Insufficient Levels Of Physical Activity Research Articles

Cross-sectional association of physical activity levels with risks of sarcopenia among older Taiwanese adults

ObjectivesThe updated World Health Organization 2020 guidelines strongly recommend an optimal physical activity level of 150–300 min/week for older adults. However, few studies have examined the relationship between different levels of physical activity and sarcopenia. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to investigate the cross-sectional associations between overall physical activity levels, gender, intensity, and the risk of sarcopenia among older Taiwanese adults.MethodsA nationwide cross-sectional telephone survey of older adults (≥ 65 years) was conducted in Taiwan from October 2019 to January 2020. Participants were interviewed to collect self-reported data on their level of physical activity (measured by the Taiwanese version of the IPAQ-SF), sarcopenia risk (measured by the SARC-F questionnaire), and sociodemographics.ResultsA total of 1068 older adults were surveyed. Compared with the optimal physical activity level recommendations in the WHO guidelines and after adjusting for potential confounders and proposing an association independent of sedentary behavior, older adults with insufficient physical activity levels (< 150 min/week) were more likely to have a higher risk of sarcopenia (OR: 3.24; CI: 1.67–6.27), whereas older adults who exceeded physical activity guidelines (> 300 min/week) were more likely to have a lower risk of sarcopenia (OR: 0.39; CI: 0.20–0.78). Maintaining moderate-intensity physical activity is essential for older adults, as physical activity that exceeds the guidelines can significantly lower the risk of sarcopenia; meanwhile, insufficient physical activity can greatly increase it. Also, there seems to be a similar association between sarcopenia risk across different physical activity levels in vigorous-intensity physical activities in older adults. However, due to the small number of sarcopenia-risk participants who met or exceeded vigorous-intensity physical activity levels, further comparisons between different vigorous-intensity physical activity levels did not show significant differences in sarcopenia risk. Additionally, insufficient physical activity was found to be an important risk factor for sarcopenia in both genders, while physical activity that exceeded the guidelines prevented sarcopenia in females.ConclusionsThe findings of this study highlight the potential dose-response relationship related to physical activity. The 2020 WHO guidelines provide the public with minimum recommendations for physical activity. However, exceeding these recommended levels appears to be more effective in preventing sarcopenia in older adults and may offer even greater health benefits. Future research should further explore whether exceeding these guidelines could result in additional health benefits.

"It's what mothers do." A qualitative exploration of mothers' experiences of supporting their daughter to be physically active.

Girls are more at risk than boys of the non-communicable diseases associated with insufficient levels of physical activity (PA), therefore it is important to explore the reasons why girls maintain or cease to be physically active. Maternal support plays an important role in girl's PA, yet the factors influencing mothers' support of their PA have received limited exploration. In response, the aim of this study was to explore, mothers' experiences of supporting their daughters to be physically active and their perceptions of the factors that might influence these experiences. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with a purposive sample of mothers (n = 29) of girls (Mean age = 10.9 years; SD = 0.6). Reflexive Thematic Analysis was used to analyse the data, with themes mapped to the relevant domains of the Theoretical Domains Framework. Themes highlighted how mothers described providing PA support as an inherent part of their parental role and how their role was influenced by their own PA identity. Mothers recognised that the type and amount of support they provided was impacted by the community setting in which they lived. Mothers acknowledged how the role of others (e.g., partners, grandparents, peers) added a layer of complexity to supporting their daughters to be active. This study advances our understanding of maternal PA support behaviours recognising the complex interplay of individual, social and environmental factors. Additionally, the use of the Theoretical Domains Framework presents an in-depth behavioural diagnosis which can be used to inform future theory-based interventions to promote parent support of children's PA.

