The effects of habits formed and sustained through life are the current focus of the activities of the Women's Health Initiative, a little known sector of the Department of Social and Preventative Medicine.
The initiative was established by the National Institute of Health in 1991 to focus on preventive health "and impaired quality of life in postmenopausal women," according to the Initiative's Web site, and is a "15-year, multi-million-dollar endeavor, and one of the largest U.S. prevention studies of its kind."
The UB branch of the WHI was established as one of 16 centers in 1993 and was granted $11 million over 12 years to study the effects of exercise, nutrition and the curbing of bad habits before an unhealthy lifestyle has an effect on lifelong health.
"The Women's Health Initiative studies the major causes of death and disease in post-menopausal and older women," said Dr. Jean Wactawski-Wende, an assistant professor of social and preventative medicine and gynecological obstetrics.
"The major causes of disease and death in post-menopausal women are heart disease, cancer, osteoporosis and dementia," said Wactawski-Wende. "We study how hormone replacement therapy, dietary fat intake and calcium and vitamin D supplementation can prevent these diseases."
While post-menopausal health concerns may be far off for most college students, those that have ailing family members are interested in the WHI.
"My grandmother shrank three inches last year," said Stefanie Aiello, a senior biological sciences major. "I don't know much about osteoporosis, I just know my grandma has it."
Some, though, are concerned with the present, rather than the future.
"I'm 19 years old. I pay more attention to the things that can adversely affect me now," said Basirat Shoberu, a sophomore majoring in pharmacy. "I am not actively trying to prevent the diseases that may come later in my life; in fact, I can't say I think about them much at all."
Extensive studies conducted by UB's medical center and the WHI, however, may give students reason to think differently.
"Many of the diseases we are studying likely have onset early in life," said Wactawski-Wende. "It is very important for young women to understand that their lifestyle choices do impact their health when they reach menopause and are at risk for many of these chronic diseases."
While studies show that healthy living early in life can prevent certain ailments and diseases, some students say that living on campus is not conducive to healthy living.
"When I'm at school I eat garbage all the time, I don't drink milk, I basically live on chocolate and salad, and I usually visit the vending machine at least twice a day," said Aiello. "Here I don't exercise much, but my job at home is very physical. School definitely does not contribute to my health regimen."
While many UB students are used to unhealthy eating and not exercising as much as they should, others are already taking steps towards healthy golden years.
"I don't pay as much attention to my diet as I should. I kind of eat bad, but I do exercise and go to the doctor a lot, and when I'm home I drink lots of milk," said Becky Byers, a freshman dance and physical therapy major.
According to WHI studies, the amount of calcium regularly ingested is a major indicator in how strong bones will be during post-menopausal years.
"At school I don't eat that well," said Mary Michael, a junior mathematics major. "One thing I do have is milk. I drink lots of milk for calcium, and I exercise three times a week when I have time."
Watawski-Wende considers calcium consumption an important factor in prevention as well.
"In the area of osteoporosis, we know that peak bone loss is determined for women between ages 20 and 30," said Wactawski-Wende. "Three very important factors that influence a young woman's bone density are obtaining adequate calcium - 1200 milligrams per day - (and) getting adequate exercise and avoiding tobacco."
Tobacco use has been shown as the cause of many types of cancer, lung and heart disease, and it can also contribute to osteoporosis.
"A healthy diet, regular exercise and avoiding smoking are important factors in prevention of disease later in life," said Wactawski-Wende. "What women choose to do in their teens and early twenties can have a life-long impact on their health."
The Women's Health Initiative is located in 65 Farber Hall on South Campus. For more information, visit http://www.smbs.buffalo.edu/spm/whi.html.
Photo: Meredith Forrest Kulwicki
