Physical Inactivity Research Articles

Investigating the socio-ecological model factors influencing physical activity and health promotion among early adolescents in the southern parts of Ethiopia

Background: Currently the increased level of physical inactivity and lack of attention to health initiatives in educational settings is a hot issue in Ethiopia and worldwide. Therefore, the present study aimed to investigate socio-ecological model factors hindering the promotion of school physical activity programs among early adolescents in the Gamo Zone primary schools, in the southern part of Ethiopia. Methods: The study conducted a mixed-method design to explore the roles and perspectives of stakeholders, using semi-structured interviews. Then, Thematic analysis and IBM SPSS (ver. 26) were used to analyze the data. Participants: The study purposely involved 20 respondents, aged 40.60±7.90 SD with a work experience year of 14.5±7.714 SD from in and out of schools. Results: The study found that physical activity is crucial medicine to prevent non-communicable diseases, and enhance overall health opportunities, and academic performance in school-aged early adolescents. However, issues such as inadequate physical education curriculum, lack of qualified teachers, and lack of facilities hindered the implementation of physical activity programs in the Gamo zone primary schools. Recommendation: The study put forward that collaboration of stakeholders and the school community should be a key strategy to boost physical activity in school settings. Also, further research is needed on different research methods to examine obstacles to school health initiatives.

Physical Activity Is Associated with the Incidence of Depression in United States Adults from the NHANES 2013-18: A Cross-Sectional Study.

The number of depression sufferers is rising globally. In the United States, 8% of adults over 20 years of age suffer from it, making it the most prevalent mental disorder in the country. Some lifestyle habits have been shown to favor or prevent the onset of depression; for instance, physical inactivity is associated with an increased likelihood of suffering depression, whilst multiple benefits have been attributed to performing physical activity (PA). This study aims to test whether there is a dependence between the prevalence of depression and PA, age, gender and educational level. The secondary objective was to identify the differentiating variables for depression and non-depression. This cross-sectional study is based on data from the NHANES 2013-2014, 2015-2016 and 2017-2018 editions. Some of the items in this survey were taken from preexisting questionnaires: the Patient Health Questionnaire-9 for depression screening and the Global Physical Activity Questionnaire (GPAQ) for the PA groups. The final sample was formed of 15,574 United States residents over 18 years old. After testing the data normality (p < 0.001), a descriptive analysis and the non-parametric chi-square test was conducted, as well as discriminant analysis. The results showed that there was an association between depression prevalence and PA (p < 0.001) in the general population and for both genders. Inactive participants had the highest prevalence of major depression and other depressive disorders. The discriminant analysis identified PA group (0.527), education level (0.761) and gender (-0.505) as significant variables that differentiate between participants with and without depression. The results of this research confirmed that a dependency relationship between PA group according to the GPAQ and depression prevalence according to the PHQ-9 existed in the United States adult population, and that PA group is a relevant variable to differentiate between depression sufferers and non-sufferers.

Global trends in burden of type 2 diabetes attributable to physical inactivity across 204 countries and territories, 1990-2019.

