Terms Of Physical Activity Research Articles

Depression Level Classification Using Machine Learning Classifiers Based on Actigraphy Data

Estimating and classifying depression status are critical in the clinical and psychological domains to map the course of treatment. Prior researchers used biosignal time-series data to reflect the variation in factors associated with depression. In addition, machine learning algorithms were applied to determine the underlying relationships between depressive symptoms and these factors. In this study, we introduce a classification framework for depression levels using actigraphy data based on machine learning algorithms. Fourteen circadian rhythm features (minimum, amplitude, alpha, beta, acrotime, upmesor, downmesor, mesor, f_pseudo, interdaily stability (IS), intradaily variability (IV), relative amplitude (RA), M10, and L5) extracted from accelerometer-based actigraphy data were used to model depression status with survey variables. Six evaluation metrics (accuracy, precision, recall, F1-score, receiver operating characteristic curve, and area under the curve) were applied to validate the performance of the proposed framework. Among the four candidate classifiers (XGBoost classifier, support vector classifier, multilayer perceptron, and logistic regression), the XGBoost classifier was the best at classifying depression levels. Moreover, we confirmed that the actigraphy data of two days were optimal for feature extraction and classification. The results of this study provide novel insights into the relationship between depression and physical activity in terms of both identification of depression and application of actigraphy data.

Health-Related Factors in Rural and Urban Mexican Adolescents from the State of Jalisco: The HELENA-MEX Study.

Mexico shows a high prevalence of obesity in children and adolescents. Geographical location and cultural environment could play a role in the promotion of healthy lifestyles in terms of physical activity (PA), sedentary behavior (SB) and nutrition. The purpose of this study was to assess rural and urban differences in body composition (BC), physical fitness (PF), PA and nutritional status of adolescents from the state of Jalisco (Mexico). The study involved 469 students aged 13–17 years (55.0% girls) from eight high schools. BC was analyzed by bioimpedance and PF by standardized field tests. Objective measurements of PA and SB were taken in a subsample (n = 240). Energy intake (EI) was calculated from two 24h recalls. Rural residents presented a higher prevalence of overweight, waist circumference, trunk fat mass, regional fat free mass and muscle handgrip strength (all p < 0.05, η2p < 0.06). Cardiorespiratory fitness was similar among participants, whereas urban adolescents showed higher muscle power, speed-agility and flexibility scores (all p < 0.05, η2p < 0.07). Overall lifestyle behavior in urban adolescents was more sedentary (p < 0.05, η2p = 0.11). EI was similar in both locations. In conclusion, rural Mexican adolescents presented a generally lower sedentary behavior and a lower fitness and fatness profile than their urban peers.

Nonalcoholic Fatty Liver Disease and Sarcopenia: Where Do We Stand?

The link between metabolic syndrome (MetS) and sarcopenia has not been extensively studied, but it is evident that they share several common features. Crucial mechanisms involved in sarcopenia-nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) interplay are based on effects of insulin resistance, chronic inflammation, oxidative stress, and crosstalk between organs by secretion of cytokines (hepatokines, adipokines, and myokines). Currently, published studies confirm the association of sarcopenia with the degree of NAFLD defined by liver histology. However, prospective studies that will give us information regarding the causal effect of NAFLD and sarcopenia are still needed. Furthermore, there is a need for a patient-friendly, noninvasive, low-cost method for detection of loss of skeletal muscle mass, strength, and physical performance in the context of NAFLD. Moreover, potential treatment strategies such as physical exercise and nutritional supplementation, that are usually a part of management of sarcopenia, should also be investigated in NAFLD patients, especially given the fact that for now, we do not have a good treatment option for NAFLD. Therefore, future investigations should combine studies on NAFLD and sarcopenia in terms of physical activity and nutritional interventions such as vitamin D supplementation. This review aims to report recent evidence concerning the links between sarcopenia and NAFLD and methods to assess sarcopenia.

Quantification of physical activity of Malaysian traditional games for school-based intervention among primary school children

ObjectiveChildren's physical activity can be increased by integrating game-based activities, such as traditional games, into physical education sessions. However, the level of physical activity of these games has not been quantified. This study aims to quantify the level of intensity for common Malaysian traditional games (i.e. GalahPanjang, Bola Beracun, Polis Sentri, Belalang Belatuk, Ayam Musang, and Baling Tin) among primary school children aged nine to 11 years (N = 30). MethodsWe used an accelerometer to measure step count, metabolic equivalent task, level of intensity and vector magnitude during 20 min playing sessions. The playing space was standardised for each game to the size of a badminton court (i.e. 13.4 m in length and 6.1 m in width). ResultsThe results showed that three traditional Malaysian games, namely Galah Panjang, Bola Beracun and Baling Tin, fulfilled the requirements to be classified as moderate-to vigorous-intensity physical activity in terms of step count, metabolic equivalent task, heart rate and motions in all planes. ConclusionThis study shows that playing traditional games for 20 min can increase physical activity among primary school students.

