Prevalence and determinants of physical activity and lifestyle in relation to obesity among schoolchildren in Israel

AbstractObjectiveTo describe the relationships between physical activity, lifestyle determinants and obesity in adolescent Israeli schoolchildren.Design and settingCross-sectional survey.SubjectsThe MABAT Youth Survey was a nationally representative, school-based study of youth in grades 7 to 12 (ages 11–19 years).MethodsSelf-administered questionnaires assessed health behaviours and anthropometric indices were measured. Logistic regression analysis was used to examine the associations between obesity, physical activity, socio-economic status and other lifestyle habits. One-way ANOVA was used to determine mean physical activity levels (MET values) by BMI categories.ResultsThe prevalence of overweight was 13–15 % and of obesity 4–9 % depending on gender and ethnicity, and was higher among the non-Jewish sectors. Thirty-six per cent and 57 % of Jewish girls and boys, and 40 % and 58 % of non-Jewish girls and boys, respectively, were optimally active. Boys from low socio-economic schools and those who slept for less than 6 h at night were less active. Girls from middle school were found to be 53 % more optimally physically active among Jews, and 89 % more among non-Jews, compared with girls from high school (P = 0·001); girls with less educated parents were also less physically active. No clear relationship was found between the level of obesity and physical activity.ConclusionsPhysical inactivity was strongly related to gender, age, social status, sleeping habits, hookah smoking, and parental educational status. Education and intervention programmes should focus on these risk factors.

Download Full-text

Physical Activity Levels Among Adults in Uganda: Findings From a Countrywide Cross-Sectional Survey

Journal of Physical Activity and Health ◽

10.1123/jpah.2015-0631 ◽

2016 ◽

Vol 13 (9) ◽

pp. 938-945 ◽

Cited By ~ 15

Author(s):

David Guwatudde ◽

Barbara E. Kirunda ◽

Ronald Wesonga ◽

Gerald Mutungi ◽

Richard Kajjura ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Physical Activity ◽

World Health ◽

Noncommunicable Diseases ◽

Moderate Intensity ◽

Activity Levels ◽

Cross Sectional Survey ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Physically Active ◽

Work Related ◽

Health Organization

Background:Being physically active is associated with lower risk of many noncommunicable diseases (NCDs). We analyzed physical activity (PA) data collected as part of Uganda’s countrywide NCD risk factor survey conducted in 2014, to describe PA levels in Uganda.Methods:PA data were collected on the domains of work, travel and leisure. We calculated the percentage of participants meeting the World Health Organization (WHO) PA recommendations, and the types of intense-specific duration of PA. Prevalence ratios (PR) were used to identify factors associated with meeting WHO PA recommendations.Results:Of the 3987 participants, 3758 (94.3%) met the WHO PA recommendations. Work-related PA of moderate intensity, and travel-related PA contributed most to participants’ overall weekly duration of PA, each contributing 49.6% and 25.2% respectively. The median weekly duration of all moderate-intensity PA was 1470 minutes (interquartile range [IQR] = 540 to 2460). Weekly duration of all vigorous-intensity PA was low with a median of 0 minutes (IQR = 0 to 1080). The median daily sedentary time was 120 minutes (IQR = 60 to 240). Factors significantly associated with meeting WHO PA recommendations were body mass index and level of education.Conclusions:PA levels in Uganda are high, mostly achieved through travel and work-related activities of moderate intensity.

Download Full-text

Physical activity among 60–69-year-olds in England: knowledge, perception, behaviour and risk factors

Ageing and Society ◽

10.1017/s0144686x10000486 ◽

2010 ◽

Vol 30 (8) ◽

pp. 1343-1355 ◽

Cited By ~ 16

Author(s):

MOUSHUMI CHAUDHURY ◽

NICOLA SHELTON

Keyword(s):

Physical Activity ◽

Risk Factors ◽

Physical Activity Participation ◽

Activity Participation ◽

Activity Levels ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Physically Active ◽

