Changes In Lifestyle Habits Research Articles

Portuguese Lipid Study (e_LIPID).

Background/Objectives: Incidence of cardiovascular disease (CVD) is increasing in low- and middle-income countries because of changing lifestyles. Since dyslipidaemia is a major independent cardiovascular risk factor, its correct identification is critical to implement specific interventions for CVD prevention. This study aimed to characterise the lipid profile of the Portuguese population. Methods: Overall, 1688 individuals from the general population (e_COR study, 2012-2014) were included. Population-specific percentiles for ten lipid biomarkers were estimated by bootstrapping methods to ensure national representativity. Statistical analyses were performed using RStudio. Results: The 50th percentile estimated for total cholesterol (TC), LDL-C, and non-HDL-C are similar to scientific societies recommended values for the general (low or moderate risk) population. National prevalence of having lipid parameters above recommended values was 64.6%, 66.9%, 51.3%, 68.9%, 17.8%, and 21.1% for TC, LDL-C, apoB, non-HDL-C, triglycerides, and Lp(a), respectively; these values are generally higher in men and increasing with age, except for Lp(a). A high prevalence of severe dyslipidaemia (>90th percentile) was identified, highest for small dense LDL-C (31.3%), apoB (30.4%), and LDL-C (30.3%). The national prevalence of CVD events was 5%. Three individuals were genetically identified with familial hypercholesterolemia, a high CVD risk condition. Conclusions: We provide for the first-time lipid biomarker percentiles for the general Portuguese population. Our results highlight that hypercholesterolemia is a neglected cardiovascular risk factor with over half of the population with TC, LDL-C, and apoB above recommended values. Since hypercholesterolemia is a modifiable risk factor, strategies to increase adherence to changes in lifestyle habits and medication need to be urgently discussed.

Understanding the Role of Alcohol in Metabolic Dysfunction and Male Infertility.

Purpose: Over the past 40-50 years, demographic shifts and the obesity epidemic have coincided with significant changes in lifestyle habits, including a rise in excessive alcohol consumption. This increase in alcohol intake is a major public health concern due to its far-reaching effects on human health, particularly on metabolic processes and male reproductive function. This narrative review focuses on the role of alcohol consumption in altering metabolism and impairing testicular function, emphasizing the potential damage associated with both acute and chronic alcohol intake. Conclusion: Chronic alcohol consumption has been shown to disrupt liver function, impair lipid metabolism, and dysregulate blood glucose levels, contributing to the development of obesity, metabolic syndrome, and related systemic diseases. In terms of male reproductive health, alcohol can significantly affect testicular function by lowering testosterone levels, reducing sperm quality, and impairing overall fertility. The extent of these effects varies, depending on the frequency, duration, and intensity of alcohol use, with chronic and abusive consumption posing greater risks. The complexity of alcohol's impact is further compounded by individual variability and the interaction with other lifestyle factors such as diet, stress, and physical activity. Despite growing concern, research on alcohol's effects remains inconclusive, with significant discrepancies across studies regarding the definition and reporting of alcohol consumption. These inconsistencies highlight the need for more rigorous, methodologically sound research to better understand how alcohol consumption influences metabolic and reproductive health. Ultimately, a clearer understanding is essential for developing targeted public health interventions, particularly in light of rising alcohol use, demographic changes, and the ongoing obesity crisis.

Influences of examination periods on the state of alertness of students at the Biosciences UFR of the Felix HOUPHOUET-BOIGNY University in Abidjan (Côte d’Ivoire)

Introduction: University exam periods are marked by increased workload and pressure to perform, leading to changes in lifestyle habits. These changes can strongly affect the physiological and psychological state of students. Objective: This study examines the influence of exam periods on the state of vigilance of students at the UFR Biosciences of the Félix HOUPHOUËT-BOIGNY University of Abidjan (Côte d’Ivoire). Methodology: A questionnaire survey was conducted among 100 students, including 50 during exam periods and 50 outside exam periods. Results: The results reveal a significant reduction in sleep duration during exams (5.54 ± 1.33 hours compared to 8.50 ± 1.64 hours during normal periods) and an increase in revision time (4.38 ± 1.85 hours versus 2 ± 0.88 hours). The alertness index decreased significantly during exams (0.95 ± 0.20 versus 1.67 ± 0.26). However, neither the number of examinations per day, nor the timing of revisions, nor their duration have a significant impact on vigilance. Thesis results suggest that exam periods negatively affect students ' alertness, mainly due to changes in sleep and study habits. Conclusion: This study highlights the importance of a balance between revision and rest to maintain optimal alertness during exams.

