scholarly journals Impact of school closures on the health and well-being of primary school children in Wales UK; a routine data linkage study using the HAPPEN survey (2018-2020)

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Michaela James ◽  
Emily Marchant ◽  
Margaret A. Defeyter ◽  
Jayne V. Woodside ◽  
Sinead Brophy
Keyword(s):  
Physical Activity ◽  
Physical Health ◽  
Sleep Time ◽  
Activity Levels ◽  
School Closures ◽  
Health And Wellbeing ◽  
School Competence ◽  
Physical Activity Levels ◽  
The Impact ◽  
General Wellbeing

AbstractIntroductionIn response to the COVID-19 pandemic, school closures were implemented across the United Kingdom. This study aimed to explore the impact of school closures on children’s health by comparing health and wellbeing outcomes collected during school closures (April – June 2020) with data from the same period in 2019 and 2018.MethodsData were collected online via the ‘HAPPEN At Home’ survey, which captured the typical health behaviours of children aged 8 – 11 years between April - June 2020. These data were compared with data in 2018 and 2019 also collected between April-June, from HAPPEN. Free school meal (FSM) status was used as a proxy for socio-economic deprivation. Analyses were repeated stratifying by FSM.ResultsComparing responses between April – June in 2020 (n=1068), 2019 (n=1150) and 2018 (n=475), there were improvements in physical activity levels, sleep time, happiness and general wellbeing for children during school closures compared to previous years. However, children on FSM ate less fruit and vegetables (21% (95%CI (5.7% to 37%)) and had lower self-assessed school competence compared to 2019. Compared to those not on FSM they also spent less time doing physical activity (13.03% (95%CI: 3.3% to 21.7%) and consumed more takeaways (16.3% (95%CI: 2%-30%)) during school closures.ConclusionThis study suggests that schools play an important role in reducing inequalities in physical health. The physical health (e.g. physical activity and diet) of children eligible for FSM may be impacted by prolonged school closures.What is already known on this subject?In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, by mid-March 2020, 138 countries had implemented national school closures to reduce the number of social contacts between pupils, therefore interrupting the transmission of COVID-19 as part of pandemic plans. UNESCO warned that the global scale and speed of the educational disruption would be unparalleled. There is an ongoing debate with regard to the effectiveness of school’s closures on transmission rates, but the fact schools are closed for a long period of time could have detrimental impacts on pupil’s physical and mental health.This study provides evidence of any differences in the health and wellbeing of children prior to and during the COVID-19 enforced lockdown and school closures between March and June 2020. These findings could have a significant impact for the future and support schools to better understand their pupil’s physical, psychological, emotional and social health. It also contributes to a significant literature gap regarding the impact of school closures on school-aged children.What this study adds?Improvements in physical activity levels, sleep time, happiness and general wellbeing were observed in general for children during school closures compared to previous years. However, children on FSM reported eating less fruit and vegetables and had lower self-assessed school competence compared to 2019. Compared to those not on FSM they also spent less time doing physical activity and consumed more takeaways during school closures. These trends are not evident among children not on FSM. All children reported improvements in wellbeing during lockdown especially on the happiness with family measure.Overall, findings suggest schools help to reduce inequalities in physical health for socio-economically deprived children. During school closures children from deprived backgrounds are likely to have poorer physical health (e.g. less time spent doing physical activities and poorer diet) and this is not observed in children who are not in receipt of FSM. This research suggests that school closures will result in widening health inequalities and when schools return measures will need to be in place to readdress the widened gap in physical health.

