Lifestyle behaviors and illness-related factors as predictors of recurrent headache in u.s. Adolescents

Citation

Walter, S. (2014). Lifestyle behaviors and illness-related factors as predictors of recurrent headache in u.s. Adolescents. J Neurosci Nurs. vol. 46 (6) pp. 337-50

Abstract

PURPOSE: This study describes a multivariate model showing how lifestyle behaviors (skipping meals, water intake, tobacco use, alcohol use, and physical activity) and illness-related factors (depression, somatic complaints, insomnia, and obesity) work together to predict headache in an adolescent population. METHOD: A descriptive, cross-sectional, secondary analysis using survey data from the National Longitudinal Study of Adolescent Health (1996) is reported. The National Longitudinal Study of Adolescent Health is a large database providing a nationally representative sample of adolescents (aged 11-17 years, n = 13,570). The database evaluated adolescent headache and is inclusive of all the predictors specific to this study. Frequency analysis and forward logistic regression were performed using each of the lifestyle behaviors and illness-related factors. RESULTS: Approximately 26% of the adolescents experienced recurrent headache. Recurrent headache was reported by 19% of male adolescents and 26% of female adolescents. A multivariate model was developed that showed how lifestyle behaviors and illness-related factors predict recurrent headache in adolescents. The final model (Wald F = 86.88, p = .00) consisted of the following predictors: chest pain, muscle and joint pain, skip breakfast three or more times a week, skip lunch one or more times a week, and physical activity. The interactions of gender and age group, race and smoking regularly, and depression and insomnia were also included in the final model. CONCLUSION: Providing evidence to clinicians that lifestyle behaviors and illness-related factors are associated with adolescent headache may improve overall headache assessment and may result in a more comprehensive plan of treatment.

URL

http://dx.doi.org/10.1097%2Fjnn.0000000000000095

Notes

1945-2810

Reference Type

Journal Article

Journal Title

J Neurosci Nurs

Author(s)

Walter, S.

Year Published

2014

Volume Number

46

Issue Number

6

Pages

337-50

Edition

2014/11/05

DOI

10.1097/jnn.0000000000000095

Reference ID

5292