Fitbit-Based Interventions for Healthy Lifestyle Outcomes: Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

BackgroundUnhealthy behaviors, such as physical inactivity, sedentary lifestyle, and unhealthful eating, remain highly prevalent, posing formidable challenges in efforts to improve cardiovascular health. While traditional interventions to promote healthy lifestyles are both costly and effective, wearable trackers, especially Fitbit devices, can provide a low-cost alternative that may effectively help large numbers of individuals become more physically fit and thereby maintain a good health status.ObjectiveThe objectives of this meta-analysis are (1) to assess the effectiveness of interventions that incorporate a Fitbit device for healthy lifestyle outcomes (eg, steps, moderate-to-vigorous physical activity, and weight) and (2) to identify which additional intervention components or study characteristics are the most effective at improving healthy lifestyle outcomes.MethodsA systematic review was conducted, searching the following databases from 2007 to 2019: MEDLINE, EMBASE, CINAHL, and CENTRAL (Cochrane). Studies were included if (1) they were randomized controlled trials, (2) the intervention involved the use of a Fitbit device, and (3) the reported outcomes were related to healthy lifestyles. The main outcome measures were related to physical activity, sedentary behavior, and weight. All the studies were assessed for risk of bias using Cochrane criteria. A random-effects meta-analysis was conducted to estimate the treatment effect of interventions that included a Fitbit device compared with a control group. We also conducted subgroup analysis and fuzzy-set qualitative comparative analysis (fsQCA) to further disentangle the effects of intervention components.ResultsOur final sample comprised 41 articles reporting the results of 37 studies. For Fitbit-based interventions, we found a statistically significant increase in daily step count (mean difference [MD] 950.54, 95% CI 475.89-1425.18; P<.001) and moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MD 6.16, 95% CI 2.80-9.51; P<.001), a significant decrease in weight (MD −1.48, 95% CI −2.81 to −0.14; P=.03), and a nonsignificant decrease in objectively assessed and self-reported sedentary behavior (MD −10.62, 95% CI −35.50 to 14.27; P=.40 and standardized MD −0.11, 95% CI −0.48 to 0.26; P=.56, respectively). In general, the included studies were at low risk for bias, except for performance bias. Subgroup analysis and fsQCA demonstrated that, in addition to the effects of the Fitbit devices, setting activity goals was the most important intervention component.ConclusionsThe use of Fitbit devices in interventions has the potential to promote healthy lifestyles in terms of physical activity and weight. Fitbit devices may be useful to health professionals for patient monitoring and support.Trial RegistrationPROSPERO International Prospective Register of Systematic Reviews CRD42019145450; https://www.crd.york.ac.uk/prospero/display_record.php?ID=CRD42019145450

Digital Health Innovations to Improve Cardiovascular Disease Care.

Purpose of ReviewTo review the current evidence supporting the use of digital health technologies in cardiovascular disease (CVD) care.Recent FindingsStudies have evaluated the impact of the use of digital health technologies to improve CVD outcomes through several modalities: text-messaging programmes, smartphone applications (apps) and wearable devices. Text-messaging programmes are to date the most studied type of digital health interventions, and studies have demonstrated reduced CVD risk and improved medication adherence. Literature supporting the use of smartphone apps is also growing but remains limited, with some studies favouring the use of health apps but others showing negative results. Wearable devices are the latest type of technology investigated, and studies have shown positive outcomes in terms of physical activity and detection of arrhythmias.SummaryDigital health is a growing and evolving area of investigation. To date, the scientific evidence overall supports the use of such technologies in CVD care and management. Future research using new models are needed to continue to evaluate these new technologies.

