Dietary and physical activity habits of All Saints University College of Medicine Students, St Vincent and the Grenadines

Background: The purpose of this research was to assess the dietary and physical activity habits of All Saints University College of Medicine students to determine if they were meeting the Saint Vincent and the Grenadines government’s dietary guidelines and to ascertain the prevalence of overweight and obesity among the students.Methods: Data were collected from the participants using a survey concerned with demographics, and self-assessment on dietary and physical activity habits. Descriptive statistics was used to report and analyse the data.Results: Study subjects consisted of 76 students. Eighty three percent of them were between the ages of 16 and 25 years. Sixty–one percent were female and 39% were male. The majority of the student respondents (76%) were aware of the importance of eating healthy and being physically active each day, and 50-66% of the respondents engaged in and enjoyed physical activity, achieved the recommended daily amount of vegetable intake, were at a normal body mass index (18.5-24.9 kg/m2) and reported satisfaction with their weight. However, majority (80%) of the respondents consumed fast food; about a third of them did not consume fruits nor exercise regularly, reporting lack of time, interest and self-discipline as major reasons.Conclusions: The results indicate that the majority of All Saints University Medical College students had high level of knowledge of overweight and obesity and were involved in some healthy behaviours that helped them achieve normal BMI. However, the poor nutritional and physical activity habits of many of the students could benefit from intervention programs to moderate the tendency for overweight and obesity in the student population.

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Nutritional assessment of servicemen in relation to area of duty and feeding habits: a Pakistani prospective

Brazilian Journal of Biology ◽

10.1590/1519-6984.250789 ◽

2023 ◽

Vol 83 ◽

Author(s):

M. A. F. Khan ◽

M. Sohaib ◽

S. Iqbal ◽

M. S. Haider ◽

M. Chaudhry

Keyword(s):

Physical Activity ◽

Risk Factors ◽

Fruits And Vegetables ◽

Nutritional Assessment ◽

Vegetable Intake ◽

Feeding Habits ◽

Dietary Assessment ◽

Daily Basis ◽

Overweight And Obesity ◽

Physically Active

Abstract The present study was carried out to determine incidence of overweight and obesity in Pakistani servicemen with reference to their area of duty, feeding habits and also to identify risk factors. Accordingly, 2,501 servicemen selected from all over Pakistan using multiple stage stratified sampling protocol. Nutrition assessment performed using body mass index (BMI), waist to hip ratio (WHR) and dietary assessment using food frequency questionnaire. Collected data was analyzed using the SPSS version 25. Regression was used to find risk factors of obesity and WHR. Results indicated that about 1/4th of servicemen were smokers. Approximately, 1/5th of them were overweight and about one quarter were eating fruits and vegetables for <3 days/ week and <4 days/week, respectively. Only 1/3rd of them were physically active for at least <40 minutes per day. Age and fruits intake were significantly predicting BMI with a direct relation and vegetable intake was negatively correlated to BMI of the servicemen. Age and rank were significant predictors of WHR while, physical activity was negatively correlated to WHR. It is concluded and suggested from our study that there is a need to modify eating patterns and habits as well as improving physical activity on daily basis for healthy and long life of the servicemen.

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COVID-19 Pandemic and Remote Education Contributes to Improved Nutritional Behaviors and Increased Screen Time in a Polish Population-Based Sample of Primary School Adolescents: Diet and Activity of Youth during COVID-19 (DAY-19) Study

Nutrients ◽

10.3390/nu13051596 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 13 (5) ◽

pp. 1596

Author(s):

Aleksandra Kołota ◽

Dominika Głąbska

Keyword(s):

