scholarly journals Relationship between attitudes to health, body weight and physical activity and level of physical activity in a nationally representative sample in the European Union

1999 ◽  
Vol 2 (1a) ◽  
pp. 97-103 ◽  
Author(s):  
BM Margetts ◽  
E Rogers ◽  
K Widhal ◽  
A-M Remaut de Winter ◽  
H-JF Zunft
Keyword(s):  
Physical Activity ◽  
Body Weight ◽  
Smoking Status ◽  
Regional Distribution ◽  
Activity Level ◽  
The European Union ◽  
Recreational Activity ◽  
Cross Sectional Survey ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Activity Promotion

AbstractObjectiveTo explore the factors that influence attitudes and beliefs about the effects of body weight and physical activity on health.DesignCross-sectional survey using a face-to-face interview-assisted questionnaire.SettingThe survey was conducted between March and April 1997 in the 15 member states of the EU.SubjectsApproximately 1000 adults aged 15 years plus from each country were selected by quota-controlled sampling; the total sample was of 15 239 persons (7162 males and 8077 females). Data were weighted by population size for each country and by age, gender and regional distribution within countries.ResultsOverall 27% of men and 35% of women reported not engaging in any form of recreational activity; rates were highest in those with a primary-level education (37% men, 43% women) compared with tertiary-level education (20% men, 25% women). Recreational activity levels declined with age and tended to be lowest in those who were more physically active at work. Eighteen per cent of respondents believed that physical activity was one of the two greatest influences on health; 13% mentioned body weight, 38% mentioned food, 41% mentioned smoking and 33% mentioned stress. Logistic regression was used to assess for the effects of gender, age, educational level, body mass index (BMI), smoking status, activity level and country on beliefs that body weight and physical activity influenced health. Primary-educated, overweight, ex- and non-smoking women were most likely to mention body weight as an influence; young tertiary-educated, thinner, non-smoking and active males were most likely to mention physical activity. There was wide variation across Europe in reported behaviour and beliefs, which persisted after taking account of all of the other factors in the regression model.ConclusionsRelatively few people in some countries believed body weight and physical activity were important influences on health. Many people mentioned stress and it might be possible to use this interest to motivate changes in physical activity to relieve stress. It may be important to take a more integrated approach to activity patterns that consider the role of work and recreation. Although social and demographic factors were important, after adjusting for these factors there was still wide between-country variation in reported attitudes, beliefs and behaviour. This will need to be taken into account in any activity promotion campaigns.

Investigating a Message Tailoring Strategy to Improve Efficacy of Activity Promotion Interventions: A Study Protocol (Preprint)

2016 ◽  
Author(s):  
Leila Sadat Rezai ◽  
Catherine Marie Burns
Keyword(s):  
Physical Activity ◽  
Regulatory Focus ◽  
Message Framing ◽  
Physical Activity Behaviour ◽  
Activity Level ◽  
Regulatory Focus Theory ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Physically Active ◽  
Activity Promotion ◽  
Focus Theory

BACKGROUND There have been challenges in designing effective behaviour-change interventions, including those that promote physical activity. One of the key reasons is that many of those systems do not account for individuals’ characteristics and their psychological differences, which affect their approach toward adopting target behaviour. For decades, tailoring has been used as a common technique to effectively communicate health-related information to persuade people to follow a healthier living. However, its use in the design of persuasive technologies has not been adequately investigated. OBJECTIVE The objective of this research is to explore the effects of tailoring when it is grounded in Higgins’ regulatory focus theory. METHODS A combination of cross-sectional and longitudinal studies has been proposed to examine how individuals’ intention to become more physically active would be affected by receiving health messages that may or may not match their self-regulatory orientation. The research would also subjectively, as well as objectively, measures the changes in individuals’ physical activity level. RESULTS The anticipated completion date for the consequent studies is December 2016. CONCLUSIONS In this article, the importance of refining message-framing research questions and a stepwise approach to develop an efficient experimental design to examine a new tailoring strategy is discussed. A set of small studies is proposed that would inform the best approach to design the principal experiment. The findings of principal experiment will provide a deeper insight into the relationship between regulatory-focus theory, persuasive message construction, and individuals’ physical activity behaviour.

scholarly journals The Association between Dry Eye Disease and Physical Activity as well as Sedentary Behavior: Results from the Osaka Study

2014 ◽  
Vol 2014 ◽  
pp. 1-6 ◽  
Author(s):  
Motoko Kawashima ◽  
Miki Uchino ◽  
Norihiko Yokoi ◽  
Yuichi Uchino ◽  
Murat Dogru ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Physical Activity ◽  
Sedentary Behavior ◽  
Dry Eye ◽  
Visual Display ◽  
Dry Eye Disease ◽  
Activity Level ◽  
Eye Disease ◽  
Cross Sectional Survey ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Large Groups

