Physical Activity Choices Research Articles

The use of complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) during pregnancy.

Approximately one-third of the global population uses complementary medicine, as yoga and meditation, not endorsed by evidence-based conventional medicine and, with more difficulties in case of pregnancy. Our study investigates the prevalence of Complementary and Alternative Medicine (CAM) usage in Novara (Italy) and its province through a survey to pregnant women at 36 gestational weeks. The sample consisted of 70 women, average age of 33 years, most Caucasian, highly educated, mostly employed, under private gynecological care, with a prevalence of CAM use of 24.3 % [95 % CI 14.83; 36.01]. Six women (35.3 %) did not inform their healthcare provider of using these medicines, 15 women (88.2 %) express willingness to use complementary medicine in their next pregnancy, while 2 (11.8 %) are uncertain. The study found a significant association between higher education and CAM usage among pregnant women. Other factors, including nationality, occupation, choice of private practice, parity, physical activity, diet, smoking, pregnancy complications, and vaccination status, did not show significant relationships with CAM usage. Our objective is to delineate the characteristics of CAM users, explore the methodologies and motivations of their usage, and ascertain any correlations with the rejection of conventional vaccination practices. The analyzed population consists of 70 women aged 32.9 years in mean, mostly Caucasian, with a high level of education. Most women are under private gynecological care (84.3 %), half of the participants are experiencing their first pregnancy. Physical activity levels vary, with 34.3 % reporting high activity levels. Regarding diet, 77.1 % consider their eating habits moderately healthy, with a notable portion of smokers women (24.3 %); 20.0 % have experienced pregnancy complications. 17 participants utilized non-conventional or alternative medicine, with a prevalence of 24.3 [95 % CI 14.83; 36.01]. Six women (35.3 %) did not inform their healthcare provider about using CAM. Seven women (46.7 %) claim significant beneficial effects in most cases, while 8 (53.3 %) state this occasionally. Based on their experiences, 15 women (88.2 %) express willingness to use complementary alternative medicine in their subsequent pregnancy, while 2 (11.8 %) are uncertain. Only one person (11.1 %) used this type of therapy as a substitute for conventional treatment, but they informed their attending physician. The study seeks to enhance our understanding of CAM utilization in pregnancy, informing more comprehensive and evidence-based healthcare practices for expectant mothers.

The Influence of Competitive Level on Sleep Quality and Quality of Life in Adolescent Soccer Players.

Introduction Soccer is one of the most popular sports worldwide and is a leading physical activity choice among adolescents. This study aims to investigate how the competitive level of adolescent soccer players impacts their sleep quality and quality of life. Methods A total of 5,692 adolescents aged 11 to 19 years were classified based on their physical activity levels and competitive engagement. Participants were categorized as inactive, non-competitive athletes, or soccer players competing at local, regional, or national levels. An anonymous online questionnaire was used to assess sociodemographic characteristics, physical activity level, competition level, sleep quality, and quality of life. Significance was set at p < 0.05. The Chi-square (χ²) test was employed to examine frequency distributions.Comparisons based on competitive level were performed using Generalized Linear Models, adjusting for age, BMI, municipality size, and economic level.When significant differences were identified, post hoc analyses were conducted with a Bonferroni adjustment. Results Girls reported lower sleep quality and quality of life compared to boys. Soccer players exhibited better sleep quality and life satisfaction than inactive individuals and non-competitive athletes, independent of competitive level (p > 0.05 Bonferroni pairwise comparison). Among boys, regional-level soccer players showed the highest sleep quality and quality of life. For girls, national-level soccer players reported the best outcomes in both parameters. Conclusion Adolescent soccer players, regardless of their competitive level, demonstrate better sleep quality and quality of life than inactive individuals or non-competitive athletes. In general, higher levels of competition correlate with improved sleep quality and quality of life, particularly among female athletes.

