This news seems to deal with unhealthy behaviors which could prove to be fatal in the near future. A study claims that four harmful behaviors namely smoking, no physical activity, poor diet and alcohol intake appear to be linked to a considerably augmented threat of death when merged together.
Providing background information, the authors mentioned that several studies have shown that specific health behaviors, including cigarette smoking, physical inactivity, higher alcohol intake and, to a lesser extent, diets low in fruits and vegetables, are associated with an increased risk of cardiovascular disease, cancer and premature mortality.
Majority of the studies that seemingly investigate the consequences of these behaviors control for other injurious behaviors to recognize independent effects. Nevertheless, various poor lifestyle alternatives could coexist in the same person.
“To fully understand the public health impact of these behaviors, it is necessary to examine both their individual and combined impact on health outcomes,†commented, Elisabeth Kvaavik, Ph.D., of University of Oslo, Norway and colleagues.
The study authors interviewed roughly 4,886 people who were 18 years or more in 1984 to 1985.
The authors quoted, “A health behavior score was calculated, allocating one point for each poor behavior: smoking; fruits and vegetables consumed less than three times daily; less than two hours physical activity per week; and weekly consumption of more than 14 units [one unit equals 8 grams, or about 0.3 ounces] of alcohol (in women) and more than 21 units (in men).â€
During an average of around 20 years of follow-up, approximately 1,080 volunteers died, about 431 from cardiovascular disease, roughly 318 from cancer and around 331 from other reasons. When pitted against subjects who seemingly encompassed no poor health behaviors, the danger of death from all causes and from every cause seems to have augmented with every additional behavior.
People with four as opposed to no poor health behaviors apparently had thrice the threat of dying of cardiovascular disease or cancer, four times the danger of expiring from other causes and a by and large death risk corresponding to being 12 years older.
The authors remarked, “Modest but achievable adjustments to lifestyle behaviors are likely to have a considerable impact at both the individual and population level.â€
The authors concluded by mentioning that developing more efficacious methods by which to promote healthy diets and lifestyles across the population should be an important priority of public health policy.
The study was published in the Archives of Internal Medicine, one of the JAMA/ Archives Journals.