Effect of a hybrid teaching games for understanding/sport education unit on elementary students’ self-determined motivation in physical education

As an alternative to the direct instructional model, Metzler proposed a range of pedagogical models that include second generation models such as teaching games for understanding (TGfU) and sport education (SE). These pedagogical models have key design features that can promote high levels of autonomous motivation for both boys and girls. Consequently, the purpose of this study was to investigate the motivational outcomes of elementary boys and girls as they participated in an invasion game unit through two pedagogical models: a hybrid TGfU/SE unit or a direct instruction unit. Participants were 292 elementary school students (mean age = 10.41, standard deviation age = 0.49), who were taught through a hybrid TGfU/SE unit or a more traditional teacher-centred format within a pre-intervention/post-intervention quasi-experimental design. The hybrid unit was designed according to the characteristics of SE, while learning tasks were designed to integrate the pedagogical principles of TGfU. A 2 (pedagogical model) × 2 (test-time) × 2 (gender) multivariate analysis of variance was performed to detect between-groups and within-group differences. Significant differences in student motivation were observed for both boys and girls who participated in the hybrid TGfU/SE unit in both analyses across all motivational outcomes. Despite the existence of social stereotypes in terms of physical activity, teachers’ use of hybrid TGfU/SE units promotes an autonomy-supportive, inclusive, and equitable learning environment where all students, regardless of their gender and/or content focus of the unit and have opportunities to increase their engagement, enjoyment, and social interactions within physical education lessons.

Effect of physical activity on healthcare seeking behavior in the general Chinese population: an urban-rural perspective

Abstract Background The “two-week visiting rate in those needing to visit” has been examined extensively as an important indicator of healthcare seeking behavior in China. Nevertheless, its relationship with health behaviors, such as physical activity, remains unknown. In addition, a significant difference exists between urban and rural Chinese people in terms of physical activity and healthcare seeking behavior. This study sought to investigate the relationship between physical activity and the two-week visiting rate by conducting a stratified analysis. Methods The analysis included 5,801 participants aged above 15 years old. Multivariable logistic regression was applied to analyze the association after adjusting for possible confounding variables. Urban and rural differences were investigated using stratified analysis. Results Adjusted estimates showed that those who were physically active were more likely to visit a healthcare facility, but only among the whole sample (adjusted odds ratio (AOR) = 1.45, 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.26‒1.66) and the rural sample (AOR = 1.56, 95% CI: 1.21‒2.01), and not among the urban sample. Conclusions Educating people on physical activity may help in improving healthcare seeking behavior and vice versa. Additionally, health interventions may be tailored based on different settings.

Insufficient physical activity levels and high screen time among adolescents: impact of associated factors

The scope of this study was to verify the impact of associated factors with insufficient physical activity levels and high screen time among adolescents. A cross-sectional and representative study was conducted with 899 public high school adolescents from São José dos Pinhais, Paraná, Brazil. It involved measurement of physical activity levels and screen time and classification according to the norms of the World Health Organization and the American Academy of Pediatrics. The factors associated with insufficient physical activity levels and high screen time were gender, sexual maturation, social support and self-efficacy in terms of physical activity. Poisson regression was applied to test the associations. Population attributable fraction (PAF) and relative risk reduction (RRR) calculated the impact of associated factors with insufficient physical activity levels and high screen time among adolescents. In the combined presence of insufficient physical activity levels with high screen time, the female sex presented PAF = 13.04, a post-pubertal stage PAF = 9.91 and social support presented RRR = 31.00. The findings suggest that being female and post-pubescent are risk factors, while social support is a protective factor, for combined insufficient physical activity levels and high screen time among adolescents.

PEAK EXPIRATORY FLOW RATE IN SEDENTARY POPULATION: AN OBSERVATIONAL STUDY

Background- To date there are very few studies evaluating the relationship between sedentary behaviour and pulmonary function in a population who works for more than half a day i.e. 6-8hrs continuously in front of technologies (mainly desk jobs) with no sign of physical activities. Hence the aim of the study was to evaluate the effects of a sedentary lifestyle on peak expiratory flow rate. METHOD- The study was conducted on 75 desk job workers, males and females of age group 30-45 years working for 6-8 hours without physical activity. Analysis of their lung function capacity was done by PEFR. RESULT-It is seen that there is a significant difference in the predicted and obtained values of PEFR in both genders. The mean predicted value of PEFR in females is 416.04±25.72 and the mean obtained value of PEFR is 284.7±72.84. In males the mean predicted value of PEFR is 542.6±23.33 and the mean obtained value of PEFR is 396.2±80.6. It shows that the sedentary lifestyle with physical inactivity affects the PEFR values CONCLUSION-Regular exercise in terms of physical activity is essential for every individual with a sedentary lifestyle to overcome health problems and improve their pulmonary functions.&#x0D;

