Gender differences in the relationship between built environment and non-communicable diseases: A systematic review

Non-communicable diseases are on the rise globally. Risk factors of non-communicable diseases continue to be a growing concern in both developed and developing countries. With significant rise in population and establishment of buildings, rapid changes have taken place in the built environment. Relationship between health and place, particularly with non-communicable diseases has been established in previous literature. This systematic review assesses the current evidence on influence of gender in the relationship between built environment and non-communicable diseases. A systematic literature search using PubMed was done to identify all studies that reported relationship between gender and built environment. All titles and abstracts were scrutinised to include only articles based on risk factors, prevention, treatment and outcome of non-communicable diseases. The Gender Analysis Matrix developed by the World Health Organization was used to describe the findings of gender differences. Sex differences, biological susceptibility, gender norms/ values, roles and activities related to gender and access to/control over resources were themes for the differences in the relationship. A total of 15 out of 214 articles met the inclusion criteria. Majority of the studies were on risk factors of non-communicable diseases, particularly cardiovascular diseases. Gender differences in physical access to recreational facilities, neighbourhood perceptions of safety and walkability have been documented. Men and women showed differential preferences to walking, engaging in physical activity and in perceiving safety of the neighbourhood. Girls and boys showed differences in play activities at school and in their own neighbourhood environment. Safety from crime and safety from traffic were also perceived important to engage in physical activity. Gender norms and gender roles and activities have shown basis for the differences in the prevalence of non-communicable diseases. Sparse evidence was found on how built environment affects health seeking behaviour, preventive options or experience with health providers. Though yet unexplored in the developing or low/middle income countries, there seems to be a major role in the gendered perception of how men and women are affected by noncommunicable diseases. Large gaps still exist in the research evidence on gender-based differences in non-communicable diseases and built environment relationship. Future research directions could bring out underpinnings of how perceived and objective built environment could largely affect the health behaviour of men and women across the globe.

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Behavioural risk factors in university students in Bucaramanga, Colombia

European Journal of Public Health ◽

10.1093/eurpub/ckaa165.1183 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 30 (Supplement_5) ◽

Author(s):

R Martinez-Rueda ◽

M A Camacho ◽

I J Díaz

Keyword(s):

Physical Activity ◽

Risk Factors ◽

Fruits And Vegetables ◽

Protective Factor ◽

Sedentary Time ◽

Communicable Diseases ◽

Activity Levels ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Non Communicable Diseases ◽

Behavioural Risk Factors

Abstract Background The changes generated in the studentś lifestyle due to the academic demands, may favour the prevalence of risk factors for non-communicable diseases as well as compromise other domains of their life. The purpose of this study was to establish the prevalence of behavioural risk factors in students of the Professional in Physical Activity and Sports program of a University in Bucaramanga, Colombia. Methods A cross-sectional study with a sample of 189 students was conducted. The students were surveyed with the first step of the STEPs questionnaire, which evaluates the behavioural risk factors for non-communicable diseases. A descriptive data analysis was performed, and Pearson tests were applied to determine the correlation between the analysed variables with a level of significance α = 0.05 using STATA 13.0. Results 80% of the participants were men. The age average was 22.7 ± 3.85 years. Regarding tobacco use, 10.1% of the participants were current smokers, while 30% smoked before. The majority of the participants (92.2%) have consumed alcohol within the past 12 months, while 69.8% consumed alcohol within the last month, with 8.7% of hazardous drinking. Concerning the diet, only 24.9% met the recommended consumption of fruits and vegetables per day. When assessing physical activity levels, only 6.3% were classified as physically inactive. Additionally, an average of 6 hours of sedentary behaviour was found, with 31.2% of excessive sedentary time. A weak correlation was found between age and academic cycle with the amount of physical activity at work (r = 0.24), (r = 0.18) and with sedentary time (r = -0.28), (-0, 32). Conclusions Although the prevalence of tobacco consumption was slightly higher than the national average, the students showed a lower prevalence of behavioural risk factors than the general population. However, it is necessary to promote strategies aimed at the control and prevention of these risk factors. Key messages Being a student of a program focused on physical activity and sport, can behave as a protective factor against the most prevalent risk factors in university life. It is necessary to implement more strategies centred on making students aware of the importance of the maintenance and improvement of their lifestyles in accordance with their professional profile.