Abstract 25: The Blood Pressure Effects of a Just-in-time-adaptive Intervention for Physical Activity and Diet in Patients with Hypertension: A Randomized Controlled Trial

Background: Emerging data suggest mobile health interventions are a promising approach for managing hypertension, but large-scale studies are lacking. The myBPmyLife mobile application is a just-in-time adaptive intervention incorporating behavioral change strategies such as goal setting, prompts, visualizations, and feedback to encourage increased physical activity and lower-sodium food choices. Methods: The study was a prospective, randomized-controlled trial that enrolled patients with hypertension from the University of Michigan Health in Ann Arbor, MI, and the Hamilton Community Health Network, a series of federally qualified health center clinics, in Flint, MI. Participants were randomized 1:1 to either the intervention group receiving the myBPmyLife mobile application or the control group and followed for 6 months. Participants in both groups received a smartwatch and a Bluetooth blood pressure (BP) monitor and were prompted to perform BP measurements once weekly. The primary outcome was systolic BP (SBP) change from baseline to 6 months. Secondary outcomes included change from baseline to 6 months in mean daily step count assessed by smartwatch and mean daily sodium intake assessed by the Block sodium screener. Results: The study enrolled 602 participants between December 2021 and July 2023. Mean age was 59.6 years (SD 14), with 74.4% self-identifying as White and 51.7% as men. Baseline estimated sodium intake was 3089 mg (SD 1078) per day, mean step count was 7618 (SD 3778) steps per day, SBP was 132 (SD 15) mmHg, and diastolic blood pressure (DBP) was 82 (SD 10) mmHg. Change in SBP from baseline to 6 months was -5.2 (SD 15) mmHg in the intervention and -5.7 (SD 15) mmHg in the control group (Table; p=0.76). Change in DBP from baseline to 6 months was -3.0 (SD 9) mmHg in the intervention and -3.6 (SD 10) mmHg in the control group (p=0.52). From baseline to 6 months, estimated daily sodium intake decreased by 1145 mg (SD 1023) in the intervention and 860 mg (SD 1001) in the control group (p=0.002), while mean daily step count increased by 170 steps (SD 2690) in the intervention and decreased by 319 steps (SD 2612) in the control group (p=0.040). Conclusion: A mobile health intervention, myBPmyLife, promoting lifestyle modification in hypertensive patients did not change SBP over 6 months compared to the control group despite significantly improving daily sodium intake and step count over that period.

Exploring Beginner Free diver’s Experience of Benefit Recreational Freediving Activity

The purpose of this article is to explore the experience of an Indonesian beginner free diver perspective while practicing programmed recreational freediving. This freediving recreational theme tries to be built from the experience of a beginner free diver who obtains mental and physical health benefits from relaxation and other physical aspects through diving. This is to support the program for further development of freediving recreation as a choice of physical activity in free time. A qualitative methodology has been used twenty-six freedivers aged between 18 and 43 years were recruited to participate in the study. In-depth interviews were specifically designed to collect data about the forms of experience, learning, motivation, positive mental involvement through recreational freediving activities carried out. Data were collected with anecdotal notes through interviews and submitted to inductive content analysis in the ATLAS.ti 9 program. Physical theoretical literacy analysis was used to address the empirical data analysis. The results showed patterns in the data, including information gathering physical exercises, mental training, engagement as a learning journey, and experience and withdrawal from recreational freediving performed. It is concluded that this type of recreational freediving exercise provides a form of physical activity that provides mental and physical benefits for novice freediving. Keywords: Perspective, Benefit, Recreational Freediving

