Physical Activity Awareness Research Articles

Gerakan Literasi Fisik Anti Malas Bergerak di Sekolah Master Indonesia

The younger generation, as the nation's future, must receive special attention, particularly regarding health. The health development of children and adolescents significantly impacts a country's resilience. One approach to enhancing physical activity in schools is through the concept of physical literacy. Similar to general literacy, physical literacy aims to raise awareness and understanding of the importance of physical activity for health. This concept is intended to be maintained throughout life and significantly influences an individual's participation in physical activities. Consequently, this community service program aims to foster physical literacy, increase awareness of the benefits of physical activity for health, and provide enjoyable physical activity experiences. The program was conducted at the Indonesian Master's School with 32 participants aged 12-15. Activities included the physical literacy assessment by filling out a questionnaire, anthropometric measurements, health education, gymnastics, games, providing a poster, and a follow-up plan in the form of health promotion through the digital platform. The results of physical activity assessment and evaluation through pre-test and post-test indicated that participants were aware of the importance of physical activity. Although awareness of physical activity is good among the majority of participants, the application of physical activity in daily life needs to be improved. In fact, Indonesian people tend to engage in low levels of physical activity, which can lead to increased rates of obesity as well as the risk of other non-communicable diseases (NCDs).

Awareness and Perception of Physical Activity among Nigerian Pregnant Women Attending Primary and Tertiary Health Facilities: A Comparative Study

Background: Despite the benefits of physical activity (PA) during pregnancy, expectant women are not meeting the exercise recommendations. This may be connected with their level of awareness, perception, and attitude to physical exercise. Objective: To assess and compare the awareness and perception of pregnant women about PA at primary and tertiary health care facilities (PHC and THC) in a local government in Nigeria. Methods: A comparative, cross-sectional study recruited 502 pregnant women from six selected health facilities (250 PHC vs 252 THC). Their perception and awareness of PA were assessed using an interviewer-administered questionnaire. Results: Pregnant women accessing care in THC have a higher level of awareness than PHC attendees (60.7% vs 34.4%; p = 0.001). Women accessing care at PHC had a better perception of PA (67.2%) than women assessing care at THC 55.2% (p = 0.006). Age and occupation were significantly associated with awareness of PA among participants in PHC, while only occupation was significantly associated with THC. Age, occupation, and number of children alive were significant predictors of awareness of PA; in contrast, age, education, monthly income, and number of pregnancies were the predictors of perception of PA among the PHC participants. Conclusion: Awareness of PA was good in the tertiary facility but poor in PHC, while perception of PA was good in both facilities. Women, irrespective of parity, should be inspired to exercise as women who habitually exercise are more likely to continue during pregnancy.

Exploring Physical Activity Awareness Among BMC Education Students, Kathmandu

Introduction: Physical activity is influenced by one’s knowledge of the benefits of physical activities as well as positive attitudes towards participation in such activities. Several studies have pointed out a decline in physical activity among adolescent and youths upon enrolling to university life with such decline being on a rising trend. Enhancing university youths’ knowledge on physical activities and fostering positive attitudes towards physical activities is crucial to promote healthy lifestyles, enhance their wellbeing and possibly also influence their study positively. Objective: The objective of this study is to assess the knowledge and attitudes regarding physical activity among Bachelor of Education students of Baneshwor Multiple Campus, Kathmandu, Nepal. Methods: A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted using a self-administered semi-structured questionnaire collecting primary data from 142 1st to 4th year bachelor of education students. Descriptive statistics like frequency, percentage, mean and standard deviation were used in data analysis. Results: Mean age of study participants was 20.37 years (SD ± 2.36) with higher representation of females (68.31%) than that of males (31.69%). Over 90% students answered yes to five out of seven knowledge statements. The proportion of students responding yes to the remaining two statements was 89.44% and 78.17% respectively. Likewise, over 80% students agreed on six out of seven attitude statements. However, as many as 61% of students still believed that physical activity is injurious while 28.17% remained neutral and only 10.56% disagreed on it. Conclusion: This study showed that the majority of BEd students possessed fairly good knowledge and attitude towards physical activity. Yet, this study revealed some gaps in both knowledge and attitudes regarding physical activities warranting campus management to take necessary measures for improvement in future.

