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Physical Activity

Physical Activity

by Karla/ on 12 Jan 2018

Physical Activity

Sex and Gender-based Analysis of this topic Definition Physical activity can be defined as any bodily movement that is produced by skeletal muscles and results in an increase in heart rate and breathing [1]. Physical activity has been shown to have positive health benefits across a broad spectrum, including preventing disease, improving health, promoting independence and quality of life in old age [2], as well as being essential for children and youth’s healthy growth and development [3].

Stress

Stress

by Karla/ on 12 Jan 2018

Stress

Sex and Gender-based Analysis of this topic Definition Stress refers to any adverse stimulus that disturbs a person’s physical or mental equilibrium. That stimulus can be physical, mental, or emotional and can come from external or internal sources. If personal stressors exceed an individual’s ability to cope for an extended period of time, as happens with chronic stress, that individual is at higher risk for a range of negative health consequences.

Tobacco

Tobacco

by Karla/ on 12 Jan 2018

Tobacco

Sex and Gender-based Analysis of this topic Definition Overall smoking rates are decreasing in Canada but rates are not decreasing as fast among women as among men [1]. According to data from the 2007 Canadian Tobacco Use Monitoring Survey, 16.5% of women and 20.8% of men (aged 15 and older) were current smokers. In 2010, 13% of Canadian women (12 years and older) reported being daily smokers [2]. Historically, men have usually smoked more than women; however a higher proportion of young women aged 18-19 smoke compared to young men (24.

Fertility/Infertility

Fertility/Infertility

by Karla/ on 01 Oct 2017

Fertility/Infertility

Sex and Gender-based Analysis of this topic Definition Fertility is the ability of a couple to conceive through normal sexual activity. Conversely, infertility is defined as the inability to conceive after a year of regular intercourse or carry a baby to term [1,2]. There are several different measures of fertility. One common measure is the crude birth rate, which indicates the number of live births in a population in a given area, expressed per 1000 population per year.

Labour Induction

Labour Induction

by Karla/ on 01 Oct 2017

Labour Induction

Sex and Gender-based Analysis of this topic Definition Labour induction is defined as the number of delivering women whose labour was induced by medical or surgical means before the natural onset of labour. The rate is expressed as a proportion of all women giving birth in the same time frame and place[1]. Labour can be induced by either pharmacological or surgical means and is associated with increased complications compared to spontaneous labour [1].

Live Births to Older Mothers

Live Births To Older Mothers

by Karla/ on 01 Oct 2017

Live Births To Older Mothers

Sex and Gender-based Analysis of this topic Definition The rate of live births to older mothers is often defined as the number of live birth deliveries to mothers 30 years of age or older, expressed as a proportion of all live births within a specific location and time range [1]. The rate of live births to older mothers has steadily increased across Canada; between 1991 and 2003 the rate increased from 34% to 48% [3].

Live Births to Teenage Mothers

Live Births To Teenage Mothers

by Karla/ on 01 Oct 2017

Live Births To Teenage Mothers

Sex and Gender-based Analysis of this topic Definition The rate of live births to teenage mothers is defined as the number of live birth deliveries to mothers 19 years of age or younger at the time of delivery, expressed as a proportion of the total number of mothers [1]. A related indicator, age-specific birth rate, is often reported and is defined as the number of births to mothers aged under 19 years per 1,000 females of the same age (in a given place and time) [2].

Maternal Mortality

Maternal Mortality

by Karla/ on 01 Oct 2017

Maternal Mortality

Sex and Gender-based Analysis of this topic Definition Maternal mortality is defined as the death of a woman during pregnancy or within 42 days of the termination of the pregnancy. Deaths are included regardless of the duration and the site of the pregnancy (including ectopic pregnancies) and from any cause related to or aggravated by the pregnancy or its management. Deaths from accidental or incidental causes are not included in these figures [1].

Migraine

Migraine

by Karla/ on 01 Oct 2017

Migraine

Sex and Gender-based Analysis of this topic Definition There are a number of different types of headaches. The International Headache Society (IHS) has classified the different types, which include migraines, tension-type headaches (TTH), cluster headaches, chronic daily headaches (CDH), chronic tension-type headache (CTTH), daily persistent headache, and hemicrania continua. Migraines are usually defined as with aura (formerly called classic migraine) or without aura (formerly called common migraine) [1]. Migraines with aura usually involve neurological symptoms or sensory disturbances preceding the actual headache, most commonly spots or lines in the visual field, tingling skin, dizziness, or blurred vision, and usually last 4 to 72 hours.

