Physical Activity In Young Adults Research Articles

Physical activity habits and associated factors in open green spaces of young adults: A cross-sectional study.

This study was conducted to determine the relationship between green space usage habits and physical activity in young adults. A cross-sectional and correlational design. The study was conducted with 455 young adults who were studying at a faculty between February and May 2023. The research data were collected face-to-face using a form prepared by the researchers in line with the literature and tested before collection. The form includes questions about green space use habits, green exercise levels, and leisure time activities in green spaces. The probability of male young adults to do physical activity in green spaces compared to women aOR: 2.4 (95% CI: 1.4-3.9, p = .001), the probability of young adults with higher family income to do physical activity in green spaces than those with low-income aOR: 5.4 (95% CI: 2.7-10.8, p < .001), the probability of young adults who do physical activity in indoor spaces to do physical activity in green spaces compared to those who do not aOR: 2.4 (95% CI: 1.5-3.6, p < .001), 500 m away from the green space aOR: 2.8 (95% CI: 1.6-4.9, p < .001) is more likely for those living farther away to engage in physical activity in green spaces than those living closer than 100 m. Young adults' gender, income, distance to green spaces, and sports activities under various conditions have an impact on physical activity in open green spaces.

Familial risk for depression is associated with reduced physical activity in young adults: evidence from a wrist-worn actigraphy study

Depression is characterized by reduced physical activity and sleep-wake cycle disturbances, often considered important features of the disease. While a few studies have suggested that self-reported reduced physical activity and sleep-wake cycle disturbances might both be linked to depression vulnerability, actigraphy-based measures in vulnerable samples remain largely unexplored. This study relied on actigraphy-based parameters to test whether these disturbances characterize depression vulnerability. Seven-day actigraphy data were collected from 20 (13 female) university students with a high vulnerability to depression, which was determined by the presence of a family history of the condition but no current symptoms, and 32 (21 female) controls with neither a family history of depression nor current depressive symptoms. Daily physical activity, namely gross motor activity, was quantified as average daily acceleration and time spent engaging in moderate-vigorous physical activity (MVPA). The sleep-wake cycle and circadian rhythms were assessed as total sleep duration per night (in hours), sleep within sleep period time (in hours), sleep efficiency (%), and relative amplitude (i.e., the difference between the activity during the day and the night, which reflects circadian rhythms amplitude). Results showed that individuals with a familial risk for depression exhibited reduced daily acceleration and time spent in MVPA relative to the control group, particularly on the weekend during their free time away from scheduled activities. On the other hand, the two groups were comparable in terms of sleep estimates. Taken together, reduced physical activity, but not sleep-wake disturbances, seem to be associated with vulnerability to depression and might be a viable target for identification and prevention efforts.

Self-Reported Mood and Lifestyle-Related Physical Activity of Young Adults With Major Depressive Disorder.

We investigated whether mood and lifestyle-related indicators of physical health are differentially expressed according to self-reported levels of depressive symptoms among young adults with a current episode of major depression. In a cross-sectional study, we recruited 94 young adults (females = 67, 71.3%; males = 27, 28.7%; aged 18-35years) with a current episode of major depression. We assessed their mood with the Profile of Mood States (POMS), and Beck Anxiety Inventory-(BAI), sleep with the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI), physical activity with the Simple Physical Activity Questionnaire (SIMPAQ), and their cardiorespiratory fitness. Participants' depression levels were classified as follows using established cut-points: (a) Mild Depressive Symptoms (MIDS, BDI-II 14-19 points, n = 17), (b) Moderate Depressive Symptoms (MODS, BDI-II 20-28 points, n = 37) or (c) Severe Depressive Symptoms (SEDS, BDI-II 29-63 points, n = 40). As expected, we found that young adults with SEDS, when compared to those with MODS and MIDS, showed higher depressive mood on the POMS, and they exhibited greater anxiety symptoms, lower reported 'vigor' on physical activity measures, worse sleep quality as expressed by their global score sleep; daytime dysfunction; and sleep disturbance, and they showed lower cardiorespiratory fitness. Those with moderate depressive symptoms only differed from those with mild symptoms with respect to hostility, fatigue and mood disturbance. Although there was a gradient whereby worse mental and physical health indicators were more closely related to the SEDS depression categorization, while healthier indicators were associated with the MIDS category, some parameters were not different between the MDD severity groups, particularly when comparing MIDS and MODS. Clinicians treating patients with MDD should consider these factors when designing lifestyle-based interventions.