Investigating the impact of daily life context on physical activity in terms of steps information generated by wearable activity tracker

ObjectivesThis study used ecological momentary assessment (EMA) to understand how the contextual factors of everyday life affect physical activity in terms of steps measured by wearable activity tracking devices and to identify what factors increase physical activity. In addition, this study investigated and analyzed the user environment and resulting contextual factors in a typical office setting. MethodsA total of 27 office workers of Korea (70.4 % male, aged 19–44, 51.9 % married, and mostly from an information technology company) participated in this study and provided five-day EMA diary data (morning and evening) in the form of activity log data from a wearable device and attended a 45–60 min qualitative interview. In this study, a mixed-method approach (qualitative and quantitative) was used. ResultsThis study demonstrated that contextual factors such as mood state (e.g., tired, p < 0.01), level of physical activity (e.g., vigorous, p < 0.01), and types of physical activity (e.g., using the stairs instead of elevators, p < 0.05) could affect the physical activity of the users of wearable devices in everyday life. ConclusionThe study contributed to a better understanding of how the contextual and environmental factors affect the physical activity of user of wearable activity trackers (WATs). These findings have practical implications for designers of such devices. In addition, these results could guide future research agendas.

Determination Of Physical Activity Level In The Caregiving Of Schizophrenia Patients

The aim of this study was to evaluate the physical activity levels of the caregivers of the schizophrenic patients.This research was descriptive and was conducted with face-to-face interviews with relatives of schizophrenia patients enrolled in a Community Mental Health Center. The sample of the study consisted of 124 individuals who agreed to participate in the study. Socio-demographic data form and International Physical Activity Questionnaire were used for data collection. In order to evaluate the demographic data of the study, t-test and Kruskal-Wallis test were used in order to evaluate the relationship between number and percentage distributions, socio-demographic characteristics and International Physical Activity questionnaire. The mean age of the participants was 38,26 ± 4,26, 61,32% female, 38,68% male, 34,65% married, 81,65% single, 10,47%. 27.49% are primary school / middle school, 33% are high school and 29.04% are university graduates. When the body mass index of the participants was evaluated, 65.35% were overweight, 54.95% were inactive and 33.85% were given care for 6-10 years. When sociodemographic and physical activity levels are compared; 41,17% of women, 19,18% of those with care years 1-5 years and 52,46% of overweights were found to be inactive in terms of physical activity and the difference was statistically significant (p <0,05). In our study, it was observed that the sociodemographic characteristics of the participants significantly affected the physical activity level.

Physical activity benefits of attending a senior center depend largely on age and gender: a study using GPS and accelerometry data

BackgroundSenior centers offer important opportunities for physical activity and social interaction. Seniors who visit a senior center regularly can gain physical activity from transportation and from specific activities offered within the senior center. However, there is very little knowledge regarding the specific physical activity gains obtained from regular visits to senior centers, and no effort has been made to use device-based measures of physical activity to test the potential physical activity benefits of attending a senior center.MethodsTo fill this gap, the present study examined the physical activity patterns of 227 seniors living in the Barcelona Metropolitan Area in Spain. Using GPS and Accelerometer 7-day tracking data, and GIS measures we assessed the light physical activity and moderate-to-vigorous intensity physical activity (MVPA) benefits of attending the senior center on a weekly and daily basis.ResultsSeniors who attended a senior center at least once a week did not accumulate significantly more daily physical activity (211.6 min; 95% CI 196.6; 226.6) than seniors without any visit 215.9 min; 95% CI 202.7; 229). However, on a day-to-day basis, it was found that visiting a senior center had positive effects in physical activity and was associated with less sedentary time among younger participants in general (− 18.2 daily min 95% CI − 33.2;-3.3 p = 0.016) and among older female participants in particular (− 19.7 daily min 95% CI -21.06;-18.5 p = 0.011).ConclusionsThe benefits of attending senior centers in terms of physical activity should not be viewed as universal, but rather as contingent to the demographics of the user, and the type of activity that the visit is replacing.

Education leads to a more physically active lifestyle: Evidence based on Mendelian randomization.

