Ambient air pollution, lifestyle, and genetic predisposition associated with type 2 diabetes: findings from a national prospective cohort study

BACKGROUND

The combined effects of ambient air pollution, lifestyle, and genetic predisposition on incident Type 2 Diabetes (T2D) have not been well documented.

METHODS

A total of 263,733 participants without T2D at baseline were identified from the UK Biobank. Annual concentrations of five air pollutants were estimated using Land Use Regression, while a healthy lifestyle score (HLS) was constructed using 7 major lifestyle factors, and polygenic risk score (PRS) was generated using 73 genetic variants. Cox regression was used to determine the association between air pollution and incident T2D for different HLS/PRS categories. Potential HLS/PRS interactions and population attributable fraction (PAF) were also examined.

RESULTS

During a median follow-up of 11.94 years, 7827 (2.97 %) incident T2D cases were identified. Association between air pollution and incident T2D was stronger among those with higher HLS/PRS in a dose-response fashion. In addition, synergistic interactions between lifestyles and air pollution were observed. Lifestyle was the leading risk factor of T2D with a weighted PAF of 25.54 % (95 % CI: 19.22 %, 27.77 %) for intermediate HLS and 24.24 % (18.24 %, 26.36 %) due to unhealthy HLS. Overall, we estimated that about 25 % of T2D cases could be attributable to air pollution and associated interactions.

CONCLUSIONS

Associations between air pollution and T2D were stronger among individuals with unhealthier lifestyle on an additive interaction scale. Public health interventions that address both reduction of exposure to high levels of air pollution in addition to lifestyle changes may have more benefit on reducing T2D risk than focusing on lifestyle changes alone.

Associations of genetic susceptibility and healthy lifestyle with incidence of coronary heart disease and stroke in individuals with hypertension

AIMS

This study explored the associations of genetic susceptibility and adherence to a healthy lifestyle with incident coronary heart disease (CHD) and stroke in individuals with hypertension.

METHODS AND RESULTS

This study included 258 531 European descendants with hypertension at baseline from UK Biobank. Genetic risk of CHD and stroke was estimated using polygenic risk scores derived from 300 and 87 single-nucleotide polymorphisms, respectively. Lifestyle scores were calculated based on 4 lifestyle components (no obesity, no current smoking, regular physical activity and healthy diet). Cox regression with age as the underlying timescale was fit for incident CHD (n = 7470) and stroke (n = 5015), separately. A favourable lifestyle (3-4 lifestyle components) was associated with 37% and 30% lower hazards of CHD (95% confidence intervals, 32-42%) and stroke (23-37%), compared with an unfavourable lifestyle (0-1 lifestyle component), at all levels of genetic risk. Evidence of interaction between genetic susceptibility and lifestyle adherence was found for stroke (P = 0.036): no evidence of interaction for CHD (P = 0.524). A favourable lifestyle at high genetic risk had lower 12-year absolute risk of CHD and stroke, compared with an unfavourable lifestyle at low-to-intermediate genetic (exception: an unfavourable lifestyle at low CHD genetic risk).

CONCLUSION

Adhering to a healthy lifestyle is associated with lower CHD and stroke risk regardless of genetic risk among individuals with hypertension. Risk of CHD and stroke for those at high genetic risk but adhering to a healthy lifestyle was generally lower than for those at low-to-intermediate genetic risk but adhering to an unhealthy lifestyle.

Muva physical activity intervention to improve social functioning in people with a severe mental illness: study protocol of a pragmatic stepped wedge cluster randomized trial

BACKGROUND

People with severe mental illness (SMI) often suffer from long-lasting symptoms that negatively influence their social functioning, their ability to live a meaningful life, and participation in society. Interventions aimed at increasing physical activity can improve social functioning, but people with SMI experience multiple barriers to becoming physically active. Besides, the implementation of physical activity interventions in day-to-day practice is difficult. In this study, we aim to evaluate the effectiveness and implementation of a physical activity intervention to improve social functioning, mental and physical health.

METHODS

In this pragmatic stepped wedge cluster randomized controlled trial we aim to include 100 people with SMI and their mental health workers from a supported housing organization. The intervention focuses on increasing physical activity by implementing group sports activities, active guidance meetings, and a serious game to set physical activity goals. We aim to decrease barriers to physical activity through active involvement of the mental health workers, lifestyle courses, and a medication review. Participating locations will be divided into four clusters and randomization will decide the start of the intervention. The primary outcome is social functioning. Secondary outcomes are quality of life, symptom severity, physical activity, cardiometabolic risk factors, cardiorespiratory fitness, and movement disturbances with specific attention to postural adjustment and movement sequencing in gait. In addition, we will assess the implementation by conducting semi-structured interviews with location managers and mental health workers and analyze them by direct content analysis.

DISCUSSION

This trial is innovative since it aims to improve social functioning in people with SMI through a physical activity intervention which aims to lower barriers to becoming physically active in a real-life setting. The strength of this trial is that we will also evaluate the implementation of the intervention. Limitations of this study are the risk of poor implementation of the intervention, and bias due to the inclusion of a medication review in the intervention that might impact outcomes.

TRIAL REGISTRATION

This trial was registered prospectively in The Netherlands Trial Register (NTR) as NTR NL9163 on December 20, 2020. As the The Netherlands Trial Register is no longer available, the trial can now be found in the International Clinical Trial Registry Platform via: https://trialsearch.who.int/Trial2.aspx?TrialID=NL9163 .

