Sedentary Activity Patterns Research Articles

Sedentary activity, sedentary bouts, and patterns of total daily sedentary activity, and their relationship with stress and well-being in individuals with diabetes and prediabetes: The Lolland-Falster Health Study

AimsThis study aimed to investigate the cross-sectional associations of stress and well-being with the total amount of sedentary activity and sedentary bouts in adults with diabetes and prediabetes. A secondary aim was to explore the sedentary activity pattern during a day in adults with diabetes and prediabetes. MethodsThis cross-sectional study from the Danish Lolland-Falster Health Study categorized participants into diabetes (including both type 1 and type 2 diabetes) and prediabetes based on their HbA1c level and self-reported use of diabetes medication. Exposures were Perceived Stress Scale (scores ≥18 = moderate to high stress) and WHO-5 Well-Being Index (scores ≤50 = low well-being). Outcomes were total daily sedentary activity and sedentary bouts assessed with thigh-worn and back-worn accelerometers. ResultsAmong the 562 included adult participants, 15 % had low well-being and 65 % had moderate to high stress. Higher well-being was associated with lower total sedentary activity in participants with diabetes (−1.1 min/day, 95 % CI -2.0; −0.2, for every 1-point increase in WHO-score) and participants with prediabetes (−0.6 min/day, 95 % CI -1.1; −0.05, for every 1-point increase in WHO-score). No association was found between stress and sedentary activity. During a day, participants with diabetes were more sedentary with a mean difference of −0.7 h/day (95 % CI -1.1; −0.4) when compared with participants with prediabetes. ConclusionsThis study found that higher well-being is associated with lower total daily sedentary activity in individuals with diabetes and prediabetes, while no association between stress and sedentary activity was found. These findings imply that individuals with diabetes and prediabetes and low well-being may need additional support to reduce time spent on daily sedentary activity.

Patterns of sedentary behaviour in adults with acute insomnia derived from actigraphy data.

Sleep disorders, such as insomnia, have been associated with extended periods of inactive, sedentary behaviour. Many factors contribute to insomnia, including stress, irregular sleep patterns, mental health issues, inadequate sleeping schedules, diseases, neurological disorders and prescription medications. Identification of the patterns of sedentary time and its duration in adults with acute insomnia and healthy controls to determine the statistically significant sedentary bouts; comparison of the sedentary behaviour patterns in acute insomnia adults with healthy controls. We investigate the daytime actigraphy data and identify temporal patterns of inactivity among adults with acute insomnia and healthy adults. Seven days of actigraphy data were utilised to calculate sedentary time and bouts of variable duration based on a threshold of activity counts (<100 counts per minute). Statistical analysis was applied to investigate sedentary bouts and total sedentary time during weekdays and weekend. A logistic regression model has been used to determine the significance of sedentary bouts. We found that individuals with acute insomnia accumulate a significant amount of their sedentary time in medium (6-30 minutes and 31-60 minutes) and longer (more than 60 minutes) duration bouts in comparison to healthy adults. Furthermore, a low p value for total sedentary time (2.54 ⋅ 10-4) association with acute insomnia supports the finding that acute insomnia individuals are significantly more engaged in sedentary activities compared to healthy controls. Also, as shown by the weekend vs weekday analysis, the physical and sedentary activity patterns of acute insomnia adults demonstrate higher variability during the weekdays in comparison to the weekend. The results of the present study demonstrate that adults with acute insomnia spend more time in low-intensity daily physical activities compared to healthy adults.

