[Physical activity and health in the elderly--walk on!]. / Fysisk aktivitet og eldres helse--gå på!

BACKGROUND: The Norwegian population has become less physically active during the last 20-30 years, mainly because everyday life has become more sedentary. Physical activity declines with age after 60 years of age, especially in women. Thus, physical inactivity ("the disuse syndrome") is an important challenge for public health, especially among the elderly. MATERIAL AND METHODS: This article is based on reports published on exercise and health during the last five years. However, a systematic and complete search is not made, nor a formal meta-analysis. The method is a critical, but qualitative evaluation. RESULTS: Many epidemiological studies indicate that physical inactivity almost doubles the risk for total annual mortality, for coronary disease, for diabetes in the elderly, and for cancer of the colon. Furthermore, it increases the risk of physical dysfunction and dependency. Physical activity improves health and functioning and becomes more important with age. INTERPRETATION: Physical activity reduces disease and improves health and functioning. The recommendation is simple: Walk for at least 30 minutes every day. The challenge is to motivate patients and the population at large to do so. There is evidence that doctors' advice is important.

[Do people exercise less than they think?]. / Mosjonerer folk mindre enn de tror?

Physical activity is important for health. Physical inactivity is an independent risk factor for disease and speeds up aging. People say in health surveys that they exercise more than they did before. This does not conform with two important facts: Over the last 20 years people have reduced their calorie intake, but their weight is increasing. The only possible explanation is that they exercise less than before, probably because their daily life requires less and less physical activity. We believe this to be a serious health problem, and support the most recent recommendation: A daily walk for 30 minutes.

Health and re-employment in a two year follow up of long term unemployed.

STUDY OBJECTIVE: The aim was to examine re-employment and changes in health during a two year follow up of a representative sample of long term unemployed. DESIGN: This was a cross sectional study and a two year follow up. Health was measured by psychometric testing, Hopkins symptom checklist, General health questionnaire, and medical examination. Health related selection to continuous unemployment and recovery by re-employment was estimated by logistic regression with covariances deduced from the labour market theories of human capital and segmented labour market. SETTING: Four municipalities in Greenland, southern Norway. SUBJECTS: Participants were a random sample of 17 to 63 year old people registered as unemployed for more than 12 weeks. MAIN RESULTS: In the cross sectional study, the prevalence of depression, anxiety, and somatic illness was from four to 10 times higher than in a control group of employed people. In the follow up study, there was considerable health related selection to re-employment. A psychiatric diagnosis was associated with a 70% reduction in chances of obtaining a job. Normal performance on psychometric testing showed a two to three times increased chance of re-employment. Recovery of health following re-employment was less than expected from previous studies. CONCLUSIONS: Health related selection to long term unemployment seems to explain a substantial part of the excess mental morbidity among unemployed people. An increased proportion of the long term unemployed will be vocationally handicapped as years pass, putting a heavy burden on social services.