Title : Quality of life, lifestyle diseases, mental health and cognitive functioning: A neuroanthropological approach
Abstract:
Quality of life (QOL) is a broad multidimensional conception that includes subjective evaluations of both positive and negative aspects of life. Although health is one of the important domains of overall quality of life, there are other domains as well- like jobs, housing, schools, the neighborhood. Aspects of culture, values, and spirituality are also key aspects of overall quality of life that add to the complexity of its measurement. Nevertheless, researchers have developed useful techniques that have helped to conceptualize and measure these multiple domains. Focusing on QOL as a national health standard can bridge boundaries between disciplines and between social, mental, and medical services. Lifestyle choices like smoking, high blood pressure, obesity, and diabetes were all linked to cause brain to shrink and increased odds of cognitive decline. Loneliness linked to higher risk of dementia. Less social activity is associated with binge eating which leads to obesity and related health problems.
Whole cognitive function is a critical element of quality of life. Some influences on cognitive health, such as gender, genetic profile, history of chronic disease, early life experiences, and the impact of socioeconomic adversity and limited educational opportunity, cannot be directly modified. Numerous lifestyle, biological and disease-related factors have been shown to influence cognitive function in persons of all ages. In considering the potential for risk reduction, it is important to consider by what mechanisms these lifestyle factors influence cognitive health.
Audience Take Away:
• The aim of this paper is to provide a brief outline of the types of systemic diseases and several associated lifestyle and biological factors that are known to affect the normal range of cognitive functioning
• Earlier life experiences build cognitive reserve, which helps to maintain mental fitness in later life, so access to education and opportunities to develop skills in the workplace are important in developing this resilience.
• Individual differences in lifestyle factors such as physical activity or diet may be related to differences in mental fitness in later life.
• This study will help the audience to understand about the causes of lifestyle diseases which magnificently increase metal disturbance and cognitive misbalance.
• More research is essential to understand the web of quality of life, mental health, lifestyle problems and cognitive functioning in current scenario.