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.

Exploring the Health Behaviors of Young Adults Who Are Blind in South Korea

Introduction: Compared to sighted people, not only do people who are blind have multiple comorbidities and exhibit early mortality, but they also display high-risk health behaviors. To prevent problematic health behaviors affecting health-related quality of life and well-being, understanding the shared patterns of health behaviors among individuals with visual impairments, including blindness, is essential. Methods: This qualitative study explored the hidden constructs and patterns of health behaviors among employed young adults who are blind using a multiple case study analysis. Eight participants with self-reported total blindness were recruited via convenience sampling and recruitment postings. Results: The mean age was 27.43 ± 6.32 years with a range of 20–39 years. Seven males and one female completed the one-on-one telephone interviews. The study discovered eight patterns of health behaviors of young adults who are blind: (a) leading a sedentary lifestyle with physical inactivity, (b) eating irregularly and not cooking, (c) avoiding uncertainty and illness, (d) facing disability stigma in health care services, (e) seeking online information related to medical care, (f) sharing health-related information within the blind community, (g) receiving unreadable formats of health-related information, and (h) aiming for independence and autonomy in self-care. The following categorized health behavior constructs were extracted: perceived health problems, experiential attitude toward health care systems, health beliefs, perceived facilitators, and barriers. Discussion: The findings indicate that young adults who are blind prefer independent health-related activities. The identified problematic health behaviors were correlated to inaccessible healthcare resources. Implications for Practitioners: More accessible health resources enhancing the independence of young adults who are blind are needed to promote their health behaviors. For instance, more accessible fitness facilities and personalized exercise programs in workplaces and communities can motivate the physical activity of young adults who are blind.

Sedentary lifestyle of university students is detrimental to the thoracic spine in men and to the lumbar spine in women.

Sitting for long periods of time and lack of physical activity in young adults can cause postural deterioration leading to rapid onset of fatigue and increase the risk of back pain. We were interested in whether there are gender differences in spinal curvature among university students with a predominantly sedentary lifestyle. 20 sedentary female (age 20 ± 0.73 years) and 39 sedentary male university students (age 20 ± 1.08 years) participated in this study. Their thoracic and lumbar curvatures were assessed while standing and sitting using a Spinal Mouse. In standing, 80.0% of the females and 69.2% of the males had a neutral position of the thoracic spine (33.25° and 35.33°, respectively). However, more males, 30.8%, than females, 10.0%, had hyperkyphosis (54.27° and 47.0°, respectively). Hypokyphosis was found in 10.0% of the females (18.50°) and none in the males. Similarly, 90.0% of the females and 97.4% of the males had neutral position of the lumbar spine (-33.11° and -29.76°, respectively). Increased hyperlordosis was found in 10.0% of the females and 2.6% of the males (-41.0° and -50.0°, respectively). Hypolordosis was not detected in either females or males. In sitting, on the other hand, 70.0% of the females and only 33.3% of the males had a neutral position of the thoracic spine (30.20° and 30.62°, respectively). Increased hyperkyphosis was found in 46.2% of the males (59.76°) and none of the females. 30.0% of the females and 23.1% of the males had light hypokyphosis (47.50° and 46.67°, respectively). Similarly, 70.0% of the females and only 38.5% of the males had a neutral position of the lumbar spine (7.0° and 6.6°, respectively). 35.9% of the males and only 5.0% of the females had a light hypokyphosis (16.14° and 16.0°, respectively). Slightly increased hyperkyphosis was identified in 25.6% of the males and 25.0% of the females (23.9° and 22.5°, respectively). There are significant gender differences in spinal curvature. While in the thoracic spine it was to the detriment of the males when both standing and sitting, in the lumbar spine it is related to the females only when standing. It is therefore necessary to eliminate these spinal deviations in young adults induced by prolonged sitting during university courses by appropriate recovery modalities.

