Showing papers by "Calle Bengtsson published in 1996"

Physical Activity Levels and Changes in Relation to Longevity A Prospective Study of Swedish Women

Abstract: In 1968-1969, a population-based sample of Swedish women aged 38-60 years was recruited for a health survey, and 20-year survival was later ascertained from national registries. Occupational and leisure-time physical activity data from the baseline and 6-year follow-up examinations were evaluated in relation to all-cause mortality among 1,405 women who were initially free of major diseases. In comparison with being inactive, the mortality relative risk associated with being somewhat active was 0.28 (95% confidence interval 0.17-0.46) for occupational activity and 0.56 (95% confidence interval 0.39-0.82) for leisure-time activity. Being in the most active occupational or leisure activity category further decreased mortality risk to a minor extent. A within-subject decrease in leisure activity over 6 years was also a significant risk factor for all-cause mortality (relative risk = 2.07, relative to no change), although there was no evidence of a benefit from increasing physical activity levels. Since exclusion of early endpoints did not affect the associations in any significant way, underlying illness is unlikely to have played a major role in these analyses. It is concluded that decreases in physical activity as well as low initial levels are strong risk factors for mortality in women, and that their predictive value persists for many years.

Reproductive history in relation to relative weight and fat distribution

Abstract: Department of Primary Health Care, Sahlgrenska University Hospital, Goteborg University, Gothenburg, Sweden OBJECTIVE: To investigate the relationship between reproductive history and body composition DESIGN: Prospective population study in Sweden SUBJECTS: 1462 randomly selected women representing five separate age cohorts (38, 46, 50, 54 and 60 at the 1968-1969 baseline examination) have been followed longitudinally MEASUREMENTS: Relative weight, fat distribution, and fat cellularity were related to menarche, parity, lactation, menopause and oestrogen medication RESULTS: Age of menarche did not show any association with subsequent fat distribution, nor did length of lactation time On the other hand parity was positively associated to total as well as central obesity, and lactation time was positively associated to abdominal fat cell diameter Premenopausal women showed higher mean body weight and hip circumference than postmenopausal women of the same age Change from pre- to postmenopausal status was associated with increase of waist circumference as well as reduction of hip circumference, resulting in an increased waist-hip ratio (WHR) Oestrogen replacement suggested some postponement of this increase CONCLUSION: Parity and menopause are the reproductive factors most associated with gradual changes in body fat distribution Oestrogen medication seems to play an additional role in diminishing waist circumference increase and could thus contribute to decreased cardiovascular morbidity in women PMID: 8653141 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]

Results from an intervention programme dealing with cardiovascular risk factors: experiences from a study of men aged 33-42 in habo, sweden

Abstract: Objective — To evaluate the long-term effect of a health examination and intervention programme in a Swedish community.Design — A health examination was carried out with the purpose of improving cardiovascular risk factors. A health profile was created as an educational tool, by means of which a nurse discussed the results of the health examination with the participants. Follow-up studies were carried out after 1 year and after 3–6 years.Participants — All men aged 33–42 living in a Swedish community (Habo) were invited to the health examination. Altogether 652 participated, corresponding to a participation rate of 86.1%.Main results — In the 1-year follow-up study, improvement with respect to cardiovascular risk factors was seen in a high-risk group (n=161) for systolic blood pressure and lifestyle factors such as alcohol consumption, smoking, mental stress, mental health, and for the sum of risk points according to the health profile. Corresponding improvement was not seen in other men of similar age in...

Effects of a health examination programme on quality of life and subjective well-being

Abstract: The effects on quality of life and psychological well-being of a health examination programme in a branch of Swedish industry were studied by means of questionnaires in 124 white-collar workers. They were asked to answer two questionnaires, one before and the other one month after the examination (the Nottingham Health Profile (NHP) and the Psychological General Well-being Schedule (PGWB)). Both are well-known and well-documented standard questionnaires used for estimating quality of life and degree of subjective well-being. The answers were compared with those of a control group comprising other white-collar workers in the same industry, of the same sex and age but who did not participate in the health examination and who were asked to complete the same questionnaires twice. The group that had participated in the health examination did not differ generally from the control group with respect to intra-individual differences as studied in the questionnaires on the two occasions. This indicates that no deterioration of quality of life or of psychological well-being was experienced by the participants in the health examination.

Subjectively experienced symptoms in relation to socio-economic factors in women.

Abstract: As observed in a cross-sectional population study of 1,302 women, aged 44–66 years and representative of middle-aged women living in a Swedish city, symptoms and complaints were found to be unevenly distributed in the female population. Factors such as foreign origin, low education, different kinds of isolation such as not working outside of the home, being divorced or widowed seemed to be factors which increased the risk of experiencing different symptoms and complaints. When meeting a patient with a complaint it is important to take all possible causes into consideration including socio-economic factors.