Differences In Lifestyle Research Articles

Gender differences and multiple determinants of perceived physical and mental health in Italy.

Perceived health is largely dependent on multiple socio-demographic and behavioral lifestyles and healthcare related factors. This could be accentuated when gender is taken into account. The aim of this study is to explore gender-related differences in multiple socio-demographic and behavioral lifestyles and healthcare related factors associated with individual health status and to identify those responsible for changes in perceived physical and mental health among men and women in Italy. We conducted a cross-sectional retrospective study to investigate the association between multiple socio-demographic and behavioral lifestyles and healthcare related factors and individual health status of 99,479 adults in Italy, using data and information obtained from a nationwide survey. To identify the factors that correlate with the perceived physical and mental health status between males and females, we employed a censored regression analysis, a Tobit model, stratifying the analysis by gender. Socio-demographic and behavioral lifestyles factors differently impact on males and females and this impact is stronger on perceived physical than mental health. The perceived physical and mental health status resulted better for men than for women. The integrated analysis of gender differences in socio-demographic and behavioral lifestyles and determinants of health revealed important inequalities, mainly related to citizenship and educational level, among the socio-demographic factors, and smoking habit and obesity, among the behavioral lifestyle factors. Gender imbalances mainly fall into inequality in social inclusion, educational level, and healthy lifestyle. This demonstrates how gender differences are still abundantly present in the modern Italian society. Such information should be taken into consideration by policy makers when interventions to improve the health and quality of life of the population are planned or evaluated.

Effect of Healthy Life Campaigns on Controlling Obesity Transmission: A Mathematical Study

In this study, we present a mathematical model that describes how obesity spread among the human population, considering human awareness levels to describe the difference in lifestyle of humans, in which the transition between this group depends on the media campaign from the authority about the importance of healthy lifestyles and persuasive capability of individuals who quit obesity. The model constructs as four-dimensional nonlinear ordinary differential equations. Possible equilibrium points are investigated regarding their existence and local stability criteria. Basic reproduction number (R 0) of the model obtained from the next-generation matrix approach. It has been shown that the obesity-free equilibrium is locally asymptotically stable if R 0 is less than one and unstable otherwise. A transcritical bifurcation when R 0 = 1 was investigated using the Castillo-Song bifurcation theorem. From the elasticity analysis, we find that the social contact rate is the most influential parameter in determining the magnitude of R 0, followed by a healthy life campaign from the government. A short discussion to understand the possible scenario in the field obtained numerically based on our analytical results conducted at last.

Metabolically healthy obesity and metabolically obese normal weight: a review.

Despite the general relationship between obesity and its co-morbidities, there are both obese individuals who scarcely present the associated pathologies (metabolically healthy obese; MHO) and individuals who present obesity alterations despite having normal weight (metabolically obese normal weight; MONW). It is still difficult to define metabolically MHO and MONW individuals because different classifications have been used in the studies reported. Indeed, different inclusion criteria have been used to discriminate between metabolically healthy and metabolically unhealthy subjects. Due to this and other reasons, such as differences in ethnicity, genetics, and lifestyle of the populations, data concerning the prevalence of MHO and MONW are very variable. The main determinants of MHO are type of growth (hypertrophy or hyperplasia), anatomical location, inflammation of adipose tissue, ectopic fat accumulation, genetic factors, and lifestyles factors. In the case of MONW, the main determinants are genetic background and lifestyle factors. With regard to treatment, it is not clear whether MHO subjects would benefit from traditional lifestyle interventions, based on diet energy restriction and increased physical activity. For MONW subjects, there is still no specialized treatment, and the therapies are the same as those used in obese subjects.

Mortality in Underground Miners in a Former Uranium Ore Mine–Results of a Cohort Study Among Former Employees of Wismut AG in Saxony and Thuringia.

