Tesis sobre el tema "Middle-aged men – Hong Kong"

This study investigates the poor mental health of unemployed middle-aged men (with women as a reference for comparison) in Hong Kong, who were unemployed and isolated socially in what is officially described as a new town, Tin Shui Wai. The study also explores the different aspects of social capital that may improve mental health for middle-aged individuals, drawing on data from ten in-depth interviews with five men and five women, two focus groups with five men and six women and a survey using questionnaires completed by 188 men and 215 women. The results showed that men in the sample had poorer mental health than women. In particular, levels of depression and alcohol abuse were higher in the men than the women. By contrast, women in the sample manifested more anxiety than the men. The findings also showed that unemployment had more negative effects on men than on women, with the men having more free time but nothing to do, feeling stressed, going out less with family members, drinking more alcohol and so on. Drawing on theories of social capital (Lin et al. 1985, McKenzie 2006), I argue that the poor mental health among men was associated with weak social capital. The data showed that for both men and women, social capital could have a positive association with reducing depression and anxiety. In particular, for men, community networks and social support had a positive association with reducing depression and alcohol abuse. For women, group membership, community networks and social cohesion had a positive association with reducing depression and anxiety. Based on these findings, I suggest an approach that focuses on increasing social capital to promote mental health among men and women. The approach argues for the need to introduce policies and strategies to promote social capital at the community and individual level for men, and at the community level for women.

In Hong Kong, the population of older adults aged 65 and above is expected to nearly double by the beginning of the 2030s, which will then represent just over a quarter of the population. A local study found that many people in Hong Kong had given very little thought to plans for retirement and old age, including aspects of financial, health, social, and living arrangements (Lee & Law, 2004). Many similar retirement studies can be found in the West, primarily using a quantitative inquiry framework. The number of qualitative inquiries on aging issues has steadily increased over the last decade. Results from previous studies showed similar patterns, i.e. low levels of planning activities for retirement and old age across all social classes. However, none of the studies explored beyond the correlations and associations among variables. This study aims to add to the body of knowledge in the field of aging by employing life course perspectives with a qualitative approach through examining whether situational and contextual factors do in fact affect individuals’ old age readiness. There are two core objectives of this study. The first objective is to investigate whether and how life experiences from significant events or transitions influence important decisions in life, in this case, the planning for retirement and old age among the target population of mid-aged women from middle and working class backgrounds in Hong Kong. The second objective is to explore relationships and the degree of significance between Chinese traditional belief systems and the level of retirement preparedness amidst high volatility in global financial markets and the development of old age friendly welfare and policies in Hong Kong. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with a purposive sample of 34 women between the ages of 45 and 59. Results connote that most of these women witnessed the growth of economic development in Hong Kong; unfortunately they have not accumulated enough physical resources to prepare for retirement or old age after its growth plateaued and has been stumbling since the late 1990s. Their social network system is very limited and in many cases also fragile. Minimal preventive health measures are being taken except for addressing pre-existing physical and mental health issues. Living arrangements is the area least planned for, including those women who are public rental housing tenants. The interviewed women hold the same Chinese traditional value that they are hoping to receive family support during old age. Nonetheless, they also feel vulnerable because their adult children are struggling to make ends meet as well. Public cash assistances are these women’s last resort if their children cannot afford to provide support due to economic difficulties or after depletion of their own funds from MPF, personal savings and investments. This group of women is likely to actively utilize the public healthcare system, community programs, and long-term care facilities in the near future. Implications of the study include social work practices and public policies that will support the potential needs of the forthcoming wave of the old age population.
published_or_final_version
Social Work and Social Administration
Doctoral
Doctor of Philosophy

Khoo, Chyi Chyi.
Thesis (M.Phil.)--Chinese University of Hong Kong, 2010.
Includes bibliographical references (leaves 177-204).
Abstracts in English and Chinese; appendix in Chinese.