EVALUATION OF THE HEALING MENTAL HEALTH PROGRAM

INTRODUCTION &amp; AIMS The HEALTMing Mental Health (HEALTM-MH) program was a free community-based program offered by Exercise &amp; Sport Science Australia, supported by the Australian Sports Commission, Sport Australia Participation Grants program. HEALTM-MH was targeted at Australians living with mental health conditions in rural or remote areas. Our aim is to present an evaluation of the program effectiveness. METHODS The standard program included one-hour of supervised group exercise per week and a one-hour lifestyle education session for 8-weeks. All outcome data, including The Stages of Behaviour Change, were collected by the site facilitators and was provided in an anonymised format for analysis and reporting. Participants were included in the analysis if they had completed more than 50% of the sessions. RESULTS A total of 182 participants were recruited which included 117 who were enrolled in the adult mental health program, 32 in the standard adult program and 33 in a teen mental health program. All programs were delivered between May and October 2022 by trained HEALTM providers, with 18 sites having AEPs leading the program, and one site was led by a registered nurse. Included in analysis were 99 participants (31 males, 68 females) with a mean age of 59.5 years. There was a statistically significant change toward the desired outcome for fourteen of fifteen measures from pre- to post-testing. Twelve of these measures recorded the desired target change at the population (grouped) level. CONCLUSION The targeted behaviour change was for a one stage shift which was achieved with most participants in the action or maintenance stage by the end of the program. The provision of the HEALTM-MH program was beneficial for those who attended more than 50% of the sessions. The program may increase physical activity and healthy lifestyle choices in individuals who selfreport a mental health disorder.

A STUDY ON THE PREVALENCE OF OVERWEIGHT AND OBESITY AMONG WOMEN AGED 20 YEARS AND ABOVE IN RURAL FIELD PRACTICE AREA OF SIMS, HAPUR

Objectives: The aim of the study was to assess the prevalence of overweight as well as obesity among women aged 20 years and above in a rural covered area of SIMS, Hapur, and to assess the risk factors for overweight and obesity in the above study population. Methods: This research was carried out in the rural field practice area of SIMS, Hapur, spanning from July 2022 to July 2023. The study focused on women aged 20 years and older who were residents of the SIMS field practice area. The following criteria were used to select the study participants: Women who were pregnant at the time of the study, those who could not be reached after two home visits, individuals taking chronic medications that might lead to weight gain, and those who were uncooperative were excluded from the study. Results: Out of the 500 participants in the study, 18.6% were categorized as underweight, 53.6% fell within the normal weight range, and 27.8% were considered overweight. Within the group of overweight individuals, a substantial 70.5% were classified as obese. The study revealed that the overall prevalence of overweight (defined as BMI&gt;23) was 27.7%, while the prevalence of obesity (defined as BMI&gt;25) stood at 19.8%. Furthermore, 29.9% of the women had a waist circumference exceeding 80 cm. Conclusion: Based on the findings from our current research, it can be deduced that women with higher levels of education and socioeconomic status, a family history of excess weight, a higher number of pregnancies, a lack of physical activity, insufficient sleep, and poor dietary choices are more likely to be at risk of becoming overweight or obese. To prevent the rising prevalence of excess fat and obesity, it is imperative to implement lifestyle and dietary modifications.

Exploring the Influence of a Physical Activity and Healthy Eating Program on Childhood Well-Being: A Comparative Study in Primary School Students.

Childhood is a crucial stage of human development in which the lifestyles children adopt can have a significant impact on their well-being throughout their lives. The aim of this study was to analyze and compare the healthy habits and Body Mass Index (BMI) of students from a primary school that participated in a program to promote physical activity and healthy eating one year earlier with other students from two schools that had not participated in this type of program. We analyzed a sample of 287 Spanish students, aged between 8 and 12 years. A survey of healthy habits was completed, and anthropometric data were taken to determine their Body Mass Index (BMI). The questionnaire data indicated that there are some significant differences (p = ≤ 0.05) in the consumption of some unhealthy foods between the evaluated groups. An amount of 11% of the sample was considered obese and 26% were overweight; no significant differences were found between the groups. This study suggests that the healthy habits strategy implemented by a school improves pupils' habits, especially in reducing the consumption of unhealthy foods. Despite the positive effects, the data indicate that these programs fall short of government recommendations, particularly in areas such as physical activity and certain dietary choices.

Compounding effects of stress on diet, physical activity, and wellbeing among African American parents: a qualitative study to inform the LEADS health promotion trial.

