scholarly journals Is Self-Reported Physical Activity Participation Associated with Lower Health Services Utilization among Older Adults? Cross-Sectional Evidence from the Canadian Community Health Survey

2015 ◽  
Vol 2015 ◽  
pp. 1-14 ◽  
Author(s):  
Koren L. Fisher ◽  
Elizabeth L. Harrison ◽  
Bruce A. Reeder ◽  
Nazmi Sari ◽  
Karen E. Chad

Purpose. To examine relationships between leisure time physical activity (LTPA) and health services utilization (H) in a nationally representative sample of community-dwelling older adults.Methods. Cross-sectional data from 56,652 Canadian Community Health Survey respondents aged ≥ 50 years (48% M; 52% F; mean age 63.5 ± 10.2 years) were stratified into three age groups and analysed using multivariate generalized linear modeling techniques. Participants were classified according to PA level based on self-reported daily energy expenditure. Nonleisure PA (NLPA) was categorized into four levels ranging from mostly sitting to mostly lifting objects.Results. Active 50–65-year-old individuals were 27% less likely to report any GP consultationsORadj=0.73; P<0.001and had 8% fewer GP consultations annually(IRRadj=0.92; P<0.01)than their inactive peers. Active persons aged 65–79 years were 18% less likely than inactive respondents to have been hospitalized overnight in the previous year(ORadj=0.82, P<0.05). Higher levels of NLPA were significantly associated with lower levels of HSU, across all age groups.Conclusion. Nonleisure PA appeared to be a stronger predictor of all types of HSU, particularly in the two oldest age groups. Considering strategies that focus on reducing time spent in sedentary activities may have a positive impact on reducing the demand for health services.

Author(s):  
I. Culum ◽  
J.B. Orange ◽  
D. Forbes ◽  
M. Borrie

Introduction: The World Health Organization (WHO) recommends a diet that limits saturated fat consumption and encourages unsaturated fat consumption. A diet that is compatible with the WHO recommendations and of considerable interest to researchers interested in dementia is the Mediterranean diet (MeDi). What is known empirically at present about the MeDi and dementia is that t may have roles to play in reducing the risk factors as well as the overall risk for developing dementia. Objectives: In this cross-sectional study, we examined the macronutrient composition of the average Canadian diet (CanDi) in order to see how it may differ from the average Mediterranean diet (MeDi). Additionally, we compared how the CanDi differs between groups based on gender, age, geographical location and classification (i.e. urban vs. rural), and dementia risk. Design: The Canadian Community Health Survey (CCHS) 2.2 data were used to estimate the macronutrient composition of the CanDi for older adults (age 50+) (N = 10,503 [4,955 male, 5,548 female], mean age = 64[10.30]). Results: The average daily macronutrient intake in a CanDi was found to be 227.7 g of carbohydrates, 78.5 g of proteins, 67.8 g of fats (21.8 g of saturated fats, 27.1 g of monounsaturated fats, and 12.4 g of polyunsaturated fats), as well as 8.3 g of alcohol and have an average energy value of 1856.9 Kcal. The energy breakdown by macronutrient in a CanDi is estimated as follows: 49.2% from carbohydrates, 16.9% from proteins, and 31.1% from fats (10% saturated, 12.3% monounsaturated, and 5.7% polyunsaturated fats). On average, the respondents did not meet the daily energy requirements for their respective age group as outlined in Canada’s Food Guide. Conclusion: The macronutrient composition of the CanDi differs not only from the MeDi, but also from previous Western diet generalizations. Of particular interest is the finding that respondents identified as being “at-risk” for developing dementia consumed significantly less of each macronutrient and less food overall than those who were identified as otherwise healthy.


2021 ◽  
Vol 64 (3) ◽  
pp. 68-78
Author(s):  
Suman Kanoatova ◽  
Eric N. Liberda ◽  
M. Anne Harris

Background Currently, 34 public health units (PHUs) in Ontario deliver public health programs and services to reduce preventable diseases, promote and protect health of their communities, and reduce persistent health inequities. Changes to the structure of Ontario PHUs have been proposed. This analysis compares the current 34 Ontario PHUs based on key health indicators for the purpose of determining local health needs in delivering public health programs and as a baseline for measuring the effect of any future changes to PHU structure. Methods We used data from the 2015–2016 Canadian Community Health Survey (CCHS), a voluntary cross-sectional survey about health status of Canadians. Twenty-one health indicators measured by the CCHS and particularly relevant to PHU responsibilities were identified and compared across units. In this descriptive, cross-sectional analyses we used survey-weighted frequency calculations of the selected indicator variables by PHU and χ2 analyses to test differences in indicator distribution across PHU. Results All indicators except for sex were distributed unevenly by PHU. We particularly highlight differences across units in modifiable indicators and risk factors such as obesity, fruit and vegetable consumption, physical inactivity, smoking, and access to primary care physicians. Impact of the study While all PHUs strive towards the same mandated responsibilities, considerable variations in health indicators exist between health units. This underscores the necessity for PHUs to tailor programs and deliver services based on local needs. Future changes to PHU structure must be tested against baseline to determine if they ameliorate or exacerbate health inequities in Ontario.


2015 ◽  
Vol 113 (2) ◽  
pp. 299-309 ◽  
Author(s):  
Adriana N. Mudryj ◽  
Harold M. Aukema ◽  
Nancy Yu

Soya foods are one of the recommended alternatives to meat in many dietary guidelines. While this is expected to increase the intake of some nutrients, potential concerns regarding others have been raised. The purpose of the present study was to examine the prevalence and the association of soya food consumption with nutrient intakes and dietary patterns of Canadians (age ≥ 2 years). Cross-sectional data from the 2004 Canadian Community Health Survey (Cycle 2.2; n 33 218) were used to classify soya consumers and non-consumers. Soya consumers were further divided into two groups based on their soya protein intake. Sample weights were applied and logistic regression analysis was used to explore the association between nutrient intakes and soya consumption, with cultural background, sex, age and economic status being included as covariates. On any given day, 3·3 % (n 1085) of Canadians consume soya foods, with females, Asian Canadians and adults with post-secondary education being more likely to be soya consumers. As a whole, adolescent and adult respondents who had consumed at least one soya food during their 24 h dietary recall had higher energy intakes, as well as increased intakes of nutrients such as protein, fibre, vitamin C, vitamin B6, naturally occurring folate, thiamin, Ca, P, Mg, PUFA, Fe and K and lowered intakes of saturated fat. These data indicate that soya food consumption is associated with improved diet quality of Canadians. However, future research is necessary to investigate the association between increased energy intake and soya consumption.


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