Abstract(English version) --- p.i
Abstract(Chinese version) --- p.iii
Acknowledgements --- p.iv
List of Tables --- p.vii
List of Figures --- p.ix
List of Abbreviations --- p.x
Publications from this Thesis --- p.xi
Chapter Chapter 1 --- Introduction and Objectives
Chapter 1.1 --- Introduction --- p.1
Chapter 1.2 --- Objectives --- p.3
Chapter Chapter 2 --- Literature Review
Chapter 2.1 --- Definitions --- p.4
Chapter 2.2 --- Epidemiology of Osteoporosis and Fracture --- p.5
Chapter 2.3 --- Burden --- p.7
Chapter 2.4 --- Osteoporosis in Men --- p.9
Chapter 2.5 --- Risk factor of Osteoporosis --- p.11
Chapter 2.6 --- Prediction of Osteoporosis --- p.13
Chapter 2.7 --- Risk Factors of Osteoporotic Fracture --- p.15
Chapter 2.8 --- Prediction of Fracture --- p.28
Chapter 2.9 --- Difference between men and women --- p.29
Chapter 2.10 --- DXA and Fracture --- p.31
Chapter 2.11 --- QUS and Fracture --- p.32
Chapter 2.12 --- pQCT and Fracture --- p.35
Chapter 2.13 --- Self-report of Fracture --- p.37
Chapter Chapter 3 --- Research Outline
Chapter 3.1 --- Non-spine fracture of older men --- p.39
Chapter 3.2 --- Subjects --- p.40
Chapter 3.3 --- Measurements of study --- p.41
Chapter 3.4 --- Record of Fracture --- p.50
Chapter 3.5 --- Statistical Methods --- p.51
Chapter Chapter 4 --- Predictors of Non-spine Fracture of Hong Kong Elderly Chinese Men
Chapter 4.1 --- Introduction --- p.52
Chapter 4.2 --- Subjects and Methods --- p.54
Chapter 4.3 --- Results --- p.61
Chapter 4.4 --- Discussions --- p.74
Chapter 4.5 --- Conclusions --- p.80
Chapter 4.6 --- Key Points --- p.81
Chapter Chapter 5 --- Predictive values of QUS for non-spine fracture
Chapter 5.1 --- Introduction --- p.82
Chapter 5.2 --- Subjects and Methods --- p.84
Chapter 5.3 --- Results --- p.87
Chapter 5.4 --- Discussions --- p.92
Chapter 5.5 --- Conclusions --- p.97
Chapter 5.6 --- Key Points --- p.98
Chapter Chapter 6 --- Predictive values of pQCT for non-spine fracture
Chapter 6.1 --- Introduction --- p.99
Chapter 6.2 --- Subjects and Methods --- p.101
Chapter 6.3 --- Results --- p.103
Chapter 6.4 --- Discussions --- p.109
Chapter 6.5 --- Conclusions --- p.112
Chapter 6.6 --- Key Points --- p.113
Chapter Chapter 7 --- Accuracy of self-report of fracture in Asian elderly men
Chapter 7.1 --- Introduction --- p.114
Chapter 7.2 --- Subjects and Methods --- p.115
Chapter 7.3 --- Results --- p.116
Chapter 7.4 --- Discussions --- p.118
Chapter 7.5 --- Conclusions --- p.121
Chapter 7.6 --- Key Points --- p.122
Chapter Chapter 8 --- Conclusions
Chapter 8.1 --- Predictors of Non-spine Fracture of Hong Kong Elderly Chinese Men --- p.123
Chapter 8.2 --- Predictive values of QUS for non-spine fracture --- p.124
Chapter 8.3 --- Predictive values of pQCT for non-spine fracture --- p.125
Chapter 8.4 --- Accuracy of self-report of fracture in Asian elderly men --- p.126
Chapter 8.5 --- Strength and limitations --- p.127
Chapter 8.6 --- Implications of the results --- p.129
Chapter 8.7 --- Future research --- p.130
Appendix A --- p.131
Bibliography --- p.178

Background. Habitual short (HSS) and long sleeper (HLS) were very interesting but under-research area.
Conclusion. Our study suggested that sleep duration of human being has marked inter-individual variability with existence of extreme sleepers at both ends. Throughout different phases of the study, there was a consistent negative relationship between sleep duration and socio-economic status. Our finding of unique personality profile between short and long sleepers supported the hypothesis that different personality trait (neuroticism trait) might mediate between sleep duration and socioeconomic variables. Further studies are indicated for investigating genetic as well as biological correlates between personality traits and sleep duration.
Method. Three phases were involved in this research to explore epidemiological, psychological, and PSG characteristics of HSS and HLS.
Phase three: 72 subjects (23 HSS, 41 HNS, and 8 HLS) were assessed by two nights PSG to be followed by multiple sleep latency test (MSLT). 37 subjects (6 HSS, 21 HNS, and 10 HLS) were assessed by four-day Actiwatch. In the first night of PSG assessment, HLS had lower sleep efficiency and longer sleep and REM latency than HSS and HNS. In the second night, REM density in HLS was higher than HSS and HNS. In MSLT, HSS (50.0%) was more likely to have mildly short sleep latency than HLS (0%). Multiple regression of these healthy sleepers suggested that shorter sleep duration was found in those subjects (a) attaining higher education level; (b) suffering from higher life stress; (c) having more sleepiness; and (d) having less neuroticism.
