High Levels Of Physical Inactivity Research Articles

The International Impact of the Active Healthy Kids Global Alliance Physical Activity Report Cards for Children and Youth.

In response to growing concerns over high levels of physical inactivity among young people, the Active Healthy Kids Global Alliance developed a series of national Report Cards on physical activity for children and youth to advocate for the promotion of physical activity. This article provides updated evidence of the impact of the Report Cards on powering the movement to get children and youth moving globally. This assessment was performed using quantitative and qualitative sources of information, including surveys, peer-reviewed publications, e-mails, gray literature, and other sources. Although it is still too early to observe a positive change in physical activity levels among children and youth, an impact on raising awareness and capacity building in the national and international scientific community, disseminating information to the general population and stakeholders, and on powering the movement to get kids moving has been observed. It is hoped that the Report Card activities will initiate a measurable shift in the physical activity levels of children and contribute to achieving the 4 strategic objectives of the World Health Organization Global Action Plan as follows: creating an active society, creating active environments, creating active lives, and creating active systems.

Transport barriers and its health implications in Asunción

IntroductionAsunción is the capital of Paraguay, a landlock country in South America. The level of urbanisation in the city is increasing at a fast rate without proper planning. Local transport problem-symptoms can be related to health issues in the city, yet there are no official studies. This is a pioneering work describing transport-and-health-links in Asunción city. ScopeTransport-and-health-links in Asunción in relation to the international context are investigated. Local transport problem-symptoms affecting health are identified and discussed based on impact on physical activity, space usage, air pollution, and noise pollution. A comprehensive framework for future empirical research and planning is proposed, and policies and recommendations are given. FindingsAsunción city and peripheral areas have high rates of private vehicle usage – triggered by fast-growing urban sprawl and city population – as well as low levels of public transport service. Virtually no collaboration between transport and health authorities/planners has been identified. Infrastructure has greatly favoured usage of private vehicles, and the rate of obesity is increasing in the country and over 30% of the population have very high levels of physical inactivity. Barriers that hold back progress in transport (and could positively affect health) are identified. For the way forward, key considerations to improve polarised perceptions of users regarding private vehicle usage and lack of awareness regarding benefits and externalities of different modes of transport are indicated. In addition, suggestion of young adults on alternative usage of spaces to enhance active mobility are mentioned.

Physical Activity Promotion and Exercise in Pediatric Oncology - Structural Requirements and Financing Options Based on the Leipzig Movement Concept

Regular physical activity is an important requirement for the development and the general health in childhood and adolescence. However, patients during and after treatment for childhood cancer show high levels of physical inactivity, and only a marginal extent of physical activity. In addition to the negative side effects of treatment, this lack of physical activity and exertion has further negative implications for their health, such as decrease in physical performance and health related quality of life. In order to reduce these negative effects and provide access to regular physical activity for children and adolescents with cancer, childhood cancer patients should participate in targeted physical exercise therapy sessions at the treating hospital. Physical activity promotion for children and adolescents with cancer is an effective measure to enhance or preserve functional mobility, physical performance and health related quality of life. Both the behavioral level (person) and the setting (environment) should be taken into account for a sustainable implementation of physical activity promotion in the treatment of childhood cancer. The Leipzig Movement Concept promotes physical activity both during and after treatment for childhood cancer. On the basis of the modular concept, factors influencing physical activity in childhood cancer, alongside requirements for the successful and long-term implementation of physical activity programs and clinical exercise therapy are described. Furthermore financing options, based on Book V § 43 of the German Social Welfare Code, are presented.

Student Activity and Sport Study Ireland: Protocol for a Web-Based Survey and Environmental Audit Tool for Assessing the Impact of Multiple Factors on University Students' Physical Activity.