The purpose of the study was to conduct in-depth qualitative interviews to understand the lived experiences of African American parents of overweight adolescents who had previously participated in a family-based weight loss program and to utilize these insights to inform the essential elements of the LEADS trial, an integrated resilience stress management and health promotion intervention. Participants (N = 30) were African American parents and/or caregivers (96.7% female; Mage = 49.73, SD = 10.88; MBMI = 37.63, SD = 8.21) of adolescents with overweight and/or obesity. Interviews were transcribed and coded using inductive and deductive approaches for themes by two independent coders. Inter-rater reliability was acceptable (r = 0.70-0.80) and discrepancies were resolved to 100% agreement. Prominent stress themes included caregiver responsibilities, work, interpersonal family conflict, and physical and emotional consequences of chronic stress. Participants also noted decreases in physical activity and poor food choices due to stress. Coping mechanisms included prayer/meditation, church social support, and talking with family/partner. Results highlight the importance of mitigating stress among African American parents through stress management and cultural/familial resilience approaches to increase the likelihood of engagement in behavioral strategies in health promotion programs. Future studies should assess the utility of incorporating stress management components and health promotion techniques to improve health outcomes among African American families.

Associations of Dietary and Lifestyle Components with Atrial Fibrillation.

Atrial fibrillation (AF) is a prevalent cardiac arrhythmia that still remains a significant health concern, especially due to its consequences, including stroke and heart failure. This review explores the intricate interplay between AF, lifestyle choices, and dietary habits. It is particularly focused on findings from diverse studies about non-pharmacological methods of managing AF. Moreover, its purpose is to elucidate the implementation of lifestyle changes such as physical activity or proper diet choices in the integrated treatment strategy of patients with AF.

Multimodal digital phenotyping of diet, physical activity, and glycemia in Hispanic/Latino adults with or at risk of type 2 diabetes

Digital phenotyping refers to characterizing human bio-behavior through wearables, personal devices, and digital health technologies. Digital phenotyping in populations facing a disproportionate burden of type 2 diabetes (T2D) and health disparities continues to lag compared to other populations. Here, we report our study demonstrating the application of multimodal digital phenotyping, i.e., the simultaneous use of CGM, physical activity monitors, and meal tracking in Hispanic/Latino individuals with or at risk of T2D. For 14 days, 36 Hispanic/Latino adults (28 female, 14 with non-insulin treated T2D) wore a continuous glucose monitor (CGM) and a physical activity monitor (Actigraph) while simultaneously logging meals using the MyFitnessPal app. We model meal events and daily digital biomarkers representing diet, physical activity choices, and corresponding glycemic response. We develop a digital biomarker for meal events that differentiates meal events into normal and elevated categories. We examine the contribution of daily digital biomarkers of elevated meal event count and step count on daily time-in-range 54-140 mg/dL (TIR54–140) and average glucose. After adjusting for step count, a change in elevated meal event count from zero to two decreases TIR54–140 by 4.0% (p = 0.003). An increase in 1000 steps in post-meal step count also reduces the meal event glucose response by 641 min mg/dL (p = 0.0006) and reduces the odds of an elevated meal event by 55% (p < 0.0001). The proposed meal event digital biomarkers may provide an opportunity for non-pharmacologic interventions for Hispanic/Latino adults facing a disproportionate burden of T2D.

Factors influencing the intention of young adults to adopt genotype-based personalised advice on diet and physical activity according to perceived weight status.

Genotype-based dietary and physical activity advice can be delivered to young adults before unhealthy lifestyle behaviours or metabolic and physiological conditions have developed. The aim of the present study was to investigate the factors that influence the intention to adopt genotype-based personalised advice on diet and physical activity in young adults who perceive themselves to be a healthy weight versus those who perceive themselves to be overweight or obese. An online survey of 396 young adults (18-25 years) evaluated background factors (participant characteristics (including perception of body weight), psychological factors, belief composites) and constructs of the Theory of Planned Behaviour (TPB) related to the adoption of genotype-based personalised advice. The association between background factors and TPB constructs was assessed using multiple linear regression. The constructs of TPB predicted intention to adopt genotype-based personalised nutrition (P < 0.001, adj. R 2 = 0.54; attitude: B = 0.24, subjective norm: B = 0.25, PBC: B = 0.45). Background factors including belief composites, health locus of control, gender, physical activity, and food choice motives of 'health', 'price', 'familiarity', 'weight control', and 'convenience' significantly added to models of TPB constructs related to the intention to adopt personalised advice (P < 0.05). The influence of background factors varied between TPB constructs and differed based on participants perception of their body weight. The study provides support for the use of the TPB in understanding the intention of young adults to adopt gene-based advice for dietary and physical activity behaviour. In addition to perceived body weight, the background factors identified should help to inform and modify the delivery of advice in behaviour change interventions that seek to use genotype-based personalised advice in young adult populations.

