Vol. 24 No. 260 (2020)

Adolescent Health Promotion (Special)
Health promotion in adolescence is extremely important, as their behavior can be modified if it is stimulated early, avoiding health risks in adulthood. In Brazil, for example, adolescents represent the largest population of all times (30.3%), that is, more than 35 million adolescents. Promoting healthy habits in this stage of life is essential for development in the world with its innovative, persistent and creative ability.
Non-Communicable Chronic Diseases (NCD) has lately shown an increase in precocious incidence rates. This increase is directly related to the type of lifestyle adopted. There is much to be done in the field of adolescent health in order to prevent future diseases in this population. Much thought should be put into finding interventions that involve them, that are able to break the barriers of technology and language.
This special issue sought to deepen theoretical knowledge on the “Eight Natural Remedies” and their influence on adolescent health. It is a construct that includes practical recommendations for a health-promoting lifestyle, represented by the English words of the acronym “NEWSTART”: Nutrition, Exercise, Water, Sunlight, Temperance, Air, Rest, Trust in God. It also brings the meaning of a “New Beginning” that refers to an accessible and affordable health education proposal, recognized by the World Health Organization (WHO).
It also includes a methodological study with validation evidence of an instrument to assess adolescent lifestyle based on the Eight Natural Remedies Questionnaire (Q8RN). It ends with an original research on the lifestyle profile of 282 elementary school students from private schools in the south of Sao Paulo, Brazil.
Drs. Fábio Marcon Alfieri, Maria Dyrce Dias Meira and Gina Andrade Abdala, Centro Universitario Adventista de Sao Paulo (UNASP-SP) - January 2020