Högt blodtryck (hypertoni), en riskfaktor för hjärt-kärlsjukdomar, ökar. Studiens syfte var att undersöka hur patienter med högt blodtryck upplever samtal med personal i primärvården. En kvalitativ intervjustudie med 10 deltagare där semistrukturerade frågor ställdes resulterade i tre kategorier: ”känsla av trygghet- otrygghet”, ”förståelse av information” och ”drivkrafter och hinder till förändring”. Samtal med personal i primärvården upplevdes positivt. I de fall där upplevelsen av samtal angående levnadsvanor inte upplevdes som positivt var anledningen att informanterna kände att de var tvungna att engagera sig. De flesta intervjuade upplevde att de fått frågor om levnadsvanor i början, när hypertoni konstaterades, men sedan togs det upp mer sällan. Det var oftast läkaren som samtalade med patienten om levnadsvanor. Samtliga hade fått frågor om kostvanor, motionsvanor och tobaksvanor men frågor om alkoholvanor ställdes inte i samma omfattning. Alla informanter hade förändrat sina motionsvanor och majoriteten hade även gjort förändringar i kostvanor. Flera informanter ansåg att de visste för lite om samband mellan levnadsvanor och högt blodtryck. I de fall uppföljning skedde avtog intensiteten med tiden. Önskemål om samtal där orsaken till hypertonin, samband mellan levnadsvanor och hypertoni och vad den enskilda individen kan göra för att förbättra sitt blodtryck framkom. / High blood pressure (hypertension), a risk factor for cardiovascular diseases is increasing. The aim of this study was to investigate how patients with high blood pressure perceive talks with primary care personnel. A qualitative study by means of interviewing ten participants was conducted. Semi-structured questions were asked which resulted in three categories of perception: "sense of security versus insecurity", "understanding information" and "incentive versus unwillingness to change ones lifestyle". Talks with primary care personnel were perceived in a positive manner. In those cases where the perception of talks regarding ways of everyday life and daily living habits however, was not as positive, it was mainly because the informants felt they had to get involved on a personal level. A majority of those interviewed pointed to the fact, that they had been asked questions about their living habits at the beginning, when diagnosed with hypertension, but as time progressed these were addressed more infrequently. Most often it was the physician who spoke to the patient about his or her living habits. All participants were asked questions pertaining to their habits regarding diet, exercise and tobacco. Questions about alcohol were not asked to the same extent. All informants had changed their exercise habits and the majority had also changed their eating habits. A number of informants felt they knew too little about the connection between living habits and hypertension. In those cases where a follow-up was done the intensity of the follow-ups decreased with time. Requests for talks emerged, where not only reasons for hypertension but also the connection between living habits and hypertension could be explained, as well as how the individual himself could improve his blood pressure.