IJCM_391A: Impact of Adolescent Physical Activity and Sedentary Behaviour on Quality of Life: A Cross-Sectional Study conducted in the Urban Slums of Berhampur, Ganjam

Background: Adolescence is a pivotal phase marked by significant physical, emotional, and cognitive changes. The lifestyle choices made during this period can profoundly affect the quality of life (QOL) of adolescents. However, research on this topic is limited, especially within the unique context of urban slums. Objective: This cross-sectional study aims to investigate the impact of physical activity and sedentary behaviour on QOL among adolescents residing in the urban slums of Berhampur, Ganjam. Methodology: A multistage cluster sampling method was employed to select adolescents aged 12-18 living in urban slum areas. WHO-QOL were utilized to collect data on physical activity, sedentary behaviour, and QOL using validated instruments. Data analysis encompassed descriptive statistics, inferential analyses, and regression models to explore the relationships between physical activity, sedentary behaviour, and QOL. Socio-demographic variables were also considered. Results: Preliminary findings reveal diverse physical activity patterns among adolescents, with a notable proportion engaging in insufficient levels of physical activity. Sedentary behaviours, particularly prolonged screen time, were prevalent. QOL assessments identified variations in physical, emotional, and social well-being domains. Regression analyses indicated a positive association between higher levels of physical activity and improved QOL, while sedentary behaviour, especially extensive screen time, was associated with decreased QOL. Socio-demographic factors, including gender and socio- economic status, were identified as influential factors in these associations. Conclusion: This study underscores the significant interplay between physical activity, sedentary behaviour, and QOL among adolescents residing in urban slums. It emphasizes the need for targeted interventions aimed at promoting healthier lifestyles within this underserved population. The findings provide essential insights for policymakers, healthcare providers, and educators to develop evidence-based strategies that can enhance the well-being of adolescents in similar contexts worldwide. Addressing the unique health challenges faced by adolescents in urban slums is crucial for improving their overall QOL and health outcomes.

Recent Insights and Recommendations for Preventing Excessive Gestational Weight Gain.

Recommendations for weight gain during pregnancy are based on pre-pregnancy body mass index (BMI). Pregnancy is a risk factor for excessive weight gain and many endocrine problems, making it difficult to return to pre-pregnancy weight and increasing the risk of postpartum obesity and, consequently, type 2 diabetes and metabolic syndrome. Both excessive gestational weight gain (EGWG) and obesity are associated with an increased risk of gestational hypertension, pre-eclampsia, gestational diabetes, cesarean section, shoulder dystocia, and neonatal macrosomia. In the long term, EGWG is associated with increased morbidity and mortality, particularly from diabetes, cardiovascular disorders, and some cancers. This study aims to present recommendations from various societies regarding weight gain during pregnancy, dietary guidance, and physical activity. In addition, we discuss the pathophysiology of this complication and the differential diagnosis in pregnant women with EGWG. According to our research, inadequate nutrition might contribute more significantly to the development of EGWG than insufficient physical activity levels in pregnant women. Telehealth systems seem to be a promising direction for future EGWG prevention by motivating women to exercise. Although the importance of adequate pre-pregnancy weight and weight gain during pregnancy is well known, an increasing number of women gain excessive weight during pregnancy.

Showcasing the Chilean Cogni-Action Project: Connections between physical, cognitive and socioeconomic factors in a large sample of schoolchildren

Global concern has deepened in recent decades over alarming rates of obesity, sedentarism, insufficient physical activity and fitness levels, and unhealthy eating habits in children and adolescents. Parallelly, we have witnessed increased poverty and socioeconomic vulnerability worldwide. Understanding the intrinsic relationship between physical and cognitive health is crucial, and mounting evidence suggests a significant association. However, over 80% of existing data originate from high-income countries, representing a negligible fraction of the world's children. UNICEF projections indicate that by 2030, low- and low-middle-income countries will be home to approximately 63% of the global child and adolescent population. This highlights a substantial knowledge gap which the Cogni-Action Project, conducted in Chile, helps to address. Notably, Chile faces significant challenges, with child overweight-obesity rates reaching 54%, ranking highest in sedentarism, physical inactivity, sugary soft-drink consumption, and educational scores stagnant. Moreover, wealth inequality is stark, with the top 10% of the population owning 77% of the wealth. The Chilean Cogni-Action Project collected comprehensive data over three years (2017-2019) from 1,296 schoolchildren (10-14 years old) in the Valparaíso region. These data encompassed 789 variables spanning physical, psychosocial, cognitive, and lifestyle factors, as well as neuroimaging variables. The present article aims to contextualize and showcase this project based on the papers published to date. As universities and research institutions worldwide pursue similar endeavors, the necessity arises to share findings and methodologies to expedite knowledge development that can inform public policy and shape the agendas of pertinent institutions.

