Good Physical Health Status Research Articles

Physical fitness decline and career paths: a longitudinal study of medical undergraduates

IntroductionExercise enhances one's health and competitiveness. A strong physical fitness status can pave the way for a promising future. This study presents the time-based trends in physical fitness indicators—including height, weight, BMI, lung capacity, dash, long-distance running, and standing long jump—among medical undergraduates during their university years. Additionally, we analyzed the impact of students' physical fitness on their career paths.MethodWe conducted a retrospective database study by collecting physical fitness test data and career paths information for 634 medical students from a university in southwestern China. These students graduated in 2022. The career paths included pursuits in further studies, employment, and unemployment. To detect differences in these aspects, we used the t-test and Chi-square test.ResultsOur study indicates a significant declining trend in the physical fitness of medical students during their university years. The changes observed between the first and fourth tests are as follows:Weight (kg): 58.52 ± 10.48 to 60.73 ± 12.07, P < 0.00BMI (kg/m^2): 20.79 ± 2.74 to 21.24 ± 3.06, P < 0.0050-m dash (s): 8.91 ± 0.99 to 9.25 ± 1.11, P < 0.00Standing long jump (cm): 187.74 ± 30.98 to 182.59 ± 32.25, P < 0.00800-m run for females (min): 3.84 ± 0.47 to 4.48 ± 0.85, P < 0.001000-m run for males (min): 3.98 ± 0.63 to 4.62 ± 0.87, P < 0.00Sit-ups for females (count): 30.39 ± 7.5 to 29.03 ± 8.82, P < 0.00Upon analyzing the correlation between changes in physical fitness and career paths, students with stable or decreased BMI had better post-graduation outcomes compared to students with increased BMI.ConclusionsMedical students show a declining trend in physical fitness during their undergraduate years. A good physical health status is beneficial for achieving better career paths. Medical students should place greater emphasis on physical exercise during their time in school.

Physical and Mental Health Among Surgeons in Gansu Province, China

China is a developing country with a population of more than 1.4 billion, and people are demanding higher quality health care. Meanwhile, population aging and changes in the disease spectrum put new demands on medical and health services, indirectly promoting the rapid development of medicine and raised the tension of physician–patient relationship, which has led to increasing pressure on doctors, especially surgeons. Notably, the high risk of major operation and complicated postoperative conditions result in high comprehensive quality and high mental pressure of surgeons. In addition, the long hours for major operations, bright light stimulation, and fixed positions with a long time led to heavier burden for surgeons, whose physical and mental health need to be focused and researched. Thus, in this study, from May 1, 2021 to July 30, 2021, 316 surgeons in the Provincial General Hospital of Gansu were surveyed on their physical and mental health, and finally, the efficiency of questionnaires was 99%. The results found that most surgeons thought that they were under great pressure in scientific research, professional title, and work. About half of surgeons with experience of medical disputes felt depression and anxiety during medical disputes, of which only 8.14% did not receive professional psychological counseling. About one-third surgeons had different physical diseases and only 32% expressed that they had good physical health status. According to the result of self-report symptom checklist (SCL-90), the top five in percentage order of diseases were cervical spondylosis, digestive diseases, lumbar disease, fatty liver, and hyperlipidemia for surgeons. About 37% surgeons had mental health issues, and the main aspects were obsessive-compulsive, depression, interpersonal sensitivity, somatization, and anxiety. The workload and disease were the main influence factors on mental health of surgeons in Gansu Province, China.

Faktor yang Berhubungan dengan Kemandirian Lansia di Desa Tamilouw Kecamatan Amahai Kabupaten Maluku Tengah

&lt;p&gt;&lt;em&gt;The independence of the elderly is caused by limited physical activity and a reduction in the role of the body which can no longer function fully as a result of requiring good physical health status and also support from the family. To find out the factors related to the independence of the elderly in the village of Tamilouw, Amahai District, Central Maluku Regency. This study uses a quantitative descriptive design, with a cross-sectional approach. A sample of 69 respondents was selected by purposive sampling technique. The research instrument used a questionnaire and the KATZ index to see the independence of the respondents. Data processing uses the chi-square test with a significance level (p- 0.05). This study identified the variables of physical health (p. value = 0.192), family emotional support (p. value = 0.041), family information support (p. value = 0.000), family instrumental support (p. value = 0.004) and appraisal support (p. value = 0.018). Physical health factors are not related to the level of independence of the elderly while factors of emotional support, information, instrumental, and family assessment are strongly related to the level of independence of the elderly.&lt;/em&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;em&gt; &lt;/em&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

