Are people who participate in cultural activities more satisfied with life?

The influence of various aspects of life on wellbeing has been extensively researched. However, despite little empirical evidence, participation in leisure activities has been assumed to increase subjective wellbeing. Leisure is important because it is more under personal control than other sources of life satisfaction. This study asked whether people who participate in cultural leisure activities have higher life satisfaction than people who do not, if different types of leisure have the same influence on life satisfaction and if satisfaction is dependent on the frequency of participation or the number of activities undertaken. It used data from UKHLS Survey to establish associations between type, number and frequency of participation in leisure activities and life satisfaction. Results showed an independent and positive association of participation in sport, heritage and active-creative leisure activities and life satisfaction but not for participation in popular entertainment, theatre hobbies and museum/galleries. The association of reading hobbies and sedentary-creative activities and life satisfaction was negative. High life satisfaction was associated with engaging in a number of different activities rather than the frequency of participation in each of them. The results have implications for policy makers and leisure services providers, in particular those associated with heritage recreation. Subjective wellbeing measures, such as life satisfaction, and not economic measures alone should be considered in the evaluation of services. The promotion of leisure activities which are active and promote social interaction should be considered in programmes aimed at improving the quality of life

儿童新发1型糖尿病诊断后早期体重增加可能对缓解状态产生影响

Abstract Background Residual beta‐cell function and improvement in insulin sensitivity by reversal of glucose toxicity are two phenomena thought to be related to partial remission (PR). Body fat mass is the major determinant of insulin sensitivity. The aim of this study is to investigate the relationship between the rate of body weight gain after diagnosis of type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1DM) and other clinical factors for the development and duration of PR. Methods Children (2–16 years) with new‐onset T1DM (n = 99) were grouped into remitters and non‐remitters by using insulin dose‐adjusted glycosylated hemoglobin (HbA1c) values. Laboratory and clinical data as well as daily insulin requirement per kilogram of body weight at diagnosis and each visit were recorded, and the duration of PR was determined. Changes in body mass index standard deviation score (BMI‐SDS) were calculated by the auxological data collected every 6 months. Results There were 47 remitters (47.5%) and 52 (52.5%) non‐remitters. The mean increase in BMI‐SDS at the first 6 months of diagnosis was higher in the non‐remitters than in the remitters (p = 0.04). Duration of PR was negatively correlated with the change in BMI‐SDS between 6 and 12 months after diagnosis. Male sex, younger age, prepubertal status, and lower HbA1c were predictors of remission, among which male sex had the highest chance by multivariate regression. Conclusions Early rapid weight gain after diagnosis of T1DM may play a role in the lack of remission and shorter duration of PR. Interventions to prevent early rapid weight gain can maintain the development and prolongation of remission