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Health behavior in teens with epilepsy: how do they compare with controls?
C G Yu1, A Lee, Elaine Wirrell
1University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, Canada.
Adolescents with epilepsy exhibit poorer health behaviors compared to healthy peers, including lower physical activity and less positive self-perception of health. Family function and self-esteem significantly predict these behaviors.
Area of Science:
- Neurology
- Adolescent Health
- Behavioral Science
Background:
- Epilepsy is a common neurological disorder in adolescents.
- Poor health behaviors can exacerbate comorbidities and impact long-term health outcomes.
- Understanding health behaviors in adolescents with epilepsy is crucial for early intervention.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate and compare health behaviors between adolescents with epilepsy and healthy controls.
- To identify factors predicting health behavior in adolescents with epilepsy.
Main Methods:
- A cohort study comparing cognitively normal adolescents aged 11-16 with epilepsy to age-matched orthopedic controls.
- Utilized self-report questionnaires: Health Behaviour in School-Aged Children (HBSC) and Piers-Harris II.
- Caregiver completed the Family Assessment Measure III.
Main Results:
- Adolescents with epilepsy demonstrated significantly poorer health behavior compared to controls (P<0.003).
- Epilepsy group reported lower positive health perception (P<0.01) and reduced physical activity (P<0.02).
- Poorer family functioning (P<0.05) and lower self-esteem (P<0.001) were significant predictors of adverse health behaviors.
Conclusions:
- Adolescents with epilepsy exhibit significant deficits in health behaviors.
- Family dynamics and self-esteem are critical factors influencing health behaviors in this population.
- Clinicians should proactively assess and guide adolescents with epilepsy on health behaviors to mitigate risks.
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