| 1. |
- Alsharari, Zayed, et al.
(author)
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Association between carbohydrate intake and fatty acids in the de novo lipogenic pathway in serum phospholipids and adipose tissue in a population of Swedish men
- 2020
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In: European Journal of Nutrition. - : Springer Science and Business Media LLC. - 1436-6207 .- 1436-6215. ; 59:5, s. 2089-2097
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Purpose Fatty acid composition in blood and adipose tissue (AT) is a useful biomarker of dietary fat quality. However, circulating saturated fatty acids (SFA) and monounsaturated fatty acids (MUFA) have been proposed to also reflect carbohydrate-induced de novo lipogenesis (DNL) and stearoyl-CoA desaturase (SCD) activity. We aimed to test the hypothesis that high carbohydrate intake is related to SFA and MUFA in serum or AT in a Swedish population. Methods Fatty acid composition was measured in serum phospholipids (PL) and AT by gas chromatography in 63-year-old men (n = 299). Carbohydrate and alcohol intake was assessed (validated 7-day food records) in relation to total SFA, 16:0 (palmitate), 16:1 (palmitoleate), and estimated SCD activity (16:1n-7/16:0-ratio) in serum PL and in AT, respectively. Results Total carbohydrate intake was inversely associated with 16:0 in PL (P = 0.005), independently of BMI. Disaccharides were non-linearly (restricted cubic splines) and weakly associated with 16:1 and SCD activity in PL (nonlinear trend,P <= 0.02) but not AT. Carbohydrate intake and SCD expression were not associated (P >= 0.08,n = 81). Alcohol intake was, however, linearly associated with 16:0 in PL (P < 0.001), and with 16:1 (P < 0.001) and SCD activity (P <= 0.005) in both PL and AT. Conclusions Higher carbohydrate intake from sugar-rich foods or beverages was not clearly reflected by higher SFA or SCD activity in serum PL or AT. Alcohol was, however, associated with higher SFA and MUFA.
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| 2. |
- Andermo, Susanne, et al.
(author)
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Effectiveness of a family intervention on health-related quality of life-a healthy generation, a controlled pilot trial.
- 2020
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In: BMC Public Health. - : BioMed Central. - 1471-2458. ; 20:1
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- BACKGROUND: Physical activity is associated with better health, but knowledge about health promoting interventions, including physical activity for families in disadvantaged areas and the impact on health-related quality of life (HRQOL) is sparse. The aim of this study was to assess HRQOL in children and their parents after participation in the programme "A Healthy Generation".METHODS: The programme is delivered in socioeconomically disadvantaged areas in Sweden and offers physical activity and a healthy meal or fruit twice a week from August to May to families with children in grade 2. Children (n = 67), aged 8-9 years, and their parents (n = 90) participated in this controlled study conducted in four schools, two control and two intervention schools. HRQOL of children and adults was assessed at baseline and follow-up after the intervention with the Pediatric Quality of Life Inventory (PedsQL) 4.0 and the Gothenburg Quality of Life scale, respectively. Analyses of covariance (ANCOVAs), linear regression and Pearson's correlation were conducted.RESULTS: There were no significant differences between intervention and control in HRQOL among children or adults after the intervention. However, in a subgroup of children (n = 20) and adults (n = 29) with initial low HRQOL scores at baseline, there was a significant difference between the intervention group and control group after the intervention (children (total score): p = 0.02; adults (social domain) p = 0.04). Furthermore, within the intervention group, there was a significant relationship between level of participation in "A Healthy Generation" and the physical domain of HRQOL among girls (r = 0.44, p = 0.01), but not boys (r = - 0.07, p = 0.58).CONCLUSION: Participation in the programme "A Healthy Generation" did not show a significant intervention effect on HRQOL in general. However, the findings suggest that HRQOL may be increased for children and adults with low HRQOL in disadvantaged areas. This knowledge can contribute to the development of health promoting interventions in such areas, and to more equitable health.TRIAL REGISTRATION: ISRCTN ISRCTN11660938. Retrospectively registered 23 September 2019.
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| 3. |
- Andermo, Susanne, et al.
(author)
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"We were all together"- families' experiences of the health-promoting programme - A Healthy Generation.
