The researchers concluded that these results add to the body of evidence that fortifying widely eaten foods with vitamin D would improve public health.
But this opinion is not shared by all experts in the UK. Professor Louis Levy, head of nutrition science at Public Health England (PHE), said: "The evidence on vitamin D and infection is inconsistent, and this study does not provide sufficient evidence to support recommending vitamin D for reducing the risk of respiratory tract infections."
As this debate is ongoing, it would seem sensible to stick to the relatively new guidelines about vitamin D – that is, everyone should consider taking supplements during the winter months.
While the study cannot prove cause and effect, and stiffening of the arteries can have a range of causes, it does highlight the fact alcohol-related harms can affect anyone.
To (1) estimate sex-specific risks of a comprehensive spectrum of somatic diseases in alcohol dependent individuals versus a control population in Denmark, and in the same population to (2) estimate sex-specific risks of dying from the examined somatic diseases. Please contact the library to request a copy of this article - http://bit.ly/1Xyazai
Alcohol use is a major contributor to injuries, mortality and the burden of disease. This review updates knowledge on risk relations between dimensions of alcohol use and health outcomes to be used in global and national Comparative Risk Assessments (CRAs). Please contact the library to request a copy of this article - http://bit.ly/1Xyazai
Nutrition interventions would appear fundamental for weight management and cardiometabolic risk reduction in people experiencing severe mental illness (SMI). Comprehensive evaluation of nutrition interventions is lacking. You can request a copy of this article by replying to this email. Please ensure you are clear which article you are requesting.
People with depression who successfully quit smoking using smoking cessation services may also improve their mental health, say researchers from King’s College London and the Charles University in Prague, Czech Republic. Login using your SSOTP NHS Athens for full text. SSSFT - You can request a copy of this article by replying to this email. Please ensure you are clear which article you are requesting.
People with serious mental illness (SMI) are more likely to engage in health risk behaviours such as unhealthy eating, physical inactivity and smoking. The review by Teasdale et al in this issue shows the potential for nutrition interventions to help people with SMI to manage their weight. You can request a copy of this article by replying to this email. Please ensure you are clear which article you are requesting.
This pilot project explored views and experiences of staff and patients in making an inpatient recovery unit a smoke-free zone. A number of issues that were causing anxiety in patients and staff members were identified. Login using your SSOTP NHS Athens for full text. SSSFT - You can request a copy of this article by replying to this email. Please ensure you are clear which article you are requesting.
This study aims to examine how family interactions related to lifestyle changes influence adolescents’ potential for maintaining weight loss after participating in a weight-loss treatment programme. Login using your SSSFT NHS OpenAthens for full text. SSOTP - You can request a copy of this article by replying to this email. Please ensure you are clear which article you are requesting.
Tobacco smoking remains one of the few preventable factors associated with complications in pregnancy, and has serious long-term implications for women and babies. Smoking in pregnancy is decreasing in high-income countries, but is strongly associated with poverty and is increasing in low- to middle-income countries.
Objectives: To assess the effects of smoking cessation interventions during pregnancy on smoking behaviour and perinatal health outcomes.
regular physical activity is one of the key components of a healthy lifestyle. It is associated with better physical and cognitive functioning in later life and with increased life expectancy. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the prevalence of, and factors related to, physical inactivity among older adults across Europe. Login using your SSSFT NHS OpenAthens for full text. SSOTP - You can request a copy of this article by replying to this email. Please ensure you are clear which article you are requesting.
Adolescent alcohol misuse is a growing global health concern. Substantial research suggests that parents have an important role in reducing young people's risk for early initiation of alcohol and alcohol-related harms. To facilitate research translation, we conducted a systematic review and meta-analyses of longitudinal studies examining the range of modifiable parenting factors that are associated with adolescent alcohol initiation and levels of later use/misuse. Please contact the library to request a copy of this article - http://bit.ly/1Xyazai
To estimate 1) the immediate impact; 2) the cumulative impact; and 3) the duration of impact of Scottish tobacco control TV mass media campaigns (MMCs) on smoking cessation activity, as measured by calls to Smokeline and the volume of prescribed nicotine replacement therapy (NRT). Please contact the library to request a copy of this article - http://bit.ly/1Xyazai
Commentary on: McRobbie H, Hajek P, Peerbux S, et al. Tackling obesity in areas of high social deprivation: clinical effectiveness and cost-effectiveness of a task-based weight management group programme—a randomised controlled trial and economic evaluation. Health Technol Assess 2016;20:1–150.PubMed
Implications for practice and research
The study is important in demonstrating that a task-based weight management programme can potentially be effective in reducing obesity among lower socioeconomic groups.
The role of nurses in delivering such weight loss interventions should be evaluated. To read the full article, log in using your NHS OpenAthens details
Public health strategies aiming to prevent adult weight gain in the whole population could be twice as effective in reducing the incidence of type 2 diabetes as weight loss strategies targeting only obese people, analysis of a large population based follow-up study has found. To read the full article, log in using your NHS OpenAthens details
Public Health England (PHE) is piloting an online space on Knowledge Hub to share information about local knowledge and intelligence products and services. Our Local Knowledge and Intelligence Service (LKIS) will run the space.
Knowledge Hub gives PHE in each geographical PHE Centre location, a way to make it easier for local partners to keep up to date with the relevant health intelligence relating to their area, and to take part in discussions.
The data are presented in an interactive tool that allows users to view them in a user-friendly format. The profiles provide a snapshot of the extent of tobacco use, tobacco related harm, and measures being taken to reduce this harm at a local level. These profiles have been designed to help local government and health services to assess the effect of tobacco use on their local populations.