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Physical activity and preventable premature deaths from non-communicable diseases in Brazil

Journal of Public Health ◽

10.1093/pubmed/fdy183 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 41 (3) ◽

pp. e253-e260 ◽

Cited By ~ 2

Author(s):

Leandro Fórnias Machado de Rezende ◽

Leandro Martin Totaro Garcia ◽

Grégore Iven Mielke ◽

Dong Hoon Lee ◽

Edward Giovannucci ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Physical Activity ◽

Gender Differences ◽

Meta Analysis ◽

Communicable Diseases ◽

Physical Activity Recommendation ◽

Non Communicable Diseases ◽

Premature Deaths ◽

Colon Cancers ◽

Insufficient Physical Activity ◽

The Impact

ABSTRACT Background Studies on the impact of counterfactual scenarios of physical activity on premature deaths from non-communicable diseases (NCDs) are sparse in the literature. We estimated preventable premature deaths from NCDs (diabetes, ischemic heart disease, stroke, and breast and colon cancers) in Brazil by increasing population-wide physical activity (i) to theoretical minimum risk exposure levels; (ii) reaching the physical activity recommendation; (iii) reducing insufficient physical activity by 10%; and (iv) eliminating the gender differences in physical activity. Methods Preventable fractions were estimated using data from a nationally representative survey, relative risks from a meta-analysis and number of premature deaths (30–69 years) from the Brazilian Mortality Information System. Results Physical activity could potentially avoid up to 16 700 premature deaths from NCDs in Brazil, corresponding to 5.75 and 3.23% of premature deaths from major NCDs and of all-causes, respectively. Other scenarios suggested the following impact on premature deaths: reaching physical activity recommendation (5000 or 1.74% of major NCDs); 10% reduction in insufficient physical activity (500 or 0.17% of major NCDs); eliminating gender differences in physical activity (1000 or 0.33% of major NCDs). Conclusions Physical activity may play an important role to reduce premature deaths from NCD in Brazil.

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Inequities in intraurban areas in the distribution of risk factors for non communicable diseases, Belo Horizonte, 2010

Revista Brasileira de Epidemiologia ◽

10.1590/1809-4503201400030005 ◽

2014 ◽

Vol 17 (3) ◽

pp. 629-641 ◽

Cited By ~ 2

Author(s):

Deborah Carvalho Malta ◽

Regina Ivata Tomie Bernal ◽

Maria Cristina de Mattos Almeida ◽

Lenice Harumi Ishitani ◽

Anne Marielle Girodo ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Physical Activity ◽

Risk Factors ◽

Alcohol Abuse ◽

Communicable Diseases ◽

Non Communicable Diseases ◽

Demographic Indicators ◽

Regular Consumption ◽

Whole Milk ◽

Belo Horizonte ◽

Health Districts

Objective: In order to identify intraurban differentials, the prevalence of major protection and risk factors for non communicable chronic diseases were analyzed in nine health districts of Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais, Brazil. Methods: Analysis of data from a telephone survey conducted with 2,000 adults in Belo Horizonte, in 2010, using the average linkage method for cluster analysis among the health districts, using sociodemographic variables (education, race and marital status). The study compared the prevalence of risk factors for non communicable diseases among the health districts. Results: Four clusters were identified. The best socio-demographic indicators were found in cluster 4 (South Central health district), which also showed a higher prevalence of protective factors such as higher consumption of fruits and vegetables, higher frequency of physical activity practice in the free time, use of ultraviolet protection, higher proportion of ex-smokers, and lower prevalence of whole milk and high-fat meat consumption. As a risk factor, cluster 4 showed a higher proportion of alcohol abuse. Cluster 1, with the worst socio-demographic indicators, concentrated more risk factors such as consumption of whole milk, low regular consumption of fruit and vegetables, and lower practice of physical activity in the free time. The most frequent protective indicators in cluster 1 were the regular consumption of beans, having breakfast at home, and lower alcohol abuse. Conclusion: Intra-urban differences were found in the distribution of risk and protection factors or non transmissible diseases, these differences can support planning aimed at actions for greater equity in health.