[Relationship between healthy lifestyle behaviours and subjective wellbeing: an european observational study.]

OBJECTIVE

A healthy lifestyle is related to physical and mental health. The aim of this study was to assess whether different healthy lifestyle behaviours are associated with experiential and evaluative well-being.

METHODS

A total of 10,800 participants from Finland, Poland and Spain were interviewed in 2011-2012. Physical activity, fruit and vegetable consumption, smoking, alcohol use, and sleep quality were self-reported. Life satisfaction was measured with the Cantril Self-Anchoring Striving Scale. Positive and negative affect were assessed using an abbreviated version of the Day Reconstruction Method. Multivariate regression analyses were performed.

RESULTS

Healthy lifestyle behaviours (consumption of five or more servings of fruit and vegetables per day, moderate or high physical activity, being a non-daily smoker, and having a good sleep quality) were positively associated with evaluative well-being (ß=0.23 p<0.001; ß=0.16, p<0.001; ß=0.26, p<0.001; ß=0.23, p<0.001, respectively), after controlling for confounding variables such as health and depression. Good sleep quality was related with higher positive affect (ß=0.29, p<0.001), lower negative affect (ß=-0.15, p<0.001) and higher life satisfaction (ß=0.23, p<0.001), after adjusting for those confounding variables.

CONCLUSIONS

A healthy lifestyle is an important correlate of well-being independently of its effects on health. Healthy lifestyles could be considered when developing strategies to improve not only the physical health, but also the well-being of the population.

Association between healthy lifestyle and the occurrence of cardiometabolic multimorbidity in hypertensive patients: a prospective cohort study of UK Biobank

BACKGROUND

Cardiometabolic multimorbidity (CMM) is becoming increasingly common in patients with hypertension, and it is well established that healthy lifestyle plays a key role in the prevention of hypertension. However, the association between combined lifestyle factors and CMM in patients with hypertension is uncertain.

METHODS

This prospective analysis included the data (obtained from the UK biobank) of participants with hypertension who did not have coronary heart disease (CHD), stroke, or diabetes. The outcome was the occurrence of CMM, defined as ≥ 1 disease of CHD, stroke, and diabetes that occurred in participants with hypertension. Four lifestyle factors (smoking, alcohol consumption, diet, and physical activity) were assessed using a weighted healthy lifestyle score, and participants were divided into four groups: the very unhealthy, unhealthy, healthy, and very healthy groups. The flexible parameter Royston-Parmar proportional hazard model was used to estimate hazard ratios (HRs) between lifestyles and CMM, as well as the difference in CMM-free life expectancy.

RESULTS

During a median follow-up of 12.2 years, 9812 (18.4%) of the 53,397 hypertensive patients occurred CMM. Compared with the very unhealthy group, the very healthy group had a 41% reduction in the risk for CMM in hypertensive patients and a 32-50% reduction in the risk for specific cardiometabolic diseases such as CHD, stroke, and diabetes. For each lifestyle factor, non-smoking had the greatest protective effect against CMM (HR: 0.64, 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.60-0.68). A lifestyle combining multiple healthy factors extended CMM-free life expectancy (e.g., six years longer at age 45 years for participants in the very healthy group).

CONCLUSIONS

Combined healthy lifestyle factors were associated with a lower risk for CMM in hypertensive patients. This suggests that combined healthy lifestyle should be supported to decrease disease burden.

Influence of Comprehensive Lifestyle Intervention (LSI) Program on Health, Fatigue, and Quality of Life in Middle-Aged Women

Background

Middle age is one of the most important times in a woman's life, and it is a time when multiple changes occur that affect the body and health. The study aimed to investigate the efficacy of a comprehensive lifestyle intervention (LSI) program, including stress management, on middle-aged women's physical, physiological, and mental health.

Methods

A total of 40 middle-aged women participated in a short-term LSI program, nutrition, exercise, and mental and physical management with various experiential activities. Physical measurements, biochemical indicators, stress hormones, chronic fatigue, and quality of life indicators were evaluated to interpret the clinical efficacy of the program.

Results

LSI program significantly improved satisfaction and quality of life in participants. Total chronic fatigue scores reduced significantly compared to scores before the start of the program. Moreover, fat mass and body fat were reduced without loss of muscle mass. Further, blood pressure and triglyceride levels significantly decreased after completing the LSI program. However, changes in stress hormone levels remained insignificant.

Conclusion

Adoption of LSI in middle-aged women demonstrated positive implications of the program. LSI efficiently regulates body fat, fat mass, fatigue, hypertension, and triglyceride levels which play a critical role in determining the quality of life. Thus, the LSI program could spread healthy lifestyles among middle-aged women.

Impact of healthy lifestyle on the risk of type 2 diabetes mellitus in southwest China: A prospective cohort study

AIMS

To explore the influence of nine healthy lifestyle factors on the risk of type 2 diabetes mellitus in adults in Guizhou, China.

METHODS

Data were obtained from a large population-based prospective cohort study in Guizhou Province, China. A total of 7,319 participants aged ≥18 years without diabetes at baseline were included in this study and were followed up from 2016 to 2020. A healthy lifestyle score was calculated based on the number of healthy lifestyle factors.

