Interfaces of Student Lifestyle and Perceived Stress

Background. It is becoming obvious that healthy lifestyle of students in higher education institutions is an important factor contributing to the duration of their professional career as well as for general health (Bolotin & Bakayev, 2015). High academic expectations increase tension and pose a threat to physical and mental health of students (Shamsuddin et al., 2013). During studies young people are more vulnerable to developing harmful habits, they do not follow proper nutrition, and do not look after their health (Tarejeva, Žagminas, & Serapinas, 2015), therefore, it is important to understand the association between lifestyle of a young person and daily perceived stress.Methods. The study included 155 students of the Lithuanian Sports University. In order to establish nutrition and harmful habits among students, the analysis of nutrition and harmful habits questionnaire was used. Physical activity of students was evaluated using the short version of the International Physical Activity Questionnaire (IPAQ-LT). The analysis of stress was based on the questionnaire using the Stress in Academic Life Scale. The results were processed using methods of mathematical statistics. The statistical analysis of the data was performed using the SPSS software version 23.0.Results. Statistically significant difference of physical activity was determined between genders – females were more active than males (p < .05). The frequency of the consumption of breakfast, sweets, meat, beer, and wine statistically significantly differed between females and males (p < .05). Perceived stress of students was associated with physical activity, consumption of cereal grains, sweets, carbonated beverages, and smoking (p < .05).Conclusions. The majority of students were sufficiently physically active. Females more frequently had breakfast, consumed sweets, while males more frequently consumed meat. Regular breakfast consumption was reported by 88.6% of females and 73.1% of males. Males more frequently had intake of beer, while females – wine. Significant relationship between perceived stress and physical activity among students was determined in the study. Keywords: students, stress, nutrition, physical activity, harmful habits.

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Increased motivation for physical activity among readers of lifestyle intervention articles

Acta Kinesiologiae Universitatis Tartuensis ◽

10.12697/akut.2016.22.04 ◽

2016 ◽

Vol 22 ◽

pp. 47

Author(s):

Leif Inge Tjelta ◽

Gerd Lise Nordbotten ◽

Sindre M. Dyrstad

Keyword(s):

Physical Activity ◽

Lifestyle Intervention ◽

Healthy Lifestyle ◽

Lifestyle Interventions ◽

Physically Active ◽

Men And Women ◽

Significant Difference ◽

Regional Newspaper

The main purpose of this study was to investigate if readers of lifestyle intervention articles published in a newspaper became more motivated for physical activity (PA). A secondary aim was to chart reader characteristics like sex, age and PA level. In 2014, a regional newspaper with 152 000 readers in Stavanger, Norway followed the story of four untrained adults trying to become physically fit. Their goal was to run an 8.2 km park race after 13 weeks of training. A panel of 623 newspaper readers answered a questionnaire about their own PA level and motivation to increase their PA level after reading the articles. Twenty percent of the readers (127 of 623) reported that they always or usually read the intervention articles, which was equal to the number who never read these articles. There was no significant difference in the distribution of men and women within these different categories. Sixteen percent of the reader panel (estimated to 24 000 readers) reported that they were motivated to become more physically active after reading the articles. The study indicates a great potential for promoting a healthy lifestyle by publishing lifestyle interventions in a newspaper.

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Physical Activity at Home During the COVID-19 Pandemic in the Two Most-affected Cities in Saudi Arabia

The Open Public Health Journal ◽

10.2174/1874944502013010470 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 13 (1) ◽

pp. 470-476

Author(s):

Faisal A Barwais

Keyword(s):

Physical Activity ◽

Social Contexts ◽

Self Report ◽

Activity Levels ◽

Physical And Mental Health ◽

Physically Active ◽

Significant Difference ◽

Physical Activity Levels ◽

Health Initiatives ◽

At Home

Background: During the COVID-19 pandemic, sufficient physical activity has had a positive effect on physical and mental health. This study aimed to assess levels of physical activity among Saudi participants before and during the COVID-19 pandemic. Methods: The study included 244 young and middle-aged Saudi adults (154 males, 90 females), (mean age ± SD, 33.8 ± 7.7 years). All subjects completed an online self-report questionnaire to determine their physical activity levels over the last 7 days. Paired t-tests were used to determine if there were significant differences in the total MET-minutes/week of physical activity (i.e., insufficiently active and sufficiently active) between different variables of physical activity-related social contexts. Results: A significant decrease (57.1%) in the time spent performing physical activity before and during the COVID-19 lockdown was observed. No significant difference in total MET-min/week of physical activity before and during the lockdown was observed for the participants who participated in physical activity with a personal trainer (before = 2207 ± 389.3 MET-min/week; during = 2077 ± 201.5 MET-min/week). However, results indicated significant decreases in physical activity for participants who performed physical activity alone (59%), with family (61.6%), with friends (62%), or with groups (61.3%). Conclusion: The results of this study showed a significant decrease in the amount of time spent in physical activity levels during the COVID-19 lockdown than before the lockdown period. These findings may have implications for the essential development of public health initiatives that aim to increase physical activity levels during the pandemic. This study adds to the knowledge base by showing how people during the COVID-19 lockdown have more time to be physically active at home; nevertheless, this study indicates that participants are insufficiently physically active.

