Health, Behavior, Diversity, and Social Inclusion

The main goal is to be a leading interdisciplinary research group focusing on behaviors, physical and mental health among groups in vulnerable situations. We will conduct needs assessments and develop, implement, and evaluate intervention programs focusing on promotion of healthy behaviors and social inclusion.

Specifically, we aim to:

• Increase the understanding of how lifestyle behaviors affect physical and mental health
• Increase knowledge about possible barriers and facilitators for adopting health-promoting lifestyle behaviors, good health, improved self-efficacy and quality of life, and reduced risk of not being in education, employment or training
• Involve and include those affected by the research
• Implement, evaluate, and ensure the continuation of intervention programs focusing on promotion of healthy lifestyles behaviors, improving health status, social inclusion and participation in society
• Disseminate knowledge about challenges and the need for intervention programs targeting groups in vulnerable situations at both individual and systemic levels, leading to change of practice
   

PhD Programme in Health and Sports Sciences

Projects

• Association between a broad range of lifestyle habits and mental health outcomes (project leader: Tonje H Stea)

• Young people not in education, employment, or training (NEET) (project leader: Tonje H Stea)

• Aronia- a natural dietary source to reduce urinary tract infections, reduce use of antibiotics and improve health among adults with recurrent urinary tract infections (project leader: Tonje H Stea)

• SEMEN, Sperm quality and nutrition among men. A pilot study. (project leader: Dagrun Engeset)

• Children’s and adolescents’ responses to the pandemic- future risks of increasing inequalities in learning and mental health (project leader: Curt Hagquist).

• Sexual harassment and abuse among Norwegian adolescents, health consequences and use of health services (project leader: Tore Bonsaksen, HINN)

• Food insecurity, food availability, nutritional status among underprivileged children living in Riverine areas of Amazon region in Brazil (project leader: Mario V Vettore)

• A pilot study to investigate effects of folic acid, N-acetylcysteine and methionine on biochemical markers of 1C metabolism, oxidative stress and status of DNA methylation in healthy individuals (project leader: Azam Mansoor)

• Heart health for people with intellectual disability: seldom, forgotten or overlooked? (project leader: Ellen MI Ersfjord)

Publications

2024

1. Vederhus JK, Timko C, Birkeland B, Haugland SH, Gabrielsen KB. Validation of an ultra-short global quality of life scale in a large population-based health survey. PloS One. 2024;19(8): e0307539. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0307539

2. Haugland SH, Topor A, Friesinger JG. 1 plus 1 is more than 2: mental health problems, financial difficulties, and social exclusion in a cross-sectional study of 28,047 general-population adults. BMC Public Health. 2024;24:1148. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12889-024-18555-1

3. Plasil T, Ersfjord EMI, Berge K, Oldervoll LM. ‘A potentially ticking time bomb’ – barriers for prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of cardiovascular disease in people with intellectual disabilities. J Appl Res Intellect Disabil; 37(6), e13279. https://doi.org/10.1111/jar.13279

4. Reiråskag MA, Brokke SS, Rohde G, Bertelsen TB, Landrø NI, Haaland VØ. Decision-making in suicidal acute psychiatric patients, 17 April 2024, PREPRINT (Version 1). https://doi.org/10.21203/rs.3.rs-4257846/v1

5. Hansen B, Eide TO, Reiråskag MA, Tjelle KA, Solem S, Hagen K. The Bergen 4-day treatment for social anxiety disorder: a pilot study. BMC Psychiatry. 2024;24(1):145. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12888-024-05607-4

6. Frydenlund MH, Johannessen B, Gundersen, ED. Nyutdannede sykepleieres opplevelse av organisatorisk og psykososialt arbeidsmiljø i sykehus, i et arbeidshelseteoretisk perspektiv. Nordisk tidsskrift for helseforskning, 2024;20(2). https://doi.org/10.7557/14.7186. 

7. Vettore MV, Stea TH, Zahl-Olsen R, Faerstein E. Longitudinal evidence of the influence of early life circumstances, family characteristics, social ties and psychological distress on healthy behaviours of Brazilian adults: The Pro-Saude cohort study. PLoS One. 2024;19(8):e0306565. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0306565

8. Haugland SH, Carvalho B, Strandheim A, Stea TH. Parental alcohol intoxication, adverse childhood experiences, and negative psychological reactions to childhood adversities. Cross-sectional and prospective data from the population based HUNT study. Journ Child Adol Trauma, 2024. https://doi.org/10.1007/s40653-024-00651-4.