Leisure typically has been regarded as a positive component in people's lives, and evidence points to its central rather than peripheral role in lifestyle. Further, studies of leisure suggest it is conducive to psychological well-being, to physical health, and to the stability of social groups. The extent to which people are able to reach this potential very much depends on leisure's role in lifestyle, the experience of leisure, and whether conditions in a consumption-oriented society facilitate such positive outcomes. For many, leisure in consumption-oriented lifestyles holds symbolic meaning. Important aspects of personal identity and meaning are found in leisure-related possessions and through leisure activities pursued. For others, leisure represents an internal, inner-directed process through which activities or behaviours are intrinsically motivated, freely chosen, and ultimately satisfying. In this study, lifestyle was conceptualized and operationalized using a 'voluntary simplicity' value orientation, focussing on four main value dimensions: (1) material simplicity, (2) self-determination, (3) ecological awareness, and (4) personal growth. The purpose of the study was to examine the role that lifestyle plays in the relationship between leisure and psychological well-being. A self-administered questionnaire was completed by adults enrolled in general interest and continuing education leisure courses. Five basic concepts were assessed in the questionnaire: (1) leisure participation, (2) importance of leisure activity to lifestyle, (3) leisure experience, (4) psychological well-being, and (5) lifestyle. The highest frequencies of leisure participation per month included reading books, magazines and newspapers, listening to music, and watching television and videos. Leisure experience was characterized by higher challenge and awareness, and lower boredom and anxiety. There was general support for voluntary simplicity values in lifestyle with personal growth, self-determination, and ecological awareness dimensions being higher and material simplicity values being the lowest. Lifestyles that more strongly embraced voluntary simplicity were associated with higher levels of challenge and awareness, and lower levels of anxiety and boredom in the experience of leisure. The self-determination, ecological awareness, and personal growth dimensions of a voluntary simplicity lifestyle contributed to heightened positive affect within psychological well-being, while lower levels of material simplicity increased negative affect (decreased psychological well-being). When all factors are taken together, a significant proportion of variance in psychological well-being is explained by the <I><b>experience</b></I> of leisure, especially <I><b>high challenge</b></I>, and <b><I>not</b></I> by <I><b>leisure participation</b></I>, and by a <I><b>voluntary simplicity lifestyle</b></I> characterized by self-determination, ecological awareness and personal growth values in the <I><b>positive affect</b></I> dimension, and material simplicity values in the <I><b>negative affect</b></I> dimension of psychological well-being. These results suggest that regardless of the type and intensity of leisure involvement, if through heightened awareness, higher challenge and lower anxiety are sought in leisure, especially as expressed within a voluntary simplicity lifestyle, then higher levels of psychological well-being may be achieved. Indeed, by reducing lifestyle complexity and lessening the focus on consumerism, the inherent value of leisure to well-being might well emerge to a greater degree.

Immigration has become a common phenomenon of modern society in numerous countries around the world, including Canada. Despite this, tourism research has mainly focused on specific behaviours of travellers from a particular country (nationality) without considering the possibility that a nation may comprise unique sub-cultures of varying ethnic groups as a result of immigration. This study explores the influence of new Canadians’ home culture on their travel lifestyle and behaviours. A survey of European (n=128) and Asian (n=99) recent immigrants in Ontario was conducted to explore this relationship. More specifically, the project investigates the connection between the respondents’ region of origin and their travel lifestyle preferences in terms of their attitudes and opinions toward travelling as well as their travel interests. The information about the respondents’ demographic characteristics, past travel experiences and information search behaviour was also collected. The data were then analyzed using factor analysis, t-test, one-way ANOVA, chi-square test and cluster analysis. The results show that there are differences between the two groups in respect to their travel lifestyle, past travel experiences, and media used for planning a vacation. Cluster analysis based on immigrants’ reported travel lifestyle identified four distinct segments: High Familiarity Seekers, Low Interest Travellers, Independent Spontaneous Travellers, and Highly Engaged Travel Planners. The study concludes that region of origin has a strong influence on travel lifestyle and behaviour of new Canadians. Hence, the growing migrant population in Canada should not go unheeded as potential market segments, and marketers should acknowledge that consumers in countries with diverse multicultural backgrounds need differentiated services and products.

This study explored the meaning people with spinal cord injuries give to physical activity and recreation participation as they make the transition from the protected environment of hospital rehabilitation to the reality of returning to their homes and communities. The experiences of 4 individuals between 15 and 24 years of age who had sustained spinal cord injuries within the previous five years were captured using the phenomenological methods of semi-structured individual interviews, focus group interviews, photographs, and field notes. Rimmers (1999) model of health promotion for people with disabilities combined with Peters (1996) model of disablement provided the conceptual framework for the study and facilitated the interpretation of the findings. The participants indicated that physical activity was a very important component to living a psychologically, socially and physically healthy lifestyle following a spinal cord injury. A thematic analysis revealed three themes: (a) as my body heals, (b) learning to be me, and (3) getting back to life. The importance of physical activity in maintaining a healthy lifestyle following a spinal cord injury was reflected in stories of physical activity as a component of hospital rehabilitation, the importance of physical activity during the transition from the hospital to the challenges of returning home, and finally, engagement in community based physical activity. A gap in the continuity of physical activity opportunities during the transition from in-hospital rehabilitation to the return to the community was identified.

