Smoking and stress in the general population in Denmark.

INTRODUCTION: The social pressure placed on smokers today might potentially lead to an increasing level of stress. We investigated if the proportion of persons with high stress level had increased over time more in smokers than in non-smokers. METHODS: Data were obtained from repeated cross-sectional surveys of The Capital Region Health Survey conducted in 2010, 2013 and 2017. Survey data were weighted for survey design and non-response, and linked to national register data. Cohens Perceived Stress Scale (PSS-10) score was used. Logistic regression analyses, based on 136608 citizens' self-reports, were adjusted for sex, age, education level, employment, and alcohol intake (and loneliness, in analysis investigating the associations between tobacco consumption and high stress level). RESULTS: A significantly higher proportion of citizens reported a high stress level in 2017 compared with 2010 and 2013 but there was not a greater increase in smokers than in non-smokers. Daily smoking men had 69% higher odds of reporting perceived high stress level and daily smoking women had 36% higher odds, than never smokers of the same sex. There was a significant trend between higher daily tobacco consumption and a higher proportion of smokers with high stress level. CONCLUSIONS: The increase in high stress level over time occurred independently of smoking status. Daily smokers had the highest odds of perceived high stress level, and a higher daily tobacco consumption was associated with a higher proportion of smokers with high stress level. Smoking cessation programs should, to a higher degree, consider implementing stress-coping elements to prevent relapse.

Physical activity, self-rated fitness and stress among 55,185 men and women in the Danish Capital Region Health survey 2017.

Previous studies have indicated that both low physical activity and low physical fitness are associated with a higher level of stress but the influence of age and health status on the associations is unknown. This was examined in a cross-sectional study based on data from the Danish Capital Region Health Survey 2017. Among all adults ≥ 16 years residing in the largest of five regions in Denmark 1. January 2017 a random sample of 104,950 was invited to participate. Hereof, 55.185 responded (52,6%). Physical activity during leisure time, fitness, self-rated health and stress (Cohens Perceived Stress Scale) was self-reported by questionnaire. Logistic regression weighted for size of municipality and non-response was used. Age modified the associations. In all age-groups odds ratio (OR) for a high level of stress was increasingly higher the lower the level of physical activity. The association was strongest among the 16-24-year-olds and persisted after adjustment for self-rated health, that otherwise attenuated the associations to an increasing extent the older the age-group. Similar models investigating the modifying effect of age on the association between self-rated fitness and stress showed the same patterns and tendencies. This study showed that physical activity and self-rated fitness were both associated with stress. The OR for a high level of stress was increasingly higher the lower the level of physical activity or self-rated fitness. This was found in all age-groups, but most pronounced among the 16-24-year-olds. Furthermore, findings suggest that health condition explains the associations to an increasing extent with increasing age.

Estimated daily salt intake in relation to blood pressure and blood lipids: the role of obesity.

BACKGROUND: Excessive salt intake causes increased blood pressure which is considered the leading risk for premature death. One major challenge when evaluating associations between daily salt intake and markers of non-communicable diseases is that a high daily salt intake correlates with obesity, which is also a well described risk factor for poor cardiometabolic outcome. The aim of this study was to evaluate the relationship of estimated daily salt intake with blood pressure and blood lipids and to investigate the effect of taking different measures of obesity into account. METHODS: We included 3294 men and women aged 18-69 years from a general population based study in Copenhagen, Denmark. Estimated 24-hour sodium excretion was calculated by measurements of creatinine and sodium concentration in spot urine in combination with information of sex, age, height and weight. The relations of estimated 24-hour sodium excretion with blood pressure and blood lipids were evaluated by linear regression models. RESULTS: The daily mean estimated intake of salt was 10.80 g and 7.52 g among men and women, respectively. Daily salt intake was significantly associated with blood pressure (ß-estimates 1.18 mm Hg/g salt (systolic) and 0.74 mm Hg/g salt (diastolic), p < 0.0001) - however this association was markedly affected by adjustment for obesity (ß-estimates around 0.60 mm Hg/g salt (systolic) and around 0.25 mm Hg/g salt (diastolic), p < 0.05). Also associations between daily salt intake and blood lipids were highly affected by adjustment for obesity. CONCLUSIONS: Associations of estimated daily salt intake with blood pressure and blood lipids were highly affected by adjustment for obesity.

Recent temporal trends in sleep duration, domain-specific sedentary behaviour and physical activity. A survey among 25-79-year-old Danish adults.

BACKGROUND: Prevalence of sedentary behaviour is high in many countries, but little is known about temporal trends in sitting time. OBJECTIVE: To examine temporal changes in sleep and domain-specific sedentary behaviour and moderate to vigorous leisure time physical activity (MVPA). METHODS: Two cross-sectional population-based surveys of 25-79-year-old inhabitants were conducted in The Capital Region of Denmark in 2007 (N = 69.800, response rate 52.3%) and 2010 (N = 77.517, response rate 54.8%). Information on sedentary behaviour and physical activity was obtained from self-report questionnaire and sociodemographic information from central registers. Data were weighted for survey design and for non-response and were analysed by multiple regression analyses. RESULTS: In 2007, the entire survey population reported a mean daily sleeping duration of 7.4 hours, leisure time sitting of 3.4 hours per day, occupational sitting of 4.4 hours per day, MVPA of 0.87 hours per day and a total 24-hour energy expenditure of 40.12 METs per day. In 2010, duration of sleep was unaltered (p = 0.1), sedentary leisure time and sedentary work time had increased by 12.6 minutes (p < 0.0001) and 13.2 minutes (p < 0.0001) per day, respectively. Time spent on MVPA had increased by 2.9 minutes per day (p < 0.0001). The 24-hour energy expenditure had decreased by 0.41 METs (p < 0.0001). CONCLUSIONS: Adult Danish men and women spend an increased amount of time sitting down at work and during leisure time, but also on leisure time MVPA. As duration of sleep is unaltered findings suggest that low intensity physical activity may be displaced in everyday life.