0
0
March 12, 2024
New research suggests that adhering to a combination of healthy lifestyle behaviors, including not smoking, engaging in vigorous physical activity, getting optimal sleep, maintaining a high-quality diet, and consuming alcohol moderately, is associated with a reduced risk of developing irritable bowel syndrome (IBS).
Study Methodology
The study, led by Fai Fai Ho of The Chinese University of Hong Kong, analyzed data from the UK Biobank, involving 64,268 adults with no prior diagnosis of IBS. Participants were enrolled between 2006 and 2010 and followed up until 2022.
Researchers assessed participants’ adherence to five healthy lifestyle behaviors: never smoking, optimal sleep, high levels of vigorous physical activity, high dietary quality, and moderate alcohol intake.
Key Findings
At baseline, participants reported varying levels of adherence to these lifestyle behaviors. During the mean follow-up period of 12.6 years, 961 incident cases of IBS were recorded.
The study found that individuals who adhered to a higher number of healthy lifestyle behaviors had a significantly lower risk of developing IBS. Specifically, those who reported three to five of the healthy behaviors had a 42% lower risk of incident IBS compared to those reporting none of the behaviors.
In Practice
The findings highlight the importance of lifestyle modifications in reducing the risk of IBS. The authors suggest that primary prevention strategies for IBS should include encouraging individuals to adopt and maintain healthy lifestyle behaviors.
Study Limitations
While the study provides valuable insights, it is important to note its limitations. The observational nature of the study means that causation cannot be determined. Additionally, reliance on self-reported data may introduce bias, and the findings may not be generalizable to younger age groups. Furthermore, lifestyle changes made during the follow-up period were not considered in the analysis.
Source and Disclosures
The study was published online in Gut on February 20, 2024, and was funded by the National Key R&D Program of China and the National Natural Science Foundation of China. The authors declared no competing interests.
In conclusion, the study underscores the potential benefits of adopting multiple healthy lifestyle behaviors in reducing the risk of developing IBS, emphasizing the importance of holistic approaches to health and well-being.