Investigating the Physical Activity Habits and Apparel Choices of Perinatal Women

Background: This study investigates the physical activity and apparel choices of perinatal women. The perinatal period involves significant anatomical, physiological, and biomechanical changes as the body prepares to carry and deliver a child, and the recovery process which follows. Despite the recognized benefits of physical activity, returning to physical activity postpartum can be difficult. Methods: One hundred and six postpartum women completed an online questionnaire exploring women’s physical activity habits before, during, and after pregnancy, along with their use of activewear/compression garments during this time. Statistical analyses, including chi-squared tests, investigated the relationship between initiation of physical activity postpartum (by and after 12 weeks) and: delivery method (vaginal, c-section, and assisted), perineal trauma, activewear purchase, and prepregnancy activity level. Thematic analysis was applied to identify themes from participant’s answers. Results: A vaginal delivery correlated with a higher likelihood of resuming physical activity within 12 weeks postpartum. Moreover, a high level of activity prepregnancy was associated with a high level of physical activity postpartum. The study identified key reasons for the cessation of physical activity during pregnancy including discomfort, tiredness, and misinformation. Barriers hindering the return to physical activity postpartum included discomfort, misinformation, and time constraints. Few participants used compression garments in the postpartum period, with the majority leveraging them to alleviate pain (71%). Conclusions: This study highlights a crucial gap in utilization of compression garments during the postpartum period. Understanding these factors is pivotal in enhancing support for postpartum women in their pursuit of resuming physical activity.

Evaluation of the HEAL™ing Mental Health program: A prospective cohort study of short-term changes from a physical activity and lifestyle education program for people with mental health disorders living in rural Australia.

This study aimed to evaluate short-term outcomes of the HEAL™ing Mental Health program, an 8-week intervention for change in functional, behavioural and physiological health and wellbeing designed for people living with mental health conditions in rural or regional areas of Australia. A prospective cohort study was completed, reporting on 19 items (pre-program) and 15 (post-participation change), organised across seven domains. Participants took part in an Accredited Exercise Physiologist/Nurse led supervised group exercise (60 minutes) and healthy lifestyle education program (60 minutes). Separate linear mixed models with restricted maximum likelihood were used to examine the primary research question considering the effect of the program on: walking (min/week); planned, incidental and total physical activity (min/week); sitting time; active days; fruit and vegetable intake; body mass index; waist circumference; blood pressure; 6 minute walk distance; 30 second sit-to-stand; psychological distress symptoms; and stage of behaviour change. There were 99 participants (31 males, 68 females) out of 117 participants completed more than 50% of program sessions. Twelve of 15 measures achieved their desired target change and a statistically significant change toward the desired outcome was reported for 14 of 15 measures. Positive results were obtained for participants completing more than 50% of sessions, suggesting that HEAL™ ing Mental Health program is effective to increase physical activity and healthy lifestyle choices in individuals who self-report a mental health disorder.

Sleep, activity, and diet in harmony: unveiling the relationships of chronotype, sleep quality, physical activity, and dietary intake.

