Today i read article from newspaper jawapos in London - the Breakthrough was historic in the medical world again happened. The first time in the world, the team of the doctor was successful mencangkokkan the intact organ that was developed in the laboratory used the parent cell of the patient personally.
The success became the new history because of succeeding in eliminating the main barrier in the operation cangkok, that is the refusal of the donor cell. In this way, the operation cangkok the network of the body could be currently carried out without must use medicine anti the lifelong refusal. The team of the European doctor believed in this method possibly can become the standard standard of transplantation in the future.
The phenomenal operation started from efforts to cure the patient of a Kolombia birth woman named Claudia Castillo, 30. He summoned up courage as the first person who underwent the artificial operation of the organ transplant from the parent cell personally that because almost could not breathe.
The only road to rescue single mother this was with transplantation. But, the operation that was handled by the team of the international scientist this time was different from other transplantation. To make the respiratory tract new for Castillo, the team of the doctor in Barcelona took the respiratory tract from the donor of a woman was 51 years that died resulting from the brain tumour old.
Used the strong chemical and the enzyme, the team of the doctor eliminated all the cells from the donor respiratory tract and only left one network of the connector that was made from hollow protein collagen. In the operation that took place last June in the Clinic Hospital, Barcelona, Spain, the team of the doctor took the parent cell of the Castillo spinal cord. They then combined him with the network of the connector from the donor in a special media that was developed in Milan Polytechnic, Italia. The prospective organ was afterwards allowed to grow naturally to the cell of dangerous bones.
Dr Paolo Macchiarini, the head of the operation thorax in the Clinic Hospital, Barcelona, explained, the patient could come back enjoyed the normal life without showing signs of the refusal completely. He again stressed, the first operation the intact organ transplant from the parent cell of the patient indeed did not have the damaging side-effect. The potential for 'his refusal almost zero percent', he stressed yesterday (19/11).
Martin Birchall, the surgeon in University of Bristol that took part in treating Castillo, also said was proud of results of this operation. He was sure, in the near future this breakthrough will be far more developing. From now on', the surgeons could see and understand the potential function' of the 'parent cell' of the 'adult', he explained. The life expectancy of patients who contracted the serious illness then increased by this medical breakthrough blessing. Birchall said, in the next 20 years, transplantation of some sort organs could be carried out with this method. The team of the medical expert who consisted of experts in the operation of University of Padua and Polytechnic of Milan in Italia stated, the clinical trial will go in time five years, began.
The cell was mentioned had the characteristics stem cell (stemness) if well-off meregenerasi himself (self renewal). The capacity, in the medical world, succeeded in being developed into one of the scientific methods of treating the illness in humankind.
The superiority of transplantation stem cell, according to Prof Dr Walujo Soerjodibroto that was the team's Indonesian member to stem cell, stem cell that ditransplantasikan did not disrupt immune the human body. However, had a function of improving cells in the broken body or almost did not function the alias was sick. Although giving the fresh wind for the medical world, transplantation stem cell still was very expensive because of must be produced in Swiss.
In the period three days, stem cell that was produced immediately must enter the human body. Exceeded three days, the cell will not die and function. His process that still was complicated and was using high technology so that made him expensive, he revealed
Cangkok Organ from the Induk Cell
Pengurutan Payudara Saat Menyusui
Sesudah melahirkan, payudara perlu dirawat dengan cara diurut. Tindakan ini bisa memelihara kebersihan payudara, melancarkan keluarnya ASI, dan juga mencegah bendungan pada payudara.
Langkah-langkah Pengurutan
- Tuangkan minyak secukupnya.
- Friction : sokong payudara kiri dengan tangan kiri, payudara kanan dengan tangan kanan. Dua pertiga jari pada tangan yang berlawanan membuat gerakan memutar sambil menekan dari pangkal payudara dan berakhir pada puting susu. Lakukan 2 kali gerakan pada setiap payudara.
