scholarly journals A COVID-19 Crisis in Child Physical Fitness: Creating a Barometric Tool of Public Health Engagement for the Republic of Slovenia

2021 ◽  
Vol 9 ◽  
Author(s):  
Gregor Jurak ◽  
Shawnda A. Morrison ◽  
Marjeta Kovač ◽  
Bojan Leskošek ◽  
Vedrana Sember ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Physical Activity ◽  
Physical Fitness ◽  
Direct Result ◽  
Physically Active ◽  
Policy Makers ◽  
Health Gains ◽  
National Public Health ◽  
Obesity Trends ◽  
The Republic

The Republic of Slovenia implements the largest longitudinal database of child physical fitness in the world–SLOfit. Slovenia has some of the most physically active children globally, and it has responded rapidly to incorporate national physical activity (PA) interventions throughout the COVID-19 pandemic. Despite aggressive campaigns to maintain PA at home, the country has seen a tremendous decrease in child physical fitness over the past several months as self-isolation measures have been mandated by national authorities. These trends prompted researchers to create a method of tracking and communicating government decisions which have a direct impact on child physical activity, fitness and overall health (i.e., the SLOfit Barometer). The research team assembled experts for consultation on creation of the SLOfit Barometer after processing preliminary data on 20,000 schoolchildren which found the greatest decline in child physical fitness since systematic testing began more than 30 years ago. Only 2 months of self-isolation erased over 10 years of hard-fought health gains acquired from national public health policies and PA interventions. This crisis in child fitness requires integrated community participation and a robust public health policy response, and with the SLOfit Barometer acting as a national bellwether system, it is envisioned that policy makers and the public will advocate for bold, progressive actions to combat this national health emergency. This surveillance tool tracks government action to combat the increasing child physical inactivity and obesity trends brought on as a direct result of COVID-19 isolation regulations.

scholarly journals The National Referral Database: An initial overview

2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
James Steele ◽  
Matthew Wade ◽  
Marie Polley ◽  
Robert J. Copeland ◽  
Stuart Stokes ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Physical Activity ◽  
Data Cleaning ◽  
Current Trend ◽  
Big Data Analytics ◽  
Policy And Practice ◽  
Local Data ◽  
Policy Makers ◽  
Exercise Medicine ◽  
Exercise Referral

Background: In 2014 The National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) called for development of a system to collate local data on exercise referral schemes (ERS) to inform future practice. This database would be used to facilitate continued evaluation of ERS. ‘Big data’ analytics is a current trend in healthcare with the potential to influence decision making. Indeed, the use of health databases can spur scientific investigation and generation of evidence regarding healthcare practice. NICEs recommendation has not yet been met by public health bodies. However, through collaboration between ukactive, ReferAll, a specialist in software solutions for exercise referral, and the National Centre for Sport and Exercise Medicine, data has been collated from multiple UK based ERS to generate one of the largest databases of its kind and move towards meeting NICEs recommendation. Method: This paper describes the formation of The National Referral Database, its structure including outcome measures, data cleaning processes, and in two accompanying manuscripts the first initial observational insights are presented from analysis of this data. Results: Collating data from 19 ERSs on 24,086 individuals, a database has been created containing pre and post referral data for metrics including; physical activity, blood pressure, BMI, resting heart rate, SWEMWBS scores, ESES scores, WHO5 scores and ERQoL scores. After data cleaning processes there were 14 ERSs remaining covering 23,782 participants with an average age of 51±15 years and 68% of whom were female. Further, the database contains demographic information, reason for referral, medical conditions, and information on the referrer. Conclusion: This database has now been created and the initial data is available for researchers to interrogate. The National Referral Database represents a potentially valuable resource for the wider research community, as well as policy makers and practitioners in this area, which will facilitate a better understanding of ERS and other physical activity related social prescribing pathways to help inform public health policy and practice. Longer term plans include establishment of the database as an open resource, continually updated with additional data and version controls, for researchers to access for further research and policy makers and practitioners to use to inform their policies/practices.