Physical activity and eating behaviors patterns associated with high blood pressure among Chinese children and adolescents

BackgroundPhysical activity and eating behavior are associated with hypertension in children and adolescents. Revealing the associations between physical activity patterns, eating behavior patterns and high blood pressure (HBP) could help improve the problem of hypertension from the actual children’s physical activities and eating behaviors.MethodsA total of 687 students aged 8–15 years were selected from two nine-year primary and secondary schools using stratified cluster random sampling method. The students’ body height, weight, systolic blood pressure (SBP) and diastolic blood pressure (DBP) were measured, and their physical activity time and eating behaviors were surveyed by using CLASS questionnaire and self-made eating behavior questionnaire, respectively. Exploratory factor analysis (EFA) was used to extract moderate to vigorous physical activity factor (MVPAF), sedentary activity factor (SAF), healthy eating behavior factor (HEBF), unhealthy eating behavior factor (UHEBF). MVPAF ≥ SAF was defined as moderate to vigorous physical activity pattern (MVPAP), MVPAF < SAF was defined as sedentary activity pattern (SAP). HEBF ≥ UHEBF was defined as healthy eating behavior pattern (HEBP), while the opposite was defined as unhealthy eating behavior pattern (UHEBP). Lifestyles includes physical activity patterns and eating behavior patterns.ResultsThe overall prevalence of hypertension was 5.8% (40/687), and was 5.69% (21/369) in boys and 5.97% (19/318) in girls, respectively. The MVPAF and UHEBF in boys were significantly higher than those in girls (P < 0.01), while the SAF in girls was significantly higher than that in boys (P < 0.05). The SAF was positively correlated with SBP in girls (β(SE) = 0.14 (0.50), P = 0.016), and was positively correlated with SBP (β(SE) = 0.21 (1.22), P = 0.000 and DBP (β(SE) = 0.14 (0.49), P = 0.006) in boys. The MVPAF was negatively correlated with DBP (β(SE)=-0.11 (0.40), P = 0.022) in boys. In boys, the SAP increased the risks of HBP (OR (95% CI):3.34 (1.30–8.63)) and high DBP (OR (95% CI):3.08 (1.02–9.34)) compared with MVPAP.ConclusionCompared with the boys with MVPAP, boys with SAP may increase the risks of HBP and high DBP. The SAF may be positively associated with SBP in boys and girls, while the MVPAF may be negatively associated with DBP in boys.

Sedentary patterns and cardiometabolic risk factors in Mexican children and adolescents: analysis of longitudinal data

BackgroundSedentary behavior is a modifiable risk factor for cardiometabolic health; however, the assessment of total sedentary time may not capture youth’s highly active and interrupted activity patterns. This study examined the associations between sedentary activity patterns and cardiometabolic risk factors among Mexican youth, who have a disproportionate burden of metabolic diseases, using a repeated measure design out of a longitudinal data.Methods570 subjects in the Early Life Exposure in Mexico to ENvironmental Toxicants (ELEMENT) birth cohort, who were followed up to three-time points during adolescence, were included. Bout duration, and frequency and percentages of waking time spent in specific intensities of activity, were quantified using ActiGraph wGT3X-BT wrist accelerometers. Self-reported questionnaires were used to query the usual duration of different sedentary behaviors. Outcomes were fasting lipid profile, markers for glucose homeostasis, anthropometry, and blood pressure. Associations were modeled using linear mixed-effects models, and isotemporal substitution approach was additionally used to assess the effect of replacing objectively assessed sedentary activity with other activity intensities, adjusting for potential confounders.ResultsEach hour of self-reported screen-based time was positively associated with diastolic blood pressure (mm Hg) [β = 0.30, 95% confidence interval (95% CI) = 0.10, 0.51], and an hour of other sedentary time was associated with log serum glucose (mg/dL) [β = 0.01, 95% CI = 0.004, 0.017]. Substitution models showed that replacing 5% of sedentary time with moderate to vigorous physical activity (MVPA) was associated with lower waist circumference (cm) [β = − 1.35, 95% CI = − 1.91, − 0.79] and log serum triglycerides (mg/dL) [β = − 0.11, 95% CI = − 0.18, − 0.03]. Substituting one uninterrupted sedentary bout with light activity was associated with lower insulin (μIU/mL) [β = − 0.06, 95% CI = − 0.10, − 0.02].ConclusionsSedentary time was associated with cardiometabolic risk factors in Mexican youth in a context-specific manner. Replacing sedentary time with higher intensities was associated with improvements in some cardiometabolic markers.

Daily patterns of sedentary physical activity associated with self-reported outcomes among individuals with osteoarthritis

Purpose: To examine the relationships of hour- and day-level sedentary activity patterns with self-reported measures of pain, function, fatigue, and sleep using a multilevel functional principal component analysis technique.

