Sarcopenia during COVID-19 lockdown restrictions: long-term health effects of short-term muscle loss

AbstractThe COVID-19 pandemic is an extraordinary global emergency that has led to the implementation of unprecedented measures in order to stem the spread of the infection. Internationally, governments are enforcing measures such as travel bans, quarantine, isolation, and social distancing leading to an extended period of time at home. This has resulted in reductions in physical activity and changes in dietary intakes that have the potential to accelerate sarcopenia, a deterioration of muscle mass and function (more likely in older populations), as well as increases in body fat. These changes in body composition are associated with a number of chronic, lifestyle diseases including cardiovascular disease (CVD), diabetes, osteoporosis, frailty, cognitive decline, and depression. Furthermore, CVD, diabetes, and elevated body fat are associated with greater risk of COVID-19 infection and more severe symptomology, underscoring the importance of avoiding the development of such morbidities. Here we review mechanisms of sarcopenia and their relation to the current data on the effects of COVID-19 confinement on physical activity, dietary habits, sleep, and stress as well as extended bed rest due to COVID-19 hospitalization. The potential of these factors to lead to an increased likelihood of muscle loss and chronic disease will be discussed. By offering a number of home-based strategies including resistance exercise, higher protein intakes and supplementation, we can potentially guide public health authorities to avoid a lifestyle disease and rehabilitation crisis post-COVID-19. Such strategies may also serve as useful preventative measures for reducing the likelihood of sarcopenia in general and in the event of future periods of isolation.

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The Relevance of a Physical Active Lifestyle and Physical Fitness on Immune Defense: Mitigating Disease Burden, With Focus on COVID-19 Consequences

Frontiers in Immunology ◽

10.3389/fimmu.2021.587146 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 12 ◽

Author(s):

Tayrine Ordonio Filgueira ◽

Angela Castoldi ◽

Lucas Eduardo R. Santos ◽

Geraldo José de Amorim ◽

Matheus Santos de Sousa Fernandes ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Physical Activity ◽

Physical Exercise ◽

Physical Fitness ◽

Bed Rest ◽

Multiple Organ ◽

Immune Defense ◽

Sitting Time ◽

Low Grade ◽

Home Based ◽

Effective Therapeutic Strategy

The Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) is a fast spreading virus leading to the development of Coronavirus Disease-2019 (COVID-19). Severe and critical cases are characterized by damage to the respiratory system, endothelial inflammation, and multiple organ failure triggered by an excessive production of proinflammatory cytokines, culminating in the high number of deaths all over the world. Sedentarism induces worse, continuous, and progressive consequences to health. On the other hand, physical activity provides benefits to health and improves low-grade systemic inflammation. The aim of this review is to elucidate the effects of physical activity in physical fitness, immune defense, and its contribution to mitigate the severe inflammatory response mediated by SARS-CoV-2. Physical exercise is an effective therapeutic strategy to mitigate the consequences of SARS-CoV-2 infection. In this sense, studies have shown that acute physical exercise induces the production of myokines that are secreted in tissues and into the bloodstream, supporting its systemic modulatory effect. Therefore, maintaining physical activity influence balance the immune system and increases immune vigilance, and also might promote potent effects against the consequences of infectious diseases and chronic diseases associated with the development of severe forms of COVID-19. Protocols to maintain exercise practice are suggested and have been strongly established, such as home-based exercise (HBE) and outdoor-based exercise (OBE). In this regard, HBE might help to reduce levels of physical inactivity, bed rest, and sitting time, impacting on adherence to physical activity, promoting all the benefits related to exercise, and attracting patients in different stages of treatment for COVID-19. In parallel, OBE must improve health, but also prevent and mitigate COVID-19 severe outcomes in all populations. In conclusion, HBE or OBE models can be a potent strategy to mitigate the progress of infection, and a coadjutant therapy for COVID-19 at all ages and different chronic conditions.

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Obesidade em adolescentes do Sul do Brasil: associação com fatores sociodemográficos, estilo de vida e estágio maturacional

Brazilian Journal of Kinanthropometry and Human Performance ◽

10.5007/1980-0037.2016v18n5p557 ◽

2016 ◽

Vol 18 (5) ◽

pp. 557 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Carlos Alencar Souza Alves Junior ◽

Eliane Cristina de Andrade Gonçalves ◽

Diego Augusto Santos Silva

Keyword(s):

