Related Experiment Video
Updated: Nov 14, 2025
06:13
Author Spotlight: Exploring the Impact of Reduced Resistance Exercise Volume on Metabolic Health
Published on: December 1, 2023
1.4K
A Family-Based Healthy Lifestyle Intervention: Crossover Effects on Substance Use and Sexual Risk Behaviors
Alejandra Fernandez1, Alyssa Lozano2, Tae Kyoung Lee2
1School of Nursing and Health Studies, University of Miami, Coral Gables, FL, 33146, USA. axm2508@miami.edu.
Summary
A family-based healthy lifestyle intervention effectively reduced substance use, including alcohol, marijuana, and non-prescription drugs, in overweight Hispanic adolescents over 24 months. The intervention did not significantly impact sexual risk behaviors.
Area of Science:
- Public Health
- Adolescent Health
- Behavioral Science
Background:
- Overweight and obesity are prevalent among Hispanic adolescents.
- Substance use and sexual risk behaviors are significant public health concerns in this demographic.
- Family-based interventions show promise in addressing multiple health behaviors.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the efficacy of a family-based healthy lifestyle intervention.
- To reduce substance use and sexual risk behaviors in overweight/obese Hispanic adolescents.
- To compare the intervention group with a control group receiving prevention as usual over 24 months.
Main Methods:
- Randomized controlled trial with 280 overweight/obese Hispanic adolescents (7th/8th grade) and their caregivers.
- Intervention group received a healthy lifestyle family-based program.
- Control group received standard community services for overweight/obese youth.
Main Results:
- Significant reductions in adolescent alcohol use (b = -0.37).
- Significant reductions in adolescent marijuana use (b = -1.00).
- Significant reductions in adolescent non-prescription drug use (b = -3.77).
- No significant intervention effects on adolescent sexual risk behaviors.
Conclusions:
- The Familias Unidas for Health and Wellness intervention effectively reduces alcohol, marijuana, and non-prescription drug use in Hispanic adolescents.
- Family-based healthy lifestyle interventions can be a viable strategy for substance use prevention.
- Further research is needed to address sexual risk behaviors in this population.
More Related Videos
Related Concept Videos
01:30Community Based Intervention
159
Community-based interventions in mental health represent a paradigm shift from institution-centered care to treatments embedded within the fabric of local communities. By prioritizing inclusion and leveraging existing societal structures, this approach fosters a supportive environment conducive to addressing mental health challenges while promoting individual dignity and agency.
Foundations of Community Mental Health Programs
Central to the success of community-based interventions is the...
Foundations of Community Mental Health Programs
Central to the success of community-based interventions is the...
159
01:16Crossover Experiments
4.3K
Crossover experiments, also called the repeated-measurements design, is a study design in which all experimental units are exposed to all treatments in different periods. Crossover experiments are generally used in psychology, the pharmaceutical industry, agriculture, and medicine.
Crossover designs are performed even with smaller sample sizes since the samples can act as their controls. These are better than simple randomized trials since patients are exposed to all the treatments.
Crossover designs are performed even with smaller sample sizes since the samples can act as their controls. These are better than simple randomized trials since patients are exposed to all the treatments.
4.3K
02:20Longitudinal Research
12.8K
Sometimes we want to see how people change over time, as in studies of human development and lifespan. When we test the same group of individuals repeatedly over an extended period of time, we are conducting longitudinal research. Longitudinal research is a research design in which data-gathering is administered repeatedly over an extended period of time. For example, we may survey a group of individuals about their dietary habits at age 20, retest them a decade later at age 30, and then again...
12.8K
01:20Lifestyle Factors and Health
284
Lifestyle factors play a critical role in maintaining overall health and preventing chronic diseases. Key elements, such as regular physical activity, a nutritious diet, and abstinence from smoking, can significantly enhance physical, mental, and emotional well-being while reducing the risk of several life-threatening conditions.
Benefits of Physical Activity
Physical activity, whether through structured exercise or casual activities like walking, biking, or dancing, is a cornerstone of a...
Benefits of Physical Activity
Physical activity, whether through structured exercise or casual activities like walking, biking, or dancing, is a cornerstone of a...
284
01:15Bioavailability Study Design: Healthy Subjects Versus Patients
60
Bioavailability studies are essential for evaluating a drug's therapeutic efficacy and understanding its absorption patterns under various physiological conditions. Conducting such studies on target patient populations provides more relevant data by simulating real-world disease states. However, practical challenges often necessitate the use of young, healthy adult volunteers as study subjects.Patients may exhibit altered drug absorption patterns due to the effects of the disease itself,...
60
01:18Models of Health Promotion and Illness Prevention II
1.9K
The person's health status fluctuates continually, varying from being in good health to becoming ill and returning to being healthy. To understand the concept of illness prevention, there are two models. First, the health-illness continuum model is a graphic representation of an individual's wellness. It states that a person is considered healthy in the absence of physical disease and the presence of good emotional health.
The agent-host-environment model states that disease results...
The agent-host-environment model states that disease results...
1.9K