Sufficient Physical Activity Research Articles

The relationship of parents’ attributes and practices with the promotion of recommended movement behaviours in young children during school suspensions

ABSTRACT This study investigated the influence of parental attributes and practices on the promotion of physical activity (PA) and sedentary behaviour (SB) guidelines in young children during a period of school suspension. We surveyed parents (N = 357) who had at least one preschool-aged child in Hong Kong. Parents’ perceived difficulties in ensuring sufficient PA and limited SB were heightened during school suspension relative to regular school time. The time spent by children performing daily PA decreased to 72.5% relative to regular school time. Contrasting with theorized relationships, parents with more positive PA-related attributes reported greater difficulty in promoting PA and SB guidelines during school suspension. The findings highlight the importance of parental support when family routines are disrupted. Recommendations include the dissemination of health information and the development of resources for indoor PA. Multifaceted approaches should acknowledge individual and contextual factors, supported by further research on PA-related parenting within relevant sociocultural contexts.

Assessment of Exercise Capacity in Patients Diagnosed with Moderate and Severe Bronchial Asthma: Preliminary Prospective Observational Study.

The main objective of the study was to assess exercise capacity and physical activity levels in patients with bronchial asthma compared to a control group without asthma, as well as to investigate how asthma severity affects the results of the 6MWT and physical activity as measured by the IPAQ questionnaire. A total of 63 individuals were studied, divided into two groups: Group A, consisting of 33 individuals with bronchial asthma, and Group B, consisting of 30 individuals from the general population without bronchial asthma. In both groups, the following assessments were performed: The Six-Minute Walk Test (6MWT), The International Physical Activity Questionnaire (IPAQ) and the Borg rating of perceived exertion scale (the Borg RPE scale) ABB. It was demonstrated that patients with moderate asthma covered more distance during the 6MWT than patients diagnosed with severe asthma. The difference in metres covered between the two groups was statistically significant (p < 0.001), which could be observed during the walk test. The results indicate that a larger proportion of patients with asthma (76%) fall into the insufficient physical activity category compared to those without asthma (24%). Conversely, a higher percentage of non-asthmatic individuals (66.67%) report sufficient physical activity compared to asthmatic patients (33.33%)(P=0.005). This study demonstrated that asthma severity significantly impacts exercise capacity, as shown by shorter distances covered in the 6-minute walk test (6MWT) among patients with severe asthma. While overall physical activity levels (measured by the IPAQ) were not significantly different between asthma and non-asthma groups, asthma patients exhibited significantly more sitting time, suggesting a more sedentary lifestyle.

Individual and socio-psychological characteristics as predictors of physical activity among men living with overweight and obesity taking part in the Aussie Fans in Training weight management behaviour change programme

Background: Sufficient physical activity (PA) is important to reduce the risk of men developing chronic diseases and to improve mental health. The effectiveness of PA programmes can vary, however, among men. Individual and socio-psychological characteristics may affect the level of men’s PA before starting a behaviour change programme as well as changes in PA during the programme. Aims: The primary objective of this study was to examine the role of individual and socio-psychological characteristics in predicting men’s (a) accelerometer-assessed PA (step count and moderate to vigorous PA [MVPA]) upon presentation to a behaviour change programme and (b) changes in PA (step count and MVPA) during a behaviour change programme. Methods: A total of 109 men (mean age = 45.5 years, SD = 7.8 years, mean body mass index = 34.5 kg/m2, SD = 5.1 kg/m2) who participated in the Australian Fans in Training 3-month PA and dietary behaviour change programme in 2018 participated in this study. Before and after completing the 12-week programme, men completed assessments including individual (age, weight) and socio-psychological (psychological needs support, psychological needs satisfaction, positive affect and negative affect) characteristics. We used regression analysis to examine the relationship between these variables and PA. Results: At baseline, men’s weight (β = –.36, p &lt; .001) and positive affect (β = .29, p &lt; .01) were significant predictors of step count. At baseline, men’s weight (β = –.21, p &lt; .05) and negative affect (β = .23, p &lt; .05) were significant predictors of MVPA, though the overall model did not display statistical significance. The overall regression models did not significantly predict changes in either step count or MVPA pre- to post-programme. Conclusion: The influence of weight and positive and negative affect in predicting PA outcomes suggests that tailoring men’s health behaviour change interventions to individual circumstances and needs could enhance their effectiveness for some men.

