Preventive medicine
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Brisk walking has been identified as an activity suited to meet American College of Sport Medicine/Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommendations for moderate intensity exercise (55-69% HR(max), 40-59% VO(2)R). However, little is known about whether recreational walkers self-select a pace which elicits this intensity and how they interpret the term "brisk walking." ⋯ The speed and intensity selected by this group of walkers meets current recommendations for moderate intensity exercise. Instructing individuals to "walk briskly" prompts more vigorous activity.
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The objective of the study was to evaluate the degree of clustering of common lifestyle risk factors in a general adult population and to define subgroups with elevated clustering. ⋯ These findings suggest that common lifestyle risk factors cluster among adult subjects. The tendency for risk factors to aggregate has important implications for health promotion. Information on high-risk groups will help in planning future preventive strategies.
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Preventive medicine · Aug 2002
Trends in food locations and sources among adolescents and young adults.
The aim of this study was to determine overall trends of total energy intake by food location and food type in diets of adolescents and young adults. ⋯ To improve the diets of adolescents and young adults, healthy food choices outside the home need to be as readily available as the foods which have increased in popularity over the past 20 years.
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Preventive medicine · Aug 2002
Comparative StudyTrends in smoking, diet, physical exercise, and attitudes toward health in European university students from 13 countries, 1990-2000.
Smoking, diet, and physical exercise are key determinants of health. This study assessed changes over 10 years and their relationship to changes in health beliefs and risk awareness. ⋯ The differences in health behaviors, beliefs, and risk awareness between the two surveys were disappointing in this educated sector of young adult Europeans. The association between changes in beliefs and prevalence of behavior emphasizes the importance of enhancing positive attitudes to healthier lifestyles.
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Preventive medicine · Aug 2002
Comparative StudySociodemographic variations in breast cancer screening behavior among Australian women: results from the 1995 National Health Survey.
Knowledge of sociodemographic variations in breast cancer screening can help identify population groups that are at risk of underutilization of breast cancer screening procedures and practices. We examined sociodemographic variations in breast cancer screening behavior among Australian women. ⋯ Strategies to promote breast cancer screening practices should pay particular attention to the underserved groups and should be part of a more comprehensive policy that ensures the accessibility to regular health care of these population groups.