Physical Activity ◽

Primary School ◽

Screen Time ◽

Fast Food ◽

Population Based ◽

Polish Population ◽

Remote Education ◽

Physically Active ◽

Validated Questionnaire ◽

Diet And Physical Activity

The Coronavirus-19 disease (COVID-19) pandemic has influenced the nutrition of individuals, including the diet followed, food availability, and food security. However, thus far, only a few studies have been published regarding the diet and activity of children and adolescents. The aim of the present study was to analyze the influence of the COVID-19 pandemic and remote education in this period on the diet and physical activity in a Polish population-based sample of primary school adolescents. In June 2020, the Diet and Activity of Youth during COVID-19 (DAY-19) Study was conducted on a population recruited based on stratified random sampling from all regions (schools sampled from counties, and counties from voivodeships). The sample consisted of a total of 1334 adolescents aged 10–16 years. The study assessed the diet and physical activity of the participants using a validated questionnaire which included questions about the period of remote education and the period before the COVID-19 pandemic. The participants were asked about the following: consumption of fruit, vegetables, soft drinks, water, French fries, and fast food; eating meals in front of the television; and the number of days they are physically active and the number of hours they spend watching television. The obtained data were analyzed by stratifying the respondents by the gender, age, size of the city and total COVID-19 morbidity in the voivodeship. It was observed that, during the pandemic and the resultant remote education, the proportion of respondents who declared the recommended intake of fruits and vegetables had increased compared to that before the pandemic—a higher proportion consumed at least three portions of fruit per day (19.0% before pandemic vs. 27.4% during pandemic; p < 0.0001), as well as three and four or more portions of vegetables per day (11.9% vs. 14.5% and 7.5% vs. 11.1%; p = 0.0004). At the same time, the proportion of respondents consuming at least three cups of water per day had increased (41.1% vs. 47.9%; p = 0.0020), whereas the proportion of respondents who never or rarely eat their meals in front of the television had decreased (35.6% vs. 28.9%; p < 0.0001), and the proportion watching television for more than 2 h a day had increased (78.3% vs. 88.4%; p < 0.0001). Based on the results, it may be concluded that, during the period of remote education due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the dietary behaviors of the studied population of Polish adolescents were more beneficial, which included a higher intake of fruit, vegetables, and water, compared to before the pandemic. In spite of the increasing screen time, including eating in front of the television, there was no reduction in the number of days the respondents were physically active.

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A Critical Review on New Approaches for Chronic Disease Prevention in Brazil and Canada: From Wholistic Dietary Guidelines to Physical Activity Security

Frontiers in Cardiovascular Medicine ◽

10.3389/fcvm.2021.730373 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 8 ◽

Author(s):

Juliano Schwartz ◽

Paul Oh ◽

Maira B. Perotto ◽

Ryan E. Rhodes ◽

Wanda Firth ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Physical Activity ◽

Chronic Disease ◽

Disease Prevention ◽

Critical Review ◽

Well Being ◽

Overweight And Obesity ◽

Dietary Guidelines ◽

Chronic Disease Prevention ◽

Cultural Economic ◽

Socioeconomic Condition

In light of new evidence on the prevention of chronic diseases and the elevated rates of overweight and obesity in Brazil and Canada, this critical review aims to interpret and synthesize current aspects regarding dietary and physical activity initiatives in both countries and make future recommendations. The pioneering work presented in the last Brazilian dietary guidelines has been called a model that can be applied globally, given its conceptualization of healthy eating that translates easily to practical guidance. The new Canadian Food Guide has incorporated similar aspects, also putting the country as a leader in dietary guidance. With these new recommendations, citizens in both Brazil and Canada have access to impactful evidence-informed nutritional guidelines. Both documents propose eating patterns that focus not only on health benefits, such as chronic disease prevention, but also incorporate well-being concerning cultural, economic, sociodemographic, biological, and ecological dimensions. A similar approach is required for physical activity to allow individuals to have attainable health and life goals and thereby fully enjoy their lives, regardless of geographical location, health status, and socioeconomic condition, a concept recently described as physical activity security. The wholistic dietary guidelines from both countries represent a change in paradigm in public health. Likewise, national evidence-based policies are warranted to reduce disparities in physical activity, allowing healthier and more active lifestyles for everyone.