Nutrition

Nutrition

by Karla/ on 01 Oct 2017

Nutrition

Sex and Gender-based Analysis of this topic Definition Canada’s Food Guide to Healthy Eating defines a nutritious diet as one that includes a variety of foods and emphasizes vegetables and fruit, cereals, bread and grain products as well as lower-fat dairy products, leaner meats and food prepared with little or not fat. The guide recommends that salt, high-fat foods, alcohol, and caffeine be limited [1]. Poor nutrition can lead to increased or lowered body weight, decreased body strength, lower resistance to infection and poorer quality of life [2], and increases the risk for chronic diseases, disability, and premature death [3].

Pregnancy

Pregnancy

by Karla/ on 01 Oct 2017

Pregnancy

Sex and Gender-based Analysis of this topic Definition Through the air, water, food, drinks, cosmetics, personal care products, everyday household items, and products used in the workplace (see Occupational Health and Safety), our bodies are perpetually coming into contact (digestion, lungs, skin, placenta) with chemicals [1]. The growing concern is based on the ubiquitous nature of these chemicals and combinations of chemicals (a significant challenge for accuracy in research), the understudied potential for their synergistic action, their known ability to act at low doses (in everyday environmental exposure) and their ability to mimic important signalling mechanisms in body systems, such as endocrine disrupting chemicals (see Endocrine Disruption) [1-4].

Premature/Preterm Birth

Premature/Preterm Birth

by Karla/ on 01 Oct 2017

Premature/Preterm Birth

Sex and Gender-based Analysis of this topic Definition Premature or preterm birth is defined as birth occurring between 20 and 37 weeks of gestation and is typically expressed as a proportion of total live births for a given location and time range. Although medical advances have greatly increased survival rates, preterm birth is still the most important cause of perinatal mortality and morbidity [1]. Preterm birth accounts for 75-85% of all perinatal mortality (stillbirths and deaths to infants less than 7 days old) in Canada [2].

Self-Rated Health

Self-Rated Health

by Karla/ on 01 Oct 2017

Self-Rated Health

Sex and Gender-based Analysis of this topic Definition Self-rated health (or self-perceived health) is a measure of how people describe their own health. It is measured in Canada on a five-point scale: excellent, very good, good, fair and poor [1]. Self-rated heath (also called “global health” [2]) reflects aspects of people’s health not covered in other indicators such as incipient disease, disease severity, pain and discomfort, social, mental and physical function, and physiological and psychological resources.

Sodium Consumption

Sodium Consumption

by Karla/ on 01 Oct 2017

Sodium Consumption

Sex and Gender-based Analysis of this topic Definition Sodium chloride (NaCl) is predominantly consumed as table salt that is present in processed food or added during food preparation [1]. Only a small portion of sodium is consumed from adding salt to foods during mealtimes [2]. Many people who report eating foods high in sodium also report adding extra salt to their food [2]. Although a small amount of sodium is required for cellular metabolism, many Canadians exceed recommended daily sodium intake levels.

Body Image

Body Image

by Karla/ on 30 Sep 2017

Body Image

Sex and Gender-based Analysis of this topic Definition Body image refers to subjective body-related perceptions and attitudes including thoughts, beliefs, feelings, and behaviour about one’s body, often related to the physical appearance of the body, especially aesthetics and attractiveness [1]. Individuals with a positive body image often feel comfortable with their bodies and feel positive with their physical appearance, regardless of shape or size. Poor body image, on the other hand, is often associated with body dissatisfaction and poor self-esteem, as well as negative self-thoughts [2,3].

Body Weight

Body Weight

by Karla/ on 30 Sep 2017

Body Weight

Sex and Gender-based Analysis of this topic Definition Body Mass Index (BMI) is calculated by dividing a person’s weight by their height (kg/m2). BMI is the most popular measure used to understand body size and shape. Health Canada uses the World Health Organization’s BMI classification system, which includes the following categories: Underweight (<18.50; further classified as: Severe thinness <16.00; Moderate thinness 16.00-16.99; Mild thinness 17.00-18.49), Normal range (18.50-24.99), Overweight (more than 25.