This cross-sectional study aims to explore the intricate relationships among chronotype, sleep quality, physical activity, and dietary intake in a diverse cohort of 3,072 (50.2% female) participants residing in İstanbul, Türkiye. This study utilized established measurement tools, including the Morningness-Eveningness Questionnaire (MEQ) to assess chronotype, the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) to evaluate sleep quality, the International Physical Activity Questionnaire Short Form (IPAQ-SF) to measure physical activity, and a 24-h dietary recall method to assess dietary intake. The findings of this study revealed compelling associations. Firstly, a robust association was observed between sleep quality and chronotype (OR: 2.265; 95% CI: 1.954-2.626; p < 0.001) as well as physical activity (OR: 0.836; 95% CI: 0.750-0.932; p = 0.002). Specifically, evening chronotypes are more likely to have poor sleep quality, while highly active individuals tend to report lower sleep quality. Transitioning from inactivity to high activity was associated with a 16.4% increase in the odds of transitioning from normal to poor sleep, while a shift from an evening to a morning chronotype was linked to a substantial 126.5-fold increase in the odds of moving from poor to normal sleep. Additionally, morning chronotypes also display distinctive dietary patterns, characterized by higher energy, protein, and fat intake, and reduced carbohydrate intake. Poor sleep quality is associated with increased energy and macronutrient consumption. These findings underscore the intricate relationships of chrononutrition within the context of sleep quality, physical activity, and dietary choices. The study underscores the significance of personalized interventions to effectively address specific health behaviors, highlighting the complexity of chrononutrition's role in promoting overall health and wellbeing.

See Me, Hear Me, Know Me: Perspectives on Diet and Physical Activity Influences among Teens Living in Rural Texas Communities

Teens in rural communities are at greater risk of obesity than teens in urban areas. Diet and physical activity influence obesity risk. Understanding their perspectives is an important step in intervention design. This qualitative investigation explored teen perspectives on how living in a rural community influenced their diet and physical activity choices. Forty parent–teen pairs were recruited. Data collection included surveys and telephone interviews. This paper reports teen perspectives identified in the first interview. Thematic analysis was used to code and analyze the data. Findings revealed that the primary factor driving teens’ diet and physical activity behaviors was the teens themselves. They clearly understood their role in the choices they made, although they acknowledged not always making the healthiest choice. This belief was driven by their motivation to engage in healthy behaviors, which was influenced by the perceived benefits derived from making healthy choices and from the synergistic relationship between diet and physical activity. Diet and physical activity, in turn, were influenced by the environment, particularly the home, social, and community environments. Family and friends were particularly influential, as well as resource availability. These findings can serve as a foundation for designing interventions tailored to this population.

Impact of Nutrition Education on Physical Fitness in School-Aged Children in Japan

Purpose: The aim of the study was to investigate the impact of nutrition education on physical fitness in school-aged children in japan.&#x0D; Methodology: This study adopted a desk methodology. A desk study research design is commonly known as secondary data collection. This is basically collecting data from existing resources preferably because of its low cost advantage as compared to a field research. Our current study looked into already published studies and reports as the data was easily accessed through online journals and libraries.&#x0D; Findings: The impact of nutrition education on physical fitness in school-aged children in Japan has been a focus of research and policy efforts. Several studies conducted in Japan have demonstrated the positive effects of nutrition education on enhancing the physical fitness of children. These programs have emphasized the importance of balanced diets, nutrition knowledge, and healthy eating habits. Additionally, they have highlighted the role of schools and families in promoting physical activity and nutritious choices among children. Overall, the evidence from Japan underscores the significance of comprehensive nutrition education in improving the physical fitness and overall health of school-aged children in the country.&#x0D; Unique Contribution to Theory, Practice and Policy: Health Belief Model (HBM), Social Cognitive Theory (SCT) and Theory of Planned Behavior (TPB) may be used to anchor future studies on impact of nutrition education on physical fitness in school-aged children in japan. Educational institutions should integrate nutrition education into their curriculum from an early age and ensure that it is part of a continuous and sequential learning process. Policymakers should consider making nutrition education mandatory in school curricula, with standardized guidelines for content and delivery.

Metabolic Disorders and Psoriasis: Exploring the Role of Nutritional Interventions.

