Measuring activity engagement in old age: An exploratory factor analysis

A growing body of literature suggests that higher engagement in a range of activities can be beneficial for cognitive health in old age. Such studies typically rely on self-report questionnaires to assess level of engagement. These questionnaires are highly heterogeneous across studies, limiting generalisability. In particular, the most appropriate domains of activity engagement remain unclear. The Victoria Longitudinal Study-Activity Lifestyle Questionnaire comprises one of the broadest and most diverse collections of activity items, but different studies report different domain structures. This study aimed to help establish a generalisable domain structure of the Victoria Longitudinal Study-Activity Lifestyle Questionnaire. The questionnaire was adapted for use in a sample of UK-based older adults (336 community-dwelling adults aged 65–92 with no diagnosed cognitive impairment). An exploratory factor analysis was conducted on 29 items. The final model retained 22 of these items in a six-factor structure. Activity domains were: Manual (e.g., household repairs), Intellectual (e.g., attending a public lecture), Games (e.g., card games), Religious (e.g., attending religious services), Exercise (e.g., aerobics) and Social (e.g., going out with friends). Given that beneficial activities have the potential to be adapted into interventions, it is essential that future studies consider the most appropriate measurement of activity engagement across domains. The factor structure reported here offers a parsimonious and potentially useful way for future studies to assess engagement in different kinds of activities.

Predictors of Developmental and Respiratory Outcomes Among Preterm Infants With Bronchopulmonary Dysplasia

Objectives: To examine the importance of perinatal and postnatal environmental factors on developmental and respiratory outcomes among preterm infants with bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD).Methods: Preterm infants (<32 weeks of gestation) born at a single tertiary medical center between 2012 and 2015 were included. Development was assessed at 12 months corrected age. Parents retrospectively completed a health and lifestyle questionnaire reviewing their child's health during the first 2 years of life. A linear regression model was applied to assess the effect of various perinatal and postnatal factors on development. A machine-learning algorithm was trained to assess factors affecting inhaler use.Results: Of 398 infants meeting the inclusion criteria, 208 qualified for the study: 152 (73.1%) with no BPD, 40 (19.2%) with mild BPD, and 16 (7.7%) with moderate-severe BPD. Those in the moderate-severe group were more likely to be male, have mothers who were less educated, and require longer ventilation periods and less time to regain birth weight. They were also more likely to have mothers with asthma/allergies and to have a parent who smoked. Those in the moderate-severe BPD group exhibited significantly lower developmental scores (85.2 ± 16.4) than the no-BPD group (99.3 ± 10.9) and the mild BPD group (97.8 ± 11.7, p < 0.008) as well as more frequent inhaler use (p = 0.0014) than those with no or mild BPD. In addition to perinatal factors, exposure to breast milk, income level and daycare attendance positively affected development. Exposure to cigarette smoke, allergies among family members and daycare attendance proved to be important factors in inhaler use frequency.Conclusions: Postnatal environmental factors are important in predicting and modifying early childhood outcomes among preterm infants.

Effect of the Nintendo Ring Fit Adventure Exergame on Running Completion Time and Psychological Factors among University Students Engaging in Distance Learning during the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Randomized Prospective Study (Preprint)

BACKGROUND The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) outbreak has not only changed the lifestyles of people globally but has also resulted in other challenges, such as the requirement of self-isolation and distance learning. The COVID-19 pandemic has resulted in an inability to go out to exercise and a reduction in movement, so the demand for exercise at home has increased. OBJECTIVE To investigate the relationships between a Nintendo Ring Fit Adventure (RFA) intervention and improvements in running time, cardiac force index (CFI), centimeters per beat (CMPB), sleep quality, and mood disorders. METHODS This was a randomized prospective study. This study included 80 students who were required to complete a 1600-meter outdoor run before and after the intervention, the completion times of which were recorded in seconds. They were also required to fill out a lifestyle questionnaire. During the study, 40 participants (16 males and 24 females, with an average age of 23.75 years) were assigned to the RFA group and were required to exercise for 30 minutes three times per week (in the adventure mode) over four weeks. The exercise intensity was set according to the instructions given by the virtual coach during the first game. The remaining 40 participants (30 males and 10 females, with an average age of 22.65 years) were assigned to the control group and maintained their regular habits during the study period. RESULTS Eighty participants (age: 20–36 years; mean age: 23.20 years, standard deviation [SD] = 2.96) completed the study. This study found that the running time in the RFA group was significantly reduced. After four weeks of physical training, it took females in the RFA group 19.79 seconds (p = .025) and males 22.56 seconds (p = .034) less than the baseline to complete the 1600-meter run. In contrast, there were no significant differences in the performance of the control group in the 1600-meter run before and after the fourth week of intervention. In terms of mood disorder, the RFA group average score increased from 1.81 to 3.31 for males (difference = 1.50, p = .036) and from 3.17 to 4.54 for females (difference = 1.38, p = .062). In addition, no significant differences between the RFA and control groups were observed for CFI peak acceleration (CFIPA)_walk, CMPB_walk, CFIPA_run, CMPB_run, or sleep quality. CONCLUSIONS RFA could either maintain or improve an individual’s physical fitness, thereby providing a good solution for people who are distance learning or those who have not exercised for an extended period.