The impact of sport and active recreation injuries on physical activity levels at 12 months post-injury

2012 ◽  
Vol 24 (2) ◽  
pp. 377-385 ◽  
Author(s):  
N. Andrew ◽  
R. Wolfe ◽  
P. Cameron ◽  
M. Richardson ◽  
R. Page ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Physical Activity ◽  
Activity Levels ◽  
Post Injury ◽  
Physical Activity Levels ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Active Recreation

scholarly journals Accelerometer-Measured Physical Activity and Its Impact on Sleep Quality in Persons Suffering From Restless Legs Syndrome

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Anne Reimers ◽  
Verena Heidenreich ◽  
Hans-Joachim Bittermann ◽  
Guido Knapp ◽  
Carl-Detlev Reimers
Keyword(s):  
Physical Activity ◽  
Sleep Quality ◽  
Negative Correlation ◽  
Restless Legs Syndrome ◽  
Quality Parameters ◽  
Moderate Physical Activity ◽  
Activity Levels ◽  
Restless Legs ◽  
Physical Activity Levels ◽  
The Impact

Abstract Background: Main symptoms of the restless legs syndrome (RLS) are sleep onset insomnia and difficulty to maintain sleep. Previous studies showed that regular physical activity can reduce the risk of developing RLS. However, the relationships of physical activity on sleep quality parameters in subjects suffering from RLS have not been investigated by applying accelerometry. Thus, the present study investigates the impact of physical activity during the day (7-12 h, 12-18 h, 18-23 h) on sleep quality in subject suffering from idiopathic RLS as well as their intensity and extent of physical activity by applying a real-time approach.Methods: In a sample of 47 participants suffering from idiopathic RLS, physical activity and sleep quality were captured over one week by using accelerometers. For data analysis physical activity levels and step counts during three periods of a day (morning, afternoon, evening) were correlated with sleep quality parameters of the following night.Results: In this observational study, significant correlations of physical activity with the sleep parameters were rarely confirmed (exception: negative correlation of steps in the morning with periodic leg movements in sleep and negative correlation of physical activity in the evening and total sleep period). However, the physical activity levels of the participants were unexpectedly high compared to population-level data and variance in physical activity was low. The average activity was 13,817 (SD=4,086) steps and 347 (SD=117) minutes of moderate physical activity per day in females and 10,636 (SD=3,748) steps and 269 (SD=69) minutes of moderate physical activity in males, respectively. However, the participants conducted no vigorous physical activity.Conclusions: To investigate the effects of daily physical activity and RLS symptoms interventional studies with different intensities of physical activities at different points of time during the day are needed.

scholarly journals Is the impact of adiposity on taste perceptions moderated by chronic physical activity? An overview of the data from NHANES 2013-2014.

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Alexandre-Charles Gauthier ◽  
Marie-Eve Mathieu
Keyword(s):  
Physical Activity ◽  
Body Fat ◽  
Activity Level ◽  
Body Fat Percentage ◽  
Activity Levels ◽  
Fat Percentage ◽  
Active Lifestyle ◽  
Physical Activity Levels ◽  
Tip Test ◽  
The Impact

Introduction Taste is a key sensory modulator of eating behaviour and thus energy intake. The effects of acute exercise has recently been confirmed especially regarding sweet and salty tastes. Physical activity is a safe and effective countermeasure to certain types of chemosensory losses, especially in older populations. Knowing that taste can be impaired with increased adiposity, it is unknown if the adoption of an active lifestyle on a regular basis can mitigate such impairments. Methods Data were extracted from NHANES 2013-2014 database. Perception of salt and bitter tastes for Tongue Tip Test and Whole Mouth Test, physical activity levels over an 8-9-day period and adiposity were analyzed. Moderation analyses were used to study the impact of adiposity on taste perceptions, with physical activity level as the moderator. Results The 197 participants (130 males) included in this project had a mean+/-standard deviation age of 49.1+/-5.2 years, a mean body fat percentage of 31.7+/-7.6% and mean daily physical activity levels of 11 084+/-3531 Monitor-Independent Movement Summary unit (MIMS). The positive association between adiposity and both bitter Tongue Tip Test and overall result (salt+bitter) of Tongue Tip Test were moderated by the adoption of an active lifestyle, with better taste scores observed in individuals achieving higher physical activity levels. When moderation analysis were stratified by gender, the effect of physical activity was no longer significant. Perspectives This study is the first to evaluate the influence of an active lifestyle on the preservation of some taste perceptions across a wide range of adiposity levels. While differences in taste can be observed regarding body fat percentage, physical activity moderates that relation only when men and women are analysed together.

