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. 2012 Dec;23(4):49-53.

Health behaviour changes after diagnosis of chronic illness among Canadians aged 50 or older

Jason T Newson  1 , Nathalie Huguet, Pamela L Ramage-Morin, Michael J McCarthy, Julie Bernier, Mark S Kaplan, Bentson H McFarland
Affiliations

Health behaviour changes after diagnosis of chronic illness among Canadians aged 50 or older

Jason T Newson et al. Health Rep. 2012 Dec.

Abstract

Changes in health behaviours (smoking, physical activity, alcohol consumption, and fruit and vegetable consumption) after diagnosis of chronic health conditions (heart disease, cancer, stroke, respiratory disease, and diabetes) were examined among Canadians aged 50 or older. Results from 12 years of longitudinal data from the Canadian National Population Health Survey indicated relatively modest changes in behaviour. Although significant decreases in smoking were observed among all groups except those with respiratory disease, at least 75% of smokers did not quit. No significant changes emerged in the percentage meeting physical activity recommendations, except those with diabetes, or in excessive alcohol consumption, except those with diabetes and respiratory disease. The percentage reporting the recommended minimum fruit and vegetable intake did not increase significantly among any group.

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Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1. Mean number of cigarettes smoked per day, pre- and post-diagnosis of chronic condition, current smokers aged 50 or older, Canada, 1994/1995 to 2006/2007
* significantly different from pre-diagnosis (p<0.05) Note: Because of rounding, bars indicating the same number of cigarettes may have different lengths. Source: 1994/1995 to 2006/2007 National Population Health Survey, longitudinal square file.
Figure 2
Figure 2. Mean number of alcohol drinks consumed per week, pre- and post-diagnosis of chronic condition, current drinkers (past 12 months) aged 50 or older, Canada, 1994/1995 to 2006/2007
* significantly different from pre-diagnosis (p<0.05) Note: Because of rounding, bars indicating the same number of drinks may have different lengths. Source: 1994/1995 to 2006/2007 National Population Health Survey, longitudinal square file.
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