RESULTS

During an average of 7.1 person-years of follow-up, 764 participants were diagnosed with type 2 diabetes mellitus. Compared with those of participants who scored 0-3 for a healthy lifestyle, the hazard ratios (95% confidence intervals) of those who scored 4, 5, 6, and ≥7 were 0.676 (0.523-0.874), 0.599 (0.464-0.773), 0.512 (0.390-0.673), and 0.393 (0.282-0.550), respectively, showing a gradual downward trend (P for trend <0.01). More importantly, they had lower fasting and 2 h post-load plasma glucose levels and fewer changes in plasma glucose levels during follow-up. If ≥7 healthy lifestyle factors were maintained, 33.8% of incident diabetes cases could have been prevented. Never smoking was the strongest protective factor against type 2 diabetes mellitus.

CONCLUSIONS

A healthy lifestyle can effectively decrease plasma glucose levels and reduce the incidence of type 2 diabetes mellitus in adults in Guizhou, China. In addition, not smoking may be an effective way to prevent type 2 diabetes mellitus.

ProHealth eCoach: user-centered design and development of an eCoach app to promote healthy lifestyle with personalized activity recommendations

Background

Regular physical activity (PA), healthy habits, and an appropriate diet are recommended guidelines to maintain a healthy lifestyle. A healthy lifestyle can help to avoid chronic diseases and long-term illnesses. A monitoring and automatic personalized lifestyle recommendation system (i.e., automatic electronic coach or eCoach) with considering clinical and ethical guidelines, individual health status, condition, and preferences may successfully help participants to follow recommendations to maintain a healthy lifestyle. As a prerequisite for the prototype design of such a helpful eCoach system, it is essential to involve the end-users and subject-matter experts throughout the iterative design process.

Methods

We used an iterative user-centered design (UCD) approach to understend context of use and to collect qualitative data to develop a roadmap for self-management with eCoaching. We involved researchers, non-technical and technical, health professionals, subject-matter experts, and potential end-users in design process. We designed and developed the eCoach prototype in two stages, adopting different phases of the iterative design process. In design workshop 1, we focused on identifying end-users, understanding the user’s context, specifying user requirements, designing and developing an initial low-fidelity eCoach prototype. In design workshop 2, we focused on maturing the low-fidelity solution design and development for the visualization of continuous and discrete data, artificial intelligence (AI)-based interval forecasting, personalized recommendations, and activity goals.

Results

The iterative design process helped to develop a working prototype of eCoach system that meets end-user’s requirements and expectations towards an effective recommendation visualization, considering diversity in culture, quality of life, and human values. The design provides an early version of the solution, consisting of wearable technology, a mobile app following the “Google Material Design” guidelines, and web content for self-monitoring, goal setting, and lifestyle recommendations in an engaging manner between the eCoach app and end-users.

Conclusions

The adopted iterative design process brings in a design focus on the user and their needs at each phase. Throughout the design process, users have been involved at the heart of the design to create a working research prototype to improve the fit between technology, end-user, and researchers. Furthermore, we performed a technological readiness study of ProHealth eCoach against standard levels set by European Union (EU).

Supplementary Information

The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s12913-022-08441-0.

Development of healthy lifestyle consciousness index for gynecological cancer patients

PURPOSE

Healthy lifestyle is related to quality of life (QOL) after cancer diagnosis and prognosis. However, there are few reports on patients conscious of healthy lifestyle and patients requiring medical providers' attention regarding healthy lifestyle. We aimed to develop a healthy lifestyle consciousness index (HLCI) for cancer patients and evaluated its validity in gynecological cancer patients.

METHODS

The HLCI was designed to assess degree of healthy lifestyle consciousness, including items regarding "diet," "exercise," "body weight," and "sleep." Exploratory factor analysis was performed for dimensionality of the scale; Cronbach's alpha was calculated to assess internal-consistency reliability. For criterion-based validity, we calculated proportions of stage III/IV gynecological malignancies in those with categorized HLCI scores based on tertiles. Concurrent validity was evaluated between HLCI and other quality of life (QOL) scales including European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer QLQ-C30 in limited patients.

RESULTS

HLCI comprised five 10-point items (0-45); higher values implied improved healthy lifestyle consciousness. Data from 108 gynecological malignancy patients at Kyoto University Hospital were analyzed. The mean age of subjects was 55.8 years; 36.1% of them had uterine corpus cancer; 34.3% were at stage III/IV of gynecological malignancy. The factor analysis revealed HLCI was unidimensional; the reliability based on Cronbach's alpha was satisfactory (0.88). The proportions of stage III/IV gynecological malignancies were 25.7%, 33.3%, and 44.4% in those with first (7-24 points), second (25-30 points), and third (31-46 points) tertiles of HLCI score, respectively. For patients with other QOL scales (n = 25), the mean scores of global health status of QLQ-C30 were 33.3, 50.0, and 83.3 for first, second, and third tertiles of HLCI score, respectively.

CONCLUSION

HLCI was successfully validated; thus, patients with advanced stages or higher QOL might have strong consciousness regarding healthy lifestyle. HLCI may be useful in precision care for improved lifestyles and QOL.

Nutrition and physical activity in cancer patients: a survey on their information sources

BACKGROUND

Many cancer patients suffer from problems concerning nutrition and physical activity (PA) during and after their treatment. Forwarding reliable health information could help to alleviate severe symptoms. The present study aimed to examine cancer patients' commonly used information sources on nutrition and PA.

