Healthy lifestyles and noncommunicable diseases: Nutrition, the life‐course, and health promotion

Perspectives for the Prevention of Noncommunicable Diseases in Tanzania: Is Knowledge Translated into Practice?

Background

In Tanzania, where over a third of the society is impoverished, the burden of NCDs which account for about two-fifths of all disability-adjusted life years (DALYs) and one-third of premature deaths has doubled in the past two decades. However, notwithstanding a wider realization of the escalating burden of NCDs across Tanzania, the link between NCD awareness and lifestyle practices at the population level is not well characterized. We aimed to establish the gap between NCD knowledge and healthy behaviors.

Methods

This multi-regional community-based cross-sectional study was conducted in 5 regions of Tanzania between September 2022 and June 2023. A 22-item standardized tool evaluating various NCD risk behaviors was used in knowledge assessment and a cut-off of ≥70% was used to denote good knowledge. Bivariate analyses were performed to compare knowledge of NCD risk factors across various NCD risk subgroups. All tests were two tailed, and the significance was set at p<0.05.

Results

A total of 5121 individuals were consecutively enrolled. The mean age was 47.2 years and females comprised over three-fifths (60.8%) of the participants. With regard to behavioral NCD risks, physical inactivity, unhealthy diet, smoking and alcohol consumption were present in 79.0%, 70.2%, 2.1% and 17.6% of participants, respectively. Moreover, biological risk factors, ie, excess body weight, hypertension, and diabetes were present in 68.4%, 55.8% and 13.0% of participants, respectively. The mean knowledge score was 77.1% and 70.3% of participants demonstrated good knowledge of NCD risk factors. Except for smoking, individuals who showed awareness of various NCD risk factors were found to have significant rates of risky behaviors.

Conclusion

Despite sufficient NCD risk knowledge, incongruent lifestyle practices persist, highlighting a crucial concern. This suggests that awareness of NCDs and their risks may influence motivation for change but may not necessarily result in lifestyle modification.

Nutrition in Pediatric Patients and Vulnerable Populations: Updates and Advances

Nutrition is a modifiable factor of paramount importance for the prevention and attainment of health and the development of youngsters [...].

Walk or be walked by the dog? The attachment role

BACKGROUND

The human-animal bond has been recognized as having positive effects on the health and well-being of both humans and pets. The present study aims to explore the influence of attachment on physical activity (PA), lifestyle, and health outcomes of dog owners (DO), highlighting the mutual benefits resulting from the relationship between DO and dogs.

METHODS

Thirty-eight DO and their dogs participated in this study. Socio-demographic data, the Self-Rated Health (SRH), FANTASTICO Lifestyle Scale, and the Lexington Attachment Pet Scale (LAPS) were assessed. PA was measured in both the DO and the dogs, using an ActiGraph GT3X accelerometer in the context of daily routine. Descriptive statistics and Spearman rank correlation analyses were performed to examine the associations between LAPS, PA levels, socio-demographic variables, lifestyle behaviors, and SRH.

RESULTS

Significant correlations were found between the dog owners' light-level PA and the pets' vigorous level of PA (rho = 0.445, p = 0.01). Furthermore, the importance of the pets' health (rho = -0.785, p = 0.02) and the LAPS subscales, namely proximity (rho = 0.358, p = 0.03), and attachment (rho = 0.392, p = 0.01), were related to taking the pet for a walk. Regarding lifestyle, DO with a healthier lifestyle had a better self-assessment of their health using the SRH (rho = 0.39, p = 0.02). Moreover, DO with better lifestyles also exhibited greater concern for their pet's health (rho = 0.398, p = 0.01).

CONCLUSIONS

This study emphasizes that individuals who adopt healthier habits tend to perceive themselves as healthier and exhibit greater concern for their pets' health. The attachment between DO and dogs is important in promoting healthy lifestyle behaviors and engagement in PA. Our results highlight that the presence of a dog is associated with a higher level of PA in DO, depending on the strength of the human-animal bond.