Physical Activity ◽

High School Students ◽

Body Fat ◽

Sexual Maturation ◽

Parental Education ◽

Dietary Habits ◽

Public Health Problem ◽

Global Public Health ◽

School Students ◽

Pubertal Stage

DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.5007/1980-0037.2016v18n5p557 Excess body fat is associated with chronic degenerative diseases, being a global public health problem. The aim of this study was to investigate the association of obesity with sociodemographic factors, lifestyle (physical activity, dietary habits) and sexual maturation in high school students of a city in southern Brazil. This is a crosssectional study with 820 adolescents enrolled in public high schools of São José, Santa Catarina, Brazil, aged 14-17 years. Obesity was estimated by body fat percentage (BF%). BF% was calculated using the Lohman equation, which considers the sum of skinfolds (triceps and subscapularis). Cutoff points proposed by William et al. were used to classify individuals into normal weight or obese. Independent variables were sex, age, economic status, parental education, eating habits, physical activity and sexual maturation. The prevalence of obesity was 17.2%. Females (OR: 4.22; 95% CI: 2.72-6.54) and young people at post-pubertal stage of sexual maturation (OR: 1.95; 95% CI: 1.33-2.86) were more likely to have obesity. These results may help health authorities in the planning of public policies to prevent obesity.

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Dietary Intake Nutritional Status and Lifestyle of Adolescent Vegetarian and Nonvegetarian Girls in New Zealand (The SuNDiAL Project): Protocol for a Clustered, Cross-Sectional Survey

JMIR Research Protocols ◽

10.2196/17310 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 9 (5) ◽

pp. e17310 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Meredith Peddie ◽

Chaya Ranasinghe ◽

Tessa Scott ◽

Anne-Louise Heath ◽

Caroline Horwath ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Physical Activity ◽

New Zealand ◽

Data Collection ◽

Adolescent Girls ◽

Environmental Sustainability ◽

Growth And Development ◽

Dietary Habits ◽

Nutrition Status ◽

Dietary Intakes ◽

Cross Sectional

Background Anecdotally, vegetarian eating patterns seem to be increasing in parallel with growing concerns about environmental sustainability. While this pattern of eating is widely believed to be associated with benefits for the planet and individual health, it may increase the risk of inadequate intakes and nutrient deficiency if not planned carefully. Adolescent girls may be particularly at risk, as they have increased requirements for nutrients such as iron, zinc, calcium, and vitamin B12 during growth and development. Objective The objective of the SuNDiAL Project (Survey of Nutrition, Dietary Assessment, and Lifestyles) is to compare the dietary intakes and habits, nutrition status, motivations, attitudes, and physical activity of a sample of vegetarian and nonvegetarian adolescent girls in New Zealand. Methods A clustered, cross-sectional, nationwide study of adolescents aged 15-18 years was conducted. Secondary schools were recruited throughout New Zealand, and pupils (n=290) were invited to participate in data collection in either the first (February to April) or third (August to October) school term of 2019 (New Zealand schools operate on a 4-term year). Sociodemographic and health information; vegetarian status; dietary habits; and attitudes, motivations, and beliefs regarding food choices were assessed via an online self-administered questionnaire. Dietary intakes were collected via two 24-hour diet recalls on nonconsecutive days and will be adjusted for within-person variation using the Multiple Source Method, to represent usual intakes. Nutrient adequacy will be assessed by the estimated average requirement cut-point method or probability approach as appropriate. Height and weight were measured, and blood and urine samples collected for micronutrient status assessment. Participants wore an accelerometer for 7 days to assess 24-hour activity patterns (time spent asleep, sedentary, or engagement in light-intensity or moderate-to-vigorous intensity physical activity). Results Recruitment and data collection were conducted in 2019. Data are currently being cleaned and analyzed, with publication of the main results anticipated at the end of 2020. Conclusions The SuNDiAL Project will provide a meaningful and timely description of diet, nutrition status, and motivational factors associated with vegetarianism and identify any risks this pattern of eating may pose for female adolescents. The results of this study will support the development of targeted recommendations and interventions aimed at enhancing the health, growth, and development of adolescent girls. Trial Registration Australian New Zealand Clinical Trials Registry ACTRN12619000290190; https://tinyurl.com/yaumh278 International Registered Report Identifier (IRRID) DERR1-10.2196/17310

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Multicomponent interventions against frailty

Journal of Aging Research and Lifestyle ◽

10.14283/jarlife.2021.3 ◽

2021 ◽

pp. 1-2

Author(s):

D. Azzolino ◽

M. Cesari

Keyword(s):

