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Health Behaviour, Health Literacy and Mental Health in Children: 2nd...
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Health Behaviour, Health Literacy and Mental Health in Children: 2nd Edition

A special issue of Children (ISSN 2227-9067). This special issue belongs to the section "Pediatric Mental Health".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 10 July 2025 | Viewed by 2077

Special Issue Editor

Prof. Dr. Attila Sárváry

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Department of Integrative Health Sciences, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Debrecen, 4032 Debrecen, Hungary
Interests: health behaviour of children; health behaviour of ethnic minorities; prevention programs
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

The health behaviour of children is changing over time. In addition to the well-known and traditional risks factors, we have to face new risk factors (e.g., the use of electronic cigarettes, heated tobacco products (IQOS), and video game or smartphone addiction), which influence not only the physical but also the mental and emotional statuses of children and adolescents. On the other hand, we have limited knowledge about the long-term health effects of new types of electronic cigarettes on children. Some special, vulnerable groups (e.g., disabled people, ethnic minorities) are more affected by harmful health behaviours; therefore, we have to pay more attention to their prevention in these groups.

Health literacy can influence the health behaviour not only of adults but also children. It could be an interesting question as to how we can measure health literacy in children and whether there is any association between their health literacy and behaviours or health statuses.

The aim of this Special Issue is to provide insights into health literacy, mental health, and new trends in risk behaviour in children, and to show what kinds of prevention methods (innovative methods) were implemented and used effectively in this field.

We invite original articles, review articles, and meta-analyses related to these topics for this Special Issue. We hope that this Special Issue will contribute to better understanding of current processes and new insights as well as innovative methodologies in their prevention.

Prof. Dr. Attila Sárváry
Guest Editor

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Children is an international peer-reviewed open access monthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2400 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

  • smoking
  • electronic cigarette use
  • alcohol consumption
  • illegal drug use
  • physical activity
  • eating habits
  • video game use
  • smartphone use
  • screentime
  • physical health
  • mental health
  • prevention
  • intervention
  • health literacy

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Published Papers (4 papers)

