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Objective: Determine the prevalence of suboptimal health levels and find an association between suboptimal health and lifestyle factors in a population of residential area HIT Taxila. Methods: A community-based Descriptive Cross-sectional study was conducted in HIT Taxila, Jun-Nov 2023 on 400 individuals of age groups ranging from 20 to 60 years including males and females via systematic random sampling. Data was collected by Suboptimal Health Measurement (SHMS V1.0) scale including general, physical, mental and social subdomains and demographic and lifestyle factors. Chi-square was tested to determine the association between suboptimal health and demographic characteristics. Correlation was used to assess the correlation between suboptimal health and lifestyle-related factors Results: A final sample of 400 participants was included. In our sample,86(21.5%) had suboptimal health with a mean age of 29.96±9.3 years. Sub-optimal Health status was found to be significantly associated with gender(0.005), age(0.006), working status (0.015)and occupation(0.000). Health status was found to be weak and negatively correlated with social support (p-value 0.01) and a weak positive correlation was observed between nutritional habits and health status (p-value 0.05) Conclusion: SHS is significantly associated with behavior and lifestyle-related factors. To comprehensively prevent and control SHS, it is urgently needed to reduce the risk factors and enhance the protective factors among adolescents. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Suboptimal health status (SHS) represents a third state between health and disease and often progresses into chronic conditions, negatively impacting an individual's well-being. Studies have shown that mindfulness has a beneficial effect on various SHS symptoms. This study aims to explore the influence of mindfulness on SHS and its underlying mechanisms, with a particular focus on examining the mediating roles of stress and social support. Methods: A total of 173 healthy Chinese college or graduate students, with an average age of 21.85 years, participated in this study. Measurements were taken using the Five Factor Mindfulness Questionnaire, the Sub-Health Measurement Scale, the Perceived Stress Scale, and a self-constructed scale that included demographic information. The PROCESS plugin for SPSS was used to assess mediating effects. Results: Significant correlations were found among SHS, social support, mindfulness, and perceived stress (|r| = 0.38-0.85, p < 0.01). Specifically, mindfulness showed a significant positive correlation with SHS and social support (r = 0.38-0.77), while perceived stress was significantly negatively correlated with mindfulness, social support, and SHS (|r| = 0.45-0.85). Perceived social support was positively associated with SHS (r = 0.65). Furthermore, social support and perceived stress partially mediated the influence of mindfulness on SHS. Additionally, a sequential mediation effect of perceived social support and stress in the relationship between mindfulness and SHS was supported. Conclusion: The cultivation of trait mindfulness may be advantageous for individuals' sub-health. Perceived social support and perceived stress are important underlying mechanisms contributing to this effect. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Worldwide stroke is the second leading cause of death and the third leading cause of death and disability combined. The estimated global economic burden by stroke is over US$891 billion per year. Within three decades (1990–2019), the incidence increased by 70%, deaths by 43%, prevalence by 102%, and DALYs by 143%. Of over 100 million people affected by stroke, about 76% are ischemic stroke (IS) patients recorded worldwide. Contextually, ischemic stroke moves into particular focus of multi-professional groups including researchers, healthcare industry, economists, and policy-makers. Risk factors of ischemic stroke demonstrate sufficient space for cost-effective prevention interventions in primary (suboptimal health) and secondary (clinically manifested collateral disorders contributing to stroke risks) care. These risks are interrelated. For example, sedentary lifestyle and toxic environment both cause mitochondrial stress, systemic low-grade inflammation and accelerated ageing; inflammageing is a low-grade inflammation associated with accelerated ageing and poor stroke outcomes. Stress overload, decreased mitochondrial bioenergetics and hypomagnesaemia are associated with systemic vasospasm and ischemic lesions in heart and brain of all age groups including teenagers. Imbalanced dietary patterns poor in folate but rich in red and processed meat, refined grains, and sugary beverages are associated with hyperhomocysteinaemia, systemic inflammation, small vessel disease, and increased IS risks. Ongoing 3PM research towards vulnerable groups in the population promoted by the European Association for Predictive, Preventive and Personalised Medicine (EPMA) demonstrates promising results for the holistic patient-friendly non-invasive approach utilising tear fluid-based health risk assessment, mitochondria as a vital biosensor and AI-based multi-professional data interpretation as reported here by the EPMA expert group. Collected data demonstrate that IS-relevant risks and corresponding molecular pathways are interrelated. For examples, there is an evident overlap between molecular patterns involved in IS and diabetic retinopathy as an early indicator of IS risk in diabetic patients. Just to exemplify some of them such as the 5-aminolevulinic acid/pathway, which are also characteristic for an altered mitophagy patterns, insomnia, stress