OR07-02-23 Feasibility and Acceptability of a Self-Monitoring, Online Behavior Change Intervention To Promote Healthy Diets and Physical Activity of Young Adults

OR07-02-23 Feasibility and Acceptability of a Self-Monitoring, Online Behavior Change Intervention To Promote Healthy Diets and Physical Activity of Young Adults

The Change in Exergaming From Before to During the COVID-19 Pandemic Among Young Adults: Longitudinal Study.

Exergaming may be an important option to support an active lifestyle, especially during pandemics. Our objectives were (1) to explore whether change in exergaming status (stopped, started or sustained exergaming, or never exergamed) from before to during the COVID-19 pandemic was related to changes in walking, moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA) or meeting MVPA guidelines and (2) to describe changes among past-year exergamers in minutes per week exergaming from before to during the pandemic. A total of 681 participants (mean age 33.6; SD 0.5 years; n=280, 41% male) from the 22-year Nicotine Dependence in Teens (NDIT) study provided data on walking, MVPA, and exergaming before (2017 to 2020) and during (2021) the COVID-19 pandemic. Physical activity (PA) change scores were described by change in exergaming status. We found that 62.4% (n=425) of the 681 participants never exergamed, 8.2% (n=56) started exergaming during the pandemic, 19.7% (n=134) stopped exergaming, and 9.7% (n=66) sustained exergaming. Declines were observed in all 3 PA indicators in all 4 exergaming groups. The more salient findings were that (1) participants who started exergaming during COVID-19 reported the highest MVPA levels before and during the pandemic and declined the least (mean -35 minutes/week), (2) sustained exergamers reported the lowest MVPA levels during the pandemic (median 66 minutes/week) and declined the most in MVPA (mean change of -92 minutes/week) and in meeting MVPA guidelines (-23.6%). During the pandemic, starting exergamers reported 85 minutes of exergaming per week and sustained exergamers increased exergaming by a median 60 minutes per week. Although starting and sustaining exergaming did not appear to help exergamers maintain prepandemic PA levels, exergaming can contribute a substantial proportion of total PA in young adults and may still represent a useful option to promote PA during pandemics.

Conductas alimentarias de riesgo en jóvenes adultos de dos comunas de la región de Ñuble, Chile en pandemia COVID-19

Objective: To analyze risky eating behaviors in relation to nutritional status and physical activity in young adults during the COVID-19 pandemic in the communes of Chillán and Chillán Viejo. Methods: Observational and cross-sectional design. A sample of 184 young adults of both sexes, who lived in two communes in the Ñuble region (Chile) during the period of confinement due to the COVID-19 pandemic, was obtained. A personal history questionnaire and the SCOFF scale that assesses the risk of eating behavior disorders (EDs) were applied. Results: A 37.16% risk for ED was found (95% CI: 30.23 – 44.63%). The risk of eating behavior disorders was related to the variables: physical activity (p=0.01 bivariate analysis) and nutritional status (p=0.03, adjusted analysis). Conclusion: It was possible to identify a higher proportion than that recorded in the literature and the factors associated with eating disorders were those that were expected to be found.

