The impact of the Luton social prescribing programme on energy expenditure: a quantitative before-and-after study

ObjectivesThe objective of this study was to assess the change in energy expenditure levels of service users after participation in the Luton social prescribing programme.DesignUncontrolled before-and-after study.SettingThis study was set in the East of England (Luton).ParticipantsService users with complete covariate information and baseline measurements (n=146) were included in the analysis.InterventionSocial prescribing, which is an initiative that aims to link patients in primary care with sources of support within the community sector to improve their health, well-being and care experience. Service users were referred to 12 sessions (free of charge), usually provided by third sector organisations.Primary outcome measureEnergy expenditure measured as metabolic equivalent (MET) minutes per week.ResultsUsing a Bayesian zero-inflated negative binomial model to account for a large number of observed zeros in the data, 95% posterior intervals show that energy expenditure from all levels of physical activities increased post intervention (walking 41.7% (40.31%, 43.11%); moderate 5.0% (2.94%, 7.09%); vigorous 107.3% (98.19%, 116.20%) and total 56.3% (54.77%, 57.69%)). The probability of engaging in physical activity post intervention increased, in three of four MET physical activity levels, for those individuals who were inactive at the start of the programme. Age has a negative effect on energy expenditure from any physical activity level. Similarly, working status has a negative effect on energy expenditure in all but one MET physical activity level. No consistent pattern was observed across physical activity levels in the association between gender and energy expenditure.ConclusionThis study shows that social prescribing may have the potential to increase the physical activity levels of service users and promote the uptake of physical activity in inactive patient groups. Results of this study can inform future research in the field, which could be of use for commissioners and policy makers.

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Placement of Outdoor Exercise Equipment and Physical Activity: A Quasi-Experimental Study in Two Parks in Southern California

International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health ◽

10.3390/ijerph17072605 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 17 (7) ◽

pp. 2605

Author(s):

Mojgan Sami ◽

Megan Smith ◽

Oladele A. Ogunseitan

Keyword(s):

Physical Activity ◽

Orange County ◽

Activity Levels ◽

Post Intervention ◽

Physical Activity Levels ◽

Before And After ◽

Intensity Physical Activity ◽

Control And Prevention ◽

Quasi Experimental ◽

Exercise Equipment

To reduce the burden of chronic disease, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) funded the Orange County Partnerships to Improve Health (OC-PICH) project in Orange County, California. One of the strategies included adding outdoor exercise equipment (OEE) in two parks in Garden Grove and Anaheim. Using a quasi-experimental pre-post design, we evaluated park users’ physical activity levels before and after OEE installation using the System for Observing Play and Recreation in Communities (SOPARC). The OEE was installed along a walking path in Edison Park (Anaheim) and grouped within a single area (a “fitness zone”) in Garden Grove Park. In both parks, there were significantly greater odds of high-intensity physical activity overall after the installation—19% higher odds in Anaheim, and 23% higher odds in Garden Grove. However, the fitness zone area in Garden Grove had substantially higher odds of increased physical activity post-intervention (OR = 5.29, CI: 3.76–7.44, p < 0.001). While the increases in physical activity levels are consistent with past studies that link OEE to higher levels of physical activity among park users, our findings also suggest that the location and placement of equipment within a park may be an important factor to consider when improving park amenities for physical activity.

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Physical Activity Level and Energy Expenditure of Clinical Physiotherapists and Physiotherapy Educators in Selected Tertiary Health and Educational Institutions in South-West Nigeria

HIGHER SCHOOL’S PULSE ◽

10.5604/01.3001.0013.4551 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 13 (2) ◽

pp. 1-9

Author(s):

AYODEJI A. Fabunmi

Keyword(s):