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A cross-sectional study to determine the prevalence of obesity, overweight and weight awareness among the students of a private medical college in Khulna

Mediscope ◽

10.3329/mediscope.v7i2.49449 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 7 (2) ◽

pp. 103-107

Author(s):

Md Abul Hasanat ◽

Silvia Paroi ◽

Arifa Begum ◽

Umme Salma ◽

Syeda Farzana Yeasmin

Keyword(s):

Medical Students ◽

Food Consumption ◽

Fast Food ◽

Cross Sectional Study ◽

Overweight And Obesity ◽

Sectional Study ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Medical College ◽

Fast Food Consumption ◽

Prevalence Of Obesity

Background: Medical education is stressful throughout the whole course. Due to the medical curriculum and the examination pattern leads to psychological stress. Stressful condition leads to irregularity in diet, frequent fast food consumption & lack of exercise, each being considered as an important risk factor leading to overweight and obesity. Hence, this study was undertaken to determine the prevalence of obesity, overweight and weight awareness among the medical students. Objectives: Determination of BMI status of undergraduate medical students to evaluate their weight awareness, prevalence of overweight and obesity and also find out the relationship of the following risk factors with obesity & overweight; i) Opinion about self-image, ii) Physical activity and iii) Frequency of fast food consumption. Methods: A descriptive cross sectional study was conducted on 131 preclinical medical students of Ad-din Akij Medical College, Khulna from January 2018 to April 2018. Height and weight of 131 preclinical students were measured and Body Mass Index was calculated and categorized according to WHO criteria. Results: Out of 131 students 62% come under normal weight category, 21% come under overweight category, 10% come under obese category and 7% come under underweight category. Conclusion: Overweight is a rising problem among the medical students. Sedentary life style and frequency of fast food consumption was high among the overweight and obese students. This study itself created awareness about their weight and promote physical activity among the medical students. Mediscope Vol. 7, No. 2: July 2020, Page 103-107

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Associations between Changes in Health Behaviours and Body Weight during the COVID-19 Quarantine in Lithuania: The Lithuanian COVIDiet Study

Nutrients ◽

10.3390/nu12103119 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 12 (10) ◽

pp. 3119 ◽

Cited By ~ 3

Author(s):

Vilma Kriaucioniene ◽

Lina Bagdonaviciene ◽

Celia Rodríguez-Pérez ◽

Janina Petkeviciene

Keyword(s):

Physical Activity ◽

Weight Gain ◽

Alcohol Consumption ◽

Fast Food ◽

Multivariate Logistic Regression Analysis ◽

Health Behaviours ◽

Overweight And Obesity ◽

Weight Changes ◽

Fried Food ◽

Sugary Drinks

The COVID-19 quarantine has caused significant changes in everyday life. This study aimed to evaluate the effect of the quarantine on dietary, physical activity and alcohol consumption habits of Lithuanians and the association between health behaviours and weight changes. An online cross-sectional survey was carried out among individuals older than 18 years in April 2020. The self-administered questionnaire included health behaviour and weight change data. Altogether 2447 subjects participated in the survey. Almost half of the respondents (49.4%) ate more than usual, 45.1% increased snacking, and 62.1% cooked at home more often. Intake of carbonated or sugary drinks, fast food and commercial pastries decreased, while consumption of homemade pastries and fried food increased. A decrease in physical activity was reported by 60.6% of respondents. Every third (31.5%) respondent, more often those already with overweight, gained weight. Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that the higher odds of weight gain were associated with females, older age, increased consumption of sugary drinks, homemade pastries and fried food, eating more than usual, increased snacking, decreased physical activity and increased alcohol consumption. Our data highlighted the need for dietary and physical activity guidelines to prevent weight gain during the period of self-isolation, especially targeting those with overweight and obesity.

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Levels of physical activity and screen time usage - Preliminary analysis from the Irish National Children's Food Consumption Survey II

Proceedings of The Nutrition Society ◽

10.1017/s0029665120003006 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 79 (OCE2) ◽

Author(s):

Aisling O'Donnell ◽

Maria Buffini ◽

Laura Kehoe ◽

Aoibhín Moore Heslin ◽

Anne Nugent ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Physical Activity ◽