Phase two: 252 subjects attended the face-to-face clinical interview. Among them, there were 33 HSS-7 and 25 HLS-9. After controlling gender and age, HSS had more chance to earn more money, live in larger house, drank more alcohol, and lower neuroticism than HLS.
Result. Phase one: Brief sleep questionnaires with consent were administered to parents of students in 13 primary schools in 2003, and 10381 parents returned their questionnaires (response rate ≈ 67.9%). 593 subjects were excluded because of their incomplete information. Altogether, 9788 subjects were considered as eligible subjects that represented noninstitutionalized Chinese middle-age residents in Hong Kong (47.0% men vs 53.0% women, mean age: 40.9 years +/- 4.9 years [SD]). There were 322 (3.3%) HSS-7 (≤7 hours), 1415 (14.5%) HLS-9 (≥9 hours), and 481 (4.9%) HLS-10 (≥10 hours). HSS had more chance to attain higher education level, earn more money and drank more tea/coffee than HLS.
Zhang Bin.
"May 2005."
Advisers: Y. K. Wing; S. O. Chan.
Source: Dissertation Abstracts International, Volume: 67-01, Section: B, page: 0177.
Thesis (Ph.D.)--Chinese University of Hong Kong, 2005.
Includes bibliographical references (p. 155-193).
Electronic reproduction. Hong Kong : Chinese University of Hong Kong, [2012] System requirements: Adobe Acrobat Reader. Available via World Wide Web.
Electronic reproduction. [Ann Arbor, MI] : ProQuest Information and Learning, [200-] System requirements: Adobe Acrobat Reader. Available via World Wide Web.
Abstracts in English and Chinese.
School code: 1307.

Pau King-man.
Thesis submitted in: October 2001.
Thesis (M.Phil.)--Chinese University of Hong Kong, 2002.
Includes bibliographical references (leaves 173-181).
Abstracts in English and Chinese.
Acknowledgements --- p.i
Abstract --- p.ii
Abstract (Chinese version) --- p.iii
Table of Contents --- p.iv
List of Figures --- p.xii
List of Tables --- p.xiii
List of Abbreviations --- p.xxiv
Chapter CHAPTER ONE: --- INTRODUCTION
Chapter 1.1 --- Women's Overweight and Obesity Prevalence and Trends --- p.1
Chapter 1.2 --- Etiology of Overweight and Obesity --- p.2
Chapter 1.3 --- Health Consequences of Obesity in Women --- p.4
Chapter 1.4 --- Dietary and Physical Activity Recommendations for Good Health for Adults --- p.6
Chapter 1.5 --- Health Behavior Change Theories --- p.8
Chapter 1.6 --- Weight Control/Loss Interventions for Women --- p.10
Chapter 1.7 --- Weight Loss Risks --- p.11
Chapter 1.8 --- Health Promotion Programs for Women --- p.12
Chapter 1.9 --- General Situation and Population Trends Among Hong Kong Middle- aged Women --- p.15
Chapter 1.10 --- Nutrition-related Morbidity and Mortality Among Hong Kong Women --- p.16
Chapter 1.11 --- Diet Composition of Hong Kong Middle-aged Women --- p.20
Chapter 1.12 --- Physical Activity Patterns of Hong Kong Middle-aged Women --- p.21
Chapter 1.13 --- Education and Health in Hong Kong Middle-aged Women --- p.23
Chapter 1.14 --- Attitudes Toward and Beliefs About Diet and Health of Hong Kong Middle-aged Women --- p.24
Chapter 1.15 --- Common Weight Loss Methods Among Hong Kong Middle-aged Women --- p.25
Chapter 1.16 --- Sources of Health Information Among Hong Kong Middle-aged Women --- p.25
Chapter 1.17 --- Summary --- p.26
Chapter 1.18 --- Study Purpose and Objectives --- p.26
Chapter CHAPTER TWO: --- METHODOLOGY
Chapter 2.1 --- Recruitment of Participants --- p.29
Chapter 2.2 --- Focus Groups --- p.29
Chapter 2.3 --- Survey Instrument --- p.30
Chapter 2.3.1 --- Questionnaire --- p.30
Chapter 2.3.2 --- Three-day Dietary Record --- p.35
Chapter 2.3.3 --- Anthropometric and Cholesterol Measurements --- p.35
Chapter 2.4 --- Intervention --- p.37
Chapter 2.5 --- Evaluation --- p.39
Chapter 2.5.1 --- Process Evaluation --- p.39
Chapter 2.5.2 --- Outcome Evaluation --- p.40