Risk of frailty and associated factors among community older adults during the COVID-19 pandemic

Introduction: Functional decline represents the main determinant of negative outcomes in the health of older adults, such as the development of other disabilities, which may result in frailty, institutionalization, hospitalization and death. Aim: To determine the prevalence of risk of frailty among community older adults during the covid-19 pandemic and identify its association with health risk behaviors. Methods: An epidemiological screening type research, with cross-sectional design and sample representative of the Federal District, Brazil, was carried out. Data were collected through electronic questionnaire. In order to answer the problem question, the Clinical-Functional Vulnerability Index – IVCF-20 instrument was used (with risk ≥7 points), complemented by questions about demographic factors, socioeconomic factors and health risk behaviors. For data analysis, descriptive (frequency distribution and confidence interval) and association (crude and adjusted binary logistic regression) procedures were used. Results: Data from 1,363 older adults were analyzed (66.0%=female; 34.0%=male), the majority aged 60-74 years (82.2%), with higher education level (50.1%), who did not live alone (76.6%). There was high prevalence of older adults exposed to risk of frailty (30.7%; CI 95%=26.3-35.1), insufficiently active (45.6%; CI 95%=41.7-49.5) and who did not practice physical exercises before (30.2%; CI 95%=25.8-34.6) and during the physical distancing resulting from the covid-19 pandemic (53.4%; CI95%=49.8-57.0). Risk of frailty was associated with insufficient level of physical activity (OR=3.37; 95% CI 2.59-4.39) and with not practicing physical exercise before (OR=1.54; 95% CI 1. 17-2.03) and during physical distancing resulting from the covid-19 pandemic (OR=2.07; 95% CI 1.58-2.69). Conclusions: Considering the relevance and potential of physical exercise for older adults in contributing to functional improvement and health conditions, strategies to maintain active habits, even in periods of physical distancing as imposed by the covid-19 pandemic, are needed.

EVALUATION OF HEALTHY LIFESTYLE HABITS AND WELLNESS OF UNIVERSITY STUDENTS IN A CROSS-SECTION OF FOUR ACADEMIC YEARS

Statistics on healthy lifestyle habits of Latvian population indicate that the number of adults who engage in sufficient physical activity is decreasing, and also for university students the succession of minimum physical activity is not fully ensured. Latvian National Development and Sports Policy Guidelines (Latvijas Vēstnesis, 2022), as well as other binding health policy documents contain references towards the need to support the healthy lifestyle and wellness of university students, especially highlighting the insufficient level of physical activity and emotional wellness among Latvian population, including students. The problem issue exists in the long-term spectrum, and for various reasons it is only partially possible to implement in universities the measures stated in policy documents. The aim of the study: to analyse students' healthy lifestyle habits and wellness dynamics over four years of studies, assessing the dynamics of healthy lifestyle habits and wellness level depending on the year of study, students' age and the study programme. In each academic year, the first- and second-year students were involved in the survey, a total of N=455 respondents. Research methodology: a tailored survey (Robbins, et.al., 2011), students' self-assessment of healthy lifestyle habits and levels of physical, emotional, mental, intellectual and job wellness, 86 questions in total. The results of the study indicate a decreasing tendency for the indicators of physical activity and emotional wellness, and statistically significant differences in the indicators of mental and emotional wellness can be observed depending on the age of students. No statistically significant differences were found depending on the study programme.