Purpose. To assess the association of dry eye disease (DED) with physical activity and sedentary behavior.Methods. The cross-sectional survey conducted included Japanese office workers who use visual display terminals (n=672). DED was assessed according to the Japanese Dry Eye Diagnostic Criteria, and participants were categorized into “definite DED,” “probable DED,” or “non-DED” groups based on the results of DED examinations. Physical activity and sedentary behavior of participants were assessed using the International Physical Activity Questionnaire (IPAQ), and physical activity level was calculated in metabolic equivalent units per week (MET, min/week). Participants were classified as having a high, moderate, or low level of physical activity.Results. Participants with abnormal tear break-up time (BUT) (≤5 s) were involved in sedentary behavior for significantly longer duration than those with normal BUT (P=0.035). Non-DED participants (14.5%) tended to have higher levels of physical activity than definite DED participants (2.5%). Participants with definite DED had significantly lower MET scores than those with non-DED (P=0.025).Conclusions. Our findings suggest that a lower level of physical activity and sedentary behavior are associated with DED; however, longitudinal/intervention studies with large groups of participants are needed to validate these findings.

scholarly journals Factors for Lower Walking Speed in Persons with Multiple Sclerosis

2013 ◽  
Vol 2013 ◽  
pp. 1-8 ◽  
Author(s):  
Leandro Alberto Calazans Nogueira ◽  
Luciano Teixeira dos Santos ◽  
Pollyane Galinari Sabino ◽  
Regina Maria Papais Alvarenga ◽  
Luiz Claudio Santos Thuler
Keyword(s):  
Physical Activity ◽  
Multiple Sclerosis ◽  
Physical Activity Level ◽  
Walking Speed ◽  
Motor Planning ◽  
Activity Level ◽  
Cross Sectional Survey ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Balance Confidence ◽  
Significant Difference

Objective. The purpose of this study was to analyze factors related to lower walking speed in persons with multiple sclerosis (PwMS).Methods. A cross-sectional survey was conducted. The study participants were 120 consecutive PwMS, who were able to walk, even with device assistance. Demographic and clinical data were collected. Walking speed was measured in 10 m walk test. Possible factors were assessed: disability, fatigue, visual functioning, balance confidence, physical activity level, walking impact, cognitive interference, and motor planning. A forward linear multiple regression analysis examined the correlation with lower speed.Results. Lower walking speed was observed in 85% of the patients. Fatigue (41%), recurrent falls (30%), and balance problems were also present, even with mild disability (averageEDSS=2.68). A good level of physical activity was noted in most of the subjects. Dual-task procedure revealed 11.58% of walking speed reduction. Many participants (69.57%) imagined greater walking speed than motor execution (mean ≥ 28.42%). Physical activity level was the only characteristic that demonstrated no significant difference between the groups (lower versus normal walking speed). Many mobility measures were correlated with walking speed; however, disability, balance confidence, and motor planning were the most significant.Conclusions. Disability, balance confidence, and motor planning were correlated with lower walking speed.

PHYSICAL ACTIVITY LEVEL AMONG UNIVERSITY STUDENTS: A CROSS SECTIONAL SURVEY

2015 ◽  
Vol 3 (6) ◽  
pp. 1336-1343 ◽  
Author(s):  
Roshini Rajappan ◽  
◽  
Karthikeyan Selvaganapathy ◽  
Lola Liew ◽  
◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Physical Activity ◽  
University Students ◽  
Physical Activity Level ◽  
Activity Level ◽  
Cross Sectional Survey ◽  
Cross Sectional

scholarly journals Methods used to conduct the pan-European Union survey on consumer attitudes to physical activity, body weight and health

1999 ◽  
Vol 2 (1a) ◽  
pp. 79-86 ◽  
Author(s):  
JM Kearney ◽  
MJ Kearney ◽  
S McElhone ◽  
MJ Gibney
Keyword(s):  
Physical Activity ◽  
Body Weight ◽  
Sample Selection ◽  
Regional Distribution ◽  
Consumer Attitudes ◽  
Cross Sectional Study ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Nationally Representative ◽  
Population Weight ◽  
The Eu

