Low Levels Of Physical Activity Research Articles

The "sweet- and sour-spot" of occupational physical activity for back pain: a prospective accelerometer study among eldercare workers.

Both high and low levels of occupational physical activity are associated with back pain. Thus, there might be a "sweet- and sour-spot" of occupational physical activity for back pain. Our aim was to investigate if there exists an occupational physical activity "sweet- (lowest risk) and sour-spot" (highest risk) for back pain. A total of 396 eldercare workers from 20 Danish nursing homes participated. Occupational physical activity was measured between 1-4 working days using thigh-worn accelerometry. Back pain intensity was reported monthly on a scale from 0-10 over 1-year. A zero-inflated mixed-effects model was developed regressing occupational physical activity against back pain, adjusted for confounders. The "sweet- and sour-spot" were defined as the occupational physical activity compositions (sitting, standing, light, and moderate-to-vigorous) associated with the 5% lowest and highest risk for back pain, respectively. The composition associated with the lowest risk of back pain - the "sweet-spot"- consisted of 71% worktime spent sitting, 18% spent standing, 5% spent on light physical activity and 6% spent on moderate-to-vigorous physical activity. The composition associated with highest risk for back pain -the "sour-spot"- consisted of 8% worktime spent sitting, 66% spent standing, 4% spent on light physical activity, and 21% spent on moderate-to-vigorous physical activity. The "sweet-spot" of occupational physical activity for back pain among eldercare workers involves more sitting and light physical activity time, while the "sour-spot" involves more standing and moderate-to-vigorous physical activity time. Research on the occupational physical activity "sweet- and sour-spot" is needed.

Exploration of Stress and Inflammatory Biomarkers Among Non-Hispanic Black and Hispanic Cancer Survivors.

To evaluate associations among social determinants of health (SDOH), stress, interleukin-6 (IL-6), and quality of life among non-Hispanic Black and Hispanic cancer survivors. Individuals who had completed cancer treatment and did not identify as White (N = 46) were recruited through community partnerships in western Massachusetts and a state cancer registry. This descriptive cross-sectional study used questionnaires and morning salivary samples to collect data between June 2022 and September 2023. Most participants were breast cancer survivors, were female, identified as African American or Black, and reported moderate levels of stress and low physical activity. Cortisol levels were higher among African American or Black participants, those with lower body mass index, and those with less consumption of fruit and vegetables. Higher symptom experience was associated with higher IL-6 levels. No associations were identified between IL-6 and cortisol or perceived stress and cortisol levels. Incorporating SDOH in self-reported outcomes, including health behaviors and associated biologic indicators, can facilitate early identification and interventions to improve symptom experience and health outcomes of cancer survivors.

Assessing Cardiovascular Health in Paediatric Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy Using the CANHEART Health Index

BackgroundPaediatric hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM) is associated with sudden cardiac death, often resulting in restriction of strenuous physical activity. High levels of inactivity and a rise in youth obesity may increase risk of poor cardiovascular (CV) health in these patients. We aim to compare the CV disease risk profile of paediatric patients with HCM to Canadian youth. MethodsPatients with HCM (10-19 years) were recruited from 10 paediatric cardiac centres in Canada. The CV disease risk profile was determined using the Healthy Hearts School Program questionnaire and Cardiovascular Health in Ambulatory Care Research Team (CANHEART) health index. Poisson regressions were used to assess associations between the CV disease risk profile of paediatric patients with HCM and the overall CANHEART health score. ResultsA total of 56 subjects were enrolled (71% male, median age: 15.5 years [interquartile range: 13.8-16.8], median body mass index: 23.3 [interquartile range: 19.5-27.7]). Results of the CANHEART health index revealed that 89% of participants with HCM never tried smoking, 52% had a healthy body mass index, 39% consumed ≥5 fruits/vegetables per day, and 50% engaged in ≥60 minutes of walking or 20 minutes of running/jogging per day. When CANHEART intermediate and poor health index scores were combined, similar proportions were obtained for each group (HCM 82.1% vs Canadian youth 83.4%; P = 0.724). ConclusionsMany paediatric patients with HCM in Canada have intermediate or poor CV health as determined by the CANHEART health score, with high rates of obesity and low physical activity levels driving these trends. Interventions should be developed to promote positive CV health behaviours among patients with HCM.

