Urban Forest Health Intervention Program (UFHIP) to promote Physical Activity and Reducing Risk Behaviors among Adolescents at Risk.

Background: Recent years have shown increasing use of the term "adolescents at risk", describing adolescents who are or might be in situations of physical, mental, or spiritual danger. Inactivity and risk behaviors among adolescents have been gradually increasing in recent years, in Israel and elsewhere. The Urban Forest Health Intervention Program (UFHIP) aims to use physical activities to strengthen personal and social defensive factors and reduce risk factors among adolescents.

Methods: The UFHIP was implemented at the Hila Youth Advancement Center in northern Israel. Pre- and post-intervention questionnaires were administered at the center. Adolescents studying at the Hila Center who did not participate in the program served as a control group and completed the questionnaires concurrently. In total, there were 76 participants, 53 in the research group and 23 in the control group.

Results: The findings indicate that the UFHIP met most of its aims. A statistically significant positive change was found in the behavior of adolescents in the intervention group with regard to physical activity habits in a forest environment, reduced risk behavior patterns involving abuse of psychoactive substances, diminished reports of psychosomatic symptoms, and higher quality of life. No similar change was observed in the control group.

Conclusion: In light of the research findings, the UFHIP is an efficient program. It is recommended that the program be continued and expanded to other centers for the advancement of youth at risk throughout Israel, while increasing the variety and number of activities provided.