Development of an Online Mind–Body Physical Activity Intervention for Young Adults during COVID-19: A Pilot Study

The purpose of this study was to examine the association between the implementation of an online mind-body physical activity (MBPA) intervention and physical activity (PA), stress, and well-being in young adults during COVID-19. The participants were a sample of college students (N = 21; 81% female). The MBPA intervention was organized in four online modules that were administered asynchronously for 8 weeks with three separate 10 min sessions per week. The intervention components consisted of traditional deep breathing, diaphragm mindful breathing, yoga poses, and walking meditation. Objective PA behaviors were assessed using wrist-worn ActiGraph accelerometers, and stress and well-being data were collected using validated self-report instruments. A 2 (sex) × 3 (time) doubly multivariate analysis of variance test with a univariate follow-up showed that the % of wear time in light (LPA) and moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA) was significantly higher at the end of the intervention compared to baseline (LPA mean difference = 11.3%, p = 0.003, d = 0.70; MVPA mean difference = 2.9%, p < 0.001, d = 0.56). No significant differences were observed for perceived stress and well-being, and there was no moderating effect of sex. The MBPA intervention showed promise, as it was associated with higher PA in young adults during COVID-19. No improvements were observed for stress and well-being. These results warrant further testing of the intervention's effectiveness using larger samples.

Return to sport and physical activity in young adults with ongoing symptoms 9-36 months after ACL reconstruction

Introduction: The relatively low return to sport rate (~50%) after anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction (ACLR) is well-established – not everyone recovers completely. Over one-third of people report ongoing symptoms at 2-6 years post-ACLR. Sport and physical activity participation in young adults with ongoing symptoms after ACLR is not known, but may impact general health outcomes (e.g., weight gain, co-morbidities). This study aimed to describe return to sport and physical activity in young adults with ongoing symptoms 9-36 months post-ACLR and to determine associations with amount of rehabilitation completed and quality of life (QoL).

Effects of Social Networks in Promoting Young Adults' Physical Activity among Different Sociodemographic Groups.

Introduction: Physical inactivity has become a public health issue as it can trigger many chronic diseases. Studies have found that an individual’s social networks (SNs) influence their engagement in physical activity (PA). However, it remains unclear how the influence varies between different sociodemographic groups. This study examined the associations between the SN structures and the PA of young adults across sociodemographic groups. Method: Data on 14,595 young adults aged 24–32 were obtained from Wave IV of the National Longitudinal Study of Adolescent to Adult Health. Latent class analysis was conducted to identify heterogeneous subgroups of respondents with respect to their engagement in PA and SN structures were measured in terms of the relationship quality, contact frequency, network size, and spatial accessibility. Logistic regression and chi-square tests were used to further test the relationships between PA and SNs as well as the sociodemographic factors. Results: SNs were found to have a significant influence on PA. Relationship quality was identified as the most important feature of an individual’s SN, followed by network size, contact frequency, and accessibility. The effects of SNs on PA varied with the individuals’ gender, ethnicity, income, and educational attainment. For example, male participants tended to be physically active if they had frequent connections with their neighbors, while the engagement in PA of the female participants was strongly related to the frequency of their contact with their children. Conclusions: This research has important implications for practitioners as it suggests that PA intervention programs should be designed to target specific population groups.

Ambulatory Arterial Stiffness, Salivary Inflammation, And Physical Activity In Young Adults With And Without Covid-19