From 1946 to 1990, more than 400 000 people were employed by Wismut AG, a Soviet/Soviet-German corporation (German abbreviation: SAG/ SDAG), in the East German states of Saxony and Thuringia. In the early years in particular, employees were exposed to large amounts of radon and respirable crystalline silica. In a cohort of 35 204 former underground employees of Wismut AG, mortality was analyzed in comparison to the general male population of East Germany, and the pertaining standardized mortality ratios (SMRs) were calculated. 18 510 persons in the study cohort died in the follow-up period 1960-2013. Mortality from lung cancer was 2.36 higher in the study cohort than in the general population (95% confidence interval, [2.28; 2.45]); the associated SMRs rose markedly with increasing radon exposure. Mortality from silicosis and other types of pneumoconiosis was elevated by a factor of 22.62 [21.20; 24.11], and the associated SMRs rose exponentially with increasing exposure to respirable crystalline silica. Mortality from both of these causes was still markedly elevated more than 20 years after Wismut AG had ceased its activities. Mortality from a wide range of other diseases was elevated as well, with the following SMRs: stomach cancer, 1.28 [1.17; 1.40]; liver cancer, 1.34 [1.15; 1.55]; all tumors other than lung cancer, 1.06 [1.02; 1.09]; infections, 1.18 [1.01; 1.38]; cerebrovascular diseases, 1.33 [1.26; 1.41]; and influenza/pneumonia, 1.13 [1.01; 1.27]. Mortality from a small number of other causes was found to be markedly lowered in the study cohort (mental illness, renal diseases, and nervous system diseases). The role of occupational risk factors, lifestyle differences and other reasons for the latter results is unclear. Underground miners employed by Wismut AG displayed marked excess mortality due to silicosis/other pneumoconiosis and lung cancer. The contribution of individual occupational risk factors for these and other causes of death with increased SMR are being further investigated in analyses within the study cohort.

Ethnicity influences the gut microbiota of individuals sharing a geographical location: a cross-sectional study from a middle-income country

No studies have investigated the influence of ethnicity in a multi-ethnic middle-income country with a long-standing history of co-habitation. Stool samples from 214 Malaysian community members (46 Malay, 65 Chinese, 49 Indian, and 54 Jakun) were collected. The gut microbiota of the participants was investigated using 16S amplicon sequencing. Ethnicity exhibited the largest effect size across participants (PERMANOVA Pseudo-F = 4.24, R2 = 0.06, p = 0.001). Notably, the influence of ethnicity on the gut microbiota was retained even after controlling for all demographic, dietary factors and other covariates which were significantly associated with the gut microbiome (PERMANOVA Pseudo-F = 1.67, R2 = 0.02, p = 0.002). Our result suggested that lifestyle, dietary, and uncharacterized differences collectively drive the gut microbiota variation across ethnicity, making ethnicity a reliable proxy for both identified and unidentified lifestyle and dietary variation across ethnic groups from the same community.

A Review of the Current Practice of Diagnosis and Treatment of Idiopathic Membranous Nephropathy in China.

Idiopathic membranous nephropathy (IMN), a common pathological type of nephrotic syndrome, is one of the main causes of kidney failure. With an increasing prevalence, IMN has received considerable attention in China. Based on recent studies, we discuss advances in the diagnosis of IMN and the understanding of its genetic background. Although the pathogenesis of IMN remains unclear, our understanding has been substantially enhanced by the discovery of new antigens such as phospholipase A2 receptor, thrombospondin type-1 domain-containing 7A, exostosin1/exostosin2, neural epidermal growth factor-like 1 protein, neural cell adhesion molecule 1, semaphorin 3B, and factor H autoantibody. However, due to ethnic, environmental, economic, and lifestyle differences and other factors, a consensus has not yet been reached regarding IMN treatment. In view of the differences between Eastern and Western populations, in-depth clinical evaluations of biomarkers for IMN diagnosis are necessary. This review details the current treatment strategies for IMN in China, including renin-angiotensin system inhibitors, corticosteroid monotherapy, cyclophosphamide, calcineurin inhibitors, mycophenolate mofetil, adrenocorticotropic hormone, and traditional Chinese medicine, as well as biological preparations such as rituximab. In terms of management, the 2012 Kidney Disease Improving Global Outcomes (KDIGO) clinical practice guidelines do not fully consider the characteristics of the Chinese population. Therefore, this review aims to present the current status of IMN diagnosis and treatment in Chinese patients, and includes a discussion of new approaches and remaining clinical challenges.

