scholarly journals Spinal pain increases the risk of becoming overweight in Danish schoolchildren

2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Lise Hestbaek ◽  
Ellen Aartun ◽  
Pierre Côté ◽  
Jan Hartvigsen

AbstractSpinal pain is common in adolescence, and overweight in children and adolescence is an increasing public health problem globally. Since musculoskeletal pain is a known barrier for physical activity which potentially can lead to overweight, the primary objective of this study was to determine if self-reported lifetime spinal pain in 2010 was associated with being overweight or obese in 2012 in a cohort of 1080 normal-weighted Danish children, aged 11–13 years at baseline. Overweight was based on body mass index measured by trained staff. Spinal pain was self-reported by questionnaires during school hours. Estimates were adjusted for relevant covariates. The 2-year incidence rate of overweight was 5.3% (95% CI 3.98–7.58) for children with spinal pain at baseline versus 1.6% (95% CI 0.19–5.45) for children without. There was stepwise and statistically significant increased risk of overweight with increasing frequency of pain and for having pain in more than one part of the spine. Despite the short follow-up time where only 40 children developed overweight, these results indicate that spinal pain might increase the risk of subsequent overweight.

2017 ◽  
Vol 132 (2_suppl) ◽  
pp. 9S-15S ◽  
Author(s):  
Rodney S. Lyn ◽  
Erica R. Sheldon ◽  
Michael P. Eriksen

Physical inactivity among children is a public health problem associated with low levels of fitness, obesity, and increased risk of chronic diseases. Public health experts have identified policies targeting physical activity as a promising strategy to address this challenge. Understanding the process by which such policies are adopted may help to facilitate progress nationally. To examine lessons learned from the passage of the Student Health and Physical Education Act in Georgia, we conducted 15 interviews with people engaged in the adoption of the act. We found that several factors were vital to policy adoption: a shifting social and political climate, the organization and mobilization of diverse partners behind a common agenda, and the development of strategies to overcome impediments to legislative progress. These findings suggest that engagement and cooperation with partners, establishment of mutual interests as a basis for collaboration, and grassroots outreach and advocacy can facilitate adoption of policies that promote physical activity.


2021 ◽  
Vol 12 ◽  
pp. 204062232110159
Author(s):  
Jung Eun Yoo ◽  
Dahye Kim ◽  
Hayoung Choi ◽  
Young Ae Kang ◽  
Kyungdo Han ◽  
...  

Background: The aim of this study was to investigate whether physical activity, sarcopenia, and anemia are associated an with increased risk of tuberculosis (TB) among the older population. Methods: We included 1,245,640 66-year-old subjects who participated in the National Screening Program for Transitional Ages for Koreans from 2009 to 2014. At baseline, we assessed common health problems in the older population, including anemia and sarcopenia. The subjects’ performance in the timed up-and-go (TUG) test was used to predict sarcopenia. The incidence of TB was determined using claims data from the National Health Insurance Service database. Results: The median follow-up duration was 6.4 years. There was a significant association between the severity of anemia and TB incidence, with an adjusted hazard ratio (aHR) of 1.28 [95% confidence interval (CI), 1.20–1.36] for mild anemia and 1.69 (95% CI, 1.51–1.88) for moderate to severe anemia. Compared with those who had normal TUG times, participants with slow TUG times (⩾15 s) had a significantly increased risk of TB (aHR 1.19, 95% CI, 1.07–1.33). On the other hand, both irregular (aHR 0.88, 95% CI 0.83–0.93) and regular (aHR 0.84, 95% CI, 0.78–0.92) physical activity reduced the risk of TB. Male sex, lower income, alcohol consumption, smoking, diabetes, and asthma/chronic obstructive pulmonary disease increased the risk of TB. Conclusion: The risk of TB among older adults increased with worsening anemia, sarcopenia, and physical inactivity. Physicians should be aware of those modifiable predictors for TB among the older population.


Author(s):  
Eric Emerson ◽  
Allison Milner ◽  
Zoe Aitken ◽  
Lauren Krnjacki ◽  
Cathy Vaughan ◽  
...  

