scholarly journals Pharmaceutical workers’ perceptions of physical activity and healthy eating: a qualitative study

2021 ◽  
Vol 14 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Philippe Jean-Luc Gradidge ◽  
Catherine E. Draper ◽  
Daleen Casteleijn ◽  
António Palmeira
Keyword(s):  
Physical Activity ◽  
South African ◽  
Healthy Eating ◽  
African Countries ◽  
Behaviour Modification ◽  
The Public ◽  
High Prevalence ◽  
Insufficient Physical Activity ◽  
Public Health Message ◽  
Promotion Strategies

Abstract Objective The public health message ‘move for health’ is relevant given the high prevalence of insufficient physical activity, particularly in African countries. The call for behaviour modification including limiting unhealthy dietary patterns in these settings is therefore critical; however, there is limited knowledge on the adoption of health promotion strategies in the workplace. This study aimed to investigate workers’ perceptions of physical activity and healthy eating. Results Five focus groups were conducted with 28 participants employed in a South African pharmaceutical manufacturing company to explore perceptions of physical activity and healthy eating. Results showed that two categories emerged: physical activity and unhealthy behaviours. Participants recognised the importance of obtaining sufficient physical activity in various domains, however believed that contemporary lifestyle limited opportunities for movement. Likewise, participants viewed healthy eating as unrealistic due to financial constraints. There was however agreement that total physical activity time could be increased during recreational pursuits outside of vocational time and may include intermittent walking for travel. These findings are important for workplace interventions and provide a more robust understanding of workers’ perceptions of physical activity and healthy eating.

Companies convicted of economic crimes and their participation in government tender processes in South Africa: A comment on Namasthethu electrical (PTY) LTD v City of Cape Town and another (201/19) [2020] ZASCA 74 (29 JUNE 2020)

2021 ◽  
Vol 8 (1) ◽  
pp. 102-122
Author(s):  
Jamil Ddamulira Mujuzi
Keyword(s):  
South Africa ◽  
South African ◽  
Public Procurement ◽  
Cape Town ◽  
African Countries ◽  
The Public ◽  
South African Police Service ◽  
The Government ◽  
South African Police ◽  
Economic Crimes

In South Africa, persons or companies convicted of fraud or corruption or companies whose directors have been convicted are debarred from participating in bidding for government tenders. Although it is easy to establish whether or not a natural person has been convicted of an offence, because a certificate can be obtained from the South African Police Service to that effect, it is the opposite with juristic persons. This issue came up in the case of Namasthethu Electrical (Pty) Ltd v City of Cape Town and Another in which the appellant company was awarded a government tender although the company and its former director had been convicted of fraud and corruption. The purpose of this article is to analyse this judgment and show the challenges that the government is faced with when dealing with companies that have been convicted of offences that bid for government tenders. Because South Africa is in the process of enacting public procurement legislation, the Public Procurement Bill was published for comment in early 2020. One of the issues addressed in the Bill relates to debarring bidders who have been convicted of some offences from bidding for government tenders. Based on the facts of this case and legislation from other African countries, the author suggests ways in which the provisions of the Bill could be strengthened to address this issue.

scholarly journals Physical activity patterns in adults: prevalence and associated factors

2018 ◽  
Vol 26 (3) ◽  
pp. 270-277
Author(s):  
Nathalia Cristine Fraga ◽  
Nicoly Machado Maciel ◽  
Caio Vitor dos Santos Genebra ◽  
José Paulo Candido ◽  
Thiago Paulo Frascareli Bento ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Physical Activity ◽  
Associated Factors ◽  
Activity Patterns ◽  
Sitting Position ◽  
Tv Viewing ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Final Model ◽  
High Prevalence ◽  
Insufficient Physical Activity ◽  
Life Habits

