Prevalence of Physically Active and Sedentary Adolescents in 10 Eastern Mediterranean Countries and its Relation With Age, Sex, and Body Mass Index

2015 ◽  
Vol 12 (2) ◽  
pp. 257-265 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lyutha K. Al Subhi ◽  
Shekar Bose ◽  
Maraim F. Al Ani
Keyword(s):  
Physical Activity ◽  
Sedentary Behavior ◽  
United Arab Emirates ◽  
Cultural Context ◽  
Eastern Mediterranean ◽  
Linear Trend ◽  
Activity Patterns ◽  
Eastern Mediterranean Region ◽  
Physically Active ◽  
Mediterranean Countries

Background:A cross-country profile of physical activity and sedentary behavior is lacking within Eastern Mediterranean region (EMR) counties. The objectives were to examine prevalence of physical activity and sedentary behavior among adolescents of 10 EMR countries, and to describe potential differences in the 2 factors by sex, age, and BMI.Methods:A total of 23,562 adolescents were included from 10 EMR counties based on completeness of data (physical activity, sedentary behavior, age, sex, weight and height) from the Global school-based student health survey (GSHS).Results:Overall prevalence of physical activity (19%) is low and sedentary behavior is high (29%), with significant differences among counties. Oman had the highest (26%) and Egypt had the lowest (9%) prevalence of active students. Prevalence of sedentary behavior was the highest in United Arab Emirates (40%) and lowest in Pakistan (8%). Physical activity was lower and sedentary behavior was higher among female adolescents. A linear trend was observed between BMI and both physical activity and sedentary behavior; a similar pattern was seen with age.Conclusions:There is a need for interventions to increase the prevalence of adolescents meeting physical activity recommendations in the 10 countries. More investigation is required to understand the cultural context of sex and BMI influence on activity patterns.

Abstract P384: Overweight, Obesity and its Correlates among Adolescents: a Comparison of Eleven Countries in the Eastern Mediterranean Region

Circulation ◽  
2012 ◽  
Vol 125 (suppl_10) ◽  
Author(s):  
Christine S Autenrieth ◽  
Regina Guthold ◽  
Melanie J Cowan ◽  
Laura Kann ◽  
Faten Ben Abdelaziz ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Physical Activity ◽  
Risk Factors ◽  
Sedentary Behavior ◽  
United Arab Emirates ◽  
Mediterranean Region ◽  
Eastern Mediterranean ◽  
Eastern Mediterranean Region ◽  
Overweight And Obesity ◽  
Activity Levels ◽  
Physical Activity Levels

Background: Overweight and obesity, physical inactivity, and sedentary behavior are important risk factors for chronic diseases; however, for the youth in countries of the Eastern Mediterranean Region (EMR), comparable prevalence data are lacking. Methods: We used data from nationally representative samples of 34,410 13-15 year old schoolchildren who participated in the Global School-based Student Health Survey (Djibouti, Egypt, Jordan, Lebanon, Libyan Arab Jamahiriya, Morocco, Oman, Pakistan, Tunisia, United Arab Emirates, and Yemen). Data on height, weight, physical activity levels, and sedentary behavior were collected from 2005-2009 in these eleven EMR countries and sex- and country-specific prevalence rates were calculated. Results: The prevalence of overweight and obese youth ranged from 6.5% in Pakistan (boys: 5.1%, girls: 8.7%) to 37.6% in the United Arab Emirates (boys: 39.2%, girls: 36.1%), whereas underweight was highest in Yemen (20.8%; boys: 25.4%, girls: 13.0%) and lowest in Egypt (4.0%; boys: 4.7%, girls: 3.2%). Six of the eleven countries had an overweight and obese rate higher than 20%. The combined risk factors of overweight, insufficient amount of physical activity (< 5 days of at least 60 minutes per week), and sedentary behavior (≥ 3 hours of sitting activities per day) ranged from 0.5% in Pakistan to 12.3% in the United Arab Emirates. Conclusion: These data suggest that prevalence of overweight schoolchildren is high in EMR countries. In addition, physical activity levels were below recommendation guidelines in most of the surveyed countries. Efforts to prevent these unfortunate trends should be taken on regional and national levels.

