The Interacting Role of Physical Activity and Diet Control in Hungarian Adolescents’ Substance Use and Psychological Health

Abstract

The interacting protective role of diet control and physical activity was examined in understanding adolescents’ substance use and psychological health. Questionnaire survey was conducted in Hungary in 2008 (N = 881). Diet control, physical activity, prevalence of substance use, and psychological health variables were measured. Logistic regression analyses showed that the interaction term of diet control and physical activity significantly increased the odds of self-perceived health, decreased substance use, and influenced the level of optimism, satisfaction with life, and the presence of depressive symptoms. Results indicated that the interaction of diet control and physical activity plays important role in adolescents’ health behavior.

Keywords :

• adolescent health
• substance use
• physical activity
• diet control
• psychological health

THE AUTHORS

Eszter Kovacs, Ph.D. is an Assistant Professor in Health Services Management Training Centre, Semmelweis University, Budapest, Hungary. She holds M.Sc. in Sociology from the University of Szeged, and obtained her Ph.D. at the Institute of Behavioral Sciences, Semmelweis University. Her areas of expertise are health and problem behavior of young people, socio-cultural protective factors, religiosity, family cohesion, and attitudes toward family life during adolescence.

Bettina Franciska Piko, M.D., Ph.D., D.Sc., is an Associate Professor of the Behavioral Sciences and Public Health at the Department of Behavioral Sciences, University of Szeged, Hungary. Her research fields include adolescent problem behavior, risk and protective factors, social relationships, social support, coping and health, substance use among the youth, social inequalities in health, and psychological aspects of the post-socialist transition.

Noemi Keresztes, Ph.D., is an Assistant Professor in Institute of Physical Education and Sport Sciences, University of Szeged. She deals with topics concerning youth health/risk behavior, health prevention–food consumption, nutritional habits, physical activity, sporting habits, and recreational patterns and leisure time.