METHODS

An anonymous questionnaire was developed and distributed to German cancer patients in different settings. In total, 90 questionnaires have been completed between October 2021 and March 2022. For analysis, descriptive statistics were used and associations between information sources and patients' lifestyle behaviour explored utilising Spearman's Rho, Mann-Whitney U, and Pearson's Chi Square tests.

RESULTS

The cancer patients received information on nutrition and PA most frequently from physicians (70.9%), family and friends (68%) and browsing the internet (61.3%). Half of the patients (51.1%) had questions concerning these topics during the time of their disease. The majority of those patients (81.8%) reported that their questions were answered. The topics were addressed primarily with outpatient oncologists (60.0%) and in rehabilitation clinics (53.3%). Just about half of the patients (55.3%) felt satisfactorily informed on nutrition and PA in their cancer disease, more so if they talked to their oncologist or family physician (Z = - 2.450, p = 0.014 and Z = - 3.425, p = 0.001 resp.).

CONCLUSION

Cancer patients receive information on nutrition and PA predominantly after their initial treatment. Since they might be missing significant information to alleviate severe symptoms during their treatment, the importance of nutrition and PA should be emphasised by clinicians early on in treatment.

TRIAL REGISTRATION

Trial Registration Number (May 7, 2021): 2021-2149-Bef.

The impact of a healthy lifestyle on the risk of esophageal and gastric cancer subtypes

Few prospective studies have been conducted on a combined healthy lifestyle and risk of esophageal and gastric cancer, and even less on subtypes: esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC), esophageal adenocarcinoma (EAC), gastric cardia adenocarcinoma (GCA), and gastric non-cardia adenocarcinoma (GNCA). The relationship of a healthy lifestyle score (HLS) with risk of these cancers was investigated in the Netherlands Cohort Study. In 1986, 120,852 men and women aged 55–69 years provided information on dietary and lifestyle habits. The HLS was derived from information on smoking, body mass index, physical activity, Mediterranean diet adherence, and alcohol intake. After 20.3 years of follow-up, multivariable case-cohort analyses were based on 333 incident esophageal and 777 gastric cancer cases, and 3720 subcohort members with complete data on lifestyles and confounders. The impact of changing to healthy lifestyles was estimated with the rate advancement period (RAP). The HLS was significantly inversely associated with risk of esophageal and gastric cancer, and subtypes (except EAC), in a linear fashion. The observed HR decrease per 1-point increase in HLS was 31% for esophageal, and 19% for gastric cancer, 49% for ESCC, 23% for GCA, and 18% for GNCA. The RAP per 1-point increase in HLS ranged from − 11.75 years for ESCC to − 2.85 years for GNCA. Also after excluding smoking, inverse associations between the HLS and esophageal and gastric cancer risk were still apparent. These results suggest that adhering to a combination of healthy modifiable lifestyle factors may substantially reduce the risk of esophageal and gastric cancer.

A Survey of Therapeutic Radiographers' Knowledge, Practices, and Barriers in Delivering Health Behaviour Advice to Cancer Patients

Therapeutic radiographers (TRs) are well-placed to deliver advice to cancer patients; however, limited research exists on their practices in providing advice on healthy lifestyle behaviours. Through an online survey, this study aimed to explore TRs' current practices, barriers, and facilitators around delivering healthy behaviour advice to cancer patients. An online survey was sent to 72 radiotherapy departments in the UK and 583 TRs responded to the survey. Findings showed that levels of enquiry and provision of advice on healthy behaviours were low, with less than 25% advising patients on physical activity, healthy eating, weight management, smoking cessation, and reducing alcohol intake as standard practice. Lack of knowledge, resources, and training were identified as barriers, in addition to perceived lack of patient interest and lack of time. TRs reported a strong desire to undergo training to enable them to deliver health behaviour advice to patients, with an identified preference for online training. Cancer patients look to healthcare professionals for advice on health behaviours, and TRs are well-placed to deliver this advice. The findings of this study provide insight into the areas that need addressing to enable TRs to support positive health behaviours among cancer patients.

The feasibility and effectiveness of a novel online mental health literacy course in supporting university student mental health: a pilot study

BACKGROUND

There is a need for effective universal approaches to promote and support university student mental health that are scalable and sustainable. In this pilot study we assess the feasibility and acceptability of a fully-digitalized, comprehensive mental health literacy course co-created with and tailored to the needs of undergraduate students. We also explore preliminary associations with mental health and positive behaviour change.

METHODS

An accredited online mental health literacy course was developed using state-of-the-art pedagogical principles and a reverse mentorship approach. The course was offered as an interdisciplinary undergraduate elective. Students completed an online survey before and after the 12-week course that collected demographic information and assessed mental health knowledge, emotional self-awareness, mental health, stigma, and health-related behaviors using validated measures. Dependent group t-tests were used to compare pre- and post-course levels of knowledge, mental health, sleep quality and substance use. Mental health outcomes of students who completed the course were compared to an age and sex-matched sample of students not enrolled in the course and who completed the same survey measures over the same academic year. Multivariable linear regression was used to examine the effect of course participation on outcomes at follow-up.

RESULTS

The course had good uptake and was positively reviewed by participants. Specifically, students found the course engaging, relevant, and applicable, and agreed they would recommend it to their peers. Among course participants there was improvement in mental health knowledge (p < 0.001) and emotional self-awareness (p = 0.02) at course completion. Compared to the matched comparison group, taking the course was associated with reduced alcohol (β = - 0.41, p = 0.01) and cannabis use (β = - 0.35, p = 0.03), and improved sleep quality (β = 1.56, p = 0.09) at the end of the term.

