Association of multiple behavioral risk factors with adolescents' willingness to engage in eHealth promotion.
OBJECTIVE
This study examines adolescents' willingness to use the internet and other forms of technology for health promotion purposes (i.e., "eHealth promotion" willingness) and determines if a relationship exists between adolescents' behavioral risks and their eHealth promotion willingness.


METHODS
A total of 332 adolescents provided data at a routine medical check-up, including assessments of technology access, eHealth promotion willingness, and multiple behavioral risk factors for child- and adult-onset disease (body mass index, physical activity, smoking, sun protection, depression).


RESULTS
The level of access to technology among the sample was high, with moderate willingness to engage in eHealth promotion. After adjusting for adolescents' access to technology, the presence of multiple behavioral risk factors was positively associated with willingness to use technology for health promotion purposes (beta =.12, p =.03).


CONCLUSIONS
Adolescents with both single and multiple behavioral risk factors are in need of health promotion to prevent the onset of disease later in life. eHealth appears to be an acceptable and promising intervention approach with this population.
Tercyak
Kenneth P
KP
Cancer Control Program, Lombardi Comprehensive Cancer Center, Georgetown University Medical Center, 3300 Whitehaven Street, NW, Suite 4100, Washington, DC 20007-2401, USA. tercyakk@georgetown.edu
Abraham
Anisha A
AA
Graham
Amanda L
AL
Wilson
Lara D
LD
Walker
Leslie R
LR
D000293:Adolescent; D000294:Adolescent Behavior / Q000523:psychology*; D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D015992:Body Mass Index; D002648:Child; D003863:Depression / Q000523:psychology; D005260:Female; D006293:Health Promotion / Q000379:methods*; D006301:Health Services Needs and Demand; D006801:Humans; D020407:Internet / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D008297:Male; D009043:Motor Activity; D012307:Risk Factors; D012309:Risk-Taking; D012907:Smoking / Q000523:psychology; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D055815:Young Adult