Prevalence of Physical Activity Among Lebanese Adults: A Cross-Sectional Study

2009 ◽  
Vol 6 (3) ◽  
pp. 315-320 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mohamad Al-Tannir ◽  
Samer Kobrosly ◽  
Taha Itani ◽  
Mariam El-Rajab ◽  
Sawsan Tannir

Background:This survey aims to assess the prevalence of physical activity among adult Lebanese, and to report the relationship between sociodemographic variables and physical activity behavior, highlighting the correlates discouraging people to carry out physical activity.Methods:A cross-sectional study using an anonymous self-reported questionnaire was conducted on 346 adults from four Lebanese districts. Demographic characteristics, physical activity, smoking status, alcohol consumption, and medical history were obtained.Results:Prevalence of physical activity among Lebanese adults was 55.5% (192/346). Age, BMI, marital status, medical history, occupation, educational level, and smoking were significantly associated with physical activity (P < .05). Inactive obese participants were about three times more likely to report hypertension and diabetes than inactive normal weight participants (P = .013). BMI was significantly higher among inactive participants (P = .014).Conclusion:Physical activity among Lebanese adults was comparable to other populations. Married, non–office workers, and smokers were the main correlates of physical inactivity in Lebanese adulthood.

Author(s):  
Kathleen B. Watson ◽  
Geoffrey P. Whitfield ◽  
George Huntzicker ◽  
John D. Omura ◽  
Emily Ussery ◽  
...  

Abstract Background Physical activity (PA) provides numerous health benefits relevant to the COVID-19 pandemic. However, concerns exist that PA levels may have decreased during the pandemic thus exacerbating health disparities. This study aims to determine changes in and locations for PA and reasons for decreased PA during the pandemic. Methods Reported percentage of changes in and locations for PA and reasons for decreased PA were examined in 3829 US adults who completed the 2020 SummerStyles survey. Results Overall, 30% reported less PA, and 50% reported no change or no activity during the pandemic; percentages varied across subgroups. Adults who were non-Hispanic Black (Black) or Hispanic (vs. non-Hispanic White, (White)) reported less PA. Fewer Black adults (vs. White) reported doing most PA in their neighborhood. Concern about exposure to the virus (39%) was the most common reason adults were less active. Conclusions In June 2020, nearly one-third of US adults reported decreased PA; 20% reported increased PA. Decreased activity was higher among Black and Hispanic compared to White adults; these two groups have experienced disproportionate COVID-19 impacts. Continued efforts are needed to ensure everyone has access to supports that allow them to participate in PA while still following guidance to prevent COVID-19 transmission.


2021 ◽  
Vol 10 (2) ◽  
pp. 46-60
Author(s):  
María Cristina Enríquez-Reyna ◽  
Oswaldo Ceballos Gurrola ◽  
Rosa Elena Medina Rodríguez ◽  
Armando Cocca ◽  
Oddete Moreno Muciño

El objetivo del estudio fue determinar las características de la conducta de actividad física realizada al inicio de la fase 3 de contingencia epidemiológica por COVID-19 en personas mayores de 18 años. Se presenta una investigación cuantitativa, comparativa y transversal. Participaron 2116 profesionistas afiliados en asociaciones de Educación Física y Deporte de Norteamérica, Centro y Sudamérica. Los resultados muestran que los principales motivos para realizar ejercicio fueron la condición física (32.5%), el disfrute o gusto (27.8%) y la apariencia física (16.3%). Más de uno de cada cinco reportó no tener tiempo para realizar ejercicio. Existen diferencias por región y sexo para la realización de actividad física durante el aislamiento social (p < .05). Pese a que las personas reconocen los beneficios del ejercicio para la salud, la salud no es considerada dentro de las principales motivaciones para su realización. The objective of the study was to determine the characteristics of the physical activity behavior carried out at the beginning of phase 3 of the epidemiological contingency due to COVID-19 in people over 18 years of age. It is presented a quantitative comparative and cross-sectional study. Two thousand one hundred sixteen professionals affiliated with Physical Education and Sports associations in North, Central and South America participated. In this sample, the main reasons for exercising were physical condition (32.5%), enjoyment (27.8%) and physical appearance (16.3%). More than one in five reported not having time to exercise. There were differences by region and sex for the performance of physical activity during social isolation (p < .05). Even though people recognize the benefits of exercise for health, health is not considered among the main motivations for its performance.


2021 ◽  
Vol 2021 ◽  
pp. 1-7
Author(s):  
Andrea Maugeri ◽  
Martina Barchitta ◽  
Roberta Magnano San Lio ◽  
Giuliana Favara ◽  
Claudia La Mastra ◽  
...  

Uncovering the relationship between body mass index (BMI) and DNA methylation could be useful to understand molecular mechanisms underpinning the effects of obesity. Here, we presented a cross-sectional study, aiming to evaluate the association of BMI and obesity with long interspersed nuclear elements (LINE-1) methylation, among 488 women from Catania, Italy. LINE-1 methylation was assessed in leukocyte DNA by pyrosequencing. We found a negative association between BMI and LINE-1 methylation level in both the unadjusted and adjusted linear regression models. Accordingly, obese women exhibited lower LINE-1 methylation level than their normal weight counterpart. This association was confirmed after adjusting for the effect of age, educational level, employment status, marital status, parity, menopause, and smoking status. Our findings were in line with previous evidence and encouraged further research to investigate the potential role of DNA methylation markers in the management of obesity.