Sufficient sleep and physical activity can relieve the effects of long-term exposure to particulate matter on depressive symptoms among 0.31 million children and adolescents from 103 counties in China.

Although long-term exposures to air pollutants have been linked to mental disorders, existing studies remain limited and inconsistent. We investigated the relationship between exposure to particulate matter (PM) and depressive symptoms, as well as the potential role of sleep duration and physical activity. Using the surveillance data (2019 to 2022) of common diseases and risk factors among 312,390 students aged 10-25years, logistic regression, generalized liner model (GLM) and restricted cubic spline (RCS) were employed to investigate the relationship between long-term exposure to PM and depressive symptoms. Significant associations were found between PM1 (OR=1.21, 95% CI: 1.12-1.32), PM2.5 (OR=1.24, 95% CI: 1.19-1.38), and PM10 (OR=1.87, 95% CI: 1.69-2.07) and increased risks of depressive symptoms. Sleep duration and physical activity relieved these associations. The odds ratios (ORs) of PM1, PM2.5, and PM10 on depressive symptoms were lower in group with sufficient sleep (1.02 vs. 1.49, 1.20 vs. 1.80, 2.15 vs. 2.23), lower in group with high level MVPA (1.13 vs. 1.48, 1.14 vs. 1.58, 1.85 vs. 2.38), and lower in group with high level outdoor activity (1.19 vs. 1.55, 1.23 vs. 1.63, 1.83 vs. 2.72). Conclusions about causality remain speculative because of the cross-sectional design. Sufficient sleep duration and outdoor activity may mitigate the decline in mental health among adults in developing countries caused by long-term exposure to PM. This contribution enhanced our understanding of the mechanisms linking air pollution to mental health.

Fitness-related physical activity intensity explains most of the association between accelerometer data and cardiometabolic health in persons 50–64 years old

ObjectivesTo investigate the physical activity (PA) intensity associated with cardiometabolic health when considering the mediating role of cardiorespiratory fitness (CRF).MethodsA subsample of males and females aged 50–64 years from the...

Prevalence of and factors associated with lipid screening in young people aged 16– to 21 years in the United States: analysis of nationwide cross-sectional data

Background & AimsThere is no consensus on whether it is worthwhile for young people to undergo lipid screening. An estimate of the national prevalence of lipid screening in this population can serve as a basic parameter in analyses of the utilization and cost-effectiveness of health care services. Previous studies were mostly based on electronic health records or insurance claims data or were restricted to adolescents at younger ages. This study aimed to investigate the prevalence of lipid screening and the factors associated with it in young people aged 16– to 21 years in the United States based on a nationally representative sample.MethodsA cross-sectional study of 16- to 21-year-old participants from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES), 2013–March 2020 (four cycles), was conducted. The prevalence of lipid screening uptake was calculated for each cycle as well as for all four cycles combined, and the associations of lipid screening uptake with the covariates were analysed by logistic regression. An appropriate sample weight was incorporated into the analysis as recommended.ResultsA total of 3,600 participants were included in the analysis, and 32.02% of them had ever received lipid screening at the time of the survey, with no statistically significant secular changes observed over the four cycles. Among the participants, 28.83% received lipid screening within the past 5 years. In multivariable regression analysis adjusted for all covariates, non-Hispanic black ethnicity (adjusted odds ratio [AOR]: 1.43), having health insurance (AOR: 1.54), obesity (AOR: 1.65) and sufficient physical activity (AOR: 1.36) were significantly associated with a greater chance of ever receiving lipid screening.ConclusionsNearly one-third of young people aged 16– to 21 years in the United States have received lipid screening. Ethnicity, health insurance, weight problems, and physical activity level were associated with the likelihood of lipid screening uptake. These findings could help people understand the current situation of lipid screening in young people in the United States and may serve as fundamental parameters in the assessment of the utilization and cost-effectiveness of related health care services.

