Risk Factors For Chronic Illness Research Articles

Bridging The Gap Between Dentistry and Chronic Disease Prevention

Over the past few years, oral health has been gaining more attention concerning its connection to overall health and the prevention of chronic diseases. Beijing Health Service Survey research shows that oral health behavior is related to the risk of chronic diseases in middle-aged and older adults living in Beijing, China (Guo et al., 2023). Bad oral hygiene practices are implicated in poor cardiovascular diseases (CVD) as well as endocrine and nutritional metabolic disorders, as stated by the findings. This confirms that oral health behavior is an important modifiable risk factor for chronic illnesses, thereby necessitating integrated intervention programs between oral health and regular disease control. Guo et al. (2023) denote a particular pertinence of the study focusing on middle-aged and older people, considering China’s aging population and the escalating prevalence of chronic diseases. By evaluating the daily frequency of toothbrushing as an oral health behavior index, this research has provided valuable information about how simple oral hygiene practices can impact the risk for chronic conditions. These findings add to a growing evidence base that underscores the significance of oral health in preventive healthcare strategies. This paper aimed to explore paths that would link verbal health behavior with chronic diseases and to develop targeted programs that could enhance middle-aged and older adults’ practices regarding dental management.

Tobacco use and dependence among adults residing in an urbanized village, Delhi, India.

Tobacco use is one of the most significant public health concerns globally as it is a risk factor for chronic illnesses. GATS-2 concluded that 28.6% of all adults currently use Tobacco in India and 17.8% in Delhi. It is important to conduct such surveys in local areas to make specific and effective action plans. Community-based cross-sectional study conducted between January 2020-June 2021 in Aliganj, an urbanized village in South Delhi. Four hundred ninety participants were enrolled using simple random sampling. The first author conducted the interview using GATS and Fagerstrom nicotine dependence test. Data was analyzed using SPSS-21. Median age-35 (26.75-75.00), range-15-84 years. Of the 490 participants, 20.0% were current tobacco users (10.6% smokeless, 7.3% smoked, and 2.2% both). Among current smokers, 78.3% had low, 17.4% moderate, and 4.3% had high dependence on nicotine dependence. Among current smokeless tobacco users, 52.4% had, low, 36.5% moderate, and 11.1% had high dependence. Males had significantly higher odds [6.6 (2.9-15.1)] of tobacco use than females. Higher education [0.3 (0.2-0.8)] compared to no formal education had significantly lower odds of using tobacco. Students [0.1 (0.04-0.4)] and homemakers [0.1 (0.01-0.5)] had significantly lower odds of using tobacco as compared to those employed. One in every five adults is a tobacco user in Aliganj. Manufactured cigarettes, bidi, and water pipes were the most common products among smokers. Among smokeless tobacco users, the most common products were chewing tobacco gutka, and khaini. A larger proportion of smokeless tobacco users had high nicotine dependence than smoked tobacco users.

382 A Survey of Exposure to Community Violence and Adverse Childhood Experiences in Emergency Department Patients

382 A Survey of Exposure to Community Violence and Adverse Childhood Experiences in Emergency Department Patients

The Effects of Acupressure on Menopausal Symptoms: A Randomized Controlled Study

Objectives: The aim of this study was to see how weight cycling affected women's nutritional health and their risk of developing Type 2 diabetes (T2DM). Materials and Methods: Between November 2018 and May 2019, 80 women aged 18 to 65 years old applied to the Nutrition and Diet Department of a Private Medical Center and consented to participate in the study. A questionnaire form was applied to the participants, anthropometric measurements and biochemical blood parameters were evaluated. The Finnish Diabetes Risk Score (FINDRISK) was used to determine the risk of T2DM. Results: 55 of the 80 women included in the study (68.8%) entered the weight cycle, while 25 (31.2%) did not enter the weight cycle. In terms of body weight, BMI, waist circumference, body fat mass, and HOMA-IR values, there was a statistically significant difference between the groups (p0.05). While the amount of total energy, protein, fat, cholesterol, and omega-6 fatty acids in the daily diet of women who entered the weight cycle was higher than those who did not enter the weight cycle, it was observed that the intake of carbohydrates and omega-3 fatty acids were lower (p>0.05). There was no significant difference between the groups regarding the FINDRISK score (p>0.05). Conclusion: Weight cycling is particularly frequent among women nowadays, and it is a significant risk factor for chronic illnesses in the coming years. Although this study's duration and sample number are limited, the data obtained emphasizes the effects of weight cycling on health.

