Lower Frequency Of Physical Activity Research Articles

Quality of life profiles and its association with predictors amongst Chinese older adults in nursing homes: a latent profile analysis

BackgroundRecently developments in the field of positive psychology have provided new perspectives for understanding the connection between individual variation in Quality of life (QoL) and positive aspects of human potential, strengths, and resources, commanding increasing attention. This study aimed to examine self-reported quality of life (QoL) profiles and the association of QoL profiles with positive psychosocial characteristics in Chinese older adults.MethodsA convenient sample of 354 older adults in nursing homes was recruited from Guangdong Province, China, between November 2020 and January 2021. Latent Profile Analysis (LPA) was conducted to explore QoL profiles using the four WHOQOL-BREF domains as input variables. Multinomial logistic regression was performed to explore the association between latent profiles and predictors.ResultsLPA identified three latent QoL profiles: “low QoL with poor psychological health” (18.1%), “moderate QoL” (46.0%) and “high QoL” (35.9%). Frequency of weekly activity, optimism, gratitude, and social support were associated with the increased likelihood of belonging to the moderate-to-high QoL classes. Furthermore, Class 2 (moderate QoL group, reference) was compared with Class3 (high QoL group), higher frequency of weekly physical activity and spending more time on physical activity exhibited higher odds of belonging to high QoL class.ConclusionUsing the domains of the WHOQOL-BREF scale, the QoL profiles Chinese older adults can be identified. We found that psychosocial variables and demographic characteristic, including lower level of optimism and gratitude, lack of social support, low frequency of physical activity, and shorter activity duration time, heighten the risk for lower levels of QoL. Identifying classification may help focus on those at elevated risk for poor QoL and for developing tailored QoL improvement programs.

Association of outdoor artificial light at night with metabolic syndrome and the modifying effect of tree and grass cover

BackgroundEpidemiological studies show that outdoor artificial light at night (ALAN) is linked to metabolic hazards, but its association with metabolic syndrome (MetS) remains unclear. We aimed to investigate the association of outdoor ALAN with MetS in middle-aged and elderly Chinese. MethodsFrom 2017–2020, we conducted a cross-sectional study in a total of 109,452 participants living in ten cities of eastern China. MetS was defined by fasting blood glucose (FG), triglyceride (TG), high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C), blood pressure (BP), and waist circumference (WC). In 2021, we followed up 4395 participants without MetS at the baseline. Each participant's five-year average exposure to outdoor ALAN, as well as their exposure to green space type, were measured through matching to their address. Generalized linear models were used to assess the associations of outdoor ALAN with MetS. Stratified analyses were performed by sex, age, region, physical activity, and exposure to green space. ResultsIn the cross-sectional study, compared to the first quantile (Q1) of outdoor ALAN exposure, the odds ratios (ORs) of MetS were 1.156 [95 % confidence interval (CI): 1.111–1.203] and 1.073 (95 %CI: 1.021–1.128) respectively in the third and fourth quantiles (Q3, Q4) of outdoor ALAN exposure. The follow-up study found that, compared to the first quantile (Q1) of outdoor ALAN exposure, the OR of MetS in Q4 of ALAN exposure was 1.204 (95 %CI: 1.019–1.422). Adverse associations of ALAN with MetS components, including high FG, high TG, and obesity, were also found. Greater associations of ALAN with MetS were found in males, the elderly, urban residents, those with low frequency of physical activity, and those living in areas with low levels of grass cover and tree cover. ConclusionsOutdoor ALAN exposure is associated with an increased MetS risk, especially in males, the elderly, urban residents, those lacking physical activity, and those living in lower levels of grass cover and tree cover.