Relationship Between Diet and Nutritional Status with Blood Sugar Levels in Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus Outpatients at RSUD Ibnu Sina Gresik

Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus is a chronic disease with an increasing incidence in Indonesia and is closely related to blood sugar control. This study was conducted aimed to analyze the relationship between diet and nutritional status with blood sugar levels in outpatients with Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus at Ibnu Sina Gresik Hospital. A cross-sectional study design was employed along with observational analysis. The sample included 34 patients selected using the Accidental Sampling technique. Data were collected through interviews, questionnaires, measurements of height and weight, and laboratory results. The study was conducted from December 2023 to April 2024, and the data were analyzed using univariate and bivariate analysis using the chi-square test. The results showed that patients with poor diet and overweight tend to have abnormal blood sugar levels, with p=0.014 for diet and p=0.023 for weight gain, both significant (p&lt;0.05). In conclusion, there is a relationship between diet and nutritional status and blood glucose levels in patients with Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus. It is recommended, patients should implement a diet according to the 3J principle, do sufficient physical activity, regularly monitor blood sugar levels, and make dietary changes such as reducing simple carbohydrates and sugar to manage blood sugar levels.

Dietary Habits of Young Poles and Their Selected Determinants: A Review and Implications for Public Health.

This study investigates the dietary patterns, health behaviors, and related determinants among young people in Poland, amid increasing lifestyle-related health concerns like obesity and poor nutrition. Understanding the factors influencing these behaviors is crucial for crafting effective public health strategies. The objective was to analyze young Poles' eating habits, their perceptions of health, and the role of various determinants in shaping these behaviors. A survey was conducted among a representative sample of young Poles, gathering data on eating habits, health perceptions, and lifestyle choices. The survey focused on the respondents' understanding of healthy eating, sources of nutrition knowledge, and the influence of family, social media, and public health campaigns. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, and correlations between health behaviors and socio-demographic factors were examined. The study revealed that 88% of young respondents prioritize health, with 73% acknowledging a link between nutrition and health. While most participants accurately described healthy eating and reported adherence to dietary guidelines, 43% engaged in emotional eating, which often led to compulsive behaviors associated with obesity. Social media, internet articles, and family were primary sources of nutrition knowledge. Despite their knowledge, fruit and vegetable consumption was below recommended levels, and physical activity levels were insufficient in nearly half of the respondents. Only 36% regularly read food labels, with many choosing products containing additives. Appearance-related stress was prevalent among 52% of respondents, while sleep deficits and lack of sufficient physical activity were common. The findings suggest that while young Poles possess a high level of awareness regarding healthy eating, gaps remain in the application of this knowledge, particularly concerning emotional eating and inadequate fruit and vegetable consumption. Public health campaigns should be more effectively targeted to address these gaps and promote sustainable health behaviors from early childhood. Addressing emotional eating, enhancing physical activity, and improving nutrition education through effective channels like social media are key to improving public health outcomes.

Sports and activity games as a means of increasing the motive activity of educators