Hábitos y calidad de vida relacionada con la salud: diferencias entre adolescentes de entornos rurales y urbanos

IntroductionAdolescence is a decisive stage in human development in which intense physical, psychological, emotional and social changes are experienced. There are many influential factors in health, highlighting among them the environment. ObjectiveThe objective of the study was to analyse the lifestyle differences associated with the health of adolescents as a function of rural and urban environment. MethodsA cross-sectional study was conducted with a sample of 761 students (14.51±1.63 years) from 25 educational centers in a region of northern Spain, distributed between 650 urban and 111 rural students. Life habits and different indicators of physical, psychological and social health were evaluated, assessing the level of physical activity, maximum oxygen consumption, hours of night sleep, quality of life related to health, self-esteem, adherence to the Mediterranean diet, the environment and the socioeconomic level. ResultsAdolescents in rural areas reported a greater number of hours of night sleep and higher levels of HRQL, both as a whole, and specifically in psychological well-being, school environment and autonomy and parents. Adolescents in urban areas reported higher levels of physical activity between 6:00 p.m. and 10:00 p.m., and a higher consumption of fast food. ConclusionsThe results show the need for strategies aimed at counteracting the negative influence that physical and sociodemographic factors typical of urbanized areas exert on HRQL. On the other hand, in relation to lifestyle habits, a wider range of extracurricular physical activities in rural areas would be recommended.

Is the younger generation a driving force toward achieving the sustainable development goals? Survey experiments

Is the younger generation, including millennials and Generation Z, a driving force toward achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)? The younger generation is often described as more socially conscious than the older generation and as promotors of the SDGs; however, little scientific evidence supports these assumptions and expectations. To fill this gap, this study aims to investigate (1) whether the younger cohorts are the pro-SDG generation who drive societies with their sustainable lifestyles to achieve SDGs more actively than the older generations; further, this work elucidates (2) the job-seeking behavior of younger generations. We recently conducted two online surveys in Japan and used different interdisciplinary methodologies. In Study 1, we estimated the marginal generational differences in sustainable lifestyles using a nationwide adult sample (n = 12,098). In Study 2, we elicited the job preferences of university students based on the SDG contributions of companies and expected income using conjoint survey experiment data (n = 668). Together, these findings suggest that the younger generation is likely to be pro-SDGs. • Achieving the SDGs requires substantial changes in our lifestyles. • The younger generation was found to be pro-SDGs. • Generational differences in sustainable lifestyles exist. • Younger people are more willing to pay a higher price for sustainable goods. • Younger people are likely to work for a pro-SDG company for a lower salary.

Racial differences in lifestyle, demographic, and health factors associated with quality of life (QoL) in midlife women

Previously, quality of life (Qol) has been defined as an individual’s evaluation of a satisfactory life as a whole (i.e. physically, mentally, psychologically, and socially). Only a few studies have examined the racial differences between QoL and risk factors associated with health, demographics, and lifestyle in midlife women. Thus, the purpose of our study was to determine racial differences in QoL in menopausal women due to lifestyle, demographic, and health related risk factors. A stratified ordinal logistic regression model was applied to self-reported questionnaire data from the Midlife Women’s Health Study (MWHS) to determine risk factors associated with QoL differences between White and Black women during the menopausal transition. In multivariable models, our results showed Black women who had 3 or 4 comorbidities were about 4 times as likely to have higher QoL compared to women who had 0 to 2 comorbidities (95% CI: 1.65,10.78). However, the number of comorbidities was not significantly associated with QoL in White women in univariate or multiple regression. Further, body mass index and income were not significant factors in QoL in Black women but were in White women. Overall, our results illustrate that differences in health, demographic, and lifestyle factors are associated with QoL during menopause. Also, we suggest that future studies evaluate stratified models between racial groups to determine race-specific risk factors related to quality of life.