BackgroundIncreasing proportions of the global population transition through a university setting, a setting associated with engagement in behaviors that diminish health such as high levels of physical inactivity. Increasing physical activity (PA) is a key element of health promotion strategies in many countries, but a better understanding of students’ PA and how it is associated with personal, behavioral, and environmental factors is needed. Studies provide protocols to collect information regarding these factors separately; however, none have developed a validated systematic approach to gather information pertaining to all across a whole country.ObjectiveThe purpose of this project is to examine students’ physical activity and how it is associated with personal, behavioral, and environmental factors.MethodsStudent Activity and Sport Study Ireland (SASSI) is a university-based cross-sectional study that was carried out across the island of Ireland in 2014. A novel and comprehensive Web-based environmental audit tool (EAT) gathered information pertaining to the environment provided by universities for physical activity. A Web-based student survey (SS) collected information about physical activity beliefs, attitudes, motivations, and behaviors of students. The audit tool and SS were developed through rigorous consultation processes involving international experts. An institutional champion volunteered at each university to recruit, administer, and ensure the completion of both assessments.ResultsData collection was undertaken between May and December 2014. A total of 80% (33/41) of universities completed the EAT, whereas 88.31% (8122/9197) of students (49.10% [3966/8122] male; mean 23.17 [SD 6.75], years) completed the SS sufficiently. Studies are currently underway with the data collected using this protocol.ConclusionsSASSI provides a novel and comprehensive protocol for systematically assessing the PA of students and the related personal, behavioral, and actual environmental factors. The strengths of the SASSI study are presented and include high response rates and a unique dataset that can provide information to relevant stakeholders and policy makers, along with aiding the development of university environments and interventions that promote PA involvement. The weaknesses of the protocol are recognized with suggestions given to overcome them in future research. This protocol is applicable for other countries and has great potential to create harmonization of data, which would allow for direct comparisons across nations.International Registered Report Identifier (IRRID)RR1-10.2196/10823

An update of the profile of older adults with dementia in Europe: findings from SHARE

Background: The increase in longevity due to the reduction of premature deaths has led to an increase of the number of people with dementia. The objective of the present work was to analyze the profile of the European population with dementia aged more than 50.Methods: The sample of individuals aged 51 or more years was taken from a European database within the last wave of the SHARE Project (Wave 6, March 2017). Participants with and without a diagnosis of dementia were compared in terms of socio-demographic, general health, mental health, behavioural risks, education and employment, by age group. Categorical variables were compared using chi-square test, quantitative variables were compared with the independent sample t-test.Results: From 45,340 subjects (40% males) 897 (2%) had dementia. The findings corroborate recent evidence stating that individuals with dementia have a lower physical and mental health as well as a lower quality of life than people without dementia. It was also verified that people with dementia: (i) had a lower employment rate; (ii) showed lower levels of formal education; (iii) less were living a married life; (iv) exhibited a moderate pattern of behavioural risks, but had higher levels of physical inactivity; (v) had more chronic diseases and (iv) higher intake of more than 5 drugs per day. The unfavourable health and well-being status of dementia subjects was found in all age groups.Conclusions: An update of the profile of older Europeans with dementia was performed with data from 18 countries. The findings of co-morbidity, high rates of intake of more than 5 drugs daily and low levels of well-being irrespective of age should be considered in the assessment and management of dementia in the European population.