At the current stage, the problem of insufficient movement mode of the participants of the educational process, which negatively affects their physical development and the state of mental processes, in particular: feeling, perception, thinking, memorization, attention, needs special attention. This fact reduces the success of studies to some extent. Therefore, it is necessary to look for ways to use such means of motor activity that would contribute to the improvement of the physical and psychological condition of students. The goal is to reveal the peculiarities of the use of mobile and sports games in the educational process of physical education in higher education institutions as a means of improving the motor activity of students. Research results. The expediency of using the sports and game method in the process of physical education of students, which provides sufficient physical activity and contributes to strengthening health, forms moral and willpower qualities of the individual, is revealed. A rich arsenal of sports games, including basketball, volleyball, mini-football, their nature, structure and intensity are highlighted. It is noted that with the help of sports games, students develop important physical qualities: strength, speed, dexterity, endurance, consolidate and improve various skills and abilities in walking, running, jumping. Attention is paid to the careful selection of mobile games, taking into account the physical fitness and interests of students, their capabilities, which will make it possible to diversify classes and form the necessary motor skills. Conclusions. The use of the sports and game method in physical education classes contributes to the comprehensive development of the student's personality, as it causes positive emotions, a sense of satisfaction, cheerfulness, activity, and has a positive effect on physical and mental development.

Do People With Stroke Meet Aerobic and Muscle-Strengthening Activity Guidelines? Data From the Canadian Longitudinal Study on Aging.

It is unclear to what extent Canadians with stroke engage in moderate-vigorous physical activity (MVPA) and muscle-strengthening activities (MSA). The purpose of this study was to describe overall physical activity, aerobic MVPA, and MSA participation in Canadians with stroke; determine the functioning, disability, and health classes that best characterize this population; and examine the relationship between-class membership and physical activity participation. Activity levels were quantified using the Physical Activity Scale for the Elderly in 2094 adults with stroke or transient ischemic attack (mean age 67.9years, 9.5years poststroke) from the CLSA. Means and percentages were used to characterize participation. Latent class analysis was used to create health and disability classes, and activity levels were compared between classes. Only 6.2% (95% confidence interval [CI], 4.8%-8.0%) met both MVPA and MSA guidelines. Most (88.2%, 95% CI, 85.0%-88.9%) engaged in MVPA <3times/wk and 76.7% (95% CI, 73.7%-79.1%) never engaged in MSA. In latent class analyses, 2 classes for males and females were characterized by high-positive or low-negative levels of intrinsic capacity (eg, grip strength), functional mobility (eg, walking speed), and environment (eg, social support). Those in the low-negative classes had the lowest Physical Activity Scale for the Elderly scores and aerobic MVPA levels compared to the high-positive (healthiest) classes. MSA participation was not different between classes. Canadians with stroke are not engaging in sufficient physical activity. Clinicians should encourage regular participation in physical activity, especially among those with lower levels of intrinsic capacity, functional mobility, and environmental support.

Exploration of physical activity, sedentary behavior and insulin level among short sleepers.

Sufficient physical activity and sleep duration are essential for overall health. While one-third of the US population reports short sleep (<7 h), which is proven to link with negative health status. Current evidence on the relationship between physical activity, sedentary behavior, and serum insulin level in short sleep groups is limited. The National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) was used to conduct this cross-sectional study of 8,494 adults (NHANES) 2007-2018. Serum insulin was quantitatively tested by human insulin immunoassay. Short sleep conditions were defined as ≤7 h per night. Physical activity conditions, including work activity, recreational activity, and sedentary behavior, were self-reported in NHANES by the Physical Activity Questionnaire using a 7-day recall method. The main analyses utilized weighted linear regression models due to the complex multistage sampling design of NHANES. Subgroup analysis and the influence of different lipid indices were explored in this study. In addition, a sensitivity analysis of participants without diabetes was conducted. In fully adjusted models, increased levels of work and recreational activity significantly reduced insulin levels, with β values 95% CI = -0.002 (-0.003, 0.001) and β values 95% CI = -0.008 (-0.012, -0.003), respectively. However, sedentary behavior was positively associated with insulin levels, with a β value 95% CI =0.022 (0.009, 0.034). The sensitivity analysis further confirmed the benefits of recreational activity in controlling insulin levels. Through sex stratification analysis, it seemed that physical activity was more obviously impacted in the male than female groups. Overall, our analysis demonstrates that in short sleepers, an increased level of work and recreational activity is beneficial to control the insulin level, and more sedentary time is harmful. However, this association might be discrepant in different sexes and different levels of lipid indices.