CONCLUSIONS

Findings suggest that delivering mental health literacy as an online accredited course may be an acceptable and effective way of promoting university student mental health through improved knowledge, emotional self-awareness, and healthy lifestyle choices. As the course is expanded to larger and more diverse student cohorts we will be able to further examine the short and long-term effectiveness of the course in supporting student mental health and the underlying mechanisms.

Effectiveness of a behavioral lifestyle intervention on weight management and mobility improvement in older informal caregivers: a secondary data analysis

Background

Older informal caregivers are prone to sedentary behavior and obesity. With great caregiving burdens and frequent physical and mental distress, older informal caregivers may have low adherence and poor results in behavioral intervention for weight management. This study examined whether overweight or obese older informal caregivers could benefit from a behavioral weight management program as much as non-caregivers.

Methods

The Mobility and Vitality Lifestyle Program (MOVE UP) was a pre-post, community-based, 13-month lifestyle intervention study to help older adults improve physical function performance and lose weight. We identified a subset of informal caregivers (n = 29) and non-caregivers (n = 65) from the MOVE UP participants retrospectively. Changes in lower extremity function, weight, depressive symptoms, and self-efficacy from baseline were compared between caregivers and non-caregivers using paired t-tests and ANCOVA.

Results

Older informal caregivers had significantly lower session attendance rates than non-caregivers (67.7% vs 76.8%, P < 0.05), however, both informal caregivers and non-caregivers improved significantly in lower extremity function, weight loss, and self-efficacy in diet (Ps < 0.05). For each outcome, changes from baseline to the 13-month endpoint were the same among informal caregivers and non-caregivers.

Conclusion

This study provides evidence that older informal caregivers can benefit from behavioral weight management interventions despite the challenge caregiving poses for effective self-care. Future behavioral intervention studies for older informal caregivers should adopt self-monitoring tools and extend the on-site delivery to home-based settings for higher adherence and greater flexibility.

Trial registration

Registered at clinicaltrials.gov (NCT02657239).

Naturopathic patient care during different life stages: an international observational study of naturopathic practitioners and their patients

BACKGROUND

An individual's health status varies with age, with most health problems increasing through different life stages. Yet, a key feature of the majority of conditions contributing burden to society globally, irrespective of life stage, is the predominance of chronic, non-communicable diseases (NCDs). An important response to this growing burden is the increasing recognition of addressing NCD prevention through a life-course perspective through primary care and public health. Naturopathy is a traditional medicine system originating from Europe, and its practitioners commonly provide primary care and focus on prevention and wellness. However, little is known about naturopathic practitioners (NPs) contribution to health care across different life stages.

METHODS

This secondary analysis of a cross-sectional study aimed to describe the approach to the care of NPs based on the life stage of their patients. The primary study recruited NPs from 14 regions or countries, who were invited to complete a short survey about 20 consecutive patients. The multilingual survey included the following domains: patient demographics, reason for visit, prescribed or recommended treatments, and naturopathic interpretation of the health conditions. Descriptive statistics were tabulated as frequencies and percentages and chi square tests were used to test associations and compare groups. Effect size was determined by Cramer's V.

RESULTS

Participant NPs (n = 56) provided consultation details for 854 patients encounters. There were differences in the patient's primary reason for visiting, the additional physiological systems the NP considered important in the management of the patient's health, and the treatments prescribed across all life stages. However, diet (45.1-70.0%) and lifestyle (14.3-60.0%) prescription were the most common categories of treatments across all patient groups.

CONCLUSION

NPs provide care to patients across all life stages, and diverse conditions pertinent to those life stages while also demonstrating a holistic approach that considers broader health concerns and long term treatment practices. While there may be emerging evidence supporting and informing NP clinical outcomes, the breadth and diversity of health conditions, populations and treatments within the scope of naturopathic practice underscores a need for urgent and widescale research investigating naturopathic care across the life course.

The structured health intervention for truckers (SHIFT) cluster randomised controlled trial: a mixed methods process evaluation

Background

This paper presents the mixed methods process evaluation of the randomised controlled trial (RCT) of the Structured Health Intervention For Truckers (SHIFT), a multi-component intervention targeting physical activity and positive lifestyle behaviours in a cohort of 382 truck drivers in the UK. The SHIFT RCT found a significant difference in daily steps between intervention and control groups at 6-months in favour of the intervention participants.

Methods

SHIFT was evaluated within a cluster-RCT and involved 25 transport sites (12 intervention and 13 control sites). Intervention components included an education session, Fitbit, text messages, and cab workout equipment. Participants completed questionnaires at baseline and 6-months follow-up. Semi-structured focus groups/interviews were conducted with drivers (n = 19) and managers (n = 18) from each site, after completion of the final follow-up health assessment (16-18 months post-randomisation). Questionnaires and interviews collected information on fidelity, dose, context, implementation, barriers, sustainability, and contamination.

Results

Questionnaire and interview data from intervention participants indicated favourable attitudes towards SHIFT, specifically towards the Fitbit with a high proportion of drivers reporting regularly using it (89.1%). 79.2% of intervention participants attended the education session, which was deemed useful for facilitating improvements in knowledge and behaviour change, dietary changes were predominantly recalled. Despite not being part of the intervention, participants reported that feedback from the health assessments motivated them to change aspects of their lifestyle (intervention = 91.1%, control = 67.5%). The cab workout equipment was used less and spoken unfavourably of in the interviews. The main barriers to a healthy lifestyle at work were reported as long hours and irregular shift patterns. The most suggested improvement for the intervention was more frequent contact with drivers. Managers were positive about the objectives of SHIFT, however almost all mentioned the challenges related to implementation, specifically in smaller sites.

