Characterization of physical activity in undergraduate students in Israel

Author(s):  
Yehonatan Simchon ◽  
Olga Turetsky ◽  
Eli Carmeli

Abstract Background: Technological development is the main cause for reduced physical activity in populations, increasing the risk of illness and decreasing average life expectancy. A correlation exists between increased physical exercise (PE) and health improvement. The academic curriculum attributes to lack of PE due to sedentary lifestyle and inability to find free time. The purpose of this study was to characterize PE among students in relation to World Health Organization (WHO) recommendations and examined the correlation between activity level and grade point average (GPA). We also included an evaluation of the student’s willingness to exercise as part of an elective course program. Methods: We used a five experts validated questionnaire, distributed online. The sampling frame was undergraduate students of the Faculty of Social Welfare and Health from the University of Haifa (184 students). Statistical processing was done using SPSS software using the χ2 test and Pearson’s correlation. Results: Of the participants 70.7% do not comply with WHO recommendations. Seventy-five percent showed willingness to perform PE if it was part of the curriculum. No significant correlations were found between PE or WHO recommendations and GPA. Conclusion: This is a pioneer study among university students. Continued research is needed to characterize the PE in academic institutions.

Author(s):  
Achadu Abraham Eleojo ◽  
Umeh Chisom Charles ◽  
Jacob Moses Anyebe

Nutritional habits and physical activity influence the health status and cognition of young adults. The objective of this study was to assess the physical activity level and dietary pattern of undergraduate students of Kogi State University, Anyigba Kogi State. In this study, a group of 246 students from the university (150 female and 96 male subjects) were engaged. Ethical clearance was obtained from the Health Research ethics committee, Kogi state ministry of health and all students signed a written consent form. With the aid of a validated questionnaire, interview was conducted to obtain information on demographic and physical activity levels after obtaining informed consent from the target population. Anthropometric measurements were carried out to ascertain the nutritional status, and dietary intakes were equally assessed using a food frequency questionnaire. 27.4% and 6.4% of target population recorded low and high levels of physical activity respectively. Healthy weight was recorded at 72% and obesity at 3.7%. Despite the high percentage in healthy weight, a low physical activity level was recorded, with inadequate meal patterns and food choices. This suggests an urgent necessity for improving overall health status of students by implementing a university based nutrition and exercise awareness programme.


2018 ◽  
Vol 28 (2) ◽  
pp. 709-716
Author(s):  
Slavica Ostojić Krsmanović ◽  
Ljiljana Crnčević Radović

The modern way of life means a quick pace that carries a tremendous amount of stress, irregular diet and lack of physical activity, which poses a health risk. For this reason, the World Health Organization recommends physical activity of at least 30 minutes a day which can be, among others, achieved using the pool. Only safe swimming pool water can provide users with all the benefits of its use, which will lead to overall health improvement. Although microbiological hazards pose the greatest danger to the health, chemical risks, as a result of unhygienic user behavior, should not be neglected since they can lead to a reduced effect of disinfection. The presence of urine in the pool water leads to a chemical reaction between nitrogen compounds from the urine and chlorine-based disinfectant, which creates chloramines which are the prerequisite for the occurrence of by-products of disinfection. As a result of their presence, the pool users may experience irritation of respiratory tract, skin and eyes. Our study was designed to determine the presence of urination during the use of the pool and examine the regularity of using the toilet before entering the pool. The survey was conducted on 1,506 respondents, divided into two age groups. In the age group of 12 to 15 years there were 380 respondents and in the age group of 18 to 25 years, 1,126 participants. Data of our study show that 27.0% of respondents had at least one episode of urination inside the pool. At least one episode of urination inside the pool had nearly one third of respondents aged 12 to 15 years (30.2%) and every fourth respondent in age group 18 to 25 years (25.9%). Of the total number of respondents in our research, 59.5% considered that the use of the toilet before entering the pool is very important hygienic measure. Hygienic significance of this measure identified 41.5% of the respondents in age group 12 to 15 years and 65.7% of respondents aged 18 to 25 years. In relation to the regularity of use, the results of our survey show that 50.5% of respondents, or half of our respondents, regularly use the toilet before entering the pool. In the age group 12 to 15 years hygienic measure regularly applied 35.7% of respondents. A significantly higher percentage of regular use of this hygienic measure, but still not sufficiently high, was recorded in the age group of 18 to 25 years (55.5%). The results of our study lead to conclusion that urination inside the pool is present as a form of unhygienic behavior of pool users, which represents a public health problem. Since the younger age group, from 12 to 15 years, showed a higher degree of risk-taking behavior, fundamental and continuous education on the importance of implementation of hygiene measures when using the pool is necessary. Code of conduct in the context of sports facilities, which include the swimming pools, should start since an early age. Learning about forms of behavior in public places and public sports facilities begins in the family and later continues throughout schooling. Health education is a part of the general culture of every individual, regardless of gender, age, education and standard.