Aim and Problem statement The study aimed to investigate views on physical health amongst patients in methadone maintenance program, which is a subject little explored. Previous studies suggest that methadone patients are at risk developing illnesses related to the metabolic syndrome and an unhealthy lifestyle. Methadone also has side effects such as weight gain and irregular levels of glucose. Method This qualitive study included seven interviews with patients in the methadone maintenance program in Uppsala. Qualitive content analyses were performed Findings Content anlyses gave the theme: The view on physical health is a stuggle after normality were ambivalence of lifestyle changes and alienation causes instability in helath. Five categories were found: Health, to be normal struggle after normality, the importance of methadone, views on physical, mental and socioeconomic health. Lack of control causes deteriorating health about consequences from drug abuse and ambivalence to lifestyle changes. Motivation to live contains factors for increased/decreased motivation. Daily life habits and routines investigate attitudes and knowledge. Support and help from the healthcare more individually adjusted care and expanded support was desired. Conclusions Greater emphasis on physical health may provide patients receiving methadone treatment with increased well-being. Methods focusing on patients own resources to reach their goals should be used.

Bakgrund: Övervikt är ett internationellt hälsoproblem. Tidiga insatser av barnhälsovården är betydelsefulla och kan förebygga och förhindra framtida komplikationer. Syfte: Syftet var att beskriva distriktssköterskors erfarenheter av att stödja familjer med ett överviktigt barn till en mer hälsosam livsstil. Metod: Kvalitativa intervjuer genomfördes med åtta distriktssköterskor inom barnhälsovården i södra Sverige. Analysen av intervjuerna genomfördes med en metod för kvalitativ manifest innehållsanalys.                  Resultat: Studiens resultat redovisas i tre kategorier: ”Relationer mellan distriktssköterskor och föräldrar”, ”Betydelsen av föräldrarnas insikt och vilja att förändra” samt ”Stödja familjerna till hälsosammare matvanor och motion” . I studien framkom att föräldrarnas insikt och vilja att förändra samt motivation var avgörande för att en förändring till en mer hälsosam livsstil skulle ske när ett barn var överviktigt. Att försöka stödja en familj när föräldrarna saknade insikt var en svår balansgång som krävde ett professionellt bemötande. Distriktssköterskornas förförståelse, erfarenheter, fördomar och attityder påverkade säkert medvetet eller omedvetet deras bemötande och familjernas reaktioner. De kunde ibland känna frustration när familjerna var ointresserade av det stöd de hade att erbjuda. Tvärprofessionellt samarbete förekom sällan.                       Slutsats: Det är betydelsefullt att som distriktssköterska vara medveten om att inte alla uppfattar övervikt som ett problem. Egna förutfattade meningar och värderingar kan påverka samspelet med familjerna. Föräldrarnas insikt och motivation är helt avgörande för att distriktssköterskor ska kunna stödja familjerna till en mer hälsosam livsstil. / Background: Obesity is an international health problem. Early intervention of child care is important and can avoid and prevent future complications. Purpose: The purpose of the study was to describe the district nurses' experiences of supporting families with an overweight child to a healthier lifestyle. Methodology: Qualitative interviews were conducted with eight district nurses in child health care in southern Sweden. The analyses of the interviews were done by manifest qualitative content analysis. Results: Study findings are reported in three categories:”Relationships between district nurses and parents”, “The importance of parents' awareness and willingness to change” and “Supporting families to healthy nutrition and exercise”. The study showed that parents understanding and willingness to change and motivation was the key to change to a healthier lifestyle when a child was overweight. Trying to support a family when parents lacked insight was a difficult balancing act that required a professional approach. District nurses' pre-understanding, experiences, prejudices and attitudes may affect their treatment and family reactions consciously or unconsciously. They could sometimes feel frustration when families were not interested in the support they had to offer. Multidisciplinary collaboration was infrequent. Conclusion: It is significant that district nurses are aware of that not all perceive obesity as a problem. Own preconceived ideas and values can affect the interaction with families. Parents’ knowledge and motivation are determining factors for district nurses to support families to a healthier lifestyle.