- Masase: tempatkan kedua telapak tangan diantara kedua payudara. Urutlah payudara dari tengah ke atas sambil mengangkat kedua payudara, dan lepaskan kedua payudara perlahan-lahan.
- Sokong payudara dengan satu tangan, sedang tangan lain mengurut payudara dengan sisi keliling dari arah tepi ke arah puting susu. Lakukan sebanyak 30 kali.
- Pengompresan Alat-alat yang disiapkan:
- 2 buah kom sedang yang masing-masing diisi dengan air hangat dan dingin
- 2 buah waslap
Caranya: Kompres kedua payudara dengan waslap panas selama 2 menit, kemudian ganti dengan kompres dingin selama 1 menit. Kompres bergantian 3 kali berturut-turut dan akhiri dengan kompres panas.
Bila Payudara Meradang
Radang payudara (mastitis) tidak jarang dijumpai pada wanita yang sedang menyusui. Tandanya, kulit payudara merah dan bengkak, teraba panas, serta payudara sakit bukan main. Adanya mastitis biasanya menandakan gaya hidup dan pola menyusui yang tidak benar, seperti ketidakteraturan menyusui (sering dilongkapnya waktu menyusui), sering memberikan susu formula untuk menggantikan ASI, atau tidak memompa payudara secara teratur. Selain itu, kelelahan dan stres juga bisa menurunkan kekebalan tubuh si ibu sehingga timbul radang. Agar mastitis tidak terjadi, faktor-faktor diatas harus diperbaiki.
..>>..Read More Article..>>..Diet di Saat Hamil Pengaruhi Kesehatan Anak
Konsumsi makanan yang buruk akan mempengaruhi aliran darah ke organ hati janin saat memasuki kehamilan trimester ketiga. Bukan itu saja, ibu-ibu yang kurus atau yang mempunyai pola makan tidak seimbang sebelum kehamilan, juga dapat mempengaruhi aliran darah ke hati janinnya, yang mana akan mempengaruhi fungsi hati sang janin di kemudian hari untuk menderita penyakit hati dan diabetes.
Hasil ini berdasarkan penelitian yang dilakukan terhadap 381 ibu yang sedang dalam kehamilan lanjut (trimester 3) dengan melakukan pengukuran aliran darah ke organ hati janin. Penelitian ini untuk melihat bagaimana pola makan ibu hamil dan berat badan yang kurang berpengaruh terhadap perkembangan janin dalam jangka panjang.
Terlihat, bahwa bayi yang berasal dari ibu yang kurus dengan simpanan lemak tubuh yang kurang, dan bayi yang berasal dari ibu yang mempunyai pola makan tidak seimbang, mempunyai aliran darah hati yang lebih besar. Pada kehamilan yang lebih lanjut (trimester 3), aliran darah yang dialihkan ke jantung juga menjadi lebih sedikit. Kelainan ini diduga akan menyebabkan anak berisiko untuk mengalami penyakit jantung dan diabetes di kemudian hari.
Melihat hasil penelitian ini, para ahli menyarankan agar para calon ibu untuk melakukan perbaikan gizi sebelum hamil, yang akan membawa keuntungan jangka panjang bagi kesehatan sang anak nantinya. Demikian juga saat kehamilan, karena perkembangan janin sepenuhnya tergantung dari gizi ibunya. Oleh karena itu penting bagi kaum wanita yang berencana mempunyai anak, untuk mengkonsumsi makanan dengan gizi yang berimbang, kaya akan sayur dan buah-buahan, sebelum dan selama kehamilannya.
Hamil Cerdas
Hamil pintar?! Apakah itu? Kalau menurut Dian Nitami, hamil yang tetap cantik dan mengendalikan kenaikan berat badan. It’s a point, indeed.
Tapi apa iya hanya sebatas itu saja definisi hamil pintar? Ada hal-hal lain yang berhubungan dengan kehamilan dimana para ibu hamil juga harus pintar.