Chapter 2.6 --- Data Management --- p.40
Chapter 2.7 --- Statistics --- p.40
Chapter 2.8 --- Data Analysis --- p.41
Chapter 2.8.1 --- Physical Activity Patterns --- p.41
Chapter 2.8.2 --- Dietary Patterns --- p.44
Chapter 2.8.3 --- Nutrition Knowledge Score --- p.45
Chapter 2.8.4 --- Physical Activity Knowledge Score --- p.46
Chapter 2.8.5 --- Blood Total Cholesterol --- p.46
Chapter 2.8.6 --- Body Mass Index --- p.47
Chapter 2.8.7 --- Percent Body Fat --- p.47
Chapter 2.9 --- Ethics --- p.47
Chapter CHAPTER THREE: --- RESULTS
Chapter 3.1 --- Focus Group Results --- p.43
Chapter 3.1.1 --- General Description of Participants --- p.48
Chapter 3.1.2 --- Perceived Values and Views on 'Health' --- p.50
Chapter 3.1.3 --- Perceived Values and Views on 'Healthy Lifestyle' --- p.51
Chapter 3.1.4 --- Perceived Values and Views on 'Healthy Eating' --- p.52
Chapter 3.1.5 --- Perceived Values and Views on 'Physical Activity' --- p.53
Chapter 3.1.6 --- The Factors Motivating the Women to Adopt a Healthy Lifestyle --- p.53
Chapter 3.1.7 --- Sources of Information About Healthy Eating and Physical Activity --- p.55
Chapter 3.1.8 --- Suggestions for the Type and Content of Activities in a Health Promotion Program --- p.55
Chapter 3.2 --- Participation Rate in the Study --- p.56
Chapter 3.3 --- Pretest --- p.57
Chapter 3.3.1 --- General Participant Sociodemographic Description --- p.57
Chapter 3.3.2 --- Anthropometry --- p.59
Chapter 3.3.3 --- Health Conditions Reported --- p.60
Chapter 3.3.4 --- Meal Patterns --- p.61
Chapter 3.3.5 --- Nutrient Supplements Practices --- p.62
Chapter 3.3.6 --- Cooking Practices --- p.63
Chapter 3.3.7 --- Food Removal Behavior --- p.65
Chapter 3.3.8 --- Food Label Reading --- p.65
Chapter 3.3.9 --- Dietary Intake --- p.66
Chapter a. --- From the Three-day Dietary Records --- p.66
Chapter b. --- From the Food Frequency Questionnaire --- p.68
Chapter 3.3.10 --- Nutrition Knowledge --- p.69
Chapter 3.3.11 --- Physical Activity Habits --- p.72
Chapter 3.3.12 --- Physical Activity Knowledge --- p.73
Chapter 3.3.13 --- Intention and Confidence in Changing Behavior --- p.76
Chapter 3.3.14 --- Perceived Difficulties in Changing Behavior --- p.77
Chapter 3.3.15 --- Perceived Methods Facilitating Behavior Change --- p.79
Chapter 3.3.16 --- Health Information Desired --- p.80
Chapter 3.3.17 --- Areas of Health the Women Would Like to Improve --- p.81
Chapter 3.3.18 --- Summary Profile of the Women at Pretest --- p.82
Chapter 3.4 --- Outcome Evaluation --- p.85
Chapter 3.5 --- Posttest --- p.85
Chapter 3.5.1 --- General Participant Sociodemographic Description --- p.85
Chapter 3.5.2 --- Anthropometry --- p.86
Chapter 3.5.3 --- Health Conditions Reported --- p.87
Chapter 3.5.4 --- Meal Patterns --- p.88
Chapter 3.5.5 --- Nutrient Supplements Practices --- p.89
Chapter 3.5.6 --- Cooking Practices --- p.90
Chapter 3.5.7 --- Food Removal Behavior --- p.91
Chapter 3.5.8 --- Food Label Reading --- p.91
Chapter 3.5.9 --- Dietary Intake --- p.93
Chapter a. --- From the Three-day Dietary Records --- p.93
Chapter b. --- From the Food Frequency Questionnaire --- p.94
Chapter 3.5.10 --- Nutrition Knowledge --- p.95
Chapter 3.5.11 --- Physical Activity Habits --- p.98
Chapter 3.5.12 --- Physical Activity Knowledge --- p.99
Chapter 3.5.13 --- Analysis the Changes by Education Level --- p.102
Chapter 3.5.14 --- Analysis the Changes by Age Group --- p.104
Chapter 3.5.15 --- Intention and Confidence in Changing Behavior --- p.105
Chapter 3.5.16 --- Perceived Difficulties in Changing Behavior --- p.107
Chapter 3.5.17 --- Perceived Methods Facilitating Behavior Change --- p.109
Chapter 3.5.18 --- Health Information Desired --- p.110
Chapter 3.5.19 --- Areas of Health the Women Would Like to Improve --- p.111