Association between physical activity and costs in very mild to moderately frail community-dwelling older adults: a cross-sectional study.

Physical activity (PA) plays a vital role in maintaining the functional ability that enables well-being in older age (healthy aging), potentially also saving costs for the healthcare system and society. The aim of this study was to examine the association between PA and healthcare and societal costs in a sample of very mild to moderately frail older adults. This cross-sectional study is a secondary analysis using baseline data from the PromeTheus randomized-controlled trial, which included 385 very mild to moderately frail community-dwelling older adults (70 + years) from Germany. Participants self-reported their health-related resource use in the previous 6 months (FIMA questionnaire), which was monetarily valued using standardized unit costs. PA was also self-reported using the German Physical Activity Questionnaire for middle-aged and older adults (German-PAQ-50+) and categorized as 'insufficient'/'sufficient' or 'insufficient'/'moderate'/'high' in accordance with the World Health Organization guidelines for PA. Mean and median healthcare costs (including outpatient, inpatient, rehabilitation, formal care, and medication costs) and societal costs (healthcare costs plus informal care costs) for different PA groups were estimated using generalized linear models and quantile regression, with sociodemographic variables and physical capacity (Short Physical Performance Battery) as covariates. Of the sample, 24% were classified as insufficiently, 23% as moderately, and 54% as highly active. Sufficient PA, especially high PA, was associated with lower costs in the 6 months prior to data collection compared to insufficient PA (-€6,237, 95% CI [-10,656; -1,817] and -€8,333, 95% CI [-12,183; -4,483], respectively). The cost difference between PA intensity groups was largely driven by differences in informal care costs and decreased substantially when physical capacity was accounted for in the analyses; e.g., the mean difference in societal costs between sufficient and insufficient PA decreased from -€7,615 (95% CI [-11,404; -3,825]) to -€4,532 (95% CI [-7,930; -1,133]). Promoting PA throughout the lifespan as a means of promoting healthy aging and reducing dependency in old age could potentially provide economic benefits and help to mitigate the economic consequences of an aging population with increasing health and long-term care needs. Future longitudinal studies should attempt to disentangle the mediating and confounding role of physical capacity and health status in the association between PA and costs.

Association between joint physical activity and sleep duration and hypertension in US adults: Cross-sectional NHANES study

BackgroundPrevious studies have adequately demonstrated that physical activity or healthy sleep duration can reduce the risk of hypertension. However, the combined effects of physical activity and healthy sleep on hypertension have not been well explored in studies using nationally representative samples. MethodsThe data were obtained from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (2007-2018). Sleep duration and physical activity were obtained from self-reported questionnaires. Survey logistic regression and restricted cubic spline curves were used to evaluate the joint effects of physical activity and healthy sleep duration on hypertension. ResultsA total of 18,007 participants were enrolled in the main study. Physical activity was categorized into insufficient physical activity (600 < Met-min/week) and sufficient physical activity (≥600 Met-min/week). Sleep duration of ≤6 or ≥9 hours was defined as unhealthy sleep duration, and 7-8 hours was defined as healthy sleep duration. Compared to the individuals with unhealthy sleep duration and insufficient physical activity, only the participants with healthy sleep duration and sufficient physical activity (adjusted odds ratio: 0.76, 95% CI 0.66-0.88) were negatively associated with hypertension, while the participants with healthy sleep duration but insufficient physical activity or sufficient physical activity but unhealthy sleep duration were not associated with hypertension. Physical activity was nonlinearly associated with hypertension in the healthy sleep duration group, whereas in the unhealthy sleep duration group, physical activity was not associated with hypertension. ConclusionOur findings indicate that sufficient physical activity and healthy sleep duration were negatively associated with hypertension. This underscores the importance of integrating both sufficient physical activity and healthy sleep duration in strategies aimed at reducing hypertension risk.