Factors associated with sedentary behaviour in adults during the covid-19 pandemic

In recent decades, sedentary behavior (SB) has come to be understood as an important public health problem. The confinement imposed by the COVID-19 has modified people’s lifestyle, including increased time in SB, which is a risk factor for several health problems. In this context, the aim of this study was to analyze the association between sociodemographic, behavioral and health conditions factors with SB in adults during the COVID-19 pandemic. This is an observational and cross-sectional study that analyzed 510 Brazilians aged ≥ 18 years. Participants answered an online questionnaire containing sociodemographic, behavioral and health status information. Individuals with high SB had a lower level of physical activity (PA), higher scores of anxiety, depression and stress, perception of poor health and health problems. In Logistic Regression, model 1 showed that being insufficientlyactive(OR 1.96; 95% CI: 1.31 – 2.93), having poor health perception (OR 1.67; 95% CI: 1.09 - 2.57) and having a health problem (OR 1.79; 95% CI: 1.19 - 2.68) was associated with high SB. However, for model 2,only insufficient levels of PA (OR 1.78; 95% CI: 1.15 – 2.75) and health problem (OR 1.83; 95% CI: 1.10 - 3.05) remained associated with SB. These findings highlight the importance of staying physically active and reducing SB as a strategy for health promotion.

Association between eating habits and low physical activity in adolescents

Background/Aim. Insufficient levels of physical activity and poor nutrition, have led to an increase in the number of obese adolescents and cardiometabolic problems. The aim of this study was to analyze the association between eating habits and low physical activity levels among adolescents. Methods. The cross-sectional study, conducted in May 2017, included a total of 389 participants, aged 15?19 years. The study instrument was a questionnaire regarding demographic characteristics, physical activity (International Physical Activity Questionnaire-Short Form), as well as eating habits. The data were analyzed using univariate and multivariate logistic regression analysis. Results. A total of 131 participants (33.7%) had a low level of physical activity, and 258 (66.3%) had a moderate/high level of physical activity. Adolescents with moderate/high physical activity were significantly more likely to be male and medical school students. Moreover, they had breakfast significantly more often, consumed fish more than twice a week or at least twice a week, ate fruit once a day or more, and generally ate healthy, compared to the high school students with low physical activity. Among the factors associated with low physical activity were the following: the female gender, eating breakfast never/sometimes, consuming fish less than twice a week, fruit less than once a day, maintaining a healthy diet, and adolescents aged 18?19 years. Conclusion. This study identified several statistically significant independent factors associated with low physical activity in adolescents. Based on the obtained results, it is necessary to undertake certain interventions, promote physical activity, correct eating habits, and the overall lifestyle, with a special emphasis on the female population and teenagers aged 18?19 years. The education of both adolescents and their parents is essential.

Digital Public Health Marketing of Physical Activity and Its Effect on Wellbeing in Saudi Arabia

Developing countries experienced insufficient levels of physical activity, particularly Saudi Arabia. In recent decades, Saudi Arabia has been experiencing a significant change in economy, urbanization, modernization, extensive and rapid demographic changes, and lifestyle transformation. These changes had negatively increased sedentary behaviors, inactivity physical activity, and lifestyle. Physical inactivity increases the risk of non-communicable and disease chronic diseases. Objectives: To highlight the gap in information such as gender inequality, cultural sensitivity, and social norms, including geography. Methods: Saudi Digital library, Google scholar, and UOW library. The terms used are “physical activity”, and “exercise” and research strategy were also adopted. Results: The recent Household Sports Practice Survey Bulletin in 2019 showed significant inequality between males and females. Also, the data showed different results relative to school type and gender. There are specific socio-cultural factors that limit women to participate in physical activities. Females have a low rate of total labor participants in the country. Geographical factors should be considered when establishing a promotion plan for physical activity, and there are no studies that focus on the effect of climate on participation in physical activity. Conclusion: The Saudi country has commenced numerous initiatives to improve people's health and well-being, and hopes to achieve this by 2030. It is important to build a community health center for females because there is a segregation policy to separate males from females in public places and workplaces. Having a national policy or promotion plan and collaborating with government parties is important. In addition, monitoring and evaluating the programs is important to ensure their success.