Chapter 3.5.20 --- Summary Profile of the Women at Posttest --- p.112
Chapter 3.6 --- Participants' Evaluation of the Intervention Program --- p.113
Chapter 3.7 --- Follow-up --- p.118
Chapter 3.7.1 --- General Participant Sociodemographic Description --- p.118
Chapter 3.7.2 --- Anthropometry --- p.118
Chapter 3.7.3 --- Health Conditions Reported --- p.121
Chapter 3.7.4 --- Meal Patterns --- p.121
Chapter 3.7.5 --- Nutrient Supplements Practices --- p.122
Chapter 3.7.6 --- Cooking Practices --- p.123
Chapter 3.7.7 --- Food Removal Behavior --- p.125
Chapter 3.7.8 --- Food Label Reading --- p.126
Chapter 3.7.9 --- Dietary Intake --- p.127
Chapter a. --- From the Three-day Dietary Records --- p.127
Chapter b. --- From the Food Frequency Questionnaire --- p.129
Chapter 3.7.10 --- Nutrition Knowledge --- p.131
Chapter 3.7.11 --- Physical Activity Habits --- p.135
Chapter 3.7.12 --- Physical Activity Knowledge --- p.136
Chapter 3.7.13 --- Intention and Confidence in Changing Behavior --- p.140
Chapter 3.7.14 --- Analysis the Changes by Education Level --- p.142
Chapter 3.7.15 --- Analysis the Changes by Age Group --- p.143
Chapter 3.7.16 --- Perceived Difficulties in Changing Behavior --- p.144
Chapter 3.7.17 --- Perceived Methods Facilitating Behavior Change --- p.145
Chapter 3.7.18 --- Health Information Desired --- p.148
Chapter 3.7.19 --- Areas of Health the Women Would Like to Improve --- p.149
Chapter 3.7.20 --- Summary Profile of the Women at Follow-up --- p.150
Chapter CHAPTER FOUR: --- DISCUSSION
Chapter 4.1 --- Implications of Findings --- p.154
Chapter 4.1.1 --- Current Situations in Diet and Physical Activity of Hong Kong Middle-aged Women --- p.154
Chapter 4.1.2 --- Overall Effects of the Program --- p.161
Chapter a. --- Changes in Knowledge --- p.161
Chapter b. --- Changes in Awareness and Intention --- p.163
Chapter c. --- Changes in Behavior --- p.164
Chapter d. --- Changes in Anthropometery --- p.166
Chapter 4.2 --- Strengths and Limitations of the Study --- p.167
Chapter 4.3 --- Implications and Recommendations for Meeting the Challenges of Improving Hong Kong Middle-aged Women's Nutrition and Physical Activity Habits --- p.169
Chapter 4.4 --- Suggestions for Future Research --- p.170
Chapter CHAPTER FIVE: --- CONCLUSIONS --- p.172
References --- p.173
Appendices
Chapter A --- Consent form (Chinese version) --- p.182
Chapter B --- Consent form (English version) --- p.183
Chapter C --- Questionnaire (Chinese version) --- p.184
Chapter D --- Questionnaire (English version) --- p.196
Chapter E --- Photos for food amount quantities and household measures (Chinese version) --- p.210
Chapter F --- Photos for food amount quantities and household measures (English version) --- p.213
Chapter G --- Sample of dietary record (Chinese version) --- p.216
Chapter H --- Sample of dietary record (English version) --- p.217
Chapter I --- Three-day dietary record (Chinese version) --- p.218
Chapter J --- Three-day dietary record (English version) --- p.221
Chapter K --- Pamphlets for health talks (Chinese version) --- p.224
Chapter L --- Pamphlets for health talks (English version) --- p.236
Chapter M --- Pamphlets for physical activity demonstration (Chinese version) --- p.248
Chapter N --- Pamphlets for physical activity demonstration (English version) --- p.253
Chapter O --- Process evaluation questionnaire (Chinese version) --- p.258
Chapter P --- Process evaluation questionnaire (English version) --- p.260
Chapter Q --- Overall evaluation questionnaire (Chinese version) --- p.262
Chapter R --- Overall evaluation questionnaire (English version) --- p.263
Chapter S --- Focus group questionnaire (Chinese version) --- p.264
Chapter T --- Focus group questionnaire (English version) --- p.265
Chapter U --- Focus group question guides (Chinese version) --- p.266
