Chaya YK
Data analyst intern
Relationship between physical activity and cognitive functioning among older Indian adults.
Published on: September 04, 2024
Original author: Manish Kumar, et al. (2022) (DOI: 10.1038/s41598-022-06725-3)
The study investigates the relationship between physical activity and cognitive functioning in older adults, with a focus on gender differences. It aims to explore how frequent physical activity influences cognitive health and whether the effects vary between older men and women. The study uses a gender-based analysis to provide empirical evidence on this association among older adults in India. Methodology: The research utilizes data from a large, nationally representative survey of older adults. Physical activity levels were categorized, and cognitive functioning was assessed. The study applied propensity score matching (PSM) to control for various confounding factors, ensuring that comparisons were made between similar groups. This method helped create a control group with matched characteristics to estimate the impact of physical activity on cognitive functioning. Results: The study found that frequently physically active older adults had better cognitive functioning compared to their less active counterparts. Specifically, physically active older men had a cognitive score increase of 0.75 points, while older women had an increase of 0.82 points. The average treatment effect (ATE) suggested that if the entire population were physically active, cognitive function could increase by 0.98 points for men and 1.32 points for women. The average treatment effect on the untreated (ATU) indicated that non-active individuals would benefit even more from engaging in physical activity, with cognitive scores potentially improving by 1.06 points for men and 1.39 points for women. Conclusion: Physical activity has a positive impact on cognitive functioning among older adults, with a slightly greater effect observed in women. The study suggests that promoting physical activity could be an effective intervention to enhance cognitive health and delay cognitive impairment in old age. Given the public health implications, incorporating physical activity into aging interventions is recommended to improve cognitive outcomes. Impact of the research: This research provides valuable insights into the role of physical activity in maintaining cognitive health in older adults. It highlights the importance of gender differences in cognitive benefits and supports the development of targeted interventions. The findings underscore the need for public health strategies that encourage physical activity as a means to combat cognitive decline and support successful aging.
Estimating impact of food choices on life expectancy: A modeling study.
Published on: July 03, 2024
Original author: Lars T. Fadnes, et al. (2022) (DOI: 10.1371/journal.pmed.1003889)
The study investigates the impact of dietary changes on life expectancy (LE), particularly focusing on the transition from a typical Western diet (TW) to a more optimized diet (OD). This research builds on the framework presented by Johansson and colleagues, utilizing data from meta-analyses and mortality rates to quantify the potential health benefits. The objective is to assess the health outcomes associated with different food groups and provide a comprehensive evaluation of how dietary modifications can influence longevity. Methodology: The methodology involves a multi-step process to ensure robust and reliable results. Data collection was conducted using meta-analyses from PubMed to gather information on various food groups and their health impacts. Current mortality rates and causes of death were incorporated to estimate how changes in diet could affect life expectancy. The study compares the typical Western diet (TW), characterized by high intake of processed foods and sugars, with an optimized diet (OD) that emphasizes fruits, vegetables, nuts, legumes, and whole grains. An interactive R Package Shiny web application was developed to allow users to explore the estimated effects of dietary changes on LE, facilitating a dynamic analysis of the data. Results: The results reveal a significant potential increase in life expectancy when transitioning from a typical Western diet to a more optimized diet. The analysis shows that increased consumption of fruits, vegetables, nuts, legumes, and whole grains is associated with a reduction in mortality rates. Conversely, reductions in the intake of processed meat, red meat, and sugary beverages correspond with substantial health benefits. The optimized diet (OD) consistently demonstrates a clear positive impact on longevity compared to the typical Western diet (TW), underscoring the profound influence that dietary choices can have on health outcomes. Conclusion: The study concludes that adopting a more optimized diet can significantly enhance life expectancy. These findings highlight the critical role of dietary modifications as a strategic approach to improving public health. The research provides robust evidence to support the formulation of public health policies aimed at promoting healthier eating habits. By offering clear and actionable dietary recommendations, the study underscores the potential of diet as a powerful tool for enhancing longevity and reducing the burden of diet-related diseases. Impact of the research: The impact of this research extends across multiple domains. For public health, it offers evidence-based dietary recommendations that can be utilized by health organizations to improve population health. For policymakers, it provides a scientific foundation for developing dietary guidelines and policies designed to mitigate the prevalence of diet-related diseases. On an individual level, the study empowers people with knowledge to make informed dietary choices that can enhance their longevity and quality of life. Additionally, the research contributes to the academic community by adding new insights and methodologies to the existing body of literature on diet and health, paving the way for future studies in this field. Overall, this research underscores the transformative potential of dietary changes and provides a comprehensive, evidence-based framework for enhancing life expectancy through improved nutrition.
Research on the prediction of longevity from both individual, and family perspectives.
Published on: January 17, 2024
Original author: Lvqing Miao, et al. (2022) (DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0263992)
This study addresses the growing challenges posed by population aging, particularly in China, where the proportion of elderly individuals has surged. With the elderly constituting a significant demographic, there's an increasing demand for aging care. The 'elderly health promotion action,' part of China's 'healthy China action (2019–2030),' emphasizes the comprehensive nature of health, including mental well-being and social functional integrity. The research explores the mental health standards for the elderly, focusing on cognitive functioning, emotions, self-evaluation, interpersonal relationships, and environmental adaptation. Psychosocial factors are identified as pivotal in influencing mental health among the elderly. The study delves into various factors affecting human longevity, such as genetics, personality traits, and social support. Heredity, especially evident in centenarians and their offspring, plays a crucial role in longevity. Personality traits, particularly conscientiousness and emotional stability, are linked to a longer and healthier life. Additionally, family emotional support is recognized as a significant contributor to both physical and mental health in the elderly. The research aims to bridge the gap in understanding predictors of longevity, particularly from a family perspective. It sets hypotheses regarding differences between longevous and ordinary elderly individuals and families, emphasizing the importance of psychosocial variables. Methodology: The methodology involves a robust sampling strategy, combining cluster and random sampling, and applying exclusion criteria related to cognitive impairments and deafness. Demographic and psychosocial data are collected through interviews and assessments, including the Eysenck Personality Questionnaire-Revised and the Social Support Rating Scale. Results: Individual differences reveal that longevous elderly exhibit more females, higher rates of widowed individuals, and fewer habits like smoking. Psychosocially, longevous elderly show higher extraversion, lower neuroticism, but lower social support compared to ordinary elderly. Family differences highlight similarities in demographics, while longevous families have lower neuroticism. Logistic regression models predict individual longevity with lower neuroticism, higher social support, and no smoking habit. Family longevity is predicted by lower neuroticism and higher psychoticism. Conclusion: The study underscores the importance of emotional stability, positive social support, and healthy habits for individual longevity. Family longevity is influenced by stable emotional states and certain personality traits. Recommendations include updating health perspectives, improving social support, and optimizing pension service models. The findings contribute to a comprehensive understanding of healthy aging and provide insights for policymakers and society. Impact of the research: The study suggests better ways for older people to live healthier, like changing bad habits and getting more emotional support.