Negative Lifestyle Research Articles

Unhealthy Lifestyle Contributes to Negative Mental Health and Poor Quality of Life in Young University Students.

Background: A negative lifestyle is reported to be related to poor mental health and quality of life (QOL). However, there is little information on this in university students. The objective of the present study was to investigate the association between mental health (i.e., anxiety, depression symptoms and stress), QOL, SWLS and lifestyle parameters (i.e., PA, sleep duration, ST and food habits) among Chilean university students and then to determine the differences in mental health, QOL, SWLS and lifestyle parameters according to gender. Methods: This cross-sectional study included a total of 211 university students (128 females and 83 males) aged 18-28 years. Mental health, QOL and lifestyle were measured through validated questionnaires. Results: Bad food habits (lowest score in the food survey) were linked to anxiety (2.3 [0.22-4.36], p = 0.03), depressive symptoms (3.75 [1.54-5.9], p = 0.001) and stress (2.24 [0.31-4.17], p = 0.023). Furthermore, <6 h of sleep was related to poorer mental health (13.5 [7.6-19.5], p = 0.001), anxiety (4.2 [2.0-6.4], p < 0.001), depressive symptoms (5.5 [3.2-7.9], p < 0.001) and stress (3.8 [1.8-5.9], p < 0.001). In addition, ≥4 h of ST was linked positively to negative mental health (8.3 [2.86-13.7], p = 0.003), depressive symptoms (3.45 [1.47-5.4], p = 0.001) and anxiety (3.2 [1.05-5.4], p = 0.004). Non-physical activity was related to the scores for anxiety (2.6 [0.20-5.0], p = 0.030), depression (2.7 [0.009-5.3], p = 0.049) and stress (2.4 [0.12-4.7], p = 0.039). Conclusions: this study showed that unhealthy lifestyle factors (i.e., insufficient sleep, lack of PA and prolonged ST) were strongly associated with poorer mental health and QOL in university students. These findings highlight the importance of addressing these aspects of lifestyle in intervention and health promotion programs aimed at young university students in order to improve their mental health and overall QOL.

'Leaving the Door Open': Perspectives on Decision-Making for Non-Emergency Diabetes-Related Amputation.

Having a lower extremity amputation is a life-changing decision for people living with a diabetes-related foot ulcer. Although previous research has described both positive and negative lifestyle and function outcomes of diabetes-related amputations, limited research has been conducted on the decision-making processes leading up to the amputation. This study aimed to explore the perspectives of persons, healthcare practitioners and experts (including academics and specialists) on decision-making for people with a diabetes-related foot ulcer who may require a non-emergency amputation. A qualitative descriptive study using semi-structured interviews enabled people to share their thought processes when making decisions for amputation. Twenty-six participants were interviewed, including nine people with a diabetes-related foot ulcer or amputation, nine health practitioners and eight experts located across five countries. There were 13 female and 13 male participants. Thematic analysis was used for data analysis. Four themes described the decision-making considerations for amputation: 'Balancing the evidence in decision-making', 'Trust, respect and timing of conversations inform decision-making', 'Tailoring decisions for individual circumstance' and 'Reaching the tipping point in decisions for the future'. Work commitments, functional and lifestyle impacts of amputation, the presence of support networks and clinical wound features formed the evidence for a decision for amputation. Understanding quality of life needs ensured that decisions for amputation addressed expectations and lifestyle needs. Living with a diabetes-related foot ulcer presented daily challenges that pushed people to a tipping point, at which amputation was considered to overcome these hardships and enable them to move on to the next chapter of their life. Further research is required to understand how person-centred factors can be better incorporated alongside objective clinical assessments in decisions for amputation. People with diabetes-related foot ulcers, health practitioners and experts shared their perspectives on the decision-making process for amputation through one-to-one interviews. Consideration of the person in the context of their life, environment and personal needs alongside the pathological factors is warranted.

The Mediating Role of Cardiorespiratory Fitness in the Association between a Negative Lifestyle and Poor Mental Health in Chilean Schoolchildren.

