Preventive medicine
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Preventive medicine · May 2009
ReviewWorking for health? Evidence from systematic reviews on the effects on health and health inequalities of organisational changes to the psychosocial work environment.
To map the health effects of interventions which aim to alter the psychosocial work environment, with a particular focus on differential impacts by socio-economic status, gender, ethnicity, or age. ⋯ Policy makers should consider organisational level changes to the psychosocial work environment when seeking to improve the health of the working age population.
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Preventive medicine · Apr 2009
Factors alleviating metabolic syndrome via diet-induced weight loss with or without exercise in overweight Japanese women.
Although a 5%-10% loss in the baseline weight has been associated with improvement in obesity-related disorders, only a few studies have explored the factors to alleviate metabolic syndrome (MS). This study aimed to determine the factors that alter MS components in overweight Japanese women. ⋯ These results suggest that moderate weight loss of 8%-13% contributes to improving the MS components in overweight Japanese women.
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Preventive medicine · Apr 2009
Association of physical activity and neighborhood environment among Japanese adults.
Although environmental attributes related to physical activity is an emerging research topic, most studies have been reported from Western countries. This study aimed to examine the relationship between perceived environment and physical activity among Japanese adults. ⋯ Associations of physical activity with four environmental attributes emerged in this Japanese sample. These results support the generalizability of findings on physical activity environments across Western countries and Japan.
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The identification of spatial clusters of overweight and obesity can be a key indicator for targeting scarce public health resources. This paper examines sex-specific spatial patterns of overweight/obesity in Canada as well as investigates the presence of spatial clusters. ⋯ Findings reveal overweight/obesity clusters and underscore the importance of geographically focused prevention strategies informed by population-specific needs.
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Preventive medicine · Apr 2009
Are messages about lifestyle walking being heard? Trends in walking for all purposes in New South Wales (NSW), Australia.
To examine population trends in lifestyle walking in New South Wales (NSW), Australia between 1998 and 2006. ⋯ Over time, everyday walking has the potential to reduce health inequalities that is due to inactivity. Public health efforts to promote active living and address obesity, as well as a rise in gasoline prices, might have contributed to this trend.