Low Leisure-time Physical Activity Research Articles

Association between physical activity, sedentary time, participation in organized activities, social support, sleep problems and mental distress among adults in Southern Norway: a cross-sectional study among 28,047 adults from the general population

BackgroundIdentification of modifiable factors associated with poor mental health is crucial to develop targeted and effective intervention strategies for prevention of mental distress and illness in the general population. Thus, the aim of the present study was to examine the association between low level of leisure-time physical activity, high sedentary time, low participation in organized activities, low social support, sleep problems, and mental distress in a large sample of Norwegian adults.MethodsA cross-sectional study was completed by 28,047 adults (≥18 years old) in southern Norway by filling out an online self-report questionnaire. Multivariable binary logistic regression models, stratified according to gender and adjusted for age and perceived financial situation, were used to examine possible associations between unhealthy lifestyle behaviors, participation in organized activities, social support, and mental distress.ResultsOur results showed an increased odds of having mental distress among men reporting low leisure-time physical activity (OR: 1.18; 95%CI: 1.03–1.37), high sedentary time (1.32; 1.16–1.51), low involvement in organized activities (1.43; 1.25–1.64), low social support (2.55; 2.18–2.99), and sleep problems (7.29; 6.35–8.37) compared to the rest of the male population. For women, the results showed increased odds of mental distress among those reporting high sedentary time (1.25; 1.11–1.39), low involvement in organized activities (1.60; 1.42–1.80), low social support (2.71; 2.39–3.06), and sleep problems (5.78; 5.15–6.50) compared to the rest of the female population. For both men and women, results also indicated that mental distress was increased among younger adults and among those reporting financial difficulties compared to the rest of the population.ConclusionOur results showed an association between unhealthy lifestyle behaviors, low participation in organized activities, low social support and mental distress, and that the strength of the association varied substantially. These findings provide increased knowledge about the relationship between modifiable lifestyle factors and mental health which should have implications for future public health efforts.

Occupational and Leisure-Time Physical Activity Have Different Relationships With Health: A Cross-Sectional Survey Study of Working Nurses.

Recent research has focused on the potential benefits of physical activity in occupational settings in addition to leisure time. However, occupational physical activity (OPA) differs substantially for occupations that require heavy and repetitive physical work, such as nursing. We explored associations between leisure time and OPA and health outcomes in working nurses and midwives. Nurses who were enrolled in the Fit For the Future study (New South Wales, Australia) and who completed physical activity questionnaires (n = 4343) were classified according to high (HO) or low (LO) occupational and high (HL) or low (LL) leisure-time physical activity (LTPA): HO performed walking/heavy labor most/all of the time at work; HL met the guidelines of 150minutes per week moderate to vigorous LTPA, creating 4 categories: HOLL, HOHL, LOHL, and LOLL. HL predicted better self-rated health (unstandardized B = 0.51, 95% confidence interval, 0.44 to 0.57) and lower likelihood of ≥3 sick days in the past 12months (OR: 0.71, 95% confidence interval, 0.61 to 0.83), whereas HO predicted higher likelihood of ≥3 sick days (OR: 1.17, 95% confidence interval, 1.01 to 1.35), adjusting for all variables. OPA may not confer the same health benefits as LTPA for nurses. Health-promoting interventions should emphasize the importance of achieving adequate moderate to vigorous LTPA for all, including those undertaking substantial OPA.

Abstract 11894: Leisure-Time Physical Activity in Late-Life is Associated With Risk of Heart Failure With Preserved and Reduced Ejection Fraction - The Atherosclerosis Risk in Communities Study