regulation and modulation of microbiota-gut-brain crosstalk. Further, ceramides are considered mediators of oxidative stress and inflammation in cardiometabolic disease, negatively affecting mitochondrial respiratory chain function and fission/fusion activity, altered sleep–wake behaviour, vascular stiffness and remodelling. Xanthine/pathway regulation is involved in mitochondrial homeostasis and stress-driven anxiety-like behaviour as well as molecular mechanisms of arterial stiffness. In order to assess individual health risks, an application of machine learning (AI tool) is essential for an accurate data interpretation performed by the multiparametric analysis. Aspects presented in the paper include the needs of young populations and elderly, personalised risk assessment in primary and secondary care, cost-efficacy, application of innovative technologies and screening programmes, advanced education measures for professionals and general population—all are essential pillars for the paradigm change from reactive medical services to 3PM in the overall IS management promoted by the EPMA. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective To examine the prevalence and influencing factors of suboptimal health among urban middle-aged and elderly residents and to provide evidence for health promotion in the population. Methods Using stratified multistage random sampling, we recruited 3 600 urban permanent residents aged 45 years and above in five provinces across China and carried out a survey with Sub-Health Measurement Scale Version 1.0 and a self-designed questionnaire during December 2017 – October 2018. Unconditional multivariate logistic regression was adopted to explore influencing factors of suboptimal health status of the participants. Results Among 3476 participants completing the survey, the detection rate of general suboptimal health was 66.51% and the detection rate of physical, mental, and social suboptimal health status were 67.17%, 63.98%, and 69.45%, respectively. The results of unconditional multivariate logistic regression analysis revealed that with higher exposure to second-hand smoke, having unhealthy dietary behavior, and experiencing stress event during past six months were risk factors for suboptimal health; while, being married, with a monthly household income of 2 500 – 7 500 RMB yuan per capita, going to bed early and on time, with high adversity quotient, and paying a close attention to self-health were protective factors against suboptimal health. Conclusion Among urban permanent residents aged 45 years and above in China, the detection rate of suboptimal health status was relatively high, and mainly influenced by marital status, monthly household income per capita, second-hand smoke exposure, unhealthy eating habits, sleeping on time, adversity quotient, attention to self-health and recent stressful life event.

Breast cancer (BC) is the most common female malignancy reaching a pandemic scale worldwide. A comprehensive interplay between genetic alterations and shifted epigenetic regions synergistically leads to disease development and progression into metastatic BC. DNA and histones methylations, as the most studied epigenetic modifications, represent frequent and early events in the process of carcinogenesis. To this end, long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) are recognized as potent epigenetic modulators in pathomechanisms of BC by contributing to the regulation of DNA, RNA, and histones' methylation. In turn, the methylation status of DNA, RNA, and histones can affect the level of lncRNAs expression demonstrating the reciprocity of mechanisms involved. Furthermore, lncRNAs might undergo methylation in response to actual medical conditions such as tumor development and treated malignancies. The reciprocity between genome-wide methylation status and long non-coding RNA expression levels in BC remains largely unexplored. Since the bio/medical research in the area is, per evidence, strongly fragmented, the relevance of this reciprocity for BC development and progression has not yet been systematically analyzed. Contextually, the article aims at: consolidating the accumulated knowledge on both—the genome-wide methylation status and corresponding lncRNA expression patterns in BC and highlighting the potential benefits of this consolidated multi-professional approach for advanced BC management. Based on a big data analysis and machine learning for individualized data interpretation, the proposed approach demonstrates a great potential to promote predictive diagnostics and targeted prevention in the cost-effective primary healthcare (sub-optimal health conditions and protection against the health-to-disease transition) as well as advanced treatment algorithms tailored to the individualized patient profiles in secondary BC care (effective protection against metastatic disease). Clinically relevant examples are provided, including mitochondrial health control and epigenetic regulatory mechanisms involved. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A quantitative and objective indicator for skin health via the microbiome is of great interest for personalized skin care, but differences among skin sites and across human populations can make this goal challenging. A three-city (two Chinese and one American) comparison of skin microbiota from atopic dermatitis (AD) and healthy pediatric cohorts revealed that, although city has the greatest effect size (the skin microbiome can predict the originated city with near 100% accuracy), a microbial index of skin health (MiSH) based on 25 bacterial genera can diagnose AD with 83 to ∼95% accuracy within each city and 86.4% accuracy across cities (area under the concentration-time curve [AUC], 0.90). Moreover, nonlesional skin sites across the bodies of AD-active children (which include shank, arm, popliteal fossa, elbow, antecubital fossa, knee, neck, and axilla) harbor a distinct but lesional state-like microbiome that features relative enrichment of Staphylococcus aureus over healthy individuals, confirming the extension of microbiome dysbiosis across body surface in AD patients. Intriguingly, pretreatment MiSH classifies children with identical AD clinical symptoms into two host types with distinct microbial diversity and treatment effects of corticosteroid therapy. These findings suggest that MiSH has the potential to diagnose AD, assess risk-prone state of skin, and predict treatment response in children across human populations.IMPORTANCE MiSH, which is based on the skin microbiome, can quantitatively assess pediatric skin health across cohorts from distinct countries over large geographic distances. Moreover, the index can identify a risk-prone skin state and compare treatment effect in children, suggesting applications in diagnosis and patient stratification.

Endothelin-1 (ET-1) is involved in the regulation of a myriad of processes highly relevant for physical and mental well-being; female and male health; in the modulation of senses, pain, stress reactions and drug sensitivity as well as healing processes, amongst others. Shifted ET-1 homeostasis may influence and predict the development and progression of suboptimal health conditions, metabolic impairments with cascading complications, ageing and related pathologies, cardiovascular diseases, neurodegenerative pathologies, aggressive malignancies, modulating, therefore, individual outcomes of both non-communicable and infectious diseases such as COVID-19. This article provides an in-depth analysis of the involvement of ET-1 and related regulatory pathways in physiological and pathophysiological processes and estimates its capacity as a predictor of ageing and related pathologies, a sensor of lifestyle quality and progression of suboptimal health conditions to diseases for their targeted prevention and as a potent target for cost-effective treatments tailored to the person. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study aimed to assess the patterns of social media usage amongst university students at Ajman University (AU) and to explore health issues in relation to social media use. A cross-sectional community-based descriptive research design was conducted among AU students. A pre-designed, structured and validated questionnaire written in both English and Arabic was employed to collect data from the participants. The structured questionnaire was mainly composed of three sections: demographic and educational information, social media usage pattern information and poor health status. A total of 444 students participated in the study and completed the whole questionnaire. Over half the respondents (60.8%) reported using social media on more than 3 days during the past week; more than a quarter (28.6%) reported using social media for over 4 h each day; and almost half (44.1%) reported going on social media in the hour prior to going to bed. Overall, 390 (84.1%) respondents gave a higher poor health status score and 74 (15.9%) gave a lower one. Students who were active on Facebook tended to score higher in terms of poor health status than students who used other social media platforms. Moreover, those respondents who used social media for communication and enjoyment had higher poor health status scores. The findings of this study highlight the urgent need to address the increasing use of social media among adolescents—particularly university students—for example through educational interventions or campaigns aiming to encourage sensible social media practices. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Mitochondrial injury plays a key role in the aetiopathology of multifactorial diseases exhibiting a "vicious circle" characteristic for pathomechanisms of the mitochondrial and multi-organ damage frequently developed in a reciprocal manner. Although the origin of the damage is common (uncontrolled ROS release, diminished energy production and extensive oxidative stress to life-important biomolecules such as mtDNA and chrDNA), individual outcomes differ significantly representing a spectrum of associated pathologies including but not restricted to neurodegeneration, cardiovascular diseases and cancers. Contextually, the role of predictive, preventive and personalised (PPPM/3P) medicine is to introduce predictive analytical approaches which allow for distinguishing between individual outcomes under circumstance of mitochondrial impairments followed by cost-effective targeted prevention and personalisation of medical services. Current article considers innovative concepts and analytical instruments to advance management of mitochondriopathies and associated pathologies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background. Suboptimal health status (SHS) among urban residents is commonplace in China. However, factors influencing SHS have not been thoroughly explored, especially with regard to the effects of internal factors (e.g., personality and health awareness) on SHS. Methods. A cross-sectional study was conducted with a nationally representative sample of 5460 Chinese urban residents..SHS was measured using the Suboptimal Health Mesurement Scale Version 1.0. Demographic information, and information pertaining to lifestyle behaviors, environmental factors, and internal factors were abtained through a questionnaire. The associations between demographic information, lifestyle behaviors, environmental factors, internal factors and SHS were assessed using logistic