Influence of Risky Internet Use on Physical Activity and Academic Burnout among Undergraduate Students

Objectives: In this study, we investigate the correlations between Internet use risk, physical activity, and academic burnout among undergraduate students. Methods: We conducted a cross-sectional survey with 620 participants using tools like the Problematic and Risky Internet Usage Scale, the Copenhagen Burnout Inventory Student version, and the Baecke tool. Results: Over two-thirds of participants had high risky Internet use, while about half had severe academic burnout. Most students had low physical activity levels, and males had a greater predisposition to the risk resulting from Internet addiction. There was a significant difference in academic burnout according to gender, with more academic burnout among males. Whereas both males and females had low physical activity levels, there was a statistically significant difference between their levels of physical activity. Conclusion: We recommend university decision-makers organize regular physical activities to prevent academic burnout and conduct workshops and lectures to highlight the value of physical activity.

The Relationship between Physical Activity and Health-Related Quality of Life among High School Students of Karachi, Pakistan

Background: Physical activity (PA) is crucial for promoting health-related quality of life, especially among children of all ages. PA influences both physical and psychological well-being, and its absence can lead to various health-related problems that disrupt overall quality of life. Therefore, this study aims to investigate the correlation between PA and HRQoL in high school students. Methodology: We conducted a cross-sectional survey on high school students in Karachi, Pakistan, using a non-purposive sampling technique. The study included 378 students from various educational institutions. We collected data using a Physical Activity Questionnaire (PAQ) and a Pediatric Quality of Life Questionnaire (PED-QoL). The data were entered and analyzed using the Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) version 21. The chi-square test was used to associate PA with HRQoL, with a significant p<0.05. Results: Findings suggest that 79.8% of the total population have a healthy QoL, but on the other hand, 54.4% have low PA levels. The Spearman’s correlation test (r=0.145, p=0.005) indicated significant evidence of a weak positive correlation between both variables among high school students. Conclusion: A weak positive association between PA and HRQoL in high school students was revealed. Although it is an observational study, a prospective survey must systematically analyze PA and QOL among high school students. Keywords: Education, Health-related Quality of Life, Physical Activity, Young Adults.

Gambaran Tingkat Aktivitas Fisik Dan Tingkat Kebiasaan Merokok Pada Mahasiswa Kedokteran Universitas Tarumanagara Angkatan 2021-2022

Smoking and lack of physical activity are major public health problems, especially among medical students. The aim of this research is to determine the level of physical activity and level of smoking habits among medical students at Tarumanagara University class of 2021-2022. This research is a descriptive observational type and the design used is cross-sectional. Sampling was carried out using non-random sampling, consecutive sampling type. Data collection regarding gender, age, weight, height, physical activity level and level of smoking habits was carried out by carrying out direct measurements and questionnaires to research subject respondents who met the inclusion criteria from the period February-March 2024. The questionnaire was used to measure activity levels physically using the International Physical Activity Questionnaire Short Form (IPAQ-SF). Measuring the level of smoking habits using the Brinkman index questionnaire. The research results showed that the age range of respondents in this study was 18-23 years with a mean of 20.03 years. Respondents who smoked were 38 (62.3%) students and 23 (37.7%) students who did not smoke. The description of the low level of physical activity of Tarumanagara University Medical students was 32 (52.5%) students, 20 (32.8%) students with moderate physical activity and 9 (14.8%) with high physical activity. The level of smoking habits among Tarumanagara University Medical students was low at 59 (96.7%) students and 2 (3.3%) had moderate levels of smoking.