Physical Activity Surveillance Using Wearable Activity Monitors: Are US Adults Willing to Share Their Data?

2020 ◽  
Vol 34 (6) ◽  
pp. 672-676 ◽  
Author(s):  
Eric T. Hyde ◽  
John D. Omura ◽  
Janet E. Fulton ◽  
Andre Weldy ◽  
Susan A. Carlson
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Physical Activity ◽  
Health Agency ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Physically Active ◽  
Web Based ◽  
Activity Monitors ◽  
Share Data ◽  
Using Data ◽  
National Physical Activity

Purpose: Wearable activity monitors (wearables) have generated interest for national physical activity (PA) surveillance; however, concerns exist related to estimates obtained from current users willing to share data. We examined how limiting data to current users who are willing to share data associated with PA estimates in a nationwide sample. Design: Cross-sectional web-based survey. Setting: US adults. Subjects: In total, 942 respondents. Measures: The 2018 Government & Academic Omnibus Survey assessing current wearable use, willingness to share data with various people or organizations, and PA levels. Analysis: Estimated the prevalence of current wearable use; current users’ willingness to share data with various people or organizations; and PA levels overall, among current users, and among current users willing to share their data. Results: Overall, 21.7% (95% confidence interval [CI]: 19.1-24.5) of US adults reported currently using a wearable. Among current users, willingness to share ranged from 40.1% with a public health agency to 76.3% with their health-care provider. Overall, 62.2% (95% CI: 58.9-65.3) of adults were physically active. These levels were similar between current users (75.0%, 95% CI: 68.3-80.7) and current users willing to share their data (75.3%, 95% CI: 67.9-81.5). Conclusion: Our findings suggest that using data from wearable users may overestimate PA levels, although reported willingness to share the data may not compound this issue.

The Implications of Public Policy Related to Parks, Recreation, and Public Health: A Focus on Physical Activity

2007 ◽  
Vol 4 (s1) ◽  
pp. S64-S71 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kathy J. Spangler ◽  
Linda L. Caldwell
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Physical Activity ◽  
Public Policy ◽  
Public Parks ◽  
Physically Active ◽  
Parks And Recreation ◽  
Leisure Services ◽  
Framework Approach ◽  
Recreation Professionals ◽  
The Impact

A collaborative framework that influences the promotion of policy related to physical activity should include parks and recreation as well as public health practitioners and researchers. As governments at all levels become increasingly focused on the impact of public resources, park and recreation agencies are challenged to document and demonstrate the impact of leisure services. Public policy associated with parks and recreation is driven by public interest and is often debated in the absence of relevant research to demonstrate the determinants and correlates of parks and recreation to address prevailing social conditions. This paper describes current policy and funding issues faced by public parks and recreation professionals responding to increasing physically active leisure across the lifespan of Americans. We also discuss how a collaborative framework approach can be used to inform public policy designed to increase the physical activity of the American public.

scholarly journals Sedentary Death Syndrome

2004 ◽  
Vol 29 (4) ◽  
pp. 447-460 ◽  
Author(s):  
Simon J. Lees ◽  
Frank W. Booth
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Physical Activity ◽  
Chronic Diseases ◽  
Physical Inactivity ◽  
Scientific Basis ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Physically Active ◽  
Public Health Burden ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Active Controls

