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Abstract The aim of this study was to examine lifestyle risk factors for low bone mass, falls and fractures, and to determine the effect of 30-month exercise trial on bone mass, balance, muscle strength and gait in elderly women. Reliability of an inclinometric method for assessing postural sway was evaluated. Data on risk factors, falls and fractures were collected by questionnaires, and calcaneus and radius bone mass were measured from 1,222 women. Lifetime physical activity, low occupational physical activity, type 2 diabetes, hypertension, hormone replacement, thyroid hormone and thiazide use were associated with increased bone mass, while low current physical activity, high coffee intake and late menarche were associated with low bone mass in lean women. Factors associated with fractures were: low lifetime habitual physical activity, diabetes, living alone and calcaneum bone mass. One hundred and sixty women with low femoral neck bone mass were randomly assigned to the exercise group (n = 84) or to the control group (n = 76). The outcomes included radius, proximal femur and calcaneus bone mass, postural sway, muscle strength, gait speed and endurance. Bone mineral density (BMD) at proximal femur decreased in the control group, while no change occurred in the exercise group. Mean trochanter bone mineral content (BMC) decreased more in the control group. The women in the exercise group improved their performance in walking speed and endurance, body sway and leg strength compared to the control group. There were six falls that resulted in fractures in the exercise group and 16 in the control group. The inclinometric method proved to be reliable. In conclusion, lifestyle factors are determinants of bone mass in lean elderly women. Long-term exercise has a site-specific effect on BMC but not on BMD in elderly women. Weight-bearing exercise can modify risk factors for fractures, and may even prevent fall-related fractures in elderly women.

Abstract Metabolic syndrome (MetS) is a combination of disorders that increase one's risk for type 2 diabetes (DM2) and cardiovascular disease (CVD). Both lifestyle and genetic factors have been established to be involved in the aetiology of MetS. Improving our knowledge about the pathophysiology of MetS could provide more effective therapeutic approaches and reduce the risk of developing DM2 and CVD. Lower levels of adiponectin, an adipose-derived protein, has been shown to be associated with the components of MetS. Common variants in a number of candidate genes related to MetS have been shown to be associated with changes in the serum adiponectin level. This study was designed to evaluate the putative effects of military lifestyle, as well as common polymorphisms of the peroxisome proliferator activated receptor gamma 2 (PPARγ2), insulin receptor substrate-1 (IRS-1) and adiponectin (APM1) genes on serum adiponectin level in a cohort of Finnish servicemen. Results of this study have showed that serum adiponectin significantly decreased during the six-month follow up in military service compared to baseline levels. This decrease was even shown in subjects that experienced a 5-10 % weight loss after six-months. Subjects with the Ala12Ala genotype of PPARγ2 had significantly higher levels of serum adiponectin compared with subjects with the Pro12Ala and Pro12Pro genotypes. Subjects having the X12Ala genotype of PPARγ2 with > 10% weight reduction showed a significant increase in serum adiponectin compared to other groups during the follow up. Those having the Ala12Ala genotype of PPARγ2 + Gly972Gly genotype of IRS-1 combination had significantly higher adiponectin compared with subjects with the Pro12Pro + Gly972Gly and Pro12Ala + Gly972Gly genotype combinations. Adiponectin levels were significantly higher in men with the T276T genotype compared with subjects with the G276T or G276G genotypes of SNP+276 of the APM1 gene. In conclusion, this study shows a possible impact of a military lifestyle as well as, candidate gene variations, and their interactions upon the regulation of serum adiponectin levels as a marker of MetS. This study could serve as a pilot for the further extensive studies with longer follow up periods as well as more accurate information on specific lifestyle factors.

Presented diploma thesis deals with a problematics of shopping and nutritional habits in the Czech society. Its primary aims are to identify the shopping characteristics of Czech consumers, to find out whether the consumers are interested in a healthy lifestyle, if they pursue and consume organic (bio) food, and most importantly, what are the motivation factors of the consumers for shopping in general. The secondary aim is a comparison of the presented survey and the foreign FRL (Food Related Lifestyle) concept which served as an inspiration of the analytical part of this thesis. The research section of the thesis is characterized as a pilot survey for which the method of quantitative research by questionnaire survey was chosen. The previously determined hypotheses are verified by the crosstabs and by the cluster analysis method. The main parameter of the study is the healthy lifestyle which is confronted with particular aspects of the FRL concept and also compared to the identified consumer segments. On the general level, the main contribution of the presented diploma thesis is the introduction of the FRL concept, which allows to create a typology of consumers on which is possible to build some effective measures to streamline the eating habits of the general population. Keywords: food related...

Using data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) self-reported surveys from 2007-2012, this research explored the relationship between four healthy lifestyle characteristics - healthy weight, adequate daily fruit and vegetable intake, regular moderate to vigorous physical activity and not smoking - with food behaviors of low-income, food insecure women. The study examined three specific food behaviors (the use of SNAP, consumption of fast foods, and the utilization of community emergency food programs) to determine if these behaviors had a significant impact on low-income, food insecure women to follow healthy lifestyle characteristics. A secondary data analysis was conducted using binary logistic regression for the analysis. The study sample included low-income, food insecure women ages 18 and above. Once missing data were removed, the total sample size was 589. Results of this study indicate there are no significant relationships between adherence to two or more of the four healthy lifestyle characteristics with: (1) the use of SNAP, (2) the consumption of fast foods or (3) the utilization of community emergency food programs. This study illustrates the importance of understanding the food behaviors of low-income, food insecure woman in order to aid in the prevention of diseases caused by obesity. Although the research results from this study were not significant, it was clearly demonstrated that most Americans do not adhere to the four healthy lifestyle characteristics. The implications of this research enable social workers and other health professionals to understand how food behaviors may be a key factor in reducing or eliminating food insecurity and obesity of low-income, food insecure women in the US.

