World Cup's impact on mental health and lifestyle behaviors in the general population: comparing results of 2 serial population-based surveys

Asia Pac J Public Health. 2015 Mar;27(2):NP1973-84. doi: 10.1177/1010539513485784. Epub 2013 May 10.

Abstract

Objectives: This study compares the prevalence of health-related behaviors and mental health well-being in the Hong Kong general male population before and after the 2006 World Cup finals.

Study design: Two anonymous, serial, comparable cross-sectional surveys.

Methods: A total of 500 and 530 adult Chinese men, respectively, were interviewed in 2 telephone surveys before and after the finals.

Results: Those interviewed after the World Cup were more likely to eat snacks more than 3 d/wk, to be binge drinkers, or to spend more than 2 h/d communicating with family members. They were less likely to have higher General Health Questionnaire or lower Short Form-36 Health Survey Vitality scores (odds ratio [OR] = 0.684 and 0.765), to perceive family-related or work-related stress (OR = 0.327 and 0.345), or to self-report being sick or have visited a doctor (OR = 0.645 and 0.722). All variables between watchers versus nonwatchers of World Cup games were significant or marginally significant.

Conclusions: Public health education should be incorporated into global sport events.

Keywords: China; World Cup; alcohol; mental health; sport.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Adult
  • Alcohol Drinking / epidemiology
  • Cross-Sectional Studies
  • Health Behavior*
  • Health Surveys
  • Hong Kong / epidemiology
  • Humans
  • Life Style*
  • Male
  • Mental Health*
  • Middle Aged
  • Odds Ratio
  • Prevalence
  • Soccer*
  • Young Adult