Recent patterns of alcohol consumption in the Russian elderly, 1992-1996

Trends in health behaviors in the old-old population: results from a national survey

This study aimed to examine changes in the practice of health behaviors (smoking, physical activity, and alcohol consumption) via comparing two Israeli cohorts of persons aged 75 to 94 over a 10-year period. Data collection was conducted during 1989-1992 for the first cohort (N=1,200) and during 2000-2002 for the second (N=421). Decreases in smoking indices (rates of current smokers, total nicotine consumption, years of smoking), increase in physical activity levels, and decreases in alcohol consumption of liquor and whiskey were found in the more recent cohort compared to the earlier one. Sex differences were found with regards to alcohol consumption and smoking. The findings indicate consistent improvements in health behaviors of smoking, physical activity, and alcohol consumption of beverages other than beer or wine in old-old Israeli persons.

Health and nutrition in Eastern Europe and the former Soviet Union during the decade of transition: a review of the literature

The collapse of the Soviet Union was the most important historical event at the close of the 20th century. The jarring nature of this transition has resulted in large fluctuations in household resources and increased uncertainty in all facets of life for the individuals concerned. Much academic research and popular writing has explored the socioeconomic and political ramifications of bringing these countries into mainstream capitalism. This paper provides a review of the literature examining health outcomes in Eastern Europe and the former Soviet Union during the transition period. The research, which has studied the human face of transition, spans multiple disciplines and it is thus currently difficult for interested researchers to obtain an overview of the basic facts, as well as, the more detailed nuances, concerning developments. This paper highlights what we currently know about health outcomes in transition countries and what we do not know, and suggests future areas of research which may help fill important gaps in our knowledge.

Nutrition and healthy functioning in the developing world

There is a general lack of data for studying the relationship between nutrition and healthy functioning among the elderly in developing countries. Nevertheless, knowledge of biological relationships from studies in other countries can be applied to gain an understanding of what can be expected in the developing world. In this respect, the concept of the nutrition transition is important. However, nutrition transition as related to elderly populations in developing countries has not yet been adequately studied. The developing world is not homogeneous with respect to patterns of nutritional status among the elderly, and problems of both under- and overnutrition exist among different populations of the elderly and both will be important factors for future functional status levels. In addition, there are many extrinsic factors (such as socioeconomic, political and cultural factors) in these countries that are even more important in determining nutritional status and its relation to function. Unless research and policy development in developing countries escalate and keep pace with the nutrition and demographic transitions in these countries, high levels of disability and dependency are likely in the near future.