To promote a comprehensive understanding of global trends and burden of type 2 diabetes attributable to physical inactivity. We utilized data regarding mortality, disability-adjusted life years (DALYs), as well as age-standardized mortality rates (ASMR) and DALYs rates (ASDR) derived from the global burden of disease study 2019 to evaluate the impact of physical inactivity on the prevalence of type 2 diabetes in 204 countries and territories over the period from 1990 to 2019. This method facilitated the analysis of the diabetes burden across different ages, genders, and regions. To determine the long-term progression of type 2 diabetes prevalence, we computed the estimated annual percentage change (EAPC) in burden rates. Globally, the number of deaths and DALYs from type 2 diabetes due to physical inactivity more than doubled between 1990 and 2019. Concurrently, there was an increase in the ASMR and ASDR, with EAPC of 0.26 (95% CI: 0.13-0.39) and 0.84 (95% CI: 0.78-0.89), respectively. As of 2019, the global ASMR and ASDR for physical inactivity stood at 1.6 (95% UI: 0.8-2.7) per 100 000 and 55.9 (95% UI: 27.2-97.6) per 100 000, respectively. Notable disparities were observed in the type 2 diabetes burden associated with physical inactivity worldwide, with higher sociodemographic index (SDI) countries experiencing lower ASDR and ASMR compared to lower SDI countries. Initially, females exhibited higher ASMR and ASDR than males, but this gender disparity in ASMR and ASDR has lessened in recent years. The mortality and DALYs rates associated with physical inactivity exhibit an inverted V-shaped pattern across various age groups, predominantly affecting the elderly population. Between 1990 and 2019, there was a marked rise in the worldwide burden of type 2 diabetes associated with physical inactivity, underscoring the role of physical inactivity as a key changeable risk factor in the global landscape of this disease. This necessitates additional research to explore the variables contributing to the varying levels of disease burden across different countries and between sexes. Furthermore, it calls for the formulation of public health policies aimed at guiding prevention tactics, promoting early detection, and enhancing the management of type 2 diabetes.

The relationship between cumulative ecological risk and health risk behaviors among Chinese adolescents

ObjectivesTo explore the relationship between cumulative ecological risk and individual risky behavior and multiple forms of aggregated behaviors among adolescents, and examine the gender differences.MethodsA large-scale, nationally representative, and students-based investigation was conducted in rural and urban areas of eight provinces in China from October to December 2021. A total of 22 868 adolescents with an average age of 14.64 years completely standardized questionnaire in which the sociodemographic characteristics, socio-ecological risk factors and risky behaviors were used to analyze.ResultsOf included students, 48.4% encountered the high level of social-ecological risk. The prevalence of breakfast intake not daily, alcohol use (AU), smoking, physical inactivity, prolonged screen time (ST) on weekdays and weekends, suicidal ideation, suicidal plan, suicidal attempt, and non-suicidal self-injury (NSSI) was 41.0%, 11.9%, 3.4%, 61.9%, 15.1%, 51.1%, 27.7%, 13.9%, 6.5% and 27.0% respectively. 22.2% of participants engaged in high-risk behaviors. All were significantly influences of increased cumulative ecological risk on individual behavior and low-risk clustering behaviors separately. The odds ratio of breakfast intake not daily, AU, smoking, physical inactivity, prolonged ST in weekday and weekend, suicidal ideation, suicidal plan, suicidal attempt, and NSSI for the adjusted model in low versus high level of cumulative ecological risk was respectively significant in both boy and girls, and the ratio of odds ratios (ROR) was separately 0.95 (p = 0.228), 0.67 (p < 0.001), 0.44 (p < 0.001), 0.60 (p < 0.001), 0.78 (p = 0.001), 0.83 (p = 0.001), 0.80 (p = 0.001), 0.83 (p = 0.022), 0.71 (p = 0.005), 0.75 (p = 0.001). Girls encountering a high level of cumulative ecological risk were more likely to engage in multiple forms of clustering risky behaviors than boys (RORs: 0.77, p = 0.001).ConclusionsResearch and effective inventions at the social-ecological environment, based on the view of cumulative risk, are needed to promote the healthy development of behaviors in adolescence, and pay more attention to decreasing the occurrence of risky behaviours in girls than boys.

Exercise Prescription Practices Among Mental Health Professionals on College Campuses: Testing the Information-Motivation-Behavioral Skills Model.