Individual Characteristics Associated with Fears and Prevention Behaviors Related to Respiratory Infectious Disease among South Korean Adults Using Complex Sample Design.

This study aimed to identify the relationships among individual characteristics, COVID-19-related fears, and infection-prevention behaviors using data from 228,932 adults (weighted to 43,583,798.71) aged 19 and older who participated in the 2021 Community Health Survey conducted by the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency. The complex sample design analysis using SPSS 20.0 revealed the following. Women had statistically significantly higher COVID-19-related fears and a higher level of preventive behaviors compared to men. During the COVID-19 pandemic, the level of physical activity among men was higher than that of women. Compared to the period before COVID-19, the frequency of smoking and drinking decreased for both men and women, with the reduction being more pronounced in men than in women. The high-exercise group had a lower level of COVID-19-related fears. Self-perceived health status was inversely and significantly related to COVID-19-related fears. The low-exercise group had a lower score for self-perceived health status than the high-exercise group. This study demonstrated that maintaining sufficient physical activity positively influences self-perceived health and reduces anxieties related to COVID-19 infection and fatalities. The results highlight the importance of physical activity and the need to identify strategies that effectively maintain regular exercise while adhering to infection-prevention measures during pandemics.

Association between healthy lifestyle and frailty in adults and mediating role of weight-adjusted waist index: results from NHANES

BackgroundThe relationship between healthy lifestyle and frailty remains unclear. Healthy weight is crucial for overall well-being, but using body mass index (BMI) to evaluate weight management is inefficient. This study clarifies the association between healthy lifestyle or its factors (non-smoking, moderate drinking, healthy weight, healthy diet, sufficeint physical activity, and non-sedentary) and frailty, and the feasibility of using the weight-adjusted waist index (WWI) reflecting central obesity as an intermediate indicator.MethodsThis study included 4,473 participants from the 2007–2018 National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES). Healthy lifestyle quality was assessed by summing the scores of each healthy lifestyle factor. Frailty was assessed using a 49-item frailty index (FI), categorizing participants into robust, pre-frail, and frail. Logistic regression to investigate the association between healthy lifestyle or its factors, WWI, and frailty. Smooth curve fitting and threshold effect analyses were used to elucidate the nonlinear association. Subgroup and two other sensitivity analyses were conducted to confirm the stability of the results. A causal mediation model examined the proportion of frailty mediated by WWI.ResultsThe study identified 13.98% of the participants as frail. Optimal healthy lifestyle and frailty were negatively associated (OR: 0.39, 95%CI: 0.27–0.58). Five healthy lifestyle factors (non-smoking, healthy weight, healthy diet, sufficient physical activity, and non-sedentary) were associated with a lower prevalence of frailty, with odds ratios (OR) ranging from 0.48 to 0.61. We also analyzed the association between a healthy lifestyle and WWI (OR: 0.32, 95%CI: 0.27–0.37), WWI and frailty (OR: 1.85, 95%CI: 1.59–2.16). A positive association between WWI and FI was observed beyond the inflection point (9.99) (OR: 0.03, 95%CI: 0.02–0.03). Subgroup and sensitivity analyses confirmed stable associations between healthy lifestyle, WWI, and frailty. WWI partially mediated the association between a healthy lifestyle and frailty (mediating ratio = 20.50–20.65%).ConclusionsAn optimal healthy lifestyle and positive healthy lifestyle factors are associated with a lower incidence of frailty. WWI may mediate the relationship between a healthy lifestyle and frailty.

Proportion, Correlates and the Associations of Meeting 24-h Movement Guidelines With Mental Well-Being and Psychological Distress: A Cross-Sectional Study of 10 589 Chinese Students.