Physical inactivity is a major health risk worldwide. Observational studies suggest that higher education is positively related to physical activity, but it is not clear whether this relationship constitutes a causal effect. Using participants (N=1651) drawn from the Cardiovascular Risk in Young Finns Study linked to nationwide administrative data from Statistics Finland, this study examined whether educational attainment, measured by years of education, is related to adulthood physical activity in terms of overall physical activity, weekly hours of intensive activity, total steps per day, and aerobic steps per day. We employed ordinary least squares (OLS) models and extended the analysis using an instrumental variables approach (Mendelian randomization, MR) with a genetic risk score as an instrument for years of education. Based on the MR results, it was found that years of education is positively related to physical activity. On average, one additional year of education leads to a 0.62-unit higher overall physical activity (P<.01), 0.26 more hours of weekly intensive activity (P<.05), 560 more steps per day (P<.10), and 390 more aerobic steps per day (P<.09). The findings indicate that education may be a factor leading to higher leisure-time physical activity and thus promoting global health.

The impacts of unstructured nature play on health in early childhood development: A systematic review.

BackgroundNature play is growing in popularity as children’s play spaces are transforming from traditional playgrounds into more nature-based play spaces with considerable financial and resource investment from government bodies. This has resulted in the re-development of children’s play spaces to incorporate more natural elements such as trees, plants and rocks. Despite this, it is unclear whether there is empirical evidence to support claims that play in nature is beneficial for child health and development.AimTo conduct a systematic review examining the impacts of nature play on the health and developmental outcomes of children aged 2–12 years.MethodsSeven electronic databases were searched (MEDLINE, ERIC, Embase, PsycINFO, The Cochrane Library, The Joanna Briggs Institute and Emcare) from inception to July/August 2018 (search updated July/August 2019). The Inclusion criteria were children aged 2–12 years with no health/developmental conditions. The exposure/intervention of interest was unstructured, free play in nature. Critical appraisal of included studies was conducted using the McMaster Critical Appraisal Tool. Descriptive synthesis was then undertaken using the NHMRC FORM Framework.ResultsOut of 2927 articles identified, 16 studies met the inclusion criteria. The nature play exposure/intervention was heterogeneously described, and a plethora of outcome measures were used. Nature play had consistent positive impacts on physical activity outcomes and cognitive play behaviours (imaginative and dramatic play). However, there remain some concerns regarding the quality of the evidence base, heterogeneity in intervention description and parameters in the outcome measures used.ConclusionsWhile the positive impacts of nature play were encouraging in terms of physical activity and cognitive development, nature play stakeholders should focus on producing a universal definition for nature play, the development of standardised outcome measures and the conduct of robust research designs. Implications of these findings suggest the need for the development of standardised guidelines to inform practice and policy in the design of children’s play spaces in different contexts.

Physical activity and dietary behaviors: a phenomenological analysis of experiences of Ghanaians during the COVID-19 lockdown.

Introductionthe COVID-19 pandemic has necessitated many public health preventive measures including lockdowns or curfews. However, because humans are used to working and moving up and down, they would need to find ways to avert the negatives associated with the COVID-19 induced lockdown. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to qualitatively explore experiences of Ghanaians during the lockdown period in terms of physical activity, dietary behaviors, boredom, and changes in weight.Methodsusing a phenomenological approach, we analyzed data from 27 persons from Accra, Tema, and Kumasi who filled our online open-ended survey. We created open-ended items and circulated online (between 21st April, 2020 and 10th May, 2020) to persons who experienced the lockdown. We analyzed the data using Colaizzi´s 7-step phenomenological approach.Resultsmany people felt very bored and frustrated during the lockdown period, and some of these people resorted to physical exercise routines either individually or collectively as family. However, many experienced tremendous physical inactivity because of lack of space. They experienced poor eating behaviors, all of which resulted in reported weight gains.Conclusionthe COVID-19 pandemic lockdown has caused boredom and frustrations to quite a number of people. Physical inactivity increased because of lack of space, coupled with poor eating habits producing high levels of weight gain among people who experienced the lockdown in Ghana. There is therefore an urgent need to teach these people how to exercise within limited space and how to eat healthily during times of restriction.

INFLUENCE OF VEGETATIVE REGULATION OF HEART RHYTHM ON THE MANIFESTATION OF PHYSICAL PERFORMANCE OF QUALIFIED ATHLETES (І MESSAGE)