The co-occurrence of physical inactivity and poor mental health in the college student population can lead to chronic health issues that have negative short-term effects (e.g., academic success). Poor mental health is associated with long-term conditions (e.g., obesity, serious mental illness) that are linked to premature mortality. The purpose of this study was to examine the information-motivation-behavioral (IMB) skills model and evaluate its ability to explain the variance in the use of exercise prescription in mental health treatment. Mental health professionals (MHPs) (n = 255) were recruited from college counseling centers in the USA. Structural equation modeling was used to examine the relationship between the predictor variables of information (exercise knowledge and benefits of exercise), motivation (personal beliefs, perceived barriers, and organizational support), and behavioral skills (self-efficacy), and the outcome variable of exercise prescription (i.e., brief counseling and referral for exercise). The predictors accounted for 23% of the variance in exercise prescription (p = .001). Organizational support had a significant direct effect on exercise prescription (β = 0.27, p = .05). Personal beliefs (β = 0.96, p = .05) and organizational support (β = 0.31, p = .04) had significant direct effects on self-efficacy for prescribing exercise. MHP personal exercise behavior was associated with exercise prescription. MHPs may be willing to support physical activity promotion and exercise prescription, but organizational structures are critical to enhance and sustain the delivery of this adjunctive therapy. The personal exercise history of MHPs may be an important consideration for behavior change interventions. The development and validation of scales are important considerations for future intervention study design.

Regional advocacy workshop on noncommunicable disease priorities among children and adolescents in the Eastern Mediterranean Region

Background: There has been a surge of noncommunicable diseases (NCDs) globally, and particularly in the Eastern Mediterranean Region. Data indicate a notable prevalence of NCD risk factors among children and adolescents, including physical inactivity, tobacco use, as well as high salt, sugar and fat intake, highlighting the need for urgent actions. Aim: To present key recommendations and follow-up actions from a workshop on noncommunicable diseases among children and adolescents in the Eastern Mediterranean Region. Method: In March 2023, the WHO Regional Office for the Eastern Mediterranean held a workshop in Oman which discussed the challenges, early interventions, policy changes, and prioritization of NCDs prevention for children and adolescents in the region. Results: Participants, including a considerable representation of the youth group, shared experiences on risk factors, prevention, treatment, and suitable platforms for NCD care among children and adolescents, and the importance of systematic monitoring and evaluation. Following the workshop, the youth were engaged in the development of a regionspecific NCDs intervention roadmap. Conclusion: Further youth engagement, multisectoral collaborations, and the establishment of dedicated national authorities to oversee proposed interventions are needed to reduce premature deaths due to NCDs by one-third by 2030, as indicated in the Sustainable Development Goals target 3.4.

How healthy are the healthcare staff in a rural health service? A cross-sectional study

BackgroundThe COVID-19 pandemic has amplified the need to understand the health and wellbeing of healthcare workers in hospital settings. Crises like the COVID-19 pandemic create poor health outcomes for healthcare workers, yet little is understood about underlying patterns of modifiable health determinants. ObjectiveThe aim of the study was to examine the health and wellbeing data of healthcare workers before and during the COVID-19 pandemic and inform future healthy intervention activities within the workplace. DesignRepeat cross-sectional study pre-2018 and mid-COVID-19 2020. Setting(s)Rural health service in Victoria, Australia. ParticipantsAll 800 healthcare workers within the health service were invited; of these, 184 (23%) participated at Time 1 and 87 (11%) at Time 2. MethodsDiet, physical activity, sleep behaviours, and psychological distress were collected via online survey in Qualtrics. Pre-COVID-19 pandemic, anthropometry (height, weight, waist circumference, blood pressure), and type 2 diabetes risk were collected by a trained practitioner. However, to reduce burden on healthcare workers mid-COVID-19 pandemic, only self-reported anthropometry was collected. ResultsThe majority of participants were Australian-born females (84% at both timepoints) with half over the age of 45 (63% Time 1, 53% Time 2). Around half worked part-time (49% Time 1, 54% Time 2), over a third full-time (39% Time 1, 36% Time 2), and the majority reported working regular day shifts in the past 3 months (70% Time 1, 65% Time 2). Among this sample, there were few smokers (9% Time 1, 7% Time 2), and two thirds of participants were living with overweight or obesity (64% Time 1, 67% Time 2). Across both time points, compliance with health guidelines was low; 41% (Time 1) and 42% (Time 2) met fruit, 17% (Time 1) and 12% (Time 2) met vegetable, and just under 50% met physical activity guidelines at both time points. Those reporting moderate to very high levels of psychological stress increased from 42% (Time 1) to 59% (Time 2) (p< 0.05). At Time 1, >80% were at intermediate (39%) or high (33%) risk of developing type 2 diabetes within the next 5 years; and a third (32%) were hypertensive. Reasons for physical inactivity at work included already exercising out-of-work hours (28%), living too far from work (18%), available time (9%), and inflexible work hours (8%). ConclusionsSeveral high-risk health areas along with opportunities for supporting improved wellbeing were identified in this group of healthcare workers. Psychological distress of healthcare workers urgently needs to be addressed, and this is reinforced by the need to understand the longitudinal impact of COVID-19 on the health and wellbeing of healthcare workers. Workplace settings, such as a health service, is an ideal setting to invest in healthcare workers with individual, organisational, and broader community benefits.