Food Consumption ◽

Body Fat ◽

Preliminary Analysis ◽

Overweight And Obesity ◽

World Health ◽

Physically Active ◽

Significant Difference ◽

Food Consumption Survey ◽

Consumption Survey

AbstractBeing physically active is associated with fundamental health benefits and assists with the maintenance of normal weight in children. The current World Health Organizations’ recommendation is for children to accumulate 60 minutes of physical activity (PA) per day to obtain such benefits. Conversely, time spent in sedentary behaviours including watching screens (ST) are positively associated with the risk of overweight and obesity in young people. The aim of this research was to estimate PA levels and ST usage of Irish children and to examine the relationship with body fat.This analysis was based on data collected from a nationally representative sample of Irish children aged 5–12-years (n = 591, 50% female) from The National Children's Food Consumption Survey II (www.iuna.net). The Child/Youth Physical Activity Questionnaires (C-PAQ/Y-PAQ) were used to measure PA and ST in 5–8 and 9–12-year-olds respectively. Both questionnaires were self-administered, recall instruments that assessed the frequency/duration of activities participated in over the previous 7-day period. The MET minutes (metabolic cost of the activity multiplied by the duration in minutes) of the PA's were calculated per child. Percentage body fat (%BF) was measured by a Tanita BC420MA device and participants were classified into categories based on their %BF, age and gender. Independent t-tests and ANOVA (post-hoc DunnettT-3) were used to assess differences between gender and %BF category.Overall, children spent 93 mins/d being physically active with 69% meeting the > 1hr recommendation. There was a significant difference in the time spent undertaking PA between boys (99 mins/d) and girls (88 mins/d) p = 0.020. Children spent 107 mins/d watching screens with 68% meeting the < 2hr guidance. Girls spent significantly less time watching screens (89 mins/d) than boys (124 mins/d) p ≤ 0.001. Children who had a normal %BF accumulated more PA MET mins/day compared to those who were classified as obese, which was significant in the total population (p = 0.007), for boys (p ≤ 0.001), but not girls (p = 0.929).This preliminary analysis indicates that a high proportion of Irish children are meeting the PA and ST recommendations, with boys being more physically active and spending more time watching screens compared to girls. However, results should be interpreted with caution as PA and ST usage were self-reported by participants. The association between PA MET minutes and %BF suggest that advice to encourage PA participation to combat excess adiposity in Irish children is justified. Future work should examine the role of other potential determinants of obesity in this cohort.

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Relación entre la actividad física escolar y extraescolar en estudiantes de escuelas públicas chilenas (Relationship between school and out-of-school physical activity in Chilean public school children)

Retos ◽

10.47197/retos.v37i37.72851 ◽

2019 ◽

pp. 393-399

Author(s):

Michelle Marambio Miranda ◽

Tamara Núñez Fernández ◽

Jaime Ramírez Guajardo ◽

Pablo Ramírez Eyraud ◽

Ximena Alejandra Palma Leal ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Physical Activity ◽