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Research

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18 pages, 257 KiB  
Article
Health Behavior of Young People Aged 12–18 with Autism Spectrum Disorder and Intellectual Disabilities in Hungary
by Ágota Barabás, Renáta J. Erdei, Mariann Móré, Viktória Pázmány, Attila Sárváry, Emil Toldy-Schedel, Anita M. Grestyák, Attila Csaba Nagy, Orsolya P. Kiss and Péter Takács
Children 2025, 12(6), 753; https://doi.org/10.3390/children12060753 - 10 Jun 2025
Viewed by 176
Abstract
Introduction: People with disabilities are characterized by suboptimal health and lower self-rating health. Their need for health care is greater, they often have a higher prevalence of health problems and they have more difficulty accessing health care. The aim of this study was [...] Read more.
Introduction: People with disabilities are characterized by suboptimal health and lower self-rating health. Their need for health care is greater, they often have a higher prevalence of health problems and they have more difficulty accessing health care. The aim of this study was to assess the health behaviors and health indicators of 12–18-year-old young people with intellectual disabilities and autism spectrum disorder, and to explore their school-related perceptions in the Northern Great Plain region of Hungary. Materials and Methods: A cross-sectional questionnaire survey was conducted with the participation of 185 young people. A custom questionnaire was used, based on the Health Behavior in School-aged Children (HBSC) survey, assessing eating habits, oral care, physical activity, mental well-being, and self-reported health status. The sample was categorized into three groups: the ID1 (Intellectual Disability level 1) group, encompassing young individuals with mild intellectual disability; the ID2 group, encompassing young people with moderate intellectual disability; and the ID+ASD group, encompassing young individuals affected by both intellectual disability and autism spectrum disorder. Results: Consumption of various food types was below optimal levels. Low intake of fruits and vegetables was common, with only 21.6% of the respondents consuming fruit daily and 23.8% consuming vegetables daily. ID1 group reported significantly higher rates of nervousness several times a week (17.8% vs. 5.6% and 6.9%, p < 0.001), sleep difficulties (28.8% vs. 7.4% and 15.5%, p = 0.032), and dizziness (9.6% vs. 1.9% and 3.4%, p = 0.022) compared to the other two groups. A third school-related factor, related to negative emotions, showed a near-significant difference (p = 0.064), suggesting that students with both autism spectrum disorder and intellectual disability perceive lower levels of acceptance from teachers. On school-free days, computer usage was significantly highest in the ID+ASD group; 50% of them used a computer for at least 4 h per day. Conclusions: To improve mental well-being among affected children, psychological support and the implementation of mental health programs are recommended. In addition to teaching stress management techniques and coping mechanisms, integrating relaxation techniques into comprehensive developmental programs—both individually and in groups—is advised. For teachers, it is recommended to acquire disability-specific communication strategies. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Health Behaviour, Health Literacy and Mental Health in Children: 2nd Edition)
18 pages, 647 KiB  
Article
Laying the Groundwork for Health: Eating Behaviour and Physical Activity in Preschoolers in Split-Dalmatia County, Croatia
by Dora Bučan Nenadić, Lucija Štrkalj, Klara Zloić, Antonela Matana, Marija Selak, Matea Smoljo, Antonia Vlašić, Vanessa Ivana Peričić and Ela Kolak Gaurina
Children 2025, 12(6), 699; https://doi.org/10.3390/children12060699 - 29 May 2025
Viewed by 452
Abstract
Background/Objectives: Overweight children and childhood obesity are growing public health concerns influenced by early-life nutrition and lifestyle. Irregular eating patterns, sedentary behaviour, and maladaptive eating behaviours significantly contribute to excess weight gain in children. This cross-sectional study comprehensively assessed physical activity, sleep, anthropometric [...] Read more.
Background/Objectives: Overweight children and childhood obesity are growing public health concerns influenced by early-life nutrition and lifestyle. Irregular eating patterns, sedentary behaviour, and maladaptive eating behaviours significantly contribute to excess weight gain in children. This cross-sectional study comprehensively assessed physical activity, sleep, anthropometric parameters, and eating behaviours in preschool children in Split, Croatia, examining associations between eating behaviours and nutritional status indicators. Methods: A total of 429 children aged 4 to 7 years were recruited from kindergartens in Split-Dalmatia County. Parents completed a lifestyle questionnaire and the Children’s Eating Behaviour Questionnaire (CEBQ). Anthropometric measurements (weight, height, middle upper arm circumference, waist circumference) were recorded and BMI-for-age z-scores calculated. Physical activity and sleep patterns were assessed based on parental reports. Results: A total of 66% of the children had a healthy body weight, 12.6% were underweight, and 21.4% were overweight or obese. Significant sex differences were found in the CEBQ subscale “Slowness in Eating” (p = 0.04). Overweight or obese children showed a higher food responsiveness, while underweight/normal-weight children had greater emotional undereating and slowness in eating. No significant sex differences were observed regarding physical activity. Girls exhibited significantly more frequent daytime napping than boys. Conclusions: This study shows a significant prevalence of overweight and obese preschool children in Split, Croatia. The results underline the importance of promoting healthy eating behaviours and physical activity from an early age. This is the first study applying CEBQ in the Croatian population and suggests that the interventions should target diet quality and unfavourable eating behaviours to prevent future health risks. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Health Behaviour, Health Literacy and Mental Health in Children: 2nd Edition)
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11 pages, 440 KiB  
Article
Anxiety in Children: The Contribution of Parental Characteristics
by Beáta Bécsi, Jenifer Pataki and Gergő József Szőllősi
Children 2025, 12(5), 553; https://doi.org/10.3390/children12050553 - 25 Apr 2025
Viewed by 477
Abstract
Background/Objectives: The prevalence of behavioral problems and mental health issues, including anxiety, among children is rising, potentially affecting their long-term well-being and social functioning. Therefore, this study aims to identify the key determinants of children’s health status, with a particular focus on [...] Read more.
Background/Objectives: The prevalence of behavioral problems and mental health issues, including anxiety, among children is rising, potentially affecting their long-term well-being and social functioning. Therefore, this study aims to identify the key determinants of children’s health status, with a particular focus on parental mental health, health behaviors, and socio-demographic factors. Methods: The data were sourced from a Hungarian representative database from 2019. The analysis was executed using multivariate and multiple logistic regressions. Results: Our sample consisted of data from 5603 individuals, of which 775 (14%) completed the children’s module. Significant associations were found between the parent’s tertiary education level (AOR = 3.93 [1.89–8.16]) and the child’s restlessness and anxiety, as well as between the parent’s existing depression and the child’s behavioral difficulties (AOR = 3.22 [1.97–5.28]) and anxiety (AOR = 2.43 [1.37–4.30]). Additionally, a significant association was observed between the parent’s secondary education level (AOR = 3.53 [1.51–8.27]) and the child’s health problems, which was also associated with cases of tertiary education (AOR = 3.17 [1.16–8.69]). Conclusions: Our findings suggest that parental education and mental health significantly influence children’s psychological and overall health, which is why targeted prevention and health promotion strategies are essential to support both children and families. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Health Behaviour, Health Literacy and Mental Health in Children: 2nd Edition)
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Review

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17 pages, 817 KiB  
Review
Cultural Approaches to Addressing Sleep Deprivation and Improving Sleep Health in Japan: Sleep Issues Among Children and Adolescents Rooted in Self-Sacrifice and Asceticism
by Jun Kohyama
Children 2025, 12(5), 566; https://doi.org/10.3390/children12050566 - 27 Apr 2025
Viewed by 662
Abstract
This narrative review examines the issue of sleep deprivation among children and adolescents in Japan, exploring its cultural origins and evaluating the current state of sleep education and interventions. It emphasizes the profound influence of the Bushidō spirit, with its focus on self-sacrifice [...] Read more.
This narrative review examines the issue of sleep deprivation among children and adolescents in Japan, exploring its cultural origins and evaluating the current state of sleep education and interventions. It emphasizes the profound influence of the Bushidō spirit, with its focus on self-sacrifice and asceticism, as a core factor in the undervaluation of sleep in Japanese society. While educational initiatives and interventions highlighting the importance of sleep exist, significant limitations remain in improving sleep habits. Sleep deprivation continues to affect children and adolescents, despite its considerable impact on mental health and academic performance. This review presents a method for personalized sleep duration estimation and assesses its potential impact on improving sleep health by using optimal sleep duration calculations. The review also proposes practical steps to improve sleep duration through individualized strategies, integrating cultural context to mitigate the serious health risks associated with insufficient sleep. Ultimately, it underscores the need for targeted strategies to improve sleep among children and adolescents—particularly through personalized optimal sleep duration estimation—while advocating for a shift in cultural perspective beyond self-sacrifice and asceticism. The review highlights the importance of cultural transformation and suggests future research directions and practical applications. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Health Behaviour, Health Literacy and Mental Health in Children: 2nd Edition)
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