Introduction: Leisure-time physical activity (LTPA) is associated with lower heart failure (HF) risk. However, reported associations with incident HF with preserved (HFpEF) and reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF) differ and whether these associations persist into-late life is unclear. Methods: We evaluated 5017 participants in the Atherosclerosis Risk in Communities study who attended visit 5 (2011-2013) and did not have prior HF or significant valvular heart disease. LTPA was assessed by the Baecke questionnaire, summarized in metabolic equivalent (MET)-minutes/week, and related to incident HFpEF (EF ≥ 50%) and HFrEF (EF < 50%) using multivariable Cox regression and restricted cubic splines. All models were adjusted for age, sex, race, center, and smoking status. Results: The mean age was 75.5 ± 5.0 years, 41% were male, 21% Black, and median LTPA was 624 [IQR 0-1270] MET-min/wk. Over a median follow-up of 7.2 years, 435 participants developed HF (208 HFpEF, 166 HFrEF, 61 unknown EF). Compared to those with low LTPA levels (1 st tertile; <139 MET-min/wk), higher levels of LTPA (3 rd tertile; >1053 MET-min/wk) were significantly associated with lower HF risk (HR 0.48 [95% CI 0.37-0.62]) after adjusting for age, sex, race, center, and smoking status. The 2 nd and 3 rd tertile remained associated with lower HFpEF risk (2 nd tertile: HR 0.69 [0.50-0.96]; 3 rd tertile: 0.43 [0.29-0.62]), and lower HFrEF risk (2 nd tertlle: HR 0.55 [0.37-0.81]; 3 rd tertile: 0.57 [0.39-0.85]) in the adjusted model. Restricted cubic splines demonstrated a graded response between higher levels of LTPA and incident HFpEF and HFrEF (Figure). With further adjustment for HF risk factors that may be considered mediators, the association of higher LTPA with lower risk of HFpEF was preserved while the association with HFrEF risk was attenuated. Conclusions: In older adults, higher levels of LTPA are associated with a lower risk of both incident HFpEF and HFrEF.

Physical Activity Among Preadolescents Modifies the Long-Term Association Between Sedentary Time Spent Using Digital Media and the Increased Risk of Being Overweight.

This study aimed to examine whether sedentary digital media use in preadolescence increases the risk of being overweight 3 years later, and whether this association differs based on preadolescents' leisure-time physical activity (LTPA) levels. The authors conducted a 3-year follow-up study among 4661 participants with a mean (SD) age of 11 (1)years at baseline and 14 (1)years at follow-up. A web-based questionnaire assessed sedentary digital media use and LTPA. The authors categorized baseline LTPA duration into 3 levels: 0 to 5 (low), 6 to 8 (moderate), and ≥9 (high) hours per week. In addition, the authors categorized adolescents as normal weight or overweight/obese at follow-up. Greater amounts of sedentary digital media use at baseline associated with an increased risk of being overweight 3 years later even after adjusting for confounders. This only held for preadolescents with low baseline LTPA (OR = 1.14; 95% confidence interval, 1.05-1.24), but not among those with moderate (OR = 1.02; 0.91-1.15) or high (OR = 0.96; 0.85-1.08) LTPA. Preadolescent LTPA modified the long-term association between sedentary digital media use and being overweight; specifically, 6hours per week or more of LTPA mitigated the increased risk of being overweight associated with higher amounts of digital media use.

Loss of height predicts total and cardiovascular mortality: a cohort study of northern European women

ObjectiveTo examine height changes in middle-aged northern European women in relation to overall and cardiovascular mortality.DesignPopulation-based cohort studies with longitudinally measured heights and register-based mortality.SettingSweden and Denmark.ParticipantsPopulation-based samples of 2406...

PREVALENCE AND CORRELATES OF OBESITY IN INDUSTRIAL WORKERS IN ARCTIC RUSSIA

Background: Obesity has been consistently reported as a global epidemic representing a significant medical and social problem in many countries. However, the number of studies on this topic from Arctic Russia is still relatively scarce. Aim: To assess the prevalence and correlates of obesity among industrial workers in an Arctic Russian setting. Methods: Altogether, 2 474 workers of a mining and metallurgical enterprise in the Murmansk region participated in a cross-sectional study. The list of studied characteristics complied with the requirements of the Order of the Ministry of Health and Social Development of Russia dated 04/12/2011, No. 302n, as amended on 05/18/2020. In addition, we studied intensity and frequency of leisure time physical activity. Student's unpaired t-tests and chi-squared tests were used for analyses of numeric and categorical variables, respectively. Prevalence ratios (PR) and 95 % confidence interval (CI) were also calculated. Results: The prevalence of obesity was 17.6 % and it was ranked the third most common health problems after myopia and low back pain. Age, female gender, severity of work and number of working years and low leisure time physical activity were associated with obesity. The prevalence of musculoskeletal (PR = 1.11; CI 1.04-1.19) and circulatory (PR = 1.62; CI 1.41-1.86) diseases, disorders of endocrine system, nutrition and metabolism (PR = 2.01; CI 1.48-2.74), including arterial hypertension (PR = 2.11; CI 1.72-2.59) and type 2 diabetes mellitus (PR = 3.14; CI 1.28-7.68) were greater than among non-obese individuals. Obese employees had on average more diseases than their non-obese counterparts (3.41 ± 0.12 vs.2.80 ± 0.06, p < 0.001). Conclusion: Nearly every fifth employee in the study population is obese and have more somatic diseases than non-obese individuals. Our findings warrant development of population-based or occupational programs to prevent obesity and reduce the number of associated problems among industrial workers in Arctic Russia.