Plasma Carotenoids and Premenstrual Symptoms in a Multi-Ethnic Population of Young Women

Premenstrual symptoms are experienced by most women of reproductive age, but effective therapies are limited. Carotenoids may have an attenuating effect on premenstrual symptoms; however, studies to date are equivocal. The objective of the present study was to examine the association between plasma concentrations of seven carotenoids and premenstrual symptom severity in 553 women from the Toronto Nutrigenomics and Health study. Participants provided information on fifteen common premenstrual symptoms and severities. Each participant completed a General Health and Lifestyle Questionnaire and provided a fasting blood sample from which plasma carotenoid concentrations were measured. Multinomial logistic regressions were used to determine associations between plasma carotenoid concentrations and premenstrual symptom severity. Beta-cryptoxanthin was associated with moderate/severe increased appetite for women in the highest compared to the lowest tertile (OR: 2.33; 95% CI: 1.39, 3.89). This association remained significant after adjusting for multiple comparisons. There were no observed associations between other plasma carotenoids and any premenstrual symptoms. In summary, higher concentrations of beta-cryptoxanthin were associated with an increased appetite as a premenstrual symptom, but no associations were observed for any other carotenoid and for any other symptom.

Evidence of Better Psychological Profile in Working Population Meeting Current Physical Activity Recommendations

Workplace Health Promotion (WHP) may improve health, productivity and safety and reduce absenteeism. However, although desirable, it is difficult to design tailored (and thus effective) WHP programs, particularly in small–medium companies, which rarely have access to sufficient economic and organizational resources. In this study, 1305 employees filled out an online anonymous lifestyle questionnaire hosted on the website of a non-profit organization, which aims to promote a healthy lifestyle among workers. The data show gender differences regarding stress perception and, in the working population meeting current physical activity recommendations (threshold = 600 MET·min/week), they point out the evidence of a better psychological and nutrition profile, a perception of better job performance, and improved sleep and health quality. Moreover, a unitary index (ranging from 0–100 (with higher scores being healthier)), combining self-reported metrics for diet, exercise and stress, was significantly higher in active employees (67.51 ± 12.46 vs. 39.84 ± 18.34, p < 0.001). The possibility of assessing individual lifestyle in an easy, timely and cost-effective manner, offers the opportunity to collect grouped data useful to drive tailored WHP policies and to have metric to quantify results of interventions. This potentiality may help in creating effective programs and in improving employees’ and companies’ motivation and attitude towards a feasible WHP.

Helicobacter pylori infection and positive Rome IV criteria for functional dyspepsia in Romanian medical students

Recent data suggest that the prevalence of Helicobacter pylori (HP) infection in Romania has been declining in the last 30 years. However, there are no studies regarding HP prevalence among medical students. The objectives of this study were to estimate the prevalence of HP infection and assess the prevalence of dyspepsia in medical students and the relationship between dyspepsia and infection. We included 150 students from the Iuliu Hatieganu University of Medicine and Pharmacy of Cluj-Napoca, Romania (102 females and 48 males, mean age 21 years). Each student completed a lifestyle questionnaire, personal history, family history as well as the Rome IV questionnaire for functional dyspepsia. The status of HP infection was determined using the C13-urea respiratory test. The prevalence of HP infection was 25.33%, and 18% met the Rome IV criteria for functional dyspepsia. 37% of students with functional dyspepsia had a positive HP test. Of all students, 8% had a history of HP infection. Those with a history of HP infection had a 4.45% (95% CI 1.6 – 12.37) higher risk of having positive Rome IV criteria for functional dyspepsia than those with no previous history of infection (p=0.008). Thus, the present study adds to the body of evidence regarding HP prevalence among medical students, 25.33% being positive. We found no statistically significant correlation between HP infection and functional dyspepsia. Those with a history of HP infection had a higher risk of functional dyspepsia.