Pintar Mengendalikan Berat Badan
Selama hamil anda memang harus menambah berat badan, tapi usahakan kenaikan berat badan ini berkisar antara 6,5 – 15 kg (a), atau rata-rata 11 kg. Walaupun hamil, bukan berarti anda bisa makan sesuka anda atau makan dengan porsi 2 kali lipat. Salah-salah bisa kelebihan berat badan, dan ini bisa menimbulkan berbagai komplikasi selama kehamilan, misalnya darah tinggi dan ketegangan jantung. Disamping itu juga dapat meningkatkan resiko melahirkan melalui operasi Caesar. Alasannya, serabut-serabut otot rahim bekerja kurang efisien dikarenakan timbunan lemak, akibatnya kontraksi rahim tidak cukup kuat untuk mengeluarkan bayi sehingga harus dilakukan operasi Caesar (b). Sebaliknya kenaikan berat badan yang kurang akan beresiko melahirkan bayi dengan berat badan rendah, sedangkan si ibu juga beresiko menderita pendarahan ketika melahirkan (c). Kenaikan berat badan ibu mutlak diperlukan baik bagi janin maupun sebagai persiapan menyusui kelak. Sebagai informasi, distribusi kenaikan berat badan pada tubuh ibu adalah sebagai berikut; 6% untuk kenaikan berat payudara, 29% nya adalah berat bayi, 6% untuk plasenta, 8% air ketuban, 25% penimbunan lemak dan cairan tubuh, sedangkan 16% nya untuk kenaikan volume darah (d).
Pintar Memilih Makanan
Ingat, bukan kuantitas tetapi kualitas makanan lah yang harus anda perhatikan! Lebih baik makan dalam porsi kecil tetapi sering daripada makan sekaligus dalam porsi besar, karena selama hamil anda akan sering merasa lapar. Lagipula, makan dalam porsi besar dapat menimbulkan rasa tidak nyaman di perut anda. Makanlah dengan komposisi gizi yang seimbang dan jangan melewatkan waktu makan. Ibu hamil memerlukan zat-zat gizi yang lengkap, yaitu kalori, protein, serat, asam folat, kalsium, zat besi, air, dan vitamin (b). Selama hamil sebaiknya anda mengurangi makanan yang dapat menyebabkan heartburns seperti goreng-gorengan dan makanan pedas. Kurangi juga konsumsi gula dan makanan awetan. Jangan lupa memperbanyak minum air putih.
Pintar Menjaga Kesehatan dan Kebugaran
Jalan kaki adalah olahraga yang paling baik bagi ibu hamil. Selain itu juga mudah dan murah. Bagi anda yang sebelum hamil sudah terbiasa melakukan olahraga yang high impact, mungkin masih dapat melakukannya ketika hamil namun anda tetap harus berkonsultasi dengan dokter anda terlebih dahulu. Berenang juga sangat baik bagi ibu hamil, terutama ketika perut anda semakin besar. Berenang atau sekedar bergerak dalam air akan membuat tubuh anda rileks.
Anda juga harus mematuhi jadual kontrol/pemeriksaan kehamilan untuk memastikan bahwa anda dan janin dalam keadaan sehat. Sebaiknya anda belajar teknik pernafasan dalam karena selain berguna selama kehamilan juga akan diperlukan ketika proses persalinan nanti. Meskipun anda rutin melakukan senam hamil sendiri di rumah, usahakan mengikuti kelas senam hamil walaupun hanya 1-2 kali saja. Sebab, keberadaan bidan/instruktur senam penting untuk mengetahui apakah teknik anda sudah benar atau belum. Selain itu anda dapat menanyakan berbagai hal tentang proses persalinan. Anda juga dapat bertukar pikiran dengan ibu-ibu hamil lainnya.