Breast Cancer

Breast Cancer

by Karla/ on 30 Sep 2017

Breast Cancer

Sex and Gender-based Analysis of this topic Definition Breast cancer is the most commonly diagnosed type of cancer among women in Canada and, after lung cancer, is the second leading cause of mortality among women [1]. Each year in Canada, there are roughly 22,000 new breast cancer diagnoses and 5,000 deaths due to breast cancer. Roughly one in 9 women will develop breast cancer in her lifetime, while 1 in 29 women will die from breast cancer [2].

Cervical Cancer

Cervical Cancer

by Karla/ on 30 Sep 2017

Cervical Cancer

Sex and Gender-based Analysis of this topic Definition Cervical cancer starts in the cells of the cervix, which connects the uterus to the vagina. Precancerous changes to the cervix cells, known as dysplasia of the cervix, can develop into cancer if not treated, but most women with dysplasia do not develop cancer [1]. Dysplasia of the cervix is routinely screened with a Papanicolaou (Pap) test or smear. According to the Public Health Agency of Canada, it is estimated that approximately 1,300 women were diagnosed with cervical cancer in 2008 and that 380 women would die from cervical cancer [2].

Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease

Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD)

by Karla/ on 30 Sep 2017

Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD)

Sex and Gender-based Analysis of this topic Definition Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) is a long-term lung disease that causes the airways of the lungs to be inflamed or become obstructed and includes the diseases chronic bronchitis and emphysema. COPD is characterized by difficulty breathing, wheezing, and/or chronic coughing due to excessive mucous in the lungs. Approximately 90% of cases are caused by smoking[1]. COPD is the fourth leading cause of death among Canadians[2].

Depression

Depression

by Karla/ on 30 Sep 2017

Depression

Sex and Gender-based Analysis of this topic Definition Clinical depression is typically diagnosed when feelings of worthlessness, self-blame, sadness, disappointment, and/or emptiness last for several weeks and interfere with an individual’s work and social life [1]. Bipolar disorder, formerly referred to as manic depression, is a type of clinical depression that results in extreme mood fluctuations [2]. Seasonal affective disorder (SAD) is a type of clinical depression that appears at certain times of the year, most noticeably during the winter months when individuals have less exposure to natural light [3].

Diabetes

Diabetes

by Karla/ on 30 Sep 2017

Diabetes

Sex and Gender-based Analysis of this topic Definition Diabetes is a chronic health condition where the body is unable to produce insulin and properly break down sugar (glucose) in the blood. Type 1 diabetes, which usually begins before the age of 30, is a life-long condition in which the pancreas stops making insulin. Type 2 diabetes, which is usually diagnosed after the age of 45, occurs when insulin is produced but not used properly by the body.

Eating Disorders

Eating Disorders

by Karla/ on 30 Sep 2017

Eating Disorders

Sex and Gender-based Analysis of this topic Definition Anorexia Nervosa (AN), Bulimia Nervosa (BN), Binge-eating Disorder (BED), and Eating Disorder Not Otherwise Specified (ED-NOS) are the clinical eating disorders that include a variety of symptoms related to the abnormal perception of one’s body image. These disorders may manifest as a result of biological (body weight, energy metabolism), psychological (poor body image), developmental (trauma that affected bodily experiences), and/or social factors (pressures to be thin).

High Blood Pressure

High Blood Pressure

by Karla/ on 30 Sep 2017

High Blood Pressure

Sex and Gender-based Analysis of this topic Definition Blood pressure is the measure of the pressure or force of blood against the walls of the arteries in the body. It is typically reported as a pair of high and low numbers. The top number (systolic number) represents the pressure when your heart contracts and pushes blood out; the bottom number (diastolic number) represents the lowest pressure when the heart relaxes between beats [1].

HIV/AIDS

HIV/AIDS

by Karla/ on 30 Sep 2017

HIV/AIDS

Sex and Gender-based Analysis of this topic Definition Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) is a virus that attacks cells of the immune system, which can result in chronic illnesses leaving people vulnerable to infections and cancers. When the body can no longer fight infection, Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome (AIDS) develops, which is a combination of symptoms and diseases. On average, it takes more than 10 years to progress from HIV infection to AIDS[1].