Factors influencing participation and regular attendance in a program combining physical activity and nutritional advice for overweight and obese pregnant women

BackgroundEducational programs incorporating physical activity (PA) sessions and nutritional workshops have demonstrated potential benefits for overweight and obese pregnant women. However, participation in such programs remains challenging. This prospective study aimed to investigate the factors influencing participation and regular attendance, while examining changes in health behaviors, along with obstetric and neonatal outcomes.MethodsPregnant women with at 12–22 weeks’ gestation a BMI ≥ 25 kg/m2 were invited to join an educational program combining three nutritional workshops conducted in groups and 12 weekly PA sessions. They self-selected their participation into the program. Regardless of program uptake and regularity of attendance, the women’s PA levels, eating behaviors, and affectivity were assessed using validated questionnaires at 20–24 weeks, 32–34 weeks, and postpartum. A multivariable logistic regression model was used to determine the factors influencing participation.ResultsOf the 187 women enrolled in the study, 61.5% agreed to participate in the program. Of these, only 45% attended six or more sessions (regardless of the nature of sessions, i.e. nutritional workshops and/or PA sessions), while only 8.7% attended six or more PA sessions. Participation was associated with higher rates of problematic eating behaviors and lower PA levels at baseline, while regular attendance was mainly associated with higher household incomes. No significant difference was observed between participants and non-participants in terms of changes in eating behaviors, PA levels, or affectivity. However, at the 32–34 week visit, regular participants displayed a higher change in positive affectivity, but unexpectedly also in cognitive restraint, than non-regular participants, a difference that did not persist at postpartum.ConclusionThe educational program combining nutrition and PA was shown to be safe. Women facing challenges related to health behavior displayed a willingness to sign up for the program, but tailored interventions addressing their individual challenges are needed to improve attendance. Accordingly, four recommendations are proposed for the design of future interventions.Trial registrationClinicalTrials.gov; Identifier: NCT02701426; date of first registration: 08/03/2016.

Sex Differences in Physical Activity of US children at age 13 months: Child and Mother Physical Activity Study (CAMPAS).

Lower physical activity (PA) has been observed in females compared to males among preschool-aged and older children. However, the timing of when the sex gap emerges is unclear. The purpose of this study was to investigate whether females have lower PA levels than males in the early toddler age and to explore whether gross motor competency and PA parenting practices might explain a sex difference in PA. The study design was cross-sectional. Participants were a community-based sample of 137 children aged 10-16 months residing in US Midwest urban/suburban area. Participants' mothers completed a survey that contained a demographic questionnaire, the Ages and Stages Questionnaire gross motor competency subscale, and a PA parenting practices questionnaire. Participating children wore an ActiGraph accelerometer on their hip for 7 days. Accelerometer-measured time spent in moderate- and vigorous intensity PA (MVPA; minutes/day) and in total PA (minutes/day) were calculated. Multivariable linear regression analysis was conducted to predict MVPA and total PA by sex, gross motor competency, PA parenting practices, and socioeconomic status. Among 137 participants (54.0% female), average age was 13.6 months (SD = 1.7). MVPA was 72 ± 25 and 79 ± 26 minutes/day for females and males, respectively (p = 0.14). Total PA was 221 ± 48 and 238 ± 47 minutes/day for females and males, respectively (p = 0.04). Both gross motor competency and PA-encouraging parenting practices were positively associated MVPA (p = 0.01 and p = 0.02, respectively) and total PA (p = 0.02 and p = 0.01, respectively); however, these relationships did not differ by sex (p = 0.11 and p = 0.89, respectively). After accounting for gross motor competency and PA parenting practices, total PA was 15 minutes/day lower among females than males (p = 0.04). This cross-sectional study of US children observed a sex gap in total PA at 10-16 months of age. Gross motor development and PA parenting practices did not differ by child sex nor explain the sex difference in PA. A longitudinal investigation should follow to further narrow down when sex differences in PA emerge and to determine the factors that lead to this difference.