Sedentary death syndrome (SeDS) is a major public health burden due to its causing multiple chronic diseases and millions of premature deaths each year. Despite the impact of physical inactivity, very little is known about the actual causes of physical inactivity-induced chronic diseases. It is important to study the mechanisms underlying molecular changes related to physical inactivity in order to better understand the scientific basis of individualized exercise prescription and the rapies for chronic diseases, and to support improved public health efforts by providing molecular proof that physical inactivity is an actual cause of chronic diseases. Physical activity has a genetic basis. A subpopulation of genes, which have functioned to support physical activity for survival through most of humankind's existence, require daily exercise to maintain long-term health and vitality. Type 2 diabetes (T2D) is an example of a SeDS condition, as it is almost entirely preventable with physical activity. To determine the true role of physical inactivity in the development and progression of T2D, information is presented which indicates that comparisons should be made to physically active controls, rather than sedentary controls, as this population is the healthiest. Use of sedentary subjects as the control group has led to potentially misleading interpretations. If physically active individuals were designated as the control group, a different interpretation would have been drawn. It is thought that there is no difference in GLUT4 concentration between T2D and sedentary groups. However, GLUT4 expression is higher in active controls than in sedentary and T2D groups. Therefore, to obtain causal mechanisms for SeDS in order to allow for scientifically based prevention and therapy strategies, physically active subjects must serve as the control group. Key words: physical inactivity, chronic diseases, diabetes, glucose

scholarly journals Physical Activity and Physical Fitness of School-Aged Children and Youth with Autism Spectrum Disorders

2014 ◽  
Vol 2014 ◽  
pp. 1-6 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kiley Tyler ◽  
Megan MacDonald ◽  
Kristi Menear
Keyword(s):  
Physical Activity ◽  
Physical Fitness ◽  
Handgrip Strength ◽  
Autism Spectrum ◽  
Repetitive Behaviors ◽  
Typically Developing ◽  
Physically Active ◽  
School Aged Children ◽  
Children With Asd ◽  
Group Effects

Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is characterized by impairments in social communication deficits and the presence of restricted and repetitive behaviors, interests, or activities. Literature comparing the physical activity and fitness of children with ASD to typically developing peers is in need of attention. The purpose of this investigation was to examine the physical activity and fitness of school-aged children with ASD (N=17) in comparison to typically developing peers (N=12). Participants with ASD completed diagnostic and developmental assessments and a series of physical fitness assessments: 20-meter multistage shuttle, sit-and-reach test, handgrip strength, and body mass index. Physical activity was measured using accelerometry and preestablished cut-points of physical activity (Freedson et al., 2005). MANCOVA revealed significant between-group effects in strength (P=.03), while ANCOVA revealed significant between-group effects in sedentary (P=.00), light (P=.00), moderate (P=.00), and total moderate-to-vigorous (P=.01) physical activity. Children with ASD are less physically active and fit than typically developing peers. Adapted physical activity programs are one avenue with intervention potential to combat these lower levels of physical activity and fitness found in children with ASD.

Classroom Teachers’ Leisure Physical Activity and Their Conduct of Physical Education

1999 ◽  
Vol 19 (1) ◽  
pp. 126-132 ◽  
Author(s):  
Thomas L. McKenzie ◽  
Kathryn J. LaMaster ◽  
James F. Sallis ◽  
Simon J. Marshall
Keyword(s):  
Physical Activity ◽  
Physical Education ◽  
Physical Fitness ◽  
Leisure Time Physical Activity ◽  
Classroom Teachers ◽  
Physically Active ◽  
Relationship Of ◽  
The Relationship ◽  
5Th Grade ◽  
Leisure Physical Activity

The relationship of classroom teachers’ leisure time physical activity and their conduct of physical education classes was investigated. Eighteen 4th- and 5th-grade teachers reported on their leisure physical activity and had their physical education classes observed systematically during 4 consecutive semesters. Correlational analyses confirmed that more active teachers taught physical education differently from those that were less active. Teachers who were more active provided students with increased physical fitness activities, and the teachers themselves spent more time promoting physical fitness during lessons. The study provides some support for the hypothesis that physically active teachers provide higher quality physical education.

scholarly journals Diet and physical activity – interactions for health; public health nutrition in the European perspective

1999 ◽  
Vol 2 (3a) ◽  
pp. 453-459 ◽  
Author(s):  
Michael Sjöström ◽  
Agneta Yngve ◽  
Eric Poortvliet ◽  
Daniel Warm ◽  
Ulf Ekelund
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Physical Activity ◽  
Strategy Development ◽  
Public Health Nutrition ◽  
Physically Active ◽  
Factors Affecting ◽  
Diet And Physical Activity ◽  
Nutrition And Physical Activity ◽  
Great Possibility ◽  
Health Enhancing Physical Activity