Physical Education ◽

School Children ◽

School Context ◽

Physical Activity Promotion ◽

Activity Levels ◽

Physically Active ◽

Activity Promotion ◽

Las Mujeres ◽

High Level

Introducción: La Educación Física escolar y extraescolar es una oportunidad para promover estilos de vida activos en escolares, propiciando un desarrollo saludable y prevención de enfermedades asociadas a la inactividad física. Objetivo: comparar los niveles de actividad física dentro y fuera de la escuela, en una muestra representativa de niños escolares participantes de un programa de promoción de actividad física. Métodos: un total de 318 niños y niñas (7 a 14 años) participaron de este estudio. Los participantes voluntariamente completaron el cuestionario PAQ-C, para determinar la actividad física realizada en los últimos 7 días. Se analizaron las variables mediante comparación de varianzas y las medias a través de la prueba T-student, del software SPSS V20. Resultados: La actividad física por sexo, presentó valores de medias similares, exceptuando la realizada en las tardes, en donde las mujeres realizaron mayor actividad física (p=0,006). Además, los días sábados, los niños realizaron más actividad física que las niñas (p=0,001). En cuanto a las preferencias de actividades, el baile es la principal opción en niñas y el fútbol la principal en niños (p=0,000). Se logró establecer una contribución de las clases de Educación Física en conjunto con las sesiones de las escuelas deportivas integrales en relación a la práctica total, siendo la media 4,2 entrando en la categoría: alto nivel de actividad física. Conclusión: La clase de Educación Física junto a las sesiones de las escuelas deportivas contribuye positivamente a la actividad física total.Abstract. Introduction: School and extracurricular physical education is an opportunity to promote active lifestyle in schoolchildren, fostering healthy growth and prevention of diseases associated with physical inactivity. Objective: to compare physical activity levels inside and out of the school context, in a representative sample of school children participating in a physical activity promotion program. Methods: a total of 318 boys and girls (7 to 14 years old) participated in this study. The participants voluntarily completed the PAQ-C questionnaire to determine their physical activity in the last 7 days. The variables were analyzed by means of comparison of variances and means through the T-student test on the SPSS V20 software. Results: By gender, physical activity presented values similar levels, except for that performed in the afternoons, where girls were more physically active (p= .006). In addition, on Saturdays, boys performed more physical activity than girls (p = .001). Regarding activity preferences, dance activities are preferred by girls whilst boys preferred soccer (p = .000). A contribution of physical education classes in combination with the sessions from comprehensive sports academies was detected regarding total practice, the average being 4.2, meaning that the category was “high level of physical activity”. Conclusion: physical education classes along with sessions from sports academies contributes positively to the total physical activity.

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Neck circumference as a discriminator of obesity in older women enrolled in a physical activity program

Brazilian Journal of Kinanthropometry and Human Performance ◽

10.5007/1980-0037.2017v19n6p710 ◽

2017 ◽

Vol 19 (6) ◽

pp. 710-719

Author(s):

Daniel Rogério Petreça ◽

Enaiane Cristina Menezes ◽

Paula Fabricio Sandreschi ◽

Felipe Fank ◽

Giovana Zarpellon Mazo

Keyword(s):

Physical Activity ◽

Older Women ◽

Roc Curve ◽

Roc Curves ◽

Overweight And Obesity ◽

Neck Circumference ◽

The Body ◽

Anthropometric Measures ◽

Anthropometric Parameter ◽

Physically Active

The aim of this study was to evaluate neck circumference (NC) as a discriminator of overweight and obesity and to establish cut-off points for physically active older women. The sample consisted of 170 older women (69.5 ± 6.8 years) practicing physical activity. Anthropometric measures (body weight, height, waist circumference – WC, and NC) were obtained and the body mass index (BMI) was calculated. Correlation analysis was performed and ROC curves were constructed. NC was significantly correlated with BMI (rho = 0.656; p<0.0001) and WC (r = 0.561; p<0.0001). Correlating BMI with NC, areas under the ROC curve of 0.819 (p=0.0001) for overweight and of 0.902 (p=0.0001) for obesity were obtained, with suggested cut-off points of 33.07 and 34.05 cm, respectively. Correlating WC with NC, areas under the ROC curve of 0.711 (p=0.0014) for moderate risk (WC) and of 0.864 (p=0.0001) for high risk were obtained, with suggested cut-off points of 32.15 and 34.15 cm, respectively. NC was associated with BMI and WC. An NC ≥ 34 cm was a risk factor for obesity and abnormal body fat distribution in the older women studied. This anthropometric parameter is an alternative to discriminate overweight and obesity in physically active older women.

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Adherence to the new French dietary guidelines and risk of overweight and obesity

Proceedings of The Nutrition Society ◽

10.1017/s0029665120001809 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 79 (OCE2) ◽

Author(s):

Dan Chaltiel ◽

Chantal Julia ◽

Moufidath Adjibade ◽

Mathilde Touvier ◽

Serge Hercberg ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Physical Activity ◽

