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Health-risk behaviors and a healthy lifestyle among students from different environmental and cultural backgrounds

  • Liat Korn EMAIL logo and Miriam Billig
Published/Copyright: June 20, 2013

Abstract

Background: The purpose of this study is to examine the differences in health-risk behavior patterns and lifestyles between students residing in the city of Ariel and those residing in communal settlements within the Ariel region. Our research rational is that significant differences can be found between these two groups regarding environmental, cultural and behavioral conditions, which promote healthy or risky lifestyles.

Methods: This cross-sectional study is based on an anonymous structured self-reported questionnaire that deals with topics of health, welfare and health-risk behaviors, completed by over 1500 undergraduate students.

Results: The findings indicate meaningful and significant differences between the groups, both in their socio-demographic levels and in their health and risk behaviors. Students residing in Ariel maintained a better lifestyle, which included a sensible diet and physical activity routine, compared with students from communal settlements and those who reside in other areas of the country.

Conclusions: The findings indicate that cultural differences play a decisive role in predicting health and risk behaviors, more so than the residential area itself.


Corresponding author: Liat Korn, Ariel University Center of Samaria – Health Management, Kiryat Hamada 4 Ariel 40700, Israel

We would like to thank the Samaria and Jordan Rift R&D Center and the Ariel University for their assistance in funding the study and supporting it; the students who completed the questionnaire – for their willingness to contribute to the study and for their patience in completing the questionnaire; Professor Jessor at the University of Colorado, Boulder, CO, USA – for his theoretical guidance and for the use of his research questionnaire; and Dr. Hanna Gendel-Guterman – for her insights. We also wish to say a big thank you to Dr. Hagit Bonny-Noach and Ms. Esther Gonen for their enrichment in these important areas. Likewise, we extend our gratitude to the editor and the reviewers for their valuable comments.

Conflict of interest statement

Authors’ conflict of interest disclosure: The authors state that there are no conflicts of interest regarding the publication of this article.

Research funding: None declared.

Employment or leadership: None declared.

Honorarium: None declared.

Appendix 1

Description of the study variables.

Appendix 1 Description of the study variables.

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Received: 2012-12-17
Accepted: 2013-3-6
Published Online: 2013-06-20
Published in Print: 2013-08-01

©2013 by Walter de Gruyter Berlin Boston

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