scholarly journals Physical Activity Patterns of Women with a Twin Pregnancy—A Cross-Sectional Study

2021 ◽  
Vol 18 (15) ◽  
pp. 7724
Author(s):  
Katarzyna Kwiatkowska ◽  
Katarzyna Kosińska-Kaczyńska ◽  
Izabela Walasik ◽  
Agnieszka Osińska ◽  
Iwona Szymusik
Keyword(s):  
Physical Activity ◽  
Pregnant Women ◽  
Twin Pregnancy ◽  
Activity Patterns ◽  
Multiple Pregnancy ◽  
Cross Sectional Study ◽  
Sources Of Information ◽  
Sectional Study ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Physically Active

Background: No specific physical activity guidelines are available for women in multiple pregnancy. Aim of the study was to assess the knowledge and experience of women regarding physical activity during their latest twin pregnancy. Methods: A cross-sectional study including women after a twin delivery was conducted in Poland. A questionnaire was distributed in 2018 via web pages and Facebook groups designed for pregnant women. Results: 652 women filled out the questionnaire completely. Only 25% of women performed any physical exercises during twin gestation. The frequency of preterm delivery was similar in physically active and non-active participants. 35% of the respondents claimed to have gained information on proper activity from obstetricians during antenatal counselling while 11% claimed to be unable to identify the reliable sources of information. 7% of women admitted to feel discriminated by social opinion on exercising during a twin pregnancy. Conclusions: The population of women with a twin gestation is not sufficiently physically active and is often discouraged from performing exercises during gestation. Therefore, it is crucial to inform obstetricians to recommend active lifestyle during a twin gestation and to provide reliable information on physical activity to pregnant women. Further research on this topic is necessary in order for obstetric providers to counsel women on appropriate exercise with a twin pregnancy.

scholarly journals Physical Activity, Sedentary Behavior, and Cardiorespiratory Fitness in Hazardous and Non-Hazardous Alcohol Consumers

2021 ◽  
pp. 089011712098583
Author(s):  
Mats Hallgren ◽  
Davy Vancampfort ◽  
Thi-Thuy-Dung Nguyen ◽  
Elin Ekblom-Bak ◽  
Peter Wallin ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Physical Activity ◽  
Sedentary Behavior ◽  
Cardiorespiratory Fitness ◽  
Leisure Time ◽  
Health Assessment ◽  
Cross Sectional Study ◽  
Cycle Ergometer ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Physically Active ◽  
Alcohol Abstainers

Purpose: To describe physical activity habits, sedentary behavior, and cardiorespiratory fitness levels among alcohol abstainers, hazardous and non-hazardous drinkers. Design: Cross-sectional study with data collected between 2017-19. Setting: Sweden. Subjects: Adults aged 18-65 years (n = 47,559; 59.4% male). Measures: During a routine health assessment, participants answered validated single-item questions regarding: habitual physical activity, structured exercise, and the percentage of time spent sedentary during leisure-time (past 30 days), and completed a 6-minute cycle ergometer test (V02max) to determine cardiorespiratory fitness (CRF). Participants were categorized as alcohol abstainers, non-hazardous drinkers or hazardous drinkers (low/high) based on the Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test (AUDIT-C) cut-points for men and women. Analysis: Logistic regression models stratified by sex and age. Results: Compared to non-hazardous drinkers, the heaviest drinkers were less physically active (males: OR = 1.38, CI = 1.13-1.67, p = .001; females: OR = 1.41, CI = 1.01-1.97, p = .040) and more sedentary during leisure time (males: OR = 1.94, CI = 1.62-2.32, p = .000; females: OR = 1.62, CI = 1.21-2.16, p = .001). Apart from young females, the heaviest drinkers also did less structured exercise than non-hazardous drinkers (males: OR = 1.22, CI = 1.15-1.51, p = .000; females: OR = 1.43, CI = 1.15-1.78, p = .001). The strongest associations were seen among adults aged 40-65 years (shown here). High-hazardous drinking was associated with low CRF among older males only (OR = 1.19, CI = 1.00-1.41). Conclusion: Middle-aged adults with AUDIT-C scores of ≥6 (women) and ≥7 (men) were less physically active and more sedentary during leisure time and may be appropriate targets for physical activity interventions.