Selama hamil, anda harus menjaga kebersihan badan. Ibu hamil juga perlu berdandan supaya tetap tampak menarik dan bugar. Dan yang paling penting, anda harus bijaksana menangkap sinyal-sinyal yang diberikan oleh tubuh anda. Kehamilan memang bukan halangan untuk melakukan aktivitas anda, misalnya menyetir mobil atau travelling. Tapi jangan juga memaksakan diri. Jika anda mulai merasa sedikit lelah, beristirahatlah. Slow down. Anggap saja kehamilan anda sebagai kesempatan untuk beristirahat dan memanjakan tubuh.
Pintar Menghadapi Berbagai Keluhan Kehamilan
Selain merasa bahagia dan bersyukur, selama kehamilan anda juga akan mengalami berbagai keluhan kesehatan. Morning sickness adalah keluhan yang umum terjadi. Selain itu, anda mungkin juga akan mengalami kram, heartburns, sakit punggung, pergelangan kaki bengkak, sembelit,dll. Terima kehamilan anda dengan kesadaran bahwa dengan kehamilan ini tubuh (selain juga hidup anda) anda akan berubah. Kadang-kadang, mengetahui apa yang sedang terjadi di dalam tubuhnya akan menenangkan ibu hamil dan memudahkannya menangani keluhan-keluhan selama kehamilan. Namun ada juga ibu hamil yang malah menjadi takut jika banyak membaca tentang kehamilan. Kalau anda termasuk yang kategori yang terakhir, jangan memaksakan diri. Tetapi sebaiknya anda tetap menggali informasi entah dari dokter, bidan, atau sharing dengan teman-teman yang sudah mempunyai anak. Memilih makanan yang tepat juga membantu mengurangi keluhan kesehatan anda, misalnya perbanyak makan buah dan sayuran akan mencegah sembelit.
Pintar dalam Mempersiapkan Kelahiran
Ada baiknya sedini mungkin anda dan suami mencari tahu tentang tempat melahirkan (mau di klinik/RSIA atau di rumah sakit umum), tenaga medis yang akan menolong persalinan (ingin ditolong bidan atau dokter), fasilitas di tempat yang anda pilih, dan apakah di tempat yang anda pilih bisa memberikan obat penghilang rasa sakit jika anda memintanya. Mengetahui fasilitas medis yang dimiliki oleh RS atau klinik yang anda pilih adalah sangat penting, mengingat di negara kita ini ternyata masih ada rumah sakit besar yang tidak siap jika tiba-tiba persalinan tidak bisa dilakukan per vaginam.
Sebaiknya begitu usia kehamilan mencapai 7 bulan, anda menyiapkan tas yang berisi perlengkapan anda selama di rumah sakit, seperti gurita, baju ibu, baju dan popok bayi, selimut dan topi bayi, dan perlengkapan kosmetik. Sebaiknya anda memastikan apakah selama di RS/klinik baju dan popok bayi sudah disediakan atau anda harus membawanya sendiri. Biasanya setelah nujuh bulanan, ibu hamil mulai hunting berbagai perlengkapan bayi. Kecuali anda memang menyediakan dana yang besar (atau bahkan unlimited) untuk perlengkapan bayi, sebaiknya anda membeli apa yang benar-benar dibutuhkan. Buatlah kelompok daftar perlengkapan bayi, -misalnya toiletries, baju-baju, tempat tidur bayi,- dan berbelanjalah sesuai dengan daftar tersebut. Berbelanja perlengkapan bayi memang mengasyikkan.
Jaman sekarang ini perlengkapan bayi sangat bervariasi dan lucu-lucu. Sebelum anda merasa menyesal telah menghamburkan uang untuk barang-barang yang sebenarnya tidak begitu diperlukan, anda harus selalu ingat dengan daftar belanjaan yang telah anda buat.
Yoga for good health
This section provides you with various articles related Yoga and other technics to manage your daily life.
This section provides you with informative articles on Yoga. Simple technics and tips to maintain good health. Before starting to work on Yoga, one has to understand yoga better. For attaining a healthy life, physical excercises, yoga technics need to be practiced with utmost care. These should however be practiced under the supervision of a trained person.