9. Stea TH, Bertelsen TB, Fegran L, Sejersted E, Kleppang AL, Fyhn T. Interventions targeting young people not in employment, education or training (NEET) for increased likelihood of return to school or employment- a systematic review. PlosOne, 2024;19(6):e0306285. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0306285

10. Ostojic SM, Stea TH, Ellery S, Smith-Ryan A. Association between dietary intake of creatine and female reproductive health: evidence from NHANES 2017-2020. Food Sci Nutr, 2024;12:4893-8. https://doi.org/10.1002/fsn3.4135

11. Lien L, Bonsaksen T, Stea TH, Kleppang AL, Steigen AM, Leonhardt M. Correction: Time Trends in self-reported depressive symptoms, prescription of antidepressants, sedatives and hypnotics and the emergence of social media among Norwegian adolescents. PLoS One. 2024;19(7):e0306972. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal. pone.0306972

12. Stea TH, Bonsaksen T, Smith P, Kleppang AL, Steigen AM, Leonhardt M, Lien L, Vettore MV. Are social pressure, bullying and low social support associated with depressive symptoms, self-harm and self-directed violence among adolescents? A cross-sectional study using a structural equation modeling approach. BMC Psychiatry, 2024;24(1):239. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12888-024-05696-1

13. Kleppang AL, Abildsnes E, Haraldstad K, Stea TH. Changes in the Health-Related Quality of Life and Sleep Habits of Children Aged 6-12 years With Overweight or Obesity: A Non-Randomized Controlled Intervention. Eur J Public Health. 2023 Oct 24;33(Suppl 2):ckad160.853. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00787-024-02375-0

14. Bonsaksen T, Steigen AM, Granrud MD, Dangmann CR, Karlsen T-I, Stea TH. Sexual harassment exposure among junior high school students in Norway: prevalence and associated factors. Front Public Health, 2024;12:1307605. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpubh.2024.1307605

15. Befus E-G, Helseth S, Mølland E, Småstuen MC, Stea TH, Nolte S, Haraldstad K. The use of youth health care services, physical and mental health, over-the-counter medication use and health-related quality of life in 13–19-year-old adolescents: a cross-sectional study. BMC Public Health, 2024;24:104. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12889-023-17544-0

2023

1. Stea TH, Vettore MV, Øvrebø B, Abildsnes E. Changes in dietary habits and BMI z-score after a cluster-randomized family-based intervention targeting children with overweight and obesity. Food & Nutrition res. 2023;67:9617. https://doi.org/10.29219/fnr.v67.9617

2. Korovljev D, Stajer V, Todorovic N, Engeset D, Stea TH, Conic BD, Kladar N, Ostojic SM.  Effects of 12-week hydrogen-rich water intake on body composition, short-chain fatty acids turnover, and brain metabolism in overweight adults: a randomized controlled trial. Curr Topics in Nutraceuticals Res. 2023; 21(3):235-241. https://doi.org/10.37290/ctnr2641-452X.21:235-241

3. Zahl-Olsen R, Thuen F, Stea TH. Cohabitation, Marriage and Union Dissolution in Norway: A Comparative Prospective Study. J Div Remar. 2023;64(5-6):199-216. https://doi.org/10.1080/10502556.2023.2277648

4. Lien L, Bonsaksen T, Stea TH, Kleppang AL, Steigen AM, Leonhardt M. Depressive symptoms, prescription of antidepressants and sleep medicine and the emergence of social media among Norwegian adolescents: Time trends based on the youth surveys “Ung i Oslo” 1996–2021. Plos One. 2023;18(12):e:0295384. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0295384

5. Øvrebø B, Kjøllesdal M, Stea TH, Wills AK, Bere E, Magnus P, Juliusson PB, Bergh IH. The influence of immigrant background and parental education on overweight and obesity in 8-year-old children in Norway. BMC Public Health, 2023;23:1660. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12889-023-16571-1

6. Stea TH, Steigen AM, Karlsen T-I, Dangmann CR, Granrud MD, Bonsaksen T. Association between exposure to sexual abuse, substance use and health risk factors, and the role of health care services available for Norwegian high school students. BMC Public Health, 2023;23(1):1330. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12889-023-16261-y

7. Stajer V, Todorovic N, Conic BD, Kladar N, Engeset D, Stea TH, Ratgeber L, Betlehem J, Acs P, Forbes SC, Candow DG, Ostojic SM. The effects of medium-term intake of hydrogen-rich water on sperm quality biomarkers in normospermic and oligospermic men: a randomized controlled pilot trial.  Curr Topics in Nutraceutical Research, 2023;21(2): 182-186. https://doi.org/10.37290/ctnr2641-452X.21:1–5

8. Tonheim L, Groufh-Jacobsen S, Stea TH, Henjum S. Nutritional impact of replacing meat and dairy products with plant-based substitutes. Food Nutr Res, 2023;67. https://doi.org/10.21203/rs.3.rs-1407159/v1