Evaluation of Quadriceps Angle and Waist Hip Ratio in Relation to Body Man Index Among Multiparous Women

It is difficult to determine the appropriate way to assess body habitus as a risk factor for chronic illness. This study examined the age, BMI, and WHR data of 200 multiparous women who were diagnosed with knee osteoarthritis (OA) in our registry. The study also conducted stratified analysis by multiparous women and computed risk ratios (RRs) by WHR for those who were already considered obese according to the BMI criterion. According to the study's findings, 38% of multiparous women and 42% of single women were obese according to the BMI criterion. WHR categorised obese women as being multiparous (92% vs. 82%). For multiparous women, the RR of being obese, as measured by WHR, if considered obese according to the BMI criterion was 1.04 (95% confidence range (95% CI 1.03-1.46). The overlap between BMI and WHR is larger in multiparous women than it is in other individuals with knee OA.

Integrative Review of Dietary Choice Revealed by fMRI: Considerations for Obesity Prevention and Weight-Loss Education.

Emerging findings from neuroimaging studies investigating brain activity associated with dietary behavior are illuminating the interaction of biological and behavioral mechanisms that have implications for obesity prevention. Globally, A total of 1.9 billion adults are overweight, and 650 million are obese. Obesity and being overweight are major risk factors for chronic illness and death. Behaviorally based health interventions have had limited success in curbing the obesity epidemic. Greater understanding of brain responses to food cues will contribute to new knowledge and shape public health efforts in obesity prevention. However, an integration of this knowledge for obesity prevention education has not been published. This study links evidence generated from brain activation studies generated in response to diet and food images and highlights educational recommendations for nurses engaged in obesity prevention and weight-loss education. An integrative review of the literature was conducted using the MeSH keywords "magnetic resonance imaging," "diet," and "food images" in PubMed, MEDLINE Complete, CINAHL, and Cochrane databases from their first appearance in 2006 through March 2018. Studies published in English and using functional magnetic resonance imaging to measure brain response to diet, and food images were initially identified. Animal models, those whose primary focus was a specific disease, and intervention studies were excluded. Of 159 studies identified, 26 met inclusion criteria. Findings from neuroimaging studies may help explain the relationship between brain mechanisms and behavioral aspects of dietary choice and inform patient education in obesity prevention. Awareness of this evidence is applicable to nursing education efforts. This review contributes several recommendations that should be considered by nurses providing individualized weight-loss education. Nurses engaged in patient education for obesity prevention should consider personalized interventions that cultivate internal awareness for dietary adherence, self-care, exercise, hydration, and mood state; avoid using caloric deprivation approaches, such as skipping breakfast, for weight-loss interventions; and note the importance of individualized obesity prevention and weight-loss education.

Whatever Happened to Couples and Family Therapy in Psychiatry?

Whatever Happened to Couples and Family Therapy in Psychiatry?

Prevalence of Chronic Illness and Risk Factors for Chronic Illness Among Patients With Venous Leg Ulceration: A Cross-Sectional Study

Introduction. Chronic illness and risk factors for chronic illness are rising public health concerns for individuals and health care systems. Individuals with venous leg ulceration (VLU) have at least one chronic illness. As there is a projected increase in VLU prevalence there is a need to determine concurrent prevalence of risk factors for chronic illness among this population. Methods. A cross-sectional design conducted in 8 community, nurse-led, leg ulcer clinics. Results. Fifty patients (58%, n = 29 females) were enrolled. Seventy percent were >65 years old; 90% had at least one chronic illness; 60% had hypertension; 30% had atrial fibrillation; 18% had diabetes; 18% heart failure; and 28.6% musculoskeletal conditions. All had at least one risk factors for chronic illness (mean = 2.26), the most frequent being overweight (30%), obesity (30%), high cholesterol (22.2%), and restricted physical activity (22%). Participants took a mean 5.2 medications daily and 26% were on current oral antibiotics. Conclusions. Comprehensive, holistic assessment and regular reassessment with a preventative focus needs to consider chronic illness and risk factors for chronic illness. Patients with VLU are in frequent contact with their multidisciplinary team. This is an opportunity to improve care and make every encounter count.

A contextualisation approach to health promotion guideline development in South Africa.