Chapter V --- Focus group question guides (English version) --- p.268
Chapter W --- The food consumption patterns of women in the Education and Control Groups --- p.270

《目的》
研究食物和慢性阻塞性肺病及肺功能的關係。
《研究設計與對象》
採用回歸性病例對照的方法。病例及對照來自社區，慢性阻塞性肺病由肺功能測試診斷(FEV1/FVC比例少於0.7)。共612人符合進入研究的條件﹝252個病例和360個對照﹞。
《資料收集》
兩名受過訓練的研究員，對所有研究對象進行面對面訪問，一名研究員為其做肺功能測試，另一名研究員做問卷調查，問卷內容包括吸煙習慣、飲食習慣、職業暴露史、室內空氣污染物暴露、家族史、呼吸病病歷和病徵。食物問卷由NCI已經驗證的DHQI修改而成。
《資料分析》
按每月進食的總量將所有研究對象分為三組，運用非條件邏輯回歸模型擬合，控制了混雜因素後，計算出各類食物的總進食量對慢性阻塞性肺病的比值比及其95%致信區間。運用多元線回歸模型，控制了混雜因素後，分析各類食物的每月總進食量與肺功能指數的關係。
《結果》
控制了混雜因素後，總水果進食量與慢性阻塞性肺病成負相關，與第一分位組比較，第三位組的比值比(95%致信區間)為0.618(0.41-0.931)，第一分位組的總水果進食量解釋了14.6%慢性阻塞性肺病的危險性。控制了混雜因素後，總十字科蔬菜進食量與慢性阻塞性肺病成負相關，與第一分位組比較，第三位組的比值比(95%致信區間)為0.596 (0.398-0.893)，第一分位組的總十字科蔬菜進食量解釋了17.7%慢性阻塞性肺病的危險性。肺功能方面，控制了混雜因素後，總十字科蔬菜進食量與FVC成負相關
《結論》
進食水果和十字科蔬菜可能降低患上慢性阻塞性肺病的危險性。後者未曾在以往的研究發表過，值得進一步進行研究。慢性阻塞性肺病的預防措施應包括鼓勵進食這兩類食物。
Objectives
To investigate the relationship between dietary factors and risk of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) as well as lung function in a middle-aged to older Chinese population.
Methods
This was an unmatched community-based case–control study. A total of 252 incident cases of COPD diagnosed by spirometry (FEV1/FVC ratio of < 70%) and 360 eligible controls were recruited.
Each participant received a health examination including spirometry and anthropometric measurement. A food frequency questionnaire, modified from the validated Diet History Questionnaire I designed by the National Cancer Institute, was administered to assess the habitual consumption of various dietary items. Information on confounding factors, including smoking, environmental tobacco exposure, biomass exposure, occupational exposure, family history, and respiratory health, was collected using a modified American Thoracic Society (ATS) respiratory questionnaire.
Unconditional logistic regression model was used to analyse the relationship between COPD and the dietary variables, while linear regression model was used to analyse the relationship between the dietary variables and lung function indices, adjusting
Cumulative total fruit intake was negatively associated with the risk of COPD. Compared with participants with the lowest tertile of cumulative total fruit intake, participants with the highest tertile had an adjusted OR of 0.618 (95% CI: 0.41-0.931)
Cumulative cruciferous vegetable intake was also negatively associated with the risk of COPD. Compared with participants with the lowest tertile of cumulative cruciferous vegetable intake, participants with the highest tertile had an adjusted OR of 0.
Regarding the relationships between dietary factors and lung function, positive associations were observed between cumulative total fruit intake and FEF25-75 (Beta=0.085). Higher intake of citrus fruit was also associated higher FEF25-75 (Beta=0.082).
Conclusion
Our results suggest that high consumption of fruit and cruciferous vegetable may protect against the development of COPD in middle-aged to elderly Chinese. COPD prevention strategy should encourage people to consume more fruit and cruciferous vegetabl
Ling, Sai On.
Thesis Ph.D. Chinese University of Hong Kong 2016.
Includes bibliographical references (leaves ).
Abstracts also in Chinese.
Title from PDF title page (viewed on …).
Detailed summary in vernacular field only.
Detailed summary in vernacular field only.
Detailed summary in vernacular field only.
Detailed summary in vernacular field only.
Detailed summary in vernacular field only.
Detailed summary in vernacular field only.
Detailed summary in vernacular field only.
Detailed summary in vernacular field only.
Detailed summary in vernacular field only.
Detailed summary in vernacular field only.
Detailed summary in vernacular field only.
Detailed summary in vernacular field only.