regression. Results. Of the 5460 participants (with a mean age of 41.56 ± 16.14 years), 2640 (48.4 %) were men. Out of 36 variables, 23 were significantly associated with SHS: age (odds ratio [OR]: 1.014), an education level of high school/junior college (OR: 1.443), marital status (OR: 1.899), area of registered permanent residence (OR: 0.767), monthly household income (p<0:001), exposure to second-hand smoke (pD0:001), alcohol drinking (OR: 1.284), bad eating habits (OR: 1.717), not sleeping before 11 p.m. every day (pD0:002), spending time online more than five hours a day (OR: 1.526), having a good relationship with parents during one's growth period (OR: 0.602), living with good quality air (OR:0.817), living in not crowded conditions (OR:0.636), having a harmonious neighborhood (OR:0.775), having adequate fitness facilities (OR:0.783), one's health being affected by two-child policy (OR: 1.468) and medical policies (OR: 1.265), high adverse quotient (OR: 0.488), many (≥3 kinds) interests and hobbies (OR: 0.617), mature and steady personality traits (OR: 0.469), a high attention to one's health (OR: 0.833), and effective health promotion induced by leading a leisurely lifestyle (OR: 0.466) were significantly associated with SHS. Conclusions. All these variables were included demographic information, lifestyle behaviors, environmental factors and internal factors. Our study supports the benefits of controlling both internal and external factors in preventing suboptimal health. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Verbal communication is one of the most sophisticated human motor skills reflecting both—the mental and physical health of an individual. Voice parameters and quality changes are usually secondary towards functional and/or structural laryngological alterations under specific systemic processes, syndrome and pathologies. These include but are not restricted to dry mouth and Sicca syndromes, body dehydration, hormonal alterations linked to pubertal, menopausal, and andropausal status, respiratory disorders, gastrointestinal reflux, autoimmune diseases, endocrinologic disorders, underweight versus overweight and obesity, and diabetes mellitus. On the other hand, it is well-established that stress overload is a significant risk factor of cascading pathologies, including but not restricted to neurodegenerative and psychiatric disorders, diabetes mellitus, cardiovascular disease, stroke, and cancers. Our current study revealed voice perturbations under the stress overload as a potentially useful biomarker to identify individuals in suboptimal health conditions who might be strongly predisposed to associated pathologies. Contextually, extended surveys applied in the population might be useful to identify, for example, persons at high risk for respiratory complications under pandemic conditions such as COVID-19. Symptoms of dry mouth syndrome, disturbed microcirculation, altered sense regulation, shifted circadian rhythm, and low BMI were positively associated with voice perturbations under the stress overload. Their functional interrelationships and relevance for cascading associated pathologies are presented in the article. Automated analysis of voice recordings via artificial intelligence (AI) has a potential to derive digital biomarkers. Further, predictive machine learning models should be developed that allows for detecting a suboptimal health condition based on voice recordings, ideally in an automated manner using derived digital biomarkers. Follow-up stratification and monitoring of individuals in suboptimal health conditions are recommended using disease-specific cell-free nucleic acids (ccfDNA, ctDNA, mtDNA, miRNA) combined with metabolic patterns detected in body fluids. Application of the cost-effective targeted prevention within the phase of reversible health damage is recommended based on the individualised patient profiling. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

ABSTRACT A quantitative and objective indicator for skin health via the microbiome is of great interest for personalized skin care, but differences among skin sites and across human populations can make this goal challenging. A three-city (two Chinese and one American) comparison of skin microbiota from atopic dermatitis (AD) and healthy pediatric cohorts revealed that, although city has the greatest effect size (the skin microbiome can predict the originated city with near 100% accuracy), a microbial index of skin health (MiSH) based on 25 bacterial genera can diagnose AD with 83 to ∼95% accuracy within each city and 86.4% accuracy across cities (area under the concentration-time curve [AUC], 0.90). Moreover, nonlesional skin sites across the bodies of AD-active children (which include shank, arm, popliteal fossa, elbow, antecubital fossa, knee, neck, and axilla) harbor a distinct but lesional state-like microbiome that features relative enrichment of Staphylococcus aureus over healthy individuals, confirming the extension of microbiome dysbiosis across body surface in AD patients. Intriguingly, pretreatment MiSH classifies children with identical AD clinical symptoms into two host types with distinct microbial diversity and treatment effects of corticosteroid therapy. These findings suggest that MiSH has the potential to diagnose AD, assess risk-prone state of skin, and predict treatment response in children across human populations. IMPORTANCE MiSH, which is based on the skin microbiome, can quantitatively assess pediatric skin health across cohorts from distinct countries over large geographic distances. Moreover, the index can identify a risk-prone skin state and compare treatment effect in children, suggesting applications in diagnosis and patient stratification.