Preventable incidence cases from non-communicable diseases attributable to insufficient physical activity in Chile

ObjectivesLack of sufficient physical activity (PA) has been associated with an increased risk of several non-communicable diseases (NCDs) and all-cause mortality. This study aimed to estimate the number of preventable incidence cases of NCDs attributable to insufficient PA in the Chilean population. Study designComparative risk assessment modelling study. MethodsThis study examined data from 5834 participants aged ≥20 years from the Chilean National Survey (2016–2017). PA was assessed by the Global Physical Activity Questionnaire (GPAQ), and metabolic equivalent of tasks (METs) were assigned according to PA intensity. Estimated incidence cases of NCDs in Chile in 2019 were obtained from the Global Burden of Disease study. Relative risks for breast cancer, colon cancer, ischaemic heart disease, diabetes and stroke were obtained from a published meta-analysis and applied to the prevalence of insufficient PA estimates through the potential impact fraction equation. ResultsHigh levels of PA (≥8000 MET-min/week) could potentially avoid more than 22,000 (64.6 %) incidence NCD cases, ranging from 498 (10.1 %) preventable cases of breast cancer to 5629 (14.7 %) cases of diabetes. Other modelled scenarios also showed to reduce the incidence cases of all five NCDs but to a lesser extent; where at least PA recommendation was achieved, preventable NCDs were reduced by 6522 cases (18.7 %), and where a 10 % relative reduction in insufficient PA level in the population was achieved, preventable NCDs were reduced by 651 (1.8 %) cases. ConclusionsThe study results provide estimates for the incidence cases of preventable NCDs attributable to insufficient PA, highlighting the important role of PA in NCD prevention in Chile.

Association between physical activity and health in healthcare professionals : Results from the nationwide AMADEUS survey

ObjectiveThe objective of this study was to assess the prevalence of healthcare professionals engaging in insufficient levels of physical activity (PA) and to identify sociodemographic, professional and health characteristics associated with insufficient PA levels. MethodsWe conducted a nationwide online cross-sectional study targeting healthcare professionals in France from May 2021 to June 2021. Participant recruitment involved outreach through social networks, professional networks, and email invitations. PA levels were assessed using the International Physical Activity Questionnaire (IPAQ), with insufficient PA defined as weekly PA totaling less than 600 mets/week. ResultsThe study included a total of 10,325 participants, of whom 3939 (38.1%, 95% confidence interval 37.1–39.0%) exhibited insufficient levels of PA. In the multivariable analysis, we identified factors associated with insufficient PA: ages between 35–44 (aOR=1.58, 95%CI [1.21–2.06], p=.001) and 45–54 years (aOR=1.40, 95%CI [1.07–1.83], p =.015), gender (female aOR=1.47, 95%CI [1.12–1.44], p<.001), and professions including health executive (aOR=1.27, 95%CI [1.32–1.64], p<.001), nurse assistant (aOR=1.25, 95%CI [1.07–1.47], p=.006), and physician (aOR=1.18, 95%CI [1.03–1.34], p=.015). Additionally, burnout (aOR=1.32, 95%CI [1.21–1.44], p<.001), tobacco use (aOR=1.33, 95%CI [1.20–1.58], p<.001), being overweight (aOR=1.39, 95%CI [1.28–1.52], p<.001), major depression (aOR=1.44, 95%CI [1.20–1.47], p<.001), and sleep disorders (aOR=1.14, 95%CI [1.05–1.25], p=.002) were associated with insufficient PA. Work night shifts was associated with sufficient PA. ConclusionOur study has revealed a substantial prevalence of healthcare professionals with insufficient PA levels. This prevalence, coupled with various associated health-damaging behaviors and mental health issues, underscores the importance of acknowledging the barriers they encounter in adopting a physically active lifestyle.

Comparison of the physical activity levels between shift workers and non-shift workers in a large-scale cross-sectional study in Iran

BackgroundShift work has been related to adverse health outcomes that can partially be attributed to physical inactivity. However, our knowledge of the influence of shift work on physical activity and sedentary behavior is inconclusive. Therefore, this study aimed to assess physical activity levels among shift and non-shift workers among a sample of Iranian adults.MethodsBaseline data of the Ravansar Non-Communicable Disease (RaNCD) cohort study were used. All participants of RaNCD except those excluded due to unemployment or considerable disability were included in the study. We evaluated participants’ physical activity levels using the PERSIAN cohort questionnaire and examined its associations with being a shift worker.ResultsA total of 4695 participants with a mean age of 46.1 (SD = 7.74) were included in the study. In total, 1108 (23.6%) participants were shift workers, 1420 (30.2%) had insufficient physical activity levels, and 4283 (91.2%) were male. The prevalence of physical inactivity was significantly lower among shift workers compared to non-shift workers (21% vs. 33.1%, p < 0.001). Multiple backward stepwise binary logistic regression tests indicated that being a shift worker was significantly associated with a lower chance of having insufficient physical activity levels (OR = 0.77, 95% CI = 0.65–0.92, p = 0.003).ConclusionsThe prevalence of insufficient physical activity was higher among non-shift workers than shift workers in our study. By providing the factors associated with insufficient physical activity among the workers in a region of Iran, the current study findings might help policymakers target groups at higher risk of physical activity in Iran and design interventions to improve physical activity, especially among non-shift workers.

