Development of physical activity and food built environment quality indicators for chronic diseases in Argentina

BackgroundPromotion of physical activity (PA) among populations is a global health investment. However, evidence on economic aspects of PA is sparse and scattered in low-income and middle-income countries (LMICs).ObjectiveThe objective of this study was to summarise the available evidence on economics of PA in LMICs, identify potential target variables for policy and report gaps in the existing economic evidence alongside research recommendations.Data sourcesA systematic review of the electronic databases (Scopus, Web of Science and SPORTDiscus) and grey literature.Study eligibility criteriaCost-of-illness studies, economic evaluations, interventions and descriptive studies on economic factors associated with PA using preset eligibility criteria.Study appraisal and synthesis of methodsScreening, study selection and quality appraisal based on standard checklists performed by two reviewers with consensus of a third reviewer. Descriptive synthesis of data was performed.ResultsThe majority of the studies were from upper-middle-income countries (n=16, 88.8%) and mainly from Brazil (n=9, 50%). Only one economic evaluation study was found. The focus of the reviewed literature spanned the economic burden of physical inactivity (n=4, 22%), relationship between PA and costs (n=6, 46%) and socioeconomic determinants of PA (n=7, 39%). The findings showed a considerable economic burden due to insufficient PA, with LMICs accounting for 75% of disability-adjusted life years (DALYs) globally due to insufficient PA. Socioeconomic correlates of PA were identified, and inverse relationship of PA with the cost of chronic diseases was established. Regular PA along with drug treatment as a treatment scheme for chronic diseases showed advantages with a cost–utility ratio of US$3.21/quality-adjusted life year (QALY) compared with the drug treatment-only group (US$3.92/QALY) by the only economic evaluation conducted in the LMIC, Brazil.LimitationsMeta-analysis was not performed due to heterogeneity of the studies.Conclusions and recommendationsEconomic evaluation studies for PA promotion interventions/strategies and local research from low-income countries are grossly inadequate. Setting economic research agenda in LMICs ought to be prioritised in those areas.PROSPERO registration numberCRD42018099856.

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The Importance of Pedestrian Network Connectivity for Adolescent Health: A Cross-sectional Examination of Associations between Neighbourhood Built Environments and Metabolic Health in the Pacific Islands Families Birth Cohort Study

International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health ◽

10.3390/ijerph16183375 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 16 (18) ◽

pp. 3375 ◽

Cited By ~ 2

Author(s):

Melody Smith ◽

Vlad Obolonkin ◽

Lindsay Plank ◽

Leon Iusitini ◽

Euan Forsyth ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Physical Activity ◽

Built Environment ◽

Pacific Islands ◽

International Diabetes Federation ◽

Network Connectivity ◽

Metabolic Health ◽

Mediating Effect ◽

Fat Free Mass ◽

Metabolic Risk ◽

Pedestrian Network

The research aim was to investigate associations between objectively-assessed built environment attributes and metabolic risk in adolescents of Pacific Islands ethnicity, and to consider the possible mediating effect of physical activity and sedentary time. Youth (n = 204) undertook a suite of physical assessments including body composition, blood sampling, and blood pressure measurements, and seven day accelerometry. Objective measures of the neighbourhood built environment were generated around individual addresses. Logistic regression and linear modelling were used to assess associations between environment measures and metabolic health, accounting for physical activity behaviours. Higher pedestrian connectivity was associated with an increase in the chance of having any International Diabetes Federation metabolic risk factors for males only. Pedestrian connectivity was related to fat free mass in males in unadjusted analyses only. This study provides evidence for the importance of pedestrian network connectivity for health in adolescent males. Future research is required to expand the limited evidence in neighbourhood environments and adolescent metabolic health.