Combinations of lifestyle behaviors and cancer risk among Korean adults

Combinations of lifestyle behaviors may lead to different cancer risks. This study aimed to identify the latent classes based on lifestyle behavior trajectories and to investigate the association between these latent classes and cancer risk. Participants in the 2002–2003 National Health Insurance Service general health examination were included. Data on smoking, alcohol drinking, body mass index (BMI), and physical activity measured four times between 2002 and 2009 were analyzed. Incident cancer cases were tracked from 2010 to 2018. Patterns of alcohol drinking, smoking, BMI, and physical activity and latent classes based on trajectories of smoking, alcohol drinking, BMI, and physical activity were identified. Among 2,735,110 adults (1,787,486 men and 947,624 women), 111,218 (69,089 men and 42,129 women) developed incident cancer. Six latent classes of lifestyle behavior were identified, with Class 1 (healthy class) involving only 0.2% of men and 0.5% of women. The highest risk class in males tended to be steady light drinkers and steady moderate smokers, have steady low frequency of physical activity, and be obese. This class showed a 1.47 times higher (95% CI = 1.29–1.69) risk of all cancers than did the healthy class. Among women, there was only an association between the highest risk class (tendency to be non-drinkers, light smokers) and colorectal cancer (HR = 1.70, 95% CI = 1.02–2.83). Only a small percentage of participants maintained a long-term healthy lifestyle. Identifying classes of behavior combinations and their links to cancer development is therefore critical for cancer prevention.

Parafoveal chondral lesion of the femoral head in patients with femoroacetabular impingement.

To describe cases of parafoveal chondral lesion of the femoral head in patients with femoroacetabular impingement, correlating the clinical and imaging data. This was a retrospective descriptive case series of parafoveal chondral lesion of the femoral head in 21 patients who underwent computed tomography and magnetic resonance arthrography scans of the hip, having then received an imaging-based diagnosis of femoroacetabular impingement. Of the 21 patients evaluated, 15 (71%) had cam-type femoroacetabular impingement, whereas five (24%) had mixed-type impingement, and one (5%) had pincer-type impingement. Twelve patients (57%) had a low frequency of physical activity, which was significantly associated with the presence of cam-type impingement (p = 0.015). Although the extent of the lesion correlated significantly with the acetabular coverage angle (p = 0.04), it did not correlate significantly with the alpha angle or femoral head-neck offset value (p = 0.08 and p = 0.06, respectively). We also found no correlation between the extent of the lesion and the other main parameters that define the femoroacetabular impingement types. This was one of the largest case series of parafoveal chondral lesion of the femoral head in patients with imaging findings of femoroacetabular impingement. The extent of such lesions does not appear to correlate with the parameters of femoroacetabular impingement, with the exception of the acetabular coverage angle.

The Association between COVID-19 Pandemic and the Quality of Life of Medical Students in Silesian Voivodeship, Poland.

(1) Background: Since the COVID-19 pandemic spread rapidly in 2020, medical universities have been affected by a particular crisis. Due to the increased risk of SARS CoV-2 transmission, the authorities of medical faculties all over the world, including Poland, started to minimize direct contact between students. The objective of the paper is to identify and assess determinants of the quality of life among medical students in Poland before and during the COVID-19 pandemic. (2) Methods: We analyzed data obtained in a cross-sectional study performed among three groups of students tested in three consecutive research periods: period before the COVID-19 pandemic, the COVID-19 pandemic lockdown period and the COVID-19 pandemic period following lockdown. (3) Results: The total number of participants was 1098. We identified that the research period before the COVID-19 pandemic was the risk factor for lower quality of life in terms of the somatic and environmental domains. It was also confirmed that determinants such as poor financial situation, low frequency of physical activity and bad self-declared health status harmed the QoL scores in all domains. (4) Conclusions: The obtained results confirmed that better financial situation, higher physical activity and better self-declared health status were statistically significant factors improving the quality of life of first-year medical students in Poland. The findings of our study also showed that the declared somatic and environmental domains of QoL among medical students were better during the COVID-19 pandemic period. Our observations confirmed that the immediate implementation of e-learning could protect against the deterioration of mental health and quality of life in first-year medical students during possible future epidemic crises.

Changes in Physical Activity Levels and Eating Behaviours during the COVID-19 Pandemic: Sociodemographic Analysis in University Students.