Risk factors for chronic illness contribute significantly to the disease burden in South Africa. The National Department of Health (NDoH) commissioned the development of a toolkit of health promotion guidelines for use by healthcare professionals working in the primary care setting to address this burden. To (i) demonstrate the contextualisation approach to evidence-based health promotion recommendations; and (ii) present the development process of a contextually sensitive and illustrated fit-for-purpose product. A contextualised approach was used whereby evidence from rigorous guidelines produced elsewhere was tailored to local conditions. The scope of the toolkit included five risk factors and 22 conditions identified by the NDoH and was underpinned by the Theory of Planned Behaviour. Potential health promotion messages relevant to risks, conditions or both were formulated as population, intervention, comparison and outcome (PICO) questions. The team searched for and selected evidence for each PICO question in a stepwise hierarchical manner and categorised sources as: (i) World Health Organization (WHO) guidelines; (ii) Cochrane systematic reviews; and (iii) non-Cochrane systematic reviews. Those messages supported by source-based evidence were included in the toolkit with culturally appropriate illustrations. Regular engagement with stakeholders included an initial health department stakeholder consultation, a focus group with national programme managers on the appearance and content of a draft toolkit, and a presentation of the final draft at a forum of provincial managers. Final approval of the toolkit rested with programme representatives. A total of 152 PICO questions were formulated. Supporting evidence was identified from 42 current WHO guidelines and 45 Cochrane systematic reviews to answer 147 PICO questions with several guidelines relevant to more than one risk or condition. Evidence for a further five PICO questions was obtained from non-Cochrane systematic reviews. Six additional service delivery messages and four 'no harm' messages were included to align the toolkit with current national guidelines. The illustrated toolkit was well received by stakeholders nationally and provincially, with programme managers expressing a high degree of willingness to adopt a preventive approach in the primary care clinic setting. Use of a tailored contextualised approach to health promotion guidelines resulted in a culturally appropriate tool based on evidence gathered from rigorous sources and probably reduced development time and costs. Adherence to a robust framework to identify evidence ensured that the toolkit conforms to international guideline development standards.

Comparing self-reported physical activity and sedentary time to objective fitness measures in a military cohort

ObjectivesRegular vigorous physical activity (PA) and high levels of physical fitness (PF) confer health benefits. Conversely, sedentary time is a risk factor for chronic illness, independent of PA. We evaluated associations between self-reported PA, sedentary time, and objective PF measures in military Service members. DesignCross-sectional study including 10,105 Air Force Millennium Cohort participants with a valid physical fitness assessment (PFA). MethodsLinear regression assessed associations between self-report PA, screen time, and usual activity and abdominal circumference (AC) and VO2 max; logistic regression was used for PFA failure. We stratified by age and sex. ResultsMen who self-reported high versus low levels of PA had greater AC (19–29 years: β=0.23in., 95% CI 0.07, 0.39; 30–39 years: β=0.45in., 95% CI 0.17, 0.72). High versus low self-reported PA was also associated with greater VO2Max (β=:0.81–1.41mL/kg/min). Self-reported strength training for ≥2days/week was associated with greater VO2Max in 19–29year old men (β=0.84mL/kg/min, 95% CI 0.09, 0.60) and 30–39year old women (β=0.74mL/kg/min, 95% CI 0.02, 1.46). For younger men and women,<2h of screen time/day was associated with greater VO2Max (Males 19–29years: β=0.23mL/kg/min, 95% CI 0.44, 1.26; Females 19–29years: β=0.83mL/kg/min, 95% CI 0.25, 1.42). PA was not associated with PFA failure, while screen time was (Males OR: 0.32–0.65, 95% CI 0.17–0.92, p<0.001–0.016). ConclusionsSelf-reported PA and screen time were associated with some objective PF measures, including VO2Max and AC. However, screen time alone was associated with PFA failure.

Teaching health psychology from a size-acceptance perspective

ABSTRACTThis article suggests ways health psychology instructors can challenge the prevailing discourse of the “obesity epidemic” as a major risk factor for chronic illness. Textbooks generally support messages about the “dangers” of a body mass index above “normal,” and therefore students will only hear countermessages if the instructor provides them. Suggestions include naming and rejecting healthism, explaining why diets do not work, providing evidence that oppression (including sizeism) has negative impacts on health, and connecting sizeism to other topics in the textbook. Practicing size acceptance and adopting the Health At Every Size® philosophy are more likely than diets, pills, or surgeries to support people’s health.