Assentamento Lagoa do Prado: ações de intervenção em saúde no Nordeste do Brasil

The interaction between humans and the environment is complex and dynamic, involving factors that may change over time, such as disease control, which relies on social interventions. In Northeast Brazil, in Parnaíba, Piauí, there is a rural community located far from the city, the Lagoa do Prado settlement. The families living in the region do not have access to continuous health programs; the nearest health post is located in Baixa da Carnaúba, another locality in the municipality of Parnaíba, Piauí. Therefore, social health actions were carried out in the Lagoa do Prado settlement, Parnaíba, Piauí, through blood pressure measurement, capillary blood glucose testing, COVID-19 testing, and anthropometric data collection. For data collection, research techniques such as direct observation, intervention, and interviews were used. The study population consisted of 87 rural workers. Thus, health promotion in rural areas becomes necessary, especially activities aimed at transforming individuals' behaviors, focusing on the analysis and change of lifestyle habits.

Central Precocious Puberty During the COVID-19 Pandemic Period: A Systematic Review of Literature.

Central precocious puberty (CPP) is a condition where the hypothalamus-pituitary-gonadal axis is activated earlier than normal, leading to premature development of secondary sexual characteristics before eight years of age in girls and nine years of age in boys. The purpose of this study was to critically and systematically evaluate the literature regarding CPP rise during the COVID-19 pandemic. We searched PubMed and Google Scholar for relevant articles using the following MeSH terms: "COVID-19, "precocious puberty," "early puberty," "pediatric endocrinology," and "pandemic effects." We included studies calculating the risk of CPP before and during the COVID-19 pandemic. We excluded studies looking at patients with an identifiable cause for CPP or with peripheral precocious puberty. The primary outcome was the prevalence of central precocious puberty during the pandemic compared to the pre-pandemic period. We analyzed data regarding anthropometric, biochemical, and pelvic ultrasound data between the two groups. Overall, 16 studies with 2.175 subjects were included, of which 1.818 were diagnosed with CPP. There was a rise in the number of new diagnoses of CPP during the COVID-19 pandemic (985 subjects) compared with the pre-pandemic period (833 subjects). The mean age of diagnosis in the first group was 7.42 years versus 7.54 years in the second group. Notably, CPPduring the pandemic was associated with a higher body mass index (BMI) compared with the group of the pre-pandemic period (17.50 versus 17.08). The pandemic and lockdowns led to changes in lifestyle habits, social isolation, sleep disturbance, excess screen time, and increased stress levels. We hypothesize that these alterations influenced the increase in CPP frequency.

Challenges and Changes in Senior Social Care Services during the Pandemic Period

The subject of the research are 107 recipients of social services who have been provided residential services since the beginning of the pandemic, i.e. since March 2020. The pandemic situation has significantly affected the financing as well as the functioning of social services, their employees and individuals of residential services. This study is focused on identifying key aspects and factors that most influenced the quality of services provided and life satisfaction of seniors in context of analysing the change in lifestyle habits of seniors before and during the pandemic Covid-19.

A Study on the Development of a Web Platform for Scalp Diagnosis Using EfficientNet

Along with their physical health, modern people also need to manage the health of their scalp and hair due to changes in lifestyle habits, job stress, and environmental pollution. In this study, a machine learning model was developed to diagnose scalp conditions such as fine dandruff and perifollicular erythema. Then, transfer learning was conducted using EfficientNet-B0. A web platform that allows users to easily diagnose the condition of their scalp was also proposed. The results showed that the accuracy of the diagnosis model for fine dandruff and perifollicular erythema was 75% and 82%, respectively. It showed good performance in classifying normal, mild, moderate, and severe cases compared to previous studies. Finally, a fast and convenient web platform was developed where users can upload an image and immediately visualize their scalp condition, receive diagnostic results, and see similar cases and solutions. The analysis of user satisfaction indicates that this web application has achieved exceptional outcomes in terms of user satisfaction, garnering high evaluations for its usability, design effectiveness, and overall user experience. This setup enables users to easily check their scalp condition and is accessible to everyone, which is a significant advantage. This is expected to play a crucial role in contributing to global scalp health by advocating the benefits of the early detection and treatment of scalp-related conditions.