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POSTURAL DISORDERS IN THE ELDERLY IN STATIC ASSESSMENT

Wiadomości Lekarskie ◽

10.36740/wlek201909118 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 72 (9) ◽

pp. 1703-1707

Author(s):

Magdalena Sobiech ◽

Magdalena Zawadka ◽

Maciej Kochman ◽

Jaromir Jarecki ◽

Tomasz Blicharski ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Physical Activity ◽

Healthy Lifestyle ◽

Premature Death ◽

The Elderly ◽

The Body ◽

Physical And Mental Health ◽

Static Assessment ◽

Limited Physical Activity ◽

Active Recreation

Physical activity is one of the most important element of a healthy lifestyle and determinant of the physical and mental health. According to the WHO, limited physical activity is the fourth most common premature death risk factor in the world. Regular sport and active recreation is very important for our health. Physical exercise is the most effective method used by physiotherapists to prevent and slow down the aging process of the body, and consequently, diseases of elderly (e.g. osteoporosis, diabetes, hypertension and injuries). Physical activity has a positive effect on the quality of life and cognitive functions of elderly. The physiotherapeutic program should be based on functional training involving the entire human body. To plan and monitor the effectiveness of the training, different types of tests are used to assess the functional status of elderly people. These tests are based on the Comprehensive Geriatric Assessment considering the state of health, physical and mental fitness as well as social and environmental determinants.

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Vigorous physical activity, perceived stress, sleep and mental health among university students from 23 low- and middle-income countries

International Journal of Adolescent Medicine and Health ◽

10.1515/ijamh-2017-0116 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 0 (0) ◽

Cited By ~ 6

Author(s):

Supa Pengpid ◽

Karl Peltzer

Keyword(s):

Mental Health ◽

Physical Activity ◽

University Students ◽

Sleep Quality ◽

Perceived Stress ◽

Vigorous Physical Activity ◽

Well Being ◽

Good Health ◽

Short Version ◽

Cross Sectional

AbstractBackgroundVigorous physical activity (VPA) may be beneficial for mental health. The aim of the study was to investigate cross-sectional associations between VPA, perceived stress, sleep quality and quantity and mental health among university students.MethodsIn a cross-sectional study, using anonymous questionnaires, data was collected from 15122 (42.1% male and 57.9% female) university students [mean age 20.6, standard deviation (SD) = 2.0] from 23 countries in the Americas, Africa and Asia. They were assessed using the International Physical Activity Questionnaire (short version), and measures of sociodemographic, health status, health behaviour and anthropometrics.ResultsStudents who met VPA recommendations were less likely to report perceived stress, more likely to report subjective good health and depression than students without VPA. There was no association between VPA and sleep quality and quantity and PTSD symptoms.ConclusionThis study only found partial benefits of VPA in relation to well-being of university students.

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Physical activity, diet and quality of life during mandatory (COVID-19) quarantine following repatriation

SAGE Open Medical Case Reports ◽

10.1177/2050313x20972508 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 8 ◽

pp. 2050313X2097250

Author(s):

Philippe Jean-Luc Gradidge ◽

Herculina Salome Kruger

Keyword(s):

Physical Activity ◽

South African ◽

Cardiovascular Health ◽

Sitting Time ◽

Physical And Mental Health ◽

Physically Active ◽

Self Monitoring ◽

Prolonged Sitting ◽

Online Tools

The coronavirus disease 2019 crisis in South Africa has been managed through an effective evidence-based approach. The aim of this case report was to determine the value of staying physically active during the coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic, using online resources to prevent the harmful effects of sedentary behaviour under confined living conditions. A repatriated South African citizen was placed into monitored 14-day quarantine confined to a room, self-monitoring dietary intake and physical and health measures, while engaged in online exercise videos and indoor walking. This study demonstrates that structured indoor activity improves physical and mental health outcomes, despite prolonged sitting time during the day. During the current pandemic and in the presence of limited freedom of movement, sustained physical activity is made feasible by accessing online tools and resources, essentially reducing vulnerability to existing cardiovascular health concerns. However, these findings are based on a single participant and therefore further study is required.