Physical Activity ◽

Dietary Habits ◽

Functional Decline ◽

Education Programs ◽

Beneficial Effects ◽

Age Related ◽

Home Based ◽

Related Risk ◽

Nutrition And Physical Activity ◽

Multicomponent Interventions

The prevention and management of frailty imply the delay of functional decline. Recently, there has been a growing interest in the adoption of multicomponent interventions, usually incorporating nutrition and physical activity strategies targeted to age-related risk conditions like frailty and sarcopenia (1). The protocol published by Low et al. (2) is based on a 4-month program including a combination of group exercise (1 hour, once a week) and the prescription of home-based exercises, together with group-based educational seminars (i.e., six sessions) on nutrition. As outlined in the manuscript, the beneficial effects of nutrition and physical activity as strategies to prevent and manage frailty are well established. However, a challenge in delivering nutritional education programs to older people is represented by the difficulty in motivating persons at acquiring new dietary habits because of multiple reasons (e.g., sociocultural, economic, or clinical issues). The personalization of the interventions may represent an effective strategy to promote these changes (3).

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Dietary Habits and Body Composition in Adolescent Female Runners

Women in Sport and Physical Activity Journal ◽

10.1123/wspaj.1.1.85 ◽

1992 ◽

Vol 1 (1) ◽

pp. 85-95 ◽

Cited By ~ 3

Author(s):

Susan M. Moen ◽

Charlotte F. Sanborn ◽

Nancy DiMarco

Keyword(s):

Body Fat ◽

Dietary Habits ◽

Mean Value ◽

Adolescent Female ◽

Dietary Intakes ◽

The Past ◽

Percentage Of Body Fat ◽

Dietary Records ◽

Hydrostatic Weighing ◽

The Right

The present study was conducted to compare dietary intakes and percentage of body fat between adolescent female runners and sedentary adolescent females. Thirty white girls, aged 15-18 years, served as subjects. Twenty had run between 20 and 55 miles per week for the past 1-5 years. The ten controls had not exercised for at least the past year other than in physical education classes. Nutrient intake was analyzed from 3-day dietary records. Percentage of body fat was estimated using hydrostatic weighing and skinfold thicknesses measured at the right triceps and calf. No significant differences were found between the 20 runners and the 10 controls in intakes of energy, calcium, or iron. Although daily caloric intakes were not higher for the runners, the two groups differed in percentage of body fat; the mean value for the runners was significantly lower than the control group’s value. Both groups consumed greater than recommended percentages of fat and less than recommended percentages of carbohydrates. In addition, both calcium and iron consumptions were below recommended values. In summary, the female runners had typically poor American teenage diets. Overall, these athletes should be instructed to increase their total kilocalories, consume a greater percentage of carbohydrates, and select foods high in calcium and iron.

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Dietary Intake Nutritional Status and Lifestyle of Adolescent Vegetarian and Nonvegetarian Girls in New Zealand (The SuNDiAL Project): Protocol for a Clustered, Cross-Sectional Survey (Preprint)

10.2196/preprints.17310 ◽

2019 ◽

Author(s):

Meredith Peddie ◽

Chaya Ranasinghe ◽

Tessa Scott ◽

Anne-Louise Heath ◽

Caroline Horwath ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Physical Activity ◽

New Zealand ◽

Data Collection ◽

Adolescent Girls ◽

Environmental Sustainability ◽

Growth And Development ◽

Dietary Habits ◽

Nutrition Status ◽

Dietary Intakes ◽

Cross Sectional

BACKGROUND Anecdotally, vegetarian eating patterns seem to be increasing in parallel with growing concerns about environmental sustainability. While this pattern of eating is widely believed to be associated with benefits for the planet and individual health, it may increase the risk of inadequate intakes and nutrient deficiency if not planned carefully. Adolescent girls may be particularly at risk, as they have increased requirements for nutrients such as iron, zinc, calcium, and vitamin B12 during growth and development. OBJECTIVE The objective of the SuNDiAL Project (Survey of Nutrition, Dietary Assessment, and Lifestyles) is to compare the dietary intakes and habits, nutrition status, motivations, attitudes, and physical activity of a sample of vegetarian and nonvegetarian adolescent girls in New Zealand. METHODS A clustered, cross-sectional, nationwide study of adolescents aged 15-18 years was conducted. Secondary schools were recruited throughout New Zealand, and pupils (n=290) were invited to participate in data collection in either the first (February to April) or third (August to October) school term of 2019 (New Zealand schools operate on a 4-term year). Sociodemographic and health information; vegetarian status; dietary habits; and attitudes, motivations, and beliefs regarding food choices were assessed via an online self-administered questionnaire. Dietary intakes were collected via two 24-hour diet recalls on nonconsecutive days and will be adjusted for within-person variation using the Multiple Source Method, to represent usual intakes. Nutrient adequacy will be assessed by the estimated average requirement cut-point method or probability approach as appropriate. Height and weight were measured, and blood and urine samples collected for micronutrient status assessment. Participants wore an accelerometer for 7 days to assess 24-hour activity patterns (time spent asleep, sedentary, or engagement in light-intensity or moderate-to-vigorous intensity physical activity). RESULTS Recruitment and data collection were conducted in 2019. Data are currently being cleaned and analyzed, with publication of the main results anticipated at the end of 2020. CONCLUSIONS The SuNDiAL Project will provide a meaningful and timely description of diet, nutrition status, and motivational factors associated with vegetarianism and identify any risks this pattern of eating may pose for female adolescents. The results of this study will support the development of targeted recommendations and interventions aimed at enhancing the health, growth, and development of adolescent girls. CLINICALTRIAL Australian New Zealand Clinical Trials Registry ACTRN12619000290190; https://tinyurl.com/yaumh278 INTERNATIONAL REGISTERED REPORT DERR1-10.2196/17310