The COVID-19 pandemic has forced schools and universities to shift their activities online, influencing the adoption of health-related behaviours such as physical activity and healthy dietary habits. The present study investigates the changes in adherence to a healthy diet and regular physical activity in university students in Italy before and during the COVID-19 pandemic and understands the role of sociodemographic variables in creating the changes above. We conducted a repeated cross-sectional survey performing the same sampling strategy at the first data collection (T0) and second data collection (T1) with a combination of convenience and snowball sampling approaches. The sample is composed of a total of 2001 students, 60.2% women and 39.8% men, with an average age of 22.7 (±5.5 SD). At T1, 39.9% of the students reported regular physical activity. During the pandemic, however, many, especially male students, abandoned or reduced physical activity practice (T1 40%), with an increase in social media use (T0 52.1%; T1 90%). A direct association between very low frequency of physical activity and increased sedentary time (r = 0.2, p = 0.001) and between change in dietary style and increased Body Mass Index (BMI) value (r = 0.3, p = 0.002) was found. The multivariate analysis for the total sample showed that some sociodemographic variables such as gender, age, parents’ level of education, area of study, household type, and perception of one’s body influence eating behaviours and physical activity. Our findings suggest that universities should invest in the protection and promotion of the health of their students with specific awareness programmes, and further research should repeat the survey in the post-lockdown period to investigate the long-term effects on health-related behaviours.

How to prevent side effects of social media use (SMU)? Relationship between daily stress, online social support, physical activity and addictive tendencies – A longitudinal approach before and during the first Covid-19 lockdown in Germany

• Daily stress positively predicts addictive social media use (SMU) three months later during Covid-19 lockdown. • Online social support mediates the link between daily stress and addictive SMU. • Physical activity moderates the link between online social support and addictive SMU. • Physical activity before Covid-19 outbreak can contribute to less addictive SMU during the pandemic. People who experience high levels of daily stress often resort to intensive social media use (SMU). In the short-term, this can contribute to relief and positive emotions. However, in the longer-term, intensive online activity can foster addictive tendencies. The present longitudinal study investigated the association between daily stress and addictive SMU. Data were assessed in a sample of 211 social media users ( M age ( SD age ) = 22.50 (5.00)) from Germany via online surveys at two measurement time points in winter 2020 (baseline, BL), and three months later in spring 2020 during the first Covid-19 lockdown (follow-up, FU). In moderated mediation analyses, the positive relationship between daily stress (BL) and addictive SMU (BL) and (FU) was significantly mediated by the level of perceived online social support (BL). Physical activity (BL) (e.g., jogging and cycling) significantly moderated the relationship between online social support (BL) and addictive SMU (BL) and (FU). Specifically, the association between both variables was significant for medium and low frequency of physical activity, but not for high frequency. The mostly female and relatively young sample composition limits the generalizability of the present findings. No experimental manipulation of the potential predictors of addictive SMU was introduced limiting the causal interpretation of the current results. The current findings disclose mechanisms that could reduce the risk of addictive SMU. Specifically, a conscious increase of physical activity could prevent the transformation of positive emotions evoked by the perception of online social support into addictive tendencies.

The relationship between sleep and physical activity in nonagenarians and centenarians

OBJECTIVE: Since the relationship between physical activity and sleep quality has been poorly studied in nonagenarians and centenarians, this study sought to relate the sleep quality and physical activity in this age group. METHODS: This is a secondary analysis of the initial assessment of a longitudinal study involving nonagenarians and centenarians in Porto Alegre, Brazil, which included physical activity (yes or no) and sleep quality (altered or normal). The chi-square test, adjusted by logistic regression, was used to investigate the relationship between sleep quality, physical activity, and sociodemographic and clinical characteristics. RESULTS: Among the 233 participants, 26% were physically active and 53% reported altered sleep. Higher frequencies of physical activity and normal sleep occurred in men (36%, p = 0.02 and 54%, p = 0.18), in those living with a caregiver (42%, p = 0.09 and 58, p = 0.51), in those with high school or higher education (33%, p = 0.44 and 58%, p = 0.07), and in those with excellent or good self-perceived health (31%, p = 0.03 and 51%, p = 0.16). Physical activity was lower among those who reported apathy and drowsiness (83%, p = 0.03) and in those who had difficulty falling asleep (66%, p = 0.05). In the adjusted analysis, only education remained significant (p = 0.02, when comparing high school or higher with illiteracy; odds ratio: 3.91 confidence interval 1.18-12.90, p = 0.02). CONCLUSIONS: We observed a low frequency of physical activity and a high prevalence of altered sleep patterns in nonagenarians and centenarians. Factors related greater physical activity were also associated with better sleep quality. High school or higher education was a significant and independent predictor of good sleep quality in nonagenarians and centenarians.