Physical Activity ◽

Energy Expenditure ◽

Physical Activity Level ◽

Negative Relationship ◽

Activity Level ◽

Activity Levels ◽

Pearson Product Moment Correlation ◽

Significant Difference ◽

Physical Activity Levels ◽

The Mean

Background: Physiotherapists are trained in the use of physical activity for health promotion, and therefore are expected to be physically active themselves. Aim of the Study: This study determined the physical activity level and energy expenditure of clinical physiotherapists and physiotherapy educators. Materials and Methods: The research design is cross-sectional survey. Sixty participants were selected using the consecutive sampling technique. A pedometer (Omron) was used to measure the number of steps taken by the participants, the distance covered, and the overall energy expenditure. The number of steps was used to classify the participants’ physical activity levels. The data obtained were analysed using descriptive statistics and frequency, percentages and chi-square inferential statistics, Pearson product-moment correlation, Spearman’s rank correlation, independent t-tests and Mann-Whitney U tests. The alpha level was set at 0.05. Results: The mean age and BMI of all participants were 36.81±7.86 years and 26.16±4.46kg/m2 respectively. The average number of steps taken per day was 8002±3411 and the mean energy expenditure was 248.26±182.92kcal. This study revealed that 21.3% of the participants were sedentary, 27.7% were ‘low active’, 27.7% were moderately active, 10.6% were active and 12.8% were highly active. The Pearson product-moment correlation coefficient showed a significant negative relationship between the number of steps and age (r = -0.292 p= 0.047) and a significant positive relationship between the number of steps and energy expenditure (r = 0.325; p = 0.026), respectively. There was a significant inverse relationship between the number of steps, the energy expenditure and the age of the participants. There was no significant difference in the number of steps per day, PAL and energy expenditure between clinical physiotherapists and physiotherapy educators. Conclusion: Physiotherapists should improve their physical activity levels, as most of them (76.7%) were classified in the low activity level category.

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Evaluation of pharmacy-led weight management service to minimise the risk of cardiovascular disease

Journal of Pharmaceutical Policy and Practice ◽

10.1186/s40545-021-00338-3 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 14 (1) ◽

Author(s):

Aliki Peletidi ◽

Reem Kayyali

Keyword(s):

Physical Activity ◽

Weight Management ◽

Activity Levels ◽

Management Service ◽

Initial Weight ◽

Public Health Services ◽

Clinical Role ◽

Physical Activity Levels ◽

Before And After ◽

The Mean

Abstract Aims The primary aim of the programme was a minimum of a 5% weight reduction of the initial weight, while the secondary outcomes were a reduction in participants’ body mass index (BMI), waist circumference (WC), blood pressure (BP), AUDIT-C score and an increase in the Mediterranean diet (MD) score and an improvement in physical activity levels. Methods This 'before and after' study was a 10-week weight management (WM) programme and it was developed and delivered in community pharmacies in Patras chosen for convenience, thus consisting the first service of its type in Greece. The sample size was calculated (n = 96) based on the mean BMI for a Greek male and female individual, and the standard deviation (SD) of weight at baseline of 14 kg. Results Nearly every participant enrolled in the 20 participating pharmacies, 97.4% (n = 114/117), achieved the programme’s aim, losing at least 5% of their initial weight. The mean percentage of total weight loss of the 117 participants at the 10th week was 8.97% (SD 2.65), and the t-test showed statistically significant results (P-value < 0.001; 95% CI [8.48, 9.45]). A significant reduction in the waist-to-height ratio (WHtR) was observed in both male (P-value = 0.004) and female (P-value < 0.001) participants. The participants’ BP and AUDIT-C score and physical activity levels significantly improved (P-value < 0.001), as well as their MD score. Conclusion This study provides the first evidence that Greek pharmacists have the potential to play an important role within primary healthcare and that after training they are able to provide public health services for both the public’s benefit and their clinical role enhancement.