Background and objective. Ultrasonic evaluation of carotid intima media thickness (IMT) has been widely used as a surrogate of atherosclerosis. Few studies have specifically examined risk factors related to subclinical atherosclerosis (SA) among early postmenopausal women, in particular in the Chinese population. There is also little information on the distribution of IMT in Asian midlife women. We described the prevalence of SA, as determined by IMT and carotid plaque, and the associated risk factors in early postmenopausal Chinese women in Hong Kong.
Conclusions. Our findings showed that age, SBP, HDL-C, and LDL-C were independent predictors of IMT, while age, LDL-C, and abdominal obesity were independent predictors of the presence of plaque. The optimal IMT cutoff of 0.783 mm was defined and that a prevalence of SA (IMT ≥ 0.783 mm) of 38.6% was found among 'healthy' early postmenopausal Chinese women in Hong Kong.
Methods. 518 women aged 50 to 64 years, and within 10 years since menopause were recruited from random telephone dialing. Women with surgical menopause, established cardiovascular diseases (CVD), and severe disease conditions such as cancer and renal failure were excluded. Sociodemographic, anthropometric and lifestyle factors were obtained based on standardized questionnaires. Fasting blood sample was also obtained. B-mode ultrasound was used for measuring IMT at 12 sites of the carotid arteries and plague index, which is the sum of the grades (ranged from 0 to 3) at the 6 segments. The relations between traditional risk factors, and other potential risk factors such as inflammatory markers, as well as lifestyle factors including physical activity, dietary intake, and psychological factors with SA were also assessed.
Results. The mean IMT +/- SD was 0.76 +/- 0.12 mm, with a range from 0.53 to 1.00 mm. IMT was higher on the far wall than on the near wall (P<0.01), and differ among segments (greatest at the bulb and least at the ICA) (P<0.01). One-fifth of women had at least 1 plaque in the carotid artery with most of the plaque occurred in the bulb area. IMT increased with age, and was positively associated with carotid plaque. With the use of receiver operating characteristic curve (ROC) analysis, the optimal cutoff IMT for diagnostic plaque was 0.783 mm, at which sensitivity and specificity was 80.5% and 75.1%, respectively. The prevalence of SA was 38.6%. Among the traditional risk factors, systolic blood pressure (SBP), high density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C), and low density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) were associated with high IMT. Abdominal obesity assessed by waist circumference (WC) and waist hip ratio (WHR) was also found to be positively associated with IMT. Stepwise multiple regression showed that age, SBP, HDL-C, and LDL-C were independent predictors of IMT. Multiple logistic regression showed that women with LDL-C ≥ 130 mg/dL were associated with a 2.4-fold (95% CI 1.5-3.7) higher risk of having plaque compared to those with LDL-C < 130 mg/dL. In addition, women with abdominal obesity (WHR ≥ 0.85) had a 1.7-fold (95% CI 1.08-2.67) higher risk of having plaque than women with WHR < 0.85 after adjustment for age, and potential confounders including physical activity, dietary intakes etc. Significant inverse associations were observed between physical activity and indices of obesity, as well as fasting blood glucose, while psychological perceived stress and trait anxiety were independent risk factors for both total cholesterol and LDL-C.
Yu Ho-yan.
"February 2006."
Adviser: Suzanne C. Ho.
Source: Dissertation Abstracts International, Volume: 67-11, Section: B, page: 6350.
Thesis (Ph.D.)--Chinese University of Hong Kong, 2006.
Includes bibliographical references (p. 220-256).
Electronic reproduction. Hong Kong : Chinese University of Hong Kong, [2012] System requirements: Adobe Acrobat Reader. Available via World Wide Web.
Electronic reproduction. [Ann Arbor, MI] : ProQuest Information and Learning, [200-] System requirements: Adobe Acrobat Reader. Available via World Wide Web.
Abstracts in English and Chinese.
School code: 1307.

Conclusion. We observed a small but independent effect of soy intake and lipid lowering effect, even after taking into account the other important predicting factors - initial cholesterol, body composition, physical activity, dietary intake and age. The beneficial effect between soy protein intake and lipid profile were observed even with this relatively low level of soy protein consumption suggests that the effect of soy protein supplement use on lipid profile may be much greater than those observed here. The results of our study add to the existing evidence that soy protein may be beneficial in human lipid profile. Our data will be useful for planning effective education programs as well as providing background information for further interventional studies to prevent coronary heart disease.