Introduction. To assess the characteristics of the body’s adaptation of skilled athletes to strenuous exercise, it is most important to define how the manifestation of physical performance of athletes depend on the autonomic regulation of physiological functions of the body. Aim is to study the dependence of the autonomic regulation of heart rate on the manifestation of physical performance of qualified athletes and the reaction of the cardiorespiratory system under conditions of physical activity of different nature. Materials and methods. Determination of physical performance of qualified athletes and the reaction of the cardiorespiratory system (CRS) to test physical activity (ergospirometric complex "Oxycon Pro", treadmill LE-200 C), mathematical analysis of heart rhythm variability, mathematical and statistical methods. Results. The predominance in the regulation of heart rate activity of the parasympathetic division of the autonomic nervous system helps athletes achieve a higher level of physical performance both in terms of physical activity with a predominance of aerobic processes in energy supply and in terms of maximum realization of aerobic capacity. Increased activity of the parasympathetic division of the autonomic nervous system is combined with a reduced level of VE, which indicates the efficiency of the reaction of cattle under physical conditions, mainly aerobic (low and medium power). With increasing intensity of physical activity (starting from the threshold of aerobic metabolism), the increased level of activity of the parasympathetic division of the autonomic nervous system will increase the level of pulmonary ventilation, which characterizes the most effective response of CRS Conclusions. The higher level of activity of the parasympathetic division of the autonomic emergency in the regulation of heart rate contributed to the formation of a more economical pattern of respiratory response due to higher VT and lower fT, which under intense physical work allowed to achieve higher levels of VE and aerobic potential of the athlete. With increasing activity of the sympathetic channel of heart rate regulation, there was a decrease in the efficiency of the respiratory response. Thus, the required operating level VE was formed due to the smaller value of VT at a high level

Relationship of Knowledge on Healthy Lifestyle to Dietary Practices and Physical Activity as Moderated by Age

Lifestyle – related diseases remained to be on the top ten killer according to the World HealthOrganization. Literature indicates that diseases are highly related to lifestyle practices. Onthe other hand, optimal health is a perceived goal of the greater population, however, puttingit into practice is a challenge. The study determined the following: 1) the level of knowledgeon healthy lifestyle, dietary practices and physical activity; 2) the relationship of knowledgeon healthy lifestyle to dietary practices and physical activities, and 3) the relationship ofknowledge to dietary practice and relationship of knowledge to physical activities accordingto age group. A Descriptive-correlational design was employed. The data were gatheredamong 66 randomly selected university students staying in the dormitories; who are at least18 years of age, in which 24 are males and 42 are females, and 40 have earned at most abachelor’s degree and 26 have at least earned units in a master’s program. Utilizing adaptedinstruments, respondents were scored on a 12-item instrument in knowledge where in eachcorrect answer correspond to one point, 27-item instrument on healthy lifestyle in terms ofdiet where in each appropriate response correspond to one point, and 4-item instrument onhealthy lifestyle in terms of physical activities. In turn, the highest possible score ofknowledge, diet, and physical activities are 12, 27, and 4, respectively. Descriptive resultsrevealed that respondents have high knowledge on healthy lifestyle, have fair dietarypractices and moderate practice of physical activities. Furthermore, knowledge on healthylifestyle is not significantly correlated to dietary practices physical activities. However, asignificant relationship was found when respondents were grouped according to age; onlythose 24 years old and above were found to have significant results. Hence, arecommendation to increase the accessibility and reinforcement values of exercise andphysical activity that will have immediate and long term health benefits for college students.

The Management of Non-Verbal Signs in Disagreements

Abstract Gesture, outlined in terms of physical activity, philosophical theory and linguistics are strongly connected in the course of human interaction. Utterances are accompanied by facial expressions, shifts of gaze, movements, posture, etc. Therefore, we support the thesis that a gestural approach to analyzing communicative events is appropriate, since non-verbal components communicate attitudes and emotions and complete the verbal interchange in numerous ways. Disagreements are especially prone to such an analysis.

Lack of association of ovariectomy-induced obesity with overeating and the reduction of physical activities

Obesity commonly occurs in postmenopausal women, increasing the risk of various diseases. Estrogen can prevent obesity by activating lipid metabolism and suppressing depressive behavior. However, the reasons for obesity in postmenopausal women are not clearly elucidated.To mimic the effect of estrogen decline in postmenopausal women, we analyzed the behavior and the lipid metabolism-related genes, PPARγ and CD36 in ovariectomized (OVX) mice. The OVX mice showed increased visceral fat mass and PPARγ and CD36 expression in the visceral fat. In contrast, they were not significantly affected in terms of physical activity and food intake. Further, subcutaneous supplementation of estrogen effectively suppressed the increase in subcutaneous and visceral fat mass in OVX mice.We conclude that obesity in postmenopausal women is unlikely to be caused by overeating and reduction in physical activity, and subcutaneous supplementation of estrogen is an effective strategy to prevent obesity in postmenopausal women.