This study presents the findings of a survey of health risk behaviors of entering students at the American University of Beirut as a first attempt to examine adolescent health behaviors in postwar Lebanon. The final sample used for analysis included 954 students. The most frequently occurring risk behaviors were unhealthy dietary patterns, lack of seat belt use, lack of exercise, and poor oral hygiene. Also common were physical fighting, smoking, and alcohol use. Sexual activity, drug and sedative use, and suicide ideation were least common. Gender was a main influencing factor. Eighty-nine percent of students reported two or more risk behaviors. Interpretation of our data in comparison with studies from the United States and other Middle Eastern countries showed both areas of similarities and areas of differences. Results point to the need for health promoting interventions, particularly in the policy area.

This survey investigation examines the association between religious identity and smoking behavior in a sample of older adolescents entering the university in Beirut, Lebanon. A culturally appropriate item of religiosity was developed for data collection. Results suggest that religious identity is inversely associated with regular smoking among male and female adolescents, after adjusting for sociodemographic, behavioral, personal, and environmental risk factors. The pattern of associations between weak religious identity, other risk factors, and smoking suggests that risk mechanisms may be gender-differentiated. Overall, findings suggest functional religiosity in late adolescence may assist in promoting the health and decreasing the morbidity of both men and women. Implications for future research are discussed.