Associations of Sleep With Sedentary Behavior and Physical Activity Patterns Across Pregnancy Trimesters

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kara M. Whitaker ◽  
Dong Zhang ◽  
Christopher E. Kline ◽  
Janet Catov ◽  
Bethany Barone Gibbs
Keyword(s):  
Physical Activity ◽  
Sedentary Behavior ◽  
Activity Patterns ◽  
Physical Activity Patterns

scholarly journals Own-price and cross-price elasticities of demand for cigarettes and waterpipe tobacco in three Eastern Mediterranean countries: a volumetric choice experiment

2021 ◽  
pp. tobaccocontrol-2021-056616
Author(s):  
Ali Chalak ◽  
Rima Nakkash ◽  
Niveen M E Abu-Rmeileh ◽  
Yousef S Khader ◽  
Mohammed Jawad ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Choice Experiment ◽  
Mediterranean Region ◽  
Eastern Mediterranean ◽  
Eastern Mediterranean Region ◽  
Tobacco Consumption ◽  
Evidence Base ◽  
Demand Elasticity ◽  
Tobacco Products ◽  
Price Elasticities ◽  
Mediterranean Countries

BackgroundWaterpipe tobacco smoking rates in the Eastern Mediterranean region are among the highest worldwide, yet little evidence exists on its economics. Estimates of demand elasticities for tobacco products are largely limited to cigarettes. This study aimed to estimate own-price and cross-price elasticities of demand for cigarettes and waterpipe tobacco products in Lebanon, Jordan and Palestine.MethodsA volumetric choice experiment was conducted using nationally representative household surveys. The choice experiment elicited respondents’ stated purchases of eight cigarette and waterpipe tobacco product varieties by hypothetically varying prices. Data were analysed using zero-inflated Poisson models that yielded demand elasticity estimates of cigarette and waterpipe tobacco consumption.ResultsThe study included 1680 participants in Lebanon (50% female), 1925 in Jordan (44.6% female) and 1679 in Palestine (50% female). We found the demand for premium cigarettes to be price elastic (range, −1.0 to −1.2) across all three countries, whereas the demand for discount cigarettes was less elastic than premium cigarettes in Lebanon (−0.6) and Jordan (−0.7) and more elastic in Palestine (−1.2). The demand for premium waterpipe tobacco was highly elastic in Lebanon (−1.9), moderately elastic in Jordan (−0.6) and inelastic in Palestine (0.2). The cross-price elasticity between cigarettes and waterpipe tobacco was near zero, suggesting that the two products are not considered to be close substitutes by consumers.ConclusionsThese results serve as a strong evidence base for developing and implementing fiscal policies for tobacco control in the Eastern Mediterranean region that address cigarettes and waterpipe tobacco products.