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A Longitudinal Study of Objectively Measured Built Environment as Determinant of Physical Activity in Young Adults: The European Youth Heart Study

Journal of Physical Activity and Health ◽

10.1123/jpah.2014-0039 ◽

2015 ◽

Vol 12 (7) ◽

pp. 909-914 ◽

Cited By ~ 10

Author(s):

Jasper Schipperijn ◽

Mathias Ried-Larsen ◽

Merete S. Nielsen ◽

Anneli F. Holdt ◽

Anders Grøntved ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Physical Activity ◽

Young Adults ◽

Longitudinal Study ◽

Built Environment ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Environmental Indices ◽

Domain Specific ◽

Objectively Measured ◽

European Youth

Background:This longitudinal study aimed to examine if a Movability Index (MI), based on objectively measured built environment characteristics, was a determinant for objectively measured physical activity (PA) among young adults.Methods:Data collected from 177 persons participating in the Danish part of the European Youth Hearth Study (EYHS) was used to examine the effect of the built environment on PA. A MI was developed using objectively measured built environment characteristics, and included residential density, recreational facilities, daily destinations and street connectivity.Results:Results showed a positive cross-sectional association between MI and PA. PA decreased from baseline to follow-up. MI increased, primarily due to participants relocating to larger cities. An increase in MI from baseline to follow-up was associated with a reduced decrease in PA for females.Conclusions:Our findings suggest that the built environment is a determinant for PA, especially for females. The found gender differences might suggest the need to develop gender specific environmental indices in future studies. The validity of the measures can be further improved by creating domain specific PA measures as well as domain specific environmental indices and this can potentially reveal more specific built environment determinants for PA.

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Associations of the Neighborhood Built Environment With Physical Activity Across Pregnancy

Journal of Physical Activity and Health ◽

10.1123/jpah.2020-0510 ◽

2021 ◽

pp. 1-7

Author(s):

Kiarri N. Kershaw ◽

Derek J. Marsh ◽

Emma G. Crenshaw ◽

Rebecca B. McNeil ◽

Victoria L. Pemberton ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Physical Activity ◽

Built Environment ◽

Confidence Interval ◽

Leisure Time ◽

Leisure Time Physical Activity ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Relative Risks ◽

Recreation Areas ◽

General Populations ◽

Neighborhood Built Environment

Background: Several features of the neighborhood built environment have been shown to promote leisure-time physical activity (PA) in the general population, but few studies have examined its impact on PA during pregnancy. Methods: Data were extracted from 8362 Nulliparous Pregnancy Outcomes Study: Monitoring Mothers-to-Be cohort participants (2010–2013). Residential address information was linked to 3 built environment characteristics: number of gyms and recreation areas within a 3-km radius of residence and census block level walkability. Self-reported leisure-time PA was measured in each trimester and dichotomized as meeting PA guidelines or not. Relative risks for cross-sectional associations between neighborhood characteristics and meeting PA guidelines were estimated using Poisson regression. Results: More gyms and recreation areas were each associated with a greater chance of meeting PA guidelines in models adjusted for sociodemographic characteristics and preexisting conditions. Associations were strongest in the third trimester where each doubling in counts of gyms and recreation areas was associated with 10% (95% confidence interval, 1.07–1.13) and 8% (95% confidence interval, 1.03–1.12), respectively, greater likelihood of meeting PA guidelines. Associations were similar though weaker for walkability. Conclusions: Results from a large, multisite cohort suggest that these built environment characteristics have similar PA-promoting benefits in pregnant women as seen in more general populations.

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Nutrition for the Healthy Adult

10.2310/im.9015 ◽

2018 ◽

Author(s):

Marijane G. Staniec

Keyword(s):

Physical Activity ◽

Primary Care ◽

Weight Gain ◽

Chronic Diseases ◽

Health Care Providers ◽

Primary Care Providers ◽

Healthy Adults ◽

Dietary Guidelines ◽

Care Providers ◽

Added Sugars

Many of today’s healthy adults will be plagued by chronic diseases, such as obesity, hypertension, heart disease, and diabetes, and be robbed of the quality of life they desire. According to the 2015–2020 Dietary Guidelines for Americans, about half of all American adults have one or more diet-related chronic diseases. The question, “What should healthy adults eat to stay healthy?” may seem simple. However, many primary care providers feel vulnerable answering questions about nutrition. This review serves as a summary of the most up-to-date guidelines about added sugars, sodium, types of fat, and cholesterol for healthy adults and a refresher for health care providers caring for them. Other important related issues, such as the latest recommendations for physical activity, the problem of adult weight gain, the need for adiposity screening, the powerful role of the primary care provider, and suggestions nutrition-focused primary care, are discussed. This review contains 5 Figures, 5 Tables and 137 references Key words: weight gain, cholesterol, Dietary Guidelines, sugar-sweetened beverages, adiposity, added sugar, hydrogenated oils, physical activity, waist-to-height ratio, nutrition-focused, Primary Care

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