School-based physical activity during the COVID-19 pandemic

School closures and restrictions related to the COVID-19 pandemic changed opportunities for youth physical activity (PA). We sought to identify school and other contextual conditions associated with youth PA during the COVID-19 pandemic. Participants were 500 parents of children ages 6-10 years old and 500 parent-child dyads with children and adolescents ages 11-17 years old who completed a web-based questionnaire. Quotas and demographic matching were used to generate a sample that was representative of United States adults on key demographic characteristics. Multivariable linear regression was used to assess the association between days per week of at least 60 minutes of PA with school, family, and neighborhood characteristics, controlling for child age and gender. Youth engaged in more days per week of PA when they attended school in person (B=0.75, SE=0.22, p<0.001), participated in school physical education (PE) (B=0.83, SE=0.23, p<0.001), school sports (B=0.98, SE=0.25, p<0.001), and community sports (B=0.68, SE=0.23, p=0.003), and had parents that engaged in high versus low levels of PA, (B=1.22, SE=0.21, p<0.001). The COVID-19 pandemic negatively impacted youth PA, in part, due to restriction of school-based PA opportunities. During future pandemics or conditions that necessitate remote learning, attention to opportunities for PA outside of PE class may be important for equitable PA promotion.

Inflammatory markers, somatic complaints, use of medication and health care in 11-year-old children at familial high risk of schizophrenia or bipolar disorder compared with population-based controls. The Danish High Risk and Resilience Study - via 11

Purpose Patients with schizophrenia or bipolar disorder are at increased risk of somatic illnesses and have more somatic complaints compared with the general population. Schizophrenia and bipolar disorder are highly heritable. Already during childhood, children at familial high risk of schizophrenia (FHR-SZ) or bipolar disorder (FHR-BD) are at increased risk of psychiatric disorders and cognitive and social impairments. Knowledge about physical conditions is sparse. Materials and methods Through blood tests (n = 293), interviews, and questionnaires, we assessed inflammatory markers, somatic complaints, medication – and health care use in 11-year-old children at FHR-SZ, FHR-BD, and population-based controls (PBC). Results Children at FHR-SZ had higher concentrations of leucocytes (mean 6.41, SD 0.73) compared with PBC (mean 5.78, SD 0.27, p = 0.005) and of neutrophilocytes (FHR-SZ: mean 3.11, SD 1.32, PBC: mean 2.70, SD 0.96, p = 0.024). Compared with PBC (26.6%), more children at FHR-SZ (40.5%, p = 0.007) reported somatic complaints. So did caregivers and teachers to children at FHR-BD. Somatic complaints, higher concentrations of leucocytes, and neutrophilocytes were associated with lower levels of physical activity. Children at FHR-BD with psychiatric disorders reported more somatic complaints compared with those without. Conclusion Children at FHR-SZ had higher concentrations of leucocytes and neutrophilocytes than PBC. Children at FHR-SZ or FHR-BP displayed more somatic complaints than controls. Our study highlights rarely explored disadvantage of being born to parents with schizophrenia or bipolar disorder. To enhance understanding of how physical conditions in childhood may interplay with later transition to mental disorders in children at FHR-SZ and FHR-BD, further research is needed.

Poor Health Behaviour in Medical Students at a South African University: A Cross-Sectional Survey Study.