Nutrients ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 12 (4) ◽  
pp. 1041 ◽  
Author(s):  
Pilar Pérez-Ros ◽  
Rafael Vila-Candel ◽  
Lourdes López-Hernández ◽  
Francisco Miguel Martínez-Arnau

Objective: This study aims to assess the relationship that frailty has with nutritional status and functional risk factors in community-dwelling older adults. Methods: Cross-sectional study in community-dwelling older people, independent for walking and without impaired cognition. Frailty was assessed by Fried criteria. Nutritional status was analyzed by the Mini Nutritional Assessment Short Form (MNA-SF), biochemical markers (albumin, total proteins, cholesterol, lymphocytes, and hemoglobin); and anthropometric parameters (body mass index [BMI], body fat percentage, handgrip, and perimeters). A comprehensive geriatric assessment analyzed other risk factors: functionality, cognition, falls, comorbidity, polypharmacy, physical activity, and quality of life (QoL). Results: We included 564 elderly people with a mean age of 76.05 (standard deviation 3.97) years; 63.1% (n = 356) were women, and 83.9% (n = 473) were prefrail, and frail. The sample presented high functionality and a nutritional status with a predominance of overweight and obesity. Factors associated with frailty (R2 = 0.43) were age over 75 years (odds ratio [OR] 3.31, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.76, 6.21; p < 0.001), female gender (OR 2.37, 95% CI 1.24, 4.52; p = 0.009), anemia (OR 2.45, 95% CI 1.19, 5.02; p = 0.015), falls (OR 1.94, 95% CI 1.12, 3.25; p = 0.016) and the fear of falling (OR 4.01: 95% CI 1.76, 9.16; p = 0.001). Performing more than 3 weekly hours of physical activity was found to be a protective factor (OR 0.23, 95% CI 0.15, 0.35; p < 0.001). Conclusions: The relationship between frailty and malnutrition in functionally independent community-dwelling older people is unclear. More studies are needed to know what nutritional markers are related to frailty, cognition, and functionality in order to discriminate the risk factors for community-dwelling older people at risk of malnutrition and dependency.


2011 ◽  
Vol 8 (5) ◽  
pp. 626-635 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yoojin Suh ◽  
Madeline Weikert ◽  
Deirdre Dlugonski ◽  
Brian Sandroff ◽  
Robert W. Motl

Background:Persons with multiple sclerosis (MS) are often physically inactive and sedentary. This observation has prompted the search for modifiable variables derived from established theories that act as correlates of physical activity. Such variables would presumably represent targets for interventions designed to promote change in physical activity behavior among persons with MS. The current study examined social cognitive variables as correlates of physical activity in persons with MS.Methods:Persons (N = 218) with relapsing-remitting MS completed a questionnaire battery that assessed physical activity behavior; self-efficacy for physical activity; physical, social, and self-evaluative outcome expectations for exercise, functional limitations as an impediment for physical activity, and exercise goal-setting. The battery was delivered and returned through the US postal service. Data were analyzed using covariance modeling in Mplus 3.0.Results:Self-efficacy had indirect effects on physical activity via impediments (path coefficient = .10, P < .005), self-evaluative outcome expectations (path coefficient = .07, P < .025), and goal-setting (path coefficient = .09, P < .01). The model explained 40% of variance in self-reported physical activity.Conclusions:This cross-sectional study suggests that self-efficacy is indirectly associated with physical activity by way of goals, self-evaluative outcome expectations, and impediments in persons with relapsing-remitting MS.


Author(s):  
Neha Chaudhary ◽  
Shradha Mishra ◽  
Manish Kumar ◽  
Yamini Sharma ◽  
Shamshad Ahmad

Introduction: Inspite of the fact that the medical students have a greater awareness about a healthy lifestyle; their academic stress to perform well may poorly affect their pattern of physical activity and thus, compromise their overall health. Aim: To assess the level of physical activity among undergraduate medical students studying in various institutions across the state of Bihar and to evaluate the Metabolic Equivalent Task (MET) score so as to measure the intensity of physical activity performed by the participants. Materials and Methods: This was a cross-sectional study conducted among the undergraduate students, studying in different medical colleges across Bihar, India. An Online Google Form was created using a short version of the International Physical Activity Questionnaire (IPAQ). The collected data was analysed using Stata (Version 13) software. Results were presented as frequencies, mean and standard deviation. Chi-square test was applied to test for significant association at 0.05 level of significance. To identify the predictors of physical activity, multiple logistic regression analysis of the data was done. Results: A total of 1200 students participated in the study. Among these, 64.3% were males and 35.7% were females. More than half of the participants (57.6%) were aged <21 years. Majority of the participants (67.7%) had normal weight followed by overweight/obese (22.8%). Approximately, half of the participants (54.4%) reported availability of gym in their campus and only 26.7% of the participants were following regular routine of physical exercise. Maximum students under the study were residing in the hostel (89.4%); who were reaching college mainly by walking (74.8%), {OR=17.5 (12.9-23.5)}. On multivariate analysis; Body Mass Index (BMI), age, having an availability of gym in the campus and following a regular routine of physical exercise were found to be significant predictors of physical activity. Conclusion: In present study, the majority were sufficiently physically active. However, the low physical activity was observed among the overweight/obese participants is a distressing fact which may reflect the need to integrate the physical education electives in the curriculum


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