A negative lifestyle has a reported relationship with psychological problems and deteriorated well-being. However, there is little information regarding the mediating role of cardiorespiratory fitness (CRF) in this relationship. The objectives of the present study are twofold: first, to investigate the association between negative lifestyle, physical self-concept (PSC), and depression, and second, to assess the potential mediating role of CRF in this complex relationship. This cross-sectional study included 612 schoolchildren aged between 9 and 14 years from the Araucanía region (southern Chile). CRF was measured using the Leger test, and lifestyle, depression, and PSC were measured using validated questionnaires. A negative lifestyle reported an inverse association with PSC (p < 0.001) and a positive association with depression levels (p < 0.001). The mediation analysis showed that CRF was positively related to PSC (p < 0.001) and inversely related to depression (p = 0.001); besides, the indirect effect CRF acted as a partial mediator in the association between a negative lifestyle and PSC (indirect effect = -1.15; SE = 0.01; 95% CI, -1.87, -0.55) and depression levels (indirect effect = 0.22; SE = 0.08; 95% CI, 0.08, 0.38). In conclusion, CRF in schoolchildren played a potential mediating role in the association between a negative lifestyle and depression and PSC.

Association of self-leadership and epidemic risk perception on quality of life in post-pandemic mainland of China: a cross-sectional study.

Self-leadership has proven to adjust individual psychological states and promote active behaviors to mitigate stress perception and negative lifestyle. This study aims to investigate the relationship between self-leadership, epidemic risk perception, and quality of life among the general public in post-pandemic mainland of China. Two online self-reported questionnaire surveys were carried out with 3,098 and 469 people in the Chinese mainland in February 2021 and December 2022, respectively. The univariate analysis, structural equation modeling, and fuzzy-set qualitative comparative analysis were used to analyze the data which was collected by Revised Self-Leadership Questionnaire, Perceived Risk of COVID-19 Pandemic Scale and World Health Organization Quality of Life Brief Scale. The Self-leadership was directly, moderately, and positively correlated with quality of life (Standardized path coefficients: 0.383 and 0.491, respectively; p < 0.05), and epidemic risk perception was negatively correlated with quality of life (Standardized path: 0.068 and 0.120, respectively; p < 0.05). The structural equation model for self-leadership, epidemic risk perception, and quality of life had a good fit (CFI = 0.957, 0.939 > 0.9; RSMEA = 0.058, 0.064 < 0.08, respectively) and was consistent across genders, educational levels, and types of occupations (Delata-CFI < 0.01). The core condition for achieving a high quality of life lies in maintaining a low level of self-punishment and a high level of self-cueing or a high level of self-punishment and a low level of self-cueing. In the post-epidemic era, the public can adjust their attitude toward stress by enhancing their self-leadership skills. Among various self-leadership skills, self-punishment or self-cueing may have the most significant impact on the quality of life.

Influence of polyphenolic compounds on human health and the course of a number of diseases

The purpose of this literature review is to elucidate the biological effects of polyphenols and their importance for human health. Polyphenols play the role of food antioxidants and are of growing interest in various fields of scientific research and including nutritional research due to the presence of these compounds in plant foods. In this review, a brief classification of polyphenols is presented. Polyphenols include a diverse group of compounds such as phenolic acids, flavonoids, stilbenes and lignans. Flavonoids are found in fruits such as apples, apricots, grapes and citrus fruits; vegetables are rich in phenolic acids. Polyphenols are also rich in nuts, legumes, green tea, blueberries, cocoa. Polyphenols are of interest because of their effective direct and indirect antioxidant mechanisms for attenuating chronic diseases, as well as leveling negative lifestyle and nutritional factors. The antioxidant properties of polyphenolic compounds limit oxidative stress, which is relevant in geriatrics. Through a diet enriched with polyphenols, it is possible to reduce the likelihood of developing cancer, and diabetes. The favorable effect of polyphenols is noted on the functioning of the cardiovascular system. Polyphenols protect the endothelium from damage, slow the formation of atherosclerotic plaques, exhibit antithrombotic action. Having antioxidant activity, polyphenols inhibit lipoperoxidation processes, having a therapeutic effect in Alzheimer's and Parkinson's disease. In particular, catechins are effective in Parkinson's disease and ferulic acid is effective in patients with Alzheimer's disease. The protective effects of polyphenols associated with their antioxidant activity make the use of these compounds in geriatrics attractive. Due not only to their antioxidant but also hypoglycemic properties, polyphenols may be an additional treatment for diabetes mellitus. The polyphenols theaflavins and thearubigins, found in black tea and possessing antioxidant properties, have anti-cancer effects. Polyphenols also protect the skin from sun damage. It can be concluded that patients with chronic diseases should be prescribed a diet rich in polyphenols.