Brain-derived neurotrophic factor gene rs925946 associates with Israeli females' obesity predisposition: An interaction between genetics, eating habits, and physical inactivity

The global obesity pandemic presents a pressing health challenge, with an increasing prevalence shaped by an intricate interplay of genetics and environment. Brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) plays a pivotal role in regulating feeding behavior and energy expenditure. BDNF single nucleotide polymorphisms have been linked to obesity risk. We hypothesized that BDNF rs925946 is positively associated with obesity susceptibility in the Israeli population. We aimed to study BDNF rs925946 association with obesity susceptibility and its interaction with environmental factors, including eating habits, sugar-sweetened beverages, and physical activity. A data cohort of 4668 Israeli adults (≥18 years, Jewish) was analyzed. Participants' genotypic data for the BDNF rs925946 and lifestyle and eating behavior questionnaire data were analyzed for the association between obesity predisposition and gene–environment interactions. Female (n = 3259) BDNF rs925946 T-allele carriers had an elevated obesity odd (odds ratio [OR] = 1.2; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.03–1.4, P = .02). BDNF rs925946 genotype interacted significantly with physical inactivity, sugar-sweetened beverage consumption, and eating habits score to enhance obesity odds (OR = 1.4; 95% CI, 1.14–1.7; OR = 1.54, 95% CI, 1.1–2.15; and OR = 1.4; 95% CI, 1.2–2.11, respectively). Our data demonstrated a significant association between BDNF rs925946 T-allele female carriers and a higher obesity predisposition, affected by modifiable lifestyle factors.

Walk a hound: dog walking and the wellbeing of older adults

ABSTRACT Physical inactivity in the older adult population contributes to a decreased quality of life and complications from many co-morbidities. Dog walking is an activity that can assist this population in increasing activity. This was a secondary analysis of a 12-week quasi-experimental study of older adults residing in three separate assisted living facilities divided into walking with shelter dogs (DW), walking with human companions (HW), and a control group (C). There was an overall total program greater mean difference in distance (ft) of 61,565.77 (p = .01) and time (minutes) of 737.82 (p = .00) of DW to HW groups. Overall, the participants commented positively about their walking companions and the program. The DW group stated, ‘Walking the dogs helped to get them out of their cages,’ Both groups expressed that the program was a motivator to walk. Additionally, commitment to the dog could potentially motivate older adults to be more active.

Influence of the Fear of Movement and Fatigue on Self-Efficacy for Physical Activity in Women with Fibromyalgia

Introduction and purpose: Self-efficacy is considered an antecedent for physical activity levels in fibromyalgia patients. However, the influence of the fear of movement and fatigue on the self-efficacy to reduce physical inactivity is still not clear and could be critical in improving the biopsychosocial benefits of therapeutic exercise. In this way, the present study aims to assess the relationship between self-efficacy, fatigue, fibromyalgia impact, the fear of movement, and physical activity. Additionally, it aims to explore differences among patients based on self-reported physical activity levels. Material and methods: A sample of 115 women diagnosed with fibromyalgia were evaluated in this prospective study. The variables were the impact of fibromyalgia, the fear of movement, fatigue, self-efficacy, and physical activity levels. Results: Patients with high and moderate physical activity levels had higher self-efficacy for physical function (p &lt; 0.05), which is in line with the previously known model. Furthermore, a model was developed where the significant relationship between the fear of movement and self-efficacy for physical activity was significantly mediated by general fatigue and the impact of fibromyalgia on physical function. Conclusions: The fear of movement may influence self-efficacy, affecting physical activity levels; therapeutic exercises targeting the fear of movement can enhance self-efficacy and activity levels, while fatigue and fibromyalgia may mediate this relationship.