Change in the self-reported health status of residents associated with the reduced aircraft noise around Tan Son Nhat Airport after the epidemic outbreak

The change in the self-reported health status of residents associated with the reduced aircraft noise around Tan Son Nhat airport (TSN) after the epidemic outbreak in early 2020 was investigated in three stages. Stage 1 is pre-outbreak when the airport was operating at its highest capacity. Phases 2 and 3 are three months and six months after the stop of international flight operation implemented in March 2020. Data on the residents' health status was obtained from face-to-face interviews. The questionnaire items were composed of Noise annoyance questions using the 11-point ICBEN scale, the Total Health Index, Health and lifestyle questionnaire, Depression Scale revised questionnaire, and questionnaires to identify insomnia, hypertension, and hearing loss. Other factors related to living conditions such as education, income, or housing were also collected as health adjustment factors. The noise levels of phases 2 and 3 were estimated by updating the noise contour map of phase 1 using the TSN airport's operation data in corresponding periods in 2020. This study provided evidence relating to variation of the residents' health status due to the noise situation change.

Comparing the Lifestyle of Veteran and Non-Veteran Families

Background: Considering the role of lifestyle in promoting, maintaining, continuity health and the importance of paying attention to the veterans and their families who have suffered a lot in order to sacrifice for the homeland, the present study intends to compare the lifestyle among veterans and non-veterans in Mashhad city. Methods: This study was conducted using a survey method. The statistical population included the veteran and non-veteran families of Mashhad. A total of 360 questionnaires were filled out in this city. The research instruments were Lifestyle Questionnaire (LSQ) and All Aspects of Health Literacy Scale. The data were analyzed by SPSS v.24. Results: There is not a significant difference between the mean scores of lifestyle in the two groups of veteran and non-veteran in Mashhad (p > 0.05). The comparison of mean lifestyle scores also showed that there was no significant difference between the lifestyle scores of men and women in the non-veteran group and the mean scores of the single and married lifestyle in the veteran and non-veteran group (p > 0.05). There is a significant relationship between education level and health literacy of veteran and non-veteran families with their lifestyle, age, and employment status. They are also related to the lifestyle of their life because of the status they provide for the sacrifices. Conclusion: Comparison of the two groups in terms of lifestyle indicates that the veterans are in a less favorable position than non-veterans in terms of some aspects of lifestyle such as physical health, exercise and health, disease prevention and mental health.

Comparing the Lifestyle of Veteran and Non-Veteran Families

Background: Considering the role of lifestyle in promoting, maintaining, continuity health and the importance of paying attention to the veterans and their families who have suffered a lot in order to sacrifice for the homeland, the present study intends to compare the lifestyle among veterans and non-veterans in Mashhad city. Methods: This study was conducted using a survey method. The statistical population included the veteran and non-veteran families of Mashhad. A total of 360 questionnaires were filled out in this city. The research instruments were Lifestyle Questionnaire (LSQ) and All Aspects of Health Literacy Scale. The data were analyzed by SPSS v.24. Results: There is not a significant difference between the mean scores of lifestyle in the two groups of veteran and non-veteran in Mashhad (p > 0.05). The comparison of mean lifestyle scores also showed that there was no significant difference between the lifestyle scores of men and women in the non-veteran group and the mean scores of the single and married lifestyle in the veteran and non-veteran group (p > 0.05). There is a significant relationship between education level and health literacy of veteran and non-veteran families with their lifestyle, age, and employment status. They are also related to the lifestyle of their life because of the status they provide for the sacrifices. Conclusion: Comparison of the two groups in terms of lifestyle indicates that the veterans are in a less favorable position than non-veterans in terms of some aspects of lifestyle such as physical health, exercise and health, disease prevention and mental health.

Investigating the effect of training on health behaviours of breastfeeding mothers in Iran

Aim This article aims to investigate the effect of training based on Pender's model on health promotion behaviours in breastfeeding mothers. Methodology In this quasi-experimental interventional study, 97 breastfeeding mothers referred to Fasa clinics were randomly studied in two case (n=48) and control (n=49) groups. To collect data, Walker et al's health promotion lifestyle questionnaire, including 52 questions, was used. After distributing the questionnaires in the first stage, the case group received five sessions of training. Data analysis was performed using SPSS20 software and independent t-test and paired t-test. Results According to the results, the highest and lowest scores were related to the areas of spiritual growth (23.29±6.16 before training and 24.65±6.56 after training) and interpersonal relationships (4.70±1.57 before training and 1.57±1.76 after training), respectively. In all six areas, a significant increase was found in scores after the training in the case group or between the case and control groups. Conclusion With this small sample and just one month training, the researchers demonstrated that it is possible to make changes in all areas of health. This can not only have an immediate effect but also a ‘snowball effect’ down the generations, through mother-children transfer, as well as mother-to-other family members transfer.