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Wen-Chi Wu, MPH, Lee-Lan Yen, ScD, and Hung-Chieh Chang. Institute of Health Policy and Management, College of Public Health, National Taiwan University, Room 1522 No 1 Sec 1 Jen-Ai Road, Taipei, Taiwan, 886-2-23123456#8361, wuvirsan@ms17.hinet.net
The purpose of this study was to explore the differences in students' health behaviors from school and class perspectives. A secondary data analysis was employed. Data were derived from the third wave of a longitudinal study, Child and Adolescent Behaviors in Long-term Evolution (CABLE), conducted in 2003. A total of 112 classes and 2449 sixth graders of 18 elementary schools in northern Taiwan were selected. Multilevel analysis was used to separate the sources of variance between group and individual levels. It was found that seven health behaviors (such as eating fruit and vegetables, wearing a motorcycle helmet, staying up late, smoking, etc.) varied between schools. Besides, nine behaviors (such as brushing teeth, eating fast food, getting into fight, drinking alcohol, etc.) varied between classes. After controlling the effects of sex, resident area and family support, peer behaviors of groups were significantly related to students' health behaviors. It means that the school and class contexts have impact on the students' health behaviors through peer behaviors. In order to improve children's health behaviors, we suggested that the health education programs should be designed based on the needs of different levels.
Learning Objectives:
Keywords: Health Behavior, Children
Presenting author's disclosure statement:
I do not have any significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.