9. Richardsen HK, Bere ET, Stea TH, Klepp K-I, Engeset D. Effect of ending the nationwide free school fruit scheme in Norway on the intake of fruits, vegetables and unhealthy snacks. Int J Environ Res Public Health, 2023;20(3):2489. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph20032489

10. Kleppang AL, Vettore MV, Hartz I, Haugland SH, Stea TH. Patterns of unhealthy behaviours during adolescence and subsequent anxiety and depression in adulthood: a prospective register linkage study of the HUNT survey and health registries. Int J Behav Nutr Phys Act, 2023;20(1):6. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12966-023-01408-2

11. Bonsaksen T, Steigen AM, Stea TH, Kleppang AL, Lien L, Leonhardt M. Negative social media-related experiences and lower general self-efficacy are associated with depressive symptoms in adolescents. Front Public Health, 2023;10:1037375. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpubh.2022.1037375

12. Salvesen L, Wills AK, Øverby NC, Engeset D, Medin AC. Relative validity of a non-quantitative 33-item dietary screener with a semi-quantitative food frequency questionnaire among young adults. J Nutr Sci. 2023;12:e72. https://doi.org/10.1017/jns.2023.57

13. Fegran L, Ten Ham-Baloyi W, Fossum M, Hovland OJ, Naidoo JR, van Rooyen DRM, Sejersted E, Robstad N. Simulation debriefing as part of simulation for clinical teaching and learning in nursing education: A scoping review. Nurs Open. 2023;10(3):1217-1233. https://doi.org/10.1002/nop2.1426

14. Valen EN, Grasaas E, Engeset D, Salvesen L, Skeie G, Øverby NC, Medin AC. Myfood24 på norsk: et selvadministrert digitalt 24-timers kostintervju. Norsk tidsskrift for ernæring 2023, vol 21, nr 2, s 13-22. https://doi.org/10.18261/ntfe.21.2. 

15. Ersfjord E, Plasil T, Heggem R. Imagined foodways and rejected biopedagogies: Rural children’s perspectives of rural foodways. Children & Society, 2023:1-15. https://doi.org/10.1111/chso.12765

16. Ersfjord E, Plasil T, Johnsen HM. Staff' experiences and strategies to maintain care for individuals with intellectual disabilities living in supported living facilities during the Covid-19 pandemic. Br J Learn Disabil. 2024;52:385-396. https://dx.doi.org/10.1111/bld.12589

17. Gundersen ED, Jentoft N, Svensson OJ, Hellang Ø. Arbeidsmiljøets betydning for sykepleierstudenters valg av arbeidsgiver En kvalitativ studie med søkelys på rekruttering av sykepleiere til kommunale helse- og omsorgstjenester. Nordisk tidsskrift for helseforskning. 2023;9(1). doi:10.7557/14.6751.

18. Gundersen ED, Johannessen B. Exploring aspects of significance when arranging dog visits to home-dwelling patients: An action research approach. Nordic journal of nursing research.2023;43 (2), 1-8. https://doi.org/10.1177/20571585231175380

19. Koch TB, Øgård-Repål A, De Presno ÅK, Gundersen ED. Experiences with models for supervised practice in nurse education in Scandinavia: A scoping review. Nordisk sygeplejeforskning. 2023;13(2):1-15. https://doi.org/10.18261/nsf.13.2.

20. Frydenlund MH, Johannessen B, Gundersen ED. Nyutdannede sykepleieres opplevelse av organisatorisk og psykososialt arbeidsmiljø i sykehus, i et arbeidshelseteoretisk perspektiv. Nordisk tidsskrift for Helseforskning.2024.Nr.2. 20.årgang). https://doi.org/10.7557/14.7186

21. Kallhovd M, Seljås C, Gundersen ED, Johannessen B. Støttende ledere og brukervennlige systemer kan bidra til at sykepleiere melder avvik. Sykepleien. 2023;111(93152):e-93152. https://doi.org/10.4220/Sykepleiens.2023.93152

22. De Presno ÅK, Gundersen ED, Sætra MKR. Klare retningslinjer er vesentlig ved fare for ikke bestått praksis. Sykepleien. 2023;111(91388:e-91388. https://doi.org/10.4220/Sykepleiens.2023;111(91388):e-91388.

23. Tonheim LE, Groufh-Jacobsen S, Stea TH, Henjum S. Consumption of meat and dairy substitute products amongst vegans, vegetarians and pescatarians. Food Nutr Res. 2023;67. https://doi.org/10.29219/fnr.v67.9081

24. Øgård-Repål A. Peer support in healthcare services for people living with HIV. Experiences of peer support in outpatient clinics from the perspective of service users, peer supporters, and healthcare professionals. Kristiansand: University of Agder 2023 (ISBN 978-82-8427-121-7) 246 s. Doctoral dissertations at University of Agder (408).

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