Healthy Lifestyle Related to Executive Functions in Chilean University Students: A Pilot Study.

A negative lifestyle is reported to be related to cognitive problems. However, there is little information about this in relation to university students. The objective of the present study was to investigate the association between executive functions (EFs) and lifestyle parameters (i.e., physical activity (PA), sleep duration, screen time (ST), and food habits) among Chilean university students. This cross-sectional study included a total of 150 university students (94 females and 56 males, aged 21.28 ± 3.15 and 22.18 ± 2.90 years, respectively). Cognitive outcomes were measured using the CogniFit assessment battery. Lifestyle was measured through validated questionnaires. Across the total sample, attention exhibited a positive association with PA h/week (β: 24.34 95% CI: 12.46 to 36.22, p = 0.001). Additionally, coordination was positively associated with PA h/week (β: 15.06 95% CI: 0.62 to 29.50, p < 0.041). PA h/week was positively linked with reasoning (β: 20.34 95% CI: 4.52 to 36.17, p = 0.012) and perception (β: 13.81 95% CI: 4.14 to 23.49, p = 0.005). Moreover, PA h/week was significantly linked to memory (β: 23.01 95% CI: 7.62 to 38.40, p = 0.004). In terms of the EFs, PA h/week showed a positive association with cognitive flexibility (β: 45.60 95% CI: 23.22 to 67.69, p = 0.001). In conclusion, lifestyle (PA h/week) was positively associated with EFs. Therefore, an increase in PA levels among these students should be a target for community- and university-based interventions in order to promote cognitive development such as attention, coordination, reasoning, perception, memory, and cognitive flexibility.

Negative Lifestyle Factors Specific to Aging Persons Living with HIV and Multimorbidity.

The primary goal of medical care during the pre-antiretroviral therapy (ART) era was to keep persons living with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) alive, whereas since the advent of ART, the treatment objective has shifted to decreasing viral loads and infectiousness while increasing CD4+ T-cell counts and longevity. The health crisis, however, is in preventing and managing multimorbidity (ie, type 2 diabetes), which develops at a more accelerated or accentuated pace among aging persons living with HIV. Relative to the general population and age-matched uninfected adults, it may be more difficult for aging HIV-positive persons who also suffer from multimorbidity to improve negative lifestyle factors to the extent that their behaviors could support the prevention and management of diseases. With recommendations and a viable solution, this article explores the impact of negative lifestyle factors (ie, poor mental health, suboptimal nutrition, physical inactivity, alcohol use) on the health of aging individuals living with HIV.

Analyzing the Challenges, Consequences, and Possible Treatments for Polycystic Ovary Syndrome.

Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is a highly widespread disorder caused by a disturbed endocrine system. The Rotterdam criteria have classified 4 phenotypes of PCOS. This syndrome has multifactorial pathophysiology triggered by a disturbed neuroendocrine system, which further produces abnormal levels of luteinizing hormone, follicle-stimulating hormone, androgen, estrogen, and progesterone, leading towards the risk of metabolic and reproductive diseases. PCOS is associated with an increased risk of developing health problems like hyperinsulinemia, diabetes mellitus, hypertension, cardiovascular disorders, dyslipidaemia, endometrial hyperplasia, anxiety and depression. These days, PCOS has become a scientific issue due to complex aetiology with multi- complex physiology. Due to the unavailability of specific medicines, there is no cure for PCOS; however, certain symptoms could be treated. The scientific community is actively looking for various treatment options too. In this context, the current review summarizes the challenges, consequences and various treatment options for PCOS. Various literature reports provide evidence that PCOS can be identified in early infancy, adolescents and women at the menopausal stage. Most commonly, PCOS is caused by multifactorial agents, including genetics and negative lifestyle. Metabolic consequences from obesity, insulin resistance, and vascular disorder have increased the rate of PCOS. This study also highlights psychological morbidity in PCOS women that have an adverse effect on health-related quality of life (HRQoL). PCOS symptoms can be treated using different strategies, including oral contraceptive drugs, surgical treatment (laparoscopic ovarian drilling (LOD), assisted reproductive techniques (ART), and Chinese acupuncture treatment.