The upper respiratory tract microbiome of indigenous Orang Asli in north-eastern Peninsular Malaysia

Much microbiome research has focused on populations that are predominantly of European descent, and from narrow demographics that do not capture the socio-economic and lifestyle differences which impact human health. Here we examined the airway microbiomes of the Orang Asli, the indigenous peoples of Malaysia. A total of 130 participants were recruited from two sites in the north-eastern state of Terengganu in Peninsular Malaysia. Using 16S rRNA sequencing, the nasal microbiome was significantly more diverse in those aged 5–17 years compared to 50+ years (p = 0.023) and clustered by age (PERMANOVA analysis of the Bray–Curtis distance, p = 0.001). Hierarchical clustering of Bray–Curtis dissimilarity scores revealed six microbiome clusters. The largest cluster (n = 28; 35.4%) had a marked abundance of Corynebacterium. In the oral microbiomes Streptococcus, Neisseria and Haemophilus were dominant. Using conventional microbiology, high levels of Staphylococcus aureus carriage were observed, particularly in the 18–65 age group (n = 17/36; 47.2% 95% CI: 30.9–63.5). The highest carriage of pneumococci was in the <5 and 5 to 17 year olds, with 57.1% (4/7) and 49.2% (30/61), respectively. Sixteen pneumococcal serotypes were identified, the most common being the nonvaccine-type 23A (14.6%) and the vaccine-type 6B (9.8%). The prevalence of pneumococcal serotypes covered by pneumococcal conjugate vaccines support introduction into a Malaysian national immunisation schedule. In addition, the dominance of Corynebacterium in the airway microbiomes is intriguing given their role as a potentially protective commensal with respect to acute infection and respiratory health.

Challenges of Home Treatment/Care of COVID-19 Patients in Nigeria: A Public Health Risk and a Huge Deceit of our Time

Background: Coronavirus disease-2019 was first discovered in a highly populated city of China in late 2019, and has since spread to most countries of the world, causing several morbidities and mortalities. In the bid to contain the disease and curtail its spread, different countries have instituted several policies, and while these policies may work for some countries, it may not work for others. Nevertheless, the disease has affected over 19 million people globally, killing as many as 700,000. Yet, thousands of persons are still being infected on a daily basis. Aim: To x-ray and evaluate the suitability of home-based treatment/care of COVID-19 patients in Nigeria. Methodology: Peer-reviewed articles revealing information about COVID-19 and its effects globally were sourced from different electronic databases (including WHO, Pub Med, Science Direct, NCDC, etc.), and appraised to extract valuable data and information from them for the purpose of analysis and synthesis of developing robust body of knowledge. Findings: The results obtained from our search include some details about COVID-19 infection, the disease epidemiology, diagnosis, management and guidelines for home-based treatment of COVID-19 patients. Also, discussed in this study are some loopholes in the Nigerian health system and leadership that makes it difficult for foreign policies or strategies (on COVID-19 containment) to be implemented in Nigeria. Conclusion/Recommendation: Differences in lifestyles and cultures among different countries of the world means that there is no one-size-fits-all solution to the problems created by the emergence of the COVID-19 pandemic. Hence, each country is advised to determine which policies best suit the lifestyles and cultures peculiar to her inhabitants. There is literally no room for copy and paste syndrome

The Impact of Migrant Peasants on the Urban Space (Ho Chi Minh City — Ganh Dau)

The term “way of living” is used in this article in its connection with “place identity” to analyze the impact of new urban residents (migrant peasants) on the urban space transformation. The urban environment of Ho Chi Minh City is considered in the context of the similarity of its development to the transformation of the space of Ukrainian cities (in the context of migrant processes). The case study analyzes the configuration of the impact of key actors (state and community) on the space of the city center. The aim of the study is to prove or disprove the impact of the “rural way of life” (introduced by migrants) on the urban environment. Observation of everyday “spatial practices” of the citizens is used to characterize the processes changing the space. The daily deconstruction of the historic part of the city is viewed in the context of the influence of “formal” planning practices applied by the city authorities and “informal” practices of space used by the local community. Turning to the hypothesis of the influence of the new residents’ “way of life”, which is different from the one of the urban residents, the study was complemented by the analysis of the spatial organization and neighborhood of the fishing village of Ganh Dau in the province of Kien Giang. The study of the space-community interactions of this sustainable rural settlement determines the similarity of the “rural identity” of local residents with the “urban identity” (autochthonous urban population of Ho Chi Minh City) in terms of perception and use of the common space. Therefore, differences in lifestyle (urban/rural) are not the main source of influence on the gradual changes in urban morphology and the loss of authentic buildings. In the current context, the impact of “consumer identity” as a manifestation of a “fluid society” that is constantly changing is more noticeable. It is important to emphasize that the influence of the local community (with any type of identity) on the transformation of the urban space occurs only through the informal spatial practices. Thus, it is not the only or determining factor. To a greater extent, the transformation of urban space is determined by the planning strategy of the city government in compliance with global standards.