Bone mineral density and vitamin D in paediatric intestinal failure patients receiving home parenteral nutrition.

Patients with intestinal failure (IF) are dependent on long-term home parenteral nutrition (HPN) to ensure growth and development. The primary aim of the present study was to assess bone mineral density (BMD) and vitamin D status in paediatric IF patients on HPN and a group of healthy children aged 2-18 years. Secondary aims were to assess growth, body composition, nutrient provision and physical activity. An observational cross-sectional study was performed at Oslo University Hospital and at the Department of Nutrition, University of Oslo, from January to September 2017. Dual energy x-ray absorptiometry (DXA; Lunar Prodigy in IF patients and Lunar iDXA in healthy subjects) was performed to assess BMD and body composition. BMD z-score (BMDz) was calculated for total body and lumbar spine L2-L4 based on the integrated reference population in the software. Weight and height were measured for growth assessment. Nutrient provision was assessed by a 4-day food record. Blood samples were analysed for 25-hydroxy-vitamin D (25(OH)D) and 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D (1,25(OH)2D). Physical activity was reported by a questionnaire. Nineteen IF patients and 50 healthy children were included. The mean age of participants was 10.0 years. The aetiology of IF patients was paediatric intestinal pseudo-obstruction (58%), short bowel syndrome (26%), and intestinal enteropathy (16%). Lower median BMDz for total body (-0.4 vs 1.1, P<0.001) and lumbar spine L2-L4 (-0.9 vs 0.2, P=0.01) were found in the IF group compared with the healthy children. Vitamin D provision was significantly higher in IF patients (17μg/d vs 5.3μg/d, P<0.001). Both groups were sufficient in 25(OH)D (IF patients 71nmol/L vs healthy 81nmol/L). Nevertheless, IF patients had significantly lower 1,25(OH)2D than healthy children (71pmol/L vs 138pmol/L, P<0.001). The IF group was significantly shorter (height for age z-score-1,5 vs 0,1, P=0.001) and lighter (weight for age z-score-1,0 vs 0,1, P=0.009) compared with the healthy subjects. BMIz did not differ; however, body fat percentage was significantly higher in IF patients compared with healthy children (34% vs 25%, P=0.02). A lower frequency of physical activity was found in the IF group compared with the healthy group (P=0.001). Paediatric IF patients on HPN had lower BMD, impaired growth, and higher body fat percentage in comparison with the healthy children. Despite a higher total supply of vitamin D in the IF group, the levels of 25(OH)D did not differ. Nevertheless, a significantly lower level of 1,25(OH)2D was found in IF patients. The results raise questions regarding differences between oral and parenteral vitamin D provision and whether intestinal function is important for the metabolism of vitamin D. Clinical Trials AEV2017/1. 2016/391/REK sør-øst B REVISION NUMBER: CLNESP-D-20-00022.

Blood total antioxidant status is associated with cortical glucose uptake and factors related to accelerated aging.

Identifying cerebral vulnerability in late life is of paramount importance to prevent pathological trajectories of aging before the onset of symptoms. Considerable evidence suggests that impaired antioxidant mechanisms are a fingerprint of aging-related conditions, but there is a lack of human research linking total antioxidant capacity (TAC) measured in peripheral blood to in vivo brain changes and other factors featuring accelerated aging. To address this issue, we have assessed in cognitively normal elderly subjects (N = 100) correlations between serum TAC, using the oxygen radical absorbance capacity assay, surface-based cortical thickness, surface-based 18F-fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography cortical uptake, and different factors associated with accelerated aging [i.e., serum homocysteine (HCY), self-reported memory problems, and self-reported patterns of physical activity]. While no relationship was observed between serum TAC and variations in cortical thickness, decreased TAC level was significantly associated with lower FDG uptake in temporal lobes bilaterally. Remarkably, decreased TAC level was linked to increased HCY concentrations, moresubjective memorycomplaints, and lower frequency of physical activity. Overall, our results suggest that decreased serum TAC level may be helpful to detect vulnerable trajectories of aging.

