Conference abstract
Life style factors and number of chronic diseases
Huma Mustehsan, Tatiana Andreeva
BACKGROUND: People all around the world are more concerned with living a long and healthy life, rather than just living longer. Many studies have examined the effects of lifestyle on the risk of developing chronic diseases, but typically, they focus on only one specific behavior. Individuals often follow a lifestyle pattern which combines more than one behavior. This paper examines the combined effect of several lifestyle factors on the number of chronic diseases.
OBJECTIVE: The goal of this study was to determine how different lifestyle factors influence the number of chronic diseases a person can have.
METHODS: Data from the survey “Health and Well-being in the Transitions” (2000) were used. Dependent variable was number of chronic diseases which ranged from zero to five. Independent variables included the level of physical activity, variables based on food frequency questions, and other behavioral activities, adjusted for age and gender. Generalized linear model with Poisson distribution was used for analysis.
RESULTS: The analysis showed that males have more diseases than females if other factors are controlled (B=0.182, p=0.001). Diseases increase by age (B=0.021, p=0.000). Those who used dairy products daily had smaller number of diseases (B= -0.145, p=0.012). Those who used vegetable oil 3-7 days a week had smaller number of diseases than those who use it 0-2 days a week (B= -0.224, p=0.058). Other food frequencies and ever smoking had no clear association with number of diseases.
CONCLUSION: Increasing age and male gender are two factors which are associated with larger number of chronic diseases. Regular use of vegetable oil and dairy products seems to be important towards the path of a healthier life.
Abstract (pdf) in English
