| Health Profile - theoretical background |
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The health profile is intended as a tool for both private and professionals. The interface is easy accessible despite the complicated and evidence-based result calculation. This article gives the background principles and references. Health can be described in many different ways. This health profile is based on variables that are related to physical health, seen as the ability to live a long life without disease and with a high degree of physical function throughout life.BMI Body mass index (BMI) is a recognized factor in relation to assessing risk for a number of lifestyle diseases. BMI is a valid tool when assessing risk at population base, but on an individual basis BMI will often be misleading because of differences in body type and muscle mass. In addition, a moderately increased BMI is only a limited risk factor if fitness and physical activity is high. Waist Waist circumference is a simple and relatively reliable measure of obesity. Waist circumference is particularly related to the dangerous fat mass surrounding the internal organs (abdominal fat, visceral fat). The disadvantage is that waist circumference does not take body build in to account. For example, it is not completely fair that a very tall person is evaluated under the same criteria as a smaller person. The usual limits used for waist circumference are relatively coarse. However, this health profile uses a newer subdivision with multiple categories (Bray 2004). Diet The included parameters are chosen as representative indicators for a healthy or unhealthy diet. Vegetables, fruit, fish and fibre-rich carbohydrates are recognized ingredients of a healthy diet, while sugar and industrially processed fast food are components with a negative effect. Questions about fat intake are not emphasized because fat energy ratio in itself is a debatable risk factor, especially if the fat comes from healthy sources, and the person is generally in energy balance. Smoking Smoking is undeniable one of the most harmful thing you can do to your body body. A little smoking is bad and a lot smoking is very bad. Passive smoking has also been documented to have long-term adverse effects. Alcohol Alcohol is probably not a significant health risk in small quantities. Studies have even shown that there may be a health benefit from consumption of 1-2 drinks per day. It should be noted though, that this "benefit" only applies to older persons. For young people there are only negative consequences of alcohol consumption. Several countries recommend limits of 14 drinks per week for women and 21 drinks per week for men. Recent studies indicate that even these levels are probably pragmatic and should from a purely health perspective be lower. Strength Muscle strength in the upper body is not directly related to one's health in the same manner as diet and fitness, but there are studies indicating that good muscle strength early in life predicts low mortality. Flexibility References Risk factors and public health in Denmark YMCA Fitness Testing and Assessment Manual ACSM's guidelines for exercise testing and prescription. 7th edition Physical activity – handbook on prevention and treatment Measurement and Evaluation in Human Performance, Third Edition Advanced Fitness Assessment and Exercise Prescription. 5th Edition Norms for Fitness, Performance, and Health New approaches to predict VO2max and endurance from running performance. Cureton TK Jr. Flexibility as an aspect of physical fitness. Research Quarterly Supplement 12 388-390. 1941 Waist circumference as a screening tool for cardiovascular risk factors: evaluation of receiver operating characteristics (ROC). A comparative evaluation of waist circumference, waist-to-hip ratio and body mass index as indicators of cardiovascular risk factors. The Canadian Heart Health Surveys. Waist circumference and not body mass index explains obesity-related health risk Don't throw the baby out with the bath water.
Comments (2)
DrTim
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Great overview of testing! Indeed smoking is the worst thing you can do for your body. Second-hand smoke is proving to be bad for non-smokers. Fortunately, smoking bans are becoming more widespread, protecting children from the dangerous effects of second-hand smoke. Dr. Tim Ferenchick, MD http://www.committoquitsmoking.com/ |
Leonard Robbins
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Not only is smoking bad for your health, it is bad for your pocketbook. Premiums for smokers term insurance can be double or triple non-tobacco rates. I have written a blog on this subject at http://www.lifenetinsurance.co...+insurance |