Author(s):  
Alicia M. Alonso-Martínez ◽  
Robinson Ramírez-Vélez ◽  
Yesenia García-Alonso ◽  
Mikel Izquierdo ◽  
Antonio García-Hermoso

Background: A better understanding of the effects of the lockdown on lifestyle behaviors may help to guide the public health response to COVID-19 at a national level and to update the global strategy to respond COVID-19 pandemic. The aim of the study was to examine the effects of the COVID-19 lockdown on device-measured physical activity (PA), sedentary time, sleep and self-regulation; and to determine whether PA and sleep are related to self-regulation problems during the lockdown. Methods: PA, sedentary time and sleep were assessed using accelerometry in the week in which the Spanish national state of alarm was declared (n = 21). Parents reported preschooler’s self-regulation difficulties (internalizing and externalizing) before (n = 268) and during the lockdown (n = 157) by a validated questionnaire. Results: Preschoolers showed a decrease in total PA (mean difference [MD] = −43.3 min per day, 95% CI −68.1 to −18.5), sleep efficiency (MD = −2.09%, 95% CI −4.12 to −0.05), an increase in sedentary time (MD = 50.2 min per day, 95% CI 17.1 to 83.3) internalizing (MD = 0.17, 95% CI 0.06 to 0.28) and externalizing (MD = 0.33, 95% CI 0.23 to 0.44) problems. Preschoolers who met the World Health Organization recommendations for PA had lower internalizing scores than non-active peers (MD = −1.28, 95% CI −2.53 to −0.03). Conclusions: Our findings highlight the importance of meeting PA recommendations to reduce psychosocial difficulties during a lockdown situation.


2021 ◽  
Vol 7 (1) ◽  
pp. ID20
Author(s):  
Shahid Alam ◽  
Sardar Bakht Khan ◽  
Qamar Wahid Khattak ◽  
Syed Zain Ul Abidin ◽  
Salman Farooqi ◽  
...  

Background: Physical activity is one of the leading health indicators, considered an essential factor in the population's health and quality of life promotion. Physical inactivity is the fourth leading risk factor for global mortality. Physical inactivity has been linked with chronic disease and obesity in most populations. This study aims to compare the prevalence of physical activity and overweight/obesity among students of the university. Methods: A cross-sectional survey was conducted from March to September 2019 on undergraduate students from different departments of Peshawar University. A sample of 377 (male n = 243, female n = 134) was taken through convenience sampling. Those individuals who were physically disabled and not willing to participate were excluded from the study. Those meeting the inclusion criteria were given the International Physical Activity Questionnaire (IPAQ short form). Demographic data included age, weight, and height was self-stated by the participants. The levels of physical activity in each of three domains (leisure, transport, and domestic) were calculated and presented as metabolic equivalent (M.E.T.) hour per week in the form of means, percentage, and frequency in different physical activity domains. Results: The overall sample showed that 13.70% of participants were inactive, 27.76% showed a low level of physical activity, 41.29% showed moderate physical activity level, and 17.24% showed a high level of physical activity. A total of 90.98% of participants were involved in leisure physical activities, 93.10% presented transport-related physical activity, and 74.80% were involved in domestic-related physical activity. Average time spent during sitting was found to be 53.32 hrs/week and 7.61 hrs/ day, with females being more involved in sitting activities as compared to males. A significant difference was found between B.M.I. and sitting domain (p-value 0.002) with a Pearson value of -0.12 showing a negative correlation. Conclusion: The B.M.I. and Physical Activity are found negatively associated with each other. Male students were more physically active than females as females spend their majority of time sitting. It is concluded that students are moderately active, while a minimal percent of students are highly active. There were a few numbers of respondents too who were physically inactive, which shows that there is still unawareness of physical activity on the university level.