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Choroidal Thickness and Volume Modifications Induced by Aerobic Exercise in Healthy Young Adults

Ophthalmic Research ◽

10.1159/000511201 ◽

2020 ◽

Author(s):

Gema Insa-Sánchez ◽

Lorena Fuentes-Broto ◽

Alberto Cobos ◽

Elvira Orduna Hospital ◽

Francisco Segura ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Physical Activity ◽

Young Adults ◽

Physical Exercise ◽

Choroidal Thickness ◽

Activity Level ◽

Enhanced Depth Imaging ◽

Activity Levels ◽

Imaging Protocol ◽

Post Exercise ◽

Physical Activity Levels

Introduction: Our aim was to evaluate the changes in choroidal thickness (CT) and volume (CV) following aerobic physical exercise in healthy young adults. Methods: This study included 72 eyes from healthy volunteers between 22 and 37 years old. Using the International Physical Activity Questionnaire, total physical activity was computed. Measurements using an autorefractometer, ocular biometry, and spectral-domain optical coherence tomography using the Enhanced Depth Imaging protocol were taken. OCT was performed as a baseline measurement and after performing 10 min of dynamic physical exercise (3 and 10 min post-exercise). The choroidal layer was manually segmented, and the CT and CV in different areas from the Early Treatment Diabetic Retinopathy Study grid were obtained. Results: In healthy adults, at 3 min post-exercise, CT was higher in the subfoveal, the 3-mm nasal, and the 6-mm superior areas. Between 3 and 10 min post-exercise, the CT was reduced in all areas, and in some areas, the values were even smaller than the baseline measurements. The CV values showed changes after exercise similar to those of thickness. The total CV recovery after exercise was related to sex and physical activity level. Conclusion: Individuals with higher physical activity habits had greater CV at rest than those with lower physical activity levels. During exercise, healthy young people adjust CT and CV. At 3 min post-exercise, CT and CV increase. Women and individuals with greater physical activity levels reduce their total CV more than others during recovery.

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Reduced level of physical activity during COVID-19 pandemic is associated with depression and anxiety levels: an internet-based survey

BMC Public Health ◽

10.1186/s12889-021-10470-z ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 21 (1) ◽

Author(s):

Paulo José Puccinelli ◽

Taline Santos da Costa ◽

Aldo Seffrin ◽

Claudio Andre Barbosa de Lira ◽

Rodrigo Luiz Vancini ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Physical Activity ◽

Mood Disorders ◽

Physical Activity Level ◽

Negative Impact ◽

Mood State ◽

Activity Level ◽

Activity Levels ◽

Depression And Anxiety ◽

Social Distancing ◽

Physical Activity Levels

Abstract Background The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has resulted in a strong negative impact on economic and social life worldwide. It has also negatively influenced people’s general health and quality of life. The aim of the present study was to study the impact of social distancing on physical activity level, and the association between mood state (depression and anxiety level) or sex with actual physical activity levels, the change in physical activity caused by social distancing period, the adhesion level to social distancing, the adoption time of social distancing, family income and age. Methods A self-administered questionnaire with personal, quarantine, physical activity, and mood state disorders information’s was answered by 2140 Brazilians of both sex who were recruited through online advertising. Results The physical activity level adopted during the period of social distancing (3.5 ± 0.8) was lower than that the adopted prior to the pandemic period (2.9 ± 1.1, p < 0.001). Thirty percent of the participants presented symptoms of moderate/severe depression and 23.3% displayed moderate/severe anxiety symptoms. A greater presence of symptoms related to anxiety and depression were associated with low physical activity levels, low family monthly income, and younger age. A higher percentage of men who had no mood disorders was observed among those who were very active than among those less active. Conclusion The COVID-19 pandemic has a negative impact on physical activity. Those who reduced their level of physical activity had the highest levels of mood disorders. Therefore, physical activity programs should be encouraged, while respecting the necessary social distancing to prevent the spread of Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2.

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

10.1101/2021.09.30.21264372 ◽

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.

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Una unidad didáctica intermitente de acondicionamiento físico solo mejora los niveles de capacidad cardiorrespiratoria de los estudiantes con un perfil no saludable de condición física (An intermittent physical fitness teaching unit only improves cardior

Retos ◽

10.47197/retos.v38i38.73605 ◽

2019 ◽

pp. 8-15

Author(s):

Santiago Guijarro-Romero ◽

Daniel Mayorga-Vega ◽

Carolina Casado-Robles ◽

Jesús Viciana

Keyword(s):

