Evaluation of physical fitness and weight status among fisherwomen in relation to their occupational workload

Fisherwomen contribute significantly to the coastal economy of Eastern India; however, data about their physical fitness and weight status are scant. The present cross-sectional study was designed to investigate cardiorespiratory fitness and weight status of fisherwomen, which may be influenced by their occupational workload, using morphometric and anthropometric measures. The study was conducted among young fisherwomen [mean age 23.7 years] randomly selected from Araku, Visakhapatnam, Andhra Pradesh, and among young women who are not engaged in the fishing industry but are residents of Araku, who served as controls [mean age 21.3 years]. Measurements of body composition included several anthropometric variables, while physical efficiency parameters included a physical fitness index [PFI], VO[2max], total energy expenditure, and anaerobic capacity. A significant difference [p < 0.05] in body mass index [BMI], body surface area [BSA], body fat percentage, diastolic blood pressure, fitness index, total energy expenditure, and anaerobic power was found in fisherwomen compared with controls. Analysis of collected data showed that the majority of the fisherwomen studied have a normal range of BMI [42%], but 6% of them were found to be mildly overweight. They also showed lower fat mass [13.5 [ +/- 3.87] kg] and lower waist-to-hip ratio [WHR] and conicity index. Additionally, they were found to have a moderate level of physical fitness [64.3 [ +/- 1.97]%] and a higher total energy expenditure [4.92 [ +/- 0.52] k.cal.min[-2]].This study implies that physical fitness and weight status of young fisherwomen in Eastern India are influenced by their occupational workload

Elderly peoples' perception of young people - a preliminary study

Aging is becoming a more noticeable phenomenon in Poland and Europe. We analysed the perception of youth by elderly and compared attitudes of students of the University of the Third Age [SU3A] with nursing homes residents [NHR] to young people. Our questionnaire was distributed to 140 people over the age of 50 [70 SU3A and 70 NHR]. 85.0% of all respondents answered positively to the question "Do you enjoy contact with young people?", even though their contacts are usually limited and mostly confined to a few s a year. Vast majority of NHR [62.9%] and almost half SU3A [48.6%] believe that there is a need to integrate seniors and youth to achieve mutual benefits. Young people would benefit from the life experience of the elderly; the elderly could become more active in many areas of life

Poor hand function in diabetics. Its causes and effects on the quality of life

To find the possible causes of limited hand functions, and to investigate the subjective evaluation of hand functioning in patients with diabetes and its impact on the quality of life [QoL] in the physical and mental dimensions. This study was conducted on 71 patients with type 1 and type 2 diabetes attending the Department of Endocrinology, Diabetes and Internal Diseases, Medical University of Bialystok, Poland from March to December 2009. Median nerve conduction and a questionnaire survey [Acceptance of Illness Scale, Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale, functional capacity, and QoL SF-36v2 and Quality of Life Index] were employed for this study. Patients with damaged distal latency in the right [p=0.05] and left hand [p=0.004] had difficulty lifting objects. The QoL in relation to health [SF-36v2] and Quality of Life Index in patients with hand dysfunctions were significantly statistically lower compared with patients not experiencing these symptoms. These disorders also had a significant negative impact on Acceptance of Illness Scale, the incidence of depressive symptoms [p=0.001], and the patient's functional status [p=0.001]. Impaired hand function affects lower acceptance of the disease, the occurrence of depression, and reduces patient's QoL