The purpose of the present study was to investigate the socio-demographic and lifestyle determinants of physical activity practice, as well as the motivations for being or not being physically active in Spanish university students. A representative sample of students from a Spanish university (n = 2,051; 42.1% males; mean age 21.9, s = 4.8 years) participated in the present cross-sectional study. A questionnaire including questions regarding lifestyle, dietary habits, parents' characteristics, and physical activity habits was administered to the students. The socio-demographic and lifestyle determinants of physical activity practice were assessed using multivariable logistic regression. 68.4% of men and 48.4% of women reported to practise physical activity in the present sample. Those who practised physical activity consumed more fruits and were less likely to be smokers compared to non-physically active students. Also, physically inactive men spent more time in front of the computer and physically inactive women spent more time in front of the TV and were more likely to be frequent alcohol consumers. Maternal educational level and maternal physical activity habits were also important determinants of physical activity practice among men and women respectively. In conclusion, physically active students tended to engage in other healthy habits in the present population, suggesting the clustering of healthy or unhealthy lifestyle factors among specific subgroups.

The results of this study will contribute to develop an anti-smoking programme at the university and to establish smoking-prevention campaigns.

BackgroundThe likelihood of an adolescent taking up smoking may be influenced by his or her society, school and family. Thus, changes in the immediate environment may alter a young person’s perception of smoking.Methods/DesignThe proposed multi-center, cluster-randomized controlled trial will be stratified by the baseline prevalence of smoking in schools. Municipalities with fewer than 100,000 inhabitants will be randomly assigned to a control or intervention group. One secondary school will be randomly selected from each municipality. These schools will be randomized to two groups: the students of one will receive any existing educational course regarding smoking, while those of the other school will receive a four-year, class-based curriculum intervention (22 classroom lessons) aimed at reinforcing a smoke-free school policy and encouraging smoking cessation in parents, pupils, and teachers. The intervention will also include annual meetings with parents and efforts to empower adolescents to change the smoking-related attitudes and behaviors in their homes, classrooms and communities.We will enroll children aged 12-13 years as they enter secondary school during two consecutive school years (to obtain sufficient enrolled subjects). We will follow them for five years, until two years after they leave secondary school. All external evaluators and analysts will be blinded to school allocation.The aim of this study is to analyze the effectiveness of a complex intervention in reducing the prevalence of smoking in the third year of compulsory secondary education (ESO) and two years after secondary school, when the participants are 14-15 and 17-18 years old, respectively.DiscussionMost interventions aimed at preventing smoking among adolescents yield little to no positive long-term effects. This clinical trial will analyze the effectiveness of a complex intervention aimed at reducing the incidence and prevalence of smoking in this vulnerable age group.Trial registrationCurrent Controlled Trials: NCT01602796.

We would suggest that SC nurses should acquire a more relevant role in the fight against the smoking habit. In light of their capacity, commitment and efficacy, we believe there is a case for total autonomy as far as their role as therapists in breaking smoking habits is concerned.

Introduction:Depression is the most prevalent mental disorder in Primary Care (PC), with 60% of depressed patients receiving treatment in PC Units. Suicide is the most serious consequence of depression. The European Commission funded the European Alliance Against Depression (EAAD), a preventive program on depression and suicide that has been applied in 18 European countries. In Spain, this program has been implemented in Catalonia and the Balearic Islands (Majorca and Menorca).Objectives:To present the results obtained in the program implementation in Majorca.Methods:This program was applied in June 2009 within the urban area of Palma (222,100 inhabitants). Phase 1 entailed data collection of suicide, suicide attempts and antidepressant consumption since 2006. Phase 2 implied the development of specific training courses for General Practitioners on suicide prevention in high-risk population, and the launch of a public advertising campaign with the collaboration of mass media.Results:Based on data collected since 2006, there are nearly 300 suicide attempts in the Balearic Islands every year. Within the area of intervention suicide attempts decreased a 24.8% between 2009 and 2010. Conversely, antidepressant prescription and consumption increased from a frequent 2–3% per year to a 5%.Conclusions:Obtained results are consistent with findings in other areas where this program has been applied. Data available next years about number of suicides will help to assess the final impact of this program. It is important to continue designing and implementing preventive programs aimed to reduce suicide risk including specific training for health care providers.