Physical and Sedentary Activity Patterns in Youths with Autism Spectrum Disorder.

Little is known about the patterns of sedentary behavior and physical activity (PA) within different school levels (i.e., primary school and secondary school) and on different day types (i.e., weekdays and weekend days) among youths with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). The sample was recruited from one city in Taiwan. A total of 68 male youths with ASD, aged 6–17 years, participated in the study. PA was assessed using an ActiGraph accelerometer, and sedentary behaviors (i.e., TV viewing, computer use, and reading time) were determined using a self-report log. The main findings were that (a) primary school youths with ASD were more active than secondary school youths with ASD on both weekdays and weekend days, but primary school youths with ASD also had more sedentary time than did secondary school youths with ASD on both weekdays and weekend days; (b) secondary school youths with ASD were more active but also more sedentary on weekdays compared with weekend days, but they had more screen use on weekend days compared with on weekdays. Future interventions are required to decrease sedentary behavior and increase PA to improve the health of these youths according to school level and day of the week.

Social-ecological correlates of older adults’ outdoor activity patterns

IntroductionAn understanding of outdoor activity patterns of older adults may help in the development of more tailored physical activity programs for enhancing higher physical activity levels and more effective environmental interventions. This study aimed to identify patterns of outdoor activity of older adults, and to examine their relationships with physical activity levels and correlates of these patterns. MethodsBased on data collected among 363 respondents aged 60 or older in Dalian, China, a two-step cluster analysis approach was adopted to identify outdoor activity patterns; one-way analysis of variance and chi-square tests were performed to examine differences in physical activity levels across activity patterns; and a multinomial logistic regression model was estimated to examine the socio-ecological correlates of each activity pattern. ResultsThe study identified five distinct activity patterns, namely: 1) utilitarian activity pattern; 2) low frequency/short duration leisure-time physical activity pattern; 3) sedentary activity pattern; 4) long duration leisure-time physical activity pattern; and 5) high frequency leisure-time physical activity pattern. The type of activity pattern was associated with older adults' physical activity levels. Older adults’ patterns of outdoor activity participation were associated with their age, gender, education level, physical ability and household type. In addition, neighborhood characteristics such as accessibility to local shops, safety from crime, social capital and social cohesion were also significantly associated with outdoor activity patterns. ConclusionsThe findings can help health professionals to develop tailored physical activity programs for older adults with certain socio-demographic characteristics and urban planners to design suitable environmental interventions supporting the habitual activity pattern of specific subgroups of older adults.

Survey on Body Mass Index, Physical Activity Pattern and Dietary Pattern of the Selected Type 2 Diabetics in Chennai City

Globally, diabetes is among the top 10 causes of death. To investigate about the Body Mass Index, physical activity pattern and dietary pattern often leads to life threatening complications. An Ex post facto, survey was carried out among 500 type 2 diabetes using a pre-tested questionnaire from five diabetes specialty clinics. About 67% of the subjects were of normal weight. Physical activity was calculated based on the formula given by Sharkey and Gaskill and the scores of the all the subjects were below 20 indicating the sedentary activity pattern and very poor fitness. When the calorie intake of the subjects with diabetes was compared with the recommended dietary allowance, it was found that 68% of the subjects were ingesting excess calories, while 32% were consuming less than the recommended calories. The quality of diet of none of the subjects was adequate in calories. Results suggest that type 2 diabetes should be given intensive diet counseling to know about the importance of diet and physical activity in managing their blood sugar levels.

Accelerometer-Measured Physical Activity and Sedentary Behavior Patterns in Taiwanese Adolescents.