Correlation between Health and eHealth Literacy and a Healthy Lifestyle: A Cross-Sectional Study of Spanish Primary Healthcare Patients

BACKGROUND

Health literacy and eHealth literacy play a crucial role in improving a community's ability to take care of themselves, ultimately leading to a reduction in disparities in health. Embracing a healthy way of living is vital in lessening the impact of illnesses and extending one's lifespan. This research delves into the link between the health and eHealth literacy levels of individuals accessing primary healthcare services and investigates how this relates to adopting a health-conscious lifestyle.

METHODS

The approach involves a cross-sectional examination carried out at a healthcare facility in the Madrid region of Spain, focusing on adult patients who are in need of primary care nursing services. Health and eHealth literacy and a healthy lifestyle were measured using the Health Literacy Questionnaire (HLQ), the eHealth Literacy Questionnaire (eHLQ), and the "PA100" questionnaire, respectively.

RESULTS

Only some of the dimensions of the HLQ and eHLQ were significantly related to a healthy lifestyle, predominantly with a very low or low relationship. Dimension three of the HLQ and dimension five of the eHLQ acquired more importance and were positioned as positive predictors of a healthy lifestyle.

CONCLUSIONS

This study helps comprehend the relationship between health and eHealth literacy and a healthy lifestyle, which provides information that contributes to understanding the factors that might have a higher impact on lifestyles.

The Pragmatism of Polyphenols and Flavonoids Application as Drugs, from an Academic Lab to a Pharmacy Shelf

Polyphenols and flavonoids, naturally occurring compounds found abundantly in plants, have gained considerable attention in recent years due to their potential health benefits. Research exploring their bioactive properties has revealed promising therapeutic applications in various diseases. This article aims to provide a comprehensive overview of the intricate journey from academic laboratory discoveries to the availability of polyphenols and flavonoids as drugs on pharmacy shelves. It was shown that the transformation of these natural compounds into effective therapies is a promising avenue for enhancing human health. Yet, fully realizing this potential necessitates sustained scientific exploration, cross-disciplinary collaboration, and continued investment in research and development. This article underscores the importance of sustained collaboration and investment as key pillars of progress towards innovative and effective therapies.

Temporal trends in the burden of non-communicable diseases in countries with the highest malaria burden, 1990–2019: Evaluating the double burden of non-communicable and communicable diseases in epidemiological transition

Background

Non-communicable diseases (NCDs) are rapidly increasing in sub-Saharan African countries, where 96% of global malaria deaths occur. This study aimed to investigate the disease burden of NCDs in countries with the current highest malaria mortality.

Methods

Data for this study were obtained from the Global Burden of Disease 2019 study (1990–2019). We selected the ten countries with malaria’s highest age-standardised mortality rate (ASMR) and identified and ranked the five NCDs with the highest ASMR in each country. Measures of the NCDs disease burden included ASMR, age-standardised disability-adjusted life-years (DALY), years of life lost (YLL) and years lost due to a disability (YLD). The Estimated annual percentage change (EAPC) was used to examine the trends of the NCDs disease burden from 1990 to 2019.

Results

As of 2019, the ASMR of chronic liver disease, kidney disease, diabetes mellitus, Alzheimer’s disease and other dementias, hypertensive heart disease and stroke were higher than the global average. From 1990 to 2019, the ASMR for Alzheimer’s disease and other dementias, type II diabetes mellitus, and chronic kidney disease increased by 3.0%, 10.8%, 13.3%, and the age-standardised DALY rate increased by 3.7%, 27.6%, 6.3%, and the increases tended to be in younger populations.

Conclusion

The double burden of non-communicable and communicable diseases is crippling the health systems of many sub-Saharan African countries and is often neglected. The prevention, surveillance, and control of diseases require an integrated strategy, with governments and non-government organisations aligned and supported by the global initiative.

Supplementary Information

The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s12992-022-00882-w.