title: Social conditioning of health behaviors among adults in Croatia: the CroHort study.
abstract: The aim of this study was to examine the social conditioning of health behaviors of adults in Croatia, based on the data from Croatian Adult Health Survey 2003. This cross-sectional study on a representative random sample of 9070 Croatian adults showed that obesity was significantly and socially conditioned in women, whereas for men the indication of social conditioning has not reached a statistically significant level. Health behaviors were socially conditioned in both sexes. Men's living habits were more irregular than those of women. Compared with women, men consumed more cured meat products, consumed alcohol excessivelly and smoked cigarettes more often, whereas they ate less fruits and vegetables. Health promotion strategies based on the behavioral correlates of overweight and obesity are needed to prevent excess weight gain in the Croatian population. While for men a unique educational model is applicable, women require more specialized programs, adapted to their social background.
authors.affiliation: University of Zagreb, School of Medicine, "Andrija Stampar" School of Public Health, Department of Medical Statistics, Epidemiology and Medical Informatics, Zagreb, Croatia. sanja.music@hzjz.hr
authors.forename: Sanja Musić
authors.initials: SM
authors.lastname: Milanović
authors.forename: Davor
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Ivanković
authors.forename: Kristina
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Fister
authors.forename: Tamara
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Poljicanin
authors.forename: Petrana
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Brecić
authors.forename: Silvije
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Vuletić
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D015331:Cohort Studies; D017523:Croatia; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D015438:Health Behavior; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012919:Social Behavior; D055815:Young Adult