The physical activity paradox in cardiovascular disease and all-cause mortality: the contemporary Copenhagen General Population Study with 104 046 adults

Aims Leisure time physical activity associates with reduced risk of cardiovascular disease and all-cause mortality, while these relationships for occupational physical activity are unclear. We tested the hypothesis that leisure time physical activity associates with reduced major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE) and all-cause mortality risk, while occupational physical activity associates with increased risks.Methods and results We studied 104 046 women and men aged 20–100 years in the Copenhagen General Population Study with baseline measurements in 2003–2014 and median 10-year follow-up. Both leisure and occupational physical activity were based on self-report with four response categories. We observed 7913 (7.6%) MACE and 9846 (9.5%) deaths from all causes. Compared to low leisure time physical activity, multivariable adjusted (for lifestyle, health, living conditions, and socioeconomic factors) hazard ratios for MACE were 0.86 (0.78–0.96) for moderate, 0.77 (0.69–0.86) for high, and 0.85 (0.73–0.98) for very high activity; corresponding values for higher occupational physical activity were 1.04 (0.95–1.14), 1.15 (1.04–1.28), and 1.35 (1.14–1.59), respectively. For all-cause mortality, corresponding hazard ratios for higher leisure time physical activity were 0.74 (0.68–0.81), 0.59 (0.54–0.64), and 0.60 (0.52–0.69), and for higher occupational physical activity 1.06 (0.96–1.16), 1.13 (1.01–1.27), and 1.27 (1.05–1.54), respectively. Similar results were found within strata on lifestyle, health, living conditions, and socioeconomic factors, and when excluding individuals dying within the first 5 years of follow-up. Levels of the two domains of physical activity did not interact on risk of MACE (P = 0.40) or all-cause mortality (P = 0.31).Conclusion Higher leisure time physical activity associates with reduced MACE and all-cause mortality risk, while higher occupational physical activity associates with increased risks, independent of each other.

Leisure-time physical activity, sedentary behavior, and risk of breast cancer: Results from the SUN (‘Seguimiento Universidad De Navarra’) project

Evidence is still limited on the influence of sedentary lifestyles on breast cancer (BC) risk. Also, prospective information on the combined effects of both sedentariness and leisure-time physical activity (LTPA) is scarce. We aimed to assess the association of higher sedentary behavior and LTPA (separately and in combination) with the risk of BC in a middle-aged cohort of university graduates. The SUN Project is a follow-up study initiated in 1999 with recruitment permanently open. Baseline assessments included a validated questionnaire on LTPA and sedentary habits. Subsequently, participants completed biennial follow-up questionnaires. Multivariable adjusted Cox models were used to estimate the hazard ratios (HR) for incident BC according to LTPA, TV-watching, the joint classification of both, and a combined 8-item multidimensional active lifestyle score. We included 10,812 women, with 11.8 years of median follow-up of. Among 115,802 women-years of follow-up, we confirmed 101 incident cases of BC. Women in the highest category of LTPA (>16.5 MET-h/week) showed a significantly lower risk of BC (HR = 0.55; 95% CI: 0.34–0.90) compared to women in the lowest category (≤6 MET/h-week). Women watching >2 h/d of TV sh owed a higher risk (HR = 1.67; 95% CI:1.03–2.72) than those who watched TV <1 h/d. Women in the highest category (6–8 points) of the multidimensional combined 8-item score showed a lower BC risk (HR = 0.35; 95% CI: 0.15–0.79) than those in the lowest category (<2 points) group. There was no significant supra-multiplicative interaction between TV-watching and LTPA. Both low LTPA and TV-watching >2 h/d may substantially increase BC risk, independently of each other.