AbstractObjectiveThe purpose of conducting this survey was to identify data on consumer attitudes towards and beliefs about physical activity, body weight and health among the 15 countries of the EU.DesignA cross-sectional study to get a picture of the attitudes to physical activity, body weight and health in the EU. For this, it was considered important that samples be nationally representative so that inferences drawn from the data could be applied to the population in each country as well as to the EU population as a whole. Using a non-probability sampling method employing quota controls (and the national weight) we obtained large sample sizes from each country which were nationally representative in terms of the variables age, sex and regional distribution. To ensure samples were truly nationally representative a national weight was used when analysing the data using the same characteristics as those used to define quotas. When examining pooled estimates for the total EU sample a population weight was applied.ResultsIn total, 15 239 subjects aged 15 years and upwards in the EU completed the survey. This article gives details on the methods used in carrying out the survey from design of the questionnaire to sample selection, questionnaire administration and analysis of the data. The methods and their limitations are discussed.

scholarly journals Body image perception in relation to recent weight changes and strategies for weight loss in a nationally representative sample in the European Union

1999 ◽  
Vol 2 (1a) ◽  
pp. 143-151 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sinead McElhone ◽  
John M Kearney ◽  
Ismene Giachetti ◽  
Hans-Joachim Franz Zunft ◽  
J Alfredo Martínez
Keyword(s):  
Body Image ◽  
Body Weight ◽  
Regional Distribution ◽  
The European Union ◽  
Weight Changes ◽  
Image Perception ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Body Image Perception ◽  
Nationally Representative ◽  
The Eu

AbstractObjectivesTo assess body image perception and satisfaction with current body image across the EU and to explore the influence of sociodemographic variables, body-weight change and strategies for losing weight on body image perception.DesignA cross-sectional study in which quota-controlled, nationally representative samples of approximately 1000 adults from each country completed a face-to-face interview-assisted questionnaire.SettingThe survey was conducted in the 15 member states of the EU between March and April 1997.SubjectsThe questionnaire was completed by 15 239 subjects (aged 15 years and upwards). Data were weighted by population size for each country and by sex, age and regional distribution within each member state.ResultsJust 39% of respondents in the EU were satisfied with their weight and these were more likely to be male (46%) rather than female (31%). Across the EU 29% of Finnish subjects were content with their weight compared with 47% in Belgium and 48% in Luxembourg. The highest percentage of subjects who were content with their body weight was among females who were underweight (58%) and males who were normal weight (66%). A further 20% of underweight females wished to be lighter compared to only 5% of males. Diet was the most frequently selected method for losing weight especially among females wishing to be considerably lighter (27%) while males were as likely to use exercise as diet as a strategy to lose weight.ConclusionsGeographical and sociodemographical influences on body image perception are evident across the EU. There were clear gender differences in the desire to be thinner with a high proportion of females who were underweight being content to be so.

scholarly journals Development of national physical activity recommendations in 18 EU member states: a comparison of methodologies and the use of evidence

BMJ Open ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (4) ◽  
pp. e041710
Author(s):  
Antonina Tcymbal ◽  
Peter Gelius ◽  
Karim Abu-Omar ◽  
Charlie Foster ◽  
Stephen Whiting ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Physical Activity ◽  
Development Process ◽  
Focal Point ◽  
The European Union ◽  
Cross Sectional Survey ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Member States ◽  
Eu Member States ◽  
National Physical Activity

ObjectivesThe aim of the study is to compare how member states of the European Union (EU) develop their national physical activity (PA) recommendations and to provide an overview of the methodologies they apply in doing so. Information was collected directly from the physical activity focal points of EU member states in 2018. Five countries were chosen for detailed case study analysis of development processes.DesignCross-sectional survey.ParticipantsThe representatives of the 28 EU member state governments to the EU physical activity Focal Point Network.Outcome measuresFrom national documents we extracted data on (1) the participants of the development process, (2) the different methods used during development, and (3) on which sources national PA recommendations were based. An additional survey for case study countries provided details on (1) anonymised information on the participants of development process, (2) methods employed and rationale for choosing them, (3) development process and timeline, and (4) main source documents used for recommendation development.ResultsEighteen national documents on PA recommendations contained information about development process. The results showed that countries used different approaches to develop national recommendations. The main strategies were (1) adoption of WHO 2010 recommendations or (2) a combination of analysis and adoption of other national and international recommendations and literature review. All of the five case study countries relied on review processes rather than directly adopting WHO recommendations.ConclusionsWhile there are arguments for the use of particular strategies for PA recommendation development, there is currently no evidence for the general superiority of a specific approach. Instead, our findings highlight the broad spectrum of potential development methods, resources utilisation and final recommendations design currently available to national governments. These results may be a source of inspiration for other countries currently planning the development or update of national PA recommendations.

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