Effect of providing counseling on efforts to prevent degenerative diseases on clean and healthy living behaviors in school settings for adolescents at SMK I Sumbawa

Degenerative disease is a disease that arises due to the deterioration of organ function due to the aging process and is one of the biggest causes of death in the world, causing 60% of deaths and 40% of the global disease burden. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), nearly 17 million people are dying from degenerative diseases every year (Departemen Kesehatan RI, 2005). Efforts to increase clean and healthy living behavior in adolescents require counseling to adolescents, especially regarding various kinds of degenerative diseases and prevention efforts that must be done. The preliminary study conducted by the researcher is that out of 50 students at SMK 1 Sumbawa, it is known that 45 class XI students have never received counseling/knowledge about degenerative diseases, and 35 of them have a negative lifestyle, including often eating instant noodles, fried snacks, etc. (SMK 1 Sumbawa, 2023). The method used was pre-experimental, namely one group pretest-posttest design. This study aims to determine the effect of providing counseling on efforts to prevent degenerative diseases on clean and healthy living behavior in school settings in adolescents at SMK I Sumbawa. The location of data collection was carried out at SMK1 Sumbawa.

Characteristics of Atypical Sleep Durations Among Older Compared to Younger Adults: Evidence from the New Zealand Health Survey.

Understanding and supporting sleep is important across the life span. Disparities in sleep status are well documented in mid-life but under-explored among older populations. Data from 40,659 adults pooled from the New Zealand Health Surveys were used; 24.2% were "older adults" (aged ≥65years), 57% were female, and 20.5% of Māori ethnicity. "Long," "short," or "typical" sleep categories were based on age-related National Sleep Foundation guidelines. Multinomial logistic regression examined predictors of atypical sleep, including sociodemographic characteristics, lifestyle factors, and health status. Prevalence of short and long sleep among older adults was 296 (3.0%) and 723 (7.4%), respectively. Correspondingly, prevalence among younger adults was 2521 (8.2%) and 364 (1.2%). Atypical sleep was more significantly associated with indicators of reduced socioeconomic status and ethnicity among younger rather than older adults. Within both age groups, lower physical activity was associated with long sleep status. Higher physical activity and smoking were related to short sleep status among younger adults only. Within both age groups, atypical sleep was associated with SF-12 scores indicating poorer physical and mental health. Having ≥3 health conditions was related to short sleep among the older adults, while for young adults, it was related to both atypical durations. Indicators of negative lifestyle and health factors remain consistent predictors of atypical sleep with aging. However, demographic disparities are less apparent among older atypical sleepers. This study highlights individual and contextual factors associated with atypical sleep patterns which may be important for age-appropriate recognition and management of sleep problems.

Effects of Lockdown for COVID-19 Pandemic on Chronic Kidney Disease Progression in Children with Congenital Anomalies of the Kidney and Urinary Tract: A Retrospective Pilot Study.