Which behaviour change techniques are associated with interventions that increase physical activity in pre-school children? A systematic review

BackgroundInsufficient physical activity (PA) is a significant risk factor that contributes to several health problems and there is a need to improve our understanding of how to increase PA, particularly among young children. This review (PROSPERO registration: CRD42022328841) investigated the relationship between behaviour change techniques (BCTs) and interventions that increased PA among pre-school children aged < 6 years old.MethodsSystematic searches of six databases were undertaken from inception to July 2022, updated in December 2022, to locate studies that evaluated interventions and reported a positive change in PA levels in children aged < 6 years old.ResultsA total of 5,304 studies were screened, and 28 studies involving 10,605 subjects aged 2.5 to 5.9 years met the eligibility criteria. Each eligible study (n = 28) was independently appraised by two researchers using the Cochrane risk of bias tool. The BCT Taxonomy v1 and the Template for Intervention Description and Replication (TIDieR) guided the extraction and analysis of data, and this process led to the identification of 27 BCTs.ConclusionsPotentially promising BCTs for increasing PA among young children included ‘shaping knowledge,’ ‘antecedents,’ ‘goals and planning,’ and ‘comparison of behaviour.’ Future PA interventions that target young children should consider integrating these promising BCTs into their programmes. However, such consideration needs to be tempered by the fact that most of the reviewed studies were deemed to have a high or unclear risk of bias and/or were limited with respect to the populations that they targeted. Further research using rigorous methodologies is required to establish a higher standard that addresses the needs of young children who are expected to have insufficient levels of physical activity.

O.4.3-7 Mothers’ experiences of supporting their daughter to be physically active: a qualitative analysis

Abstract Purpose Girls are more at risk of non-communicable diseases associated with insufficient levels of physical activity (PA). Maternal support plays an important role in girl’s PA. Yet little is known about how mothers provide support to keep their daughters active. The aim of this study was to explore mothers’ experiences of supporting their daughter to be physically active. Methods A qualitative study with semi-structured interviews was conducted with a purposive sample of mothers (n = 29) of girls (Mean age =10.9 years; SD = 0.6). Reflexive Thematic Analysis was used to analyse the data, with themes/subthemes mapped to the relevant domains of the Theoretical Domains Framework (TDF). Results Most mothers recognised the importance of supporting their daughter to be active. Themes highlighted how a mother’s identity and confidence in supporting their daughter to be active influenced supportive behaviours. Social interactions played an important role in facilitating or inhibiting how a mother supports her daughter. The circumstances of a mother’s environment and her perceptions of her daughter’s attitudes towards PA influenced the type of support mothers provided. Conclusion The findings advance our understanding of maternal PA support behaviours which will inform strategies to enhance maternal PA support with the ultimate goal of improving girls’ participation in PA. Future research should explore the appropriate behaviour change techniques for maternal PA support and involve mothers in the co-design process to develop interventions that are more feasible, acceptable and implementable.