Health and related behaviours of fly-in fly-out workers in the mining industry in Australia: a cross-sectional study

BackgroundFly-In Fly-Out (FIFO), which entails travelling mostly from the urban areas to stay and work in remote areas for designated periods and travel back home to spend designated days of leave, has become a common work arrangement in the mining sector globally. This study examined the mental and physical health of FIFO workers and described their health-related behaviours during on-and off-shift periods.MethodsA cross-sectional study was conducted with FIFO workers (N = 216) in the mining industry in Australia who completed an online survey. Paired t-test and McNemer’s analysis examined the differences in health-related behaviours during workers’ on-and off-shift days. Logistic regression examined the predictors of physical health and psychological distress status of FIFO workers.ResultsWorkers reported longer sleep duration (7.5 ± 1.5 h vs 6.3 ± 1.2 h, p < 0.001) and better sleep quality (78.2% vs 46.3%, p < 0.001) during off-shift nights than on on-shift nights. Smoking prevalence was 26.4%, and workers reported smoking a similar number of cigarettes per day during on-and off-shift days. Most workers reported drinking alcohol (86.1%) and more often at risky levels during off-shift than on-shift days (57.9% vs 34.3%, p < 0.001). Fruits and vegetable consumption was low but with higher vegetable intake during off-shift days (2.8 ± 1.4 vs 2.3 ± 1.3 serves, p < 0.001). Workers had good physical health status (91.2%), but 71.4% were overweight/obese and 33.4% indicated high levels of psychological distress. Working on long shifts (OR 6.63, 95% CI 1.84–23.91) and smoking (OR 7.17, 95% CI 2.67–19.26) were linked to high psychological distress.ConclusionsThe prevalence of psychological distress and risky health behaviours was high. Interventions should aim to reduce psychological distress and support multiple behaviour changes, considering FIFO work-related characteristics including long shift hours.

Health and related behaviours of partners of fly-in fly-out workers in Australia: a cross-sectional study

ABSTRACT The recurrent absence of workers from home associated with fly-in fly-out (FIFO) work practice has the potential to affect the partners of the workers. This study aimed to examine the mental and physical health of partners of FIFO workers and compare their health-related behaviours during on-and off-shift periods. Partners of FIFO workers in Australia (N=248) completed an online survey. Partners reported higher sleep duration (7.3 ± 1.4 vs 6.4 ± 1.3 hours, p < .001) and better sleep quality during off-shift nights compared to on-shift nights. Among the current smokers (16.9%), partners smoked more cigarettes per day during on-shift periods than off-shift (13.1 ± 8.2 vs 11.6 ± 7.6, p = .034), but there was no difference in alcohol consumption at risky levels. Partners also consumed similar portions of fruits and vegetables and engaged in similar minutes of moderate to vigorous physical exercise per day during on-and off-shift days. Majority of partners had good physical health status (85.1%), but risk of psychological distress was high (50.4%). Interventions could target assisting multiple health behaviour changes and reducing psychological distress by supporting partners to adapt to and cope with the demands/stressors of FIFO lifestyles, particularly in the absence of workers.

Telomere length in individuals with and without major depression and adverse childhood experiences

Major depressive disorder (MDD) and adverse childhood experiences (ACE) are associated with poor physical and mental health in adulthood. One underlying mechanism might be accelerated cellular aging. For example, both conditions, MDD and ACE, have been related to a biological marker of cellular aging, accelerated shortening of telomere length (TL). Since MDD and ACE are confounded in many studies, we aimed with the current study to further disentangle the effects of MDD and ACE on TL using a full-factorial design including four carefully diagnosed groups of healthy participants and MDD patients with and without ACE (total N = 90, all without use of antidepressants). As dependent variable, TL was assessed in leukocytes. We found no group differences based on MDD and ACE exposure in TL. While TL was negatively associated with age and male sex, TL was not associated with any measure of severity of MDD, ACE or current stress. One possible explanation for our null result may be the comparatively good physical health status of our sample. Future research is needed to elucidate the relation of TL, MDD and ACE, taking potential effect modification by medication intake and physical health status into account.

Influence of Comorbidities on Healthcare Expenditures and Perceived Physical and Mental Health Status Among Adults with Multiple Sclerosis: A Propensity Score-Matched US National-Level Study.