The association of social media with dietary behaviors among adults in the United Arab Emirates

BackgroundSocial media is an online community that offers a digital setting where people create, share, and access a wide range of information, knowledge, and viewpoints. This study assessed the association between social media use and eating behaviors and whether sociodemographic characteristics and lifestyle habits are correlated with this association. In addition, it assessed whether this effect is different according to changes in lifestyle habits due to the COVID-19 pandemic among adults in the United Arab Emirates (UAE). MethodologyA cross-sectional web-based study was conducted among 1056 adults living in the UAE. Information on sociodemographic characteristics, social media use, and dietary habits were collected. The Scale of Effects of Social Media on Eating Behavior (SESMEB) was used and a total score ranging from 18 to 90 was generated with higher scores corresponding to a greater effect. The general linear model analysis assessed associations of certain characteristics with the score. Independent T-test and one-way ANOVA test were used to investigate differences based on changes in lifestyle habits due to COVID-19. ResultsMost participants (80.3 %) reported using social media >2 h/day. The mean score was 44.15 ± 12.68 (range 18–90). Increasing age, being a male, spending less time on social media, and not following influencers were associated with lower SESMEB scores. Not consuming breakfast and spending more time on screens for leisure were associated with higher scores (p < 0.05). Significantly higher scores were recorded for those previously infected with COVID-19 and who reported an increase in screen time, food intake, body weight, and meals/day (p < 0.05). ConclusionSocial media appears to have an association with adults’ dietary habits in the UAE. Spending more time on social media, being a female, and having more screen time were associated with a higher impact. Targeted programs are needed to increase awareness and advocate for a positive lifestyle with social media use.

Effect of School-Based Educational Intervention on Childhood Obesity in Croatian Urban and Rural Settings.

Childhood obesity is a global public health concern. Development of effective public health interventions represents the only viable option for decreasing the prevalence of childhood obesity. The objective of this study was to assess the effectiveness of a school-based "PETICA-Play for Health" obesity prevention program in urban and rural areas in Croatia. This before-and-after study included 28 elementary schools in Croatia focused on pupils (n = 753, 2nd grade) and their guardians (n = 753) during the school year 2022/2023. "PETICA" multicomponent lessons and workshops (10) were implemented in the school curriculum and home settings (parents) as part of the intervention. Knowledge and lifestyle habit changes were evaluated via the questionnaire on knowledge and habits regarding nutrition and physical activity pre-/post-education. The Wilcoxon test for paired samples, Student's t-test (dependent and independent samples), multiple Mann Whitney U tests (p < 0.05), Spearman's correlation, and heatmaps were used. The analysis showed a significant increase in acquired knowledge among pupils (both settings) and habits in the rural setting (increase in sports activities participation, breakfast, and vegetables consumption (p < 0.001, p = 0.003, p = 0.004)), decrease of sweets and salty snacks intake (p = 0.027, p = 0.011), and also, the link between parents' and children's physical activity levels (p = 0.028 vs. p = 0.022), emphasizing the importance of parents as healthy lifestyle role-models. The study shows that "PETICA" is an efficient school-based educational model that contributes to positive changes in children's knowledge and lifestyle habits that are a prerequisite for childhood obesity prevention.

Modification of eating habits and lifestyle during COVID-19 in university students from Mexico and Peru.

It was to evaluate changes in lifestyle habits and health behavior among university students in Peru and Mexico during periods of confinement associated with the COVID-19 pandemic and to identify possible relationships between these changes and sociodemographic variables, health status, and technology consumption. It was a quantitative, observational, and cross-sectional study conducted among a population of 739 Mexican students and 305 Peruvian students, most of whom were women (n =778, 74.5%) and non-graduates (n =921, 88.2%). The questionnaire scale for changes in lifestyles during the quarantine period has been previously validated. The association between sociodemographic factors and dimensions of change in healthy lifestyles was evaluated, and it was shown that gender and country of residence were significant for all dimensions of healthy lifestyle (p < 0.05), except for the level of education, which did not show significance about the change in the dimensions of media consumption (p = 0.875) and physical activity (p = 0.239). Within the dimensions mentioned, it can be stated that women are more likely than men to change their eating habits (adjusted prevalences (aPR) = 1.08, p < 0.001), media consumption (aPR = 1.04, p < 0.001), and physical activity (aPR = 1.02, p < 0.001). Meanwhile, participants from Peru are more likely than participants from Mexico to change physical activity (aPR = 1.14, p < 0.001) and media consumption (aPR = 1.22, p < 0.001). Finally, graduate students were more likely than undergraduate students to change eating habits (aPR = 1.09, p = 0.005) and unhealthy habits (aPR = 1.06, p = 0.030). It was concluded that there were lifestyle changes in Mexican and Peruvian university students in their eating habits, physical activity, internet consumption, and food delivery.