The new normal for children’s physical activity and screen viewing: a multi-perspective qualitative analysis of behaviours a year after the COVID-19 lockdowns in the UK

BackgroundThe COVID-19 pandemic significantly impacted children’s physical activity. Recent evidence indicated children’s accelerometer-measured physical activity levels have, on average, returned to near pre-pandemic levels in 2022, though sedentary behaviour remains higher. However, insufficient physical activity levels among children continues to be a critical public health issue in the UK, with only 41% meeting physical activity guidelines. This study aimed to provide in-depth analysis of how the pandemic has shaped children’s physical activity patterns beyond the short-term periods following lockdowns and identify the new challenges to engaging children in physical activity.MethodsOne-to-one interviews with parents (n = 22), school staff (n = 9), and six focus groups with children aged 10–11 years (n = 45) were conducted between February and July 2022. Topics explored changes to children’s physical activity and sedentary behaviour patterns, including screen-viewing, and factors influencing any changes. The framework method was used for analysis.ResultsFive themes were generated. Theme 1 described residual lockdown habits, including increased screen-viewing within the home, while activities outside the home continued to feel less spontaneous. Theme 2 highlighted an interrupted development of social, emotional, and physical skills among children compared to what would be expected pre-pandemic. This coincided with Theme 3 which reflected increased mental health challenges among families, creating complex barriers to children’s physical activity. A new normal for child physical activity was evoked and explored in Theme 4, with greater dependence on structured and organised activities. However, Theme 5 highlighted that girls and children with lower socio-economic position may be especially at risk of decreased physical activity.ConclusionsThere is a new normal for children’s physical activity that is characterised by increased dependence on structured and organised physical activities, such as active clubs, and less on unstructured and spontaneous physical activities, such as physical play. While this may suit many children, girls and children from lower socio-economic households face barriers to participating in the new normal. It is important that affordable and equitable opportunities are provided to all children to prevent physical activity and health inequalities.

Association of physical activity combined with sedentary behavior with dynapenia in older adults

This research aimed to analyze the association of physical activity (PA) level combined with exposure to sedentary behavior (SB) with dynapenia in older people. Epidemiological, cross-sectional study, conducted with 208 older adults in Aiquara, Bahia, Brazil. Habitual PA and SB were quantified using the International Physical Activity Questionnaire. Based on this information, participants were divided into groups (G): G1) sufficiently active and low SB; G2) sufficiently active and high SB; G3) insufficiently active and low SB; and G4) insufficiently active and high SB. Assessment of dynapenia was performed based on the values of the handgrip strength measured in kilogram-force (kgf) (women: 18.37 kgf; men: 26.75 kgf). Descriptive analysis was conducted using absolute and relative frequencies, mean and standard deviation. For the inferential analysis, Poisson regression was used, with a robust estimator, calculation of Prevalence Ratios (PRs) and their relevant Confidence Intervals (CIs) of 95.0%. It was observed that the mean age of women and men were, respectively, 71.0 ± 6.7 and 72.3 ± 8.1 years and the prevalence of dynapenia observed was about 24.5%. Furthermore, it was found that the insufficiently active older adults with low SB (G3) (PR: 2.28; 95%CI: 1.09-4.76), and those insufficiently active with high SB (G4) (PR: 4, 14; 95%CI: 1.95-8.70), were more likely to experience the assessed outcome. Evidence showed that, among the older adults in Aiquara the prevalence of dynapenia was high in the presence of an insufficient level of PA, especially when combined with greater exposure to SB.

School-based physical activity interventions among children and adolescents in the Middle East and Arabic speaking countries: A systematic review.

It is widely recognised that noncommunicable diseases are on the rise worldwide, partly due to insufficient levels of physical activity (PA). It is a particularly concerning health issue among children and adolescents in Arabic countries where cultural and environmental factors may limit their opportunity for engaging in physical activities. This review sought to assess the effectiveness of school-based PA interventions for increasing PA among schoolchildren aged six to 18 years in Middle Eastern and Arabic-speaking countries. A systematic literature search was developed to identify studies reporting the evaluation of school-based PA interventions in Arabic-speaking countries. Four different databases were searched from January 2000 to January 2023: PubMed/MEDLINE, Web of Science, Scopus and CINAHL. Article titles and abstracts were screened for relevance. Full article scrutiny of retrieved shortlisted articles was undertaken. After citation searches and reference checking of included papers, full data extraction, quality assessment and narrative synthesis was undertaken for all articles that met the inclusion criteria. This review adhered to PRISMA guidelines for conducting systematic reviews. Seventeen articles met the inclusion criteria. Eleven articles reported statistically significant improvements in the levels of PA among their participants. Based largely on self-reported outcomes, increases in PA between 58% and 72% were reported. The studies with a follow-up period greater than three months reported sustained PA levels. There are a limited range of types of programmes evaluated and evaluations were only identified from 30% of the countries in the region. Relatively few studies focused solely on PA interventions and most of the interventions were multi-component (lifestyle, diet, education). This review adds to the existing body of research about the efficacy of school-based interventions to increase physical activity levels. To date, few evaluations assess PA specific interventions and most of the interventions were multi-component including education components on lifestyle and diet. Long-term school-based interventions combined with rigorous theoretical and methodological frameworks are necessary to develop, implement and evaluate PA interventions for children and adolescents in Arabic-speaking countries. Also, future work in this area must also consider the complex systems and agents by which physical activity is influenced.