Health Promotion And Education ◽

Nationally Representative ◽

Barriers To Physical Activity

ABSTRACTThis paper examines the risk factors that influence physical activity levels among a representative sample of older people in England and their awareness of the Chief Medical Officer's recommended level of physical activity. The paper analyses data from the cross-sectional, nationally-representative Health Surveys for England (HSfE) in 2006 and 2007. In HSfE2006, 1,550 adults aged 60–69 years responded to a physical activity participation questionnaire, and in HSfE2007, 561 adults aged 60–64 years were asked about their knowledge of the physical activity requirement and their attitudes to participation. Very few respondents knew the recommended physical activity target, but more than one-half thought they had enough physical activity in their daily life, and over three-quarters thought they were ‘very’ or ‘fairly’ physically active compared with age peers. The perceived barriers to physical activity included work commitments, lack of leisure time and poor health. It was found that obesity, not being in work and having a limiting long-term illness associated with a lower likelihood of physical activity. Participation in sports and exercise, walking, heavy housework and gardening were all lower in non-working than working adults. Older adults had unrealistic views of their activity levels, and of work and lack of time as barriers to physical activity. It is concluded that more attention needs to be paid to health promotion and education among the over-sixties, especially those not in paid work.

Download Full-text

AWARENESS ABOUT INDOOR AIR POLLUTION IN GENERAL POPULATION OF RAWALPINDI AND ISLAMABAD

Pakistan Journal of Public Health ◽

10.32413/pjph.v8i2.118 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 8 (2) ◽

pp. 80-83

Author(s):

Nadia Tariq ◽

Tamkeen Jaffry ◽

Rahma Fiaz ◽

Abdul Majid Rajput ◽

Sadaf Khalid

Keyword(s):

Air Pollution ◽

General Population ◽

Indoor Air ◽

Indoor Air Pollution ◽

Economic Status ◽

Educational Status ◽

Epidemiological Studies ◽

Cross Sectional Survey ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Significant Difference

Background: Indoor air pollutants are increasingly being associated with respiratory illnesses leading to high degree of morbidity and mortality. There are not sufficient epidemiological studies from Pakistan which assess level of awareness of indoor air pollution resulting in respiratory diseases in population. Methods: This cross sectional survey was carried out on general population of Rawalpindi/Islamabad. Sample size was 223 study subjects selected by non-probability convenient sampling. Knowledge of the study subjects was determined with regard to indoor air pollution, its effects on health and different sources of indoor air pollution with the help of a questionnaire. The influence of age, gender, educational status and socio economic status on the level of awareness was also analyzed. Results: Out of total 223 participants, 115 were males and108 females. Participants aware of indoor air pollution were 91.5% and adequate awareness about its sources was 80.7%. Those who knew indoor air pollution is detrimental to health were 95.1%. Awareness about building construction dust as source of indoor air pollution was maximum (84.8%). There was significant difference in awareness among participants with different monthly incomes and educational status and also between males and females. Conclusion: This study concludes that general population of Rawalpindi/Islamabad has fairly good awareness about sources of indoor air pollution. Use of harmful material causing indoor air pollution should be limited or substituted with better ones where possible.

Download Full-text

Physical Activity and Attitudes Toward Social Media Use of Active Individuals During the COVID-19 Pandemic in Saudi Arabia: Cross-Sectional Survey

Frontiers in Psychology ◽

10.3389/fpsyg.2021.707921 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 12 ◽

Author(s):

Mezna A. AlMarzooqi

Keyword(s):

Physical Activity ◽

Social Media ◽

Saudi Arabia ◽

Media Use ◽

Real Life ◽

Cross Sectional Survey ◽

Social Media Use ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Physically Active ◽

Social Media Platforms

Background: Social media became an integral part of the lives of people because it encourages social relations and shares interests, activities, and real-life connections. As quarantine and lockdown orders are prolonged, many people, as well as those physically active individuals, typically responded to this stressful condition by using social media platforms.Objective: This study aimed to examine the level of physical activity of physically active individuals and their attitudes toward social media use during the COVID-19 pandemic.Methods: A descriptive cross-sectional survey was conducted among physically active individuals in Saudi Arabia between June 2020 and July 2020. An online survey was employed among eligible participants who completed a self-administered questionnaire that covered reasons for physical activity and attitudes toward social media platforms during the COVID-19 pandemic.Results: Of these 323 participants, 29.1% were in the age group of 18–24 years, 66.6% were women, and 67.8% were single. The proportion of participants whose metabolic equivalent of tasks-min/week from vigorous activity <1,680 was 31.9%, and all of the participants follow people or pages in social media related to sports teams and fitness models. The average number of hours spent on social media per day was 2.95 ± 0.90 h. The majority of the participants showed positive attitudes toward social media used for exercise and physical activity. Of the eight variables, age, level of physical activity, and the average of hours spent on social media emerged as significant predictors of attitudes toward the use of social media (P < 0.05).Conclusions: The present survey results indicate adverse consequences of home quarantine as reflected by a small proportion of participants who had differences in levels of vigorous activities during the COVID-19 pandemic in Saudi Arabia. Social media appears to be a key avenue to promote and disseminate health interventions to promote physical activity during this COVID-19 pandemic.