COVID-19 illness may cause a dysregulated systemic inflammatory response, leading to cardiovascular damage and an increased risk for cardiovascular disease (CVD). Physical activity (PA) is inversely associated with systemic inflammation and CVD risk and may be a cardioprotective lifestyle factor for individuals recovering from COVID-19. PURPOSE: 1) To compare CVD risk, assessed as arterial stiffness and systemic inflammatory levels, between young adults recovering from COVID-19 and uninfected controls, and 2) to explore PA as a mediator for the relationship of COVID-19 infection history with arterial stiffness and systemic inflammation. METHODS: Analyses were performed on 23 COVID-19 (15 females, 25.0 ± 8.9 years, 24.1 ± 3.5 kg/m2) and 32 control participants (18 females, 24.4 ± 6.5 years, 25.1 ± 3.5 kg/m2). Arterial stiffness was estimated as pulse wave velocity (PWV) during 24-hour ambulatory blood pressure monitoring with an oscillometric blood pressure device. Systemic inflammation was assessed as salivary C-reactive protein (CRP) levels using the passive drool method. PA was objectively measured via accelerometry and assessed as moderate-to-vigorous PA (MVPA). An independent samples t-test was used to compare measures of arterial stiffness and systemic inflammation between the COVID-19 and control groups. Mediation analysis was used to determine whether there was a significant indirect effect of COVID-19 infection history through MVPA on arterial stiffness and CRP levels. RESULTS: There were no significant differences (p > 0.05) between the SARS-CoV-2 and control groups in PWV (5.0 ± 0.5 m/s vs. 5.1 ± 0.5 m/s) or CRP levels (765.4 ± 672.9 pg/mL vs. 526.3 ± 674.8 pg/mL). Mediation analysis did not reveal a significant indirect effect of COVID-19 infection history through MVPA on arterial stiffness (estimate = 0.02, 95% CI = -0.05 - 0.24) or CRP levels (estimate = 0.03, 95% CI = -0.07 - 0.16). CONCLUSION: These results suggest there are no differences in arterial stiffness and systemic inflammation between young adults recovering from COVID-19 and uninfected controls, and that MVPA may not significantly mediate the relationship for COVID-19 infection history with arterial stiffness and systemic inflammation. Young adults recovering from COVID-19 may not have a heightened CVD risk compared to controls.

Is It Important to Increase Physical Activity Among University Students During the Second-Wave COVID-19 Pandemic in Asian Countries? A Cross-Sectional Study of the Knowledge, Attitudes, and Practices in Asian Countries.

BackgroundDifficulties in exercising have occurred for the entire world’s population during this COVID-19 pandemic, especially in the second wave at the end of 2021. Most worrying is the lack of physical activity in young adults, as lack of exercise will increase the risk of noncommunicable diseases in the future. The youth such as university student can be agents of change, to increase physical activity, from sedentary to sport life. This study aimed to determine the relationship between knowledge, attitudes, and actions of university students and the correlation between the related variables.MethodsThis study is a cross-sectional observational study involving 458 Asian university students based on Asian and African nationalities. This research was conducted from December 2021 to January 2022, during the second wave of the COVID-19 pandemic in Asia. The variables studied were the knowledge, attitudes, and actions of university students with regard to sports, and the statistical test used was the Chi-squared test.ResultsThe results showed that the research subjects were mainly from Indonesia and India (95.8%), there were more women than men (69.9% vs 30.1%), the most common age range was 18–20 years (61.4%), and 45.4% had a normal body mass index. In total, 48.3% had high knowledge, 93.4% had a positive attitude, and 34.7% had good practice. There was a significant relationship between knowledge and attitude (p=0.002) but not with action.ConclusionThis study found that good knowledge was associated with a good attitude, but due to the COVID-19 pandemic with activity restrictions on university students, there was no relationship with action.

Physical Activity in Young BRCA Carriers and Reduced Risk of Breast Cancer

A systematic literature review was conducted to determine whether physical activity levels during adolescent and young adult years were associated with a reduced lifetime risk of breast cancer among carriers of deleterious mutations in BRCA1 and BRCA2 genes. Ovid/MEDLINE, Embase, CENTRAL, WOS, and CINAHL were searched for articles including information about adolescent and young adult physical activity and breast cancer incidence among women carrying deleterious BRCA1 and BRCA2 gene mutations (search was initiated in October 2019; last update and full analyses were in March 2021). Independent reviewers screened articles at the title/abstract and full-text levels, resolving differences by consensus with lead authors. The NIH Quality Assessment Tools were used to assess sources of bias. A total of 1,957 unique articles were identified; 5 met inclusion criteria. Samples size ranged from 68 to 1,185. All studies relied on self-reported adolescent and young adult physical activity. One study measured sports involvement; the others measured recreational activity. One large study was null, whereas 4 others showed a reduction in breast cancer incidence later in life with higher adolescent and young adult physical activity (p≤0.05). However, the protection was limited to premenopausal breast cancer in 1 of the studies (OR=0.62; 95% CI=0.40, 0.96; p-trend=0.01). In addition, adolescent and young adult physical activity was associated with older age at breast cancer diagnosis in 1 study (p=0.03). A limited number of studies suggest that adolescent and young adult physical activity may reduce or delay the risk of breast cancer incidence among carriers of deleterious mutations in BRCA1 and BRCA2 genes.