You can find Helpful articles on Yoga, easy to follow yoga Tips and Technics. Introduction to Yoga and its benefits to attain healthy life. Simple and easy to follow physical excercises help you in your daily routine.
Articles for stress relief and eye strain below gives you easy to follow tips and technics to overcome stress and also treat your eyes. These technics result in stress relief and treatment to your eyes.
Introduction to Yoga: Yoga is a system of physical excercise and natural healing. Our ancient sages have suggested eight stages of Yoga to secure purity of body, mind and soul and final communion with God.Healthy Habits: Healthy habits that can be followed in daily routine life. These habits will improve blood circulation in the body and also increases the energy levels.
..>>..Read More Article..>>..10 Essential Health Tips
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1. Move More
Make it a daily challenge to find ways to move your body. Climb stairs if given a choice between that and escalators or elevators. Walk your dog; chase your kids; toss balls with friends, mow the lawn. Anything that moves your limbs is not only a fitness tool, it's a stress buster. Think 'move' in small increments of time. It doesn't have to be an hour in the gym or a 45-minute aerobic dance class or tai chi or kickboxing. But that's great when you're up to it. Meanwhile, move more. Thought for the day: Cha, Cha, Cha…. Then do it!
2. Cut Fat
Avoid the obvious such as fried foods, burgers and other fatty meats (i.e. pork, bacon, ham, salami, ribs and sausage). Dairy products such as cheese, cottage cheese, milk and cream should be eaten in low fat versions. Nuts and sandwich meats, mayonnaise, margarine, butter and sauces should be eaten in limited amounts. Most are available in lower fat versions such as substitute butter, fat free cheeses and mayonnaise. Thought for the day: Lean, mean, fat-burning machine…. Then be one!
3. Quit Smoking
The jury is definitely in on this verdict. Ever since 1960 when the Surgeon General announced that smoking was harmful to your health, Americans have been reducing their use of tobacco products that kill. Just recently, we've seen a surge in smoking in adolescents and teens. Could it be the Hollywood influence? It seems the stars in every movie of late smoke cigarettes. Beware. Warn your children of the false romance or 'tough guy' stance of Hollywood smokers. Thought for the day: Give up just one cigarette…. the next one.
4. Reduce Stress
Easier said than done, stress busters come in many forms. Some techniques recommended by experts are to think positive thoughts. Spend 30 minutes a day doing something you like. (i.e.,Soak in a hot tub; walk on the beach or in a park; read a good book; visit a friend; play with your dog; listen to soothing music; watch a funny movie. Get a massage, a facial or a haircut. Meditate. Count to ten before losing your temper or getting aggravated. Avoid difficult people when possible. Thought for the day: When seeing red, think pink clouds….then float on them.
5. Protect Yourself from Pollution
If you can't live in a smog-free environment, at least avoid smoke-filled rooms, high traffic areas, breathing in highway fumes and exercising near busy thoroughfares. Exercise outside when the smog rating is low. Exercise indoors in air conditioning when air quality is good. Plant lots of shrubbery in your yard. It's a good pollution and dirt from the street deterrent. Thought for the day: 'Smoke gets in your eyes'…and your mouth, and your nose and your lungs as do pollutants….hum the tune daily.
6. Wear Your Seat Belt
Statistics show that seat belts add to longevity and help alleviate potential injuries in car crashes. Thought for the day: Buckle down and buckle up.
7. Floss Your Teeth
Recent studies make a direct connection between longevity and teeth flossing. Nobody knows exactly why. Perhaps it's because people who floss tend to be more health conscious than people who don't? Thought for the day: Floss and be your body's boss.
8. Avoid Excessive Drinking
While recent studies show a glass of wine or one drink a day (two for men) can help protect against heart disease, more than that can cause other health problems such as liver and kidney disease and cancer. Thought for the day: A jug of wine should last a long time.
9. Keep a Positive Mental Outlook
There's a definitive connection between living well and healthfully and having a cheerful outlook on life. Thought for the day: You can't be unhappy when you're smiling or singing.