Promoting Awareness of Sedentary Behavior and Physical Activity Awareness Among Rural Youth Through Bocce Game: A Qualitative Study

In youth, it is important to promote physical activity habits. The multifactorial nature of rural areas affects individuals' physical activity habits, and sustainable strategies are needed to promote sedentary behavior and physical activity awareness among rural youth. The research data consists of qualitative interviews with healthy rural youth after the bocce game activity. In-depth interviews were conducted with 11 volunteers who participated in the activity using a semi-structured interview form. Qualitative findings are divided into nine main themes: Thoughts on bocce game activity; meaning of physical activity and thoughts on the topic; physical activity and its effect on health; thoughts on the frequency, duration, intensity, and type of physical activity; meaning of sedentary behavior and thoughts on the topic; sedentary behavior and its effect on health; thoughts on the frequency and duration of sedentary time and the type of sedentary behavior; promoting awareness of sedentary behavior and physical activity through bocce game; expectations from institutions. The findings highlight that bocce is a vital strategy to encourage physical activity and sedentary behavior awareness among youth in rural areas. Local authorities have a critical role in supporting physical activity and sedentary behavior awareness in rural areas.

The Study and Analysis of Behavior, Patterns of Physical Activity Promotion Among Citizens in Mueang District, Mahasarakham Province

This study investigates the patterns of promoting physical activity among residents in Mueang District, Mahasarakham Province, Thailand. It explores the impact of contemporary societal shifts, such as increased reliance on technology and decreased physical labor, on public health. The research identifies the rise of chronic diseases due to lifestyle changes and the need for preventive strategies emphasizing physical activity. Utilizing a questionnaire, the study analyzes residents' knowledge, awareness, motivation, and practices regarding health promotion through physical exercise. The findings reveal high general knowledge and awareness of health benefits but low levels of physical activity practice, influenced by lifestyle and societal changes. The study emphasizes the importance of tailored health promotion strategies and the role of digital platforms in enhancing physical activity awareness and participation. This research contributes to understanding effective methods to promote physical activity and addresses the health challenges faced by the local population, promoting sustainable physical and mental health.

The Effect of Physical Activity on Quality of Life and Emotional State of Students

Physiotherapists and nurses are crucial members of the healthcare team, and members of the healthcare team should be aware of the importance of physical activity to promote it in society. This study aimed to assess the effects of physical activity levels on the quality of life and emotional state of first-year nursing, physiotherapy, and rehabilitation students. One hundred six first-year nursing, physiotherapy, and rehabilitation students participated in the study. Socio-demographic characteristics were appraised. The Beck Depression Inventory (BDI) and the Nottingham Health Profile (NHP), Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) and the International Physical Activity Questionnaire Short Form (IPAQ-SF) were administered to all participants. The activity level of 51.9 % of all students was inactive. The mean values of NHP-sleep, NHP-SI, NHP-1, NHP-2, and BDI scores were higher in nursing students than in physiotherapy and rehabilitation students (p<0.05). According to the results of this study, physical activity among first-year nursing and physiotherapy and rehabilitation students is insufficient. More studies are needed about the reasons for insufficient physical activities in students and how to increase awareness of physical activity.

O.6.1-1 Knowledge and awareness of physical activity among Irish adolescents: findings from a whole-of-school programme