Abstract Background Insufficient practice of physical activity associated with some factors related to life habits increase the risk of non-transmissible chronic diseases and reduce quality of life. Objective Identify the pattern of physical activity and associated factors in adults aged ≥20 years. Method A cross-sectional, population survey conducted with 600 individuals. Data on demographic, socioeconomic and behavioral aspects, work, and physical activities were collected through home interviews. Descriptive, bivariate and Poisson regression analyses were performed. Results Prevalence of insufficient physical activity was 35.0% (95% CI: 31.2-38.9). Zero to four years of schooling [PR=2.35; 95% CI: 1.07-5.15], working in sitting position [PR=1.52; 95% CI: 1.02-2.48], and number of days at the computer [PR=4.60; 95% CI: 2.38-14.28] remained in the final model for females, whereas 0-4 years [PR=2.30; 95% CI: 1.21-4.06] or 5-8 years [PR=3.70; 95% CI: 0.79-4.00] of schooling, working in sitting position [PR=2.22 95% CI: 1.36-3.62], number of days at the computer [PR=2.04; 95% CI: 1.26-3.32], and number of days of TV viewing [PR=2.12; 95% CI: 1.03-4.36] remained in the final model for males. Conclusion High prevalence of insufficient practice of physical activity is associated with schooling, working in sitting position, and number of days at the computer and TV viewing.

Do lifestyle choices influence the development of overweight and obesity in the South African Air Force?

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Carina Haasbroek ◽  
Ronette Lategan-Potgieter ◽  
Cornel Van Rooyen ◽  
Marizeth Jordaan
Keyword(s):  
Physical Activity ◽  
South African ◽  
Air Force ◽  
Lifestyle Factors ◽  
Overweight And Obesity ◽  
Meal Frequency ◽  
The South ◽  
Military Population ◽  
Lifestyle Choices ◽  
High Prevalence

Abstract Background: An increase in the prevalence of overweight and obesity has been reported globally amongst the general public as well as military populations around the world. No information about the prevalence of overweight and obesity as well as the lifestyle choices that influence the development is available for the South African military population. The aim of this study was too determine the prevalence of overweight and obesity at Air Force Base Bloemspruit in Bloemfontein, Free State, South Africa, as well as the dietary and lifestyle factors and physical activity which may play a role in the development thereof. Methods: A descriptive cross-sectional study was performed on active military personnel, by taking anthropometric measurements and collecting data using a self-administered questionnaire. Results: A high prevalence of overweight (38.6%) and obesity (36.1%) was identified in the study population. No significant associations were detected between lifestyle factors or physical activity and body mass index (BMI). The majority of participants (59.6%) consumed three meals per day. Meal frequency did not differ between different BMI categories, and no associations were found between meal frequency and being overweight or obese. Inadequate intakes of fruit and vegetables were observed. Conclusion: A high prevalence of overweight and obesity was observed in this study, which calls for urgent intervention. No associations were, however found between dietary and lifestyle factors and the presence of overweight and/or obesity. Further investigation is required to identify the causes of overweight and obesity and effective ways to address this health challenge.

scholarly journals National trends in cardiovascular health metrics among Iranian adults using results of three cross-sectional STEPwise approaches to surveillance surveys

2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Fatemeh Rahmani ◽  
Samaneh Asgari ◽  
Davood Khalili ◽  
Ali Siamak Habibi Moeini ◽  
Maryam Tohidi ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Physical Activity ◽  
Cardiovascular Health ◽  
Activity Level ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Current Smoking ◽  
The Public ◽  
High Prevalence ◽  
Prevalence Of Obesity ◽  
Study Population ◽  
National Trends

AbstractTo examine the trends of 7 cardiovascular health metrics (CVH metrics) incorporate of smoking, physical activity, diet, body mass index (BMI), fasting plasma glucose (FPG), total cholesterol (TC), and blood pressure (BP) level during three cross-sectional STEPwise approaches to surveillance (STEPS), 2007–2016, among Iranian adults. The study population consisted of 19,841 women and 17,243 men, aged 20–65 years. The CVH metrics were categorized as ‘ideal’, ‘intermediate’, and ‘poor’. The sex-stratified weighted prevalence rate of each CVH metrics was reported. The conditional probability of each poor versus combined intermediate and ideal metric was analyzed using logistic regression. In 2016 compared to 2007, the prevalence of poor BP level (20.4% vs. 23.7%), smoking (13.7% vs. 23.8%), TC ≥ 240 mg/dl (2.4% vs. 11.2%) and FPG < 100 mg/dl (75.6% vs. 82.3%) declined, whereas poor physical activity level (49.7% vs. 30%), poor healthy diet score (38.1% vs. 4.1%), BMI levels ≥ 25 kg/m2 (62.8% vs. 57.8%) increased. Despite a high prevalence of obesity among women, it remained constant in women but showed an increasing trend in men; moreover, the trends of low physical activity and current smoking were better for women. Despite some improvement in CVH metrics, < 4% of Iranian adults meet ≥ 6 CVH metrics in 2016; this issue needs intervention at the public health level using a multi-component strategy.