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Correlation between phq-9 score and physical activity level, risk factors and non-communicable diseases in patients in family medicine clinic

Open Medicine ◽

10.2478/s11536-011-0022-4 ◽

2011 ◽

Vol 6 (3) ◽

pp. 372-377

Author(s):

Zivana Gavric ◽

Anna Culafic ◽

Brankica Markovic

Keyword(s):

Physical Activity ◽

Risk Factors ◽

Family Medicine ◽

Fasting Blood Glucose ◽

Family Doctor ◽

Communicable Diseases ◽

Activity Level ◽

Non Communicable Diseases ◽

Normal Limits ◽

Patient Health

AbstractThe work of physicians in primary health care is essential in prevention and early detection of health risk factors. To determine the incidence of depression among patients in family medicine clinics, as well as the correlation between depression, risk factors and NCDs, and to determine correlation between depression (PHQ-9 score) and the level of physical activity. The pilot study was conducted from January to March 2010 on 100 patients using the Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-9) and the International Physical Activity Questionnaire (IPAQ). The family doctor randomly interviewed and measured patients’ weight, height, blood pressure, fasting blood glucose and cholesterol and noted the presence of earlier diagnosed non-communicable diseases. The data for 92 patients were processed according to PHQ-9 and IPAQ guidelines. Out of 92 patients, 59 (64,1%) had PHQ-9 score ≤ 4 which suggests the absence of depression. The PHQ-9 score median was within normal limits, therefore, treatment was not required and there was no difference in PHQ-9 score median between patients with respect to age and sex. The level of physical activity was moderate in 39,1%, heavy in 35,9% and walking as physical activity in 25,0% of patients. Correlation coefficient between PHQ-9 score and MET score (r=−0,241) was statistically significant (p<0,05), as well as between PHQ -9 score and anxiety (r=0,27; p<0,01). Most studies show a correlation between depression and physical activity. It is essential to promote physical activity in order to prevent anxiety, depression and non-communicable diseases.

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Protocol for a systematic review of reviews evaluating effectiveness of mass media interventions for prevention and control of non-communicable diseases

BMJ Open ◽

10.1136/bmjopen-2019-032611 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 10 (6) ◽

pp. e032611

Author(s):

Gursimer Jeet ◽

J S Thakur ◽

Shankar Prinja ◽

Meenu Singh ◽

Ria Nangia ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Risk Factors ◽

Systematic Review ◽

Mass Media ◽

Grey Literature ◽

Communicable Diseases ◽

Controlled Vocabulary ◽

Cochrane Library ◽

Non Communicable Diseases ◽

Low Middle Income Countries ◽

Media Interventions

IntroductionTimely interventions are required in order to change unhealthy lifestyles because if continued for a prolonged period of time, these become risk factors for non-communicable diseases (NCDs). Education through mass media is an important factor in bringing out the behavioural change which may get missed in community-based interventions due to their limited reach. Many countries engage in mass media interventions, however, the nature of interventions and their effectiveness differs. We, therefore, describe the protocol of a systematic review to evaluate the effectiveness of the mass media interventions to reduce the risk of NCDs in the general population and compare the differences in effectiveness estimates across low/middle-income countries and developed countries.Methods and analysisWe will search The Cochrane Library, Database of Abstracts of Reviews of Effectiveness, PubMed, Excerpta Medica Database limited to publications since 2000 to October 2019. Specific terms for the search strategy will be piloted as database-controlled vocabulary in the databases searched. The searches will include variations of the following terms: mass media, mass communication, campaign, publicity and terms for types of media, that is, print media, mobile, digital media, social media and broadcast. Study designs to be included will be systematic reviews followed by grey literature and other good quality reviews identified. The primary outcome of effectiveness will be the percentage change in population having different behavioural risk factors. In addition, mean overall change in levels of several physical or biochemical parameters will be studied as secondary outcomes.Ethics and disseminationThe review is being done under the doctoral research which has been approved by the Institute Ethics Committee of the Post Graduate Institute of Medical Education and Research Dissemination will be done by submitting scientific articles to academic peer-reviewed journals. We will present the results at relevant conferences and meetings.PROSPERO registration numberCRD42016048013

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