ObjectiveTo evaluate the effect of comorbidities on healthcare expenditures and perceived physical and mental health status among adults with multiple sclerosis (MS) compared to propensity score-matched non-MS controls.MethodsA retrospective, cross-sectional, matched cohort study was conducted using Medical Expenditure Panel Survey (2005–2015) data. The base study sample consisted of adults (age ≥18 years) who were alive and had positive total healthcare expenditures during the survey calendar year. Adults with MS were propensity-matched (1:1) to non-MS controls based on age, gender, and race/ethnicity using greedy matching algorithm. Healthcare expenditures consisted of total and subtypes of expenditures. Health status consisted of perceived physical and mental health status. Comorbidities were identified using ICD-9-CM and Clinical Classification System codes. Ordinary least squares regression and multinomial logistic regression were used to analyze the healthcare expenditures and health status variables, respectively.ResultsFinal study sample consisted of 541 adults in each MS and non-MS control groups after propensity score matching. After adjusting for potential confounders, individuals with MS had greater total and subtypes of expenditures compared to non-MS controls, and several comorbidities (eg, depression, hypertension) were significantly associated with increased healthcare expenditures. Yearly average total expenditures (expressed in 2018 US$) were significantly (p<0.001) higher for adults with MS ($29,396) than propensity score-matched non-MS adults ($7875). Moreover, after adjusting for all individual-level factors, adults with MS experienced 363% (p<0.001) higher total expenditures compared to propensity score-matched non-MS controls. Individuals with MS were more likely to report poorer physical and good mental health status compared to propensity score-matched non-MS controls, and several comorbidities (eg, anxiety, depression) were significant independent predictors of poorer health status. For example, adults with MS were four times more likely (OR: 4.10, 95% CI: 2.42–6.96) to report fair/poor physical health status compared to excellent/very good physical health status compared with non-MS controls. Adults with MS were 42% (OR: 1.42, 95% CI: 1.01–1.99) more likely than propensity score-matched non-MS controls to report good rather than very good or excellent mental health status. However, there was no difference between adults with MS and propensity score-matched non-MS controls in terms of reporting fair or poor than very good or excellent mental health status.ConclusionFindings from this study indicate substantial economic and health status burdens among adults with MS at the US national-level that are significantly influenced by comorbidities.

Effect of Resistance Training of Quadriceps Muscle in Patients with Knee Osteoarthritis: A Randomized Control Trial

Objective: To determine the effects of resistance training in quadriceps muscle in patients with knee osteoarthritis attending tertiary care hospital, Karachi. Materials and methods: This was a single blinded randomized control trial study with probability simple random sampling technique. Sampling was done in physiotherapy department of Al-Khidmat Hospital Korangi, Karachi from May to December 2018. The required sample size was found to be 74 (37 in experimental group and 37 in control group). Inclusion criteria for patients was age >45 years, moderate degree pain, ability to walk 20 to 30 meters, subject without any walking aid and chronic osteoarthritis of knee diagnosed on radiograph. Variables were observed using the Numerical Rating Scale (NRS), Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis (WOMAC) index, and a strength gauge device, respectively. All observations were taken at baseline and after a week. SPSS version 23.0 was used for data analysis. Results: A total of 74 patients were recruited in this study. There were two groups Experimental and Control 37 patients were taken in each group. Strengthening of quadriceps exercises was assessed at baseline 9.13 ± 1.39 and after a week 11.36 ± 1.22 with statistically significant P-value of 0.041 in experimental group. In control group there was no statistical (difference observed at baseline and after a week routine checkup. Conclusion: Quadriceps strengthening exercises have a positive impact found in patients with knee OA. Experimental group patients gradually showed improvement after exercises of one week with good physical health status.

Risk and protective factors associated with the mental health of young adults in Kabul,\xa0Afghanistan