The increased trends in psychological distress and mental illness have been of great significance in public health concerns. The study aimed to investigate the proportion and correlates of meeting 24-h movement guidelines (including moderate to vigorous physical activity, screen time and sleep duration) and the associations between 24-h movement guidelines met and mental well-being and psychological distress in a large sample of Chinese students. All participants received a physical examination and filled out questionnaires in this study. Chi-square tests were used to analyse the proportion of reaching 24-h guidelines by gender and logistic regression was used to analyse correlates of meeting 24-h guidelines. Two binary logistic regression models were used to analyse the association between meeting 24-h guidelines and mental well-being and psychological distress. The back-propagation artificial neural network was used to describe the importance of the independent variables. The findings revealed a generally low rate of meeting the 24-h movement guidelines, particularly concerning moderate to vigorous physical activity (16.5%). Meeting all three guidelines was related to better mental health in both boys and girls. Particularly, meeting screen time guideline and meeting sleep duration guideline appeared to be more important on mental outcomes, compared to meeting moderate to vigorous physical activity guideline. Compared with boys, girls were more susceptible to the influences of 24-h movement guidelines on mental health. Meeting all three components of the 24-h movement guidelines was associated with the most favourable mental health outcomes for both boys and girls. Thus, maintaining a daily balance of sufficient physical activity, limited screen time, and adequate sleep is crucial for enhancing the mental health status of students.

Associations of objective sleep duration and physical activity with risk of heart failure: A prospective cohort study

ObjectiveThis study aimed to investigate the independent and joint associations of accelerometer-derived sleep duration and physical activity (PA) in different intensities with the risk of incident heart failure (HF). MethodsThe study included 89,572 participants (mean age 62.2 ± 7.8 years, 42.8% male) from the UK Biobank. Sleep duration (short: <6 h/day; normal: 6–8 h/day; long: >8 h/day) and PA [total PA, light PA (LPA), moderate-to-vigorous PA (MVPA), vigorous PA (VPA)] were measured using accelerometers over 7 days. MVPA and VPA were categorized according to the World Health Organization's recommended levels, while LPA and total PA were categorized based on the median. HF cases were identified through hospital records or death registries. ResultsOver a 7-year follow-up period, 1324 participants (2.1%; incidence rate, 2.1 per 1000 person-years) developed HF. Short, but not long, sleep duration was linked to a 33% increased risk of HF [hazard ratio (HR) 1.33, 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.11–1.59]. This increased risk associated with short sleep could be mitigated by increasing PA, especially to the levels of recommended MVPA or VPA. In joint analyses, compared to participants meeting the recommended MVPA and with normal sleep duration, those not meeting the MVPA recommendation and with short sleep had the highest HF risk (HR 1.78, 95% CI: 1.42–2.25). ConclusionsAccelerometer-derived short, but not long, sleep duration was associated with a higher risk of incident HF. Engaging in sufficient PA, especially recommended MVPA or VPA, can partially mitigate this risk.

The correlation between healthy lifestyle habits and all-cause and cardiovascular mortality in Guangxi

BackgroundAdherence to healthy lifestyle habits has become a mainstream approach for lessening the burden of cardiovascular disease (CVD) during initial prevention efforts. The purpose of this study was to investigate the prevalence of four healthy lifestyle habits, the associated factors, and their impact on all-cause and cardiovascular mortality among residents of Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region.MethodsFrom 2015 to 2019, individuals between the ages of 35 and 75 from Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region were recruited through the ChinaHeart Million Person Project. Our study examined four healthy lifestyle habits: not smoking, no or moderate amounts of alcohol, sufficient leisure time physical activity (LTPA) and a balanced diet.ResultsOut of the 19,969 individuals involved, the majority, 77.3% did not smoke, while 96.7% had limited alcohol intake, 24.5% engaged in sufficient LTPA, 5.5% followed a balanced diet, and merely 1.7% adhered to all four healthy lifestyle habits. Participants who were women, older, nonfarmers, living in cities, with a high income or level of education, or had hypertension or diabetes were more likely to follow all four healthy lifestyle habits (p < 0.001). People who followed the three healthy lifestyle habits had reduced chances of death from all cause (HR 0.34[95% CI:0.15,0.76]) and cardiovascular-related death (HR 0.23 [95% CI: 0.07, 0.68]) (p < 0.01) over a median period of 3.5 years.ConclusionsIn Guangxi Province, the level of adherence to healthy lifestyle habits is very minimal. Therefore, population-specific health promotion strategies are urgently needed.

