scholarly journals Cross-sectional evidence of the cardiometabolic health benefits of urban liveability in Australia

2021 ◽  
Vol 1 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Carl Higgs ◽  
Koen Simons ◽  
Hannah Badland ◽  
Billie Giles-Corti

AbstractRecognition is increasing globally that urban planning interventions to improve neighbourhood liveability enable healthy sustainable lifestyles and assist in the prevention and management of chronic disease. We present the spatial urban liveability index (ULI) as a tool to inform localised interventions that would create healthier, more sustainable cities and examine its associations with cardiometabolic and wellbeing-related health outcomes. The ULI and associated indicators were calculated for Melbourne address points and spatially linked with health outcomes for participants from the 2014 Victorian Population Health Survey. Residing in higher liveability areas was found to be positively associated with a more physically active lifestyle and negatively associated with BMI—more so than for a comparable walkability index. Although walkable neighbourhoods underpin a liveable city, areas with diverse ‘community, culture and leisure’ destinations displayed strongest beneficial associations with cardiometabolic health outcomes, suggesting that access to diverse local destinations may encourage more active sustainable living.

2010 ◽  
Vol 90 (9) ◽  
pp. 1311-1322 ◽  
Author(s):  
Debra Shirley ◽  
Hidde P. van der Ploeg ◽  
Adrian E. Bauman

Background Physical inactivity is a major risk factor for chronic disease. Primary health care practitioners are well placed to promote a physically active lifestyle. The perceptions and practice of physical therapists on their role in physical activity promotion are not well known. Objective The objective of this study was to determine the knowledge, confidence, role perception, barriers, feasibility, and counseling practice of physical therapists and physical therapist students regarding the promotion of nontreatment physical activity for better health. Design A cross-sectional survey was conducted. Methods In 2008, 321 (54%) of a random sample of all physical therapists registered in New South Wales, Australia, responded to a survey on their knowledge, confidence, role perception, barriers, feasibility, and counseling practice with regard to promoting a physically active lifestyles to their patients. Physical therapist students (n=279) completed the same survey but without the questions on barriers and counseling practice. Results Physical therapists and physical therapist students consider that it is part of their role to give their patients nontreatment physical activity advice. Overall, they reported having adequate knowledge and skills to undertake this role. Incorporating advice into normal consultations is deemed the most feasible form of lifestyle physical activity promotion in physical therapist practice. Limitations The cross-sectional nature of this study makes it difficult to determine cause and effect relationships. Some selection bias may have occurred, as the physical therapists who completed the questionnaires may have been those most interested in physical activity promotion. Conclusions Physical therapist practice appears to be an excellent avenue for promoting a physically active lifestyle and could potentially play an important public health role.


2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Marcello Barbosa Otoni Gonçalves Guedes ◽  
Rodolpho Nunes Araújo ◽  
Lídia Reniê Fernandes da Silva ◽  
Diego Neves Araujo ◽  
Sanderson José Costa de Assis ◽  
...  

AbstractThis study estimated the biopsychosocial factors related to active physical behavior in the Brazilian population with and without chronic non-transmissible disease (NCD). Cross-sectional study of the National Health Survey (NHS) in Brazil, with 60,202 individuals in 2013. Participants were randomly selected by complex sampling. The outcome was physically active behavior measured by performing a minimum of 150 min of physical exercise per week. The independent variables were social and psychological characteristics, lifestyle and health. Cox regression was applied to estimate the prevalence ratio (PR). There are 29,666 (48.3%; 95% CI 47.0–50.0) participants reported having NCD. Not being a smoker or alcoholic, living in an urban area (PR = 1.44; CI95% 1.23–1.68/PR = 1.38; CI95% 1.08–1.75), having informal social support (PR = 1.26; CI95% 1.10–1.44/PR = 1.19; CI95% 1.05–1.34), A social class (PR = 0.43; CI95% 0.25–0.73/PR = 0.46; CI95% 0.26–0.80), high schooling (PR = 0.34; CI95% 0.23–0.51/PR = 0.33; CI95% 0.24–0.46) as well as paid work (PR = 0.87; CI95% 0.78–0.96/PR = 0.89; CI95% 0.79–0.99) are more associated with active lifestyle in both groups. However, only in the group without NCD, the male sex (PR = 1.42; CI95% 1.28–1.57), no having some disability (PR = 1.31; CI95% 1.03–1.66) and having private health insurance (PR = 1.26; CI95% 1.13–1.41) were more associated with active behavior, while in the group with NCD, being elderly (PR = 1.22; CI95% 1.05–1.42), not be white (PR = 0.85; CI95% 0.77–0.95) and not having restful sleep (PR = 1.23; CI95% 1.08–1.40) are associated with active lifestyle. People with and without NCD in Brazil have very close active behavior, however, some biopsychosocial factors such as: sex, age, lifestyle, socioeconomic level are unevenly associated with the active lifestyle in the groups. Thus, therapeutic or preventive proposals as well as public policies for health promotion must observe these distinctions when elaborating their actions.