10. Choose Your Parents Well
The link between genetics and health is a powerful one. But just because one or both of your parents died young in ill health doesn't mean you cannot counteract the genetic pool handed you. Thought for the day: Follow these basic tips for healthy living and you can better control your own destiny.
Nutritious and Healthy food
Healthy and nutritious food is very important for maintaining a good health. Healthy food involves, regular and timely food, juices, nuts, snacks and much more. A balanced diet, good food habits are essential for a healthy life.
In the normal course of life, we forget to take necessary nutrition that is required for our body and hence we tend to get into many life style diseases. It is very essential for a person to know and understand the benefits of nature's creation like fruits, vegetables, nuts,etc.
You can find useful articles on nutrition and health benefits of various fruits and vegetables. Read on and add these to your daily life. The value of food is more when it is taken in a systematic manner and also by understanding the benefits of every bite we take.
| Spinach : Spinach is rich in iron and calcium. It helps overcome iron deficiency. |
| Beetroot : Beetroots contains good amount of folate, potassium and manganese. They are less in calories and are effective in curing skin problems. |
| Cauliflower : Cauliflower is highly nutritious and is effective in curing many ailments. It is rich in folate an dis good for pregnant woman. |
| Mango : Mangoes are a very popular and widely available fruit. It is rich in potassium and is a known antioxidant. |
| Tomatoes : Tomatoes are a rich source of lycopene. Lycopene is a potent antioxidant. |
| Musk Melon - Tropical Delight : Musk melon is a tropical fruit which is been cultivated for a very long time. It is a rich source of vitamin 'C' and is effective in reducing body heat. |
| Cabbage - Healing Properties : Cabbage is a well known common vegetable. Its is low in calories and is long known for its healing properties. |
| Bitter Gourd - Health Benefits : Bitter Gourd is a tropical vegetable. It is a well known cure for diabetes. |
| Avocado - for fitness and health : Avocado is rich in pottasium content. The fruit is also a good source of vitamins. |
| Papaya - A rich source of Minerals and Fibre : Papaya has high nutritional benefits. It is rich in Anti-oxidants, Minerals and Fibre. It also helps in Skin Treatments. |
| Oats - Fibre food that cures constipation : Oats have some unique fatty acids and antioxidants which together with Vitamin E slow cell damage. |
| Nutritional benefits of Watermelon : Watermelon is highly refreshing during summer. It does not contain cholesterol and helps in eye sight also. |
| Nutritional benefits of Banana : Banana helps in the treatment of Depression, Anemia, Blood Pressure, Brain power, Constipation, etc. |
| Almond: A highly Nutritious fruit : Consumption of Almond lowers cholesterol levels, reduces the risk of lifestyle diseases and gives overall wellness |
| Egg: A nutritious food : Egg is a healthy and nutritious food. Lecithin in eggs prevents the absorption of cholesterol of egg and other sources too |
| Calcium: The bone builder: Calcium Builds Strong Bones. Get calcium from greens, beans, or fortified foods. Vitamin D controls your body's use of calcium. |
| Healthy food for Stress Free Life: Nutritious and balanced diet is a must to free ourself from the physical and mental diseases and relieve stress |
| Mushrooms - A highly nutritious food: Mushrooms are rich in minerals, vitamin D (ergosterol), thiamin (B1), riboflavin (B2), niacin (B3), dietary fibre as well as all the essential amino acids and are low in fat and calories. |
| Gooseberry (Amla) : Rich in Vitamin C: Amla or Gooseberry has many nutritious benefits. The amla has been found to be the most abundant source of Vitamin C in the plant kingdom |
..>>..Read More Article..>>..
Spirituality
Abstract: The purpose of this study was to determine the degree of spirituality among 430 predominately African American undergraduate students who completed the 48-item Life Attitude Profile-Revised (LAP-R). T-tests revealed that these students had a higher spirituality score than their predominately White counterparts who recently completed the LAP-R. Unlike the White students, no significant gender differences were found among specific spiritual indices. If these students use their moderately high degree of spirituality to influence health-related behaviors, the high rates of morbidity and mortality common among African American adults may lessen.