- 2020
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In: BMC Public Health. - : BioMed Central. - 1471-2458. ; 20:1
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- BACKGROUND: Healthy lifestyle habits, including physical activity (PA), are associated with a broad range of positive psychosocial and physical health benefits. However, there are challenges involved in reaching vulnerable groups in socioeconomically disadvantaged areas. There is a lack of research on family-based PA interventions, specifically considering psychosocial health. The purpose of this study was to explore how families experienced psychosocial aspects of health after participation in a family-based programme, A Healthy Generation.METHODS: A Healthy Generation is a health-promoting, family-based programme delivered in collaboration with local municipalities and sport associations in socioeconomically disadvantaged areas in Sweden. Families with children in grade 2 (8-9 years), including siblings, participate in health-promoting activities, including activity sessions, healthy meals, health information and parental support groups. Data was collected through interviews with parents and children (n = 23) from a controlled pilot trial of the programme. Interviews were audio recorded, transcribed and analysed using a phenomenological hermeneutical method.RESULTS: Three themes and seven sub-themes emerged. The themes were: "A sense of belonging", "Awareness of one's role as a parent" and "Inspiration towards new and healthier behaviours". In terms of A sense of belonging, participation in the programme was the families own free zone, where they also had the opportunity of being together with other families in the programme. For participants that were isolated and lacked a social network, their participation helped them towards social participation. During the programme, parents created an Awareness of one's role as a parent, with new insights on how to act as a parent and they also negotiated differences between each other. Participation in the programme contributed to Inspiration towards new and healthier behaviours such as experience-based insights and healthy lifestyle changes.CONCLUSIONS: This study highlights the importance of co-participation in family-based health-promoting programmes to enhance psychosocial health among families in socioeconomically disadvantaged areas. The results give new insights into participants' experiences of psychosocial aspects of health after participation in a family-based PA programme. This knowledge can contribute to the understanding of how to design health-promoting, family-based interventions to promote psychosocial health in socioeconomically disadvantaged areas.TRIAL REGISTRATION: ISRCTN ISRCTN11660938 . Retrospectively registered 23 September 2019.
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| 4. |
- Andersson, Elin M., 1978-
(author)
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From risk communication to lifestyle modification : interactions of reactions for actions
- 2024
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Doctoral thesis (other academic/artistic)abstract
- Aim: From a health psychological perspective, the great need of effective cardiovascular disease (CVD) prevention and the potential of pictorial presentation of subclinical atherosclerosis as part of risk communication implies two important lines of inquiry which constitute the overall aims of this thesis: 1) To explore and assess psychological intervention response in terms of cognitive and emotional reactions to health risk communication about subclinical atherosclerosis, 2) To assess associations between psychological intervention response and lifestyle modification.Methods: The pragmatic population-based randomized controlled trial VIPVIZA investigates the impact of pictorial information about subclinical atherosclerosis, added to traditional risk factor-based communication. The intervention includes a personalized, colour-coded and age-related risk communication strategy and a motivational conversation, and has been shown to reduce cardiovascular disease risk. Study 1 assessed cognitive and emotional reactions to the intervention, and how reactions were associated to lifestyle modification, measured with a lifestyle index based on physical activity, diet, smoking and alcohol consumption. To gain deeper understanding of why the intervention is effective, Study 2 qualitatively explored reactions evoked by the intervention as well as attitudes to any implemented lifestyle changes among VIPVIZA participants in the intervention group with improved health status. Study 3 assessed risk perception and efficacy beliefs in the intervention group and the control group after one and three years. Furthermore, this study assessed whether risk perception increased with message severity. Study 4 assessed the impact of the VIPVIZA intervention on participants' risk perception accuracy, and also whether risk perception accuracy after one and three years was associated with sustained lifestyle change.Results: The result letter was easy to understand and the intervention increased understanding of personal CVD risk, the possibility to influence the risk, and how to influence the risk. High level of cognitive response in combination with high level of emotional arousal was found to be most beneficial for lifestyle modification. Informants perceived risk messages to be clear, accurate, reliable and emotionally engaging. Study 1 and Study 2 suggest that an interplay between cognitive and emotional reactions is crucial from early reactions to risk messages, through the decision-making process of behavioural change to maintenance of a healthy lifestyle. The intervention group perceived their cardiovascular disease risk as higher after one year, compared to the control group, with the effect persisting after three years. Within the intervention group, differences in CVD risk perception were found among participants receiving different color-coded risk messages on atherosclerosis status. The intervention had an impact on accuracy of risk perception. Accuracy of risk perception was associated with long-term behaviour change. Underestimating risk was associated with a decrease in health behaviours.Conclusions: As captured by the idiom "A picture says more than a thousand words", the results indicate that pictorial communication of atherosclerosis is easy to understand, enhances comprehension of risk, and evoke a powerful response. In other words: the communication is effective. Furthermore, in line with the idiom "Seeing is believing", which suggests that seeing something first-hand makes it more credible or believable, the results suggest that pictorial communicating on atherosclerosis status increase understanding of CVD risk since being perceived as accurate, reliable and convincing. In other words: pictorial communication is trustworthy and convincing. Future CVD interventions should acknowledge the role of accuracy of risk perception for behaviour change and focus on strengthening efficacy beliefs.