Physical Activity in a Randomized Culturally Adapted Lifestyle Intervention

Middle Eastern immigrants exhibit high levels of physical inactivity and are at an increased risk for Type 2 diabetes. The primary aim of this study was to examine the changes in objectively assessed physical activity levels following a culturally adapted lifestyle intervention program. The secondary aim was to examine the association between objectively assessed physical activity and insulin sensitivity. RCT conducted over 4 months in 2015. Iraqi immigrants residing in Malmö, Sweden, exhibiting one or more risk factors for Type 2 diabetes. The intervention group (n=50) was offered a culturally adapted lifestyle intervention comprising seven group sessions including a cooking class. The control group (n=46) received usual care. Raw accelerometry data were processed by validated procedures and daily mean physical activity intensity, vector magnitude high-pass filtered (VM-HPF), was inferred. Further inferences into the number of hours/day spent in sedentary (VM-HPF <48 milli-Gs [mGs] where G=9.8 m/sec2) and light- (48- <163 mGs); moderate- (163- <420 mGs); and vigorous-intensity (≥420 mGs) activities were also calculated (year of analysis was 2016-2017). No difference was observed between the two groups in terms of change over time in VM-HPF. There was a significant increase in the number of hours/day spent in light intensity physical activity in the intervention group compared with the control group (β=0.023, 95% CI=0.001, 0.045, p=0.037). The intervention group also increased the time spent in sedentary activities, with the highest VM-HPF (36- <48 mGs) within the sedentary behavior (B=0.022, 95% CI=0.002, 0.042, p=0.03). Higher VM-HPF was significantly associated with a higher insulin sensitivity index (β=0.014, 95% CI=0.0004, 0.025, p=0.007). The findings favor the culturally adapted intervention approach for addressing low physical activity levels among Middle Eastern immigrants. Replacing sedentary time with light-intensity activities could be an achievable goal and will have potential beneficial effects for diabetes prevention among this sedentary group of immigrants. This study was registered at www.clinicaltrials.gov NCT01420198.

Effect of Early- and Adult-Life Socioeconomic Circumstances on Physical Inactivity.

This study aimed to investigate the associations between early- and adult-life socioeconomic circumstances and physical inactivity (level and evolution) in aging using large-scale longitudinal data. This study used the Survey of Health Ageing and Retirement in Europe, a 10-yr population-based cohort study with repeated measurements in five waves, every 2 yr between 2004 and 2013. Self-reported physical inactivity (waves 1, 2, 4, and 5), household income (waves 1, 2, 4, and 5), educational attainment (wave of the first measurement occasion), and early-life socioeconomic circumstance (wave 3) were collected in 22,846 individuals 50 to 95 yr of age. Risk of physical inactivity was increased for women with the most disadvantaged early-life socioeconomic circumstances (odds ratio [OR], 1.49; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.20-1.86). With aging, the risk of physical inactivity increased for both sexes and was strongest for those with the most disadvantaged early-life socioeconomic circumstances (OR, 1.04 (95% CI, 1.02-1.06) for women; OR, 1.02 (95% CI, 1.00-1.05) for men), with the former effect being more robust than the latter one. The association between early-life socioeconomic circumstances and physical inactivity was mediated by adult-life socioeconomic circumstances, with education being the strongest mediator. Early-life socioeconomic circumstances predicted high levels of physical inactivity at older ages, but this effect was mediated by socioeconomic indicators in adult life. This finding has implications for public health policies, which should continue to promote education to reduce physical inactivity in people at older ages and to ensure optimal healthy aging trajectories, especially among women with disadvantaged early-life socioeconomic circumstances.

Self-Report of Aerobic Activity among Older African Americans with Multiple Chronic Conditions.

Physical inactivity among older adults around the world is a growing concern. In the United States, older African Americans report high levels of physical inactivity, especially older African Americans with chronic conditions. This study examined the influence of chronic conditions on aerobic activity among a sample of community-dwelling, older African Americans with a self-reported diagnosis of type 2 diabetes and other chronic conditions, such as hypertension and arthritis. Findings indicate that regardless of age, the number of chronic conditions was a significant influence in self-report of aerobic activity. Successful self-management of type 2 diabetes and other chronic conditions may promote physical activity among sedentary older African Americans with multiple chronic conditions. Furthermore, research that considers a life course epidemiological approach are needed to enhance our understanding about the cumulative effects of MCC on physical activity among sedentary, older African Americans with MCC.

Headache in Resource-Limited Settings.