Does baseline leisure-time physical activity level predict future depressive symptoms or physical activity among depressive patients? Findings from a Finnish five-year cohort study

Objectives The aims of this study were to investigate whether baseline leisure-time physical activity (LTPA) is associated with future recovery from depression among patients with a depression diagnosis and whether baseline LTPA is associated with total physical activity after five years of follow-up. Methods A total of 258 patients aged ≥35 years with clinically confirmed depression at baseline participated. The study was conducted between 2008 and 2016 in municipalities within the Central Finland Hospital District. Depressive symptoms (DS) were determined with the Beck Depression Inventory (BDI) with a cutoff score ≥10, and depression diagnoses were confirmed by the Mini-International Neuropsychiatric Interview (MINI). Blood pressure and anthropometric parameters were measured and blood samples for glucose and lipid determinations were drawn at baseline. LTPA, physical activity, and other social and clinical factors were captured by standard self-administered questionnaires at baseline and the five-year follow-up point. Results Of the 258 patients, 76 (29%) had DS at follow-up. Adjusted odds ratio (OR) for future DS was 1.43 (confidence interval [CI] 0.69–2.95) for participants with moderate LTPA and 0.92 (CI 0.42–2.00) for participants with high LTPA, compared with low LTPA at baseline. Higher baseline LTPA levels were associated with higher total physical activity in the future (β=0.14 [95% CI: 0.02–0.26] for linearity = 0.024). Conclusion Baseline LTPA did not affect the five-year prognosis of depression among depressed patients in a Finnish adult population. Because the baseline LTPA level predicted the future total physical activity, it could be included as a part of the overall health management and treatment of depression in clinical practices.

Physical Activity and Psychosocial Factors Associated With Risk of Future Fractures in Middle-Aged Men and Women.

Identification of risk factors for fractures is important for improving public health. We aimed to identify which factors related to physical activity and psychosocial situation were associated with incident fractures among 30,446 middle-aged women and men, followed from 1991-1996 to 2016, in a prospective population-based cohort study. The association between the baseline variables and first incident fracture was assessed by Cox regression models, and significant risk factors were summed into fracture risk scores. Any first incident fracture affecting spine, thoracic cage, arms, shoulders, hands, pelvis, hips, or legs was obtained from the National Patient Register, using the unique personal identity number of each citizen. A total of 8240 subjects (27%) had at least one fracture during the follow-up of median 20.7 years. Age, female sex, body mass index, previous fracture, reported family history of fracture >50 years (all p < .001), low leisure-time physical activity (p=.018), heavy work (p=.024), living alone (p=.002), smoking (p < .001), and no or high alcohol consumption (p=.005) were factors independently associated with incident fracture. The fracture risk score (0-9 points) was strongly associated with incident fracture (p for trend <.001). Among men without risk factors, the incidence rate was 5.3/1000 person-years compared with 23.2 in men with six or more risk factors (hazard ratio [HR] = 5.5; 95% confidence interval [CI] 3.7-8.2). Among women with no risk factors, the incidence rate was 10.7 compared with 28.4 in women with six or more risk factors (HR=3.1; 95% CI 2.4-4.0). Even moderate levels of leisure-time physical activity in middle age are associated with lower risk of future fractures. In contrast, heavy work, living alone, smoking, and no or high alcohol consumption increase the risk of fracture. Our results emphasize the importance of these factors in public health initiatives for fracture prevention. © 2021 The Authors. Journal of Bone and Mineral Research published by Wiley Periodicals LLC on behalf of American Society for Bone and Mineral Research (ASBMR).

Burden of prediabetes, undiagnosed, and poorly or potentially sub-controlled diabetes: Lolland-Falster health study

BackgroundThis study aimed to investigate prevalence and risk factors for prediabetes, undiagnosed diabetes mellitus, poorly and potentially sub-controlled diabetes in a rural-provincial general adult population in Denmark.MethodsUsing cross-sectional data from the Lolland-Falster Health Study, we examined a total of 10,895 individuals aged 20 years and above.ResultsPrevalence of prediabetes was 5.8% (men: 6.1%; women: 5.5%); of undiagnosed diabetes 0.8% (men: 1.0%; women: 0.5%); of poorly controlled diabetes 1.2% (men: 1.5%; women: 0.8%); and of potentially sub-controlled diabetes 2% (men: 3.0%; women: 1.3%). In total, 9.8% of all participants had a diabetes-related condition in need of intervention; men at a higher risk than women; RR 1.41 (95% CI 1.26–1.58); person aged + 60 years more than younger; RR 2.66 (95% CI 2.34–3.01); obese more than normal weight person, RR 4.51 (95% CI 3.79–5.38); smokers more than non-smokers, RR 1.38 (95% CI 1.19–1.62); persons with self-reported poor health perception more than those with good, RR 2.59 (95% CI 2.13–3.15); low leisure time physical activity more than those with high, RR 2.64 (95% CI 2.17–3.22); and persons with self-reported hypertension more than those without, RR 3.28 (95% CI 2.93–3.68).ConclusionsIn the Lolland-Falster Health Study, nearly 10% of participants had prediabetes, undiagnosed diabetes, poorly controlled, or potentially sub-controlled diabetes. The risk of these conditions was more than doubled in persons with self-reported poor health perception, self-reported hypertension, low leisure time physical activity, or measured obesity, and a large proportion of people with diabetes-related conditions in need of intervention can therefore be identified relatively easily.