Age-related changes in human skeletal muscle transcriptome and proteome are more affected by chronic inflammation and physical inactivity than primary aging.

Evaluation of the influence of primary and secondary aging on the manifestation of molecular and cellular hallmarks of aging is a challenging and currently unresolved issue. Our study represents the first demonstration of the distinct role of primary aging and chronic inflammation/physical inactivity - the most important drivers of secondary aging, in the regulation of transcriptomic and proteomic profiles in human skeletal muscle. To achieve this purpose, young healthy people (n = 15), young (n = 8) and older (n = 37) patients with knee/hip osteoarthritis, a model to study the effect of long-term inactivity and chronic inflammation on the vastus lateralis muscle, were included in the study. It was revealed that widespread and substantial age-related changes in gene expression in older patients relative to young healthy people (~4000 genes regulating mitochondrial function, proteostasis, cell membrane, secretory and immune response) were related to the long-term physical inactivity and chronic inflammation rather than primary aging. Primary aging contributed mainly to the regulation of genes (~200) encoding nuclear proteins (regulators of DNA repair, RNA processing, and transcription), mitochondrial proteins (genes encoding respiratory enzymes, mitochondrial complex assembly factors, regulators of cristae formation and mitochondrial reactive oxygen species production), as well as regulators of proteostasis. It was found that proteins associated with aging were regulated mainly at the post-transcriptional level. The set of putative primary aging genes and their potential transcriptional regulators can be used as a resource for further targeted studies investigating the role of individual genes and related transcription factors in the emergence of a senescent cell phenotype.

Laboratory Assessment of the Effects of AGA@4life Multidisciplinary Intervention on the Inflammatory Profile, MMPs, and TIMPs in a Geriatric Population.

In recent years, the world's aging population has increased, contributing to the development of age-related pathologies, which have been aggravated by physical inactivity and excessive fat intake. This study aimed to evaluate the effect of implementing a nutritional program (control group-CG) combined with exercise (intervention group-IG) on the inflammatory profile, MMPs, and TIMPs in a group of 34 elderly participants (IG, n = 18; CG, n = 16). Participants underwent a full multidisciplinary diagnostic evaluation (T0), with the gathering of clinical information and biochemical and hematological determinations being re-evaluated eight weeks later (T1). A diet manual was made, which provided a selection of different types of diets resulting from the nutritional needs of the different users at the center. The aerobic exercise consisted of two sessions per week with a total duration of 1 h. The laboratory evaluation was performed by slot blot. Statistical analysis included a paired sample t-test and Spearman's correlation coefficient. We observed that in the IG, there was a significant increase at T1 of TNF-α (p < 0.05) and MMP-2 (p < 0.05), without changes in IL-6 and MMP-9, showing that the intervention did not cause an exacerbated inflammatory response in exercised elderly people. The intervention program implemented showed potential to contribute to better active aging strategies, taking advantage of the known benefits of exercise without inducing a harmful inflammatory response in elderly participants.

