young people have a healthier progression through adolescence. Aim : To investigate the association between demographic characteristics, lifestyle health behaviours, and HRQoL of adolescents who live in Asia Pacific region, including Hong Kong in China, Beijing in China, Akashi in Japan, Seoul in South Korea, and Bangkok in Thailand. Methods : A cross-sectional self-reported survey carried out in a sample of 2296 adolescents that were aged 9–16 years (mean= 12.0; standard deviation [SD] = 1.63) was conducted in the five cities of the Asia Pacific region between January and August 2017. Demographic characteristics, adolescent lifestyle behaviours, and HRQoL were measured with demographic questionnaire, Adolescent Lifestyle Questionnaire’s (ALQ) seven domains and Paediatric Quality of Life’s (PedsQL 4.0) global score, respectively. Mixed multilevel model (MMLM) was used to fit the data. Results : After adjusting the demographic variables, one score increase in ALQ physical participation, nutrition, social support, and identity awareness are associated with an increase in PedsQL global score. On the contrary, one score increase in ALQ health practices is associated with a decrease in the PedsQL global score. The estimated mean of PedsQL global score of South Korea, Beijing, and Japan were better, while the score of Thailand and Hong Kong were poorer. Conclusions : Differentiating the impacts of promoting health behaviours among different countries can help in better understanding the health needs of adolescents in each country, especially in the Asia Pacific region, so that adequate and relevant resources can be allocated to reduce health-risk taking behaviours among this vulnerable group for health-promoting strategies.

Keywords: adolescents; lifestyle health behaviours; quality of life; demographic characteristics; Asia Pacific region (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2019
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (1)

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