Handling slum settlement based on community participation and socio-cultural change: Perspective of sustainable development of Makassar City, Indonesia

Urbanization in the dynamics of development in Makassar City has an impact on increasing population, poverty, social change, acculturation of community culture, marginalization, differences in lifestyle, socio-economic inequality, complexity of space use, slum settlements, and a decrease in environmental quality. This study aims to analyze: (1) Community participation and socio-cultural changes work as determinants of handling urban slum settlements, (2) The influence of community participation, improving the quality of infrastructure, improving the quality of the environment, and changing the socio-cultural community on the sustainability of city development, and (3) Formulate a model for handling slum settlements, community participation, and community social culture towards the sustainability of urban development. This study uses a qualitative-quantitative approach sequentially. Data were obtained through observation, Focus Group Discussions (FGD), surveys, and documentation. The results showed that community participation, improving the quality of infrastructure, improving the quality of the environment, and socio-cultural changes simultaneously affected the sustainability of Makassar City development. Furthermore, the implementation of the program to improve the quality of slums followed by community participation and accompanied by socio-cultural changes will encourage the creation of equitable development, improve the quality of slum settlements, and improve community welfare towards the creation of social cohesion, increase community productivity, and harmonization of community life towards sustainability development of Makassar City, Indonesia.

Lifestyle modifications to attenuate the exaggerated blood pressure response to exercise in men

The blood pressure response to physical activities is an essential contributor to ambulatory blood pressure and a risk factor for future cardiovascular disease. Peak exercise blood pressure and the blood pressure elevation from rest to peak exercise are higher in apparently healthy men without a prior history of hypertension than in their female peers. Lifestyle modifications can decrease blood pressure during aerobic and resistance exercise. However, there may be sex differences in the effects of lifestyle modifications on blood pressure responses to exercise. Additionally, the optimal blood pressure interventions probably differ between men and women due to sex differences in lifestyles. In men, hypertension not only increases the risk of cardiovascular disease but also worsens quality of life by contributing to erectile dysfunction. Further studies are warranted to attenuate the exaggerated blood pressure response to exercise in men.

БИОАРХЕОЛОГИЯ КОЧЕВНИКОВ ВТОРОЙ ПОЛОВИНЫ III — IV В. Н. Э. (на примере анализа нижневолжских и нижнедонских погребений)

The paper presents a comparative analysis of anthropological materials originating from the nomadic burials of the Lower Volga and Lower Don regions of the late 3rd and 4th century AD. The standard assessment program of paleopathological conditions developed by A. P. Buzhilova was applied in the course of examination of the anthropological material. The authors conducted the analysis using the methods of multivariate statistics in order to assess the degree of variability. The results obtained were correlated with the data of archaeology and paleoecology. The studied sample from the burial grounds of the Lower Volga region included 22 individuals; the archaeological complex of the Lower Don is presented by bone remains of 9 individuals. The study has shown that both series for the most part are close to each other as regards to pathological conditions, stress markers as well as gender and age indicators. Statistically significant differences were revealed only for 4 characteristics: caries, enamel chips, pathological tooth wear and the “orange peel” type vascular reaction. On the one hand, variability may be a consequence of the objective small number of the series, on the other, might reflect differences in lifestyle, diets and origin of the compared groups. For instance, the dominance of agricultural foods in the Alans-Tanaites’ diet brings them closer to the sedentary population of the Kuban and Lower Don. The specific deviations revealed in the study of dentoalveolar system in the Lower Don group may be the result of close interaction with agricultural centers, or may stem from the North Caucasus regional migrations.