2019 ◽  
Vol 16 (11) ◽  
pp. 1014-1021
Author(s):  
Edgard Melo Keene von Koenig Soares ◽  
Guilherme E. Molina ◽  
Daniel Saint Martin ◽  
João Luís A. E. Sadat P. Leitão ◽  
Keila E. Fontana ◽  
...  

Background: The World Health Organization recommends 150 minutes of moderate to vigorous physical activity (PA) throughout the week. However, the weekly frequency of PA and how to combine moderate and vigorous PA to define who reaches the recommended PA are controversial. PA level might be highly different based on the recommendation and/or the criteria employed. Methods: Demographic data and PA level evaluated by International Physical Activity Questionnaire from 3 random and representative samples from 1 state, 1 city, and 1 local organization in Brazil were analyzed (n = 2961). Nine criteria from different recommendations were used to define PA level. Prevalence estimates and 95% confidence intervals of sufficient PA were calculated for each criterion and compared with the referent (World Health Organization guideline). Total agreement, sensitivity, and specificity were also calculated with 95% confidence interval. Results: When a weekly frequency of PA was required, the prevalence of sufficient PA decreased by 11% (P < .05). For all criteria, doubling the vigorous PA minutes was similar to simply adding them to moderate PA. These findings are consistent regardless of sex, age, and educational level. Conclusion: Prevalence estimates and agreement between different PA recommendations were significantly affected when a minimum frequency was required but did not change when vigorous PA minutes were doubled.


2008 ◽  
Vol 11 (7) ◽  
pp. 675-683 ◽  
Author(s):  
Fikru Tesfaye ◽  
Peter Byass ◽  
Stig Wall

AbstractObjectiveTo estimate and compare dietary energy intake (DEI) and total energy expenditure (TEE) among adults, using questionnaires.DesignComparative, cross-sectional study.SettingCommunity-based, at the demographic surveillance site (DSS) in Butajira District of Ethiopia.SubjectsA total of 619 adults, 18–64 years of age, were randomly selected from among the urban and rural population of Butajira using the DSS sampling frame. Habitual dietary intake and physical activity were assessed using questionnaires. BMR was estimated using a regression equation, and TEE was calculated from BMR and the metabolic energy equivalent task (MET) and duration of reported activities. Physical activity level (PAL) was calculated as TEE/BMR, while food intake level (FIL) was calculated as DEI/BMR. The mean DEI:TEE ratio was used to evaluate reported DEI at the population level, while individual misreporters were identified by applying the Goldberg cut-off points at three levels of PAL.ResultsBased on the Goldberg method, 57 % of the study participants were identified as acceptable reporters of DEI, among whom mean TEE was 8·21 (95 % CI 8·01, 8·42) MJ (1963 (95 % CI 1914, 2012) kcal), mean DEI was 8·13 (95 % CI 7·93, 8·34) MJ (1944 (95 % CI 1895, 1993) kcal) and mean DEI:TEE was 1·01 (95 % CI 0·99, 1·04).ConclusionThe dietary history and physical activity questionnaires provide comparable estimates of mean energy intake and expenditure at a population level. Acceptable reporters have to be identified in order to obtain better estimates. Questionnaire-based estimates of energy intake should not be interpreted without an inherent system of comparison or validation.


2014 ◽  
Vol 2014 ◽  
pp. 1-7 ◽  
Author(s):  
Trishnee Bhurosy ◽  
Rajesh Jeewon

Obesity is a significant public health concern affecting more than half a billion people worldwide. Obesity rise is not only limited to developed countries, but to developing nations as well. This paper aims to compare the mean body mass index trends in the World Health Organisation- (WHO-) categorised regions since 1980 to 2008 and secondly to appraise how socioeconomic disparities can lead to differences in obesity and physical activity level across developing nations. Taking into account past and current BMI trends, it is anticipated that obesity will continue to take a significant ascent, as observed by the sharp increase from 1999 to 2008. Gender differences in BMI will continue to be as apparent, that is, women showing a higher BMI trend than men. In the coming years, the maximum mean BMI in more developed countries might be exceeded by those in less developed ones. Rather than focusing on obesity at the individual level, the immediate environment of the obese individual to broader socioeconomic contexts should be targeted. Most importantly, incentives at several organisational levels, the media, and educational institutions along with changes in food policies will need to be provided to low-income populations.