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| 5. |
- Bengtsson, Anna, 1973-
(author)
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Pictorial presentation of subclinical atherosclerosis : a measure to reduce the risk for cardiovascular disease
- 2021
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Doctoral thesis (other academic/artistic)abstract
- The overall aim was improved cardiovascular disease (CVD) prevention through the VIPVIZA intervention. This includes the provision of pictorial information of subclinical atherosclerosis to participants and their general practitioners (GPs), follow-up phone call, and written information to the participant. VIPVIZA is a Prospective Randomized Open Blinded End-point (PROBE) trial nested within VIP, a CVD prevention program in primary health care in Västerbotten county, Sweden. Middle-aged individuals at low/intermediate CVD risk were enrolled to VIPVIZA and randomized 1:1 to an intervention (n=1749) or control group (n=1783 who received no pictorial or other information). Preventive measures were managed within primary health care.At baseline, clinical risk factors were measured and carotid ultrasound examination was performed. The prevalence of subclinical atherosclerotic disease was assessed as intima media thickness and presence of plaque. The association between clinical risk factors and measures of subclinical atherosclerosis was investigated. In addition to conventional risk factor-based risk evaluation, the impact of the VIPVIZA intervention on CVD risk, traditional risk factors and pharmacological treatment was evaluated after 1 and 3 years. Individual interviews were conducted with 15 GPs to explore how a pictorial representation of subclinical atherosclerosis affects physicians in their perception and communication of CVD risk. The interviews were analyzed by qualitative content analysis.The plaque prevalence was 44.7% in this population. Clinical risk factors explained more of the variation in a combined ultrasound measurement than single measurements. The results up to three years showed a VIPVIZA intervention effect, with lower and sustained CVD risk in the intervention as compared to the control group. The effect was partly mediated by differences in intake of lipid-lowering medication and partly by lifestyle behaviour. The GPs described their risk assessment and patients’ risk perception as more accurate with the VIPVIZA intervention. Informing patients about examination results prior to a consultation can facilitate shared decision-making and enhance adherence to preventive measures.The results show that the VIPVIZA intervention reduces CVD risk over three years. In the long run this has the potential to reduce the incidence of CVD events.
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| 6. |
- Ekblom Bak, Elin, 1981-, et al.
(author)
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Physical activity attenuates cardiovascular risk and mortality in men and women with and without the metabolic syndrome - a 20-year follow-up of a population-based cohort of 60-year-olds.
- 2021
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In: European Journal of Preventive Cardiology. - : Sage Publications. - 2047-4873 .- 2047-4881. ; 8:12, s. 1376-1385
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- AimsThe purpose of this study was to analyse the association of leisure-time physical activity of different intensities at baseline, and cardiovascular disease incidence, cardiovascular disease mortality and all-cause mortality in a population-based sample of 60-year-old men and women with and without established metabolic syndrome, for more than 20 years of follow-up. A secondary aim was to study which cardiometabolic factors may mediate the association between physical activity and long-term outcomes.MethodsA total of 3693 participants (53% women) underwent physical examination and laboratory tests, completed an extensive questionnaire at baseline 1997–1999 and were followed until their death or until 31 December 2017. First-time cardiovascular disease events and death from any cause were ascertained through regular examinations of national registers.ResultsMetabolic syndrome prevalence was 23.0%. In metabolic syndrome participants, light physical activity attenuated cardiovascular disease incidence (hazard ratio = 0.71; 95% confidence interval 0.50–1.00) compared to sedentary (reference) after multi-adjustment. Moderate/high physical activity was inversely associated with both cardiovascular disease and all-cause mortality, but became non-significant after multi-adjustment. Sedentary non-metabolic syndrome participants had lower cardiovascular disease incidence (0.47; 0.31–0.72) but not significantly different cardiovascular disease (0.61; 0.31–1.19) and all-cause mortality (0.92; 0.64–1.34) compared to sedentary metabolic syndrome participants. Both light and moderate/high physical activity were inversely associated with cardiovascular disease and all-cause mortality in non-metabolic syndrome participants (p<0.05). There were significant variations in several central cardiometabolic risk factors with physical activity level in non-metabolic syndrome participants. Fibrinogen mediated the protective effects of physical activity in non-metabolic syndrome participants.ConclusionPhysical activity of different intensities attenuated cardiovascular risk and mortality in 60-year old men and women with metabolic syndrome during a 20-year follow-up.