Disciplinary literacy and verbal language in physical education

ABSTRACT Supporting pupils’ development regarding subject knowledge and disciplinary literacy is a complex and challenging task for teachers. Research shows that language-integrated physical education (PE) can assist children’s language development. However, it tends to reduce the time for physical activity, which is problematic since youth’s physical inactivity is a growing problem. This article examines how teachers can emphasize disciplinary literacy and stimulate pupils’ use of verbal language to enhance their learning in PE in a culturally and linguistically diverse context in Sweden. In this practice-based research study grounded in action research methodology, 20 ten-year-old pupils with culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds participated with a teacher-researcher in 10 PE lessons in which disciplinary literacy and verbal language were intertwined with exploratory circus assignments. The theoretical framework is based on Biesta’s concept of risk. Data were collected through participant observation, video observation, interviews, and field diary. The data analysis was abductive, oscillating between the theory and the data. A thematic analysis was carried out. The results show that the exploratory circus assignments offered opportunities to emphasize disciplinary literacy and stimulate pupils’ use of verbal language. Focusing on language to ensure all pupils could partake and develop knowledge required time, which encroached on the pupils’ opportunity to be physically active. This was resolved through adding time before the PE lesson to activate the pupils’ background knowledge, anchor the language, and create pre-understanding. Further, including all pupils was challenging, and the pupils had different expectations regarding PE. The findings suggest that inviting pupils to speak involves an embedded risk in communication, but also carries dialogical potential. In collaboration with teaching colleagues, PE teachers can support and strengthen the pupils’ literacy development.

Dietary habits and physical activity during the third wave of the COVID-19 pandemic: associated factors, composite outcomes in a cross-sectional telephone survey of a Chinese population, and trend analysis.

The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic created many challenges for Hong Kong residents attempting to maintain healthy lifestyle habits. This study aimed to measure the prevalences of unhealthy dietary habits and physical inactivity levels in Hong Kong Chinese, identify associated factors, and conduct a time trend analysis during the third wave of the COVID-19 pandemic. A cross-sectional telephone survey was conducted in Hong Kong by simple random sampling. The survey comprised socio-demographic characteristics, clinical information, the Hong Kong Diet Score (HKDS), smoking and alcohol consumption, and a Chinese version of the International Physical Activity Questionnaire Short Form. The composite outcome was low HKDS, physical inactivity, smoking, and alcohol consumption. We used 14 Health Behaviour Survey reports from 2003 to 2019 to establish a trend analysis regarding fruit and vegetable consumption, physical activity level, smoking, and alcohol consumption. We performed 1500 complete telephone surveys with a response rate of 58.8%. Most participants were older adults (≥65 years, 66.7%), women (65.6%), and married (77.9%). The HKDS was significantly lower in men, single individuals, low-income participants, alcohol drinkers, and patients with diabetes mellitus or renal disease. Participants who were single, undergoing long-term management of medical diseases, or had diabetes or renal diseases exhibited greater likelihood of physical inactivity. Prevalences of unhealthy lifestyle habits were high among men, single individuals, and chronic disease patients during the third wave of the COVID-19 pandemic in Hong Kong. The adoption of physical activity habits tended to decrease in the past two decades.

The Impact of Physical Exercise on microRNAs in Hemodialysis Patients: A Review and a Protocol for an Ancillary Study.

Physical inactivity is considered a significant risk factor for mortality and morbidity among chronic hemodialysis (HD) patients. Therefore, physical exercise is recommended in the treatment of HD patients. Although the beneficial effects of physical exercise in HD patients are well-described in the literature, the underlying physiological mechanisms still need to be fully understood. Recently, microRNAs (miRNAs) have emerged as potential mediators of the therapeutic effects of physical exercise in healthy individuals. miRNAs are short, single-stranded, noncoding RNAs involved in gene expression regulation. Specifically, upon forming the RNA-induced silencing complex, miRNAs selectively bind to specific miRNAs within cells, reducing gene expression. miRNAs can be secreted by cells in an accessible form or enclosed within exosomes or extracellular vesicles. They can be detected in various body fluids, including serum (circulating miRNAs), facilitating the study of their diverse expression. Currently, there is no available data regarding the impact of physical exercise on the expression of miRNAs involved in osteogenic differentiation, a fundamental mechanism in the development of vascular calcification, for HD patients. Therefore, we have designed an observational and longitudinal case-control study to evaluate the expression of miR-9 and miR-30b in HD patients participating in a 3-month interdialytic physical exercise program. This paper aims to present the study protocol and review the expression of circulating miRNAs in HD patients and their modulation through physical exercise.