scholarly journals Dietary education provision within a cardiac rehabilitation programme in the UK: a pilot study

2020 ◽  
Vol 15 (8) ◽  
pp. 1-12
Author(s):  
Chelsea E Moore ◽  
Costas Tsakirides ◽  
Zoe Rutherford ◽  
Michelle G Swainson ◽  
Karen M Birch ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Physical Activity ◽  
Cardiac Rehabilitation ◽  
Rehabilitation Programme ◽  
Habitual Physical Activity ◽  
Activity Levels ◽  
Nutrient Intakes ◽  
Cardiac Rehabilitation Programme ◽  
Physical Activity Levels ◽  
Dietary Education ◽  
The Impact

Background/aims The primary aim of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of two 30-minute dietary education sessions, within cardiac rehabilitation, as a means to optimise nutrient and energy intakes. A secondary aim was to evaluate patients' habitual physical activity levels. Methods Thirty patients (males: n=24, 61.8±11.2 years; females: n=6, 66.7±8.5 years) attended a 6-week early outpatient cardiac rehabilitation programme in the UK and received two 30-minute dietary education sessions emphasising Mediterranean diet principles. Energy intakes and nutrient intakes were measured through completion of 3-day food diaries in weeks one and six (before and after the dietary education sessions) to assess the impact of these sessions on nutrient intakes. At the same time-points, a sub-group (n=13) of patients had their physical activity levels assessed via accelerometery to assess the impact of the cardiac rehabilitation programme on physical activity. Results Estimated energy requirements at week one (1988±366 kcal d−1) were not matched by actual energy intakes (1785±561 kcal d−1) (P=0.047, d=−0.36). Energy intakes reduced to 1655±470 kcal d−1 at week six (P=0.66, d=−0.33) whereas estimated energy requirements increased as a function of increased activity (cardiac rehabilitation sessions). Nutrient intakes remained suboptimal, while no significant increases were observed in healthy fats and fibre, which are core elements of a Mediterranean diet. Statistically significant increases were not observed in physical activity; however, patients decreased sedentary time by 11±12% in week six compared with week one (P=0.009; d=−0.54). Conclusions The present study findings suggest that two 30-minute dietary education sessions did not positively influence energy intakes and nutrient intakes, while habitual physical activity levels were not significantly increased as a result of the cardiac rehabilitation programme. Future research should explore means of optimising nutrition and habitual physical activity within UK cardiac rehabilitation.

scholarly journals The impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the wellbeing of Irish Men’s Shed members

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Aisling McGrath ◽  
Niamh Murphy ◽  
Noel Richardson
Keyword(s):  
Physical Activity ◽  
Life Satisfaction ◽  
Rural Areas ◽  
Urban Areas ◽  
Health Promotion Program ◽  
Activity Levels ◽  
Health And Wellbeing ◽  
Self Rated Health ◽  
Increased Risk ◽  
The Impact