The Interplay Between Expected Psychological Responses to Exercise and Physical Activity in Analogue Generalized Anxiety Disorder: a Cross-sectional Study.

Expectations for psychological responses to exercise are not well characterized, particularly in people at risk for anxiety-related illnesses. Given the substantial evidence for salutary effects of exercise on anxiety symptoms and emerging recognition for expectations as a critical mechanism of placebo/nocebo effects, this study explored the interplay between expectations and physical activity in young adults with and without analogue generalized anxiety disorder. Participants (N=470, 23.2±4.8 years, 63% female) completed a physical activity and mood survey, including a 7-day physical activity recall questionnaire, and a 20-item questionnaire designed to measure positive and negative expectations for psychological and perceptual responses to exercise, particularly expectations for symptoms in the generalized anxiety disorder symptom profile. Analogue generalized anxiety disorder status was determined using the Generalized Anxiety Disorder subscale of the Psychiatric Diagnostic Screening Questionnaire. For select outcomes, expected exercise-induced changes significantly differed according to analogue generalized anxiety disorder (whole-body pain, sleep quality, psychological well-being, stress, relaxation) and active versus inactive (anxious mood, depressed mood, concentration, physical function, psychological well-being, relaxation) status. However, these findings did not survive corrections for multiple comparisons and the magnitude of these differences was small, approximating 0.25 standard deviations. Expectations for anxious (Spearman's ρ=-0.14, p≤0.002) and depressed mood (ρ=-0.15, p≤0.002), and psychological well-being (ρ=0.15, p≤0.001) were significantly associated with higher physical activity levels. Exercise expectations for anxious mood explained a significant, but small (+1.5%, p≤0.03), amount of variance in physical activity. Expectations for exercise-induced improvements did not significantly differ between young adults based on analogue generalized anxiety disorder or physical activity status.

Physical activity estimated by osteogenic potential and energy expenditure has differing associations with bone mass in young adults: the raine study

SummaryGround impacts during physical activity may be important for peak bone mass. We found differences in how energy expenditure and impact scores estimated from a physical activity questionnaire related to bone health in young adults. Using both estimate types can improve our understanding of the skeletal benefits of physical activity.PurposeIt is unclear whether mechanical loading during physical activity, estimated from physical activity questionnaires which assess metabolic equivalents of task (METs), is associated with skeletal health. This longitudinal study investigated how physical activity loading scores, assessed at ages 17 and 20 years, (a) compares with physical activity measured in METs, and (b) is associated with bone mass at age 20 years.MethodsA total of 826 participants from the Raine Study Gen2 were assessed for physical activity energy expenditure via the International Physical Activity Questionnaire (IPAQ) at age 17 and 20 years. Loading scores (the product of peak force and application rate) per week were subsequently estimated from the IPAQ. Whole-body and appendicular bone mineral density (BMD) at age 20 years were assessed by dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry.ResultsBland–Altman minimal detectable difference for physical activity Z-scores at age 17 and 20 years were 1.59 standard deviations (SDs) and 1.33 SDs, respectively, greater than the a priori minimal clinically important change of 0.5 SDs. Loading score, but not IPAQ score, had significant positive associations with whole-body and leg BMD after adjustment for covariates (β = 0.008 and 0.012 g/cm2, respectively, for age 17 and 20 years loading scores). IPAQ score at age 20 years, but not loading score, had a significant positive association with arm BMD (β = 0.007 g/cm2).ConclusionThis study revealed disagreement in associations of self-reported METs and loading score estimates with bone health in young adults. Coupling traditional energy expenditure questionnaire outcomes with bone-loading estimates may improve understanding of the location-specific skeletal benefits of physical activity in young adults.