Abstract Purpose Adolescents are among the least physically active population sub-groups. Adolescence is a key transition period in which physical activity (PA) habits develop and track into adulthood. Knowledge and awareness are key factors of behaviour change. Yet, few adolescents can correctly identify the recommended PA guidelines to achieve health benefits. In Ireland, the second-level Active School Flag (SLASF) programme is an example of a whole-of-school programme (https://activeschoolflag.ie/). This study aimed to examine the change in adolescents’ levels of knowledge and awareness of PA at the beginning at end of year one of a whole-of-school programme. Methods A repeated measures study design with a questionnaire administered in five SLASF schools during Nov 2021 and May 2022 (N = 301, 60.5% male, Mean age=15.5y± 1.82). Items from the determinants of PA questionnaire (DPAQ), health literacy 10-item questionnaire, programme specific variables relating to knowledge and awareness of SLASF, identifying the correct recommended PA guidelines and self-reported moderate-vigorous PA (MVPA) were included. A paired t-test or Wilcoxon-signed ranked test were run to determine mean differences over time for DPAQ- knowledge and beliefs about consequences, health literacy, the ability to report the recommended PA guidelines over time and self-reported PA levels. A chi-squared test was used for the programme related categorical variables. Results Adolescents MVPA increased from November (M = 3.82±1.92) to May (M = 3.96±1.9) (t(389) = -1.446, p<.001). There was an improvement in adolescents knowing the reasons for meeting the guidelines (Z= -4.113, p<.001) from Nov (M = 5.05±1.59) to May (M = 4.48±1.89). Furthermore, there was an increased previous awareness of the programme from Nov (M=.63±.67) to May (M=.77±.63) (X2(4, N = 296) = 62.96, p<.001). Participants awareness of the programme leaders in the school increased over time: Staff (M=.35±.48) to (M=.42±.5) (X2(1, N = 197) = 37.7, p<.001), Students (M=.32±.47) to (M=.36±.48) (X2(1, N = 204) = 21.35, p<.001). Conclusions Across the year, participants in SLASF schools became more physically active. Some aspects of knowledge and awareness of both PA and the SLASF programme showed promising improvements however, these participants are in the early stages of the SLASF programme thus, it would be beneficial to observe these changes over a longer period of time.

Improved awareness of physical activities is associated with a gain of fitness and a stable body weight in breast cancer patients during the first year of antineoplastic therapy: the BEGYN-1 study.

Breast cancer is the most frequent cancer in women. Reduced physical activity and overweight are associated with poor prognosis. Breast cancer patients have a high risk to gain weight, lose muscle mass and reduce physical activity during therapy. Concepts are urgently needed to motivate patients to engage in physical activity. 110 non-metastatic breast cancer patients were included in the prospective observational BEGYN-1 study. Physiological parameters and body composition were measured before the start of therapy and then quarterly for one year. Patients used a fitness tracker and documented their physical activity in a diary throughout the study. Although the patients were not offered any guided exercise, and despite the restrictions during the COVID-19 pandemic, they increased their physical activity (metabolic equivalent of task (MET) -minutes): p<0.001), physical fitness (decreasing resting heart rate: p=0.001) and did not gain weight (median - 0.4kg) over the course of the study. Improved awareness of physical activity is associated with an increase in physical activity, fitness, and a stable weight during the first year of therapy in breast cancer patients. Counselling at diagnosis should motivate patients to engage in physical activity, wear a fitness tracker and document activities.

The Relationship Between Risk Perception, Physical Activity, and Adolescent Mental Health: A Cross-Lagged Analysis.

During the novel coronavirus pandemic, the prevalence of anxiety and depressive symptoms among adolescents rose dramatically to 31% and 34%, respectively. This study aims to elucidate the relationship between perceived disease risk, physical activity, and adolescent mental health, questioning whether physical activity maintains its protective role amidst heightened disease risk. In a longitudinal study design, questionnaires were administered twice, in December 2022 and January 2023, to a cohort of students across five high schools. These questionnaires measured adolescents' perception of disease risk, their physical activity levels, and their mental health status during the pandemic. A total of 344 students participated in this study. The data revealed significant gender differences in risk perception, with gender difference effects of 0.255 (d=0.416) and 0.195 (d=0.402) across both indicators, and in mental health, with gender difference effects of 0.159 (d=0.262) and 0.179 (d=0.278). Risk perception at Time 1 was found to be a significant predictor of both physical activity and mental health (β values of 0.28 and 0.19, P < 0.01, respectively). Physical activity at Time 1 was also a significant predictor of mental health at Time 2 (β = 0.33, P < 0.01). Moreover, physical activity mediated the relationship between risk perception and mental health, as suggested by a significant indirect effect (mediator effect of 0.012, Z value of 0.112, and a Bootstrap 95% CI excluding 0). This study underscores a longitudinal relationship between adolescents' perception of disease risk, physical activity, and mental health. It highlights the potential benefits of promoting physical activity awareness among adolescents as a strategy to improve mental health outcomes during pandemics.

