Health behaviours of young, rural residents: A case study

Abstract

OBJECTIVE: To analyse self-reported health behaviours of young people from a rural community and the factors influencing their behaviours. METHODS: Interviews were conducted with 19 young people, 11 parents and 10 key informants from a small rural Victorian community, asking about teenage health behaviours and the factors influencing these behaviours. RESULTS: Young people ate both healthy and unhealthy foods, most participated in physical activity, few smoked and most drank alcohol. The study found that community level factors, including community norms, peers, access issues and geographic isolation, were particularly powerful in shaping health behaviours, especially alcohol consumption. Sm..