OLIGARCHIZATION OF SOCIETY AS A CONSEQUENCE OF INEQUALITY OF THE POPULATION OF UKRAINE AND AS A SOURCE OF SOCIAL-PSYCHOLOGICAL STRESS IN SOCIETY

The article briefly presents the material on the theoretical justification and general features of the phenomenon of oligarchization of Ukrainian society and the problem of inequality of the population of Ukraine, its essence, causes and consequences, as well as inequality as a source of socio-psychological tension. The main signs of social inequality are known to be differences in property, power and status. To one degree or another, these features are reflected in the socioclass structure of society, which fixes the inequality in relations between social groups, up to the individual. In connection with socio-political and socio-economic inequality, there are significant differences in lifestyle, culture, psychology of social groups and individuals. Social actions aimed at creating material and spiritual values, their exchange and distribution, inevitably lead to tensions between social groups, and under certain conditions – to open conflict. It can be argued that the levels of hidden (latent) and open social tension (people’s opinions, discussion of pressing issues, open protests) in modern Ukrainian society are quite high, clearly defined trends to further increase. In this regard, there is a logical conclusion, which many scientists come to: with the deterioration of the social situation in the country, increasing social tensions can lead to a sharp (abrupt) increase in the number of obvious signs of socio-psychological tension and its development towards pre-crisis and then and crisis.

Gender differences in lifestyles and perception of megamall patrons in Ibadan, Nigeria

The development of megamalls in Nigeria and other developing nations has witnessed tremendous impact, giving people choices of places for goods reasonably and relatively affordable. Women have been...

Quality function deployment technique for banking the unbanked: a case study in Karnataka

Financial inclusion is a global issue that the Indian government has been striving to achieve in the last five years. Accessibility and ease of banking services in remote villages is one of the requirements to achieve it. The measure taken by the banks has failed miserably owing to complex and heterogeneous demographics of the country - especially the cultural and lifestyle difference between urban and rural masses. To explore the expectations of rural India and to find out the exact needs of the rural banking and its prospects, this paper has studied the possibilities of implementing quality function deployment in banking services which is rarely done in India. The paper explains how precisely the voice of the rural customer has been captured using quality function deployment matrix. The results of the study have evidenced that this tool can be tested, used, and extended for various service-oriented organisations that include banking.

The Columbo method—A rhetoric of inquiry practiced across professions

The increasing numbers of trade articles about the almost trademark “Columbo Method” evidences a growing phenomenon. As demonstrated by the fictional television detective of Columbo 1968-2003, the method is an approach to investigation characterized by rhetorical inquiry (system of questions and timing), an antipotent persona (nonauthoritative, unassuming Everyman), and tenacity in overcoming a responder’s resistance to collaboration or influence. The essay provides a theoretical analysis of Columbo’s informed but indirect questioning, pretense of ignorance, solicitation of help, folksy congeniality, and the false exit. A literature review presents applications of the Columbo Method by professionals to describe effective workplace interaction with resistant responders (conflicting values or allegiances, lifestyle and demographic differences, shyness, anxiety, fear of change, etc.). Third, the theory is applied in an in-depth rhetorical analysis of cases of communication in academia. Most importantly, the work strives to make an impact in ethical approaches to communication with implications for developing rhetorical pedagogy. ©Journal of Professional Communication, all rights reserved.

TOUCHINESS AND CRITICISM. ON THE ROLE OF PHILOSOPHICAL CRITICISM IN CULTURE AND EDUCATION

In this article, I am discussing the social phenomenon of touchiness (excessive sensitivity to differences of opinion and lifestyle) as a result of the polarization of discourse in contemporary Western culture. This polarization and the resulting touchiness are partly an effect of media, but the later also reflects structural problems of cultures and social practices. The problems arise from the dense network of potentially conflicting values. I am discussing some diagnoses of this phenomenon and some purported philosophical remedies including departure from the language of values and abandoning the idea of a strong subject of action and beliefs. I am criticizing these solutions and I am proposing the idea of radical criticism instead. I am presenting the idea about established theories of philosophical criticism, including those by Horkheimer, Spaemann, Habermas. I am also presenting a practical application of the idea of radical criticism in education: promoting philosophical inquiry in the classroom.