Levels of physical activity and sedentary behavior among adolescents seem to vary within different settings, but few Asian studies have compared physical activity and sedentary activity patterns in adolescents across weekdays/weekends and during-school time/after-school time. This study aimed to provide objectively measured data describing intensity-specific physical activity and sedentary behavior patterns in Taiwanese adolescents. The results were sorted by gender and divided between weekdays/weekends and during-school time/after-school time. A total of 470 Taiwanese students (49.6% boys, ages 12–15 y) were recruited and fitted with GT3X+ accelerometers for seven days. Intensity-specific physical activity, total sedentary time, and sedentary bouts (number and duration ≥30 min) were measured. The Mann-Whitney U test was used to examine the significant differences in physical activity and sedentary behavior patterns between the genders on weekdays/weekends and during school/after-school time. The results show that the adolescents’ overall activity levels were below recommended thresholds, with girls engaging in significantly less moderate to vigorous physical activity, having longer sedentary time, longer time spent in sedentary bouts, and more frequent sedentary bouts than boys. Similar results were observed in physical activities of each intensity as well as sedentary behavior variables, both on weekdays/weekends and during-school/after-school periods. These findings emphasize the importance of developing and implementing approaches to increase moderate to vigorous physical activity, as well as decrease prolonged sedentary time and long sedentary bouts, especially for Taiwanese girls.

Physical inactivity and activity patterns among Taiwanese secondary students

In the present study, we examined the status of physical inactivity and activity patterns among a sample of Taiwanese secondary school, incorporating the cluster analytic approach. The three research goals were (a) to compare gender and age differences in sedentary behaviour patterns, (b) to examine correlations of forms of sedentary behaviour (i.e. computer/Internet, playing video games, doing homework, leisure reading, sitting and talking, listening to music, talking on the telephone, and watching television), and with physical activity participation levels, and (c) to compare whether cluster groups of students with distinct sedentary activity patterns differ in physical activity pattern. A sample of 757 secondary school students aged 12–15 years from 8 Taiwanese schools in southern part of Taiwan took part in the study. The results of cluster analysis revealed five clusters, with distinct patterns of sedentary activities. There was no difference in terms of physical activity participation across these five clusters. The overall results suggest that the link between sedentary behaviour and physical activity is weak, concurring with previous findings.

Kids and sports.

Kids and sports.