Abstract Background Exposure to discrimination can have a negative impact on health. There is little robust evidence on the prevalence of exposure of people with disabilities to discrimination, the sources and nature of discrimination they face, and the personal and contextual factors associated with increased risk of exposure. Methods Secondary analysis of de-identified cross-sectional data from the three waves of the UK’s ‘Life Opportunities Survey’. Results In the UK (i) adults with disabilities were over three times more likely than their peers to be exposed to discrimination, (ii) the two most common sources of discrimination were strangers in the street and health staff and (iii) discrimination was more likely to be reported by participants who were younger, more highly educated, who were unemployed or economically inactive, who reported financial stress or material hardship and who had impairments associated with hearing, memory/speaking, dexterity, behavioural/mental health, intellectual/learning difficulties and breathing. Conclusions Discrimination faced by people with disabilities is an under-recognised public health problem that is likely to contribute to disability-based health inequities. Public health policy, research and practice needs to concentrate efforts on developing programs that reduce discrimination experienced by people with disabilities.


2019 ◽  
Vol 29 (5) ◽  
pp. 1447-1465 ◽  
Author(s):  
DE McGregor ◽  
J Palarea-Albaladejo ◽  
PM Dall ◽  
K Hron ◽  
SFM Chastin

Survival analysis is commonly conducted in medical and public health research to assess the association of an exposure or intervention with a hard end outcome such as mortality. The Cox (proportional hazards) regression model is probably the most popular statistical tool used in this context. However, when the exposure includes compositional covariables (that is, variables representing a relative makeup such as a nutritional or physical activity behaviour composition), some basic assumptions of the Cox regression model and associated significance tests are violated. Compositional variables involve an intrinsic interplay between one another which precludes results and conclusions based on considering them in isolation as is ordinarily done. In this work, we introduce a formulation of the Cox regression model in terms of log-ratio coordinates which suitably deals with the constraints of compositional covariates, facilitates the use of common statistical inference methods, and allows for scientifically meaningful interpretations. We illustrate its practical application to a public health problem: the estimation of the mortality hazard associated with the composition of daily activity behaviour (physical activity, sitting time and sleep) using data from the U.S. National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES).


2021 ◽  
Vol 9 (9) ◽  
pp. 1-116
Author(s):  
Esther MF van Sluijs ◽  
Helen E Brown ◽  
Emma Coombes ◽  
Claire Hughes ◽  
Andrew P Jones ◽  
...  

Background Family-based physical activity promotion presents a promising avenue for promoting whole-family physical activity, but high-quality research is lacking. Objectives To assess the feasibility, acceptability and preliminary effectiveness of FRESH (Families Reporting Every Step to Health), a child-led online family-based physical activity intervention; and to identify effective and resource-efficient family recruitment strategies. Design The project consisted of (1) a randomised feasibility trial, (2) a randomised controlled pilot trial and (3) a systematic review and Delphi study. Setting Norfolk/Suffolk counties, UK. Participants Families, recruited from schools, workplaces and community settings, were eligible to participate if one child aged 7–11 years and one adult responsible for their care provided written consent; all family members could participate. Interventions The FRESH intervention, guided by self-determination theory, targeted whole families and was delivered via an online platform. All family members received pedometers and were given website access to select family step challenges to ‘travel’ to target cities around the world, log steps, and track progress as they virtually globetrotted. Families were randomised to FRESH intervention, pedometer-only or control arm. Main outcome measures Physical (e.g. blood pressure), psychosocial (e.g. family functioning) and behavioural (e.g. device-measured family physical activity) measures were collected at baseline and at 8- and 52-week follow-up. A mixed-methods process evaluation assessed the acceptability of the intervention and evaluation. Data sources review Systematic search of four databases (Cochrane Library, PubMed, PsycINFO and SCOPUS). Review methods Articles were screened in duplicate, and data extraction was fully checked. Academic experts participated in the three-round Delphi study. Data were combined to identify effective and resource-efficient family recruitment strategies. Inclusion criteria Included generally healthy school-aged children and at least one adult; intervention attempted to change physical activity, sedentary behaviour, screen use, diet, or prevent overweight/obesity in multiple family members; presented relevant measure of effect in children and adults. Results The feasibility study (12 families, 32 participants; 100% retention at 8 weeks) demonstrated the feasibility and acceptability of FRESH, but highlighted that adaptations were required. Of 41 families recruited in the pilot study (149 participants), 98% and 88% were retained at the 8-week and 52-week follow-up, respectively. More children in the FRESH arm self-reported doing more family physical activity, and they thought that FRESH was fun. There were no notable between-group differences in children’s outcomes. Change in moderate to vigorous physical activity at 8 weeks favoured FRESH intervention adults [vs. control: 9.4 minutes/week (95% confidence interval 0.4 to 18.4) vs. pedometer only: 15.3 (95% confidence interval 6.0 to 24.5)], and was stronger in fathers, but this was not maintained. In 49 included studies, apart from recruitment settings and strategies used (reported in 84% and 73% of the studies, respectively), recruitment details were scarce. School-based recruitment was predominant. The Delphi study identified a wide range of recruitment settings and strategies. Limitations Recruitment was the main limitation of the FRESH studies; generalisability of the proposed recruitment strategies may be limited. Conclusions This study has demonstrated the feasibility and acceptability of the FRESH intervention. However, we failed to recruit the target sample size and were unable to demonstrate a signal of effectiveness. Future research should employ a multifaceted recruitment approach. Future work Further refinements to intervention delivery and recruitment methods should be investigated. Study registration Current Controlled Trials ISRCTN12789422 and PROSPERO CRD42019140042. Funding This project was funded by the National Institute for Health Research (NIHR) Public Health Research programme and will be published in full in Public Health Research; Vol. 9, No. 9. See the NIHR Journals Library website for further project information.