Relationships between anthropometric and body composition characteristics and age in Polish women over 60 as affected by their socioeconomic and health status and physical activity levels.

Background: Little is known about changes in anthropometric and body composition (A&BC) characteristics during the aging process. Research indicates that body composition can be linked with socioeconomic status (SES), health status (HS), and physical activity (PA) levels. Aim: The aim of this study was to evaluate age-related changes in A&BC characteristics in female seniors aged 60+ in view of their SES, HS, and PA levels. Methods: The survey was conducted in November and December 2022 on a total of 661 female seniors. A questionnaire survey was conducted to obtain information about the participants' socioeconomic status (chronic diseases, health status, marital status, membership in social organizations, financial status, place of residence, education). The respondents' PA levels were assessed with the International Physical Activity Questionnaire (IPAQ), and their A&BC characteristics were determined in a bioelectrical impedance analysis with the InBody 270 body composition analyzer. The relationships between A&BC characteristics and age were evaluated based on the values of the Pearson correlation coefficient (r). Results: The mean values of Percent Body Fat (PBF), Body Mass Index (BMI), and the waist-hip ratio (WHR) were relatively high (37.2%, 28.5kg/m2, and 0.8, respectively) and indicative of overweight and gynoid obesity. A higher number of significant negative correlations between A&BC characteristics and age were observed in seniors with lower values of SES, HS, and PA, which points to more rapid involutional changes in this group of respondents. A segmental analysis also revealed significantly lower values of fat-free mass (FFM) and body fat mass (BFM) (both indicators were calculated in percentage and kg), in particular in the upper limbs, in women with lower SES, HS, and PA levels. Conclusion: Environmental factors, including biological, physiological, environmental, psychological, behavioral, and social factors, are significantly associated with aging in women. Age-related changes in A&BC characteristics tend to proceed more rapidly in female seniors with low values of SES and HE and insufficient PA levels.

Correlation between physical activity practice and mortality from COVID-19: an ecological study

Background and objective: new population-level studies are needed to better assess the relationship between physical inactivity and mortality from COVID-19. The aim of the study was to evaluate the correlation between population prevalence of physical activity and standardized mortality rates by COVID-19 in Brazilian capital cities and the Federal District. Methods: this is an ecological study, whose analysis is secondary. The prevalence of physical inactivity, insufficient physical activity, and physical activity during free time was obtained from the Surveillance of Risk Factors and Protection for Chronic Diseases by Telephone Survey 2019 (VIGITEL), according to minutes spent on leisure, commuting, and household activities. The COVID-19 mortality data was obtained from the Influenza Epidemiological Surveillance Information System (SIVEP-Gripe), adding the accumulated deaths until December 31, 2020. The resident population was estimated from the Instituto Brasileiro de Geografia e Estatística (IBGE) for the year 2020. Pearson Correlation evaluated the correlation between the prevalence of different physical activity practices and the standardized mortality rate from COVID-19, in total, and according to age groups. Results: there was a significant positive correlation (r = 0.420; p = 0.029) between the overall prevalence of insufficient physical activity and the standardized COVID-19 mortality rate. No correlation was observed between the other prevalence of physical activity and the standardized mortality rate from COVID-19. Conclusion: there was a correlation between insufficient levels of physical activity and the standardized mortality rate from COVID-19 in people living in Brazilian capital cities.