Lifestyle-related attitudes: do they explain self-rated health and life-satisfaction?

Weight loss dietary knowledge, attitudes, and practices among different body weight groups in Northeast China

Unhealthy dietary habits are prevalent in Northeast China, contributing to a high prevalence of obesity. This study aimed to assess the knowledge, attitudes, and practices (KAP) of the general population regarding weight loss dietary patterns in this region, with additional analysis of normal weight or underweight versus overweight and obesity subgroups. A cross-sectional study was conducted from September to November 2024 in Liaoning Province, China, using a self-administered questionnaire to collect demographic information and KAP scores. A total of 595 valid responses were analyzed (representing 91.4% of eligible participants), with 450 females (75.63%) and 145 males (24.37%). The overall knowledge score was 13.64 ± 5.88, with median attitude and practice scores of 28[25,31] and 35[32,42], respectively. Participants with overweight and obesity demonstrated higher scores in weight loss plateau understanding (p = 0.015) and realistic goal-setting (p < 0.001) compared to those with normal weight or underweight. Structural equation modeling identified significant associations between knowledge and both attitude (β=-0.40, 95% CI: -0.54,-0.20, p < 0.001) and practice, with knowledge showing a positive direct association with practice (β = 0.44, 95% CI: 0.30,0.58, p < 0.001) and a significant indirect association through attitude (β = 0.23, 95% CI: 0.14,0.31, p < 0.001) in the overall population. While participants demonstrated moderate levels of knowledge and attitudes regarding weight management, their practice levels were relatively low. Knowledge was significantly associated with both attitudes and practices, suggesting that educational interventions might be considered as a component in comprehensive approaches to weight management behaviors.

The relationship between health-related knowledge and attitudes and health risk behaviours among Portuguese university students

Scientific evidence reveals a high prevalence of health risk behaviour among university students. This calls for the creation of educational programmes that promote more knowledge about health. However, knowledge alone is not enough to change behaviours; other factors should be considered, including attitudes towards health. The objective of this cross-sectional study was to analyse the relationship between knowledge, attitudes and health risk behaviours among university students. For this, a previously validated self-report questionnaire was applied to a stratified sample of 840 students, by year of study (first- and third-year students) and their scientific area. In addition to sociodemographic issues, the questionnaire contains a health-related knowledge scale, an attitudes towards health scale, and questions about health risk behaviours. Students displayed poor knowledge about health, correctly answering 17.77 (SD = 4.59) questions out of a total of 36, and moderate scores concerning attitudes towards health (M = 2.61, SD = 0.48, range: 1-5). Students reported always engaging in, on average, 3.88 (SD = 1.45) of the seven behaviours subject to the analysis. Mediation analyses indicated that knowledge about health and attitudes towards health were statistically significant predictors of risky behaviours. Furthermore, it was indicated that attitudes towards health have a mediating effect between health knowledge and health risk behaviours. Findings from this study indicate that public health and education policies should promote healthy behaviours among university students, taking into account not only the level of knowledge but essentially the development of positive attitudes when facing behaviours which put health at risk.

Time perspective profile and self-reported health on the EQ-5D

OBJECTIVES

Time perspective (TP) is a psychological construct that is associated with several health-related behaviours, including healthy eating, smoking and adherence to medications. In this study, we aimed to examine the associations of TP profile with self-reported health on the EQ-5D-5L and to detect which domains display response heterogeneity (cut-point shift) for TP.

METHODS

We conducted a secondary analysis of EQ-5D-5L data from a representative general population sample in Hungary (n = 996). The 17-item Zimbardo Time Perspective Inventory was used to measure individuals' TP on five subscales: past-negative, past-positive, present-fatalist, present-hedonist and future. The associations between TP subscales and EQ-5D-5L domain scores, EQ VAS and EQ-5D-5L index values were analysed by using partial proportional odds models and multivariate linear regressions.

RESULTS

Respondents that scored higher on the past-negative and present-fatalist and lower on the present-hedonist and future subscales were more likely to report more health problems in at least one EQ-5D-5L domain (p < 0.05). Adjusting for socio-economic and health status, three EQ-5D-5L domains exhibited significant associations with various TP subscales (usual activities: present-fatalist and future, pain/discomfort: past-negative and future, anxiety/depression: past-negative, present-fatalist, present-hedonist and future). The anxiety/depression domain showed evidence of cut-point shift.

CONCLUSIONS

This study identified response heterogeneity stemming from psychological characteristics in self-reported health on the EQ-5D-5L. TP seems to play a double role in self-reported health, firstly as affecting underlying health and secondly as a factor influencing one's response behavior. These findings increase our understanding of the non-health-related factors that affect self-reported health on standardized health status measures.

The Influence of Subjective and Objective Characteristics of Urban Human Settlements on Residents’ Life Satisfaction in China

Under the guidance of people-oriented development concepts, improving residents’ life satisfaction has gradually become the goal of urban governance. Based on Chinese household tracking survey data and national socio-economic statistics, this study used the entropy method, multi-layer linear regression model and geographically weighted regression model and discusses the spatial heterogeneity of the impact of objective environmental characteristics and subjective perceived characteristics of urban residential environments on residents’ life satisfaction. It is of great importance to study the mechanisms through which subjective and objective characteristics of urban human settlements influence living satisfaction among residents. It is also important to discuss how to improve living satisfaction levels through the urban human settlements and to realize high-quality urban development. The research results show that in 2018, the overall level of life satisfaction among Chinese urban residents was relatively high. However, it is still necessary to continue to optimize the urban human settlements to improve residents’ life satisfaction. The objective characteristics of the urban human settlements, such as natural environmental comfort and environmental health, have a significant positive impact on residents’ life satisfaction. Residents’ subjective perceptions of government integrity, environmental protection, wealth gap, social security, medical conditions and medical level, as well as residents’ individual gender, age and health status also have a significant impact on residents’ life satisfaction. The direction and intensity of effects of different elements of the urban human settlements and residents’ personal attributes on urban residents’ life satisfaction have different characteristics in different regions.