Increasing Physical Activity in Young Adults with an Intellectual Disability via a Classroom-wide Treatment Package.

The World Health Organization estimates that only 25% of adults meet the current recommendations for weekly exercise. Adults with an intellectual disability are less likely to meet these standards than other people. In the present study, a classroom-wide treatment package that arranged individualized daily choice (between dancing and strength training), modeling (live, followed by video), and token reinforcement, was used to: (a) increase the number of steps taken and calories burned by six participants, two from each of three classrooms, and (b) increase the percentage of students in those classrooms who were consistently engaged in exercise during designated sessions. All six participants took more steps and burned more calories during both phases of the intervention (live and video model) than during baseline. The percentage of students who were consistently engaged in exercise also increased during both phases of the intervention, compared to baseline, across all three classrooms. Limited maintenance data indicated that the increased step counts and calories burned sustained when school staff implemented the video model intervention without researcher involvement. Because the procedure we used was relatively easy to implement and produced promising results, it appears to merit further investigation.

Central markers of obesity affect heart rate variability independent of physical activity in young adults.

ABSTRACTIntroduction:Obesity is considered to be a risk factor for a variety of cardiovascular conditions. Various markers for obesity are used to evaluate effect of obesity on cardiovascular autonomic activity. In light of conflicting reports on effect of obesity on heart rate variability (HRV), use of obesity indices, and the effect of physical activity on HRV, we evaluated autonomic activity in young Indian obese adults using revised Indian and World Health Organization (WHO) body mass index (BMI) guidelines for obesity, waist circumference (WC), and waist–hip ratio (WHR) taking into consideration the level of physical activity.Methods:The study was conducted on 91 young healthy adults. Height, weight, waist, and hip circumference were recorded to determine BMI and WHR. Five-minute electrocardiogram (ECG) was recorded for assessment of HRV. Physical activity was assessed by the WHO Global Physical Activity Questionnaire (GPAQ).Results:Waist circumference showed a negative correlation with the time domain parameters of HRV and high frequency normalized units (HFnu) while a positive correlation with low frequency normalized units (LFnu). In multiple linear regression analysis, time domain indices, HFnu and total power decreased while LFnu increased with an increase in WC. The result was supported by the similar effect of waist–hip ratio categories on HRV in analysis of covariance (ANCOVA). Physical activity had no effect on HRV.Conclusion:Central obesity parameters are better predictors of effect of obesity on HRV independent of the effect of physical activity.

Fear as a barrier to physical activity in young adults with obesity: a qualitative study

ABSTRACT Obesity continues to be a growing public health problem worldwide. In adults with obesity, physical activity has health benefits beyond those directly attributable to weight loss. However, adults with obesity encounter various barriers to physical activity. Some barriers including fear, have received little academic attention, particularly in adults under 45 years. The aim of this qualitative study was to explore how fears about physical activity are experienced by, and impact on, adults with obesity aged 18 to 45 years. Semi-structured interviews were undertaken in a sample of 10 participants with a body mass index greater than 30 kg/m2. Analysis was conducted using the six phases of thematic analysis from the guidelines of Braun and Clarke. Participants gave detailed accounts of their experiences of fear and how it impacted on physical activity. Three themes were extracted: (1) fear as a barrier to physical activity; (2) threats, concerns and worries about weight underpinning fear(s) of activity; and (3) the consequences of fear(s). The findings suggest that the emotion of fear, particularly pain-related fear(s), were a frequent and important barrier to physical activity among younger adults with obesity. This is an important finding because of the risk it poses to health behaviour change. The findings provide some evidence that younger adults experience fear avoidance beliefs aligned to the conceptual principles of the Fear Avoidance Model. Further research is needed to further explore this relationship in a larger sample of younger adults with obesity, and explore its implications for promoting behaviour change in this group.