This review summarizes the unmet need of headache burden and management in resource-limited settings. It provides a general overview of the nuances and peculiarities of headache disorders in resource-limited settings. The review delivers perspectives and explanations for the emerging burden of both primary and secondary headache disorders. Important discussion on demographic and epidemiologic transition pertinent to low-resource settings is included. A critical analysis of headache disorders is made within the context of growing burden non-communicable disorders in low-resource countries. Challenges are examined and prospective feasible solutions tailored to existing resources are provided to address headache disorders in resource-limited settings. Many low-resource countries are entering into the third epidemiological transition featuring increasing burden of non-communicable disorders of which headache disorders contribute a significant proportion. Exponential population growth involving youthful demographic and massive rural-urban migration is taking place in low-resource countries. Youthful demographic is the natural cohort for primary headache such as migraine. Socioeconomic mobility and lifestyle changes are leading to higher levels of physical inactivity and obesity, both of which are related to headache. Life expectancy is rising in some resource-restricted countries; this increases prevalence of secondary headache attributed to neurovascular causes. Many low-resource countries are still burdened with tropical infectious causes of secondary headache. Health care facilities are primarily designed to respond to infectious epidemic and not to chronic burden such as headache. Many low-resource-restricted settings are plagued by poor and corrupt governance, ill-equipped regimes with malfunctioning health policies, war, and poverty. Many low-resource settings do not have access to generic headache medications such as triptans. Headache training and expertise is low. Healthy lifestyle changes emphasizing on improving regular exercise can be inexpensive method to reducing primary headache burden and its comorbidities (e.g. obesity). Addressing the increasing burden of headache disorders in resource-limited settings is important to avert accrued disability which in turn lowers productivity and socioeconomic performance in a young booming population.

Disordered Eating Attitudes and Exercise Behavior among Female Emirati College Students in the United Arab Emirates: A Cross- Sectional Study

Background: Growing evidence is showing high levels of physical inactivity and disordered eating attitudes among young females in the United Arab Emirates. This is clearly concerning, but little is known about the activity level of those with disordered eating attitudes and their dieting behavior. This study examines the female Emirati college students’ disordered eating attitudes and its relation to exercise behavior.Method: A cross- sectional study using a validated and reliable questionnaire was conducted on 242 Emirati female students attending a public university in Dubai. Eating Attitudes Test- 26 (EAT26) was used to measure eating attitudes and the short International Physical Activity Questionnaire (IPAQ) was included to measure physical activity level. A systematic random sampling from a list of classes in the fall 2014 semester was used for recruitment. The university’s Research Ethics Committee approved the study and consents were obtained from participants. SPSS v.21 was used for data analysis. Chi-square test was used to compare frequencies. Significance level was set at 0.05.Results: The participants’ mean age and standard deviation (Mean± SD) was 19 ±1.3 years. 31.4% of the participants showed disordered eating attitudes. The percentage of participants engaged in at least one concerning behavior in the past six months was 43.8%. A membership in a health club was significantly related to disordered eating attitudes (p &lt;0.01). A high level of physical activity was correlated with laxative use, over the counter supplements, and exercising for more than 60 minutes to control weight (p&lt;0.05). Conclusion: There is a great need for intervention programs and policies to contain the level of abnormal eating attitudes and promote healthy level of physical activity among college students.

Motivational Factors and Effects Associated with Physical-sport Practice in Undergraduate Students

Abstract Current high level of physical inactivity in undergraduate students is due to reasons that can be classified into external barriers such as time, lack of social support or internal barriers such as apathy toward physical activity. These obstacles may vary depending on the cultural and social context, age and gender of students. The purpose of this study was to identify the specific motivational factors and effects associated with physical-sport practice in undergraduate students, a literature review was developed, focusing on motivational student's perceptions and effects, and identifying research gaps for further researches. The lifestyle-related health and active behavior of an undergraduate student is complex, since it depends on motivational factors for physical practice as extrinsic factors (disease prevention, fitness) and intrinsic factors (pleasure, wellness, stress management), highlighting in students the motivation to achieve their goals, enjoyment or pleasure in practicing an activity. Among the results, students who participate in physical-sport practice are more physically active, so it is important to develop and encourage current programs to maximize their retention, stimulate self-motivation, feelings of autonomy, self-confidence and relatedness and work team.