Comparative analysis of gross motor coordination between overweight/obese and eutrophic children

Abstract Introduction: Overweight and obese children may have lower motor coordination score than normal-weight children. Objective: To compare gross motor coordination between overweight/obese and normal-weight children and investigate the associated factors with the motor coordination scores. Method: This cross-sectional study involved 169 children of both genders, aged 6-9 years. Children with malformations, bone, muscle, and joint or neurological disorders, and BMI z &lt; -2 were excluded. Gross motor coordination was assessed by the “Körperkoordinationstest für Kinder” (KTK). The associated factors with the motor coordination scores were analyzed by linear regression. Results: The mean scores for balancing backwards (84.2 ± 13.2 vs. 91.0 ± 15.0), hopping over on one foot (127.9 ± 10.1 vs. 132.3 ± 12.1), shifting platforms sidewise (123.5 ± 23.4 vs. 129.8 ± 14.9), as well as the overall motor scores (112.5 ± 14.8 vs. 118.8 ± 11.6) were significantly lower (p &lt; 0.05) in overweight/obese children when compared to normal-weight children. The percentage of poor motor scores (&lt; 85) in balancing backwards was higher in overweight/obese children (60.4% vs. 36.4%, p = 0.004) and was similar for jumping sideways (18.8% vs. 9.9%, p = 0.116), as well as for shifting platforms sidewise (6.3% vs. 0.8%, p = 0.070). By multiple linear regression analysis, the variables overweight/obesity and sports practice for less than 2 times/week decreased significantly (p &lt; 0.05) the motor coordination score by -18.7 and -15.6 points, respectively. Conclusion: The overweight/obese children scored lower in the motor coordination tests compared to the normal-weight children. Overweight/obesity and low frequency of physical activity were associated with lower scores of gross motor coordination.

Gender and Age Differences in Levels, Types and Locations of Physical Activity among Older Adults Living in Car-Dependent Neighborhoods.

A thorough understanding of gender differences in physical activity is critical to effective promotion of active living in older adults. To examine gender and age differences in levels, types and locations of physical activity. Cross-sectional observation. Car-dependent urban and rural neighborhoods in Worcester County, Massachusetts, USA. 111 men and 103 women aged 65 years and older. From 2012 to 2014, participants were queried on type, frequency and location of physical activity. Participants wore an accelerometer for 7 consecutive days. Compared to women, men had a higher mean daily step count (mean (SD) 4385 (2122) men vs. 3671(1723) women, p=0.008). Men reported higher frequencies of any physical activity and moderate-to-vigorous physical activity, and a lower frequency of physical activity inside the home. Mean daily step counts and frequency of physical activity outside the home decreased progressively with age for both men and women. Women had a sharper decline in frequencies of self-reported physical activity. Men had a significant decrease in utilitarian walking, which women did not (p=0.07). Among participants who reported participation in any physical activity (n=190), more women indicated exercising indoors more often (59% vs. 44%, p=0.04). The three most commonly cited locations for physical activity away from home for both genders were streets or sidewalks, shopping malls, and membership-only facilities (e.g., YMCA or YWCA). The most common types of physical activity, performed at least once in a typical month, with over 40% of both genders reporting, included light housework, brisk walking, leisurely walking, and stretching. Levels, types and location preferences of physical activity differed substantially by gender. Levels of physical activity decreased progressively with age, with greater decline among women. Consideration of these gender differences is necessary to improve the effectiveness of active living promotion programs among older adults.

Relationships Between Frequency of Moderate Physical Activity and Longevity: An 11-Year Follow-up Study

Objectives: Moderate physical activity gains survival. There are, however, several variables that may affect this relationship. In this study, the relationship between moderate physical activity and longevity was investigated, taking into account age, gender, smoking habits, cohabitation status, body mass index, leg strength and balance, education level and cognitive function. Method: A sample of 8,456 individuals aged 60 to 96 years, representative of the Swedish population, was included. Participants were followed from 2004 to 2015. Cox regression analyses were used to investigate the predictive value of physical activity on longevity. Results: Participants still alive in the follow-up measure were more physically active on a moderate level. Being active 2 to 3 times a week or more was related to a 28% lower risk of not being alive at the follow-up measure. Discussion: The low frequency of physical activity, necessary for survival benefits should be considered in public health programs.