BackgroundWe examined the mental health status and severity of psychological distress symptoms among young adults residing in Kabul, Afghanistan and determined how such outcomes might be influenced by an array of risk and protective factors.MethodsA cross-sectional study design was adopted using convenience, snowball, and street-intercept recruitment techniques. Surveys were completed by 232 young adults between 18 and 35 years of age in September 2015. We used both etic (mental health component of the SF-8) and emic (Afghan Symptom Checklist) measures of mental health and psychological distress, respectively, and regressed these outcome measures against socio-demographic, physical health, and psychological variables (resilience, hope-optimism) using ordinary least squares (OLS) regression methods.ResultsWe found that poor mental health is common in this sample, affecting 75% of participants; and, that distress symptoms (depressive, anxiety, and somatoform symptoms) occur often. Regression models were consistent in showing higher education as a risk-factor for both outcomes, whereas, age, ethnicity, and income significantly contributed only to the ASCL model as risk-factors. However, both outcomes were strongly influenced by protective factors such as good physical health status and higher perceived hope-optimism.ConclusionsOur study provides further evidence of how current economic conditions in Kabul contribute to poor mental health and symptom severity, but also show how positive physical health and perceived hope-optimism can be protective. This study provides support for developing culturally-competent policies and interventions that build on protective factors.

Does General, Physical and Mental Health Differ by Healthcare Coverage or Healthcare Cost for Middle-Aged Females?

Purpose: Research linking health status and healthcare access does not clearly establish the relative impact of healthcare coverage versus healthcare cost for health status outcomes, especially for middle-aged women. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to determine whether general, physical, and mental health status outcomes differed by healthcare coverage or healthcare cost in multiple samples of middle-aged females. Methods: This cross-sectional analysis used 2015 data from the Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS) for females aged 35-54 from Alabama, Arkansas, Louisiana, and Mississippi. To establish patterns in relations, multiple logistic regression analysis by state assessed the relationships separately for general health, mental health, and physical health with healthcare coverage and healthcare cost while controlling for other health and demographic factors. Results: Most participants reported good general health status (73-79%), and about half reported good physical health status (54-59%) and good mental health status (54-58%) despite also reporting two or more health conditions (47-53%). In addition, most participants reported having healthcare coverage (82-92%) and not having cost preclude doctors’ visits (74-82%). The results of adjusted analysis indicated that good general, mental, and physical health status outcomes were inversely related to healthcare cost in three of four states and to two or more health conditions in all four states. In addition, good general health status and physical health status were related positively to income level in 3 of 4 states. Conclusion: Overall, general, physical, and mental health status outcomes in middle aged women showed consistent patterns of relations with healthcare cost across similar samples, but not to healthcare coverage. In addition, all three health status outcomes were related to multiple health conditions, and general and physical health were related to income level. Although this study lacked specific information for healthcare concerns and costs for middleaged women, providers and policy makers should consider the costs of health management for middle-aged female patients, especially in low income areas.

A study to assess the physical health status of children aged between 6-12 years in selected orphanages of Udupi district during 2008 to 2010

Children are placed in orphanages due to poverty, abandonment, illness, death of parents, severe familial dysfunction and so on. Any of those conditions can result in a multitude of health problems in a child. The main Objectives of the study were to assess the physical health status of children aged between 6-12 years in selected orphanages of Udupi district and to find out association between the physical health status and selected demographic variables. Descriptive research design was adopted for the study. An observational checklist on physical health status was developed to collect the data by using purposive sampling technique. The findings of the results showed that the majority (65%) of the children had poor physical health status whereas 35% of the children had good physical health status. The major prevalent morbid conditions among children were Bitot’s spot (65%), pale conjunctiva (65%), acute respiratory tract infection (81.7%), dental caries (88.3%), inflammation of tonsils (73.3%), lice in the head (53.3%), scabies (65%), ring worm infection (46.7%), pyoderma (23.3%). The assessment of nutritional status revealed that majority (60%) of the children had malnutrition.

Employee Health Behaviors, Self-Reported Health Status, and Association With Absenteeism: Comparison With the General Population.

To perform a comparison between health behaviors and health status of employees with those of the general population, to evaluate the association between employee health behaviors, health status, and absenteeism. Cross-sectional study enrolled 2433 employees from 16 Korean companies in 2014, and recruited 1000 general population randomly in 2012. The distribution of employee health behaviors, health status, and association with absenteeism were assessed. Employees had significantly worse health status and low rates of health behaviors maintenance compared with the general population. Multiple logistic regression model revealed that regular exercise, smoking cessation, work life balance, proactive living, religious practice, and good physical health status were associated with lower absenteeism. Maintaining health behaviors and having good health status were associated with less absenteeism. This study suggests investment of multidimensional health approach in workplace health and wellness (WHW) programs.

The Stress-Metabolic Syndrome Relationship in Adolescents: An Examination of the Moderating Potential of Physical Activity.