2013 ◽  
Vol 27 (3) ◽  
pp. 143-151 ◽  
Author(s):  
Paul D. Loprinzi ◽  
Bradley J. Cardinal

Purpose. Examine whether nonbout physical activity (i.e., <10 minutes' duration of physical activity [PA]) demonstrates a stronger association with health outcomes than bout physical activity (i.e., ≥ 10 minutes' duration). Design. Cross-sectional study. Setting. NHANES 2003–2006. Subjects. A total of 6321 participants ranging in age from 18 to 85 years. Measures. Objectively measured PA was assessed using accelerometry. A variety of health outcomes (e.g., triglyceride levels) were objectively measured, including an assessment of metabolic syndrome. Analysis. Multivariate regression analyses examined the association between bouts and nonbouts on each of the biologic health outcomes. Additionally, differences in each of the biologic variables among those who met PA guidelines for both approaches were evaluated. Results. After adjustments, results were similar for both approaches. For example, the odds ratio (OR) for metabolic syndrome for nonbouts (OR, 1.89; p < .001) was similar to that for bouts (OR, 1.87; p = .002). With the exception of body mass index, similar values for the biologic variables were found between those meeting guidelines for the two PA approaches. Conclusion. Engaging in nonbouts, as opposed to bouts of PA, is just as strongly associated with several biologic health outcomes, suggesting that adults who perceive themselves as having little time to exercise may still be able to enhance their health by adopting an active lifestyle approach.


2019 ◽  
Vol 25 (3) ◽  
pp. 191-195
Author(s):  
Romilson Domingues Nascimento ◽  
Ariane Viana ◽  
Michelle Sartori ◽  
José Robertto Zaffalon Júnior ◽  
Danielle da Silva Dias ◽  
...  

ABSTRACT Introduction Regular physical exercise, or a more active lifestyle, are important to prevent cardiovascular diseases, reducing not only cardiovascular mortality but also promoting a reduction in the risk factors related to these diseases. Objective To assess the association between physical inactivity and heart rate variability (HRV) in adolescents. Methods This was a cross-sectional study of the Diagnostic Type with Level of Evidence II according to the Oxford table. One hundred and twenty-nine adolescents were evaluated, aged 15 and 17 years old, divided into four groups: male teenagers who were insufficiently active (IAM n = 28) or physically active (FAM n = 29), and female teenagers who were insufficiently active (IAF n = 42) or physically active (FAF n = 30). The level of physical activity was assessed by the IPAQ. The HRV was evaluated in the time and frequency domains. Results Reduced pulse interval variance was observed in the insufficiently active male or female groups (5089 ± 378 ms2 and 4335 ± 276 ms2 respectively) compared to the physically active groups (9106 ± 606 ms2 and 6182 ± 366 ms2 respectively). Moreover, the insufficiently active groups presented higher cardiac sympathetic/vagal balance values (0.81 ± 0.05 and 0.80 ± 0.05 respectively) compared to the physically active groups (0.63 ± 0.05 and 0.55 ± 0.05 respectively). Conclusion A physically active lifestyle was associated with better cardiovascular autonomic modulation in adolescents. Level of Evidence II; Diagnostic Studies - Investigating a Diagnostic Test.