The medical costs of low leisure-time physical activity among working-age adults: Gender and minority status matter

This study analyzes the direct medical costs of low physical activity by race/ethnicity and gender. Average health expenditures based on physical activity status for Black non-Hispanics (NH), Asian NHs, and Hispanics were compared to White NHs. Data from the National Health Interview Survey were merged with the Medical Expenditure Panel Survey for years 2000–2010 and 2001–2011, respectively, and weights were applied to ensure generalizability to the larger US population. The sample was restricted to non-pregnant adults between the ages of 25 and 64, with a final sample size of 44,953. The multivariate estimates reveal statistically significant lower annual health care expenditures among physically active men and women in five out of eight racial/ethnic groups relative to their inactive counterparts: on average, for men, $1041 less is spent among White NHs, $905 less is spent for Black NHs and $876 less is spent for Asian NHs. Among women, medical expenditures were $956 per year less among active White non-Hispanics relative to their inactive counterparts, and $815 per year among Hispanics. Essentially, the average reduction in health care expenditures is relatively consistent for five out of the eight groups. The absence of any reduction in average health care expenditures for three of the groups, however, suggests that there may be environmental factors at play for certain groups that mitigate the impact of physical activity on health expenditures.

Association between unemployment and the co-occurrence and clustering of common risky health behaviors: Findings from the Constances cohort.

Unemployment is associated with a high prevalence of risky health behaviors. Mortality increases with the number of co-occurring risky behaviors but whether these behaviors co-occur with a greater than expected frequency (clustering) among unemployed people is not known. Differences according to unemployment status in co-occurrence and clustering of smoking, alcohol abuse, low leisure-time physical activity and unhealthy diet (marked by low fruit and vegetable intake) were assessed in 65,630 salaried workers, aged 18 to 65, who were participants in Constances, a French population-based cohort. Among them, 4573 (7.0%) were unemployed without (n = 3160, 4.8%) or with (n = 1413, 2.1%) past experience of unemployment. Compared to the employed, unemployed participants without or with past experience of unemployment were similarly overexposed to each risky behavior (sex and age adjusted odds-ratios ranging from 1.38 to 2.19) except for low physical activity, resulting in higher rates of co-occurrence of two, three and four behaviors (relative risk ratios, RRR 1.20 to 3.74). Association between behavior co-occurrence and unemployment did not vary across gender, partnership status or income category. Risky behavior clustering, i.e., higher than expected co-occurrence rates based on the prevalence of each behavior, was similar across unemployment status. The same observations can be made in employed participants with past experience of unemployment, although overexposure to risky behaviors (ORs 1.15 to 1.38) and increased rates of co-occurrence (ORs 1.19 to 1.58) were not as pronounced as in the unemployed. Co-occurrence of risky behaviors in currently and/or formerly unemployed workers is not worsened by behavior clustering. Engagement in each of these behaviors should be considered an engagement in distinct social practices, with consequences for preventive policies.

Domain-specific physical activity patterns and cardiorespiratory fitness among the working population: Findings from the cross-sectional German Health Interview and Examination Survey

ObjectivesThis study aimed to investigate associations between occupational physical activity patterns (physical work demands linked to job title) and leisure time physical activity (assessed by questionnaire) with cardiorespiratory fitness (assessed...