Background: Suboptimal health status (SHS) represents a third state between health and disease and often progresses into chronic conditions, negatively impacting an individual's well-being. Studies have shown that mindfulness has a beneficial effect on various SHS symptoms. This study aims to explore the influence of mindfulness on SHS and its underlying mechanisms, with a particular focus on examining the mediating roles of stress and social support., Methods: A total of 173 healthy Chinese college or graduate students, with an average age of 21.85 years, participated in this study. Measurements were taken using the Five Factor Mindfulness Questionnaire, the Sub-Health Measurement Scale, the Perceived Stress Scale, and a self-constructed scale that included demographic information. The PROCESS plugin for SPSS was used to assess mediating effects., Results: Significant correlations were found among SHS, social support, mindfulness, and perceived stress (| r | = 0.38-0.85, p  < 0.01). Specifically, mindfulness showed a significant positive correlation with SHS and social support ( r  = 0.38-0.77), while perceived stress was significantly negatively correlated with mindfulness, social support, and SHS (| r | = 0.45-0.85). Perceived social support was positively associated with SHS ( r  = 0.65). Furthermore, social support and perceived stress partially mediated the influence of mindfulness on SHS. Additionally, a sequential mediation effect of perceived social support and stress in the relationship between mindfulness and SHS was supported., Conclusion: The cultivation of trait mindfulness may be advantageous for individuals' sub-health. Perceived social support and perceived stress are important underlying mechanisms contributing to this effect., Competing Interests: The authors declare that the research was conducted in the absence of any commercial or financial relationships that could be construed as a potential conflict of interest., (Copyright © 2024 Liang, Zhang and Wang.)

Background and Aims: Suboptimal health and metabolic disorders are common in the general population. Both are related to cardiovascular disease. Suboptimal cardiovascular health is defined by the presence of both suboptimal health and metabolic disorders. The aim of the study was to investigate the potential benefit of n-3 long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids (LCPUFA) in participants with suboptimal cardiovascular health.Methods and Results: A total of 422 participants with suboptimal cardiovascular health, from two clinics in China, were enrolled from September 2014 to April 2015. All the enrolled participants were randomly assigned to receive 4 g/d of fish oil or placebo for three months. Suboptimal health was defined using an accepted questionnaire. Metabolic disorders were defined as one or more abnormalities in blood pressure, fasting plasma glucose, blood lipids, and body mass index (BMI). After treatment, the mean BMI fell significantly more in the n-3 LCPUFA group than in the placebo group (-0.29 ± 0.06 kg/m2 vs. -0.02 ± 0.06 kg/m2, P = 0.003). Similar results were found in the changes of suboptimal health status and suboptimal cardiovascular health status (P < 0.05 for all). In a multivariate analysis, the n-3 LCPUFA group was 5.44 (1.15, 25.67) times more likely to have optimal cardiovascular health status after treatment.Conclusions: n-3 LCPUFA intake improved suboptimal cardiovascular health in this placebo-controlled, randomized, double-blind trial.Trial Registration: This study is registered at www.clinicaltrials.govNCT02103517. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract Background One critical premise of disease‐related biomarkers is the definition of the counterpart normality. Contrary to pre‐clinical models that can be carefully tailored according to scientific need, heterogeneity and uncontrollability is the essence of humans in health studies. Fully characterization of consistent parameters that define the normal population is the basis to individual differences normalization irrelevant to a given disease process. Self claimed normal status may not represent health because asymptomatic subjects may carry chronic diseases or diseases at their early stage such as cancer, diabetes and hypertension. Methods This paper exemplifies the characterization of the suboptimal health status (SHS) which represents a new public health problem in a population with ambiguous health complaints such as general weakness, unexplained medical syndrome and chronic fatigue. We applied clinical informatics approaches and developed a questionnaire for measuring SHS. The validity and reliability of this approach were evaluated in a small pilot study and then in a cross‐sectional study of 3,405 individuals. Results The final questionnaire congregated into a score (SHSQ‐25) which could significantly distinguish among several abnormal conditions. Conclusion SHSQ‐25 could be used as a translational medicine instrument for health measuring in the general population.

