PUB - Publikationen an der Universität Bielefeld

Background: Negative patterns of health behaviour regarding health are developed and solidified internalised in adolescence. In later years, they can lead to diseases which contribute to a high burden of disease, reduced quality of life and premature mortality in later years. The purpose of this analysis is the identification of clusters with different health behavioural types and the characterisation of cluster membership on the basis of different socio-economic and socio-demographic factors. Methods: Based on the dataset of the German Health Interview and Examination Survey for Children and Adolescents (KiGGS), 6 813 adolescents aged between 11 and 17 years were included in the identification of the clusters by a 2-step cluster analysis. Subsequent to the discriminant analysis for testing the stability and validity of the cluster solutions, the associations between cluster membership and possible determinants were evaluated by binary logistic analysis. Results: After that adolescents aged 11-13 years could be merged to 5 clusters, whilst adolescents aged 14-17 years could be merged to 3 clusters. In both age groups, clusters manifesting tendencies conducive to and clusters manifesting tendencies not conducive to health promotion could be identified. In these clusters, the strongest association between cluster membership and the determining factors (e.g., smoking status of friends, health status) could be found. Primarily responsible for cluster generation were physical activity as well as tobacco and alcohol consumption. Conclusion: The results of this analysis - especially the identification of clusters based on adolescents with behavioural patterns unconducive to long-term health - represent a contribution to creating interventions specific to target groups with regard to preventative education and health promotion.