Healthy lifestyles ameliorate an increased risk of periodontitis associated with polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons

The risk of chronic inflammatory diseases has been linked to exposure to polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs). However, limited data are available regarding their impact on periodontitis. This study aims to explore the association between PAHs and periodontitis while also evaluating the potential modifying effects of healthy lifestyles. We included 17,031 participants from the US National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES, 2001–2004 and 2009–2014). A meta-analysis-based environment-wide association study (EWAS) was adopted to identify environmental chemicals for the mean probing pocket depth (PPD) and the mean attachment loss (AL). PAHs were further evaluated concerning the cross-sectional association with Mod/Sev periodontitis using multivariable logistic regression models. Moreover, healthy lifestyle scores were estimated to assess their modifying effect on the PAH–periodontitis association. EWAS analysis identified several urinary PAH metabolites as significant risk factors for the mean PPD and AL (false discovery rate <0.05, Q > 0.05). Periodontitis severity was positively associated with eight individual and total PAH concentrations. Stratifying the participants in terms of healthy lifestyle scores did not reveal any association in the healthy group. Moreover, the association weakened in never-smokers and individuals with sufficient physical activity and normal weight. PAH exposure was a risk factor for periodontitis. A healthier lifestyle was observed to offset the risk potentials of PAHs for periodontitis. Smoking cessation, physical activity, and weight loss might be recommended as a healthy lifestyle strategy for ameliorating PAH-related periodontitis.

A social media game to increase physical activity among older adult women: protocol of a randomized controlled trial to evaluate CHALLENGE

BackgroundOlder adult women often do not engage in sufficient physical activity (PA) and can encounter biological changes that exacerbate the negative effects of inadequate activity. Wearable activity monitors can facilitate PA initiation, but evidence of sustained behavior change is lacking. Supplementing wearable technologies with intervention content that evokes enjoyment, interest, meaning, and personal values associated with PA may support long term adherence. In this paper, we present the protocol of an NIA-funded study designed to evaluate the efficacy of CHALLENGE for increasing step count and motivation for PA in insufficiently active older women (Challenges for Healthy Aging: Leveraging Limits for Engaging Networked Game-based Exercise). CHALLENGE uses social media to supplement wearable activity monitors with the autonomy-supportive frame of a game. We hypothesize that CHALLENGE will engender playful experiences that will improve motivation for exercise and lead to sustained increases in step count.MethodsWe will recruit 300 healthy, community dwelling older adult women on a rolling basis and randomize them to receive either the CHALLENGE intervention (experimental arm) or an activity monitor-only intervention (comparison arm). Participants in both groups will receive a wearable activity monitor and personalized weekly feedback emails. In the experimental group, participants will also be added to a private Facebook group, where study staff will post weekly challenges that are designed to elicit playful experiences while walking. Assessments at baseline and 6, 12, and 18 months will measure PA and motivation-related constructs. We will fit linear mixed-effects models to evaluate differences in step count and motivational constructs, and longitudinal mediation models to evaluate if interventional effects are mediated by changes in motivation. We will also conduct thematic content analysis of text and photos posted to Facebook and transcripts from individual interviews.DiscussionBy taking part in a year-long intervention centered on imbuing walking behaviors with playful and celebratory experiences, participating older adult women may internalize changes to their identity and relationship with PA that facilitate sustained behavior change. Study results will have implications for how we can harness powerful and increasingly ubiquitous technologies for health promotion to the vast and growing population of older adults in the U.S. and abroad.Trial registrationClinicalTrials.gov Identifier NCT04095923. Registered September 17th, 2019.