Physical Activity ◽

Physical Education ◽

Physical Fitness ◽

Cardiorespiratory Fitness ◽

Control Group ◽

Activity Levels ◽

Physical Activity Levels ◽

Before And After ◽

Teaching Unit ◽

Experimental Group

El objetivo del presente estudio fue comparar el efecto de una unidad didáctica intermitente de acondicionamiento físico en Educación Física sobre los niveles de actividad física y capacidad cardiorrespiratoria entre estudiantes con un perfil saludable/no saludable de capacidad cardiorrespiratoria. Ochenta estudiantes de 2º-3º curso de Educación Secundaria fueron asignados aleatoriamente al grupo control y grupo experimental. El grupo experimental, dividido en perfiles saludable/no saludable, realizó una unidad didáctica intermitente de acondicionamiento físico para mejorar la capacidad cardiorrespiratoria. El grupo control trabajó un contenido diferente durante el mismo tiempo y con la misma frecuencia, pero sin hacer hincapié en la mejora de la capacidad cardiorrespiratoria. Antes y después de la intervención, la capacidad cardiorrespiratoria se evaluó objetivamente mediante el test de ida y vuelta de 20 metros. Los niveles de actividad física fueron medidos objetivamente a través de un pulsómetro durante las clases de Educación Física. Ambos perfiles tuvieron mayores niveles de actividad física durante las clases de Educación Física que el grupo control (p < .001). Sin embargo, solo los estudiantes con un perfil no saludable mejoraron significativamente sus niveles de capacidad cardiorrespiratoria tras la unidad didáctica (p < .01). Aunque una unidad didáctica intermitente de acondicionamiento físico parece tener un efecto similar en los niveles de actividad física de todos los perfiles de capacidad cardiorrespiratoria de los estudiantes, solo mejora la capacidad cardiorrespiratoria de los estudiantes con un perfil no saludable. Abstract. The purpose of the present study was to compare the effect of a Physical Education-based physical fitness intermittent teaching unit on physical activity levels and cardiorespiratory fitness among students with healthy/unhealthy cardiorespiratory fitness profile. Eighty students from 2º-3º grades of Secondary Education were randomly assigned to the control group and experimental group. The experimental group, divided into healthy/unhealthy profiles, performed a physical fitness intermittent teaching unit to improve the cardiorespiratory fitness. The control group worked a different content during the same time and with the same frequency, but without emphasizing cardiorespiratory fitness improvement. Before and after the teaching unit, students’ cardiorespiratory fitness was objectively measured by the 20-meter shuttle run test. Participants’ physical activity levels were measured objectively using a heart rate monitor during Physical Education lessons. Students from both profiles had higher physical activity levels during Physical Education lessons than the control group (p < .001). However, only students with an unhealthy cardiorespiratory fitness profile statistically improved their cardiorespiratory fitness levels after the teaching unit (p < .01). Although an intermittent physical fitness teaching unit seems to have similar effect on physical activity levels of students from all cardiorespiratory fitness profiles, it only improves the cardiorespiratory fitness of those with an unhealthy one.

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Do physical activity levels differ by number of children at home in women aged 25–44 in the general population?

Women s Health ◽

10.1177/1745506519871186 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 15 ◽

pp. 174550651987118 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Laura P Abell ◽

Kelly A Tanase ◽

Madison L Gilmore ◽

Anna E Winnicki ◽

Victor L Holmes ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Physical Activity ◽