Underreport of energy intake modified the association between sleep disturbance and overweight among middle-aged japanese: toon health study

Introduction Sleep problems are associated with consider to be obesity. The potential reasons are higher energy intake and lower frequency of physical activity. However, the obese people had been reported to underreport their energy intake, and this effect to the association between sleep problems and obesity is not clear. Therefore, we examined whether underreport of energy intake modified the association between sleep quality and obesity. Materials and methods We conducted a cross-sectional study. The subjects were 720 men and 1297 women aged 30–79 y in Toon Health Study between 2009 and 2012. In this study, body mass index ⩾ 25.0 was defined as overweight. Energy intake (EI) and expenditure (EE) were assessed with a validated food frequency questionnaire and physical activity questionnaire, and calculated ratio of energy intake to energy expenditure (EI-to-TEE ratio). In this study, lower EI-to-TEE ratio reflects underreport of energy intake. Sleep disturbance was assessed with the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index, and its score ⩾ 6 was defined as sleep disturbance. The logistic regression model was used to assess the association between disturbance and overweight, and effects of modification by EI, EE and EI-to-TEE ratio. Results The sleep disturbance was associated with higher risk of being overweight. The multivariable odds ratio and 95% confidence intervals for the subjects with sleep disturbance compared to those without sleep disturbance was 1.44 (1.17–1.78). The effect modification by ratio of EI-to-TEE ratio to above association was statistically significant ( p for interaction = 0.03), while those by EI and EE were not significant. After stratification by median-value of EI-to-TEE ratio, there was a significant association between sleep disturbance and being overweight among lower group, but not among higher group. Conclusion We found a significant effect modification by underreport of energy intake to the association between sleep disturbance and being overweight. Further research is needed to clarify the mechanism of this modification. Acknowledgements We are grateful to the participants of the Toon health study, and those who supported for this study.

Single and additive effects of health behaviours on the risk for disability pensions among Swedish twins

This prospective cohort study aimed to investigate single and additive effects of health behaviours for risk of future disability pension (DP) due to musculoskeletal diagnoses, DP due to mental diagnoses, DP due to circulatory system diagnoses or DP due to other diagnoses. A secondary aim was to evaluate the role of familial confounding in these associations. A sample of 31,206 Swedish twin individuals was followed from 1998-2003 to the end of 2008 via national registries for DP supplemented with additional baseline questionnaire data. Cox proportional hazard ratios (HRs) were estimated. The single effect of moderate to heavy alcohol consumption was associated with decreased risk of DP irrespective of diagnosis group in analyses accounting for background and familial factors (HR 0.42-0.88). Low frequency of physical activity (HR 1.17-1.63) or being past or regular user of tobacco products (HR 1.38-3.49) predicted increased risk for DP in all diagnosis groups. Interactions between physical activity and alcohol or tobacco consumption were significant for DP due to musculoskeletal diagnoses and mental diagnoses. Health behaviours are important risk factors for DP irrespective of diagnosis groups. The effect of health behaviours is independent from familial effects (genetics and shared environment) pointing to a direct effect of health behaviours on DP, but education, body mass index, number and severity of diseases and marital status may confound the associations. The complex interrelationships between the health behaviours revealed by interactions suggest that prevention of future DP should attempt to influence these co-existent behaviours.

Physical activity, obesity and gastroesophageal reflux disease in the general population