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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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Association between Family Structure and Physical Activity of Chinese Adolescents

BioMed Research International ◽

10.1155/2016/4278682 ◽

2016 ◽

Vol 2016 ◽

pp. 1-7 ◽

Cited By ~ 5

Author(s):

Lijuan Wang ◽

Jing Qi

Keyword(s):

Physical Activity ◽

Family Structure ◽

Family Environment ◽

Vigorous Physical Activity ◽

Single Parent ◽

Chinese Adolescents ◽

Physically Active ◽

Biological Parents ◽

Significant Difference

Background. This study examines the association between family structure and moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA) of adolescents in China.Methods. The participants included 612 adolescents (317 boys and 295 girls) from Shanghai with ages ranging from 10 to 16 years. Accelerometers were used to measure the duration of MVPA of adolescents, and questionnaires on family structure were completed by the parents of these adolescents.Results. Findings suggested that family structure significantly increased the likelihood of adolescents engaging in physical activity (PA) and explained 6% of MPVA variance. Adolescents living in single-parent households and step families were more physically active than those living in two-parent homes and with biological parents, respectively. However, adolescents residing with grandparents were less active than those living with neither grandparent. No significant difference was found in MVPA time between adolescents living with one sibling and those without siblings.Conclusion. Family environment may be considered in the development of PA interventions and policies, and adolescents living with their grandparents may be targeted in PA promotion.

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Influence of Perceived Sport Competence and Body Attractiveness on Physical Activity and other Healthy Lifestyle Habits in Adolescents

The Spanish Journal of Psychology ◽

10.5209/rev_sjop.2011.v14.n1.25 ◽

2011 ◽

Vol 14 (1) ◽

pp. 282-292 ◽

Cited By ~ 16

Author(s):

Juan Antonio Moreno-Murcia ◽

Pedro Hellín ◽

David González-Cutre ◽

Celestina Martínez-Galindo

Keyword(s):

Physical Activity ◽

Structural Equation ◽

Healthy Lifestyle ◽

Equation Model ◽

Self Concept ◽

Lifestyle Habits ◽

Physically Active ◽

Body Attractiveness ◽

Sport Competence ◽

Intention To Continue

The purpose of this study was to test an explanatory model of the relationships between physical self-concept and some healthy habits. A sample of 472 adolescents aged 16 to 20 answered different questionnaires assessing physical self-concept, physical activity, intention to be physically active and consumption of alcohol and tobacco. The results of the structural equation model showed that perceived sport competence positively correlated with current physical activity. Body attractiveness positively correlated with physical activity in boys and negatively in girls. Current physical activity positively correlated with the intention to be physically active in the future and negatively with the consumption of alcohol and tobacco. Nevertheless, this last relationship was only significant in boys. The results are discussed in connection with the promotion of healthy lifestyle guidelines among adolescents. This model shows the importance of physical self-concept for engaging in physical activity in adolescence. It also suggests that physical activity is associated with the intention to continue being physically active and with healthy lifestyle habits.

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Jogging, nordic walking and going for a walk - inter-disciplinary recommendations to keep people physically active in times of the covid-19 lockdown in Tyrol, Austria

Current Issues in Sport Science (CISS) ◽

10.15203/ciss_2020.100 ◽

2020 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Anika Frühauf ◽

Martin Schnitzer ◽

Wolfgang Schobersberger ◽

Günter Weiss ◽

Martin Kopp

Keyword(s):

Physical Activity ◽

Well Being ◽

Strong Impact ◽

Health It ◽

Physical And Mental Health ◽

Nordic Walking ◽

Physically Active ◽

Outdoor Sports ◽

Positive Effects ◽

Hiking Trails

Physical activity has a strong impact on physical and mental health. It prevents diseases, strengthens the immune system, and helps to reduce stress. Moreover, physical activity increases the psychological well-being, with outdoor exercise showing even more positive effects. In times when national regulations also restrict the possibilities for exercise, the authors—referring to scientifically sound findings and adhering to the current social distancing rules—recommend allowing moderate outdoor sports activities (jogging, Nordic walking, going for a walk) and the use of park trails, hiking trails, and forest roads in easy terrains.

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The Relationship Between Postural Control and Self-Reported Engagement in Physical Activity in Young and Older Age

Journal of Aging and Physical Activity ◽

10.1123/japa.2015-0052 ◽

2016 ◽

Vol 24 (2) ◽

pp. 196-200 ◽

Cited By ~ 4

Author(s):

Bożena Wojciechowska-Maszkowska ◽

Dorota Borzucka ◽

Aleksandra Maria Rogowska ◽

Michał Kuczyński

Keyword(s):

Physical Activity ◽

Postural Control ◽

Force Plate ◽

Physical And Mental Health ◽

Physically Active ◽

Beneficial Effects ◽

Eyes Open ◽

The Relationship ◽

Postural Performance ◽

Better Than

Physical activity is known to have beneficial effects on a host of factors related to physical and mental health, and positively affects postural control. However, there is no agreement on which measures of postural control and to what extent they are dependent on the past and present physical activity in older adults. To answer this question we compared the postural performance in a 20-s quiet stance with eyes open on a Kistler force plate in 38 subjects, aged 60–92, who were formerly and are currently physically active (AA) with those who were always inactive (II) and those who were either formerly (AI) or are currently (IA) active. Results indicated that only current activity promoted better postural control while former activity was ineffective. Postural control in AA and IA was very similar and much better than in II and AI who, in contrast, displayed similarly deteriorated postural control.

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