NEW and RENEW: Building the Case for Weight Loss in Breast Cancer

Obesity has been linked to poor outcomes in women with early breast cancer. A meta-analysis of 43 studies examining the relationship between weight at the time of breast cancer diagnosis and prognosis in women with early-stage breast cancer demonstrated a 33% increase in the risk of breast cancer–related and overall mortality in obese versus nonobese women. Observational studies have also shown that physical activity, an important mediator of weight maintenance, is associated with better survival in women with early-stage breast cancer. Finally, two large-scale randomized trials testing the impact of dietary modification on cancer outcomes in breast cancer survivors have provided indirect evidence that weight loss after diagnosis could lead to lower rates of recurrence. The WINS (Women’s Interventional Nutrition Study) trial reported a 24% reduction in the risk of recurrence in breast cancer survivors randomly assigned to a low-fat diet group, who decreased dietary fat to 20% of calories and lost an average of 6 lbs, as compared with controls. In contrast, the WHEL (Women’s Healthy Eating and Living) study did not demonstrate a lower risk of recurrence in breast cancer survivors randomly assigned to a low-fat, high fruit and vegetable dietary intervention. Intervention participants in this study did not experience weight loss, and although there were a number of other differences between the studies, the weight change in WINS has been suggested as one potential reason for the difference in the outcomes of the two studies. Despite strong observational evidence that weight and related factors could influence cancer outcomes, there are no data from randomized trials testing the impact of purposeful weight loss after breast cancer diagnosis on the risk of cancer recurrence and mortality. A number of small and moderate-sized weight loss and physical activity intervention studies in breast cancer populations have demonstrated the feasibility of lifestyle change and documented additional beneficial effects on quality of life, fitness, and fatigue. To optimally design more definitive studies, interventions that reliably, cost effectively, and durably change lifestyle behaviors in large groups of breast cancer survivors are needed. Enhanced understanding of the impact of lifestyle change on biologic factors implicated in the lifestylecancer association will guide study design and strengthen the scientific rationale for such studies. Two reports in Journal of Clinical Oncology (JCO) provide crucial information for the development of large-scale trials testing the impact of lifestyle change on disease outcomes in patients with cancer. In the first report, Demark-Wahnefried et al demonstrate the efficacy of a telephone-based lifestyle intervention in effecting long-lasting changes in diet, physical activity, and weight in 641 survivors of colon, prostate, and breast cancers, providing feasibility data for large-scale, distance-based lifestyle interventions among cancer survivors. In the second report, Campbell et al describe the impact of different types of lifestyle interventions on biomarkers linked to breast cancer risk and prognosis in postmenopausal women, providing some of the first data comparing the effect of physical activity and weight loss, with or without a physical activity component, on putative pathways linking lifestyle and breast cancer. The RENEW (Reach Out to Enhance Wellness) study enrolled 641 survivors of breast, prostate, and colon cancers. Key eligibility criteria included age 65, body mass index 25 kg/m, sedentary activity pattern, and cancer diagnosis at least 5 years before enrollment. The study employed a cross-over design; participants were randomly assigned to immediate participation in a 1-year telephoneand print materials–based lifestyle intervention, designed to increase physical activity and improve dietary quality, or to delayed participation after a 1-year control period. The primary end point was change in physical functioning. A previous report demonstrated that intervention-group participants experienced significantly less decline in their functional status, improvements in dietary quality, increased physical activity, and modest weight loss, as compared with control participants. The updated report from the RENEW study shows that favorable changes in physical activity, dietary behaviors, and weight were maintained in the immediate intervention group 1 year after the discontinuation of the lifestyle intervention. Additionally, the delayed intervention group experienced significant changes in physical functioning, weight, dietary quality, and physical activity during their participation in the lifestyle intervention. These data provide key information on the durability of telephone-based lifestyle coaching. However, there are important caveats, including the small proportion of eligible individuals who opted to participate in the study (approximately 6%), the 25% attrition rate at 2 years, and the fact that all study measures, including weight, were selfreported. Despite these caveats, the efficacy of the RENEW intervention is consistent with that of other large-scale trials of distanced-based lifestyle interventions, including the WHEL study, JOURNAL OF CLINICAL ONCOLOGY E D I T O R I A L VOLUME 30 NUMBER 19 JULY 1 2012

Abstract NS 11: Reshaping Exercise Habits And Beliefs (REHAB): A Randomized Trial Of Home-based Exercise In Sub-acute Stroke

Background: Following conventional rehabilitation, many stroke survivors adopt sedentary activity patterns that contribute to a cycle for “learned non-use” and cardiovascular deconditioning that compounds disability. These patterns become established in the sub-acute recovery period, when opportunities to alter behavior patterns may be most timely. This randomized study investigated the hypothesis that the 12-week REHAB behavior modification intervention would increase ambulatory function, falls efficacy and quality of life compared to matched attention controls. Methods: Subjects were recruited following discharge from acute rehabilitation, screened for hemiparetic gait deficit and randomized to intervention or control groups. Intervention subjects received education on the benefits of exercise and a home-based exercise prescription that included a progressive walking program, and “homework” tasks to perform daily that were tailored to their stroke deficit and personal goals. This group also received telephone contacts each week for 12 weeks to assess compliance with exercise program, address barriers to exercise and receive positive reinforcement for exercise. Control subjects received education regarding risk factors for stroke, warning signs and symptoms and surveillance for weekly activity and exercise patterns. Measures were taken at baseline, 12 and 24 weeks (to assess sustained effects), and included visual analog quality of life scale, step activity profiles and self efficacy for falls. Results: Thirty-seven stroke survivors enrolled and 35 completed the entire protocol. The average age was 60.4 years (SD+10.9), and there were 21 males, 15 African Americans, 16 Caucasians and 1 Hispanic participants, with 3 not selecting a racial/ethnic background. Seventeen were randomized to the intervention. Repeated measures ANOVA revealed a significant time effect on step activity between 0, 12 and 24 weeks F(2.34, 77.23)= 2.972, p&lt;.05, but no group by time interaction (p=.195). Similarly, in quality of life, a significant time effect was noted, F(2,62)=6.425, p&lt;.05, but no treatment by time interaction (p=.363). Finally, a significant group by time interaction was noted for falls efficacy, indicating that the intervention group had a significant increase in confidence they could keep from falling, F(2,32)=5.012, p&lt;.05. Conclusion: The improvement of both groups in these measures was not unexpected due to spontaneous recovery, but the program did not provide sufficient stimulus to effect significant changes in the outcomes measured. The intervention subjects reported relatively high levels of compliance with the intervention protocol. Additional study using a more rigorous home program post discharge may yield significant improvements in community ambulation.