How does perceived residential environment quality influence life satisfaction? Evidence from urban China

Against the background of fast-paced aging and urbanization in China, the current study proposed a "Residential environment-Emotional health-Life satisfaction" framework to investigate the associations among perceived residential environment quality (PREQ), positive affect (PA), social trust (ST), and life satisfaction (LS) of old adults. Data used were from a nationwide survey and covered 3825 people aged 60 years or older living in urban communities. The partial least squares-structural equation modeling approach was adopted to verify hypotheses. The results found that (1) PREQ, PA, and ST were positively correlated with LS; (2) ST mediated the relationship between PREQ and LS; and (3) people who are men, living without children, high environmental perception, and with a workout habit were more sensitively to PREQ. These findings indicate that improving the residential environment helps to promote the mental health of the Chinese urban elderly, which may have some implications for establishing an age-friendly community.

Association between diet-related knowledge, attitudes, behaviors, and self-rated health in Chinese adult residents: a population-based study

Background

Diet-related knowledge, attitudes, and behaviors (KABs) are important for building healthier dietary patterns. We conducted this study to (a) investigate diet conditions of Chinese adult residents from the perspective of knowledge, attitudes, and behaviors, and (b) assess the association between diet-related KABs and self-rated health.

Methods

We analyzed the 2015 China Health and Nutrition Survey (CHNS) data. Individuals aged 18 years and older were included as study subjects (n = 12,814), assessing their diet-related knowledge, attitudes, behaviors, and self-rated health. Comparison of diet-related KABs in urban and rural residents was conducted using chi-square test. Ordinal logistic regression analysis was adopted to examine the association between diet-related KABs and self-rated health.

Results

The proportion of knowing about the Chinese Food Pagoda (CFP) or the Dietary Guidelines for Chinese Residents (DGCR) was 27.1%. 34.3% of the participants were assessed as having adequate dietary knowledge literacy. 24.3% reported a positive attitude towards healthy eating. 27.6 and 65.9% of the participants reported proactively looking for nutrition knowledge and preferring eating fruits & vegetables, respectively. Chi-square test indicated that rural people experienced poorer diet-related knowledge, attitudes, and behaviors than urban residents (all p-values < 0.01). Regression analysis revealed that participants who knew about CFP/DGCR (OR = 1.11, 95% CI = 1.08–1.15), had adequate dietary knowledge literacy (OR = 1.12, 95% CI = 1.10–1.15), held positive attitude towards healthy eating (OR = 1.14, 95% CI = 1.09–1.19), proactively looked for nutrition knowledge (OR = 1.11, 95% CI = 1.08–1.15), and preferred eating fruits & vegetables (OR = 1.09, 95% CI = 1.07–1.12) had significantly better self-rated health.

Conclusions

Chinese adult residents experienced poor diet-related knowledge, attitudes, and behaviors. Rural people had significantly worse diet conditions than urban residents. Better diet-related knowledge, attitudes, and behaviors were associated with higher self-rated health in Chinese adult residents.

The Roles of Menopausal-specific Quality of Life on Breast Cancer Screening Beliefs in Menopausal and Postmenopausal Women

Objectives

This study investigated the association between menopausal-specific quality of life (MENQOL) and breast cancer screening beliefs among Hong Kong Chinese menopausal and postmenopausal women.

Methods

A cross-sectional study was employed to collect data. The questionnaire was distributed to a convenience sample of 218 women aged above 45. The outcome variables were breast cancer screening beliefs and breast examination. Multiple regression analyses were conducted to test the effect of 4 domains in MENQOL (vasomotor, psycho-social, physical, and sexual symptom) and the health behaviors on the 2 outcome variables.

Results

This study found that the overall MENQOL scores (in particular psycho-social, and physical aspects) were significantly associated with positive attitudes toward health check-ups and better knowledge and perceptions in breast cancer. Regular exercise was also significantly related to breast examination.

Conclusions

MENQOL (especially psycho-social and physical domain) and regular exercise are important factors associated with breast cancer screening beliefs. The results of this study illuminate health care professionals to develop primary health care strategies to improve the quality of life of mid-life women.

Health Effects of Air Pollution in China

Background Rapid economic and social development in China has resulted in severe air pollution and consequent adverse impacts on society. The health effects of air pollution have been widely studied. Methods Using information from the China Health and Retirement Longitudinal Study (CHARLS) database, we established a hierarchical linear model combining pollution and socioeconomic and psychosocial variables to examine the effects of air pollution on public health in China. Local air pollution was characterized in multiple dimensions. Results The relationship of health to its determinants greatly differed between Eastern and Central/Western China. Higher education, higher income level, better life satisfaction, and long-term marriage were significantly associated with better health status among Chinese. In addition, regional healthcare resources were positively associated with the health of residents. As indicated by the hierarchical model with health as dependent variable, in Central/Western China, longest duration of good air quality in spring/summer was positively associated with health (estimated coefficient = 0.067, standard error = 0.026), while the mean Air Quality Index (AQI) in autumn/winter was inversely associated with health (estimated coefficient = −0.082, standard error = 0.031). Good air quality in the current study is defined as daily average AQI less than 35. Conclusions Duration (in days) of acceptable air quality was particularly important for improving public health. Future policies should target increased duration of good air quality while managing air pollution by controlling or decreasing severe air pollution.