Sexual identity and low leisure-time physical activity: a population-based study

ObjectivesTo investigate associations between sexual identity and low leisure-time physical activity (LTPA). Study designCross-sectional study. MethodsThe 2012 public health survey was conducted with a postal questionnaire in southern Sweden with 28,029 respondents, aged 18–80 years. Analyses were conducted with logistic regressions. ResultsThe prevalence of low LTPA among men and women were as follows: 13.9% and 12.3% among heterosexuals, 26.1% and 18.5% among bisexuals, 19.5% and 15.6% among homosexuals, 26.6% and 18.5% among others. Bisexual men and women and other men had higher odds ratio of low LTPA than heterosexuals in the final models, whereas gay and lesbian participants did not differ. ConclusionsThe results should guide health promotion and prevention.

High leisure-time physical activity reduces the risk of long-term sickness absence.

This study examined the association of leisure-time physical activity (LTPA) with the risk of long-term sickness absence (LTSA). A total of 10427 subjects from the general working population in Denmark answered questions about physical activity habits, health and work environment in the 2010 Danish Work Environment Cohort Study (DWECS). Data on LTSA (≥6 consecutive weeks during 2-year follow-up) were obtained from the Danish Register for Evaluation of Marginalization (DREAM). Cox regression analysis censored for competing events and adjusted for potential confounders (age, sex, BMI, smoking habits, depression, cancer, back diseases, previous LTSA, occupational social class, and psychosocial work environment) estimated the association between the predictor (LTPA) and the outcome variable (LTSA). During the 2-year follow-up period, 9.2% of the studied population experienced LTSA. In the general working population, moderate LTPA was not associated with LTSA (HR=0.89, 95% CI: 0.72-1.09), while high LTPA showed a tendency (HR=0.77, 95% CI: 0.59-1.01). In subgroup analyses, women below the age of 45years with high LTPA showed a significantly lower risk of LTSA when compared with their low LTPA counterparts (HR=0.44, 95% CI: 0.25-0.78). The results suggest that high levels of physical activity during leisure are associated with a lowered risk of LTSA, especially among younger women.

Social-ecological predictors of physical activity patterns: A longitudinal study of women from socioeconomically disadvantaged areas

Limited longitudinal evidence of the predictors of physical activity (PA) patterns over time exists, particularly among high-risk groups such as women living in socioeconomically disadvantaged areas. This study aimed to: 1) describe leisure-time PA (LTPA) and transport-related PA (TRPA) patterns over time; and 2) identify individual, social and physical environmental predictors of LTPA and TRPA patterns over five years. Baseline (2007–08) data were collected and analysed (2016–18) from n = 4349 women (18–46 years) from disadvantaged areas of Victoria, Australia. Three- and five-year follow-up data were collected in 2010–11 (n = 1912) and 2012 (n = 1560). LTPA and TRPA were self-reported using the International Physical Activity Questionnaire, and patterns categorised as consistently low, persistently increasing, persistently decreasing, or inconsistent. Compared to a consistently low LTPA pattern, greater family support predicted both persistent decreases (odds ratio [OR] 1.20, 95% CI 1.05–1.36) and persistent increases (OR 1.17, 95% CI 1.04–1.32) in LTPA, while access to childcare predicted inconsistent LTPA patterns (OR 1.66, 95% CI 1.03–2.65). For both LTPA and TRPA, PA enjoyment predicted persistent increases (LTPA: OR 1.05, 95% CI 1.02–1.10; TRPA: OR 1.03, 95% CI 1.00–1.07), persistent decreases (LTPA: OR 1.04, 95% CI 1.00–1.08; TRPA OR 1.04, 95% CI 0.99–1.08), and inconsistent patterns (LTPA: OR 1.04, 95% CI 1.02–1.07; TRPA: OR 1.03, 95% CI 1.01–1.06). Although directionality was inconsistent, and the magnitude of effects were small, PA enjoyment, family social support for PA and access to childcare warrant further investigation and consideration as potentially key factors impacting PA patterns among women living in socioeconomically disadvantaged areas.

Associations of Partner Support and Acculturation With Physical Activity in Mexican American Women.