Coronary Heart Disease (CHD) is the major cause of death in most developed countries and is rapidly increasing in developing countries. Recent studies showed that natural menopause confers a threefold increase in CHD risk. While many risk factors, such as hypertension, diabetes mellitus, obesity and physical inactivity contribute to the risk for CHD, lipid abnormalities are the major factor. Hyperlipidemia plays a central role in the atherosclerotic process. Recent studies showed that consuming soy, a food containing large amounts of soy protein, improves the plasma lipoprotein profile by decreasing total cholesterol, LDL cholesterol, triglycerides as well as increasing HDL level. Although soy is a main component of traditional Asian food, many of the studies on soy consumption have been conducted in Caucasian populations (table 1.2), among whom soy intake is rather low or almost nil, it was difficult to explore the association of soy protein intake and lipid profile in those populations. Soy products such as tofu and soymilk are traditional Chinese foods. With the changing dietary pattern, it gives rise to a range of intake from traditional to modern and increasing incidence of cardiovascular disease Hong Kong poses a unique opportunity for the investigation of the relation between soy protein intake and lipid profile.
For baseline age stratified subgroup analysis, our study results showed no association between soy protein intake and lipid pro file in women whose baseline age younger than 55.3 years old, but we did observe a positive association in women belonging to older subgroup. In the 12-month follow up analysis, for women whose baseline age was older than 55.3 years (mean age=58.4+/-2.1), after controlling for the potential confounders, soy protein intake was significantly associated with HDL cholesterol concentration (Linear Regression p=0.033, ANCOVA=0.011, P value for trend p=0.014), total cholesterol/HDL ratio (Linear Regression p=0.045) and LDL/HDL ratio (Linear Regression p=0.037). Similar observation was observed in the yearly change rate of HDL in 24-month follow up (Linear Regression p=0.047, P value for trend p=0.043).
For women whose initial cholesterol level was higher or equal to 200mg/dL, in our 2-year longitudinal analysis, after controlling for the potential confounders, soy protein intake was significantly associated with HDL (Linear Regression p=0.041) and cholesterol/HDL ratio (ANCOVA=0.022). We also observed a statistically significant trend for higher HDL cholesterol (p=0.038), with an increase of 11.4g in soy protein intake between the 1st and 3rd tertiles, our data showed a 3.8% increase in HDL.
In the 12-month longitudinal analyses, after controlling for the potential confounders, soy protein intake was significantly associated with HDL concentration (Linear Regression p=0.036). We also observed a statistically significant trend for higher HDL cholesterol (p=0.036), with an increase of 10.9g in soy protein intake between the 1st and 3rd tertiles, our data showed a 7.9% increase in HDL.
Methods. 307 women aged between 48 to 62 years were recruited from community subjects residing in housing estates in Shatin. Women within the first 12 years of menopause, with no history of malabsorption syndromes, chronic liver kidney diseases, parathyroid diseases, gastric operation or cancer and without currently taking lipid lowering therapy were included in the study. We estimated the dietary intake of soy foods and other key nutrients by using quantitative food frequency method. We recorded serum values of fasting cholesterol, LDL cholesterol, HDL cholesterol and triglycerides as well as other covariance measurement. Soy protein consumption was categorized as tertiles of intake and related to lipid profile.
Objectives. In order to study the relation between soy protein intake and lipid profile in the early postmenopausal Chinese women in Hong Kong, we conducted the study from February 2000 to February 2002, as a part of the population-based soy consumption and bone mineral density study. The hypothesis to be tested is that high intake of dietary soy protein has a beneficial effect on lipid profile in the early postmenopausal Chinese women in Hong Kong.
Results. In our cross-sectional analysis, our findings showed that habitual dietary soy protein intake had a weak but statistically significant correlation with triglyceride concentration (Linear Regression p=0.045, ANCOVA p=0.045 P value for trend p=0.023), and the soy protein beneficial effects were more pronounced in women whose % of total body fat were higher than 33.4%. After controlling for the potential confounders, soy protein intake was significantly associated with triglyceride concentration (Linear Regression p=0.048, P value for trend =0.021), the average decrease in triglycerides were 24.6% and 29.1 % in the 2nd and 3rd tertile compared with the 1st tertile respectively.
Lam Siu Hung.
"February 2006."
Adviser: Ho Suzanne Sutying.
Source: Dissertation Abstracts International, Volume: 67-11, Section: B, page: 6300.
Thesis (Ph.D.)--Chinese University of Hong Kong, 2006.
Includes bibliographical references (p. 181-191).
Electronic reproduction. Hong Kong : Chinese University of Hong Kong, [2012] System requirements: Adobe Acrobat Reader. Available via World Wide Web.
Electronic reproduction. [Ann Arbor, MI] : ProQuest Information and Learning, [200-] System requirements: Adobe Acrobat Reader. Available via World Wide Web.
Abstracts in English and Chinese.
School code: 1307.