Download Full-text

Physical Activity Status in Patients With Coronary Heart Disease: Results From the Cross-Sectional EUROASPIRE Surveys

Journal of Physical Activity and Health ◽

10.1123/jpah.2016-0088 ◽

2016 ◽

Vol 13 (12) ◽

pp. 1378-1384 ◽

Cited By ~ 5

Author(s):

Delphine De Smedt ◽

Els Clays ◽

Christof Prugger ◽

Johan De Sutter ◽

Zlatko Fras ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Physical Activity ◽

Coronary Heart Disease ◽

Heart Disease ◽

Risk Profile ◽

Activity Level ◽

Activity Levels ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Physically Active ◽

Physical Activity Levels ◽

The Cross

Background:The study aim was to assess the physical activity levels as well as the intention to become physically active in patients with stable coronary heart disease (CHD) with a special focus on the association with their risk profile.Methods:Analyses are based on the cross-sectional EUROASPIRE IV surveys. Information was available on 8966 patients in EUROASPIRE III and on 7998 patients in EUROASPIRE IV. Physical activity level according to patients risk profile and their medical management was assessed, the intention to become physically active was investigated and a time trend analysis was performed.Results:A better cardiovascular risk profile as well as receiving physical activity advice or weight loss advice was associated with better physical activity levels. The physical activity status improved significantly over time, the proportion of patients reporting vigorous physical activity for at least 20 minutes ≥ 3 times/week increased from 14.1% to 20.2% (P < .001). Similarly, a significantly greater proportion of patients are in the maintenance stage (36.6% vs. 27.4%) and a smaller proportion in the precontemplation stage (43.2% vs. 52.3%).Conclusion:Although an increase was seen in the proportion of patients being adequately physical active, physical activity levels remain suboptimal in many CHD patients.

Download Full-text

Environmental Influences on Physical Activity in Rural Adults: The Relative Contributions of Home, Church, and Work Settings

Journal of Physical Activity and Health ◽

10.1123/jpah.9.7.996 ◽

2012 ◽

Vol 9 (7) ◽

pp. 996-1003 ◽

Cited By ~ 18

Author(s):

Michelle C. Kegler ◽

Deanne W. Swan ◽

Iris Alcantara ◽

Louise Wrensford ◽

Karen Glanz

Keyword(s):

Physical Activity ◽

Social Support ◽

Rural Communities ◽

Vigorous Physical Activity ◽

Moderate Physical Activity ◽

Activity Levels ◽

Cross Sectional Survey ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Home Setting ◽

Relative Contribution

Background:This study examines the relative contribution of social (eg, social support) and physical (eg, programs and facilities) aspects of worksite, church, and home settings to physical activity levels among adults in rural communities.Methods:Data are from a cross-sectional survey of 268 African American and Caucasian adults, ages 40–70, living in southwest Georgia. Separate regression models were developed for walking, moderate, vigorous, and total physical activity as measured in METs-minutes-per-week.Results:Social support for physical activity was modest in all 3 settings (mean scores 1.5–1.9 on a 4-point scale). Participants reported limited (<1) programs and facilities for physical activity at their worksites and churches. An interaction of physical and social aspects of the home setting was observed for vigorous and moderate physical activity and total METs. There were also interactions between gender and social support at church for vigorous activity among women, and between race and the physical environment at church for moderate physical activity. A cross-over interaction was found between home and church settings for vigorous physical activity. Social support at church was associated with walking and total METs.Conclusions:Homes and churches may be important behavioral settings for physical activity among adults in rural communities.

Download Full-text

Exercise on Prescription: A Cross-sectional Study With Self-reported Outcome

Journal of Physical Activity and Health ◽

10.1123/jpah.2015-0015 ◽

2016 ◽

Vol 13 (4) ◽

pp. 377-384 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Helene Buch Pedersen ◽

Morten Helmer-Nielsen ◽

Karin Brochstedt Dieperink ◽

Birte Østergaard

Keyword(s):

Physical Activity ◽

Chronic Diseases ◽

Leisure Time ◽

Cross Sectional Study ◽

Community Dwelling ◽

Cross Sectional Survey ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Physically Active ◽