Insufficient physical activity (PA) and obesity-related health conditions have reached epidemic proportions worldwide. Mexican American women (MAW) report low leisure time physical activity. Few studies examine activities beyond leisure time. Qualitative research suggests that partner support influence provides a cultural approach relevant to PA among MAW. This cross-sectional study used an ecological model to investigate community (the physical environment), interpersonal (partner support, attitudinal familism), and intrapersonal (age, health conditions, acculturation, employment, and body mass index) factors associated with PA among 112 MAW. Community-based participatory research recommendations guided the preparatory phase of the study and the face-to-face interviews. Frequencies and descriptive statistics were computed. Multivariable linear regression analyses were used to examine associations between study variables. Moderate to high PA levels were found based on combined activities performed during leisure time, transportation, household tasks, and occupational duties. Women with greater partner support reported higher PA levels. Although acculturation levels were low among women, those with higher acculturation were found to be more physically active. Future studies should examine strategies to increase partner support and address acculturation within intervention programs to enhance overall PA among MAW.

Joint associations of fruit and vegetable consumption and physical activity with mortality risk

Abstract Background Fruit and vegetable consumption (FVC) and leisure-time physical activity (LTPA) are associated with better health outcomes but less is known about their joint associations with the risk of mortality. We examined the joint associations of FVC and LTPA with premature mortality among midlife and ageing municipal employees, adjusting for key covariates. Methods Survey data collected in 2000–2002 among 40–60-year-old employees of the City of Helsinki, Finland, were linked with complete register data on mortality from Statistics Finland (4961 women, 1373 men; response rate 67%; written consent for register linkages 74%). FVC was dichotomised into daily or non-daily, and LTPA into high (&amp;gt;14 MET-hours/week including vigorous exercise) or low. Covariates included age, sex, marital status, socioeconomic position, binge drinking, smoking and self-rated health. Cox regression models were fitted. The follow-up continued until the event of death or the end of 2015. Results A total of 281 deaths occurred during the follow-up. The mortality rate was 7.1% in men and 3.7% in women. A gender interaction was found, showing differing associations for women and men. Men with both daily FVC and high LTPA had the lowest mortality risk (HR 0.19, 95% CI 0.06-0.63) after adjusting for covariates. Men with high LTPA and non-daily FVC also had a lower mortality risk (HR 0.51, 95% CI 0.29-0.90) compared to those with non-daily FVC and low LTPA. Women with daily FVC and high LTPA had a lower mortality risk initially, but after adjusting for covariates no statistically significant associations were observed. Conclusions The joint associations of FVC and LTPA with premature mortality differed between women and men. This could be related to gender differences in e.g. the causes of death, and further studies are needed to clarify this. Increasing FVC and LTPA might prevent premature mortality among men. Key messages Fruit and vegetable consumption jointly with physical activity decreased the risk of premature mortality among men only. Further studies are needed to clarify the gender difference which could be related to for example death causes.

Genetic risk score predicts risk for overweight and obesity in Finnish preadolescents.

SummaryCommon genetic variants predispose to obesity with varying contribution by age. We incorporated known genetic variants into genetic risk scores (GRSs) and investigated their associations with overweight/obesity and central obesity in preadolescents. Furthermore, we compared GRSs with lifestyle factors, and tested if they predict the change in body size and shape in a 4‐year follow‐up. We utilized 1142 subjects from the Finnish Health in Teens (Fin‐HIT) cohort. Overweight and obesity were defined with age‐ and gender‐specific body mass index (BMI) z‐score (BMIz), while central obesity by the waist‐to‐height ratio (WHtR). Background data on parental language, eating habits, leisure‐time physical activity (LTPA) and sleep duration were included. Genotyping was performed with the Metabochip platform. Weighted, standardized GRSs were derived. Of the11‐year‐old children, 25.5% were at least overweight and 90.8% had Finnish speaking background. BMI‐GRS was associated with higher risk for overweight with odds ratio (95% confidence interval) of 1.39 (1.20; 1.60) and obesity 1.41 (1.08; 1.83), but not with central obesity. BMI‐GRS was weakly and inversely associated with the changes in BMIz and WHtR in the 4‐year follow‐up. Waist‐to‐hip ratio‐GRS was not related to any obesity measures at baseline nor in the follow‐up. The effect of BMI‐GRS is similar to that of low LTPA on overweight. An interaction between parental language and BMI‐GRS was noted (P = .019): BMI‐GRS associated more strongly with overweight in Swedish than in Finnish speakers. We further identified two suggestive genetic variants near LOC101926977 and LOC105369677 associated with BMIz in preadolescents which were replicated in the adult population. In preadolescents, known genetic predisposing factors induce a risk for overweight comparable to low LTPA. However, the GRS was poor in predicting short‐term changes in BMI or WHtR.