Search resultsModifiable lifestyle behaviors and functional health in the European Prospective Investigation into Cancer (EPIC)-Norfolk population study
Title
Modifiable lifestyle behaviors and functional health in the European Prospective Investigation into Cancer (EPIC)-Norfolk population study
Publication type
Journal Article
Year of Publication
2007
Authors
Journal
Preventive Medicine
Volume
44
Issue
2
Pagination
109 - 116
Date published
2007
ISBN
00917435 (ISSN)
Keywords
Adult, Age Factors, Aged, alcohol consumption, Alcohol Drinking, article, Body Mass Index, cancer research, cohort analysis, community, confidence interval, Cross-Sectional Studies, disease association, education, Europe, Female, Functional Health Patterns, health, Health Behavior, health status, human, Humans, immobilization, Life Style, lifestyle modification, male, Mental functional health, mental health, Middle Aged, Motor Activity, Neoplasms, physical activity, Physical functional health, prevalence, priority journal, Prospective Studies, prospective study, Questionnaires, SF-36, smoking, social aspect
Abstract
Objective: To examine the association between modifiable lifestyle behaviors and functional health. Method: Population-based cross-sectional study in 16,678 men and women aged 40-79 years at baseline in 1993-1997 participating in the European Prospective Investigation into Cancer (EPIC)-Norfolk cohort. Results: Smoking and physical inactivity were associated with poorer physical functional health, equivalent to being 7 years and 10-13 years older, respectively, and poorer mental functional health compared to non-smoking or being physically active. After adjusting for age, body mass index, social class, education, prevalent illness, and other lifestyles; men and women who currently smoke were more likely to report poor physical functional health compared to non-smokers {Odds Ratio (OR) = 1.85 (95% confidence interval (CI): 1.49, 2.30) and 1.56 (1.30, 1.87)} and poor mental functional health {1.38 (1.12, 1.70); 1.77 (1.51, 2.07)}, respectively. The OR for good physical function in those who were physically active compared to inactive was 1.67 (1.41, 1.97) in men and 1.63 (1.39, 1.91) in women. Moderate alcohol consumption was positively associated with good physical and mental functional health. Conclusion: Modifiable behavioral factors are associated with substantial differences in the observed age-related decline in physical functional health and the prevalence of those in good and poor functional health in the community.