Physical activity and sedentary activity patterns among children and adolescents: a latent class analysis approach.

While much is known about the overall levels of physical activity and sedentary activity among youth, few studies have attempted to define clusters of such behaviors. The purpose of this study was to identify and describe unique classes of youth based on their participation in a variety of physical activity and sedentary behaviors. Latent class analysis was used to characterize segments of youth based on patterns of self-reported and accelerometer-measured participation in 12 behaviors. Children and adolescents (N=720) from 6th-11th grade were included in the analysis. Differences in class membership were examined using multinomial logistic regression. Three distinct classes emerged for boys and girls. Among boys, the 3 classes were characterized as "Active" (42.1%), "Sedentary" (24.9%), and "Low Media/Moderate Activity" (33.0%). For girls, classes were "Active" (18.7%), "Sedentary" (47.6%), and "Low Media/Functional Activity" (33.7%). Significant differences were found between the classes for a number of demographic indicators including the proportion in each class who were classified as overweight or obese. The behavioral profiles of the classes identified in this study can be used to suggest possible audience segments for intervention and to tailor strategies appropriately.

Major Depression, Antidepressant Medication and the Risk of Obesity

Background: Cross-sectional studies have reported an association between major depressive episode (MDE) and obesity. The objective of this longitudinal analysis was to determine whether MDE increase the risk of becoming obese over a 10-year period. Method: We used data from the Canadian National Population Health Survey (NPHS), a longitudinal study of a representative cohort of household residents in Canada. The incidence of obesity, defined as a body mass index (BMI) of ≥30, was evaluated in respondents who were 18 years or older at the time of a baseline interview in 1994. MDE was assessed using a brief diagnostic instrument. Results: The risk of obesity was not elevated in association with MDE, either in unadjusted or covariate-adjusted analyses. The strongest predictor of obesity was a BMI in the overweight (but not obese) range. Effects were also seen for (younger) age, (female) sex, a sedentary activity pattern, low income and exposure to antidepressant medications. Unexpectedly, significant effects were seen for serotonin-reuptake-inhibiting antidepressants and venlafaxine, but neither for tricyclic antidepressants nor antipsychotic medications. Conclusions: MDE does not appear to increase the risk of obesity. The cross-sectional associations that have been reported, albeit inconsistently, in the literature probably represent an effect of obesity on MDE risk. Pharmacologic treatment with antidepressants may be associated with an increased risk of obesity, and strategies to offset this risk may be useful in clinical practice.

Physical and sedentary activity in adolescents with cerebral palsy

Participation in regular physical activity (PA) provides health, psychological, and physiological benefits for people with and without a physical disability. This study investigated the physical and sedentary activity patterns of adolescents with cerebral palsy (CP). A cross-sectional, descriptive, postal survey was used, consisting of the Physical Activity Questionnaire for Adolescents (PAQ-A), self-reported level of gross motor function (based on the Gross Motor Function Classification System [GMFCS]), and specific questions regarding weekly sedentary activities. Following piloting to determine test-retest reliability (intraclass correlation [ICC] for PA=0.90; total weekly sedentary time=0.84) and concurrent validity (survey PA score vs pedometry, Pearson's r=0.24; survey PA score vs accelerometry, r=-0.21; survey weekly sedentary time vs logbook, r=0.38), the survey was mailed to all adolescents with CP in South Australia registered with Novita Children's Services (n=219). One hundred and twelve valid surveys were returned (76 males, 36 females; age range 11-17y, mean age 13y 11mo [SD 23mo]; GMFCS Level I, n=42; Level II, n=27; Level III, n=10; Level IV, n=17; Level V, n=15; level not reported, n=1). Results were compared with recent normative age- and sex-matched data sets. Key findings were that PA level of adolescents with CP was related to level of gross motor function and inversely related to age, and that adolescents with CP were less physically active than their peers without disability. Comparisons with normative data sets suggested that adolescents with CP tend to participate in less structured and lower intensity PA compared with non-disabled adolescents, though sedentary activity patterns (TV and computer use) of adolescents with and without CP were similar.