A Study on Quality of Life among Working Women with High Blood Pressure

Quality of life is the general well-being of individuals and societies. It includes not only wealth and employment but also the built environment, physical, and mental health, education, recreation and leisure time, and social belonging. According to WHO Health is “a state of complete physical, mental, and social well-being and not merely an absence of disease and infirmity” (1948). The ultimate goal for the people 2010 decade was to improve the quality of life without any disease and to increase the life span with healthy life. Quality of life is the product of the inter play among social, health, economic and environmental conditions which affect human and social development (Ontario Social Development council, 1997). Illnesses are classified as either acute or chronic. An acute illness lasts for a short period of time and may go away without any intervention the assistance of medication, and or surgery. A chronic illness is an illness that lasts for a very long time and usually cannot be cured completely. Chronic illness has direct impact on Quality of Life. Chronic illness or condition such as heart decease, high blood pressure, diabetes, obesity are among the most common, costly and preventable of all health problems. The major risk factors for chronic illness are unhealthy diet, lack of exercise, and tension and habits. Additionally increased Blood pressure and obesity may contribute to chronic illness. Individuals affected by poverty may be more likely to develop a chronic illness since access to health services may be difficult. The main aim of this research paper is to know the Quality of life among working women with High Blood pressure. And the objectives are a) to identify the quality of life of the working women and b) impact on the health and the management of the physical life. Both primary and secondary data are used in this research. 50 respondents from Mangaluru taluka were identified randomly and the Research Design will be Exploratory in nature.

A Study on Quality of Life among Working Women with High Blood Pressure

The quality of life is the general well-being of individuals and societies. It includes not only wealth and employment but also the built environment, physical, and mental health, education, recreation and leisure time, and social belonging. According to WHO Health is “a state of complete physical, mental, and social well-being and not merely an absence of disease and infirmity” (1948). The ultimate goal for the people 2010 decade was to improve the quality of life without any disease and to increase the lifespan with the healthy life. The quality of life is the product of the interplay among social, health, economic and environmental conditions which affect human and social development (Ontario Social Development council, 1997). Illnesses are classified as either acute or chronic. An acute illness lasts for a short period of time and may go away without any intervention the assistance of medication, and or surgery. A chronic illness is an illness that lasts for a very long time and usually cannot be cured completely. Chronic illness has a direct impact on Quality of Life. Chronic illness or condition such as heart decease, high blood pressure, diabetes, obesity are among the most common, costly and preventable of all health problems. The major risk factors for chronic illness are an unhealthy diet, lack of exercise, and tension and habits. Additionally increased Blood pressure and obesity may contribute to chronic illness. Individuals affected by poverty may be more likely to develop a chronic illness since access to health services may be difficult. The main aim of this research paper is to know the Quality of life among working women with High Blood pressure. And the objectives are a) To identify the quality of life of the working women and b) impact on the health and the management of the physical life. Both primary and secondary data are used in this research. 50 respondents from Mangaluru taluk were identified randomly and the Research Design will be Exploratory in nature.

Prime Time Sister Circles®II: Evaluating a Culturally Relevant Intervention to Decrease Psychological and Physical Risk Factors for Chronic Disease in Mid-Life African American Women

This article presents the results of two evaluation studies of the Prime Time Sister Circles(®) (PTSC). The PTSC is a gender, cultural, and age specific, curriculum-based, low-cost, short-term, replicable support group approach aimed at reducing key modifiable health risk factors for chronic illnesses in midlife African American women. Study 1 includes an evaluation of 31 PTSCs (N=656 women) documenting changes in psychological and attitudinal outcomes (health satisfaction, health locus of control), behavioral outcomes (healthy eating patterns, physical activity, stress management), and clinical outcomes (weight, BMI, blood pressure, non-fasting blood sugar). Study 2 includes evaluation of a subset of the PTSC sites (N=211 women) with comparison (N=55 women) data from those same locations. Study 1 showed significant changes (p<.0001) in the PTSC women's reports of (lower) stress, (higher) health locus of control, (increased) health satisfaction, (increased) physical activity, and (healthier) eating patterns. The PTSC women demonstrated a significant weight reduction at posttest (p <.0001) and had slightly better clinical outcomes in BMI, hypertension, and non-fasting blood sugar. Results document the sustainability of selected changes over a six-month period. Findings from the Study 2 strengthen the effectiveness claims of the PTSC intervention with significant changes for the PTSC women on selected outcomes and little changes for the comparison women. Results reaffirm findings regarding the effectiveness of the PTSC, as originally reported in Gaston, Porter, and Thomas (2007) and extends the credibility of findings by examining participants' clinical outcomes in addition to self-reports.