Musculoskeletal problems, attitudes and behaviors related to physical activity, and social media addiction in musicians during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Musculoskeletal problems are common in musicians. Coronavirus 2019 (COVID-19) has brought with it lockdowns and quarantine periods, and as a result, caused physical and psychological problems. To evaluate musculoskeletal problems, attitudes and behaviors related to physical activity, and social media addiction in musicians during the COVID-19 pandemic. This cross-sectional study was conducted on a total of 137 musicians (string, keyboard, wind, percussion instrument players, and vocalists) online. Musculoskeletal problems with Cornell Musculoskeletal Discomfort Questionnaire (CMDQ), attitudes and behaviors related to physical activity with Cognitive Behavioral Physical Activity Questionnaire (CBPAQ), social media addiction with Bergen Social Media Addiction Scale (BSMAS) were evaluated. In CMDQ, it was found that upper back, lower back, and neck problems were more common in all musicians. There were no differences between instrument groups in terms of CBPAQ sub-dimensions, total CBPAQ, and total BSMAS (p > 0.05). Considering the dramatic effects of COVID-19, it may be important not to ignore musicians' musculoskeletal problems. It is recommended to design future studies investigating the effects of social media platforms on physical activity awareness by turning the opportunities of COVID-19 into advantages for challenges in musicians.

Physical Activity as Prevention to Weight Gain: Awareness Among Selected Middle-Aged Faculty of the West Visayas State University

This study sought to determine respondents’ level of awareness of physical activity as a prevention to weight gain among selected middle-aged faculty of the West Visayas State University, the academic year 2009-2010. The descriptive method of research was used in this investigation. The 60 selected middle-aged faculty of the West Visayas State University were the study’s respondents. They were taken as an entire group and classified as to age and gender. The standard deviation, mean and t-test set at .05 level of significance, were the statistical tools utilized to interpret the data. The findings revealed that when taken as an entire group and classified as to age and gender, both male and female respondents had a “highly aware” level of awareness. No significant differences were found on the level of awareness as the prevention to weight gain when respondents were classified as to age and gender.

Level , types, and barriers to physical activity of 13-to 14-year-old children

Physical activity has significant health benefits in young people, but many do not meet established guidelines to improve physical activity levels, which is a significant health concern. More research on potential barriers to youth physical activity participation is required to raise awareness of young people's physical activity. Based on that, the main objective of this study was to analyze the engagement of senior elementary school students in physical activities, depending on gender. In addition, factors that could be potential barriers to preventing students from participating in physical activities will be analyzed. It is assumed that there are significant differences between boys and girls aged 13 and 14 in terms of their participation in physical activities. The sample consisted of a total of 721 subjects with an average age of 14.3 ± 0.7, of which 372 were boys and 349 were girls. For the purposes of this research, a survey questionnaire (Mitić et al., 2010) was used, which contains a total of 17 questions, divided into three groups. For statistical processing, non-parametric tests, the Chi-square test (2), were used to examine the significance of the difference. The Chi-square test (2) was used to evaluate the match between the observed and theoretical frequencies in each group and measure the significance of the difference between them. The Chi-square test of independence was used to compare the differences between the male and female groups. The results of the 2 test of independence showed that there is a statistically significant difference between boys and girls in the frequency of exercise (p≤0.01). The results of the 2 test showed that there are no statistically significant differences between the groups of boys and girls in the choice of place and method of exercise (Sig. &gt; .05). The results showed that both boys and girls have barriers to practicing physical activities, but that they do not differ significantly. This study showed that there are significant differences between boys and girls regarding the frequency of participation in physical activities. Recently, research activities in this area have increased significantly. However, there is not enough good quality research on evaluations and effectiveness of interventions, strategies for overcoming barriers to participation in physical activities, as well as on promoting physical activity for socially disadvantaged groups of children.