Personal health behaviours and lifestyle habits of health professionals influence their counselling practices related to non-communicable diseases (NCDs). There are limited data on the prevalence of unhealthy lifestyle habits among medical students and the impact of acquired health knowledge throughout the curriculum. The aim of this study was to determine and compare the prevalence of modifiable behavioural NCD risk factors of medical students in different academic years at a South African tertiary institution. A cross-sectional observational study of 532 consenting medical students was conducted. Participants completed five online questionnaires regarding lifestyle behaviours (physical activity, dietary habits, smoking, alcohol consumption and sleep). Lifestyle-related risk factors with the highest prevalence were poor sleep quality (66.0%), low levels of habitual physical activity (55.8%) and low-to-moderate diet quality (54.5%). There were no differences between academic years for all risk factors measured. Over 60% of the cohort had two or more NCD risk factors and this prevalence did not differ across the degree program with the acquisition of more health knowledge. Medical students have a high prevalence of poor sleep quality, low levels of physical activity and low-to-moderate diet quality, which does not appear to change over the course of their academic career. Sleep hygiene, regular physical activity and healthy nutrition should be targeted in intervention programmes and be more prevalent in the medical curriculum.

The association of back pain with physical inactivity and hypothyroidism in pregnant women.

During pregnancy, structural and functional changes usually occur in the body, which has various consequences, including lower back pain (LBP) and hypothyroidism. One of the risk factors for these problems is physical inactivity. This study aimed to investigate the association of back pain and physical inactivity, weight gain, and hypothyroidism in pregnant women. In this cohort study, 420 pregnant women (26.333 ± 5.820 years old) were included. At first, participants answered this question: "Do you have any plans for pregnancy in the next month?" If the answer was yes, further evaluations were performed. The physical activity and pain intensity were measured by the International Physical Activity Questionnaire Short Form (IPAQ-S) and Visual Analogue Scale. Serum TSH was measured by automated chemiluminescence and commercial kits. Measurements were conducted before, the first, second, and third trimester of pregnancy. Women reporting LBP were less engaged in physical activities and weight gained in the second and third trimesters of pregnancy was significantly higher than pregnant women without LBP (p< 0.05). TSH level and weight gained in pregnant women with low physical activity level was significantly higher than pregnant women with moderate and high physical activity (p< 0.05) (without significant difference in TSH and BMI). The physical inactivity (before: OR: 1.11 95% CI: 0.89 to 1.22; first trimester: OR: 1.09 95% CI: 1.02 to 1.59; second trimester: OR: 0.92 95% CI: 0.87 to 1.31; third trimester: OR: 1.12 95% CI: 1.02 to 1.39), TSH (OR: 0.85 95% CI: 0.57 to 1.29), and weight gain (second trimester: OR: 0.87 95% CI: 0.92 to 1.59; third trimester: OR: 1.44 95% CI: 1.02 to 1.98; p< 0.05) did predict increased pain intensity. Using health-oriented approaches to increase physical activity and normalize thyroid function and weight gain during pregnancy can have beneficial effects on LBP.

Associations Between Physical Activity, Depressive, and Anxiety Symptoms in Brazilian University Students

ABSTRACT Background Physical activity (PA) has been associated with decreased symptoms of depression and anxiety in the general population, but more consistent evidence is needed in the university population. Purpose Investigate the association between physical activity and depressive and anxiety symptoms in undergraduates. Methods 100 university students (23 ± 4 years, 47% female) were included in this cross-sectional study. We performed multiple linear regression analyses to investigate the association between the main variables. Results The physical activity (MET/min/week) had a significant association with depressive (F(2, 97) = 15.104, p < .001; adjusted R2 = .222) and anxiety symptoms (F(2, 97) = 11.853 p < .001; adjusted R2 = .180), explaining these outcomes in approximately 22% and 18%, respectively. Moderate or vigorous physical activity did not have an association with depressive (B = −0.10, t = −0.700, p = .486) or anxiety symptoms (B = −0.11, t = 0.725, p = .470). Discussion Individuals with high levels of physical activity have lower depressive and anxiety symptoms than individuals with lower levels of PA. Translation to Health Education Practice Increasing the level of physical activity may be a viable strategy to reduce symptoms of anxiety and depression in university students. A AJHE Self-Study quiz is online for this article via the SHAPE America Online Institute (SAOI) http://portal.shapeamerica.org/trn-Webinars