R.E.A.C.H: An After-School Approach to Physical Education

After-school physical activity programs are great opportunities to increase daily physical activity for adolescent youth in urban environments who often do not get the recommended amounts of physical activity needed for health benefits. Black and Hispanic youth in urban environments are particularly under-resourced in not just facilities but opportunities for being physically active during the school week. The lack of structured after-school programming, specifically physical activity programming, in many urban environments has been suggested as a meaningful contributor to the high levels of physical inactivity and risky behaviors among adolescents in urban environments. The purpose of this article is to introduce and describe the components, processes and methods of an innovative after-school program called R.E.A.C.H., which, through positive youth development, aims to positively influence urban adolescents through physical, character and health education.

Maternal and early life nutrition and physical activity: setting the research and intervention agenda for addressing the double burden of malnutrition in South African children

ABSTRACT Early life is important for later health outcomes, yet there are few studies which adequately address all of the potential early life insults that may affect later life health and growth trajectories. This is particularly evident in low- to middle-income countries such as South Africa, where women of childbearing age are particularly vulnerable to high levels of physical inactivity, malnutrition, and obesity. Pregnancy may therefore be an opportune time to change behaviours and improve maternal and offspring health outcomes, and decrease the inter-generational transfer of risk. We show clear evidence that physical activity and nutrition are important target areas for intervention during pregnancy and in the early years of life, yet that current literature in Africa, and specifically South Africa, is limited. We have outlined the available literature concerning the impact of maternal and early life nutrition and physical activity on the health status of South African children, and have provided some recommendations for future research and policy.

Behavior Risk Factors Among Russian University Students Majoring in Medicine, Education, and Exercise Science.

Purpose To analyze the prevalence of select behavioral risk factors among Russian university students majoring in medicine, education, and exercise science. Methods A total of 834 students from five Federal universities located in four federal regions of Russia were included in the study. The purposive sample included future doctors, school teachers, and fitness trainers. Students were asked specifically about smoking, level of physical activity, and food preferences. To calculate body mass indices (BMIs), waist, hip, weight, and height were also measured. Results Smoking rates, level of activity, and nutritional habits were significantly different by age, but BMI was not. Smoking rates and BMI were significantly different by gender, but level of activity and nutritional habits were not. Like the differences found by age, smoking rates, level of activity, and nutritional habits were significantly different by ethnicity, but BMI was not. There were significant difference across all behavioral health risk factors by region. The results show significantly higher levels of physical inactivity, consumption of unhealthy foods, and high BMIs among medical students compared with future teachers and wellness instructors ( p < .05). In the same time, the smoking levels are the highest among future teachers. The highest prevalence of smoking was found to be associated with gender (for females living Moscow and for males in rural regions), and Russian ethnic group. Conclusion Tailored programs to prevent common health behavior risk factors among future medical doctors are urgently needed in the Russian Federation.

A model for promoting physical activity among rural South African adolescent girls

BackgroundIn South Africa, the expanding epidemic of non-communicable diseases is partly fuelled by high levels of physical inactivity and sedentary behaviour. Women especially are at high risk, and interventions promoting physical activity are urgently needed for girls in their adolescence, as this is the time when many girls adopt unhealthy lifestyles.ObjectiveThis qualitative study aimed to identify and describe facilitating factors and barriers that are associated with physical activity among adolescent girls in rural, north-eastern South Africa and, based on these, to develop a model for promoting leisure-time physical activity within this population.DesignThe study was conducted in and around three secondary schools. Six focus group discussions were conducted with adolescent girls from the schools, and seven qualitative interviews were held with sports teachers and youth leaders. The data were subjected to thematic analysis.ResultsSeven thematic areas were identified, each of which was associated with the girls’ self-reported levels of physical activity. The thematic areas are 1) poverty, 2) body image ideals, 3) gender, 4) parents and home life, 5) demographic factors, 6) perceived health effects of physical activity, and 7) human and infrastructural resources. More barriers to physical activity were reported than facilitating factors.ConclusionsAnalysis of the barriers found in the different themes indicated potential remedial actions that could be taken, and these were synthesised into a model for promoting physical activity among South African adolescent girls in resource-poor environments. The model presents a series of action points, seen both from the ‘supply-side’ perspective (such as the provision of resources and training for the individuals, schools, and organisations which facilitate the activities) and from the ‘demand-side’ perspective (such as the development of empowering messages about body image for teenage girls, and encouraging more parental involvement). The development of physical activity interventions that incorporate this supply- and demand-side model would represent an additional tool for ongoing efforts aimed at tackling the expanding non-communicable disease epidemic in South Africa, and in other resource-constrained settings undergoing rapid health transitions.