Background: Suboptimal health status (SHS) among urban residents is commonplace in China. However, factors influencing SHS have not been thoroughly explored, especially with regard to the effects of internal factors (e.g., personality and health awareness) on SHS., Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted with a nationally representative sample of 5460 Chinese urban residents..SHS was measured using the Suboptimal Health Mesurement Scale Version 1.0. Demographic information, and information pertaining to lifestyle behaviors, environmental factors, and internal factors were abtained through a questionnaire. The associations between demographic information, lifestyle behaviors, environmental factors, internal factors and SHS were assessed using logistic regression., Results: Of the 5460 participants (with a mean age of 41.56 ±  16.14 years), 2640 (48.4 %) were men. Out of 36 variables, 23 were significantly associated with SHS: age (odds ratio [OR]: 1.014), an education level of high school/junior college (OR: 1.443) , marital status (OR: 1.899), area of registered permanent residence (OR: 0.767), monthly household income ( p  < 0.001) , exposure to second-hand smoke ( p  = 0.001), alcohol drinking (OR: 1.284), bad eating habits (OR: 1.717), not sleeping before 11 p.m. every day ( p  = 0.002), spending time online more than five hours a day (OR: 1.526), having a good relationship with parents during one's growth period (OR: 0.602), living with good quality air (OR:0.817), living in not crowded conditions (OR:0.636), having a harmonious neighborhood (OR:0.775), having adequate fitness facilities (OR:0.783), one's health being affected by two-child policy (OR: 1.468) and medical policies (OR: 1.265) , high adverse quotient (OR: 0.488), many (≥3 kinds) interests and hobbies (OR: 0.617), mature and steady personality traits (OR: 0.469) , a high attention to one's health (OR: 0.833), and effective health promotion induced by leading a leisurely lifestyle (OR: 0.466) were significantly associated with SHS., Conclusions: All these variables were included demographic information, lifestyle behaviors, environmental factors and internal factors. Our study supports the benefits of controlling both internal and external factors in preventing suboptimal health., Competing Interests: The authors declare there are no competing interests., (©2020 Xue et al.)

This study examined the prevalence of suboptimal health among Chinese adults based on a large-scale national survey and clarified the relationship between suboptimal health and lifestyle factors. We used multi-level generalized estimating equation models to examine the relationships between suboptimal health and lifestyle factors. Of the 48,978 respondents, 34,021 reported one or more suboptimal health symptoms, giving a suboptimal health status prevalence of 69.46%. After controlling for the cluster effect of living areas and confounding effect of demographic characteristics, factors associated with suboptimal health were: current smoking (odds ratio (OR) = 1.083, 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.055-1.111), drinking alcohol (OR = 1.075, 95% CI: 1.025-1.127), family history of disease (OR = 1.203, 95% CI: 1.055-1.111), sleeping <6 h per day (OR = 1.235, 95% CI: 1.152-1.256), poor sleep quality (OR = 1.594, 95% CI: 1.515-1.676), stress (OR = 1.588, 95% CI: 1.496-1.686), negative life events (OR = 1.114, 95% CI: 1.045-1.187), unhealthy diet choices (OR = 1.093, 95% CI: 1.033-1.156), and not regularly having meals at fixed hours (OR = 1.231, 95% CI: 1.105-1.372). Respondents who exercised regularly had lower odds of having suboptimal health status (OR = 0.913, 95% CI: 0.849-0.983). Suboptimal health has become a serious public health challenge in China. The health status of the population could be effectively improved by improving lifestyle behaviors.