A methodology to understand how environments support health

This paper presents a research methodology that takes an in-depth and qualitative approach to explore the role that the built environment plays in supporting health and well-being as part of everyday living. The focus is on how the built environment facilitates physical activity, social interaction, and access to fresh and nutritious foods – all important in reducing risk factors for chronic illness. The paper provides a detailed description of the research methodology currently being used in an Australian study of four diverse residential sites. The methods emphasise collecting in-depth and qualitative data. Initially, this was by way of a detailed instrument devised for the project – the healthy neighbourhood audit – which subsequently informed question schedules for interviews and focus groups. The paper concludes by illustrating how data collected using the audit enhances an in-depth understanding of the ways in which the built environment can support healthy activities in everyday life.

Hair Cortisol Analysis: A Promising Biomarker of HPA Activation in Older Adults.

Prolonged stress is a potentially harmful and often undetected risk factor for chronic illness in older adults. Cortisol, one indicator of the body's hormonal responses to stress, is regulated by the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis and is commonly measured in saliva, urine, or blood samples. Cortisol possesses a diurnal pattern and thus collection timing is critical. Hair cortisol is a proxy measure to the total retrospective activity of the HPA axis over the preceding months, much like hemoglobin A1c is a proxy measure of glucose control over the past 3 months. The aim of this review is to examine a novel biomarker, hair cortisol, as a practical measure of long-term retrospective cortisol activity associated with chronic stress in older adults. Hair cortisol analysis advances the science of aging by better characterizing chronic stress as a risk factor for chronic illness progression and as a biomarker of the effectiveness of stress reduction interventions.

Prevalence of chronic illnesses and characteristics of chronically ill informal caregivers of persons with dementia.

to examine the prevalence of and the link of chronic illnesses (CIs) to informal caregivers of persons with dementia (PWDs), as well as to identify characteristics of caregivers with CIs. the sample included 124 caregivers of PWDs from a caregiver programme of research. Sociodemographic information and caregivers CIs were collected by an in-person interview. Descriptive statistics, t-tests, chi-square analysis and binary logistic regressions were performed for data analysis. approximately 81.5% (n = 101) of caregivers reported having at least one CI, 60.5% (n = 75) reported two or more CIs. Caregivers with CIs were more likely to be older and unemployed; advanced age and female gender were risk factors for CIs. The link of CIs to caregivers was stronger in younger caregivers but weaker in older caregivers when compared with the general population. targeted interventions based on this study need to be developed to improve the health of caregivers of PWDs.

Female obesity: short- and long-term consequences on the offspring

The worldwide prevalence of obesity has risen over the past few decades and women are currently more likely than ever to enter pregnancy obese. Pre-pregnancy obesity and excessive gestational weight gain increase miscarriage rates and obstetric and neonatal complications, which result in a lower healthy live birth rate. In addition to its negative consequences for the mother, obesity has been shown to be an important risk factor for chronic illnesses, such as cardiovascular disease, metabolic syndrome and type 2 diabetes in the adolescence and adulthood of the offspring. Moreover, maternal obesity causes psychological problems, physical disabilities and higher healthcare costs. Fetal programming of metabolic function induced by obesity, through physiological and/or epigenetic mechanisms, may have an intergenerational effect and could, thus, perpetuate obesity in the next generation. In order to break this vicious circle and avoid serious short- and long-term negative outcomes for both mothers and fetuses, the prevention and adequate management of obesity and gestational weight gain are essential.

Caring for the “Young Invincibles”

Caring for the “Young Invincibles”

Executive Function and Survival in the Context of Chronic Illness

Individual differences in executive function (EF) have been shown to predict risk factors for chronic illness. It is not currently known whether EFs also predict survival time following a diagnosis of a chronic illness. The objective of this investigation was to examine the association between individual differences in EF and survival time among individuals suffering from one or more chronic illness. A sample of 162 community-dwelling older adults who suffered from a chronic illness at baseline underwent thorough medical and neurological examinations to ensure freedom from actual or probable dementia. Participants completed cognitive testing and were subsequently followed for 10 years; survival was assessed as survival time over the follow-up interval. Findings indicated that individual differences in EF predicted survival time, and this association held when adjustments were made for demographic variables (age, sex), education, and body mass index. Individual differences in EF may be important determinants of survival in the context of chronic illness.