The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic changed adults and children's lifestyle. We focused our attention on children affected by chronic kidney disease (CKD) due to congenital abnormalities of kidney and urinary tract (CAKUT) and their behavior during the lockdown. Our aims were to evaluate the incidence of CKD progression within 6 months after the end of the first Italian lockdown and the factors associated to it. CKD progression was defined by the transition to higher CKD stage or by the drop in estimated glomerular filtration rate by a 25% or more for patients belonging to CKD stages 1 and 2. We retrospectively selected 21 children with CAKUT and CKD ≥ stage 1 observed within 3 months before and 6 months after the first Italian lockdown. We called them by phone and asked them about their lifestyle before and during lockdown focusing on physical activity, screen time, sweet/candies/sugar-sweetened beverages eaten/drunk and adherence to the Mediterranean diet (MD) (through KIDMED questionnaire). We calculated and analyzed the delta between the pre- and post- lockdown observation of all collected parameters (clinical and biochemical parameters and questionnaires scores). Analyzing the overall cohort, we found significantly increased mean BMI and mean screen time and significantly lower mean physical activity time in post- compared with pre-lockdown observations. Eleven out of twenty-one patients (52.4%) had a worsening of CKD. These patients presented higher delta of levels of uric acid and microalbuminuria and showed minor adherence to the MD and declared to have consumed more sweets or candies or sugar-sweetened beverages/week during the lockdown with a tendentially major increment of BMI compared with patients not presenting CKD progression. In conclusion, the lockdown for COVID-19 pandemic determined increase of BMI in all enrolled patients due to a "forced" negative lifestyle. About half of these patients presented CKD progression. This progression was associated to less adherence to the MD and major consumption of sweets or candies or sugar-sweetened beverages.

부정적 좌식습관에 따른 요통환자의 후면부 강화운동이 통증지수 및 스트레스 반응 개선에 미치는 영향

The purpose of this study was to examine the changes in the pain index and stress response through posterior strengthening exercise to subjects who are experiencing back pain due to a negative sedentary lifestyle, and to present a basis for explaining the optimal local exercise. Therefore, we recruited men aged 20 to 39 years who have worked for more than 3 years in the sedentary occupational group and are currently experiencing back pain. Through screening, 20 people who recorded a score of 4 or more on the NRS scale of the pain index test and 40 IU/L or more on the ɑ-amylase stress test were selected, and 10 people from the Back Exercise Group (BEG) who performed posterior exercises and an ECG that controlled exercise activities (Exercise Control Group) was divided into 10 people and conducted for 8 weeks. Research Results 1. The posterior strengthening exercise is effective in reducing the pain index of patients with low back pain. 2. The posterior strengthening exercise is effective in reducing the stress response of patients with low back pain. 3. There is a significant positive correlation between the pain index NRS and the stress response ɑ-amylase.

Negative Physical Self-Concept Is Associated to Low Cardiorespiratory Fitness, Negative Lifestyle and Poor Mental Health in Chilean Schoolchildren.

Background: Evidence suggests that physical self-concept (PSC) is linked to well-being in children and adolescents. Objective: The objective was to investigate the association of PSC with mental health (i.e., depression and body image), physical status (i.e., fitness and weight status) and lifestyle (physical activity (PA) patterns and nutritional level) in Chilean schoolchildren. Methods: A total of 617 schoolchildren (n = 271 girls and n = 346 boys) aged 10–14 years participated in this study. Self-concept, depression and body image dissatisfaction were determined by questionnaires. Physical fitness, PA, screen time (ST), Mediterranean diet (MD) adherence and anthropometric parameters were also included. Results: Poor PSC was linked to bad cardiorespiratory fitness (CRF) (<42 VO2max) (OR 1.64; 95%CI 1.12–2.34; p = 0.01), severe body image dissatisfaction (OR 2.51, 95%CI 0.99–6.35; p = 0.05), ST of more than two hours a day (OR 2.1; 95%CI 1.41–3.12; p < 0.001), PA after school of no more than two hours per week (OR 1.52; 95%CI 1.08–2.13; p = 0.015) and depression (OR 1.80; 95%CI 1.1–2.92; p = 0.017). High nutritional level showed an association with general PSC and general self-concept (p < 0.05). Absence of body image dissatisfaction was related to general self-concept (p < 0.01) and physical condition dimensions (p < 0.05). Conclusions: PSC is associated with CRF, PA after school, ST and nutritional level. According to mental health variables, poor PSC is related to depression in Chilean schoolchildren. Therefore, promoting a healthy lifestyle among children should be a target of community- and school-based interventions to promote PSC.