Summary COVID-19 disproportionately affects males especially those who are older and more socio-economically disadvantaged. This study assessed wellbeing outcomes among men’s shed members (Shedders) in Ireland at baseline (T1), 3 (T2), 6 (T3) and 12 months (T4) in response to a 10-week health promotion program ‘Sheds for Life’ (SFL). Two cohorts participated in SFL commencing in March and September 2019. This study compares the T3 findings from one cohort carried out during the COVID-19 pandemic [COVID cohort (n = 185)] with T3 findings from a comparator cohort [pre-COVID cohort (n = 195)], completed pre-COVID-19. Questionnaires assessing wellbeing [life satisfaction, mental health, loneliness, physical activity (PA), self-rated health and other lifestyle measures] were analyzed in both cohorts T1, T2 and T3. Self-rated Health and life satisfaction decreased in the COVID cohort at T3 (p < 0.001), while loneliness scores increased (p < 0.0005). Higher loneliness scores were correlated with lower health ratings, life satisfaction and PA during COVID-19 (p < 0.001). Days PA decreased in the COVID cluster at T3 from T2 (p < 0.01) with those in urban areas reporting lower activity levels than rural areas (p < 0.05). Those sufficiently active at baseline managed to maintain PA during COVID-19 while those not meeting guidelines were more likely to report decreases (p < 0.001). Shedders experiencing COVID-19 restrictions are at an increased risk of poorer wellbeing and increased levels of loneliness. Support and guidance are needed to safely encourage this cohort back into men’s sheds, settings that protect against loneliness and positively promote health and wellbeing. Lay summary The COVID-19 pandemic will have wide-reaching implications on wellbeing, particularly on those who are older and more vulnerable. Evidence also suggests that COVID-19 disproportionately affects males. This study aimed to understand the impact that COVID-19 has had on men in the setting of Men’s Sheds in Ireland. Two cohorts of men who were participating in a 10-week health and wellbeing program (Sheds for Life) at different stages were followed over time. At 6 months follow-up the first Cohort had not experienced COVID-19 whereas the second cohort was actively experiencing the COVID-19 pandemic. We measured wellbeing using questionnaires, comparing both groups of men for differences. We found that the men who were experiencing COVID-19 had lower self-rated health, physical activity and life satisfaction as well as higher rates of loneliness, with those who were more lonely reporting lower wellbeing scores. We also found that men in rural areas were more physically active during COVID-19 and that those were not active were more likely to become more inactive during COVID-19. This study suggests that support and guidance is needed to safely encourage this cohort back into Men’s Sheds, settings that protect against loneliness and positively promote health and wellbeing.

How Do Different Occupational Factors Influence Total, Occupational, and Leisure-Time Physical Activity?

2015 ◽  
Vol 12 (2) ◽  
pp. 200-207 ◽  
Author(s):  
Corneel Vandelanotte ◽  
Camille Short ◽  
Matthew Rockloff ◽  
Lee Di Millia ◽  
Kevin Ronan ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Physical Activity ◽  
Leisure Time ◽  
Leisure Time Physical Activity ◽  
Total Physical Activity ◽  
Activity Levels ◽  
Full Time ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Time Activity ◽  
Physical Activity Levels ◽  
The Impact

Background:A better understanding of how occupational indicators influence physical activity levels will aid the design of workplace interventions.Methods:Cross-sectional data were collected from 1194 participants through a telephone interview in Queensland, Australia. The IPAQ-long was used to measure physical activity. Multiple logistic regression was applied to examine associations.Results:Of participants, 77.9% were employed full-time, 32.3% had professional jobs, 35.7% were engaged in shift work, 39.5% had physically-demanding jobs, and 66.1% had high physical activity levels. Participants with a physicallydemanding job were less likely to have low total (OR = 0.25, 95% CI = 0.17 to 0.38) and occupational (OR = 0.17, 95% CI = 0.12 to 0.25) physical activity. Technical and trade workers were less likely to report low total physical activity (OR = 0.44, 95% CI = 0.20 to 0.97) compared with white-collar workers. Part-time (OR = 1.74, 95% CI = 1.15 to 2.64) and shift workers (OR = 1.86, 95% CI = 1.21 to 2.88) were more likely to report low leisure-time activity.Conclusions:Overall, the impact of different occupational indicators on physical activity was not strong. As expected, the greatest proportion of total physical activity was derived from occupational physical activity. No evidence was found for compensation effects whereby physically-demanding occupations lead to less leisure-time physical activity or vice versa. This study demonstrates that workplaces are important settings to intervene, and that there is scope to increase leisure-time physical activity irrespective of occupational background.

scholarly journals Impact of COVID-19 Pandemic on University Students' Physical Activity Levels: An Early Systematic Review

2021 ◽  
Vol 11 ◽  
Author(s):  
Alejandro López-Valenciano ◽  
David Suárez-Iglesias ◽  
Miguel A. Sanchez-Lastra ◽  
Carlos Ayán
Keyword(s):  
Physical Activity ◽  
Systematic Review ◽  
University Students ◽  
Vigorous Physical Activity ◽  
Risk Of Bias ◽  
Cochrane Library ◽  
Activity Levels ◽  
Physical Activity Levels ◽  
The Impact