Intuitive eating has reduced the chances of being overweight in university students during the COVID-19 pandemic.

University students have been particularly affected during the COVID-19 pandemic, and several sociodemographic and behavioral factors may be associated with the risk of overweight in this population. The aim of this study was to assess the impact of the pandemic on the eating behavior and nutritional status of university students, and the factors associated with these changes, especially the role of intuitive eating in this process. This is a repeated measures observational study with data collected in the first and third year of the COVID-19 pandemic in Brazil, from students over the age of 18 in the undergraduate programs of a federal university in southeastern Brazil. The survey was conducted using an online form. Eating behavior was assessed using the "Intuitive Eating Scale-2". 251 university students took part, most of them female with a median age of 22. There was an increase in body mass index (BMI) and intuitive eating score between the two periods. In the first year of the pandemic, being female and using tobacco reduced the chances of students being overweight. Living in a marital relationship, worrying about weight gain and body dissatisfaction increased the chances of this outcome. In the third year of the pandemic, it was observed that practicing restrictive diets, having inadequate body perception, worrying about weight gain and living in a marital relationship increased the chances of students being overweight. Being female and eating more intuitively, in line with bodily needs, reduced these odds, demonstrating a protective role in this scenario. There was an increase in BMI and intuitive eating score during the pandemic. Sociodemographic, lifestyle and behavioral variables had both a positive and negative influence on nutritional status. Intuitive eating was shown to be a protective factor during this period, reducing the chances of being overweight in this population. Thus, more intuitive eating may favor greater weight stability, and may, therefore, have helped to reduce the impact of the pandemic on weight gain. In this way, people who ate more intuitively partially resisted the context that favored weight gain (stress, changes in diet and physical inactivity).

Gadget use and physical activity among children: Involvement Process Theory

Sedentary behaviour is a global concern over the past decade and still an alarming issue at present. Among the concerns of being sedentary was gadget use among children as well as physical activity involvement. Several researches explore the factors link to inactive lifestyle. However, theory generation particularly on gadget use and physical activity involvement process among children were limited. Thus, this paper aims to build theory on gadget use and physical activity involvement among children. This study explores children experiences on too much gadget use and physical activity involvement through qualitative approach using grounded theory lens. Participants of the study were 11 to 13 years old school student and selected parents from Philippines. Data were gathered through face-to-face semi – structured in depth interview. Computer assisted qualitative data analysis (CAQDAS) was implemented in this study. Specifically, ATLAS ti. 22 software was used in data management and analysis which was guided by constructivist grounded theory by Charmaz. Theory was generated in this study after coding process i.e. initial coding, focused coding and theory building. Rigorous analysis of data in this study generated a theory and presented in form of process. The children’s involvement process theory to gadget use and physical activity was explained in the following phases; being influence, being happy, accepting the situation, giving conditional task, physical activity: being last on the list. The findings indicate the reason why children spend too much time on gadget as they interpret it as happy place and less time for physical activity as they consider it as last in engagement priority. Results of this paper contribute understanding on how middle school students interpret their experiences regarding excessive gadget use and physical inactivity. Awareness on how children view gadget use and physical activity involvement provides parents, health experts and other related professionals a basis for creating a plan or strategy to promote a balance gadget use and physical activity involvement for children.

Showcasing the Chilean Cogni-Action Project: Connections between physical, cognitive and socioeconomic factors in a large sample of schoolchildren