Effects of Lifestyle Change on Sustainability for ‘Reforming the Indian Economy’

From 19th century it has become our slogan that economy must develop following a sustainable path- a path of sustainable society and sustainable environment which are very much interdependent to each other. The linking parameter between the two interrelated concepts of sustainability is the sustainable lifestyle. Objective of the study is to assess the behavior of lifestyle change and sustainability of the secondary school students and the correlation between the two. The sample comprises 150 students, both boys &amp; girls ranging in age from 15-17 years and studying from various secondary institutions under WBBSE in West Bengal. In our study we have considered stratified purposive sampling due to short time period. Two validated questionnaire vetted by experts and researchers in measurement and research was used as an instrument for data collection and analyzed by employing quantitative research approach. In the study we have considered two categories of lifestyle namely positive lifestyle and negative lifestyle. The study reveals that a different category of lifestyle has some effects on sustainability. Also it has been found that a relationship exists between lifestyle change and sustainability. Understanding the effects of lifestyle change on sustainability has become a challenging issue now days. Students are the future of world so if they are in the habit of positive lifestyle then it would not take much time to turn our society into a sustainable society and this indirectly reform the economy.

Network analysis of trauma in patients with early-stage psychosis

Childhood trauma (ChT) is a risk factor for psychosis. Negative lifestyle factors such as rumination, negative schemas, and poor diet and exercise are common in psychosis. The present study aimed to perform a network analysis of interactions between ChT and negative lifestyle in patients and controls. We used data of patients with early-stage psychosis (n = 500) and healthy controls (n = 202). Networks were constructed using 12 nodes from five scales: the Brief Core Schema Scale (BCSS), Brooding Scale (BS), Dietary Habits Questionnaire, Physical Activity Rating, and Early Trauma Inventory Self Report-Short Form (ETI). Graph metrics were calculated. The nodes with the highest predictability and expected influence in both patients and controls were cognitive and emotional components of the BS and emotional abuse of the ETI. The emotional abuse was a mediator in the shortest pathway connecting the ETI and negative lifestyle for both groups. The negative others and negative self of the BCSS mediated emotional abuse to other BCSS or BS for patients and controls, respectively. Our findings suggest that rumination and emotional abuse were central symptoms in both groups and that negative others and negative self played important mediating roles for patients and controls, respectively.Trial Registration: ClinicalTrials.gov identifier: CUH201411002.

Lockdown and its Impact on Food and Exercise Study

Introduction: The COVID-19 pandemic had enforced several restrictions which were necessary to abate the spread of the virus, however, the blow of these limitations on health behaviors and lifestyles remains vague. Therefore, this study was carried out to assess the behavioral and lifestyle consequences of complete lockdown during the pandemic. Materials and Methods: The Lockdown and its Impact on Food and Exercise study was a pilot study conducted in the form of a questionnaire which was handed out to the public and circulated electronically. The questions regarding exercise were adapted from the International physical activity questionnaire and those regarding food habits were taken from the Public Library of Science and the Self-regulation of Eating Behavior Questionnaire. This survey was conducted from March 28 to April 14, 2020, during which a complete lockdown prevailed. Results: The COVID-19 complete lockdown had a negative impact on all intensity exercise levels, vigorous exercise (64.34% vs. 41.20%, P ≤ 0.00001), moderate exercise (95.67% vs. 84.57%, P ≤ 0.00001), and walking (55.42% vs. 42.89%, P = 0.0003). Food consumption and meal patterns (58.55% vs. 47.95%, P = 0.0022) were also more unhealthy (78.60% vs. 87.94%, P = 0.0096) during complete lockdown with only the consumption of late night snack decreasing significantly. Conclusion: The results of this analysis indicate that physical activity had decreased significantly and eating behaviors were unhealthy. Hence, our survey will help to develop interventions which would potentially alleviate these negative lifestyle and nutrition behaviors.

The association between gambling and financial, social and health outcomes in big financial data.

Gambling is an ordinary pastime for some people, but is associated with addiction and harmful outcomes for others. Evidence of these harms is limited to small-sample, cross-sectional self-reports, such as prevalence surveys. We examine the association between gambling as a proportion of monthly income and 31 financial, social and health outcomes using anonymous data provided by a UK retail bank, aggregated for up to 6.5 million individuals over up to 7 years. Gambling is associated with higher financial distress and lower financial inclusion and planning, and with negative lifestyle, health, well-being and leisure outcomes. Gambling is associated with higher rates of future unemployment and physical disability and, at the highest levels, with substantially increased mortality. Gambling is persistent over time, growing over the sample period, and has higher negative associations among the heaviest gamblers. Our findings inform the debate over the relationship between gambling and life experiences across the population.