To clarify the association between physical activity and gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) in non-obese and obese people. A Swedish population-based cross-sectional survey was conducted. Participants aged 40-79 years were randomly selected from the Swedish Registry of the Total Population. Data on physical activity, GERD, body mass index (BMI) and the covariates age, gender, comorbidity, education, sleeping problems, and tobacco smoking were obtained using validated questionnaires. GERD was self-reported and defined as heartburn or regurgitation at least once weekly, and having at least moderate problems from such symptoms. Frequency of physical activity was categorized into three groups: (1) "high" (several times/week); (2) "intermediate" (approximately once weekly); and (3) "low" (1-3 times/mo or less). Analyses were stratified for participants with "normal weight" (BMI < 25 kg/m²), "overweight" (BMI 25 to ≤ 30 kg/m²) and "obese" (BMI > 30 kg/m²). Multivariate logistic regression was used to calculate odds ratios (ORs) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs), adjusted for potential confounding by covariates. Of 6969 eligible and randomly selected individuals, 4910 (70.5%) participated. High frequency of physical activity was reported by 2463 (50%) participants, GERD was identified in 472 (10%) participants, and obesity was found in 680 (14%). There were 226 (5%) individuals with missing information about BMI. Normal weight, overweight and obese participants were similar regarding distribution of gender and tobacco smoking status, while obese participants were on average slightly older, had fewer years of education, more comorbidity, slightly more sleeping problems, lower frequency of physical activity, and higher occurrence of GERD. Among the 2146 normal-weight participants, crude point estimates indicated a decreased risk of GERD among individuals with high frequency of physical activity (OR: 0.59, 95% CI: 0.39-0.89), compared to low frequency of physical activity. However, after adjustment for potential confounding factors, neither intermediate (OR: 1.30, 95% CI: 0.75-2.26) nor high (OR: 0.99, 95% CI: 0.62-1.60) frequency of physical activity was followed by decreased risk of GERD. Sleeping problems and high comorbidity were identified as potential confounders. Among the 1859 overweight participants, crude point estimates indicated no increased or decreased risk of GERD among individuals with intermediate or high frequency of physical activity, compared to low frequency. After adjustment for confounding, neither intermediate (OR: 0.75, 95% CI: 0.46-1.22) nor high frequency of physical activity were followed by increased or decreased risk of GERD compared to low frequency among nonobese participants. Sleeping problems and high comorbidity were identified as potential confounders for overweight participants. In obese individuals, crude ORs were similar to the adjusted ORs and no particular confounding factors were identified. Intermediate frequency of physical activity was associated with a decreased occurrence of GERD compared to low frequency of physical activity (adjusted OR: 0.41, 95% CI: 0.22-0.77). Intermediate frequency of physical activity might decrease the risk of GERD among obese individuals, while no influence of physical activity on GERD was found in non-obese people.

Diet, Physical Activity, and Obesity in School-Aged Indigenous Youths in Northern Australia

Purpose. To examine the relationship between diet, physical activity, and obesity in Indigenous youths from northern Australia. Methods. In a cross-sectional study, physical activity and dietary intake (“short nutrition questionnaire”) were assessed among all youths during a face-to-face interview. For 92 high school youths, additional dietary information was assessed using a food-frequency questionnaire. Height and weight were measured and BMI was calculated. Multiple logistic regression was used to assess associations. Results. Of the 277 youths included, 52% had ≤2 servings of fruit and 84% had <4 servings of vegetables per day; 65% ate fish and 27%, take-away food (“fast food”) at least twice a week. One in four ate local traditional sea food including turtle and dugong (a local sea mammal) at least twice a week. Overweight/obese youths engaged in fewer days of physical activity in the previous week than normal weight youths (OR = 2.52, 95% CI 1.43–4.40), though patterns of physical activity differed by sex and age (P < 0.001). Overweight/obese youths were 1.89 times (95% CI 1.07–3.35) more likely to eat dugong regularly than nonobese youths. Analysis of food-frequency data showed no difference by weight assessment among high-school students. Conclusions. Low fruit and vegetable intake were identified in these Indigenous youths. Regular consumption of fried dugong and low frequency of physical activity were associated with overweight/obesity reinforcing the need to devise culturally appropriate health promotion strategies and interventions for Indigenous youths aimed at improving their diet and increasing their physical activity.

Leisure Time Physical Activity in the Young

From a population of 1503 school children, 38 15-year-old children reporting recurrent or continuous low-back pain (LBP) and 38 asymptomatic controls (34 boys and 42 girls) matched for age, sex and school class, were compared with respect to spinal mobility and trunk muscle strength. The subjects were interviewed on leisure time physical activity preceding the measurements. Of the subjects with recurrent or continuous LBP and of those completely without LBP experience 73.7% vs 42.1% reported that they pursued some physical activity two days a week or less (P = 0.006). Further, decreased spinal mobility, diminished endurance strength of the back muscles and diminished dynamic strength of the abdominal muscles were found in the group with a low frequency of activity. Mobility in children pursuing physical activity two days a week or less was decreased in lumbar extension measured by flexicurve, in forward bending, in side bending and in straight leg raising. Our results indicate that a very low frequency of physical activity in the young might be the risk factor for LBP. Pursuing sports as a leisure time activity is not harmful; on the contrary it has positive effects on spinal mobility and trunk muscle strength.