Conclusions

Overall, SHIFT was predominantly implemented as intended, with minimal discrepancies seen between the delivery and protocol. Having said this, transport sites each have distinct characteristics, which may require adaptations to individual settings to encourage participation. Managers and drivers reported enthusiasm and necessity for SHIFT to be included in future Certificate of Professional Competence training.

Trial registration

ISRCTN10483894 (date registered: 01/03/2017).

Acceptance of healthy lifestyle nudges in the general population of Singapore

Background

In recent years, behaviourally driven policies such as nudges have been increasingly implemented to steer desired outcomes in public health. This study examines the different nudges and the socio-demographic characteristics and lifestyle behaviours that are associated with public acceptance of lifestyle nudges.

Methods

The study used data from the nationwide Knowledge, Attitudes and Practices study (KAP) on diabetes in Singapore. Three types of nudges arranged in increasing order of intrusiveness were examined: (1) information government campaigns, (2) government mandated information and (3) default rules and choice architecture. Acceptance was assessed based upon how much respondents ‘agreed’ with related statements describing heathy lifestyle nudges. Multivariable linear regressions were performed with socio-demographics and lifestyle behaviours using scores calculated for each nudge.

Results

The percentage of respondents who agreed to all statements related to each nudge were: 75.9% (information government campaigns), 73.0% (government mandated information), and 33.4% (default rules and choice architecture). Respondents of Malay/Others ethnicity (vs. Chinese) were more likely to accept information government campaigns. Respondents who were 18 – 34 years old (vs 65 years and above), female, of Malay/Indian ethnicity (vs Chinese), were sufficiently physically active, and with a healthier diet based on the DASH (Dietary Approach to Stop Hypertension) score were more likely to accept nudges related to government mandated information. Respondents of Malay/Indian ethnicity (vs Chinese), and who had a healthier diet were more likely to accept default rules and choice architecture.

Conclusion

Individuals prefer less intrusive approaches for promoting healthy lifestyle. Ethnicity and lifestyle behaviours are associated with acceptance of nudges and should be taken into consideration during the formulation and implementation of behaviourally informed health policies.

Supplementary Information

The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s12889-022-13668-x.

Optimising mothers' health behaviour after hypertensive disorders of pregnancy: a qualitative study of a postnatal intervention

Background

Hypertensive disorders of pregnancy have longer-term implications, increasing women’s lifetime cardiovascular disease risk. The Blood Pressure Postpartum study is a multi-centre randomised three-arm trial of interventions, ranging in intensity and including education and lifestyle coaching, to support women to maintain or adopt healthy eating and physical activity during the first postpartum year. This qualitative sub-study nested within the main trial aimed to investigate whether and how women adopted healthy behaviours after a pregnancy complicated by a hypertensive disorder.

Methods

Semi-structured telephone interviews were recorded, transcribed and analysed thematically, following Braun and Clarke principles. They explored behaviour change among new mothers following their hypertensive pregnancy, and the intervention’s effect on their capacity and motivation to pursue healthy lifestyles.

Results

Thirty-four women from all three trial arms participated at 10–12 months postpartum. The three main themes were 1) Awareness of cardiovascular risk: some did not acknowledge the health risks, whereas others embraced this information. 2) Sources of motivation: while the majority were motivated to make a concerted effort to adapt their health behaviour, motivation often centred on their baby and family rather than their own needs. 3) Sustaining behaviour change with a new baby: women in the more intensive intervention arm demonstrated increased recognition of the importance of reducing cardiovascular health risks, with greater motivation and guidance to change their health behaviour. There was minimal evidence of crossover amongst groups, with women largely accepting their randomised level of intervention and not seeking additional help when randomised to minimal intervention.

Conclusions

Among women participating in an early post-hypertensive disorders of pregnancy randomised controlled trial aimed at improving their cardiovascular disease risk profile, the majority recognised the future health risks and appeared motivated to improve their lifestyle, particularly women in the highest-intensity intervention group. This highlights the importance of structured support to assist women embrace healthy lifestyles especially during the challenges of new parenthood.

Trial registration

The Blood Pressure Postpartum study was prospectively registered as a clinical trial with the Australian New Zealand Clinical Trials Registry (anzctr.org.au) on 13 December 2018 (registration number: ACTRN12618002004246).

Supplementary Information

The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s12889-022-13590-2.

Integrated Approaches to Combatting Childhood Obesity

BACKGROUND

The global prevalence of childhood obesity has grown sharply in recent decades. Obesity is considered a public health problem which directly affects the health status of children in numerous ways. To combat this trend, integrated approaches are necessary to prevent childhood obesity. Strategies require a comprehensive perspective at individual and parental level alongside the adoption of measures to engage the community and environment.