Genetically predicted fatty liver disease and risk of psychiatric disorders: A mendelian randomization study.

Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) and alcohol-related liver disease (ArLD) constitute the primary forms of chronic liver disease, and their incidence is progressively increasing with changes in lifestyle habits. Earlier studies have documented a correlation between the occurrence and development of prevalent mental disorders and fatty liver. To investigate the correlation between fatty liver and mental disorders, thus necessitating the implementation of a mendelian randomization (MR) study to elucidate this association. Data on NAFLD and ArLD were retrieved from the genome-wide association studies catalog, while information on mental disorders, including Alzheimer's disease, schizophrenia, anxiety disorder, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), bipolar disorder, major depressive disorder, multiple personality disorder, obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), and schizophrenia was acquired from the psychiatric genomics consortium. A two-sample MR method was applied to investigate mediators in significant associations. After excluding weak instrumental variables, a causal relationship was identified between fatty liver disease and the occurrence and development of some psychiatric disorders. Specifically, the findings indicated that ArLD was associated with a significantly elevated risk of developing ADHD (OR: 5.81, 95%CI: 5.59-6.03, P < 0.01), bipolar disorder (OR: 5.73, 95%CI: 5.42-6.05, P = 0.03), OCD (OR: 6.42, 95%CI: 5.60-7.36, P < 0.01), and PTSD (OR: 5.66, 95%CI: 5.33-6.01, P < 0.01). Meanwhile, NAFLD significantly increased the risk of developing bipolar disorder (OR: 55.08, 95%CI: 3.59-845.51, P < 0.01), OCD (OR: 61.50, 95%CI: 6.69-565.45, P < 0.01), and PTSD (OR: 52.09, 95%CI: 4.24-639.32, P < 0.01). Associations were found between genetic predisposition to fatty liver disease and an increased risk of a broad range of psychiatric disorders, namely bipolar disorder, OCD, and PTSD, highlighting the significance of preventive measures against psychiatric disorders in patients with fatty liver disease.

Establishment of health food safety evaluation method-In vivo genotoxicity evaluation by micronucleus assay

In recent years, various factors such as shifts in health consciousness, changes in lifestyle habits, increased focus on dietary intake, the promotion of alternative medical concepts, and advancements in life sciences and technology have propelled the robust growth of the health food industry. An increasing number of reports suggest that "functional foods," containing beneficial functional components, may enhance short-term well-being and are increasingly regarded as healthful. Building upon these findings, this study aims to enhance the production capacity of high-value agricultural products. However, for quality assurance, toxicity assessment of functional foods is imperative. There is a growing necessity to employ in vivo genotoxicity assays to evaluate the carcinogenic potential of these products. In this study, we tried to establish another in vivo genotoxicity evaluation platform via acridine orange induction. According to all results in this study, during the experiment, there were no statistically significant differences in BW between the negative control group and the normal control group (p &gt; 0.05). Moreover, the clinical observations of the experimental mice showed that all mice survived until the end of the experiment, and no abnormal clinical symptoms were observed. The mouse’s food consumption in each group were monitored during the experiments. The food consumption of mice was recorded daily after the experiment. During the experiments, there were no significant difference between two groups on the food consumption. The percentage of RETs/1,000 RBCs in the negative control group was significantly decrease than the normal control group (p &lt; 0.001). RETs/1,000 RBCs (‰) in ICR mice (n = 5/group) in the negative control group and the normal control group at 48th and 72th hours-experiment were respectively 18 ± 4.6 / 45.6 ± 4.0 (48th hours-experiment) and 19 ± 4.8 / 47.6 ± 4.8 (72th hours-experiment). The percentage of Mn-RETs/1,000 RETs in the negative control group was significantly increase than the normal control group (p &lt; 0.001). Mn-RETs/1,000 RETs (‰) in ICR mice (n = 5/group) in the negative control group and the normal control group were 10.6 ± 2.1 / 0.4 ± 0.5 and 8.2 ± 1.8 / 0.4 ± 0.5, respectively. Taken all results of RET/RBCs (‰) and MN-RET/RETs (‰) together, the genotoxicity in the negative control group has been successfully induced. In light of these requirements, we propose utilizing the mammalian erythrocyte micronucleus assay to detect damage induced by test substances to erythroblast chromosomes. This study endeavors to establish a sensitive and stable method for quantifying micronuclei formation in erythrocytes in vivo. The resulting data will facilitate the evaluation of potential toxicity associated with agricultural functional products in the future.

