relationship between the onset of chronic diseases and physical activity

relationship between the onset of chronic diseases and physical activity

Introduction

Chronic diseases are reported more among older people in society. The onset of chronic diseases varies between individual depending on lifestyle and healthcare. Although there is considerable volume research about the association between physical activity and chronic diseases, there is a knowledge gap on the impact of physical activities that are initiated after diagnosis of the disease. People residing in mid-size and small towns in China lack quality healthcare which impacts on the health of older people. Since the proportion of older people in China is increasing significantly, it is crucial to investigate how physical activities can improve their health after the diagnosis of chronic diseases.

The purpose of the study is to investigate the relationship between the onset of chronic diseases and physical activity among older people living in a mid-size city in China. The study is designed based on existing nursing knowledge of the physical activity. The knowledge that physical activities can prevent chronic diseases makes the basis for the study. It is also known that physical activities reduce further complication after diagnosis with chronic illnesses. The study will solve the problem of increasing cases of chronic diseases among older members of the community.

Review of the Literature

Although the study lacks a distinct literature review section, the background highlights several concepts related to the topic. First, the authors have recalled that a mortality rate among older people is decreasing, while chronic diseases cases are on the rise. Secondly, reports from the world health organization on the prevalence of chronic diseases in China are explained by the paper. The authors also highlight various studies that focused on the impacts of physical activity on the health of older people in China. The risk of developing and suffering from type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular diseases, and hypertension is reduced by physical activity. Again, the impact of education and living standards on the health of older people has been mentioned in the literature.

Majority of the literature cited is recent based on their dates of publication. Moreover, some are older. The reason for some of the cited literature being older may be because there are no recent studies on those topics. Again, the relevance of some studies may span beyond a single decade.

Theoretical Framework

The study is developed based on the Health Belief Model (HBM). The HBM framework is used to define and distinguish attitudes and beliefs surrounding chronic diseases. The model is also used to describe behaviors related to physical activity among older people. Based on the model, some older people who have already been diagnosed with chronic diseases may belief that physical activities will worsen their condition, and thus they refrain from undertaking any physical activity. On the other side, others may believe that physical activity will help them prevent chronic diseases and thus, they will undertake more physical activities.

The research draws on nursing theories alone. The HBM is a nursing theory that has been used widely in nursing studies and practices. The model explains how beliefs and behavior can be used to develop nursing practices that improve the health of communities. Therefore, HBM is relevant for the study.

Hypothesis and Research Questions

For every research question that the study seeks to address, there is a corresponding hypothesis. The first question is concerned with the variation in physical activity among people in different socio-demographic groups and the prevalence of chronic diseases in these groups. Based on this question, it is hypothesized that physical activity varies based on income, age, and gender. The second question focuses on the effects of physical activity levels on the onset of chronic diseases. From the question, it is hypothesized that physical activity levels increase with the onset of chronic diseases. Lastly, the research sought to investigate whether physical activity affected later onset of chronic diseases. Based on this question, it was hypothesized that the onset of chronic diseases is late for active older people as compared to sedentary ones.

Variables

Several variables have been identified in the paper. They include socio-demographic characteristics of the sample. The variables included in this category are gender, age, education, and income levels. Physical activity levels are also included as another set of variables. Another set of variables contains various chronic diseases. The diseases listed as variables are obesity, cardiovascular diseases, hypertension, liver diseases, and poor kidney function. All variables are clearly identified and defined. It is easy to identify the variables.

Methodology

The research employed a quantitative research design. The specific design that was used is a longitudinal study where the data being used was collected over a span of six years. The total sample size used in the study was 3094. One had to be 55 years and older to be included in the sample. The sample was drawn from three neighborhoods in Hainan City in China with a total of 3198 older people. The sample size accounts for 97% of the target population, which promotes the study’s validity. All the older people who completed clinic visits were included in the sample.

Physical activity was the dependent variable and was measured by its frequency and length. Physical activity was categorized into four levels. The dependent variables were measured by self-reporting. A questionnaire was used to obtain data on age, education, and income levels. The authors sought written and informed consent from all the participants before commencing the study.

Data Analysis

The relationship between socio-demographic variables and chronic diseases was tested using binomial logistic regression. The process of estimating annual physical activity levels employed a multilevel binomial logistic model. Additionally, the estimation of changes in physical activity levels before and after diagnosis was done using a logistic regression model. Cox proportional hazards model estimated the impact of physical activity on the onset of diseases. The results are presented using tables which are easy to interpret. The table contains percentages of the prevalence of various chronic diseases in correspondents with physical activity levels and socio-demographic variables. Some tables also present results using odds ratios and confidence intervals. The results are also presented using graphs that track changes in physical activity over the years. From table 5 in the paper, the results show that physical activity significantly delays the onset of chronic diseases.

Conclusion

The study reveals a close association between chronic diseases and physical activity. Physical activity was found to delay the onset of chronic diseases significantly. Inversely, the diagnosis of chronic diseases may reduce the levels of physical activity. The onset of cardiovascular diseases, diabetes, and obesity are delayed by physical activity. The study is powerful since it spans a longer period of time. Since the model was built on HBM, its results are relevant to nursing practice. One of the study’s limitations is that the data was obtained from a mid-sized town in China. The study does not have national representation. The results can be generalized to other populations with similar socio-economic characteristics.

The findings of the study are significant to nursing practice since it provides a way to improve the health status of older people. Delaying the onset of chronic diseases requires consistent physical activity. Thus, nurses should encourage patients to undertake more physical activities. Based on the type of chronic disease, patients can improve their health by engaging in frequent physical activities.