Effectiveness of Secondary School Conceptual Physical Education: A 20-Year Longitudinal Study

2018 ◽  
Vol 15 (12) ◽  
pp. 927-932 ◽  
Author(s):  
Pamela H. Kulinna ◽  
Charles B. Corbin ◽  
Hyeonho Yu
Keyword(s):  
Physical Activity ◽  
High School ◽  
Physical Education ◽  
Activity Patterns ◽  
High School Graduation ◽  
National Sample ◽  
Moderate Physical Activity ◽  
Physically Active ◽  
Comparison Groups ◽  
School Graduation

Background: Previous research findings from Project Active Teen demonstrated the effectiveness of high school conceptual physical education (CPE) in promoting active lifestyles. Method: This study followed Project Active Teen participants 20 years after graduation from high school and 24 years after taking a CPE class. Physical activity behaviors were assessed using the same procedures as previous Project Active Teen studies. Activity patterns were compared with patterns while in high school and shortly after high school graduation. Activity patterns were also compared with a national sample of age-equivalent adults. Results: Twenty years after high school graduation, former CPE students were less likely to be inactive and more likely to be moderately active than when in high school and were less likely to be inactive and more likely to be moderately active than national sample age-equivalent peers. They were typically not more vigorously physically active than comparison groups. Conclusion: Results support the long-term effectiveness of CPE in reducing inactive behavior and promoting moderate physical activity later in life.

Does exercise-induced bronchoconstriction affect physical activity patterns in asthmatic children?

2019 ◽  
Vol 24 (4) ◽  
pp. 577-588 ◽  
Author(s):  
MR van der Kamp ◽  
BJ Thio ◽  
M Tabak ◽  
HJ Hermens ◽  
JMM Driessen ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Physical Activity ◽  
Pilot Study ◽  
Childhood Asthma ◽  
Daily Life ◽  
Activity Patterns ◽  
Physically Active ◽  
Asthmatic Children ◽  
Activity Tracker ◽  
Exercise Induced ◽  
Severe Type

Exercise-induced bronchoconstriction (EIB) is a sign of uncontrolled childhood asthma and classically occurs after exercise. Recent research shows that EIB frequently starts during exercise, called breakthrough-EIB (BT-EIB). It is unknown whether this more severe type of EIB forces children to adapt their physical activity (PA) pattern in daily life. Therefore, this pilot study aims to investigate daily life PA (amount, intensity, duration, and distribution) in children with BT-EIB, ‘classic’ EIB, and without EIB. A Fitbit Zip activity tracker was used for one week to objectively measure daily life PA at one-minute intervals. Thirty asthmatic children participated. Children with BT-EIB were less physically active compared to children without EIB (respectively 7994 and 11,444 steps/day, p = .02). Children with BT-EIB showed less moderate-to-vigorous PA compared to the children without (respectively 117 and 170 minutes/day, p = .02). Children with EIB (both BT and classic) had significant shorter bouts of activity and a less stretched distribution of bout lengths compared to the non-EIB group (all p < .05). These results emphasize a marked association between EIB severity and PA patterns in daily life, stressing the need for a thorough clinical evaluation of exercise-induced symptoms in childhood asthma.

scholarly journals A Scoping Review of Digital Tools to Reduce Sedentary Behavior or Increase Physical Activity in Knowledge Workers

2020 ◽  
Vol 17 (2) ◽  
pp. 499 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ida Damen ◽  
Hans Brombacher ◽  
Carine Lallemand ◽  
Rens Brankaert ◽  
Aarnout Brombacher ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Physical Activity ◽  
Sedentary Behavior ◽  
Digital Library ◽  
Scoping Review ◽  
Knowledge Workers ◽  
Physically Active ◽  
Computing Machinery ◽  
Common Strategy ◽  
The Common ◽  
Office Environments