Physical activity information-seeking behaviour and barriers in a sample of university undergraduate emerging adults: a cross-sectional survey

BackgroundAccess to physical activity information provides opportunities for enduring and relevant messaging regarding physical activity. This may be a potential vehicle to optimise physical activity participation among emerging adults. This study aimed to characterise the physical activity information-seeking behaviour in a sample of university undergraduate emerging adults.MethodsFive hundred and seventy-five undergraduate students (age = 21.7 ± 1.9 years) participated in the study. Respondents’ physical activity information-seeking behaviour was obtained using an adapted instrument, while physical activity and barriers were assessed using the International Physical Activity Questionnaire and the Exercise Benefits and Barrier Scale.ResultsThree hundred and fifty-one respondents (61%) of respondents sought physical activity information. The majority of these individuals (73.8%) sought physical activity information using social media. After identifying and controlling for confounders including engaging in physical activity programmes and faculty of study, having low physical activity levels was associated with a < 1 likelihood of seeking physical activity information compared to having high physical activity levels (odds ratio = 0.5, 95% confidence interval 0.27–0.87; p = 0.015). However, there was no association between barriers to physical activity and physical activity information-seeking behaviour (odds ratio = 1.17, 95% confidence interval 0.81–1.69; p = 0.40).ConclusionUndergraduate emerging adults seek physical activity information using social media to enhance their physical appearance and health.

Text Messages to Promote Physical Activity in Patients With Cardiovascular Disease: A Micro-Randomized Trial of a Just-In-Time Adaptive Intervention.

Text messages may enhance physical activity levels in patients with cardiovascular disease, including those enrolled in cardiac rehabilitation. However, the independent and long-term effects of text messages remain uncertain. The VALENTINE study (Virtual Application-supported Environment to Increase Exercise) was a micro-randomized trial that delivered text messages through a smartwatch (Apple Watch or Fitbit Versa) to participants initiating cardiac rehabilitation. Participants were randomized 4× per day over 6-months to receive no text message or a message encouraging low-level physical activity. Text messages were tailored on contextual factors (eg, weather). Our primary outcome was step count 60 minutes following a text message, and we used a centered and weighted least squares mean method to estimate causal effects. Given potential measurement differences between devices determined a priori, data were assessed separately for Apple Watch and Fitbit Versa users over 3 time periods corresponding to the initiation (0-30 days), maintenance (31-120 days), and completion (121-182 days) of cardiac rehabilitation. One hundred eight participants were included with 70 552 randomizations over 6 months; mean age was 59.5 (SD, 10.7) years with 36 (32.4%) female and 68 (63.0%) Apple Watch participants. For Apple Watch participants, text messages led to a trend in increased step count by 10% in the 60-minutes following a message during days 1 to 30 (95% CI, -1% to +20%), with no effect from days 31 to 120 (+1% [95% CI, -4% to +5%]), and a significant 6% increase during days 121 to 182 (95% CI, +0% to +11%). For Fitbit users, text messages significantly increased step count by 17% (95% CI, +7% to +28%) in the 60-minutes following a message in the first 30 days of the study with no effect subsequently. In patients undergoing cardiac rehabilitation, contextually tailored text messages may increase physical activity, but this effect varies over time and by device. URL: https://www.clinicaltrials.gov; Unique identifier: NCT04587882.

