Preventive medicine
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Preventive medicine · Jan 2015
Quasi-causal associations of physical activity and neighborhood walkability with body mass index: a twin study.
Physical activity, neighborhood walkability, and body mass index (BMI, kg/m(2)) associations were tested using quasi-experimental twin methods. We hypothesized that physical activity and walkability were independently associated with BMI within twin pairs, controlling for genetic and environmental background shared between them. ⋯ The association between activity and BMI is largely due to shared genetic and environmental factors, but a significant causal relationship remains accounting for shared background. Although walkability is not associated with BMI, it is associated with neighborhood walking (but not MVPA) accounting for shared background, suggesting a causal relationship between them.
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Preventive medicine · Jan 2015
Implications of lower risk thresholds for statin treatment in primary prevention: analysis of CPRD and simulation modelling of annual cholesterol monitoring.
To estimate numbers affected by a recent change in UK guidelines for statin use in primary prevention of cardiovascular disease. ⋯ The proposed change of risk threshold from 20% to 10% would result in the substantial majority of those recommended for cholesterol testing being indicated for statin treatment. Implications depend on the value of statins in those at low to medium risk, and whether there are harms.
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Preventive medicine · Jan 2015
Mothers' perceived proximity to green space is associated with TV viewing time in children: the Growing Up in Scotland study.
The aim of this study is to investigate whether mothers' perception of distance from home to green/open spaces is associated with their child's screen time. ⋯ Mothers' perceived distance from home to green/open spaces was associated with child's TV time at age 5.9years.
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Little smoking research in the past 20years includes persons 50 and older; herein we describe patterns of clinician cessation advice to US seniors, including variation by Medicare beneficiary characteristics. ⋯ Smoking cessation advice to seniors is variable. Providers may focus on groups or areas in which smoking is less common or when they are most comfortable giving advice. More consistent interventions are needed, including cessation advice from clinicians.
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Preventive medicine · Jan 2015
Relationships between dog ownership and physical activity in postmenopausal women.
Positive associations between dog ownership and physical activity in older adults have been previously reported. ⋯ Dog ownership is associated with increased physical activity in older women, particularly among women living alone. Health promotion efforts aimed at older adults should highlight the benefits of regular dog walking for both dog owners and non-dog owners.