Prevalence of multiple health-related behaviors in adolescents with cancer.
OBJECTIVE
This preliminary study investigated prevalence rates of multiple health-related behaviors (ie, tobacco, alcohol, and other drug use; sexual risk-taking; nutrition/physical activity; overweight and dietary behaviors; sun safety) among 42 adolescents on active treatment for cancer, as compared with healthy adolescent norms.


METHODS
Health-related behaviors were assessed using the 2005 National Youth Risk Behavior Survey, for which healthy adolescent norms were publicly available.


RESULTS
Adolescents with cancer reported significantly lower current and lifetime rates of tobacco, alcohol, and other drug use; fruit/vegetable consumption; physical activity; and dietary behavior, in addition to lower rates of lifetime sexual intercourse, early-onset sexual intercourse, and alcohol/drug use before last sexual intercourse, compared with healthy peers. Among those who have previously engaged in sexual intercourse, there appeared to be a trend toward increased partners, current sexual activity, and lack of protection at last episode of sexual intercourse. Adolescents with cancer also reported significantly higher rates of television watching compared with healthy peers.


CONCLUSIONS
Adolescents on active treatment for cancer are engaging in multiple health-risk behaviors, including sedentary behavior, poor nutrition, lack of sun safety, and sexual risk-taking (eg, multiple partners, lack of protection at last sexual intercourse). Health promotion interventions are needed during active treatment to facilitate the acquisition of good health practices as adolescents transition into survivorship.
Carpentier
Melissa Y
MY
Section of Adolescent Medicine, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN 46202, USA. myc@iupui.edu
Mullins
Larry L
LL
Elkin
T David
TD
Wolfe-Christensen
Cortney
C
D000293:Adolescent; D000294:Adolescent Behavior; D000428:Alcohol Drinking / Q000453:epidemiology; D002648:Child; D004032:Diet; D005260:Female; D015438:Health Behavior; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000523:psychology*; D015995:Prevalence; D012307:Risk Factors; D012309:Risk-Taking; D012725:Sexual Behavior / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D012907:Smoking / Q000453:epidemiology; D019966:Substance-Related Disorders / Q000209:etiology; D014481:United States / Q000453:epidemiology; D055815:Young Adult