Onco'sport à l’épreuve des patients : expérience vécue des patients atteints d’un cancer pratiquant de l’activité physique adaptée dans le cadre du programme Onco'sport, une étude qualitative

Physical activity is a major determinant in the prevention of chronic diseases, equally on the side effects of treatments and the consequences of the disease. It improves quality of life, but also reduces morbidity and mortality, and therefore health expenses. A sedentary lifestyle is the fourth cause of premature death in the world, in the context of chronic non-communicable diseases. In France, the prescription for adapted physical activity (APA) has been included in the law since 2016. With the development of "Maisons Sport santé", the Onco'sport program was developed to enable people affected by cancer to participate in adapted physical activity. The objective of our work is to explore the lived experience of cancer patients practicing adapted physical activity as part of the Onco'sport program. This is a qualitative study of 10semi-directed individual interviews with patients participating in the Onco'sport program, recruited from the "Maison Sport Santé" from Nîmes and the association "Les Roses du Gard". A phenomenological analysis was carried out with a semiopragmatic approach. For all participants, the APA through a program provides professional supervision of Physical Activity, influences adherence and builds confidence. This program is at the origin of changes in lifestyle habits and improves the relationship with illness and their cancer thanks to the physical and psychological benefits felt. Thus, APA appears as a full-fledged supportive care which requires informing patients and promoting it so that access is facilitated and becomes a standard. Health professionals including general practitioners do not currently have an important place in the promotion of APA, and patients most often obtain documentation on their own or through associations of patient. An APA program like Onco'sport is often the cause of a return to physical activity in patients, brings overall well-being and changes lifestyle habits. It seems important to promote physical activity to patients but also to the general population, given the benefits. This promotion involves easier access to this type of supervised program, financial support and better training of health professionals.

The influence of lifestyle and dietary habits on the nutritional profile of medical students and other health sciences academics

A series of risk factors and changes in lifestyle habits tend to worsen in health students, due to the stressful routine. In addition to the requirement for dedication and performance, medical students are exposed to other harmful lifestyle habits, including poor diet, sedentary lifestyle, sleep disorders, stress, and mental disorders, as well as alcoholism and smoking. This work analyzed the lifestyle and habits related to the nutritional profile of academics in the health area, especially medical students, observing the main dysfunctional practices, their prevalence, associated conditions, and harmful consequences. An integrative literature review was carried out on the CAPES, SciELO and LILACS Journal Portal databases. It was found that medical students have high levels of overweight, ranging between 26% and 32.2%; and obesity ranging between 4% and 7.8%. Unhealthy lifestyle habits such as inadequate eating practices, sedentary lifestyle, alcoholism, and smoking are common, especially linked to long and stressful routines, in addition to easier access to medicines. The vulnerable position experienced by medical and healthcare students is evident, with a prevalence of lifestyle habits considered to be at risk for the development of obesity and risk factors for other chronic non-communicable diseases.

Refractory Hypotension in Young Hypertension: A Case Report

With changes in lifestyle habits and reduced diagnostic thresholds for hypertension, the prevalence of hypertension among young individuals is expected to rise. We become aware of the adverse effects of pharmacological interventions related to anaesthesia. We present a case in which refractory hypotension emerged after the induction of anaesthesia for orthopaedic surgery. The procedure went smoothly, and there were no issues with the extubation in the intensive care unit. The patient required significantly more pharmacological support over an extended period of the procedure after developing refractory hypotension following an induction phase of anaesthesia that was resistant to fluid resuscitation. We present the case while addressing the current management and potential future management for a foreseeable future strategy.