6 pp. / Research has shown a correlation between a healthy diet and reduced risk of breast cancer. Additional research is also demonstrating a link between regular physical activity and the reduction of breast cancer risk. A healthy diet is beneficial for the prevention of numerous diseases, including breast cancer. Regular physical activity is preventative for many diseases and health concerns, including breast cancer. This article outlines basic information about breast cancer, risk factors related to diet and physical activity, and breast cancer prevention through healthy diet and physical activity.

Athletes involved in competitive sport are often required to neglect certain aspects of their life to pursue their sport. One of these aspects is participating in valued activities outside of sport. However, an imbalance between sports, in this case hockey, and other valued activities can lead to living a less than optimal leisure lifestyle with a negative impact on well-being. The purpose of this study is to explore how amateur Junior hockey players leisure lifestyle and casual leisure participation influence athletic identity, performance and perception of hockey. Results indicate that most participants perceived over-identified to hockey, which led to living a less than optimal leisure lifestyle and a negative impact on perception of hockey, identity and performance. However, after dropping out participants perceived their leisure lifestyle as optimal and returned to playing recreational hockey with renewed joy for hockey and a multi-dimensional identity.

Background: Hypertension increases all over the world and with the disease there is a risk för complications and personal suffering. The treatment involves lifestyle changes and pharmacological treatment. The district nurse has an important role in care of patients with hypertension and through health interviews, the district nurse can create possibilities for lifestyle changes. Motivation plays an essential role in implementing lifestyle changes and it varies in between individuals. Aim: The aim of the study was to examine district nurse's perceptions of what motivates and what creates obstacles and holds back patients with hypertension to implement lifestyle changes. Method: Eight district nurses who on daily bases worked with patients with hypertension and lifestyle changes were interviewed. The interviews were analyzed by qualitative content analysis with an inductive approach to reach the aim of the study. Results: The district nurses experienced that both positive as well as negative factors were found to have an impact on a patient's motivation for lifestyle changes. These factors were both found in the district nurse and in the patient. The patient's inner drive force and the district nurse's professionalism created conditions for patients to implement lifestyle changes while as a patient's own negative attitude and a district nurse's lack of commitment and understanding created barriers for patients to implement lifestyle changes. Conclusion: The district nurses experienced that both the district nurse and the patient's involvement in health interviews influenced the patient's motivation for lifestyle changes.

People with psoriasis are known to engage in high levels of unhealthy lifestyle behaviours which may lead to poorer psoriasis outcomes and increase the risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD). Thus, helping individuals with psoriasis understand the link between behaviours and health risks, that is health risk communication, and direct support for lifestyle behaviour change (LBC) are important aspects in optimal management of psoriasis, a long-term inflammatory skin condition. There are two aspects of the literature that remain unclear. First, whether adequate support is given to patients to enable them to understand the links between lifestyle behaviours and health outcomes is part of psoriasis patient management strategies. Second, whether there is agreement around effective health risk communication techniques. This programme of research aimed to examine these gaps in the literature using four related studies. The first study used content analysis to examine general and dermatology-specific healthcare professionals’ core training competencies for evidence of skills relating to LBC. An important finding was the lack of explicit skills relating to LBC and changing understanding of health risks. There was little or no reference to recognised LBC techniques that could be used to support and facilitate LBC with patients. The second study used observational techniques to examine messages about the links between behaviour and health outcomes and LBC signposting (such as leaflets or posters about healthy living) for patients with psoriasis in primary and secondary care patient waiting areas. There was little evidence of psoriasis-specific information about healthy living. Generic information (not specifically about psoriasis) was often of poor quality and was poorly displayed, and did not conform to evidence-based recommendations for effective LBC signposting. The third study combined observational and qualitative techniques to examine how healthcare professionals communicate information about CVD risk to patients and the role of LBC in reducing risk in the context of primary care risk assessments with people with psoriasis. A key finding was that interpretation of risk information was not always linked to specific advice about how to modify each risk factor. Discussion was mostly instructional rather than a shared collaborative discussion about behaviour change and risk reductionThe fourth study used experimental methods to examine the effects of message framing theory as a health risk communication strategy on reported behavioural intentions (BIs) in people with psoriasis. An important finding was that for messages about psoriasis symptom reduction, gain-framed (positively-framed) messages were more effective in increasing BIs for alcohol reduction. Conversely, for messages about CVD risk reduction, loss-framed (negatively-framed) messages were more effective for increasing BIs to reduce alcohol consumption. The body of work presented in this thesis demonstrated that much needs to be done to increase the skill sets of healthcare professionals in order to help people with psoriasis recognise the specific links between their own health behaviours and health outcomes. In addition specific recommendations have been suggested as a way of improving risk communication strategies, such as using theory-based personally-relevant health information for people with psoriasis.

The aim of this Master's thesis is to create a business plan for rather a small restaurant that focuses on healthy, simple recipes using only fresh seasonal and local ingredients. Part of this business plan is also to evaluate the feasibility of the project through financial analysis. In theoretical part of this work I described steps which are taken and the rules that are generally kept through the process of making the business plan. The legislation and obligatory procedures the entrepreneur has to go through were also described in this part. The practical part obtains the actual business plan of the restaurant called "Eat Simple". In this part where different analysis of the market environment, marketing and financial plans could be found. At the end of the thesis you can also find the SWOT analysis of the restaurant which evaluate its strengths and weaknesses.