Osteosarcopenia in women with rheumatoid arthritis: association with nutritional status and physical condition

Objective: to evaluate nutritional status, muscle strength, functional status of skeletal muscles and physical activity (PHA) and their relationship with the osteopenic body composition phenotype in women in post menopause with rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Material and methods. The case-control study included 134 women in post menopause with RA, 52 of them had osteosarcopenia (OSP) according to densitometry and 82 had no decrease in bone mineral density (BMD) and muscle mass (mean age 62.0 ± 7.2 and 59.6 ± 7.5 years, respectively; p &gt; 0.05). A clinical and laboratory examination as well as tests to assess muscle strength and functional status were performed. The MNA-SF and IPAQ questionnaires were used to determine nutritional status and physical activity. Results and discussion. Malnutrition was found in 51.9 % of patients, and low and average levels of PHA were found in 5.8 and 50.0 % of patients with OSP, respectively. Factors associated with OSP were identified: nutritional status according to MNA-SF &lt; 12 points (odds ratio, OR 2.52; 95 % confidence interval, CI 1.10–5.77; p = 0.029), dietary calcium intake &lt; 500 mg/day (OR 3.23; 95 % CI 1.49–7.01; p = 0.003), 25(OH)D level &lt; 30 ng/ml (OR 4.55; 95 % CI 1.86–11.16; p = 0.001), moderate PHA &lt; 1 hour per day (OR 2.67; 95 % CI 1.06–6.75; p = 0.037), walking &lt; 1 hour per day and &lt; 4 hours per week (OR 3.25; 95 % CI 1.26–8.38; p = 0.015 and OR 3.17; 95 % CI 1.19–8.46; p = 0.021, respectively). Conclusion. Reduced nutritional status was found in 51.9 % and average or low levels of PHA in 55.8 % of patients with OSP. The risk of OSP development was increased by low nutritional status, inadequate dietary calcium intake, low vitamin D levels, short duration of daily moderate exercise, and inadequate daily and weekly walking time.

Barriers to and enablers of physical activity participation in lung cancer survivors.

Although physical activity physical activity has been shown to have significant benefits for individuals living with cancer, engaging lung cancer survivors (LCS) in increasing routine physical activity participation has been particularly challenging. To describe enablers of, barriers to, and patterns of physical activity among LCS and to characterize interest in a physical activity program as a first step to improving physical activity engagement. The study consisted of a cross-sectional survey (n = 100) of adult LCS recruited from a thoracic oncology clinic assessing multiple domains of physical activity (engagement, perceived barriers, benefits, physical function, psychosocial factors, self-efficacy, and programmatic preferences). Only 12% of LCS in our cohort (average age 67 years, 54% male, 81% with stage III or IV disease) met American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM) physical activity guidelines. Participants engaged in moderate-to-vigorous physical activity, with an average (SD) of 48.4 (91.8) minutes per week. The most commonly reported barriers to physical activity were fatigue (49%), dyspnea (39%), and difficulty with daily activities (34%). Regression analysis demonstrated a positive association between moderate-to-vigorous physical activity and higher income (r = 0.241, p = .016), physical function (r = 0.281, p = .005), and physical activity self-efficacy (r = 0.270, p = .007). Qualitative results demonstrated a strong interest in physical activity programming that is lung-cancer specific with a high level of support and guidance. This study identified that LCS had low levels of physical activity with fatigue, dyspnea, socioeconomic, and functional limitations contributing. The majority of LCS are interested in an exercise program and believe that exercise engagement will produce functional benefits. The present study presents a framework to guide development of community-based interventions to increase LCS physical activity participation among LCS.

Overweight and Obesity Is Associated with Higher Risk of Perceived Stress and Poor Sleep Quality in Young Adults.