Metabolites ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (11) ◽  
pp. 716
Author(s):  
Sanna Lensu ◽  
Satu Pekkala

Trillions of microbes inhabiting the gut modulate the metabolism of the host. Cross-sectional studies have reported associations between physical performance and the gut microbiota (GM). Physical activity seems to increase GM diversity and the abundance of certain health-beneficial microbes. We reviewed the evidence from longitudinal studies on the connection between physically active lifestyle or long-term exercise interventions and the GM. We made literature searches using databases of Web of Science and PubMed Medline to collect human studies showing or not the associations between the GM and exercise. Many controversies exist in the studies. However, the longitudinal studies show that frequently, medium-intensity endurance exercise has yielded most beneficial effects on the GM, but the results vary depending on the study population and exercise protocol. In addition, the literature shows that certain microbes own the potency to increase physical activity and performance. Generally, a physically active lifestyle and exercise associate with a “healthy” GM. However, in previously sedentary subjects, the exercise-induced improvements in the GM seem to disappear unless the active lifestyle is continued. Unfortunately, several studies are not controlled for the diet. Thus, in the future, more longitudinal studies on the GM and physical performance are needed, with detailed dietary information.


2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Marcello Guedes ◽  
Johnnatas Lopes ◽  
Lídia da Silva ◽  
Diego de Araújo ◽  
Sanderson de Assis ◽  
...  

Abstract Background:A study estimated the biopsychosocial factors related to active physical behavior in the Brazilian population with and without chronic non-transmissible disease (CNCD).Methodology: Cross-sectional study of the National Health Survey (NHS) in Brazil, with 60,202 individuals. The outcome was physically active behavior. The independent variables were social characteristics, lifestyle and health. Cox regression was applied to estimate the prevalence ratio (PR).Results: 29,666 (48.3%; 95% CI: 47.0–50.0) reported having CNCD. Not being a smoker or alcoholic, living in an urban area, having informal social support, you are in class A, high schooling as well as paid work are more associated with active lifestyle in both groups. However, in the group without CNCD, the female sex, having some disability and not having private health insurance were more associated with sedentary behavior, while in the group with CNCD, being elderly, white and not having restful sleep are associated with sedentary lifestyle.Conclusion: People with and without CNCD in Brazil have very close active behavior, however, some biopsychosocial factors such as: sex, age, lifestyle, socioeconomic level are unevenly associated with the active lifestyle in the groups. Thus, therapeutic or preventive proposals as well as public policies for health promotion must observe these distinctions when elaborating their actions.


2021 ◽  
Vol 10 (23) ◽  
pp. 5547
Author(s):  
María-Ángeles Pastor-Mira ◽  
Sofía López-Roig ◽  
Fermín Martínez-Zaragoza ◽  
Eva Toribio ◽  
Ainara Nardi-Rodríguez ◽  
...  

Being physically active has positive effects on fibromyalgia functioning. However, promoting an active lifestyle in these patients continues to be a relevant clinical challenge. Our aim was to test a motivational model to explain light (LPA) and moderate-vigorous physical activity (MVPA). A cross-sectional prospective study was conducted at a tertiary level of care. Participants completed sociodemographic, clinical, motivational (physical activity self-efficacy and goal preferences) and behavioral measures (activity avoidance). LPA and MVPA were measured with triaxial accelerometers, starting the same day of the aforementioned assessment. Out of 211 women, 183 completed this measure. Structural models were performed. Our results show that the best fit indices (CFI = 0.97, SRMR = 0.04) showed a model with direct influence of PA self-efficacy on MVPA (p < 0.01) and indirect influence on LPA (p < 0.001). LPA received the influence of PA self-efficacy mainly through activity avoidance (p < 0.01). Clinical variables did not have any effect on PA intensities. Thus, the motivational variables showed different paths to explain two PA intensities. Targeting PA self-efficacy in rehabilitation settings is needed to enhance both daily LPA and MVPA intensities.


Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document