Association between Dietary Habits and Parental Health with Obesity among Children with Precocious Puberty

Precocious puberty, resulting in various physical, mental, and social changes, may have negative consequences for children and their families. In this study, we investigated whether there were differences between parental obesity, children’s and parent’s awareness of body shape, and dietary habits according to obesity levels in children with precocious puberty. A total of 193 children (93.3% girls) diagnosed with precocious puberty were classified into three groups according to their obesity levels. Negative body shape awareness and dissatisfaction were significantly higher in the obese group than in the normal-weight group, and parents were more likely to perceive their children as fat than the children themselves. In addition, the obesity rate of parents in the obese group was higher, and the body mass indexes of children and parents were significantly correlated. The nutrition quotients (NQs) were revealed to be significantly lower in the obese group with significantly lower scores. The significant factors related to obesity were the awareness of a fatty body image and dissatisfaction, obesity of the parents, and the NQ. The results show that obese children with precocious puberty were more vulnerable to negative lifestyle, family environment, and self-esteem effects than their normal-weight peers. Therefore, various interventions, such as environmental management, psychological support, and nutrition education, are needed that focus on the obesity and health conditions of children with precocious puberty.

The COVID-19 pandemic in Norway and Sweden \u2013 threats, trust, and impact on daily life: a comparative survey

BackgroundNorway and Sweden have similar populations and health care systems, but different reactions to the COVID-19 pandemic. Norway closed educational institutions, and banned sports and cultural activities; Sweden kept most institutions and training facilities open. We aimed to compare peoples’ attitudes towards authorities and control measures, and perceived impact of the pandemic and implemented control measures on life in Norway and Sweden.MethodsAnonymous web-based surveys for individuals age 15 or older distributed through Facebook using the snowball method, in Norway and Sweden from mid-March to mid-April, 2020. The survey contained questions about perceived threat of the pandemic, views on infection control measures, and impact on daily life. We performed descriptive analyses of the responses and compared the two countries.Results3508 individuals participated in the survey (Norway 3000; Sweden 508). 79% were women, the majority were 30–49 years (Norway 60%; Sweden 47%), and about 45% of the participants in both countries had more than 4 years of higher education.Participants had high trust in the health services, but differed in the degree of trust in their government (High trust in Norway 17%; Sweden 37%). More Norwegians than Swedes agreed that school closure was a good measure (Norway 66%; Sweden 18%), that countries with open schools were irresponsible (Norway 65%; Sweden 23%), and that the threat from repercussions of the mitigation measures were large or very large (Norway 71%; Sweden 56%). Both countries had a high compliance with infection preventive measures (> 98%). Many lived a more sedentary life (Norway 69%; Sweden 50%) and ate more (Norway 44%; Sweden 33%) during the pandemic.ConclusionSweden had more trust in the authorities, while Norwegians reported a more negative lifestyle during the pandemic. The level of trust in the health care system and self-reported compliance with preventive measures was high in both countries despite the differences in infection control measures.

Study on the patterns of semen analysis in infertile males at a tertiary setup in Devanahalli

Background: Infertility is a stigma in our social environment where 40-50% is due to male infertility. Aim: To evaluate the different patterns of semen abnormalities seen with associated factors. Methods: A prospective study was carried out at the Pathology Laboratory on seminal fluid with male factor as the cause for infertility. Semen samples were analyzed by manual method, using WHO guidelines. Result: Out of 110 samples studied, 74 were Normozoospermia with normal semen parameters and 36 had abnormal semen parameters. Oligoasthenozoospermia was more evident (23), followed by Oligozoospermia (7), Asthenozoospermia (3), Azoospermia (2) and Teratozoospermia (1). Conclusion: Semen analysis remains the cornerstone for evaluating infertility in males. More than the seminal volume given importance; the count, motility and morphology are the most valuable factors of male infertility. Negative lifestyle has a significant impact on semen parameters especially with cigarette smoking and to some extent alcohol consumption.