SUMMARY

Prevention is addressed as crucial in limiting the pediatric obesity epidemic in the long term. Breastfeeding and appropriate complementary feeding are recognized as early dietary factors that affect the future risk of obesity development during the first 2 years of life. During childhood and adolescence, dietary patterns, eating habits, portion size, eating frequencies, and family meals are important dietary factors to target for preventive strategies, as well as parenting style which is influenced by parents' education. Physical activity promotion and the reduction of sedentary behavior are also recommended. The adherence of children and families to obesity prevention programs is highly dependent on socioeconomic factors. Moreover, setting food quality standards and public policies to promote healthy lifestyle habits is strongly advocated. The implementation of cost-effective preventive strategies is of high priority and requires an integrated approach by healthcare services. All stakeholders involved should take an active role in supporting and empowering children and families in order to cope with this multifactorial and complex disease.

Outcomes of a Mindfulness-Based Healthy Lifestyle Intervention for Adolescents and Young Adults with Polycystic Ovary Syndrome

STUDY OBJECTIVE

The purpose of this study was to examine the feasibility, acceptability, and preliminary efficacy of a mindfulness-based healthy lifestyle self-management intervention with adolescents and young adults diagnosed with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS).

DESIGN

A pilot randomized controlled trial using a pre-post design was used.

SETTING

Central Texas.

PARTICIPANTS

Individuals aged 14-23 with a diagnosis of PCOS.

INTERVENTIONS

The PCOS Kind Mind Program integrates a manualized mindfulness training program (Taming the Adolescent Mind) with health education in 4 key areas of self-management and health promotion: (1) medication adherence, (2) nutrition, (3) physical activity, and (4) sleep.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES

Psychological distress, mindfulness, physical activity strategies, nutrition, and exercise self-efficacy.

RESULTS

Linear regression models revealed that those in the PCOS Kind Mind condition reported significantly higher nutrition self-efficacy (β = 6.50, 95% CI, 1.71-11.28, P = 0.013, d = 0.48), physical activity strategies (β = 0.41, 95% CI, 0.04-0.79, P = 0.040, d = 0.67), and physical activity self-efficacy (β = 0.48, 95% CI, 0.07-0.88, P = 0.028, d = 0.46).

CONCLUSION

The PCOS Kind Mind Program improved self-efficacy in the key areas of nutrition and physical activity and increased physical activity strategies in adolescents and young people with PCOS. These findings are encouraging and suggest the need for larger-scale, randomized controlled trials with longer-term follow-up to more robustly evaluate the effects of the PCOS Kind Mind Program on the psychological and physiological health of adolescents and young people with PCOS.

Combined lifestyle factors on mortality among the elder population: evidence from a Chinese cohort study

Background

Numerous studies have suggested that lifestyle-related factors are associated with mortality, however limited evidence is available for the Chinese elder population.

Methods

The data of this study was obtained from the Chinese Longitudinal Health Survey (CLHLS) during 2008 − 2018, lifestyle-related factors including body mass index (BMI), smoking, drinking, consumption of vegetables and fruits, physical activity and sleep duration were included as dependent variables in the analysis. A lifestyle risk score was created using six unhealthy behaviors: smoking, drinking, unhealthy weight, physical inactivity, not eat vegetables or fruits and short or prolonged sleep. The Kaplan–Meier curves were used to illustrate the cumulative effect of lifestyle factors on mortality and cox regression models were conducted to estimate the combined effects of lifestyle-related factors on total mortality.

Results

The results illustrated that low BMI, smoking, no fruit eating, and no physical inactivity were risk factors for total mortality. KM curves showed significant cumulative effect of unhealthy lifestyle factors on mortality. Compared with participants without any unhealthy factors, the hazard ratio (HR) for participants with six unhealthy factors was 1.335 (1.015,1.757) for all-cause mortality.

Conclusions

This study demonstrated poor adherence to a healthy lifestyle may increase all-cause mortality and specific combinations of lifestyle related factors have different effects on mortality among Chinese elderly population.

Supplementary Information

The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s12877-022-03017-3.

Cardiometabolic diseases, total mortality, and benefits of adherence to a healthy lifestyle: a 13-year prospective UK Biobank study

Background

Cardiometabolic disease (CMD) increases the risk of mortality, but the extent to which this can be offset by adherence to a healthy lifestyle is unknown. We aimed to investigate whether and to what extent a combination of healthy lifestyle is associated with lower risk of total mortality that related to CMD.

Methods

Data for this prospective analysis was sourced from the UK Biobank with 356,967 participants aged 37 to 73 years between 2006 and 2010. Adherence to a healthy lifestyle was determined on the basis of four factors: no smoking, healthy diet, body mass index < 30 kg/m², and regular physical activity. CMD was defined as any of incidence of diabetes, coronary heart disease and stroke at baseline. Cox proportional hazards models were used to calculate hazard ratios (HRs) and confidence intervals (CIs) of the associations of CMDs and lifestyle factors with total mortality.

Results

During a median follow-up of 13 years, a total of 21,473 death events occurred. The multivariable-adjusted HRs of mortality were 1.49 (95% CI 1.53–1.56) for one, 2.17 (95% CI 2.01–2.34) for two, and 3.75 (95% CI 3.04–4.61) for three CMDs. In joint exposure analysis, compared with CMDs-free and a favorable lifestyle, the HRs of mortality were 2.57 (95% CI 2.38–2.78) for patients with CMDs plus an unfavorable lifestyle and 1.58 (95% CI 1.50–1.66) for those with CMDs plus a favorable lifestyle. A favorable lifestyle attenuates the CMDs-related risk of mortality by approximately 63%. The mortality risk of CMDs-free people but have unfavorable lifestyle was higher than those who have over one CMDs but have favorable lifestyle.