Confidence Interval ◽

Odds Ratio ◽

Adjusted Odds Ratio ◽

Activity Level ◽

Activity Levels ◽

Related Factors ◽

Number Of Children ◽

Physical Activity Levels ◽

At Home

Objectives: While physical activity is important for health, many women do not meet recommended levels, particularly mothers. The purpose of this study was to assess whether physical activity levels differ by number of children at home in women aged 25–44 in the general US population. Methods: This cross-sectional analysis used 2017 Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System data for females aged 25–44 (N = 6266) from California, Colorado, New York, Texas, and Utah. Ordered logistic regression analysis assessed the relationship between physical activity levels and number of children at home while controlling for state and demographic, socioeconomic, and health-related factors. Results: About half of participants reported “inactive” or “insufficiently active” physical activity levels and about two-thirds reported having one or more children at home. The results of adjusted analysis indicated that physical activity level was significantly related to having one child (adjusted odds ratio = 0.75, 95% confidence interval = 0.63, 0.89), two children (adjusted odds ratio = 0.79; 95% confidence interval = 0.67, 0.93), and three or more children (adjusted odds ratio = 0.80, 95% confidence interval = 0.67, 0.94) at home. Conclusion: Overall, physical activity levels were significantly related to presence of children at home for women aged 25–44, but increasing number of children at home did not impact effect size. For women aged 25–44 in a primary care setting, a moderate prevalence of inactive or insufficiently active physical activity may be expected. Providers should address physical activity with all patients in this target population during well-visits, but particularly for women with children at home; educate patients about the health benefits of regular physical activity; and provide resources that will help them integrate physical activity into their daily lifestyles.

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Pedometer-determined physical activity among primary schoolchildren in Kuala Lumpur

Proceedings of Singapore Healthcare ◽

10.1177/2010105818823784 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 28 (2) ◽

pp. 115-123

Author(s):

Bee Suan Wee ◽

Awang Bulgiba ◽

Abd. Talib Ruzita ◽

Mohd. Noor Ismail ◽

Bee Koon Poh

Keyword(s):

Physical Activity ◽

Primary School ◽

Sociodemographic Factors ◽

Activity Level ◽

Activity Levels ◽

Kuala Lumpur ◽

Daily Step ◽

Step Counts ◽

Primary Schoolchildren ◽

Physical Activity Levels

Objective: The aim of this study was to objectively measure physical activity and its association with sociodemographic factors among Malaysian primary school-age children. Methods: A total of 111 primary school children in Kuala Lumpur were selected through random sampling. Activity pattern was determined using pedometers and differences by sex, ethnicity and body mass index categories were analysed. The relationship between pedometer-determined physical activity and sociodemographic factors were also studied. Results: Overall, boys attained significantly higher daily step counts than girls (9573 ± 4145 vs 7313 ± 2697). Significant difference in daily step counts between boys and girls were observed during weekdays ( p<0.01), weekends ( p<0.05) and total mean step counts ( p<0.01). Malay ethnicity showed higher daily step counts during weekdays than weekends ( p<0.05). Compared with boys, girls had higher odds (OR=5.58; 95% CI 1.12, 27.77) of not meeting the recommended daily step counts. Those who had low physical activity levels had higher odds (OR=15.75; 95% CI 1.78, 139.33) of not meeting recommended daily step counts than children who had moderate physical activity level. Conclusion: Boys were significantly more active than girls and physical activity was greater during weekdays than on weekends. The primary schoolchildren in Kuala Lumpur were sedentary, with minimum physical activity being observed. Differences in sexes and physical activity levels influenced pedometer step counts in children.

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Caloric Intake and Energy Expenditures in India

The World Bank Economic Review ◽

10.1093/wber/lhaa018 ◽

2020 ◽

Author(s):

Shari Eli ◽

Nicholas Li

Keyword(s):

Physical Activity ◽

Energy Expenditure ◽

Total Energy ◽

Caloric Intake ◽

Total Energy Expenditure ◽

Activity Levels ◽

Significant Drop ◽

Energy Expenditures ◽

Food And Nutrition ◽

Physical Activity Levels

Abstract Total energy expenditures for the Indian population between 1983 and 2012 are estimated to shed light on the debate concerning falling measured caloric intake during the period (A. Deaton and J. Drèze. 2009. “Food and Nutrition in India: Facts and Interpretations.” Economic and Political Weekly 44(7): 42–65). Anthropometric, time-use, and detailed employment surveys are used to estimate the separate components of total energy expenditure related to metabolism and physical activity levels. Despite a significant drop in adult physical activity levels, total energy expenditures are flat overall between 1983 and 2012. Rising metabolic requirements due to increases in weight dampened the effect of falling activity levels on total energy expenditure. In addition, the 10 percent decline in the population share of children in the period raised average total energy expenditures considerably as children have much lower metabolic requirements and activity levels than adults.

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