Knowledge about Physical Activity and Taking Up Physical Activity by Pregnant Women Covered by Obstetric and Gynecological Care in Selected Facilities in the Lodz Voivodeship

Abstract Introduction Pregnancy is a special time in a woman’s life. Physical activity during pregnancy, after excluding possible contraindications and adjusting the appropriate form of exercise, benefits both the mother and the developing child. It is recommended that pregnant women exercise about 150 minutes per week, especially recommended disciplines are walking, swimming and aerobic exercise. Objective To assess the knowledge of pregnant women from the Lodz Voivodeship about taking up physical activity. Material and methodology Original online survey questionnaire consisting of 33 questions. The study involved 111 pregnant women. Inclusion criteria: pregnant women, aged between 20 and 40 years, residents of the Lodz Voivodeship, informed consent to participate in the study. Results Women taking physical activity before becoming pregnant accounted for 56.73% of subjects, while 63.96% of subjects were physically active during pregnancy. Pregnant women most often chose walking (33.33%), swimming (27.93%) and indoor cycling (18.02%). The most popular sources of knowledge for pregnant women were: medical staff (72.07%), Internet (41.44%) and family (30.36%). Conclusions Women who exercised before pregnancy continued to be active during pregnancy. More than half of the previously non-exercising pregnant women were inactive. Among those who exercise before pregnancy, the most common forms of physical exercise are: fitness, swimming, running and cycling. Among pregnant women walking, swimming and cycling. The most popular sources of knowledge about physical activity among pregnant women were: medical staff and the Internet. Educational activities should be carried out to promote and raise awareness of physical activity.

Do Recommended Dietary Allowances (RDA) and levels of physical activity help to maintain fitness status? Study on futsal women's

Introduction. The level of fitness is fundamental in the athlete's success in achieving optimum performance. Aim. This paper aims to know the rate of recommended dietary allowances (RDA) and the physical activity to stay fit. Material and Methods. Analytical observational analysis with the cross-sectional design was the approach used in this study. Participants in this study is women's futsal player of 16 subjects was selected for measures of physical health, macronutrient consumption, nutritional status, nutritional awareness, and level of physical activity. Fitness levels were assessed using a Multi-stage Fitness Test (MFT), and nutritional knowledge and physical activity with the International Physical Activity Questionnaire (IPAQ). Analysis of data is carried out in univariate, bivariate, and multivariate form using statistical software. Results. The findings of this analysis are that energy consumption, carbohydrates, and proteins are all under the RDA for most female futsal athletes. Nutritional status is not a significant relation with the degree of fitness. Better dietary awareness may enable us to pay more attention to safer and more healthy eating behavior. The conclusion is that the average intake of calories, carbohydrates, and proteins in most female futsal athletes is still well below the RDA. Nutritional status has no significant relationship with fitness level. Good nutritional knowledge will encourage a person to pay more attention to his eating behavior to be healthier and more balanced. Conclusions. The conclusion is that the average intake of energy, carbohydrates, and protein in most female futsal athletes is still far below the recommended Nutritional Adequacy Rate (RDA)

Favorable Adaptation during SARS-CoV-2-Pandemic as Told by Student-Athletes-A Longitudinal and Behavioral Study.

(1) Background: The aim was to explore the impact of adaptive responses (resilience factors) on student-athletes’ behaviors during a stressful period of life during the SARS-CoV-2-pandemic of 2020 and 2021. (2) Methods: A constructivist-based grounded theory (CGT) was used guided by a biopsychosocial approach. Based on purposeful sampling, 22 male and female student-athletes were divided into four focus group interviews (FGI) seven months after the outbreak of the SARS-CoV-2-pandemic (October 2020) and 18 of these were followed up by FGI seven months later (May 2021). The mean age was 17.65 and they represented golf and handball. (3) Results: The CGT contained four main categories seven months after the SARS-CoV-2-pandemic outbreak: Social support, Self-discipline, Physical practice and recovery and Management of everyday life. Fourteen months after the SARS-CoV-2-pandemic outbreak, four additional main categories emerged: More extensive social support, Belief in the future, Self-awareness and Responsibility and problem-solving. (4) Conclusions: The CTG suggests that student-athletes’ favorable adaptations to the stressful SARS-CoV-2-pandemic period 2020–2021 are based on a gradually developed ability to take responsibility for one’s own actions, insight into the importance of deepened social interaction, belief in a positive post-COVID future and increased awareness of physical activity and its relation to perceived health.