Idag finns vetenskaplig evidens för att livsstilsförändringar kan sänka blodtrycket hos patienter med hypertoni. Rekommendationer vid behandling av hypertoni är i första hand hälsosamma livsstilsförändringar. Syftet var att belysa faktorer som påverkade patienters följsamhet till livsstilsförändringar vid hypertoni. Metoden som användes var en litteraturstudie. Databearbetning gjordes utifrån 15 vetenskapliga artiklar. Artiklarnas vetenskapliga kvalitet granskades. Därefter analyserades artiklarnas resultatdel och bearbetades för att finna faktorer som kunde påverka patientens följsamhet till livsstilsråd. Fyra kategorier framkom; patientens kunskap och inställning till sin hypertoni, behandlingsprogram och uppföljning, vårdpersonalens kunskap och bemötande samt sociodemografiska och kliniska faktorer. Resultatet visade vikten av att ge råd om livsstilsförändringar till varje patient utifrån den enskildes situation. Vid information är det viktigt att personalen har aktuell kunskap och kan delge den på ett motiverande sätt. För att minska antalet individer med hypertoni bör hälso- och sjukvården i större utsträckning prioritera hälsopromotivt arbete. Utbildning och stöd till personalen krävs för att kunna följa de senaste rekommendationerna som finns för hälsosamma livsstilsval. Studien visar hur betydelsefullt det är för patienter att få utbildning och stöd för att göra positiva livsstilsförändringar. / Today there is evidence based science which shows that lifestyle changes can reduce blood pressure in patients with hypertension. Recommendations for treatment of hypertension are healthy lifestyle changes. The aim was to examine factors that affect patient’s adherence to lifestyle changes when they got hypertension. The method was a literature study.  Data processing was made of 15 science journals. The science qualities of the journals were examined. After that the results in the journals were analyzed to find factors which could affect patient’s adherence to lifestyle changes. Four categories became clear; patient’s knowledge and adjustment to their hypertension, treatment program and follow-up, healthcare personnel’s knowledge and attitude and socio-demographic and clinical factors. The result showed that it is important that right information about lifestyle changes is given from the patient’s own situation. When information is given it is important that personnel have the latest knowledge and can give it in a motivated way. To decrease the number of individuals with hypertension and following diseases, healthcare services should prioritize health promotion. The personnel should receive education and support to be able to follow the latest recommendations there are for healthy lifestyle choices. Education and support is important for patients in their choice of making positive lifestyle changes.

Poverty among children has received a great deal of attention in the media the past few years. The group in which poverty among children has increased most is among single parents; therefore we have chosen to examine this group in this study. The purpose of this study is to take part in single parents and their children’s experiences of living within a very tight budget and the strategies they use. We found it interesting to put this information in relationship to the consumer society we live in today. Single parents and some of their children have participated in this study. Using focus groups in which the constellations were different group discussions were led that were based on different themes that are relevant to this study. A qualitative study has been done in which interest in the interviewed peoples own experiences and stories has been in focus. This has been done using an abductive approach. With the help of previous knowledge and literature studies we have found our preliminary theories. These theories were then applied to the interviewers; this led to the theories used in the study. The theoretical perspective used is from Bourdieus thoughts about the concept lifestyle along with Goffmans reasoning about the importance of rolls in the social scene where individuals act to reflect themselves. We have even found a perspective of stress theories to be interesting. One conclusion in this study is that the choice of strategies can be reflected in the individual’s lifestyle.