Background and Objectives: Overweight and obesity are growing public health challenges, particularly concerning young adults. University life presents a unique set of stressors that may influence weight management alongside sleep quality. In this cross-sectional study, we aimed to investigate the association between overweight or obesity, stress, and sleep quality in a large sample of Greek university students. Materials and Methods: The study recruited 2116 active students from across various Greek universities. Participants completed questionnaires on sociodemographics, academic performance, and physical activity levels using the International Physical Activity Questionnaire (IPAQ). Stress and sleep quality were assessed using the Perceived Stress Scale (PSS) and the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI), respectively. Body weight and height were directly measured to calculate Body Mass Index (BMI). Results: Our analysis of 2116 Greek university students revealed significant associations between various factors and overweight/obesity. Compared to their rural counterparts, young adults in urban areas had an 88% higher prevalence of overweight/obesity (p = 0.0056). Regular smokers were twice as likely to be overweight or obese (p = 0.0012). Notably, those with low physical activity levels displayed a more than two-fold increased risk (p = 0.0008) compared to those with moderate or high activity levels. Similarly, students with moderate or high perceived stress levels had a more than two-fold prevalence of overweight/obesity compared to those with low stress (p = 0.0005). Inadequate sleep quality was also associated with an 86% higher risk of overweight/obesity (p = 0.0007). Interestingly, good academic performance showed a 57% greater prevalence of overweight/obesity compared to very good/excellent performance (p = 0.0103). Conclusions: Our findings reveal that perceived stress and poor sleep quality are significant risk factors for overweight and obesity in this young adult population.

Prevalence of text neck syndrome, its impact on neck dysfunction, and its associated factors among medical students: A cross-sectional study.

Students increasingly rely on digital devices, leading to text neck syndrome, a common overuse syndrome caused by repetitive forward neck flexion. This study aimed to determine the prevalence of text neck syndrome among medical students and the resulting neck dysfunction and to investigate the possible associated factors. This cross-sectional study used an online self-developed questionnaire among medical students. Students' characteristics and data about smartphone usage were evaluated for diagnosis. Individuals with at least 3 of the 6 text neck syndrome symptoms and a history of more than four hours a day spent on a smartphone were diagnosed with text neck syndrome. Neck dysfunction was measured using the neck disability index. Descriptive statistics and the chi-square test were used. P values < 0.05 were considered statistically significant. The study found that 31.7% of students with text neck syndrome have mild neck disabilities, with a higher proportion of females (40%). The characteristics that have a significant relation to text neck syndrome include being female (p < 0.0001), overweight (p = 0.025), being right-handed (p = 0.001), using four digital devices or more (p = 0.002), having low levels of physical activity (P = 0.018), and spending more than three hours a day sitting down (P = 0.027). More than a quarter of medical students had text neck syndrome, and most of them had a mild neck disability. Text Neck Syndrome was linked to an increased number of gadgets used, low exercise, and more time spent in a sitting position.

The association between the child’s age and mothers’ physical activity: results from the population-based German National Cohort study

BackgroundSince physical activity is an important determinant of physical and mental health, lower levels of physical activity among mothers reported in previous research are concerning. The aim of this study was to examine whether physical activity levels differ among mothers depending on the age of the youngest child.MethodsCross-sectional data from the German National Cohort study, comprising 3959 mothers aged 22–72 years with offspring aged 0–54 years (grouped into 0–5, 6–11, 12–17, 18–29 and > 30 years) was used. The Global Physical Activity Questionnaire (GPAQ) was used to assess physical activity among mothers in leisure time, transport and (occupational and non-occupational) work settings, quantified as MET-minutes per week. Means (with 95% confidence interval) of mothers’ weekly MET-minutes were visualized in graphs, stratified by mothers’ and the youngest child’s age. Linear regression analyses assessed the association between the child’s age and self-reported time and intensity of mothers’ physical activity within each activity domain and for the total physical activity.ResultsAdjusted results suggested that the MET-minutes in work settings were lower among mothers with younger children. This association was clearest in mothers whose youngest child was under 12 years old, among whom lower self-reported physical activity at work compared to mothers with children at age 30 and older was found. No association was observed between the age of the youngest child and mothers’ MET-minutes in leisure nor in transport settings. The self-reported physical activity of mothers whose youngest child was in the same child age group was found to be lower with increased maternal age. As expected, the work related activity dominated the self-reported physical activity.ConclusionsThe results show differences in mothers’ self-reported physical activity by the age of the youngest child. The strongest difference was related to physical activity in work settings, indicating the need for supportive actions.