Development of Physical Activity Guidelines for a Healthy China Using the Life Cycle Concept: The Perspective of Policy Tools from Five Countries

Developing physical activity guidelines based on the life cycle concept is conducive to accelerating the realization of the goal of “all-round, full-cycle maintenance and protection to greatly improve people’s health” in the Healthy China 2030 Planning Outline. Based on a policy tools perspective, this study uses the text analysis method to collect and analyze physical activity guidelines based on the life cycle concept from five economically developed countries: the USA, Japan, Canada, Australia, and the UK. The policy tools, country data, and stages of the life cycle were used to develop physical activity guidelines in China to accelerate the realization of the Healthy China 2030 strategy based on the following principles: (1) Strengthen sectoral cooperation and establish a system of policy instruments; (2) increase publicity and scientific awareness of physical activity and exercise; (3) focus on talent cultivation and improve guideline research and development; and (4) mobilize the power of all sectors to promote the implementation of physical activity guidelines.

Mediators of Effects on Physical Activity and Sedentary Time in an Activity Tracker and Behavior Change Intervention for Adolescents: Secondary Analysis of a Cluster Randomized Controlled Trial.

BackgroundAdolescence is a critical age where steep declines in physical activity and increases in sedentary time occur. Promoting physical activity should therefore be a priority for short- and long-term health benefits. Wearable activity trackers in combination with supportive resources have the potential to influence adolescents’ physical activity levels and sedentary behavior. Examining the pathways through which such interventions work can inform which mediators to target in future studies.ObjectiveThe aim of this paper is to examine the impact of the Raising Awareness of Physical Activity (RAW-PA) intervention on potential mediators of behavior change after intervention, and whether these mediated the intervention effects on physical activity and sedentary time at 6-month follow-up.MethodsRAW-PA was a 12-week intervention, grounded in social cognitive theory and behavioral choice theory, aimed at increasing physical activity among inactive adolescents through combining a wearable activity tracker with digital resources delivered via a private Facebook group (n=159 complete cases). The targeted potential mediators were identified from previous studies conducted in adolescents and included self-efficacy, peer support, family support, teacher support, self-regulation strategies, barriers, and enjoyment. Outcomes included sedentary time as well as light- and moderate-to-vigorous–intensity physical activity. A series of mixed linear models were used to estimate intervention effects on physical activity and sedentary behavior at follow-up and on potential mediators after intervention and to test whether there were indirect effects of the intervention on physical activity and sedentary behavior via mediators.ResultsAdolescents in the intervention group (n=75) engaged in higher sedentary time and lower light intensity at 6-month follow-up compared to the wait-list controls (n=84). There were no intervention effects for moderate-to-vigorous–intensity physical activity. The intervention group perceived more barriers to physical activity than the wait-list control group at 6-month follow-up (mean adjusted difference=1.77; 95% CI 0.19-3.34; P=.03). However, indirect effects for each outcome were not statistically significant, indicating that perceived barriers to physical activity did not mediate intervention effects for physical activity or sedentary time.ConclusionsRAW-PA did not beneficially impact hypothesized mediators in these inactive adolescents, despite strategies being designed to target them. This suggests that the lack of overall intervention effects on physical activity and sedentary time observed in the RAW-PA study could be due to the limited impact of the intervention on the targeted mediators. Future studies should consider different strategies to target theoretically informed potential mediators and identify intervention strategies that effectively target key mediators to improve physical activity among inactive adolescents. Finally, intervention effects according to level of wearable tracker use or level of engagement with the intervention should be explored. This may provide important insights for designing successful wearable activity tracker interventions.Trial RegistrationAustralian New Zealand Clinical Trials Registry ACTRN12616000899448; https://anzctr.org.au/Trial/Registration/TrialReview.aspx?id=370716&isReview=trueInternational Registered Report Identifier (IRRID)RR2-10.1186/s12889-016-3945-5

Exercise is Medicine on Campus: A Scoping Review of Evidence 2009 to 2021 and Call to Action.

