An integrative review of the current knowledge of cardiovascular disease and associated risk factors in the Old Order Amish

Physical health conditions of the Amish and intervening social mechanisms: an exhaustive narrative review

As an ethnic religion, the Amish are of interest to population health researchers due to a distinctive health profile arising from ethnic attributes, including a closed genetic pool and shared culture that shapes lifestyle practices. Amish-focused health research both furthers our knowledge of health conditions by comparing Amish with non-Amish and assists health practitioners in serving this rapidly growing population. Amish health research, now representing approximately a quarter of all Amish-focused publications, is in need of review, to the end of strengthening this knowledge body's coherence, clarifying research directions, and identifying knowledge gaps, lapses, and stagnations. Herein, we synthesize and discuss Amish physical health conditions research, both the population's distinctive health profile and mechanisms shaping this profile. Specifically, we summarize research addressing BMI, physical activity, and body image; diet and supplements; cancer; cardiovascular conditions; communicable diseases; immunity; sleep; genetic disorders; tobacco and alcohol use; periodontal conditions; traumatic injuries; natural treatments for burns; fertility; and sexually transmitted diseases. In reflection, we raise questions about the nature of intervening mechanisms shaping the Amish health profile, the strange omission of several common independent variables commonly used when studying other ethnic groups' health, several recurring methodological complications, and public health policy considerations.

Healthy Lifestyle Behaviors Among 18- to 49-Year-Old Women: A Comparative Study

INTRODUCTION

The prevalence of obesity has become a remarkable public health concern in a global extent. This study aimed to examine the difference between the healthy lifestyle behaviors of women with normal weight and those who are obese.

METHOD

This comparative descriptive study included a total of 302 women aged 18-49 years.

RESULTS

According to regression analysis; duration of education (β = -0.154), (age (β = 0.376), presence of obese individuals in the family (β = 0.177) and HLSBS II scores (β = -0.115) were the factors that affected the BMI. The predictive value of these variables was 34.1%.

DISCUSSION

A significant difference was found between women with normal weight and obese women in terms of several sub-dimensions and overall HLSBS II score. We recommend that healthcare staff should design training and counseling services to improve the health behaviors of overweight and obese women.

The Amish health culture and culturally sensitive health services: An exhaustive narrative review

As the Amish population is growing, researcher and practitioner interest in the Amish health culture is also growing. This is largely due to demand from practitioners for population-specific cultural guidance. Once a small area of study, health-themed publications in Amish studies (n = 246) now account for approximately one-fourth of all peer-reviewed publications, and a sizeable percentage address the health culture, i.e. Amish beliefs, practices, attitudes, decision-making processes, financing, and values. In this article, we provide a first-ever exhaustive narrative review of the Amish health culture literature (addressing Amish health conditions elsewhere). Specifically, we address Amish use of modern medicine, complementary & alternative medicine, cultural norms for birthing and intercourse, support and care for the sick and aged, health knowledge, payment for services, barriers to service access, service provider effectiveness, health programming, and ethical conflicts. Our goal is to organize the literature, synthesize findings, identify orienting perspectives, and clarify research questions and directions. Following our synthesis, we reflect on the current state of Amish health culture research, drawing particular attention to strengths and limitations of the oft-used cultural competency paradigm, and recommending more rigorous social scientific theorization of the Amish health culture.

Caring for the Amish: What Every Anesthesiologist Should Know

The Amish are a relatively isolated group with cultural and religious customs that differ significantly from the mainstream American population. Functioning as tight-knit communities with strong conservative Christian beliefs, the Amish maintain a culture based on intentional separateness from the outside world. Key aspects of Amish life include distinct clothing and behaviors, a unique language, an agrarian lifestyle, limited formal education, nonviolence/nonaggression, and a general lack of modern technology, as exemplified by the use of the traditional horse-and-buggy. The Amish have distinct health care practices, beliefs, and goals, and because of differing genetics and lifestyle, also have a distinct constellation of health and disease characteristics. This article reviews the core beliefs, community and lifestyle, health care beliefs and practices, and health characteristics of this unique and medically challenging population. Generalizable strategies for providing culturally competent care for any such ethnically, socially, or medically unique community are presented.