Background: There is increasing interest in the role that technology can play in improving the vitality of knowledge workers. A promising and widely adopted strategy to attain this goal is to reduce sedentary behavior (SB) and increase physical activity (PA). In this paper, we review the state-of-the-art SB and PA interventions using technology in the office environment. By scoping the existing landscape, we identified current gaps and underexplored possibilities. We discuss opportunities for future development and research on SB and PA interventions using technology. Methods: A systematic search was conducted in the Association for Computing Machinery digital library, the interdisciplinary library Scopus, and the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers Xplore Digital Library to locate peer-reviewed scientific articles detailing SB and PA technology interventions in office environments between 2009 and 2019. Results: The initial search identified 1130 articles, of which 45 studies were included in the analysis. Our scoping review focused on the technologies supporting the interventions, which were coded using a grounded approach. Conclusion: Our findings showed that current SB and PA interventions using technology provide limited possibilities for physically active ways of working as opposed to the common strategy of prompting breaks. Interventions are also often offered as additional systems or services, rather than integrated into existing office infrastructures. With this work, we have mapped different types of interventions and provide an increased understanding of the opportunities for future multidisciplinary development and research of technologies to address sedentary behavior and physical activity in the office context.

scholarly journals A Structured and Flexible Language for Physical Activity Assessment and Characterization

2013 ◽  
Vol 2013 ◽  
pp. 1-9 ◽  
Author(s):  
Pedro Silva ◽  
Maria Teresa Andrade ◽  
Pedro Carvalho ◽  
Jorge Mota
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Physical Activity ◽  
Sedentary Behavior ◽  
Activity Patterns ◽  
Public Health Research ◽  
Cognitive Limitations ◽  
Public Health Professionals ◽  
Activity Assessment ◽  
Base Language ◽  
Flexible Base

Developing more accurate assessments of physical activity (PA) and sedentary behavior (SB) is an important public health research priority. Assessing PA and SB is challenging in all segments of the population, but it is especially difficult in children due to cognitive limitations and more sporadic and intermittent activity patterns. Moreover, they are influenced by several factors including temporal-spatial constraints and social conditions. To accurately assess PA and SB, it is essential to clearly define methods for describing all these factors. The goal of this paper is to potentiate advances in the field by proposing a base ontology for characterizing physical activity, sedentary behavior, and the context in which it occurs. The ontology would establish a flexible base language to facilitate standardized descriptions of these behaviors for researchers and public health professionals.

scholarly journals Accelerometer-Measured Physical Activity and Sedentary Behavior Patterns in Taiwanese Adolescents

2019 ◽  
Vol 16 (22) ◽  
pp. 4392 ◽  
Author(s):  
Wen-Yi Wang ◽  
Yu-Ling Hsieh ◽  
Ming-Chun Hsueh ◽  
Yang Liu ◽  
Yung Liao
Keyword(s):  
Physical Activity ◽  
Sedentary Behavior ◽  
Sedentary Time ◽  
Vigorous Physical Activity ◽  
Activity Patterns ◽  
After School ◽  
Behavior Patterns ◽  
Activity Levels ◽  
School Time ◽  
Sedentary Bouts

Levels of physical activity and sedentary behavior among adolescents seem to vary within different settings, but few Asian studies have compared physical activity and sedentary activity patterns in adolescents across weekdays/weekends and during-school time/after-school time. This study aimed to provide objectively measured data describing intensity-specific physical activity and sedentary behavior patterns in Taiwanese adolescents. The results were sorted by gender and divided between weekdays/weekends and during-school time/after-school time. A total of 470 Taiwanese students (49.6% boys, ages 12–15 y) were recruited and fitted with GT3X+ accelerometers for seven days. Intensity-specific physical activity, total sedentary time, and sedentary bouts (number and duration ≥30 min) were measured. The Mann-Whitney U test was used to examine the significant differences in physical activity and sedentary behavior patterns between the genders on weekdays/weekends and during school/after-school time. The results show that the adolescents’ overall activity levels were below recommended thresholds, with girls engaging in significantly less moderate to vigorous physical activity, having longer sedentary time, longer time spent in sedentary bouts, and more frequent sedentary bouts than boys. Similar results were observed in physical activities of each intensity as well as sedentary behavior variables, both on weekdays/weekends and during-school/after-school periods. These findings emphasize the importance of developing and implementing approaches to increase moderate to vigorous physical activity, as well as decrease prolonged sedentary time and long sedentary bouts, especially for Taiwanese girls.

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