Dietary intake, leisure time activities and obesity among adolescents in Western Sweden: a cross-sectional study.

BackgroundOverweight and obesity among adolescents are increasing worldwide. Risk factors include dietary intake characteristics and high levels of physical inactivity. In Sweden, few large comprehensive population-based surveys of dietary intake and lifestyle among adolescents have been carried out. Thus, the purpose of the current study was to describe dietary intake and food choices as well as leisure time activities in relation to overweight and obesity in a total sample of all schoolchildren aged 15 years in Western Sweden.MethodsIn 2008, a questionnaire was sent to all 21,651 adolescents born in 1992 in Västra Götaland Region, Sweden. Participation rate was 54.3 % (50.7 % girls/49.3 % boys). The questionnaire included a 73-item semi-quantitative food frequency questionnaire and questions on lifestyle. Results were evaluated against the Nordic Nutrition Recommendations and Swedish indicators of healthy diet and exercise habits. Associations with concurrent overweight and obesity were evaluated in multiple linear regression analysis.ResultsAmong girls, 49.5 % reached the goal of consuming fruit and vegetables at least daily, whereas for boys the figure was 34.4 %. Among both sexes, 15 % reached the goal of consuming fish at least twice weekly. Two-thirds of both sexes reached the goal of regular moderate or vigorous physical activity weekly. In total, 12.4 % were overweight and 2.4 % were obese. More girls than boys were underweight, whereas more boys than girls were overweight or obese (p < 0.001). Boys exhibited a more frequent intake of sodas and concentrated fruit juices, milk 3 % fat, bread and potatoes and fast food (p < 0.001). Frequent intake of candies and chocolate was reported by both sexes. Among girls and boys, living in rural areas, living in apartments and reporting no frequent leisure time physical activity were significant risk factors for being overweight or obese, also when adjusted for other risk factors.ConclusionsDietary habits of adolescents in Western Sweden warrant improvements. Public health actions should be taken to increase consumption of fruit, vegetables and fish, and decrease consumption of sodas and candies and also to increase frequency of physical activity. These actions may be helpful in reducing risks for overweight and obesity.

Using Web-Based Technology to Promote Physical Activity in Latinas: Results of the Muévete Alabama Pilot Study.

Latinas in the US report high levels of physical inactivity and are disproportionally burdened by related health conditions (eg, type 2 diabetes, obesity), highlighting the need for innovative strategies to reduce these disparities. A 1-month single-arm pretest-posttest design was utilized to assess the feasibility and acceptability of a culturally and linguistically adapted Internet-based physical activity intervention for Spanish-speaking Latinas. The intervention was based on the Social Cognitive Theory and the Transtheoretical Model. Changes in physical activity and related psychosocial variables were measured at baseline and the end of the 1-month intervention. The sample included 24 Latina adults (mean age, 35.17±11.22 years). Most (83.3%) were born outside the continental US. Intent-to-treat analyses showed a significant increase (P=.001) in self-reported moderate- to vigorous-intensity physical activity from a median of 12.5 min/wk at baseline to 67.5 min/wk at the 1-month assessment. Participants reported significant increases in self-efficacy as well as cognitive and behavioral processes of change. Nearly half of the participants (45.8%) reported advancing at least one stage of change during the course of the 1-month intervention. Findings support the feasibility and acceptability of using interactive Internet-based technology to promote physical activity among Latinas in Alabama.