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Spirituality is consistently defined as a (personal) sense of purpose and meaning (Abels, 2000; Bensley, 1998; Martin & Martin, 2002; McBride, Borrks, & Pilkington, 1998). Many people, including health educators, however, continue to equate spirituality with religion. Words such as spirituality and religion are used synonymously. Spilka and McIntosh (1996) reported that while people who value religion also claim to value spirituality, the terms are different. These authors differentiated spirituality from religion by explaining that spirituality involves fully living a meaningful, purposeful life while religion entails engaging in traditional practices, ceremonies, and dogma in religious institutions. About 46% of Americans attend church (religion), but 58% of Americans say that they frequently think about meaning and purpose of life (spirituality, Inglehart, 2004), which implies that many Americans may be more spiritual than religious. According to Martin and Martin, however, spirituality supersedes and overarches religiosity for most African Americans. Indices of spirituality include having direction, goals, hope, and eagerness for living (Reker, 1999), all of which are not necessary for practicing religion.
Currently, research studies show that people with higher levels of purpose and meaning tend to be healthier in general (Holt, Clark, Kreuter, & Rubio, 2003; Konig, 2002). Specifically, researchers have shown that spiritual well-being positively influences depression (Nelson, Rosenfeld, Breitbart, & Galietta, 2002) as well as recovery from addiction (Doweiko, 2002), breast cancer (Feher & Maly, 1999), and cardiovascular disease (Contrada, 2003). These findings may be specifically important information for males, who typically score lower on spirituality assessments than females (Dennis, Muller, Miller, & Banerjee, 2004; Knox, Langehough, Waiters, and Rowley, 1998; Reker, 1999). These findings also may provide important information for African Americans, especially African American males who have disproportionately high morbidity and mortality rates (Newlin, Knafl, & Melkus, 2002).
Peter Benson (2003), President of Search Institute Minneapolis, a national non-profit research organization dedicated to promoting the well-being of children and adolescents, reported that spirituality is positively related to school success and negatively related to alcohol and tobacco use as well as violence and teen pregnancy. Holder, DuRant, Harris, Daniel, Obeidallah, and Goodman (2000) added that spiritual well-being influences less sexual activity among African American teens. Yet, in their article, "The Role of Spirituality in Preventing Early Sexual Behavior," Doswell, Kouyate, and Taylor (2003) reported that many African Americans yearn daily for life meaning and need to integrate what spirituality they have into fostering more self-control over life decisions, particularly regarding their typically early sexual behavior.
A diminished sense of spirituality may be related to other negative behaviors among adolescents. For example, Knox, et al. (1998) found that college students who have a lower degree of spirituality also engage more in stealing, getting into trouble with police, damaging property as well as being less able to "survive on their own." In an unpublished report, Dennis and Muller (2004) found fewer indices of spirituality among obese college students who likely engaged in unhealthy behaviors of overeating and exercising too little.
In addition to having a personal spirituality that affects individual behaviors, having spiritual peers also may affect personal behaviors. For example, Jagers (1997) found that African American youth who rated their friends as spiritual tended themselves to be empathic and less antagonistic toward others.
Jagers and Smith (1996) reported that overall African American college students have higher levels of spirituality than white students. Moreover, according to Chatters, Taylor, and Lincoln (1999) and Benson (2003), African American students also engage in spiritual practices (e.g., praying, meditating, reflecting on life, fully living life) more than whites. In a data set of 127,000 6th -12th grade adolescents across 320 U.S. cities, Benson found that although 70% of white students reported engaging in spiritual practices, 83% of African American students engaged in these behaviors. Belief in God is not necessary to be spiritual (Spilka, Hood, Hunsberger, & Gorsuch, 2003); however, in a study by Walker and Dixon (2002), it was found that 93% of white students reported believing in God and 99% of African American students reported belief in God.
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