About Careers MedBlog Contact us
Medindia LOGIN REGISTER
Advertisement

Study Says Scotland Tops List for Lifestyle Health Risks

by Kathy Jones on June 11, 2010 at 6:39 PM
Font : A-A+

 Study Says Scotland Tops List for Lifestyle Health Risks

A new study has said that nearly every adult in Scotland is burdened with at least one major lifestyle risk factor, and 55 percent of the population are coping with three or more.

Looking at five health-threatening behaviours -- smoking, heavy drinking, lack of exercise, poor diet, obesity -- researchers found that twice as many Scottish men and women face a triple threat or worse than in any continental European country in which a similar study has been done.

Advertisement

Only in England and the United States are levels of risk even remotely close.

"Scottish people are living dangerously," said David Conway, a professor at the University of Glasgow and the main architect of the study.

"Only 2.5 percent of the population have no risk factors at all. It is frightening," he said in a phone interview, noting that the comparable figure in other rich nations was generally six or seven percent.
Advertisement

Published in the peer-reviewed journal BMC Public Health, the study contributes to a growing interest in the accumulated impact of harmful lifestyle choices, Conway said.

Up to now, most research has focused only on individual risk factors, one at a time -- smoking or drinking or overeating.

"But unhealthy behaviours cluster. And the combination is synergistic, which increases the overall risk disproportionately," he said.

This has major implications for both healthcare systems and individuals trying to reduce their exposure to lifestyle disease.

"When people have combined risk factors, it might be better to take a more holistic -- or 'whole patient' -- approach," he added.

To measure the scope of the problem, Conway and colleagues sifted through the 2003 Scottish Health Survey. Full data on the five risk factors under review was available for 6,574 men and women.

The researchers created a 'yes' or 'no' threshold to determine whether an individual faced a given lifestyle-related health threat.

For tobacco, for example, all smokers were considered to be at risk, while never and ex-smokers were not.

The UK Royal College of Physicians' definition of "sensible drinking" -- set at 30 milligrams (24 grams) of pure alcohol per day for men, and 20 milligrams (16 grams) for women -- was the cutoff for heavy consumption.

For excess fat, the tipping point was a "body-mass index" (BMI) over 25, widely viewed as the threshold for being "overweight." Above 30, one is obese.

While he was braced for a grim picture, even Conway was startled by the results.

More than 85 percent of adults had at least two risk factors, 55 percent had three or more, and nearly a fifth had four or all five.

The most prevalent single lifestyle menace, affecting four out of five people, was poor diet -- not enough fruit and vegetables.

Ten percent of respondents were both smokers and heavy drinkers, and three-quarters of these had picked up an additional two or three health threats as well.

The main drivers of these accumulated risks appeared to be social and economic.

Those living in the most deprived areas and with poorest educational qualifications had a much greater probability of piling up unhealthful lifestyles.

Countries with smaller disparities in income and social levels, Conway noted, also had fewer people with an accumulation of health-wreaking habits.

"Our findings suggest we should tackle some of the social drivers. Instead of just trying to address the behaviours, perhaps we could try to address the inequalities too," he said.

Source: AFP
Advertisement

Advertisement
Advertisement

Recommended Reading

Latest Lifestyle and Wellness News

Defying Time: Unlocking the Secrets to Wrinkle-Free Skin
Decoding the secrets of wrinkles by knowing the causes, prevention, and expert advice.
Summer's Gaze: Prioritizing Eye Care!
With the arrival of summer and the lure of outdoor activities, it is essential to give equal importance to the well-being of your eyes and skin.
Summer Makeup Battle: Conquering Humidity and Heat
Combination of high humidity and scorching heat in summer poses a daunting task for makeup wearers; balancing it is thus crucial.
Protecting Yourself from Summer Sun: Tips and Tricks
Selecting the right SPF for your skin is quite tricky, but the thumb rule is to use sunscreen with an SPF of at least 30 for effective results.
 World Family Doctor Day: Let's Celebrate the Family Doctors at the Heart of Healthcare
World Family Doctor Day held on 19th May highlights the vital role and contribution of family doctors in healthcare systems worldwide.
View All
This site uses cookies to deliver our services.By using our site, you acknowledge that you have read and understand our Cookie Policy, Privacy Policy, and our Terms of Use  Ok, Got it. Close
×

Study Says Scotland Tops List for Lifestyle Health Risks Personalised Printable Document (PDF)

Please complete this form and we'll send you a personalised information that is requested

You may use this for your own reference or forward it to your friends.

Please use the information prudently. If you are not a medical doctor please remember to consult your healthcare provider as this information is not a substitute for professional advice.

Name *

Email Address *

Country *

Areas of Interests