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Risk Factors of Alcohol Consumption and Physical Inactivity

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Risk Factors of Alcohol Consumption and Physical Inactivity
Introduction
Healthy life expectancy in Scotland – 60 years for men and 62 for women – falls far short of actual life expectancy, 76 and 80 years respectively (Scottish Government, 2011a). With a predicted 26% rise in the number of pensionable-aged Scots by 2035 (Scottish Government, 2011b), this increase in chronic disease has led to a focus on the health risks associated with our behaviour (Dixon and Johnston, 2010).

Risk Factor: Excessive Alcohol Consumption
Alcohol has an irritant effect, contributing to arteriosclerosis, ultimately increasing the risk of hypertension, heart disease and stroke (Harrington-Dobinson and Blows, 2007a). It irritates the mucous lining of the gastrointestinal tract and accessory organs, predisposing to chronic inflammation, malnutrition (possibly leading to Wernicke’s encephalopathy and, if untreated, Korsakoff’s psychosis (Rassool, 2009)) and tumour development; the liver, due to its central metabolic role, is particularly susceptible to damage, cirrhosis, failure and cancer (Harrington-Dobinson and Blows, 2007a).
Alcohol’s seemingly paradoxical stimulant and depressive effects, depending on amounts consumed (Harrington-Dobinson and Blows, 2006), are a significant factor in the complex cycle of co-morbidity between mental ill-health and alcohol misuse (Rassool, 2009).
The numerous acute health risks (Harrington-Dobinson and Blows, 2007a) and social harms (NHS ISD, 2011) will not be discussed here.

Health Promotion: Towards Reduced Alcohol Consumption
The medical approach to health promotion (Scriven, 2010) involves preventing or treating alcohol-related harm through healthcare interventions, using a ‘stepped care’ method (Scottish Government, 2011c). NICE (2010 and 2011) outlines this process. Primary prevention includes screening tools – for example, the Fast Alcohol Screening Test (FAST) in primary care (SIGN, 2003) or the Paddington Alcohol Test (PAT) in emergency departments (NHS QIS, 2008) – and brief


References: Armitage, C.J. (2009) Is there utility in the transtheoretical model? British Journal of Health Psychology. [Online] Vol. 14(2), pp. 195-210. Available: CINAHL [Accessed: 20 March 2012]. Blackwell, D. (2007) Health benefits of physical activity across the lifespan. In: Merchant, J., Griffin, B.L. and Charnock, A. (eds.) Sport and Physical Activity: The Role of Health Promotion. Basingstoke: Palgrave Macmillan, pp. 63 – 82. Dixon, D. and Johnston, M (2010) Health Behaviour Change Competency Framework. [Online] Available: http://www.healthscotland.com/uploads/documents/14543-HBCC_framework1.pdf [Accessed: 31 March 2012]. Grønbaek, M. (2009) The positive and negative health effects of alcohol and the public health implications. Journal of Internal Medicine. [Online] Vol. 265, pp. 407-420. Available: CINAHL [Accessed: 20 March 2012]. Hardman, A.E. and Stensel, D.J. (2009) Physical Activity and Health: The Evidence Explained. 2nd ed. Abingdon: Routledge. 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In: Merchant, J., Griffin, B.L. and Charnock, A. (eds.) Sport and Physical Activity: The Role of Health Promotion. Basingstoke: Palgrave Macmillan, pp. 223 – 247. National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE) (2010) Alcohol-use Disorders – Preventing Harmful Drinking: Quick Reference Guide. [Online] Available: http://www.nice.org.uk/nicemedia/live/13001/49024/49024.pdf [Accessed 13 March 2012]. National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE) (2008) Physical Activity and the Environment: Quick Reference Guide. [Online] Available: http://www.nice.org.uk/nicemedia/live/11917/38989/38989.pdf [Accessed 13 March 2012]. National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE) (2006) Four Commonly Used Methods to Increase Physical Activity: Quick Reference Guide. [Online] Available: http://www.nice.org.uk/nicemedia/live/11373/31840/31840.pdf [Accessed 13 March 2012]. NHS Information Services Division (NHS ISD) (2011) Alcohol Statistics Scotland 2011. [Online] Available: http://www.alcoholinformation.isdscotland.org/alcohol_misuse/files/alcohol_stats_bulletin_2011_updated_110413.pdf [Accessed 13 March 2012]. NHS Quality Improvement Scotland (NHS QIS) (2008) Understanding Alcohol Misuse in Scotland: Harmful Drinking Final Report. [Online] Available: http://www.healthcareimprovementscotland.org/default.aspx?page=11877 [Accessed: 12 March 2012]. Rassool, G.H. (2009) Alcohol and Drug Misuse: A Handbook for Students and Health Professionals. Abingdon: Routledge. Roberts, T. (2011) Minimum alcohol pricing in Scotland. Safer Communities. [Online] Vol. 10(1), pp. 16-19. Available: CINAHL [Accessed: 20 March 2012]. Royal College of Nursing (2012a) RCN Bulletin. Issue no. 289, March 2012. Royal College of Nursing (2012b) Going Upstream: Nursing’s Contribution to Public Health. [Online] Available: http://www.rcn.org.uk/__data/assets/pdf_file/0007/433699/004203.pdf [Accessed: 31 March 2012]. 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