title: Patterns and correlates of multiple risk factors for adult-onset cancer among adolescents(1).
abstract: The authors investigated patterns and correlates of multiple cancer risk factors (MCRFs) among adolescents. Baseline data from an intervention efficacy trial were analyzed to examine patterns of co-occurring MCRFs and sociodemographic and theoretical (e.g. prevention self-efficacy) correlates of MCRFs among adolescents (N = 50) aged 13-21 years. The mean total MCRFs was 4.6 (SD = 1.6; range = 0-9). The most common risk factors were intentions to use alcohol (n = 40, 80%), <5 daily servings of fruits/vegetables (n = 40, 80%), and lifetime alcohol use (n = 38, 76%). MCRFs commonly co-occurred, suggesting a clustered risk profile. Higher age (B = 0.19, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.01, 0.38) and lower prevention self-efficacy (B = -0.16, 95% CI: -0.30, -0.02) were significantly (p < 0.05) associated with MCRFs. Multiple health behavior change interventions are needed to prevent accumulation of risk factors as youth mature. Self-efficacy may be an important target for prevention interventions.
authors.affiliation: Division of Health Outcomes and Health Behaviors, Department of Oncology, Georgetown University Medical Center, Washington, DC 20007, USA. dmm239@georgetown.edu
authors.forename: Darren
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Mays
authors.forename: Beth N
authors.initials: BN
authors.lastname: Peshkin
authors.forename: Leslie R
authors.initials: LR
authors.lastname: Walker
authors.forename: Anisha A
authors.initials: AA
authors.lastname: Abraham
authors.forename: Kirsten B
authors.initials: KB
authors.lastname: Hawkins
authors.forename: Kenneth P
authors.initials: KP
authors.lastname: Tercyak
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D017668:Age of Onset; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000209:etiology* / Q000517:prevention & control; D036301:Qualitative Research; D012307:Risk Factors; D040242:Risk Reduction Behavior; D020377:Self Efficacy; D014481:United States; D055815:Young Adult