Epidemiology of what to eat in the 21st century.

Many epidemiologic studies of disease causation include food intake and nutrition variables (1, 2). Epidemiologic research is also an established component of nutrition and food science endeavors to identify optimal dietary patterns and to improve the quality and potential health benefits of the food supply (4). Manipulation of eating patterns and/or food content is a core health promotion and disease control strategy. However, the process of translating nutritional epidemiologic study findings into health advice or policy is quite complex. There is much debate on diet and health issues; however, the general inference that modern eating and physical activity patterns are ill-suited to the huntergatherer genetic predispositions of our species is sound (5, 6). Given the limits of our biologic adaptability, diet and physical activity are thought to be critical determinants of the major causes of death and disability—cardiovascular disease, cancer, diabetes, and obesity—worldwide (4, 7-13). Studies carried out in diverse populations have converged to suggest that avoiding or moving away from the high fat, low fiber, and high salt diets and sedentary activity patterns typical in western societies will usually decrease the occurrence of chronic diseases (4). Food is a universal and indispensable human exposure, and the foods we eat are deeply rooted in and defended by cultural beliefs and practices (14-16). Therefore, the study findings suggesting a need to change dietary patterns have a unique salience and sense of urgency for policy-makers, clinicians, and consumers. It is commonly understood that a synthesis of such studies, as well as their reconciliation with laboratory and animal evidence, is needed. However, the social relevance of such studies often motivates excessive media attention at the moment of publication,

Physical Performance at work and at Leisure

This article examines the concurrent validity of a measure of use of biological energy. The measure consists of the individual's activity patterns at work and at leisure and is weighted by a factor associated with the expenditure of biological energy. The results obtained from 85 men who had been treated for Hodgkin's disease indicated that more sedentary activity patterns are positively correlated with scores on the Fatigue subscale of the Profile of Mood States (POMS), whereas more active patterns are positively correlated with scores on the POMS Vigor subscale, self-reports of energy level, and self-ratings of health status. In addition, consistent with biological research, perceived energy levels interact with activity patterns at leisure but not at work. Using this strategy to assess an individual's physical performance at work after the diagnosis and treatment of cancer may help practitioners in rehabilitation counseling.

Fish populations of a small lowland channelized river in England subject to long‐term river maintenance and management works

AbstractFish populations in the River Perry, a small lowland channelized river in England, were affected by long‐term river maintenance and improvement works. Habitat diversity at two ‘old channelized’ sites was low compared with a downstream ‘partially channelized’ site and an unmodified site, where natural river features such as the pool‐riffle pattern were more apparent. The fish community was low in diversity at all sites, with two running‐water cyprinids, dace Leuciscus leuciscus (L.) and chub Leuciscus cephalus (L.), being the dominant fish species. Relative species composition varied between sites, with dace predominating at the ‘old channelized’ sites and chub increasingly dominant at the ‘partially channelized’ and unmodified sites. Population density and biomass estimates of dace were similar at all sites, but chub were up three times more abundant at the ‘partially channelized’ and unmodified sites than at the ‘old channelized’ sites. Populations of dace and chub at the ‘old channelized’ sites contained a higher proportion of small fish than populations at the downstream sites, which exhibited a more balanced population structure. The growth rates of both dace and chub varied between sites. Low recaptures of marked dace suggested a highly mobile movement pattern while higher recapture rates of chub, particularly at the ‘partially channelized’ and unmodified sites, seemed to indicate a more sedentary activity pattern. The conclusion of the study is that long‐term river maintenance and management works may delay the morphological and biological recovery of lowland channelized rivers.