Global concern has deepened in recent decades over alarming rates of obesity, sedentarism, insufficient physical activity and fitness levels, and unhealthy eating habits in children and adolescents. Parallelly, we have witnessed increased poverty and socioeconomic vulnerability worldwide. Understanding the intrinsic relationship between physical and cognitive health is crucial, and mounting evidence suggests a significant association. However, over 80% of existing data originate from high-income countries, representing a negligible fraction of the world's children. UNICEF projections indicate that by 2030, low- and low-middle-income countries will be home to approximately 63% of the global child and adolescent population. This highlights a substantial knowledge gap which the Cogni-Action Project, conducted in Chile, helps to address. Notably, Chile faces significant challenges, with child overweight-obesity rates reaching 54%, ranking highest in sedentarism, physical inactivity, sugary soft-drink consumption, and educational scores stagnant. Moreover, wealth inequality is stark, with the top 10% of the population owning 77% of the wealth. The Chilean Cogni-Action Project collected comprehensive data over three years (2017-2019) from 1,296 schoolchildren (10-14 years old) in the Valparaíso region. These data encompassed 789 variables spanning physical, psychosocial, cognitive, and lifestyle factors, as well as neuroimaging variables. The present article aims to contextualize and showcase this project based on the papers published to date. As universities and research institutions worldwide pursue similar endeavors, the necessity arises to share findings and methodologies to expedite knowledge development that can inform public policy and shape the agendas of pertinent institutions.

Cost-effectiveness of reducing children’s sedentary time and increasing physical activity at school: the Transform-Us! intervention

BackgroundImproving physical activity and reducing sedentary behavior represent important areas for intervention in childhood in order to reduce the burden of chronic disease related to obesity and physical inactivity in later life. This paper aims to determine the cost-effectiveness of a multi-arm primary school-based intervention to increase physical activity and/or reduce sedentary time in 8–9 year old children (Transform-Us!).MethodsModelled cost-utility analysis, using costs and effects from a cluster randomized controlled trial of a 30-month intervention that used pedagogical and environmental strategies to reduce and break up sedentary behaviour (SB-I), promote physical activity (PA-I), or a combined approach (PA + SB-I), compared to current practice. A validated multiple-cohort lifetable model (ACE-Obesity Policy model) estimated the obesity and physical activity-related health outcomes (measured as change in body mass index and change in metabolic equivalent task minutes respectively) and healthcare cost-savings over the cohort’s lifetime from the public-payer perspective, assuming the intervention was delivered to all 8–9 year old children attending Australian Government primary schools. Sensitivity analyses tested the impact on cost-effectiveness of varying key input parameters, including maintenance of intervention effect assumptions.ResultsCost-effectiveness results demonstrated that, when compared to control schools, the PA-I and SB-I intervention arms were “dominant”, meaning that they resulted in net health benefits and healthcare cost-savings if the intervention effects were maintained. When the costs and effects of these intervention arms were extrapolated to the Australian population, results suggested significant potential as obesity prevention measures (PA-I: 60,780 HALYs saved (95% UI 15,007-109,413), healthcare cost-savings AUD641M (95% UI AUD165M-$1.1B); SB-I: 61,126 HALYs saved (95% UI 11,770 − 111,249), healthcare cost-savings AUD654M (95% UI AUD126M-1.2B)). The PA-I and SB-I interventions remained cost-effective in sensitivity analysis, assuming the full decay of intervention effect after 10 years.ConclusionsThe PA-I and SB-I Transform-Us! intervention arms represent good value for money and could lead to health benefits and healthcare cost-savings arising from the prevention of chronic disease in later life if intervention effects are sustained.Trial registrationInternational Standard Randomized Controlled Trial Number (ISRCTN83725066). Australia and New Zealand Clinical Trials Registry Number (ACTRN12609000715279).

Simultaneity of health-related behaviors and food insecurity among pregnant women

The researchers aimed through this cross-sectional study to explore the co-occurrence of health-related behaviors and their association with food insecurity in pregnant women. The investigated behaviors include smoking, alcohol consumption, non-regular consumption of fruit, and physical inactivity among 605 participants. Our findings reveal that women experiencing food insecurity exhibit a higher prevalence of simultaneous engagement in specific health behaviors. Specifically, the co-occurrence of alcohol consumption and non-regular fruit consumption is elevated, as is the co-occurrence of smoking, alcohol consumption, and physical inactivity, and alcohol consumption, regular fruit consumption, and physical inactivity. The implications of these findings underscore the need for targeted interventions addressing both food insecurity and clustered health behaviors during pregnancy.