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| 7. |
- Hellenius, Mai-Lis, et al.
(author)
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Epidemiologi och mekanismer
- 2021. - 2
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In: Långvarigt stillasittande. - : Studentlitteratur AB. - 9789144138671 ; , s. 35-72
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Book chapter (other academic/artistic)
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| 8. |
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| 9. |
- Hellénius, Mai-Lis, et al.
(author)
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Negative associations between step-up height and waist circumference in 8-year-old children and their parents.
- 2024
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In: Acta Paediatrica. - : John Wiley & Sons. - 0803-5253 .- 1651-2227. ; 113:8, s. 1900-1907
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- AIM: To study cross-sectional relationships between step-up height and waist circumference (WC), a potential proxy for sarcopenic obesity, in Swedish children and parents.METHODS: Participants were recruited from Swedish schools in disadvantaged areas in 2017. Height, body weight, WC and maximal step-up height were measured in 67 eight-year-old children and parents: 58 mothers, with a mean age of 38.5 and 32 fathers, with a mean age of 41.3. Sedentary time and physical activity were registered by an accelerometer. Associations between maximal step-up height and WC were analysed using Pearson's correlation and adjusted linear regression.RESULTS: Abdominal obesity, WC ≥ 66 centimetres (cm) in children, ≥88 cm in women and ≥102 cm in men, was observed in 13% and 35% of girls and boys, and in 53% and 34% among mothers and fathers, respectively. Negative associations between maximal step-up height and WC were found for children (r = -0.37, p = 0.002) and adults (mothers r = -0.58, p < 0.001, fathers r = -0.48, p = 0.006). The associations remained after adjustments for height, body mass index (BMI) and physical activity in adults. Reduced muscle strength clustered within families (r = 0.54, p < 0.001).CONCLUSION: Associations between reduced muscle strength and abdominal obesity were observed in children and parents. Sarcopenic obesity may need more attention in children. Our findings support family interventions.
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| 10. |
- Johansson, Lisbeth
(author)
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To do or not to do? Physical activity in relation to socioeconomic status and health – a salutogenic perspective in the context of targeted health dialogues
- 2024
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Doctoral thesis (other academic/artistic)abstract
- It is well known that physical activity (PA) has a major positive impact on health and that the performance of PA is lower in low socioeconomic groups. However, more knowledge about the relationship between PA and health is needed especially between and within socioeconomic groups.This thesis aimed, from a salutogenic perspective, to increase the understanding of the relationship between physical activity and health in the adult population, with a particular focus on people with economic difficulties. A further aim was to validate questions about physical activity and to explore the people’s experiences of PA from a sense of coherence perspective, all in the context of targeted health dialogues.The first study in this thesis is a validation study. It validates a PA interview form and questions about sedentary time used in the targeted health dialogues. Studies II and III comprise quantitative analyses of PA, health and psychological factors in the population, especially in groups with low socioeconomic status (SES). Study IV is a qualitative deductive study based on interviews with participants with low SES in the targeted health dialogues. The deductive analysis contains the participants’ experiences of PA from a sense of coherence perspective.The findings in study I showed that the interview form and the single-item question about sedentary time could be considered as acceptable to use in Swedish targeted health dialogues. In study II, physically active people with low SES were shown to have the same odds of reporting good self-rated health compared to those with low PA and high SES. The findings in study III showed that within the group of people with self-reported economic difficulties, higher levels of PA were related to better mastery and more vitality. Study IV showed that it is essential for the participants to have an awareness of the health benefits of PA and their challenges in performing PA. The participants also constructed a plan to follow while utilising their resources, and their intrinsic motivation to achieve the PA recommendations and the PA benefits.This thesis brings a deeper knowledge and understanding of the healthperspective of PA. This knowledge can be used to further develop thetargeted health dialogues in a salutogenic way. It will give people,especially those with lower SES, the opportunity to use their resourcesto increase PA and thereby improve their future health.
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