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Effectiveness of school–home intervention for adolescent obesity prevention: parallel school randomised study

British Journal Of Nutrition ◽

10.1017/s0007114519001818 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 122 (9) ◽

pp. 1073-1080 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Michele R. Sgambato ◽

Diana B. Cunha ◽

Bárbara S. N. Souza ◽

Viviana T. Henriques ◽

Renata R. M. Rodrigues ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Physical Activity ◽

Body Fat ◽

Obesity Prevention ◽

Eating Habits ◽

Intervention Group ◽

Prevention Programme ◽

Control Group ◽

School Based ◽

Home Based ◽

Healthy Eating Habits

AbstractMany school-based interventions for obesity prevention have been proposed with positive changes in behaviour, but with unsatisfactory results on weight change. The objective was to verify the effectiveness of a combined school- and home-based obesity prevention programme on excessive weight gain in adolescents. Teachers delivered the school-based primary prevention programme to fifth- and sixth-graders (nine schools, forty-eight control classes, forty-nine intervention classes), which included encouraging healthy eating habits and physical activity. A subgroup of overweight or obese adolescents also received a home-based secondary prevention programme delivered by community health professionals. Schools were randomised to intervention or control group. Intent-to-treat analysis used mixed models for repeated continuous measures and considered the cluster effect. The main outcomes were changes in BMI and percentage body fat (%body fat) after one school-year of intervention and follow-up. Against our hypothesis, BMI increased more in the intervention group than in the control group (Δ = 0·3 kg/m2; P = 0·05) with a greater decrease in %body fat among boys (Δ = –0·6 %; P = 0·03) in the control group. The intervention group increased physical activity by 12·5 min per week compared with the control group. Female adolescents in the intervention group ate healthier items more frequently than in the control group. The subgroup that received both the school and home interventions had an increase in %body fat than in the control group (Δ = 0·89 %; P = 0·01). In the present study, a behavioural change led to a small increase in physical activity and healthy eating habits but also to an overall increase in food intake.

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The Effects of Physical Activity on Dietary Habits in Young Adults from Madrid

International Journal for Vitamin and Nutrition Research ◽

10.1024/0300-9831/a000138 ◽

2012 ◽

Vol 82 (6) ◽

pp. 405-411 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

José Miguel Perea Sánchez ◽

Carlos Peñas Ruiz ◽

Beatriz Navia Lombán ◽

Aránzazu Aparicio Vizuete ◽

Tania Karina Villalobos Cruz ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Physical Activity ◽

Young Adults ◽

Body Fat ◽

Dietary Habits ◽

Daily Intake ◽

Nutritional Intake ◽

Activity Levels ◽

Fat Percentage ◽

Activity Questionnaires

Background: The main objective of the study was to analyze the relation between the physical activity levels and diet quality of a group of young adults from Madrid. Methods: The nutritional and activity records of a group of 222 young adults (113 females and 109 males), with ages ranging from 18 to 30 years, were evaluated using dietary and activity questionnaires, and anthropometric measurements. From the data collected, the food, energy, macro and micronutrients intake, activity coefficient, body mass index, and body fat percentage were calculated. Results: The study revealed that 67.1 % of the individuals evaluated (82.3 % of the females and 51.3 % of the males) were classified as sedentary. The sedentary individuals had a higher percentage of body fat compared to active individuals. Generally, active individuals consumed more cereals and less fat. The nutritional intake of the participants did not follow the recommended daily intake, however the nutritional intake of the active individuals was closer to the recommended, with higher micronutrient intakes. Conclusion: These results suggest that active individuals follow healthier diets and keep a more adequate body weight, which provides protection against several chronic diseases.

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