scholarly journals Step Rate Thresholds Associated with Moderate and Vigorous Physical Activity in Adults

2018 ◽  
Vol 15 (11) ◽  
pp. 2454 ◽  
Author(s):  
Myles O’Brien ◽  
Matthew Kivell ◽  
William Wojcik ◽  
Ghislain d’Entremont ◽  
Derek Kimmerly ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Physical Activity ◽  
Mathematical Modelling ◽  
Mathematical Models ◽  
Indirect Calorimetry ◽  
Vigorous Physical Activity ◽  
The Public ◽  
Step Rate ◽  
Public Health Message ◽  
Public Message

Adults are recommended to engage in 150 min of moderate (MPA) to vigorous (VPA) aerobic physical activity per week, with the public health message of obtaining 3000 steps in 30 min. There is a paucity of research on step rate thresholds that correspond to absolute MVPA (moderate = 3 METs, vigorous = 6 METs) with no research evaluating adult relative MVPA (moderate = 40% VO2max, vigorous = 60% VO2max). Anthropometric differences also influence intensity-related step rate thresholds. The purpose of this study was to identify step rates across a range of walking intensities so that mathematical models incorporating anthropometric factors could be used to identify individualized MVPA step rate thresholds. Forty-three adults (25♀; age = 39.4 ± 15.2 years) completed a staged treadmill walking protocol with pedometers and indirect calorimetry: six-minutes at 2.4, 3.2, 4.0, 5.6, 6.4, 7.2 km/h. Mathematical modelling revealed absolute and relative MPA step rate thresholds of ~100 steps/minute (spm) and ~125 spm, respectively. VPA corresponded to step rates of ~133 spm and ~139 spm for absolute and relative thresholds respectively. The current public message of 3000 steps in 30 min is valid for absolute MPA. However, VPA is achieved at higher thresholds than previously reported, more than 130 spm for healthy adults.

scholarly journals Sedentary lifestyle and poor eating habits in childhood:a cohort study

2016 ◽  
Vol 21 (4) ◽  
pp. 1051-1059
Author(s):  
Gisele Ferreira Dutra ◽  
Cristina Correa Kaufmann ◽  
Alessandra Doumid Borges Pretto ◽  
Elaine Pinto Albernaz
Keyword(s):  
Physical Activity ◽  
Healthy Eating ◽  
Physical Inactivity ◽  
Sedentary Lifestyle ◽  
Eating Habits ◽  
Daily Consumption ◽  
Economic Class ◽  
High Prevalence ◽  
Healthy Eating Habits ◽  
Activity Questionnaire

Abstract Worldwide, about 22 million children under five years old are overweight. Environmental factors are the main trigger for this epidemic. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the eating and physical activity habits in a cohort of eight-year-old children in Pelotas, Brazil. Eating habits were assessed based on the Ten Steps to Healthy Eating proposed by the Ministry of Health. To assess the level of physical activity, the physical activity questionnaire for children and adolescents (PAQ-C) was used. Of the 616 interviewed children at 8 years, it was observed that 50.3% were male; 70.3% were white and just over half belonged to economic class C. None of the children were classified as very active and none acceded to a daily consumption of six servings of the cereals, tubers, and roots. The steps that had higher adhesion were 8 (do not add salt to ready foods); 4 (consumption of beans, at least 5 times per week) and 1 (have 3 meals and 2 snacks per day), respectively. The high prevalence of physical inactivity and low level of healthy eating habits confirm the importance of strategies to support and encourage the practice of physical activity and healthy eating among youth.

The “Doublemint” Factor: Issues and Challenges in Marketing Nutrition and Physical Activity Behaviors in One Program

2003 ◽  
Vol 8 (4) ◽  
pp. 40-52 ◽  
Author(s):  
Fred Fridinger ◽  
Susan Kirby
Keyword(s):  
Physical Activity ◽  
Healthy Eating ◽  
Physical Inactivity ◽  
Product Price ◽  
The Public ◽  
Public Health Professionals ◽  
The Social ◽  
Multiple Behaviors ◽  
Research Stage ◽  
Marketing Approach