2018 ◽  
Vol 25 (15) ◽  
pp. 1646-1652 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lars E Garnvik ◽  
Vegard Malmo ◽  
Imre Janszky ◽  
Ulrik Wisløff ◽  
Jan P Loennechen ◽  
...  

Background Atrial fibrillation is the most common heart rhythm disorder, and high body mass index is a well-established risk factor for atrial fibrillation. The objective of this study was to examine the associations of physical activity and body mass index and risk of atrial fibrillation, and the modifying role of physical activity on the association between body mass index and atrial fibrillation. Design The design was a prospective cohort study. Methods This study followed 43,602 men and women from the HUNT3 study in 2006–2008 until first atrial fibrillation diagnosis or end of follow-up in 2015. Atrial fibrillation diagnoses were collected from hospital registers and validated by medical doctors. Cox proportional hazard regression analysis was performed to assess the association between physical activity, body mass index and atrial fibrillation. Results During a mean follow-up of 8.1 years (352,770 person-years), 1459 cases of atrial fibrillation were detected (4.1 events per 1000 person-years). Increasing levels of physical activity were associated with gradually lower risk of atrial fibrillation ( p trend 0.069). Overweight and obesity were associated with an 18% (hazard ratio 1.18, 95% confidence interval 1.03–1.35) and 59% (hazard ratio 1.59, 95% confidence interval 1.37–1.84) increased risk of atrial fibrillation, respectively. High levels of physical activity attenuated some of the higher atrial fibrillation risk in obese individuals (hazard ratio 1.53, 95% confidence interval 1.03–2.28 in active and 1.96, 95% confidence interval 1.44–2.67 in inactive) compared to normal weight active individuals. Conclusion Overweight and obesity were associated with increased risk of atrial fibrillation. Physical activity offsets some, but not all, atrial fibrillation risk associated with obesity.


Author(s):  
Jose Andonegui ◽  
Aitor Eguzkiza ◽  
Mikel Auzmendi ◽  
Luis Serrano ◽  
Ane Zurutuza ◽  
...  

e-Ophthalmology is the use of information and telecommunications technologies to provide or support a group of activities related to ophthalmic care. Chronic glaucoma is an ocular disease characterized by optic neuropathy that leads to progressive loss of the visual fields and often is associated with elevated intraocular pressure levels. Glaucoma is an important public health problem because it is one of the main causes of blindness worldwide and generates an important demand for ophthalmologic consultations. The aim of this chapter is to discuss the application e-Ophthalmology-based models in the diagnosis and follow-up of chronic glaucoma. The authors describe the current status of the use of e-Ophthalmology-based models in the screening and follow-up of chronic glaucoma, the main advantages of these models, the technologic requirements for their implementation, and future trends in this field.