AbstractFor the majority of European adults, who neither smoke nor drink excessively, the most significant controllable risk factors affecting their long-term health are what they eat, and how physically active they are.Scientists are supposed to clarify to policy makers and health professionals the usefulness of their health messages. However, to be able to do that, a more detailed understanding is needed of the basic mechanisms behind the effects on health of diet and physical activity and, especially, the two in combination. Further, better methods for assessment of nutrition and physical activity in the population have to be developed, and more and better baseline data have to be collected. Increased and more efficient interventions are then needed. People trained and competent in the new discipline of Public Health Nutrition are required.Through the stimulating support that the European Commission, as well as other national and international partners, are presently giving to the development of Public Health Nutrition across Europe, we can hope for an increased mobility, networking and understanding between European nutrition and physical activity professionals. This will most likely result in greater and better policy making, strategy development, implementation and evaluation. We now have a great possibility to develop the integrated field of preventive nutrition and health enhancing physical activity.

scholarly journals Investigation of the Reasons Motivating Undergraduate Students to Physical Activity According to Behavior Change Stages

2021 ◽  
Vol 15 (7) ◽  
pp. 2099-2102
Author(s):  
Ahmet Naci Dilek ◽  
Zeki Taş
Keyword(s):  
Physical Activity ◽  
Physical Fitness ◽  
Behavior Change ◽  
Undergraduate Students ◽  
Female Students ◽  
Social Dimension ◽  
Social Dimensions ◽  
Sports Activity ◽  
Physically Active ◽  
The Difference

Aim: In this study, it was aimed to investigate the reasons that motivate undergraduate students to physical activity according to the stages of behavior change. Method: A total of 598 students, including 328 male and 270 female students, voluntarily participated in the research conducted with the screening model. Independent t-test, one-way analysis of variance and LSD tests were used for statistical operations. Results: The difference between interest and physical fitness dimension scores between male and female students was statistically significant (p<.05). In the dimension of interest and physical fitness, female's scores are higher than male's. In the study, statistically significant differences were found in interest, ability, appearance, physical fitness and social dimensions according to age category (p<.05). Statistically significant differences were found in all sub-dimensions when comparing the sub-dimensions of the reasons that motivate to participate in physical/sports activity according to the behavioral change steps (p<.01). Conclusion: It has been determined that while the factors that motivate undergraduate students to physical activity are different in terms of interest and physical fitness, they are similar in terms of ability, appearance and social dimension. It has been observed that physically active people are better in interest, physical fitness, ability, appearance and social dimensions than those who are not physically active. It is recommended to direct undergraduate students to be more physically active. Keywords: Behavior, Physical activity, Motivation

Behavioral Interventions in Public Health Settings

2014 ◽  
pp. 724-746
Author(s):  
Beth A. Lewis ◽  
Eric Statt ◽  
Bess H. Marcus
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Physical Activity ◽  
Weight Loss ◽  
Smoking Cessation ◽  
Health Behaviors ◽  
Behavioral Interventions ◽  
Theoretical Models ◽  
Physical Activity Behavior ◽  
Physically Active ◽  
Individual Level

This chapter discusses three health behaviors that significantly impact public health. Specifically, physical activity behavior, weight loss, and smoking cessation are associated with many health benefits, including decreased risk of cardiovascular disease, type 2 diabetes, and cancer. These three health behaviors are important modifiable risk factors that can have a significant impact on health. Unfortunately, only half of Americans are physically active at the recommended levels. Additionally, 66.3% of Americans are overweight or obese. Finally, despite the health problems related to smoking, about one-fifth of Americans continue to smoke cigarettes. We provide an overview of the theoretical models commonly used in intervention studies and summarize the research evidence from randomized trials. Finally, we review three different intervention approaches for improving health behaviors, including an individual-level approach for physical activity, a community-level approach for weight loss, and a group-based approach for smoking cessation.

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