The prevalence of physical activity and its socioeconomic correlates in Kingdom of Saudi Arabia: A cross-sectional population-based national survey

Abstract Objectives To determine the levels of physical activity in the Saudi population and to assess its socio-demographic correlates. Methods The data were part of a cross-sectional representative national survey of 4758 participants conducted in Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. A multistage stratified cluster random sampling design was used. Physical activity was assessed using the Global Physical Activity Questionnaire (GPAQ) version 2.0. Logistic regression analyses were used to identify the determinants and were adjusted in relation to various factors. Results Overall, physical inactivity was found to be 66.6% (95% C.I.: 65.3%–68%), 60.1% (95% C.I.: 58.1%–62.1%) for males and 72.9% (95% C.I.: 71.1%–74.7%) for females. Leisure time physical inactivity was found to be 87.9%, 85.6% for males and 90.2% for females. The northern and central regions reported the highest prevalence of no physical activity at work, leisure and transportation. Gender, geographical location and employment status exhibited a statistically significant correlation. Conclusions There is a high level of physical inactivity in various regions and population groups in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. Population interventions are greatly needed, especially those focusing on physical activity in their leisure time.

Obesity, physical inactivity, and cardiorespiratory fitness of high school students in Urban Ludhiana, North West India: A survey

Context: The level of cardiorespiratory fitness (CRF) among the early adolescent would provide a measure of future burden of cardiovascular disease in Ludhiana, North West India. Aims: The aim was to estimate the level of CRF with the help of multi-stage-fitness (Bleep) test in high school students. Settings and Design: Cross sectional study in urban Ludhiana. Subjects and Methods: Totally, 200 school children were selected by simple random sampling from four schools. After the consent, a pretested questionnaire was administered, and the Bleep test performed. Statistical Analysis Used: Frequencies and proportions were calculated, Chi-square and t -test were the tests of significance. Results: The prevalence of obesity was 2.5%, overweight, severe thinness, and thin was15.5%, 1.5%, and 5%, respectively. There were more extreme weights among boys compared to girls (Chi-square = 7.59 and P = 0.022). The mean hours of weekly vigorous sports activity was 2.14 ± 0.63. The mean maximum aerobic capacity was 26.80 ± 4.37. CRF scores of very poor in 72.0% with only 7.05% scoring as Fair. More boys (93.8%) had very poor CRF scores compared to girls (43.7%). Score of Fair CRF in 16.0% girls and 0.9% boy. Conclusions: The high school children in urban Ludhiana, Northwest India exhibit high levels of physical inactivity, worsening obesity, and low levels of CRF, boys are more affected compared to girls. The bleep test is a low-cost and feasible quantitative tool to measure cardio respiratory fitness in limited resource setting.

High Levels of Physical Inactivity Amongst Dental Professionals: A Questionnaire Based Cross Sectional Study

A Dentist plays an important role in providing health education (General and Oral) to the community. Questions arise regarding their own health, which in turn affects their patients' counselling for leading a healthy and a physically active life. To measure and compare the amount of physical activity present amongst dental professionals with the general population of Greater Noida. The International Physical Activity Questionnaire (IPAQ) was used to measure physical activity and statistical significance was calculated using SPSS version 21.0. Statistical significance was kept as p <.05. Compared to the general population, Dentists were more obese and reported increased levels of low physical activity. Dentists had an increased and significant transportation and leisure time activity (p= .03 and .01) whereas, the general population had a higher level of vigorous activity(p = <.01). The MET hour/week for dentists and general population was 33.72 and 36.24 respectively, which was quite low as compared to European population. The results indicate that dentists report a lower level of physical activity as compared to the general population of Greater Noida. However, on a global scale, the physical inactiveness of dentists and general population alike could pose a serious health hazard and if kept unchecked, shall increase the global burden of chronic disease.