A Study on the Need for Dietary Management due to Weight Changes Among Middle-aged Women in Gwangju during the COVID-19 Pandemic

This study aimed to identify the need for dietary management due to weight changes among middle-aged women in the Gwangju area during the COVID-19 pandemic. To achieve this, a survey was conducted of their eating habits, dietary and lifestyle habits, alterations in food intake, and changes in menopausal symptoms. Overall, significant differences were found between dietary and lifestyle habits (&lt;i&gt;p&lt;/i&gt; &lt;.01) depending on the frequency of eating out. Specifically, those who eating out two to three times a week exhibited a significant increase in negative habits such as ordering delivery food and consuming instant meals. In terms of food consumption changes, those who eating out two or three times a week displayed a relatively higher increase in the consumption of non-recommended food than those who eating out once a week. Regarding changes in menopausal symptoms, individuals who eating out two to three times a week experienced a greater increase in the severity of menopausal symptoms than those who eating out once a week. In terms of dietary and lifestyle habit changes, it was found that the more frequent the exercise, the greater the overall improvement in dietary and lifestyle habits (&lt;i&gt;p&lt;/i&gt; &lt;.001). Moreover, women who did not experience weight gain exhibited positive changes in their dietary and lifestyle habits compared with women who experienced weight gain. The results for food consumption changes revealed that the consumption of non-recommended foods was higher in middle-aged women who experienced weight gain, particularly the consumption of meat (&lt;i&gt;p&lt;/i&gt; &lt;.001) and noodles (&lt;i&gt;p&lt;/i&gt; &lt;.05). Finally, significant differences (&lt;i&gt;p&lt;/i&gt; &lt;.001) in menopausal symptoms due to weight changes were found.

Evaluation of compliance and adherence to medications in diabetic and/or hypertensive patients during the lockdown period and the effect of COVID-19 lockdown on blood glucose levels and blood pressure levels

Background: To contain the COVID-19 pandemic, a nationwide lockdown was imposed, which affected the lives of people with diabetes and hypertension as the patients were not able to regularly follow up with the doctor. Aims and Objectives: This prospective observational study was conducted to find out the compliance and adherence to oral hypoglycemic agents and antihypertensives during lockdown, to consult with doctors during lockdown, and also to analyze the effect of lockdown on blood glucose levels and blood pressure control by comparing the pre- and post-lockdown blood pressure and blood glucose levels. Materials and Methods: A prospective observational study was conducted on 100 participants aged between 35 and 85 years. They were studied by a questionnaire for a period of 3 months. The majority belonged to the 55–65 years of age group, and a male predominance was seen across all age groups. The changes in lifestyle habits of the participants during lockdown and complications due to diabetes and hypertension were also studied. Results: There was a statistically significant decrease in the adherence to prescribed medications during lockdown due to various reasons, the most important of which was the lack of access to personal consultation with the doctor during lockdown. Patients also could not follow their diet and physical exercises due to lockdown. All these factors led to poor control of blood pressure and blood glucose levels, as evidenced by comparing the pre- and post-lockdown blood glucose levels and blood pressure. Conclusion: This study concludes that there was a significant decrease in adherence to medications during the COVID-19 lockdown and there was poor control of blood pressure and blood glucose levels due to the lockdown period.

Factors associated with behavioral and weight changes across adult to elderly age groups during the COVID-19 pandemic.

There are concerns about the adverse health effects of behavioral changes linked to coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). We conducted a survey to investigate changes in lifestyle habits, including exercise and eating, during the COVID-19 pandemic and their association with changes in weight. We conducted a survey of 5,000 people in Hakui City, Japan, to assess their lifestyles and diets during the COVID-19 pandemic. A total of 3,992 complete responses were received. We also obtained pre- and post-pandemic health check-up data for 704 of the respondents. These health data were combined with the results of the questionnaire survey to identify factors associated with weight changes. Data were analyzed for 704 individuals. The mean body mass index was 22.5 ± 3.1 kg/m2 for respondents whose weight did not change and 25.1 ± 2.7 kg/m2 for respondents whose weight increased. The pre-pandemic mean values for abdominal circumference in females and for gamma-glutamyl transferase in males tended to be higher in those whose weight increased. Those with decreased weight tended to be older. Respondents who were already overweight were more likely to gain weight because of COVID-19-related changes in their lifestyle. In males, alcohol consumption was directly associated with weight, and in females, abdominal circumference was more important. The study found pre-pandemic overweight individuals likely gained more weight during it, with alcohol consumption being a significant factor for males. Weight loss was more crucial for those over 70, rather than weight gain.