Syftet med studien var att undersöka om och i så fall hur personer som har genomgått viktminskning i grupp upplever att de har påverkats av själva gruppen samt söka få förståelse för själva grupprocessen. Metoden som användes var intervju, där fem personer i åldrarna 32- 48 år ingick, en man och fyra kvinnor. Resultatet som framkom var att gruppen har påverkat personerna på olika sätt, till exempel genom bidragandet av motivation och socialt stöd som för många har underlättat deras resa mot en sundare livsstil. Gruppen hade en större inverkan i de fallen där personerna kände varandra och där det öppnades upp för diskussion och reflektion gruppmedlemmarna sinsemellan, något som också bidrog till lärande. Slutsatsen är alltså; Ja, gruppen har en påverkan, men hur pass stor den påverkan är skiljer sig mellan olika grupper och individerna som befinner sig i dem.

I dagens samhälle sprids budskap om hälsa och en hälsosam livsstil genom en mängd olika informationskanaler, där kanske den största är media. Då mediavärlden kan ses som en stark trendsättare och då de flesta människor på ett eller annat sätt kommer i kontakt med media och dess budskap, var syftet med denna studie att undersöka hur individen upplever att medias budskap om hälsa påverkar livsstilen gällande kostvanor och fysisk aktivitet. Vilka mediabudskap rörande kost och fysisk aktivitet nås individen av? Hur stämmer dessa överens med officiella rekommendationer och hur upplever individen att livsstilsval påverkas av dessa budskap? Studiedesignen var empirisk, kvalitativ av deskriptiv karaktär. Sammanlagt har nitton semistrukturerade intervjuer genomförts, med tre män och sexton kvinnor. Åldersfördelningen varierade mellan arton och femtiosju år. Det insamlade intervjumaterialet analyserades genom en innehållsanalys som visade att mediabudskap påverkade informanterna olika beroende på ålder, intresse och livssituation samt yrke. Bland de yngre informanterna relaterades kost och fysisk aktivitet i hög grad till utseendet. Medias budskap kunde även upplevas som en press, där en smal kroppsbyggnad bland de yngre kvinnorna var förknippad med bättre självförtroende och psykiskt välbefinnande. Vad gällde kosthållning kunde stressen i vardagen vara en avgörande faktor, men där även media och samhället hade en avgörande roll och var viktiga trendsättare. Bland de äldre informanterna fick riskbudskap om livsmedel, livsmedels ursprung och innehåll större utrymme, och manade till eftertanke i högre utsträckning än andra mediabudskap. Kroppens åldrande och vikten av att hålla igång för att slippa värk var i högre grad motiverande för träning och fysisk aktivitet än medias budskap om ett vackrare utseende. Majoriteten av informanternas mål med hälsa och livsstil var att må bra, träna mer och ta hand om sig själva. Flertalet hävdade också att mediabudskap inte helt gick att lita på. Bland de yngre informanterna fanns en hög grad av medvetenhet kring hur media förvränger och omvandlar budskap om kroppsideal och utseende, varpå påverkan upplevdes ske medvetet, trots att full förståelse fanns för att budskapen varken var sanningsenliga eller verklighetstrogna. / In today's society messages about health and healthy lifestyles are spread through a variety of information channels, where perhaps the biggest is the media. Since the media world can be seen as a strong trend setter, the purpose of this study was to investigate how the individual experiences that media`s messages about health affect the lifestyle regarding diet and physical activity. What types of media messages reach the individual? Do the individuals perceive these to be consistent with official recommendations and how do individuals experience that lifestyle choices are affected by these messages? The study design was empirical, qualitative and of a descriptive character. A total of nineteen semi-structured interviews have been conducted, with three men and sixteen women. The gathered data was analyzed through a content analysis. The main results showed that media messages affect informants differently depending on age, interest, lifestyle and profession. Among the younger informants, diet and physical activity were more related to appearance than among the older informants and media impact was experienced to occur consciously. Among the older informants risk messages were given more consideration and old age was considered a motivation to increase exercise and physical activity.