Preventive medicine
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Preventive medicine · Mar 2004
Associations between smoking prevalence, stages of change, cigarette consumption, and quit attempts across the United States.
We tested whether across the 50 U.S. States, smoking prevalence was associated with smoking behavior among smokers. ⋯ Across the 50 States, a higher prevalence of cigarette smoking was associated with a lower motivation to quit smoking, fewer quit attempts, and higher cigarette consumption among smokers.
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Preventive medicine · Feb 2004
Quality of care in stroke prevention: results of an audit study among general practitioners.
In identifying opportunities to improve the quality of stroke prevention in general practice, insight in areas of suboptimal care is essential. This study investigated the quality of care in stroke prevention in general practice and its relation to the occurrence of stroke. ⋯ A substantial number of shortcomings in care, particularly in the domain of hypertension control and the assessment of patient's risk profiles for cardiovascular disease (CVD), were identified. This study suggests that improving preventive care delivery in general practice could reduce the occurrence of stroke.
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Preventive medicine · Feb 2004
Direct observation of physician counseling on dietary habits and exercise: patient, physician, and office correlates.
This study documented the frequency and correlates of directly observed physicians' counseling on dietary habits and exercise in private medical practices. ⋯ Physician counseled patients in 20-25% of visits, and this was not affected by physician characteristics. Results suggest that physician counseling protocols and other office prompts should be developed and promoted. Strategies targeting both physician and the health care system may improve the consistency of physician preventive counseling practices.
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Preventive medicine · Jan 2004
Perceptions about the local neighborhood and walking and cycling among children.
This study examined associations between perceptions of the local neighborhood and walking and cycling among children. ⋯ Perceptions of the local neighborhood may influence children's physical activity.
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Preventive medicine · Jan 2004
Food habits, physical activity and body mass index in relation to smoking status in 40-42 year old Norwegian women and men.
The aim of the study was to examine the associations between smoking habits, and dietary habits, physical activity and body mass index (BMI) in Norway in 1997-1999. ⋯ We found that non-smokers had healthier eating habits and higher levels of physical activity than did smokers, whereas the prevalence of obesity was lower in smokers. On the other hand, there were considerable gender differences, and female smokers' eating habits were as healthy as non-smoking males' eating habits.