Efficacy and safety of multiple external therapies in patients with insomnia: a systematic review and network meta-analysis.

The annual incidence of insomnia continues to increase owing to changes in lifestyle habits, increased work pressure, and increased environmental pollution. In recent years, an increasing number of external therapies have been proven effective in treating insomnia and have been widely used. However, the relative benefits and harms of external therapies remain uncertain, and an optimal treatment strategy has not yet been determined. A network meta-analysis was performed to evaluate and compare the efficacy and safety of multiple external therapies for patients with insomnia. Eight electronic databases were comprehensively searched from their inception to June 2023 for relevant literature. We also searched the grey literature and reviewed the reference lists of related systematic reviews. Two independent reviewers performed the study selection, data extraction, and bias assessment of the included randomized controlled trials (RCTs) using the Cochrane Reviewers' Handbook, and a network meta-analysis was conducted using Stata and RevMan software. In total, 14,826 studies were identified. Of these, 83 studies, including 9 external therapies and 6,100 patients, were deemed eligible for the present network meta-analysis. Except for the SL outcome, each external therapy was better than conventional medicine and the sham intervention (SI) in improving sleep quality. In terms of improving the psychological state indices of insomnia patients, each external therapy was superior to the SI; each external therapy had a better effect on the regulation of monoamine neurotransmitters. Tuina may be the most effective intervention in improving the total effective rate, Pittsburgh sleep quality index score, and SL. Repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) perhaps resulted in the best improvement in total sleep time and awakening time (surface under the cumulative ranking curve [SUCRA] = 78.3 and 75.4%, respectively); and moxibustion (MB) and hyperbaric oxygen (HBO) were the most effective in reducing Self-rating Anxiety Scale and Self-rating Depression Scale scores. In terms of improving the monoamine neurotransmitters 5-hydroxytryptamine, norepinephrine, and dopamine, the best interventions were acupoint catgut embedding, electroacupuncture, and Tuina (SUCRA = 82.0, 69.9 and 90.3%, respectively). Safety results showed that the three safest interventions were the SI, Tuina, and foot bath. No serious adverse events were reported across the studies, and the most common minor adverse events included drowsiness, pain, excessive thirst, and hematoma. Both Tuina and rTMS have significant effects on improving sleep quality, but the safety of rTMS is low. Therefore, Tuina can be recommended as the first line of treatment to improve sleep quality. If a patient's anxiety and depression symptoms are evident, MB or HBO can be selected for treatment based on the actual situation. External therapy to improve sleep quality may be related to the regulation of monoamine neurotransmitters, which may be a potential mechanism of action. https://www.crd.york.ac.uk/PROSPERO/display_record.php?RecordID=440882.

Lifestyle habit change related to presenteeism change among Japanese employees.

This study aimed to examine the relationship between changes in lifestyle habits and presenteeism change according to sex. This retrospective cohort study was conducted using data from health checkups, the World Health Organization Health and Work Performance Questionnaire (WHO-HPQ) short form, and health insurance claims for 9366 Japanese corporate employees in 2015 and 2016. Changes in 11 lifestyle habits of sleeping, eating, exercise, drinking, and smoking were classified into four patterns by combining lifestyle habits (good/poor): (a) no worsening, (b) worsening, (c) no improvement, and (d) improvement. A multiple regression analysis was conducted for each sex, with changes in the WHO-HPQ score as the objective variable, lifestyle habits change (worsening or improvement) as the explanatory variables, and age, job position, department, diseases, lifestyle habits, and WHO-HPQ score at baseline as adjustment variables. The results showed worsening of good lifestyle habits, such as sleeping, regular exercise, and frequency of drinking in men, while sleeping in women was associated with negative changes in the WHO-HPQ score. On the other hand, the improvement of poor lifestyle habit of sleeping was associated with positive changes in the WHO-HPQ score. These findings suggest that maintaining good lifestyle habits of sleeping for both sexes, and exercising and drinking for men, may be beneficial in maintaining work performance, while improving the poor lifestyle habit of sleeping for women may be beneficial in improving work performance.