Lifestyle Diseases

Background:Exercise on prescription (EOP) is an attempt to increase physical activity among sedentary adults with signs of lifestyle diseases. Until now, no studies have focused on patients with chronic diseases and how they assess the long-term effect of participating in EOP consisting of supervised interventions of different intensities. This study aimed to describe and compare self-reported physical activity in the long term among participants in 3 EOP modules of different intensities.Methods:A cross-sectional survey was conducted among 1152 former participants in EOP between July 2005 and May 2007 in 2 Danish counties. Physical activity was measured as number of days with a minimum 30 minutes of moderate/vigorous activity.Results:Seventy-five percent (n = 854) returned the questionnaire. Of these, 36% reported being physically active ≥ 5 days/week. Comparing leisure-time activities before EOP 29% was sedentary vs. 15% (P < 0 .01) after, moderate + hard leisure-time activities was 7% before vs. 19% after EOP (P < 0 .01). Time postintervention did not influence the numbers reporting to be physical active negatively.Conclusions:This study in community-dwelling adults with chronic diseases participating in EOP finds that approximately one-third reported being physically active in the long term postintervention, but no differences between the modalities were found.

Download Full-text

Factors Influencing Food Choices in Different Sports: Importance of Sustainability, Performance and Health: A Cross-Sectional Study

10.21203/rs.3.rs-608825/v1 ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

Cosima Nuszbaum ◽

Mari Wollmar ◽

Agneta Sjöberg

Keyword(s):

Physical Activity ◽

Food Preferences ◽

Food Choices ◽

Cross Sectional Study ◽

Activity Levels ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Physically Active ◽

Outdoor Sports ◽

Factors Influencing ◽

Physical Activity Levels

Abstract Background: This study investigates food preferences among individuals active in different sports. Since food intake affects the carbon footprint, it is of interest to investigate influencing factors of food choices regarding sustainability. Physically active individuals are in need for high intakes of energy and protein in order to maintain their performance. Little is known about what influence food choices in this population. Method: A survey of a sample of 367 individuals was conducted in German and Swedish gyms, climbing halls and CrossFit boxes. Therefore, a questionnaire was developed to capture information about factors influencing food choice and consumed protein sources. Kruskal-Wallis-test tested significant differences between sport groups and physical activity levels.Results: The most frequently consumed animal-based protein were dairy-products, and the most frequently used plant-based source were grains. Taste and health were the main influences on food choices. Significant differences were observed between sport groups and physical activity levels. Sustainability was ranked as moderately important, with the highest importance in people active in the outdoor sports running and climbing. Participants with high physical activity levels and active in CrossFit rated performance more important than the rest of the sample and consumed protein supplements, eggs and poultry more frequently. Conclusion: Differences in food choices between various sports and physical activity levels were identified. Understanding the underlying influences on food choices might help to motivate a shift towards a more sustainable diet in athletes.

Download Full-text

Prevalence Of Physical Activity, Sedentary Behaviour And Unhealthy Dietary Habits Among Moroccan Adolescents

Turkish Journal of Computer and Mathematics Education (TURCOMAT) ◽

10.17762/turcomat.v12i5.1736 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 12 (5) ◽

pp. 937-943

Author(s):

Abdelmounaim Boulhanna, Et. al.

Keyword(s):

Physical Activity ◽

Sedentary Behaviour ◽

Dietary Habits ◽

Human Life ◽

Moderate Physical Activity ◽

Activity Levels ◽

Cross Sectional Survey ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Hygiene Behaviour ◽

Sugary Drinks

Adolescence represents a very crucial phase in the human life cycle. During this period adolescents develop individual lifestyle habits. as a result, and in the absence of data concerning the above characteristics, in the Beni Mellal-Khénifra region, we leaded a cross-sectional survey of growth ,food and hygiene behaviour conducted among a sample of 812 adolescents, including 404 boys attending school aged 13 to18 years, Furthermore, the objective of this study was also to verify among college students of the region the prevalence of moderate physical activity levels, unhealthy dietary habits and sedentary behaviour, in order to determine the risk factors related to the physical inactivity. The prevalence of physical activity was 36.08% (50.0% among boys and 22.06% among girls). Nearly 40% of these adolescents spend more than 2 hours a day in front of the screens. Unhealthy dietary habits are more frequent among adolescents and the majority of them consume Fried potatoes (fries and chips) Doughnuts/cake, Sugary drinks more than three times a week. These results show significant associations between physical activity, sedentary habits and some unhealthy dietary habits.

Download Full-text