The Exercise is Medicine On Campus (EIM-OC) program began in 2009 at Chatham University by Dr. Robert Sallis, Dr. Carena Winters, and ACSM leadership. The vision of EIM-OC is "to see all campus and community members across multiple disciplines discover, share, and adopt the principles of EIM that will help change the culture of physical activity and chronic disease prevention and management campus wide." Although EIM-OC maintains close track of programmatic details, such as the number of registered and recognized institutions, a comprehensive review of EIM-OC publications has not been previously reported. The purpose of this scoping review was to 1) identify and examine all peer-reviewed evidence of EIM-OC, including scholarly articles and published abstracts of presentations; 2) analyze the key themes of EIM-OC implementation and outcomes; and 3) identify gaps in the literature. The scoping review covered all peer-reviewed publications, including scholarly articles and published abstracts, from 2009 to December 2021. In total, 9 scholarly articles and 46 published abstracts were included in this review. The articles and abstracts covered a wide range of topics, including gold level (physical activity assessment and exercise referral), silver level (physical activity education), and bronze level (physical activity awareness and promotion) activities, as well as evaluation of EIM-OC programming. Now that EIM-OC programming is firmly established, we now call on campuses and leaders to strengthen their reporting of EIM-OC outcomes at all levels: gold, silver, and bronze. Publishing research evidence will strengthen EIM-OC programming and initiatives. Specifically, we encourage publishing scholarly articles and using broad means for increasing dissemination.

Physical activity for health.

Physical activity plays a substantial role in maintaining people's good health and mental wellbeing, but that is not all: not only it positively affects the individuals' mental and physical health, but a lack of physical exercise exerts a negative impact also on the overall economy of a nation. In addition, physical inactivity not only increases the risk of non-communicable diseases (NCD), but also contributes significantly to the increased morbidity and mortality in patients suffering from these diseases. On the contrary, physical activity reduces the risk of NCDs - such as cardiovascular diseases, type 2 diabetes, and cancer - in a dose-dependent manner; regular exercise is also associated with many health benefits and delayed mortality. However, understanding the role of physical activity in modern society and creating an awareness in the general population is one of the most important tasks of health and recreation promoters. Correspondingly, there is a dire need to enhance our knowledge, perception, and awareness of physical activity and its impacts on an individual's health, ultimately contributing to developing a healthy society. The current review will focus on the health benefits of the two most widely studied modifiable lifestyle risk factors, physical activity and diet, focusing particularly on the Mediterranean diet.

Body Mass Index (BMI) Is Up, but Not Significantly in College-Aged Young Adults During the COVID-19 Pandemic

ObjectivesIt has been suggested that the pandemic has contributed to weight gain in the general population. Increased weight is associated with health problems such as cardiovascular disease and diabetes. This study examined whether BMI changed over the course of the COVID-19 pandemic in a sample of college-aged young adults. MethodsCollege-aged young adults completed a survey wherein they self-reported their height (in inches) and weight (in pounds). This survey was conducted at two time points during the COVID-19 pandemic, in the Spring of 2020 and in the Fall of 2021. These data were used to calculate Body Mass Index (BMI) and the year of entry was coded. Independent t-tests were used to measure differences between years of the study. Results are reported as mean ± standard deviation. ResultsDuring year 1,146 of 196 respondents reported height and weight. For year 2,128 of 143 respondents reported height and weight. The average BMI during year 1 of the study was 24.80 ± 5.12 kg/m2. This result creeped up to 25.03 ± 5.68 kg/m2 during year 2 of the study. However, the increase in BMI was not significant (p = 0.73). During both study years, the majority of respondents were of healthy weight, according to BMI classifications with 5 participants classified as underweight, 80 classified as healthy weight, and 63 classified as overweight or obese in year 1. In year 2, 9 participants were classified as underweight, 77 were classified as healthy weight, and 50 were classified as overweight or obese. ConclusionsThe proportion of participants classified as overweight or obese in our sample was less than the United States’ national level of 73.6%. Numerous factors may have contributed to the maintenance of BMI status in this age group during the pandemic, including youthful age, diet or activity changes, or differences in stress, work status, and familial responsibilities. While the BMI change was not significant, an increase in the number of underweight participants (3% to 7%), in addition to the overall upward BMI trend suggests that an increased focus on and awareness of healthy diets and physical activity as a means of managing stress may improve overall physical and mental wellbeing in this age group. Funding SourcesNot applicable.