With the tremendous worldwide increase in obesity and other co-morbidities related in part to diet and physical inactivity, greater attention has been focused on strategies to effectively intervene. What is not clear is whether messages and campaigns to promote healthy eating and physical activity can effectively combine the two behaviors together, or whether they need to be separated in the minds of the public. This paper addresses this issue by examining the components of the social marketing approach, in particular by employing an interview process of public health professionals to analyze pertinent issues such as behavioral and target audience factors, the marketing mix (product, price, placement, promotion, and positioning/competition), and exchange theory as they relate to promoting two specific behaviors, healthy eating and physical activity. This initial investigation into the thorny issue of promoting multiple behaviors in one programmatic or message effort is indeed preliminary and should not be considered to be definitive or to have answered many of the questions. Instead, we hope to raise and clarify the issues that present themselves when combining behaviors and attempt to provide questions that program planners and researchers should be asking target audiences and funders during the formative research stage.

scholarly journals The Cause of Panic at the Outbreak of COVID-19 in South Africa - A Comparative Analysis with Similar Outbreak in China and New York

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
King Costa
Keyword(s):  
South Africa ◽  
New York ◽  
South African ◽  
Political Stability ◽  
Scientific Data ◽  
African Countries ◽  
Policy Makers ◽  
Social Fabric ◽  
The Public ◽  
Content Analysis Method

Lack of proper messaging at an outbreak of a novel disease causes panic with more serious damaging impacts on livelihoods, social-fabric of communities, economic landscapes, and political stability. There have been notable high levels of panic in South Africa and the globe with regard to the outbreak of COVID-19. The current lack of knowledge and poor communication has been attributed as a precursor to the skyrocketing global panic (Freimuth, Linnan, Potter, 2000). Fuelling this panic is the rate at which the incidence of new infections is increasing in countries outside of China, with Italy and Iran leading on a number of new infections and death cases.A Content Analysis method was used to analyze articles, media clips and social network reactions to the outbreak of COVID-19 in South Africa on the 6th of March 2020. The key to the investigation was to understand how authorities are communicating with the public on matters of national concern – regarding how they are prepared to deal and handle the outbreak. This study further compares the South African response to China at the outbreak of SARS in 2003. Codes were generated in targeted media and scientific sources and themes were generated and presented.Findings indicate that the general public does not have faith in government authorities, due to a lack of communication. It is perceived that lack of communication is indicative of a lack of preparedness. Contrary to evident panic in South Africa, scientific data indicates that there is no need to panic as a result of the outbreak of COVID-19. Further, a study from the French Institute for Health and Medical Research in 2020 on the preparedness of African countries to handle COVID-19 indicates that South Africa is one of the better-equipped countries in Africa to detect and handle any incidence of COVID-19. The study recommends that authorities and policy-makers use communications to educate the public far earlier at the onset of epidemic outbreaks, regardless of where it happens as the air-traffic connects global countries, resulting in the potential for disease importation.

Prevalence of Insufficient Physical Activity and Associated Factors in Brazilian Adolescents

2008 ◽  
Vol 5 (6) ◽  
pp. 777-794 ◽  
Author(s):  
Juliano Peixoto Bastos ◽  
Cora Luiza Pavin Araújo ◽  
Pedro Curi Hallal
Keyword(s):  
Physical Activity ◽  
Population Based ◽  
Cross Sectional Study ◽  
Activity Levels ◽  
Validity And Reliability ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Low Socioeconomic ◽  
High Prevalence ◽  
Insufficient Physical Activity ◽  
Health Related

Background:We aimed to describe levels of physical activity (PA) in adolescents living in southern Brazil and to explore associations between PA levels and demographic, socioeconomic, health-related, and parental variables. A further aim was to test the validity and reliability of the questionnaire used.Methods:We conducted a population-based, cross-sectional study including 857 adolescents selected randomly. Insufficient PA was defined as <300 min/wk of MVPA. PA data collected by questionnaire were compared with pedometer counts and with a longer version of the questionnaire in a subsample of 92 adolescents.Results:Reliability of the questionnaire was good, and its validity in comparison with a longer questionnaire was also satisfactory. In comparison with pedometer data, the questionnaire presented moderate agreement. The prevalence of insufficient PA in the whole sample was 69.8% (95% CI = 66.7–72.9). Boys were more active than girls. The prevalence of insufficient PA increased with age in girls but not in boys. Among boys, those from low socioeconomic levels were more likely to be sedentary. Among girls, paternal PA was directly associated with adolescent activity levels.Conclusions:Urgent strategies aimed at increasing levels of activity of adolescents are necessary in Brazil given the high prevalence of insufficient PA detected in this study. The variables associated with insufficient PA varied between boys and girls.

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