Reduced Physical Activity Levels Associated with Obesity in Rural Hispanic Adolescent Females

The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic resulted in physical isolation measures in many parts of the world. In Australia, nationwide restrictions included staying at home, unless seeking medical care, providing care, purchasing food, undertaking exercise, or attending work in an essential service. All undergraduate university classes transitioned to online, mostly home-based learning. We, therefore, examined the effect of isolation measures during the early phase of the COVID-19 pandemic in Australia (March/April) on diet (24-h recall) and physical activity (Active Australia Survey) patterns in third-year biomedical students. Findings were compared with students enrolled in the same course in the previous two years. In females, but not males, energy intake was ~20% greater during the pandemic, and snacking frequency and energy density of consumed snacks also increased compared with 2018 and 2019. Physical activity was impacted for both sexes during the pandemic with ~30% fewer students achieving “sufficient” levels of activity, defined by at least 150 min over at least five sessions, compared with the previous two years. In a follow-up study six to eight weeks later (14–18% response rate), during gradual easing of nationwide restrictions albeit continued gym closures and online learning, higher energy intake in females and reduced physical activity levels in both sexes persisted. These data demonstrate the health impacts of isolation measures, with the potential to affect long-term diet and activity behaviours.

Download Full-text

P069 Results of an online survey exploring the effects of shielding during the COVID-19 pandemic on patients with spondyloarthritis (SpA)

Rheumatology ◽

10.1093/rheumatology/keab247.067 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 60 (Supplement_1) ◽

Author(s):

Meena Naja ◽

Raj Amarnani ◽

Madhura Castelino

Keyword(s):

Physical Activity ◽

Online Survey ◽

Joint Stiffness ◽

Poor Sleep ◽

Activity Levels ◽

Physical Activity Levels ◽

Reduced Physical Activity ◽

Age Range ◽

Exercise Classes ◽

The Impact

Abstract Background/Aims The COVID-19 pandemic has created many challenges for patients with chronic rheumatological diseases. SpA - which includes ankylosing spondylitis (AS), axial spondyloarthritis (axSpA), psoriatic arthritis (PsA), and enteropathic arthritis - often affects young people who are otherwise fit and able. Many SpA patients take immunosuppressive medications and therefore were advised to shield. In view of this, we conducted a survey to better understand how shielding has affected the physical activity and symptoms of SpA patients during the pandemic. Methods An online anonymised survey was created and advertised via social media from 4th June to 4th July 2020. Patients with SpA were invited to complete the survey which included 18 questions exploring the impact of the pandemic on their symptoms, physical activity levels and medication use. Results There were 136 survey respondents, of whom 74.3% were female, with an age range from under 25 to over 75 years. The underlying diagnoses were PsA (60.5%), AS (28.4%), axSpA (10.5%) and enteropathic arthritis (0.8%). The majority (66.7%) of respondents were shielding; 44.1% were on disease modifying anti-rheumatic drugs (csDMARDs) and 56.6% were on biologics (bDMARDs). Most (94.1%) had continued their DMARDs throughout the shielding period. Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) use was reported to be increased in 18.6% of respondents, and unchanged in 69.0%. Compared to before the pandemic, 54.8% reported worsening joint stiffness and 45.6% reported worsening joint pain. Most respondents (67.6%) reported reduced levels of physical activity, the commonest reasons being: shielding (54.6%); increased fatigue (45.8%); concerns around social distancing (45.4%); poor sleep quality (38.6%); working from home (28.6%) and low mood (28.6%). Only 14.7% had attended a virtual exercise class. Conclusion Approximately 2 in 3 patients with SpA reported they were shielding during the first wave of the pandemic. Similar numbers of patients reported reduced physical activity levels and increased joint stiffness over this time. It is important to acknowledge that given the nature of the anonymised survey, we cannot be certain if the same patients who were shielding were the same as those who had reduced levels of physical activity or worsening symptoms. We have, however, shown that over half of the surveyed patients attributed their reduced physical activity levels to shielding. Taking into account that social restrictions (either self-imposed or government advised) are likely to be ongoing, we believe that a focus should be placed on supporting patients to maintain their activity levels, through initiatives such as specialist virtual exercise classes. Disclosure M. Naja: None. R. Amarnani: None. M. Castelino: None.

Download Full-text

Psychological Well-Being, Self-Reported Physical Activity Levels, and Attitudes to Physical Activity in a Sample of New Zealand Adolescent Females

Psychology ◽

10.4236/psych.2012.36063 ◽

2012 ◽

Vol 03 (06) ◽

pp. 447-453 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Daniel Shepherd ◽

Chris Krägeloh ◽

Clare Ryan ◽

Grant Schofield

Keyword(s):

Physical Activity ◽

New Zealand ◽

Well Being ◽

Adolescent Females ◽

Activity Levels ◽

Psychological Well Being ◽

Physical Activity Levels

Download Full-text

Reduced Physical Activity Levels in Children after a First Episode of Acute Venous Thromboembolism

The Journal of Pediatrics ◽

10.1016/j.jpeds.2019.12.062 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 219 ◽

pp. 229-235.e2

Author(s):

Ayesha Zia ◽

Zhuo Yang ◽

Song Zhang ◽

Tony Babb

Keyword(s):

Physical Activity ◽

Venous Thromboembolism ◽

First Episode ◽

Activity Levels ◽

Physical Activity Levels ◽

Reduced Physical Activity ◽

Acute Venous Thromboembolism

Download Full-text

How Did the COVID-19 Confinement Period Affect Our Physical Activity Level and Sedentary Behaviors? Methodology and First Results From the French National ONAPS Survey

Journal of Physical Activity and Health ◽

10.1123/jpah.2020-0449 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 18 (3) ◽

pp. 296-303 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Pauline Manon Genin ◽

Céline Lambert ◽

Benjamin Larras ◽

Bruno Pereira ◽

Jean-François Toussaint ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Physical Activity ◽

Activity Level ◽

Sitting Time ◽

Expert Committee ◽

Activity Levels ◽

Sedentary Behaviors ◽

Close Collaboration ◽

Physical Activity Levels ◽

First Results ◽

Reduced Physical Activity

Background: The French National Observatory for Physical Activity and Sedentary Behaviors conducted a national survey aiming to evaluate the potential effects of confinement on the population’s physical activity levels and sedentary behaviors. Methods: In close collaboration with the French Ministry of Sports and a selected expert committee, 3 different questionnaires investigating 3 subgroup populations were included in the survey: (1) children, (2) adolescents, and (3) adults. Results: Forty-two percentage of children, 58.7% of adolescents, 36.4% of adults, and 39.2% of older people had reduced physical activity levels. Particularly, active transportation and endurance practices showed a significant decrease, while domestic, muscular strengthening, and flexibility activities increased. Sitting time and screen time increased, respectively, in 36.3% and 62.0% of children, 25.5% and 69.0% in adolescents, 24.6% and 41.0% in adults, and 36.1% and 32.1% in seniors. Conclusion: The COVID-19 confinement period led to important modifications in individual movement behaviors at all ages, particularly favoring decreased physical activity and increased sedentariness. These findings suggest that the authors need to inform and encourage people to maintain and improve their physical activities and to change their sedentary time habits during postconfinement and during the period of a potential future lockdown.

Download Full-text