Objectives: Presently, limited data are available on dietary supplements (DSs) and their associated effects on health status although the consumption of DS continues to expand. This study is aimed to explore the possible relationship between DSs consumption and suboptimal health status (SHS) in Dubai, United Arab Emirates (UAE). Methods: This study was a cross-sectional research held among a sample of citizens and residents in the Emirate of Dubai in the UAE using a well-structured, self-administered, anonymous survey. Frequency tables, odds ratios, and confidence intervals were generated during the data analysis using SPSS version 23. Results: A total of 618 participants were enrolled in this study and fully completed the questionnaire. In this study, 317 participants (51.3%) (95% CI: 47.3%-55.3%) reported the use of DS products. A significant association between DS consumption and suboptimal health status was detected ( P < .001). DS consumers had a 1.5-fold increased odds of suboptimal health status when compared with non-DS consumers (95% CI 1.4-1.7). Conclusion: The findings of this study suggest a need to develop policies and programs that will help minimize the risk of possible adverse events that are associated with the utilization of DSs.

Objective: According to the guideline for preventive treatment in Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), this study examined the efficacy of standardized auricular therapy for patients with different constitutions who had suboptimal health. To prevent the occurrence and development of diseases, it is necessary to find new positive and feasible methods. Materials and Methods: A retrospective study of standardized auricular therapy for patients with different constitutions who had suboptimal health was conducted. The study included 176 patients with Qi Deficiency, Yang Deficiency, Yin Deficiency, Qi Stagnation, Phlegm Dampness, Blood Stasis, Damp-Heat, and Special Constitution. As the patients underwent treatment, they were examined with a weekly test for changes in symptoms for 4 weeks. Results: Using statistical analysis, the efficacy rate of treatment for patients with Yang deficiency was 83.90%. Other constitutional efficacy rates were: Yin Deficiency, 84.62%; Qi Deficiency, 75.00%; Qi Stagnation, 92.31%; Phlegm-Dampness, 82.69%; Damp-Heat, 84.84%; Blood Stasis, 71.43%; and Special Endowment, 83.33%. Conclusions: Standardized auricular therapy has curative effects on patients with a variety of constitutions and who have suboptimal health. This therapy can not only balance the constitutions of patients with suboptimal health but also can play an important role in the field of prevention and health-promoting medicine., Competing Interests: No financial conflicts of interest exist.

Objectives: The study aimed to develop and validate a model to measure psychosocial factors at work among medical staff in China based on confirmatory factor analysis (CFA). The second aim of the current study was to clarify the association between stress-related psychosocial work factors and suboptimal health status., Design: The cross-sectional study was conducted using clustered sampling method., Setting: Xuanwu Hospital, a 3A grade hospital in Beijing., Participants: Nine hundred and fourteen medical staff aged over 40 years were sampled. Seven hundred and ninety-seven valid questionnaires were collected and used for further analyses. The sample included 94% of the Han population., Main Outcome Measures: The Copenhagen Psychosocial Questionnaire (COPSOQ) and the Suboptimal Health Status Questionnaires-25 were used to assess the psychosocial factors at work and suboptimal health status, respectively. CFA was conducted to establish the evaluating method of COPSOQ. A multivariate logistic regression model was used to estimate the relationship between suboptimal health status and stress-related psychosocial work factors among Chinese medical staff., Results: There was a strong correlation among the five dimensions of COPSOQ based on the first-order factor model. Then, we established two second-order factors including negative and positive psychosocial work stress factors to evaluate psychosocial factors at work, and the second-order factor model fit well. The high score in negative (OR (95% CI)=1.47 (1.34 to 1.62), P<0.001) and positive (OR (95% CI)=0.96 (0.94 to 0.98), P<0.001) psychosocial work factors increased and decreased the risk of suboptimal health, respectively. This relationship remained statistically significant after adjusting for confounders and when using different cut-offs of suboptimal health status., Conclusions: Among medical staff, the second-order factor model was a suitable method to evaluate the COPSOQ. The negative and positive psychosocial work stress factors might be the risk and protective factors of suboptimal health, respectively. Moreover, negative psychosocial work stress was the most associated factor to predict suboptimal health., Competing Interests: Competing interests: None declared., (© Article author(s) (or their employer(s) unless otherwise stated in the text of the article) 2018. All rights reserved. No commercial use is permitted unless otherwise expressly granted.)