Lifestyle Behaviors (lifestyle + behavior)

Distribution by Scientific Domains


Selected Abstracts


UV Exposition During Typical Lifestyle Behavior in an Urban Environment

PHOTOCHEMISTRY & PHOTOBIOLOGY, Issue 3 2010
Alois W. Schmalwieser
In this study the personal exposure to solar UV radiation in an urban environment was measured. Lifestyle in an urban environment is characterized by staying indoors during most of the day. Furthermore, the ambient UV radiation is mitigated by shadowing by buildings. The aim of the study was to find out activities which may contribute to UV-induced health risk in a low exposure environment. Exposure was measured during typical outdoor activities: shopping, walking, sitting in a sidewalk café, cycling, sightseeing and at an open-air pool (solar elevation: 10°,70°). Measurements were taken with an optoelectronic device which was fixed on the chest. Besides the UV Index we used the sun burn time (SBT) for risk assessments. Generalization of our results was made by calculating ratios of personal exposure to the ambient UV radiation. UV exposure was by far the highest when our study subject stayed at the swimming pool. The SBT was around 30 min for melano-compromised skin type. For all other activities, except shopping, the SBT range up to 1 h. With respect to photodamage we found that at high solar elevation (>45°) photoprotective measures should be applied for certain activities even within a city. [source]


A Review of the Health Beliefs and Lifestyle Behaviors of Women with Previous Gestational Diabetes

JOURNAL OF OBSTETRIC, GYNECOLOGIC & NEONATAL NURSING, Issue 5 2009
Emily J. Jones
ABSTRACT Objective: To critically review and synthesize original research designed to examine the health beliefs, including risk perceptions and health behaviors related to diet and physical activity of women with previous gestational diabetes mellitus. Data Sources: PubMed and CINAHL databases were searched for studies published in the last decade (1998-2008) that examined variables related to the health beliefs and behaviors of women with previous gestational diabetes mellitus. Keyword searches included health beliefs, health behaviors, perceived risk, gestational diabetes, type 2 diabetes, diet, physical activity, and postpartum. Study Selection: Eight articles, representing 6 studies, were selected that met the inclusion criteria of original research, dependent variable of health beliefs and behaviors of women with previous gestational diabetes mellitus, and measurement after pregnancy. Data Extraction: Articles were reviewed and discussed according to the concepts of risk perception and health beliefs, health behaviors related to diet and physical activity, and psychosocial factors related to women's health beliefs and behaviors. Data Synthesis: Data revealed common health beliefs and behaviors of women with previous gestational diabetes mellitus, including low risk perceptions for future type 2 diabetes mellitus and suboptimal levels of physical activity and fruit and vegetable intake. The majority of studies revealed a distinct knowledge-behavior gap among women with previous gestational diabetes mellitus, whereas others revealed a lack of knowledge regarding necessary lifestyle modifications. Conclusions: Findings from this review may assist women's health researchers and clinicians in developing appropriate interventions for increasing risk awareness, promoting self-efficacy for weight loss and physical activity behaviors, and decreasing rates of diabetes and cardiovascular disease among women with previous gestational diabetes mellitus. Further research is necessary to identify factors that influence the health beliefs and behaviors of women with previous gestational diabetes mellitus. Future research should focus on populations of greater racial, ethnic, and socioeconomic diversity, as the majority of studies have been conducted with non-Hispanic White, socioeconomically advantaged women. [source]


Lifestyle factors and mortality among adults with diabetes: findings from the European Prospective Investigation into Cancer and Nutrition,Potsdam study,

JOURNAL OF DIABETES, Issue 2 2010
Ute NÖTHLINGS
Abstract Background:, Healthy lifestyle behaviors are among the cornerstones of diabetes self-management, but the extent to which healthy lifestyle factors could potentially prevent premature mortality among people with diabetes remains unknown. The aim of the present study was to estimate the reduction in mortality that could be achieved if people with diabetes did not smoke, had a body mass index <30 kg/m2, performed physical activity for ,3.5 h/week, reported better dietary habits, and consumed alcohol moderately. Methods:, A prospective cohort study of 1263 German men and women with diabetes aged 35,65 years who were followed for an average of 7.8 years was used and multivariate Cox regression models for all-cause and cause-specific mortality were calculated. Results:, Approximately 7% of study participants had no favorable factors, 24% had one, 35% had two, and 34% had three or more. Compared with participants who had no favorable factors, the reduction in risk was 34% [95% confidence interval (CI) 19%, 63%] for those with one favorable factor, 49% (95% CI 9%, 71%) for those with two, and 63% (95% CI 31%, 80%) for those with three or more. Furthermore, a competing risk analysis did not show any difference in the inverse associations with mortality due to cardiovascular disease, cancer, or other causes. Conclusions:, Favorable lifestyle factors can potentially achieve substantial reductions in premature mortality among people with diabetes. Our results emphasize the importance of helping people with diabetes optimize their lifestyle behaviors. [source]


Application of the theory of planned behavior to understand intentions to engage in physical and psychosocial health behaviors after cancer diagnosis

PSYCHO-ONCOLOGY, Issue 9 2006
Michael A. Andrykowski
Abstract A cancer diagnosis can trigger change in both lifestyle behaviors and mental health outcomes such as ,growth' and ,benefit-finding'. Assuming changes in mental health outcomes are based upon changes in specific behaviors, the Theory of Planned Behavior (TPB) may facilitate understanding of post-diagnosis change in physical and psychosocial ,health' behaviors. Adults (n=130) ,2 years post-cancer diagnosis completed an internet survey. Current performance and future behavior intentions for two physical (e.g. eating a healthy diet) and four psychosocial (e.g. spending quality time with family/friends; engaging in spiritual or religious activities) health behaviors were assessed. TPB constructs (subjective norm, behavior attitudes, perceived behavioral control) for each of the six behaviors were also assessed. Multiple regression analyses indicated the set of TPB constructs accounted for an increment of 25,53% of variance in behavioral intentions beyond that accounted for by clinical and demographic variables. Among individual TPB constructs, behavioral attitude was most consistently associated with behavioral intentions while subjective norm was least consistently associated with behavioral intentions. The TPB could serve as a comprehensive model for understanding change in both physical and psychosocial health behaviors after cancer diagnosis and could suggest innovative approaches to developing interventions to enhance post-diagnosis ,growth' and ,benefit finding'. Copyright © 2005 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [source]