scholarly journals Increasing Physical Activity of High Intensity to Reduce the Prevalence of Chronic Diseases and Improve Public Health

2013 ◽  
Vol 7 (1) ◽  
pp. 1-8 ◽  
Author(s):  
Tommy Aune Rehn ◽  
Richard A Winett ◽  
Ulrik Wisløff ◽  
Øivind Rognmo

High incidence and prevalence of chronic diseases, increasing obesity and inactivity as well as rising health expenditure represent a set of developments that cannot be considered sustainable, and will have dire long-term consequences given the increasing proportion of elderly people in our society. Based on a review of the experiences from previous large scale population-based prevention programs and the documented effects of increased physical activity and cardiorespiratory fitness on chronic diseases and its risk factors, we argue that increased physical activity, especially vigorous physical activity, is a major way to reduce the prevalence of chronic diseases and improve public health. We conclude that a coordinated population-based intervention program for improved health through increased physical activity in the entire population, with a special focus on high intensity exercise, urgently needs to be implemented nationally and internationally.

2004 ◽  
Vol 1 (4) ◽  
pp. 389-397 ◽  
Author(s):  
Pedro Curi Hallal ◽  
Fernando Vinholes Siqueira

Background:Physical inactivity is now a public health priority because of the high rates of inactivity observed worldwide. Achievement of physical activity guidelines could be attained with vigorous, moderate, or both activities combined. Our aim was to explore the prevalence and correlates of compliance with vigorous physical activity guidelines (CVAG).Methods:Cross-sectional population-based survey in Pelotas, a southern Brazilian city, including 3182 adults (≥ 20 years). The short version of the International Physical Activity Questionnaire was applied by face-to-face interviews. CVAG was defined as at least 60 min/wk of vigorous activity.Results:Only 29% of the subjects achieved the vigorous activity threshold. Women, older adults, individuals with low BMI (< 18.5 kg/m2) or obese (≥ 30 kg/m2) were less likely to present CVAG. Compliance with moderate activity guidelines was associated with a higher likelihood of CVAG.Conclusions:Concurrent promotion of moderate and vigorous physical activities is warranted in terms of public health.


Author(s):  
Min-Ki Jeong ◽  
Kyung-Won Park ◽  
Je-Kwang Ryu ◽  
Gwon-Min Kim ◽  
Hyun-Hun Jung ◽  
...  

Age-related dementia refers to a state in which someone experiences multiple cognitive function impairment due to degenerative brain disease, and which causes difficulties in their daily life or social life. Dementia is the most common and serious obstacle in later life. Early intervention in the case of patients who are in the mild cognitive impairment (MCI) stage among the high-risk group can maintain and improve their cognitive function. The purpose of the current trial is aimed at investigating the association between a multi-component (exercise with cognitive) intervention program and habitual physical activity parameters on cognitive functions in MCI patients. Neuropsychological cognitive and depression assessments were performed by neuropsychologists according to normalized methods, including the Korean mini-mental State examination (K-MMSE) and modified Alzheimer’s disease assessment scale-cognitive subscale (ADAS-Cog) and cognitive assessment tool (attention, processing speed), and the Korean version of the geriatric depression scale (SGDS-K), both at baseline and at a 12 weeks follow-up. The 12-week multi-component intervention improved cognitive function and habitual physical activity parameters in patients with MCI relative to controls. A multi-component intervention program for patients with MCI is considered to be an effective method of dementia prevention by improving global (ADAS-Cog) and frontal (trail-making test, digit symbol substitution test) cognition and habitual physical activity parameters such as moderate to vigorous physical activity and step count. In addition, it is important to encourage habitual physical activities to ensure that exercise intervention strategies are carried out at the duration and intensity required for improving physical and cognitive wellbeing and obtaining health benefits.


2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Youn Young Park ◽  
Kil‑yong Lee ◽  
Seong Taek Oh ◽  
Sang Hyun Park ◽  
Kyung Do Han ◽  
...  

An amendment to this paper has been published and can be accessed via a link at the top of the paper.


BMJ Open ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 9 (8) ◽  
pp. e028843 ◽  
Author(s):  
Danmeng Liu ◽  
Yue Cheng ◽  
Shaonong Dang ◽  
Duolao Wang ◽  
Yaling Zhao ◽  
...  

ObjectivesTo report the situation of maternal micronutrient supplementation before and during pregnancy in Northwest China and to examine the rates of and factors related to the adherence to micronutrient supplementation among pregnant women in this region, where dietary micronutrient intake is commonly insufficient.DesignA large-scale population-based cross-sectional survey.SettingTwenty counties and ten districts of Shaanxi Province.ParticipantsA sample of 30 027 women were selected using a stratified multistage random sampling method. A total of 28 678 women were chosen for the final analysis after excluding those who did not provide clear information about nutritional supplementation before and during pregnancy.Main outcome measuresMaternal adherence to micronutrient supplementation (high and low) were the outcomes. They were determined by the start time and duration of use according to Chinese guidelines (for folic acid (FA) supplements) and WHO recommendations (for iron, calcium and multiple-micronutrient (MMN) supplements).ResultsIn total, 83.9% of women took at least one kind of micronutrient supplement before or during pregnancy. FA (67.6%) and calcium (57.5%) were the primarily used micronutrient supplements; few participants used MMN (14.0%) or iron (5.4%). Adherence to supplementation of all micronutrients was low (7.4% for FA, 0.6% for iron, 11.7% for calcium and 2.7% for MMN). Higher educational levels, higher income levels, urban residence and better antenatal care (including pregnancy consultation and a higher frequency of antenatal visits) were associated with high adherence to micronutrient supplementation.ConclusionMaternal micronutrient supplementation before and during pregnancy in Northwest China was way below standards recommended by the Chinese guidelines or WHO. Targeted health education and future nutritional guidelines are suggested to improve this situation, especially in pregnant women with disadvantaged sociodemographic conditions.


Author(s):  
H.M. Snyder ◽  
M.C. Carrillo

An estimated 47 million people worldwide are living with dementia in 2015 and this number is expected to triple by 2050. There is a clear urgency for therapies and / or interventions to slow, stop or prevent dementia. Amounting evidence suggests strategies to reduce risk of development dementia may be of growing import for reducing the number of individuals affected. The Alzheimer’s Association believes, from a population based perspective that: (1) Regular physical activity and management of cardiovascular risk factors (e.g. diabetes, obesity, smoking and hypertension) have been shown to reduce the risk of cognitive decline and may reduce the risk of dementia; (2) A healthy diet and lifelong learning/cognitive training may also reduce the risk of cognitive decline. The current evidence underscores the need to communicate to the broader population what the science indicates and to do so with diverse stakeholders and consistent messaging. There has never been a better time to define and distribute global messaging on public health for dementia.


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