Conclusion

The potential effect of an increasing number of CMDs on total mortality appears additive, adherence to a healthy lifestyle may attenuate the CMDs-related mortality risk by more than 60%. These findings highlight the potential importance of lifestyle interventions to reduce risk of mortality across entire populations, even in patients with CMDs.

Supplementary Information

The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s12967-022-03439-y.

The association between a combination of healthy lifestyles and the risks of hypertension and dyslipidemia among adults-evidence from the northeast of China

BACKGROUND AND AIMS

There is increasing evidence that lifestyle factors play an important role in the development of hypertension and dyslipidemia. However, existing research usually evaluated these risk factors individually (such as physical activity, smoking, drinking, obesity and so on), rather than joint evaluation. The aim of this study was to quantify the association between a combination of a healthy lifestyle and the risk of hypertension and dyslipidemia.

METHODS AND RESULT

A healthy lifestyle score was created based on 4 factors: never smoking, moderate to high-intensive physical activity, no alcohol drinking, and normal body mass index. We calculated the healthy lifestyle score using the cumulative number of health factors for each individual. Also, a multivariate analysis was used to assess the relationship between healthy lifestyle and hypertension and dyslipidemia. Among 6446 participants, 650 (10.08%) had lowest healthy lifestyle score (0) and 627 (9.72%) had highest healthy lifestyle score (4), respectively. The adjustment model indicated that participants with the highest score (score: 4), which integrated the four lifestyles, had significantly lower ORs for hypertension compared with the lowest score (score: 0) (0.21; (95%CI: 0.10, 0.43 P-trend< 0.001)). In the adjustment models, compared with lowest healthy lifestyle score, the ORs of highest healthy lifestyle score was: 0.17; (95%CI: 0.07, 0.42 P-trend<0.001) for dyslipidemia.

CONCLUSION

Hypertension and dyslipidemia were negatively correlated with healthy lifestyle score. Interventions with healthy lifestyle to reduce hypertension, dyslipidemia and promote population health are warranted.

Healthy lifestyle counteracts the risk effect of genetic factors on incident gout: a large population-based longitudinal study

BACKGROUND

Risk genes linked to the development of gout have been identified, and lifestyle factors are related to gout risk. It remains unclear whether healthy lifestyle factors can mitigate the genetic risk of gout. Therefore, we aimed to explore whether and to what extent a healthy lifestyle can mitigate the risk of gout related to genetic factors.

METHODS

Within the UK Biobank, 416,481 gout-free participants (aged 37-74) were identified at baseline. Polygenic risk for gout was assessed and categorized as low (lowest tertile), middle (tertile 2), and high (highest tertile). Healthy lifestyle factors included no/moderate alcohol consumption, no smoking, physical activity, and a healthy diet. Participants were categorized into three groups according to their number of healthy lifestyle factors: unfavorable (0 or 1), intermediate (any 2), and favorable (3 or 4). Data were analyzed using Cox proportional hazard models.

RESULTS

Over the follow-up (median: 12.1 years), 6206 participants developed gout. Compared to low genetic risk, the hazard ratios (HRs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) of gout was 1.44 (1.35-1.54) for middle and 1.77 (1.66-1.89) for high genetic risk. The HRs (95% CIs) of gout were 0.63 (0.59-0.67) for a favorable lifestyle and 0.79 (0.75-0.85) for an intermediate lifestyle, compared to an unfavorable lifestyle. In joint effect analysis, compared to participants with low genetic predisposition and a favorable lifestyle, the HRs (95% CIs) of gout were 2.39 (2.12-2.70)/3.12 (2.79-3.52) in those with middle and high genetic predisposition plus unfavorable lifestyle profiles, and 1.53 (1.35-1.74)/1.98 (1.75-2.24) for those with middle and high genetic predisposition plus favorable lifestyle profiles, respectively. Moreover, compared to an unfavorable lifestyle, the HRs of gout related to a favorable lifestyle was 0.64 (95% CI, 0.56-0.73) for low genetic risk, 0.65 (95% CI, 0.58-0.72) for middle genetic risk, and 0.62 (95% CI, 0.57-0.69) for high genetic risk. There was a significant additive interaction between unfavorable lifestyle and high genetic risk on gout.

CONCLUSIONS

Healthy lifestyle was associated with a lower risk of gout and may attenuate the risk of gout related to genetic factors by almost a third.

Consideration of future consequences and self-control mediate the impact of time perspectives on self-rated health and engagement in healthy lifestyles among young adults

The study investigated how different time perspectives predict people's self-rated health and engagement in healthy lifestyles, and explored the mediating effects of consideration of future consequences (CFC) and self-control as the underlying mechanisms. Young adults (n = 299, M age = 23.65, ranges from 18 to 30 years old) completed measures of time perspectives, CFC, self-control and engagement in daily health behaviors. Generalized linear regression models showed that Past-Negative time perspective negatively predicted sleep quality; Future time perspective negatively predicted unhealthy eating patterns; Future time perspective was the only protective factor of risky drinking, while both Past-Positive and Future time perspective were protective factors of smoking. Mediation analyses showed that CFC-Immediate and self-control mediated the relationship between Future time perspective and eating patterns. Results suggested that consideration of future consequences and self-control partially explained how time perspectives affect engagement in healthy lifestyles among young Chinese adults. Implications of the current research for promoting healthy living and directions for future research are discussed.

Supplementary Information

The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s12144-022-03135-6.