(1) Background: Psoriasis is a chronic autoimmune disease with a close relationship with metabolic diseases such as obesity, diabetes, and dyslipidemia. The aim of this review was to identify the relationship between psoriasis, metabolic diseases, and dietetic therapies. According to recent findings, there is a strong association between psoriasis and obesity as well as vitamin D and micronutrient deficiencies. (2) Methods: This review was conducted via PubMed, aiming to search for studies involving psoriasis linked with metabolic disorders or with nutritional treatments. (3) Results: Our review shows that a healthy lifestyle can positively influence the course of the disease. The maintaining of a proper body weight together with physical activity and good nutritional choices are associated with an improvement in psoriasis severity. A Mediterranean diet rich in fiber, vitamins, and polyphenols may indeed be a strategy for controlling psoriasis symptoms. The effectiveness of this diet lies not only in its anti-inflammatory power, but also in its ability to favorably influence the intestinal microbiota and counteract dysbiosis, which is a risk factor for many autoimmune diseases. (4) Conclusions: In synergy with standard therapy, the adoption of an appropriate diet can be recommended to improve the clinical expression of psoriasis and reduce the incidence of comorbidities.

‘Health Connections’: study protocol for the development of a coproduced, community-based diet, physical activity, and healthy weight intervention for UK black and Asian adults

IntroductionA limited number of diet, physical activity and weight management programmes suitable for UK black and Asian populations have been evaluated. We aim to coproduce ‘Health Connections’—an ambitious new intervention...

A Succinct Analysis of Hypertension and its Management Strategies

Hypertension, which is generally known as high blood pressure, holds the utmost significance as a flexible risk factor for overall population worldwide. It is directly related with an increased risk of cardiac disorders. Unfortunately, under half of the sufferer of high BP don’t know about their condition, and the one who know, they are either untreated or not treated properly. However, successful management of this disease has the potential to crucially reduce the worldwide burden of disease and deaths due to hypertension. The cause of hypertension includes a typical reciprocity of natural and physiopathological factors that influence many structures, in addition to genetic predilection. When patients of hypertension are being evaluated with hypertension, this is important to conduct exact and standard BP measurements, assess their predicted risk other heart related problems, determine if there is any indication of organ damage, identify if there is another reason for hypertension, and consider the simultaneous existence of two diseases like cardiac and renal disease. Healthy life management plays a crucial part in lowering BP and inhibiting the occurrence of hypertension and its associated cardiovascular sequelae. These modifications encompass dietary adjustments, increased physical activity, weight management, and other healthy lifestyle choices. Drug therapy or medication is highly effectual in lowering blood pressure and hold back the adverse cardiovascular outcomes in a large no. of patients.

Changes in health-related lifestyle choices of university students before and during the COVID-19 pandemic: Associations between food choices, physical activity and health.

The COVID-19 pandemic has had a profound effect on our lives and society, influencing both individuals' lifestyles and habits. Recent research shows that anxiety and loneliness have continued to rise, along with changes in food and lifestyle choices. The aim of the study was to investigate whether the pandemic influenced food choices and consumption of energy drinks, alcohol, fruits, and vegetables among first-year university students. Additionally, assessing the relationship between mental and physical health, physical activity, and food choices. A total of 128 male and 128 female first-year students at the University of Iceland were invited to answer an electronic questionnaire in January and early February 2021. A total of 118 students (54% men) participated in the study and valid answers were 115 (46% participation rate). Almost half of the students (44%) experienced that their food choices had worsened, while 14% reported an improvement, compared to before the pandemic. Consumption of caffeinated beverages increased for 26% of students, while 19% experienced a decrease. Just over half of the students reported not drinking alcohol (13%) or reduced consumption (41%). Participants who reported that their mental health had deteriorated or remained the same tended to spend less time on physical activity and experienced worsened food choices (p<0.05). Similarly, those who spent less or the same time on physical activity estimated that their food choices had deteriorated (p<0.05). The COVID-19 pandemic has had a significant impact on the lifestyles of university students and this study has revealed how lifestyle choices and mental health seem to be highly affected by one another. Additionally, the potentially harmful effects of excessive intake of energy drinks need to be enhanced. Interestingly, about 40% of the respondents in the current study drank less alcohol during the pandemic than prior to the pandemic, indicating a strong relationship between alcohol drinking and social gatherings. This study reveals the importance of educating young people on healthy lifestyle choices and the importance of mental health needs to be emphasised.