Cox Regression ◽

Strong Association ◽

Overweight And Obesity ◽

Dietary Guidelines ◽

Linear Pattern ◽

Activity Component ◽

Dietary Records ◽

Prospective Association ◽

Component Models

Abstract IntroductionThe new score of adherence to the 2017 French food-based dietary guidelines (PNNS-GS2) has previously been validated. Overweight and obesity being major risk factors for morbidity and mortality and highly related to diet, this study therefore aimed to study their prospective association with PNNS-GS2. A secondary objective was to compare these results to those obtained with PNNS-GS, reflecting 2001 recommendations.Material and methodsThe sample included French adults recruited in the prospective NutriNet-Santé cohort (N = 31,804 and 42,471 for overweight and obesity analyses respectively). The PNNS-GS and the PNNS-GS2 were calculated from repeated 24-hour dietary records collected during the first 2 years of follow-up, and weights were recorded after them in various questionnaires (N = 7.7 weight values on average, SD = 2.3). The association between the scores (as continuous and in quintiles, Q) and the risk of overweight or obesity was modelled by a Cox regression. Events were defined as having a BMI higher than 25 or 30, for overweight and obesity respectively. Comparison to the association with the PNNS-GS was performed using the mPNNS-GS, a modified PNNS-GS without the “physical activity” component. Models were adjusted for age (time scale), gender, size, energy intake, physical activity, socio-professional category, smoking, cohabitation, monthly income and alcohol consumptionResults and Statistical AnalysisMean scores were 2.2 (SD = 3.2) for PNNS-GS2 and 8.2 (SD = 1.6) for the mPNNS-GS in the “overweight” sample, and 1.9 (SD = 3.3) for the PNNS-GS2 and 8.2 (SD = 1.6) for mPNNS-GS in the “obesity” sample. In our cohort, PNNS-GS2 was significantly associated with the risk obesity, both in quintiles (HRQ5vsQ1 [95%IC] = 0.43 [0.36–0.51]), with a very linear pattern across quintiles (p for trend < 0.0001), and continuously (HR1 point ofPNNS-GS2 [95%IC] = 0.90 [0.88–0.92]). Results were very similar for overweight. On the other hand, mPNNS-GS associations were not significant, whatever the outcome.ConclusionThe strong association of PNNS-GS2 with the risk of overweight and obesity reinforces its construct validity. Its apparent superiority over the mPNNS-GS contributes to the relevance of the 2017 dietary guidelines.

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Determinants of Overweight and Obesity in Adults Attending General Out-Patient Clinic, University College Hospital, Ibadan (P16-003-19)

Current Developments in Nutrition ◽

10.1093/cdn/nzz050.p16-003-19 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 3 (Supplement_1) ◽

Author(s):

Olufunmilayo Badru

Keyword(s):

Physical Activity ◽

Demographic Data ◽

Sampling Technique ◽

Public Health Education ◽

Total Sample ◽

Overweight And Obesity ◽

Calorie Intake ◽

College Hospital ◽

Public Places ◽

University College

Abstract Objectives To investigate the determinants of overweight and obesity in adults attending General Out-patient University College Hospital. Methods The study was a case-control study and was conducted over a period of five months. Interviewer-administered questionnaires were applied to consenting adult patients aged 18 – 60 years. The cases were respondents with Body Mass Index (BMI) ≥25 kg/m2 and were selected through a systematic random sampling technique until a total of 171 was attained while the controls were respondents with BMI <25 kg/m2 that were matched by age group and sex on a ratio of 1:1 to make a total sample of 342 respondents. The questionnaire covered questions on demographic data, physical activity, dietary intake and neighbourhood environmental variables. Results The mean BMI of the control and case groups were 21.74(±2.35) kg/m2 and 30.08(±4.25) kg/m2 respectively. One hundred and two (59.6%) of the cases were overweight and 69(40.4%) were obese. One hundred and eighteen (69%) of the overweight/obese respondents were females. Respondents with low physical activity were 5.5 times more likely to be overweight/obese than if they were involved in high physical activity. Respondents who disagreed to having access to commercial or public places by walking were about 6.7 times more likely to be overweight/obese than if they agreed to having access to commercial or public places by walking. Calorie intake was not a predictor of overweight/obesity in the study. Conclusions Low physical activity and poor access to commercial facilities within a neighbourhood are risk factors for overweight/obesity in this study. Public health education is urgently needed in order to prevent and control the occurrence of overweight and obesity. Funding Sources Self Sponsored.

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