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Szabo, Barbara
Research Outputs
Drinking habits among the youth - a quantitative analysis of drinking habits among youngsters (14-22 years) in Austria
2013-05-23, Szabo, Barbara, Schnabel, Florian, Gollner, Erwin, Sociedad Española de Medicina de Familia y Comunitaria
Introduction: Alcohol-free drinks are the basis of a healthy diet. Water stimulates metabolism and promotes blood circulation, while a lack of water can lead to circulatory failure. However drinking habits of young people are a neglected field of science in health promotion. In Austria till now there has been no empirical study which analyses drinking patterns among adolescents. Objectives: The aim of the quantitative study was to investigate drinking habits of pupils of secondary schools in Burgenland (Austria) between the age of 14 and 22. Methods: In 2011 the FH Burgenland carried out a quantitative online-survey. The ÖSES.aqa07, in which drinking habits of Austrian adults have been analysed, was chosen as reference study. National and international drinking guidelines were used to assess findings. Results: 60% of participating pupils (n = 114) reach the recommended amount of liquid intake (1.2-1.5 litres of water per day) or drink even more. 35% cover more than 75% of their daily liquid intake with water. Favourite drinks of pupils and students are water (mineralwater, mains water) (73%), flavoured water (48%), fruit juice with water (33%), coffee (29%) and ice tea (29%). Conclusions: Pupils have to be motivated to pay attention to healthy drinking habits. To ensure sustainability circumstance-oriented intersectoral health promotion actions like filling vending machines with low-carbohydrate drinks as well as awareness campaigns are necessary. First steps in this direction have already been taken by carrying out several projects in educational establishments. Keywords: drinking habits, health promotion, youth
Leisure behaviour of Austrian adolescents and ist impact on health - a quantitative study to identify areas for action
2013-05-23, Szabo, Barbara, Schnabel, Florian, Sociedad Española de Medicina de Familia y Comunitaria
Introduction: In the leisure sector our society is confronted with permanent changes. Actual challenges are forcing voluntary activities, handling with new types of media and using free time wisely. According to the Social Model of Health by Dahlgren and Whitehead (1991) leisure-time activities have an important influence on adolescent health. Objectives: The aim of the empirical study was to quantitatively analyse leisure-time activites of youngsters comprehensively (e.g. influencing factors, motives, health consequences, satisfaction). Methods: In 2012 the FH Burgenland carried out a standardized online survey concerning leisure behaviour of young Austrians between the age of 11 and 17 (n = 461). The questionnaire was distributed among adolescents by virtual social networks. Results: Favourite activities of Austrian adolescents are listening to music, surfing the internet and meeting friends. Sex, age and relationship with parents strongly correlate with choice of hobbies. Some activites like doing sports have a positive influence while others like playing computer games have a negative influence on self-reported health. 32% of adolescents are dissatisfied with their leisure time. Reasons are little free time as well as missing sense of purpose and little social contacts. Conclusions: Austrian adolescents wish to have more leisure opportunities, meeting-points and less school stress. Possible actions are establishing leisure-time facilities and youth clubs. The results of this study could be used for further research concerning developing political suggestions. Keywords: leisure-time, adolescent health, sense of purpose