2020 ◽  
Vol 35 (Supplement_2) ◽  
pp. ii18-ii22 ◽  
Author(s):  
Francesca Mallamaci ◽  
Anna Pisano ◽  
Giovanni Tripepi

Abstract It is well known from observational studies that sedentary lifestyle and reduced physical activity are common in dialysis and chronic kidney disease (CKD) patients and associate with an increased risk of morbidity and mortality in this patient population. Epidemiological studies indicate that CKD patients undergo physical activity ~9 days/month and 43.9% of dialysis patients report not exercising at all. On the basis of awareness about the strong link between sedentary lifestyle and adverse clinical outcomes, the National Kidney Foundation and Kidney Disease: Improving Global Outcomes have provided specific recommendations for physical activity in patients with kidney disease. Given the fact that CKD is a public health problem and it is still debated which type of exercise should be prescribed in these patients, this review focuses on the most robust evidence accumulated so far on the beneficial effect of various types of physical exercise on clinical outcomes in CKD and dialysis patients. This review does not treat this very important topic in another CKD category of patients, such as kidney-transplanted patients, for whom a special issue should be dedicated.


2013 ◽  
Vol 3 (2) ◽  
pp. 99-108
Author(s):  
Md. Shahjamal Khan

Diabetes mellitus is a public health problem in both developed and developing countries and has increased alarmingly, giving the disease the dimension of an epidemic. The aetiology of diabetes is multifactorial involving genetic, environmental, and behavioural origins. Exercise is an important part for the management of diabetes mellitus. Regularly planned exercise reduces insulin resistance, improves glucose tolerance, improves lipid profile and increases cardiovascular and cardiopulmonary function. This article critically reviews the more relevant evidence on the interrelationships between exercise and diabetes mellitus. This study included bibliography research from both the review and the research literatures on exercise in diabetes mellitus. From this review it appears that the effects of aerobic exercise are well established, and interventions with more vigorous aerobic exercise programmes resulted in greater reductions in HbA1c, greater increase in oxygen consumption and greater increase in insulin sensitivity. Considering the available evidence, it appears that resistance training could be an effective intervention to help glycaemic control, especially considering that the effects of this form of intervention are comparable with what is reported with aerobic exercise. It is well established that physical activity produces general and specific health benefits for diabetic patients. The basic principles of an effective exercise programme are the intensity, duration and frequency of exercise in an appropriate environment. Usually, moderate-intensity and long-duration exercise programmes are considered most suitable for diabetic patients. As it is supported by published evidence, encouragement to adopt increased physical activity and reduction of sedentary behaviour is a successful public health approach for diabetes mellitus prevention and management. Journal of Enam Medical College; Vol 3 No 2 July 2013; Page 99-108 DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3329/jemc.v3i2.16133


2020 ◽  
pp. 174498712093296
Author(s):  
Lauren Orser ◽  
Patrick O'Byrne

Background In Ontario, provincial regulations stipulate that public health units must complete post-test counselling with all persons newly diagnosed with human immunodeficiency virus. Public health nurses conduct this follow-up and are responsible for ensuring appropriate surveillance and management of human immunodeficiency virus with the primary objective of reducing ongoing human immunodeficiency virus transmission in their health jurisdiction. To date, little research has explored the effectiveness of this mandatory public health counselling from the perspective of patients – the majority of whom are men who have sex with men. Aims To address gaps in public health nursing practice, a pilot study was conducted with men who have sex with men in Ottawa to explore their attitudes and experiences of receiving mandatory human immunodeficiency virus follow-up after their diagnosis. Methods Qualitative interviews were conducted and interpreted using thematic analysis. Results This analysis revealed a contrariety between the needs of individuals and of public health units, with patients' perceiving their personal wishes to be secondary to public health mandates – and led patients to simultaneously want to evade, and be assisted by, public health nurses. Conclusions Public health units and nurses should consider adopting a more patient-centered approach to HIV case management, which incorporates patients’ experiences of receiving an HIV diagnosis.


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