TY - JOUR
T1 - An overview of health-promoting programs and healthy lifestyles for adolescents and young people
T2 - a scoping review
AU - Raimundo, Marta
AU - Cerqueira, Ana
AU - Gaspar, Tania
AU - Matos, Margarida Gaspar de
N1 - Publisher Copyright:
© 2024 by the authors.
PY - 2024/10/21
Y1 - 2024/10/21
N2 - The health of children, adolescents, and young adults is a primary global concern. In 2021, there were 2.1 million deaths among children and adolescents. Injuries, violence, communica‑ ble diseases, nutritional deficiencies, substance use, non‑communicable diseases, and mental health disorders are among the leading causes of death in this age group. Background/objectives: This scoping review aims to identify and describe health promotion and healthy lifestyle programs devel‑ oped worldwide targeting adolescents and young adults. Methods: A total of 106 programs were included, of which 8 were selected through scientific databases and 98 through other research meth‑ ods (e.g., government websites and other online sources). Results: The results show that Europe, North America, New Zealand, and the United States of America are the continents and countries with the highest number of programs. Most programs originated before 2020 and are aimed at chil‑ dren, adolescents, and young adults. Mental health, substance and non‑substance dependencies, and sexual and reproductive health were the most frequent areas among the available youth programs. Most programs do not mention evaluating or monitoring the services provided. Conclusions: This work allows for a deeper understanding of the programs available for adolescents and young adults, providing an overview of their characteristics. Moreover, it emphasizes the importance of increas‑ ing the number of available programs, especially in countries with higher morbidity and mortality rates among the young population. The programs must be based on population studies to better meet their needs. Lastly, programs should become sustainable and integrated into national public policies, accompanied by ongoing training, supervision, and intervision of professionals working in these contexts.
AB - The health of children, adolescents, and young adults is a primary global concern. In 2021, there were 2.1 million deaths among children and adolescents. Injuries, violence, communica‑ ble diseases, nutritional deficiencies, substance use, non‑communicable diseases, and mental health disorders are among the leading causes of death in this age group. Background/objectives: This scoping review aims to identify and describe health promotion and healthy lifestyle programs devel‑ oped worldwide targeting adolescents and young adults. Methods: A total of 106 programs were included, of which 8 were selected through scientific databases and 98 through other research meth‑ ods (e.g., government websites and other online sources). Results: The results show that Europe, North America, New Zealand, and the United States of America are the continents and countries with the highest number of programs. Most programs originated before 2020 and are aimed at chil‑ dren, adolescents, and young adults. Mental health, substance and non‑substance dependencies, and sexual and reproductive health were the most frequent areas among the available youth programs. Most programs do not mention evaluating or monitoring the services provided. Conclusions: This work allows for a deeper understanding of the programs available for adolescents and young adults, providing an overview of their characteristics. Moreover, it emphasizes the importance of increas‑ ing the number of available programs, especially in countries with higher morbidity and mortality rates among the young population. The programs must be based on population studies to better meet their needs. Lastly, programs should become sustainable and integrated into national public policies, accompanied by ongoing training, supervision, and intervision of professionals working in these contexts.
KW - Adolescents
KW - Healthy lifestyles
KW - Mental health
KW - Young adults
KW - Youth programs
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=85207724171&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.3390/healthcare12202094
DO - 10.3390/healthcare12202094
M3 - Review article
C2 - 39451506
SN - 2213-0764
VL - 12
JO - Healthcare
JF - Healthcare
IS - 20
M1 - 2094
ER -