Purpose: This systematic review aimed to analyze the impact that the COVID-19 lockdown had on the amount of physical activity performed by university students.Materials and Methods: A systematic electronic search for studies providing information regarding physical activity levels pre and during COVID-19 pandemic in university students was performed up to 20th October 2020 in the databases Cochrane Library, PubMed, SPORTDiscus, and Web of Science. The risk of bias of external validity quality of included studies was assessed by means of those the Newcastle-Ottawa Scale (NOS). The quality of the evidence for main outcomes was graded using the Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development and Evaluation (GRADE) approach.Results and Conclusions: A total of 10 studies were selected. Physical activity levels were assessed by means of questionnaires (10 studies) and accelerometer (1 study). Risk of bias was regarded as low and high in six and four investigations, respectively. The quality of evidence was downgraded to low. A significant reduction of physical activity levels were observed in 9 studies. Compared to pre-lockdown values, five studies showed a reduction of light/mild physical activity (walking) between 32.5 and 365.5%, while seven studies revealed a reduction of high/vigorous physical activity between 2.9 and 52.8%. Walking, moderate, vigorous, and total physical activity levels have been reduced during the COVID-19 pandemic confinements in university students of different countries. Despite of the reductions, those who met the current minimum PA recommendations before the lockdown generally met the recommendations also during the confinements.

scholarly journals Added Sugar and Solid Fruit Predict Blood Pressure in Older Adults (P18-030-19)

2019 ◽  
Vol 3 (Supplement_1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Safiyah Mansoori ◽  
Richard Suminski ◽  
Nicole Kushner ◽  
Cara Cicalo ◽  
Sheau Chai
Keyword(s):  
Physical Activity ◽  
Blood Pressure ◽  
Older Adults ◽  
Standard Deviation ◽  
Small Sample ◽  
Dietary Factors ◽  
Activity Levels ◽  
Added Sugar ◽  
Physical Activity Levels ◽  
The Impact

Abstract Objectives High blood pressure (BP) is a common health condition, especially among the aging population. Studies suggest that diet influences blood pressure. In this cross-sectional study, we investigated the association between dietary factors and BP in older adults. Methods One hundred twenty-eight participants (n = 57 males and n = 71 females) aged 65–80 were included in this study. Dietary data was collected through a validated food frequency questionnaire. Demographics, anthropometric measurements, socioeconomic factors, medication information, and physical activity levels were also collected. Multiple linear regressions were conducted to examine the associations between dietary factors including meats, vegetables, grains, fruits, dairy, fats, and added sugar and changes in blood pressure. Results There were no associations between dietary factors and systolic BP when both men and women were included in the model. However, solid fruit was associated with diastolic blood pressure (beta = −0.22, P = 0.039; 95% CI −7.9, −0.2) in both males and females, and every 0.71 cup increase in solid fruit consumption was predicted to decrease diastolic BP by 2.9 mmHg. When the model was split by sex, there was a significant association between intake of added sugar and systolic (β = 0.731, P < 0.001; 95% CI 1.8, 5.6) and diastolic (β = 0.537, P = 0.006; 95% CI 0.5, 2.8) BP in women after controlling for body mass index, physical activity levels, daily calorie intake, and BP medication use. Among all the dietary factors, a greater intake of added sugar had the most significant impact on BP in elderly females. The model predicted that a decrease of 1 standard deviation (4.6 teaspoons) of added sugar would result in a 0.731 standard deviation (17.0 mmHg) drop of systolic BP and a 0.537 standard deviation (7.6 mmHg) drop of diastolic BP. Study results could be limited by the small sample size. Conclusions Our findings support the dietary guidelines of limiting daily intake of added sugar to promote overall cardiovascular health. Future studies are needed to examine the impact of added sugar on vascular function. Funding Sources None.

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