The role of psychosocial stress in the development of obesity and metabolic syndrome is receiving increased attention and has led to examination of whether physical activity may moderate the stress-metabolic syndrome relationship. The current study examined relationships among physical activity, stress, and metabolic syndrome in adolescents. Participants (N = 126; 57 girls, 69 boys) were assessed for anthropometry, psychosocial stress, physical activity, and metabolic syndrome variables; t tests were used to examine sex differences, and regression analysis was used to assess relationships among variables controlling for sex and maturity status. Mean body mass index approached the 75th percentile for both sexes. Typical sex differences were observed for systolic blood pressure, time spent in moderate and vigorous physical activity, and perceived stress. Although stress was not associated with MetS (β = -.001, P = .82), a modest, positive relationship was observed with BMI (β = .20, P = .04). Strong relationships between physical activity and stress with MetS or BMI were not found in this sample. Results may be partially explained by overall good physical health status of the participants. Additional research in groups exhibiting varying degrees of health is needed.

Prospective Follow‐Up of Empirically Derived Alcohol Dependence Subtypes in Wave 2 of the National Epidemiologic Survey on Alcohol and Related Conditions (NESARC): Recovery Status, Alcohol Use Disorders and Diagnostic Criteria, Alcohol Consumption Behavior, Health Status, and Treatment Seeking

We have previously reported on an empirical classification of Alcohol Dependence (AD) individuals into subtypes using nationally representative general population data from the 2001 to 2002 Wave 1 of the National Epidemiologic Survey on Alcohol and Related Conditions (NESARC) and latent class analysis. Our results suggested a typology of 5 separate clusters based upon age of onset of AD, multigenerational familial AD, rates of antisocial personality disorder (ASPD), endorsement of specific AD and Alcohol Abuse (AA) criteria, and the presence of comorbid mood, anxiety, and substance use disorders (SUD). In this report, we focus on the clinical follow-up of these cluster members in Wave 2 of the NESARC (2004 to 2005). The mean interval between NESARC Wave 1 and NESARC Wave 2 interviews was 36.6 (SD = 2.6) months. For these analyses, we utilized a Wave 2 NESARC sample that was comprised of a total of 1,172 individuals who were initially ascertained as having past-year AD at NESARC Wave 1 and initially subtyped into one of 5 groupings using latent class analysis. We identified these subtypes as: (i) Young Adult, characterized by very early age of onset, minimal family history, and low rates of psychiatric and SUD comorbidity; (ii) Functional, characterized by older age of onset, higher psychosocial functioning, minimal family history, and low rates of psychiatric and SUD comorbidity; (iii) Intermediate Familial, characterized by older age of onset, significant familial AD, and elevated comorbid rates of mood disorders SUD; (iv) Young Antisocial, characterized by early age of onset and elevated rates of ASPD, significant familial AD, and elevated rates of comorbid mood disorders and SUD; (v) Chronic Severe, characterized by later onset, elevated rates of ASPD, significant familial AD, and elevated rates of comorbid mood disorders and SUD. In this report, we examine Wave 2 recovery status, health status, alcohol consumption behavior, and treatment episodes based upon these subtypes. Significantly fewer of the Young Adult and Functional subtypes continued to meet full DSM-IV AD criteria in Wave 2 than did the Intermediate Familial, the Young Antisocial, and the Chronic Severe subtypes. However, we did not find that treatment seeking for alcohol problems increased over Wave 1 reports. In Wave 2, Young Antisocial and Chronic Severe subtypes had highest rates of past-year treatment seeking. In terms of health status, the Intermediate Familial, the Young Antisocial, and the Chronic Severe subtypes had significantly worse mental health scores than the Young Adult and Functional subtypes. For physical health status, the Functional, Intermediate Familial, Young Antisocial, and the Chronic Severe subtypes had significantly worse scores than the Young Adult subtype. In terms of alcohol consumption behavior, the Young Adult, Functional, and Young Antisocial subtypes significantly reduced their risk drinking days between Wave 1 and Wave 2, whereas the Intermediate Familial and the Chronic Severe subtypes did not. The results suggest that the empirical AD typology predicts differential clinical outcomes 3 years later. Persistence of full AD, treatment seeking, and worse mental health status were associated most strongly with those subtypes manifesting the greatest degree of psychiatric comorbidity. Reductions in alcohol consumption behavior and good physical health status were seen among the 2 younger subtypes. Overall, the least prevalent subtype, the Chronic Severe, showed the greatest stability in the manifestations of AD, despite having the highest rate of treatment seeking.