2005 ◽  
Vol 8 (7a) ◽  
pp. 940-952 ◽  
Author(s):  
Anna Ferro-Luzzi

AbstractObjectiveIn anticipation of the revision of the 1985 Food and Agricultural Organization/World Health Organization/United Nations University (FAO/ WHO/UNU) Expert Consultation Report on ‘Energy and Protein Requirements’, recent scientific knowledge on the principles underlying the estimation of energy requirement is reviewed.DesignThis paper carries out a historical review of the scientific rationale adopted by previous FAO/WHO technical reports on energy requirement, discusses the concepts used in assessing basal metabolic rate (BMR), energy expenditure, physical activity level (PAL), and examines current controversial areas. Recommendations and areas of future research are presented.ConclusionsThe database of the BMR predictive equations developed by the 1985 FAO/WHO/UNU Expert Consultation Report on Energy and Protein Requirements needs updating and expansion, applying strict and transparent selection criteria. The existence of an ethnic/tropical factor capable of affecting BMR is not supported by the available evidence. The factorial approach for the calculation of energy requirement, as set out in the 1985 report, should be retained. The estimate should have a normative rather than a prescriptive nature, except for the allowance provided for extra physical activity for sedentary populations, and for the prevention of non-communicable chronic diseases. The estimate of energy requirement of children below the age of 10 years should be made on the basis of energy expenditure rather than energy intake. The evidence of the existence of an ethnic/tropical factor is conflicting and no plausible mechanism has as yet been put forward.


Author(s):  
Catherine Carty ◽  
Hidde P. van der Ploeg ◽  
Stuart J.H. Biddle ◽  
Fiona Bull ◽  
Juana Willumsen ◽  
...  

Background: The World Health Organization has released the first global public health guidelines on physical activity and sedentary behavior for people living with disability. This paper presents the guidelines, related processes, and evidence, and elaborates upon how the guidelines can support inclusive policy, practice, and research. Methods: Methods were consistent with the World Health Organization protocols for developing guidelines. Systematic reviews of the evidence on physical activity for health for people living with disability were appraised, along with a consideration of the evidence used to inform the general 2020 World Health Organization guidelines. Results: Evidence supported the development of recommendations for people living with disability, stressing that there are no major risks to engaging in physical activity appropriate to an individual’s current activity level, health status, and physical function, and that the health benefits accrued generally outweigh the risks. They also emphasize the benefits of limiting sedentary behavior. Conclusions: The guidelines mark a positive step forward for disability inclusion, but considerable effort is needed to advance the agenda. This paper highlights key considerations for the implementation of the new recommendations for people living with disability, in line with the human rights agenda underpinning the Global Action Plan on Physical Activity 2018–2030 and allied policies.


MAENPO ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
pp. 25
Author(s):  
Taupik Rochman ◽  
Adang Suherman ◽  
Amung Ma’mun ◽  
Bambang Abduljabar

The active lifestyle of the community becomes a healthy picture of the nation's life because it is one of the keys to maintaining and improving public health. An active lifestyle is defined as a physical activity that is integrated into everyday life, which can be compiled by oneself and the social environment. Indonesia has a society with a physical activity level of 66.5% in the moderate category and a low position. Such conditions occur all over the world so that intervention to improve people's lifestyles has become one of the focuses of world attention in the 2013-2020 action plan called the World Health Organization's best buys. This article aims to describe the efforts made in Indonesia in improving people's lifestyles. The method used is a literature review. However, even though the lifestyle of the Indonesian people is still categorized, the efforts made are by recommendations from the World Health Organization. So that the active lifestyle of the Indonesian people is not only hoping or just a desire to care but is a real thing, really exists and is proven. However, with a high population and a very large area, such a strategy is needed to be well integrated between all levels of society and the government so that it can make an active lifestyle as the strength of the nation in maintaining and improving the quality of life.Keywords: Physical activity, active style, life


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