Neighborhood Walkability Is Not Associated with Adults’ Sedentary Behavior in the Residential Setting: Evidence from Breda, The Netherlands

Sedentary behavior has negative health effects. It is assumed that the walkability of the living environment is related to the amount of time spent on sedentary behavior in the residential setting. However, evidence on such a relation is still scarce, and results are contradictory. Therefore, we examined to what extent residential neighborhood walkability is associated with a variety of sedentary behaviors that frequently occur in the residential setting among adults. We carried out a cross-sectional survey using the domain-specific sedentary behavior questionnaire among adults in Breda, the Netherlands. Respondents’ walkability of the living environment was assessed objectively by means of road network buffers. We employed gamma generalized linear regressions to assess correlations between multiple sedentary behaviors and neighborhood walkability. We found no significant associations between residential neighborhood walkability and sedentary behavior levels. The lack of correlations was consistent across buffer sizes. Our models showed that adults with a higher education, a job, and a driver’s license spent significantly less time on sedentary behaviors. Our findings suggest that person-level characteristics should be targeted when developing intervention strategies to counteract sedentary time, rather than intervening in the walkability of the residential living environment.

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Degree of consistency of parental dietary and sedentary behavior rules as indicators for overweight

European Journal of Public Health ◽

10.1093/eurpub/ckz185.276 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 29 (Supplement_4) ◽

Author(s):

E L M Ruiter ◽

G A J Fransen ◽

M Kleinjan ◽

G R M Molleman ◽

K van der Velden ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Sedentary Behavior ◽

Sedentary Behaviour ◽

Latent Class ◽

Dietary Behavior ◽

Self Report ◽

Overweight Children ◽

Sedentary Behaviors ◽

Cross Sectional Survey ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Latent Class Analyses

Abstract Background To increase our understanding of the effect of parenting on the child’s likelihood of becoming overweight, we attempted to identify typologies based on how consistently parents apply dietary and sedentary behavior rules, and we examined whether these typologies are associated with energy balance-related behaviors in children and/or with the prevalence of overweight children. Methods Data were obtained from a cross-sectional survey of the Community Health Service in Nijmegen, the Netherlands in which a total of 4,865 parents of children aged 4-12 years participated. Data were collected using validated self-report questionnaires. To identify typologies based on how consistently parents apply dietary and sedentary behavior rules, we performed latent class analyses. We then performed regression analyses to examine the correlation between these typologies and socio-demographic characteristics, dietary and sedentary behaviors, and overweight. Results Latent class analyses revealed the existence of the following four distinct, stable classes/typologies; parents who have: (1) no dietary behavior rules, plus indulgent sedentary behavior rules; (2) indulgent dietary behavior rules, plus no sedentary behavior rules; (3) overall indulgent rules; (4) overall strict rules. Children of parents with overall strict rules (class 4) had significantly healthier dietary and sedentary behaviors compared to the children of parents in the other three classes. Children 8-12 years of age with parents in class 2 were the most likely to be overweight; compared to the children of parents in classes 1, 3, and 4, the parents in class 2 had the lowest level of education and the higher number of Turkish and Moroccan immigrants. Conclusions These results underscore the need for parents to establish strict rules for their children, particularly regarding sedentary behaviour in order to minimize the child’s likelihood of becoming overweight. Key messages The results underscore the need for parents to establish strict rules for their children, particularly regarding sedentary behaviour in order to minimize the child’s likelihood of becoming overweight. These results may contribute to making healthcare professionals aware that children of parents who do not apply sedentary behavior rules are more likely to become overweight.

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Living Environment Considerations on Obesity Prevention Behaviors and Self-Efficacy among Chinese Americans

International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health ◽

10.3390/ijerph18179322 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 18 (17) ◽

pp. 9322

Author(s):

Doreen Liou ◽

Jessica A. Karasik

Keyword(s):

Los Angeles ◽

Obesity Prevention ◽

Self Efficacy ◽

Chinese Americans ◽

Living Environment ◽

Portion Size ◽

Cross Sectional Survey ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Residential Neighborhood ◽

The Impact

The aim of this study is to ascertain if the living environment (type of residential neighborhood and number of household members) will elucidate differences in obesity risk reduction behaviors and self-efficacy in Chinese Americans. A cross-sectional survey design was used to recruit participants from Los Angeles County and New York City metropolitan areas. A total of 650 adults were recruited from diverse socioeconomic backgrounds. Descriptive statistics were measured for 19 behaviors reflecting food intake and portion size control and items measuring self-efficacy and attitudes. T-tests were applied for the two categories of living environment. The mean age of the sample was 36.3 years. The ‘high income’ neighborhood group indicated a greater frequency of behaviors, including choosing steamed over fried foods (p < 0.01) and using small amounts of oil (p < 0.05). In general, this group exhibited more favorable attitudes and stronger self-efficacy to perform health behaviors. Multiple regression analyses point to the impact of self-efficacy in predicting behaviors. Nutrition professionals must assess client’s living environments in the adoption of obesity prevention behaviors and the fostering of behavioral confidence.

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Cell phone use predicts being an “active couch potato”: results from a cross-sectional survey of sufficiently active college students

Digital Health ◽

10.1177/2055207619844870 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 5 ◽

pp. 205520761984487 ◽

Cited By ~ 3

Author(s):

Andrew Lepp ◽

Jacob E. Barkley

Keyword(s):

Physical Activity ◽

College Students ◽

Sedentary Behavior ◽

Cell Phone ◽

Sedentary Behaviors ◽

Negative Effects ◽

Cross Sectional Survey ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Physically Active ◽

Cell Phone Use

Objective “Active couch potato” describes an individual who is sufficiently physically active yet highly sedentary. Cell phones promote activities understood as sedentary behaviors (e.g. watching videos). Research demonstrates that cell phone use is positively associated with sedentary behavior. Although sedentary behavior typically displaces physical activity, no relationship between cell phone use and physical activity has been found. Thus, it is possible that some sufficiently active individuals are also high-frequency cell phone users and therefore highly sedentary. In other words, cell phone use may predict being an “active couch potato” among active people. Testing this hypothesis was the purpose of this study. “Active couch potatoes” are of concern as the negative effects of excessive sedentary behavior are independent of the benefits of physical activity. Methods College students (228) completed validated surveys assessing physical activity, sedentary behavior, and cell phone use. Using a previously validated method, participants were rated as sufficiently active or not based upon their physical activity survey score. Participants who were not sufficiently active were excluded from further analysis resulting in a final sample of 171. These sufficiently active individuals were categorized as “active couch potatoes” if they were also highly sedentary (i.e. sitting for eight or more hours/day). Logistic regression determined if cell phone use predicted being categorized as an “active couch potato.” Results Cell phone use was a significant, positive predictor of being an “active couch potato.” With each additional hour of daily cell phone use, the odds of becoming an “active couch potato” increased by 11.4% (Wald = 5.934, P = 0.015, Exp(B) = 1.114). On average, active couch potatoes used their cell phone 1.7 hours more each day than their sufficiently active but not overly sedentary peers. Conclusion Increased cell phone use was a significant predictor of being an “active couch potato.” Explanations and implications are discussed.

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Hidden bedside rationing in the Netherlands: a cross-sectional survey among physicians in internal medicine

BMC Health Services Research ◽

10.1186/s12913-021-06229-2 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 21 (1) ◽

Author(s):

Ursula W. de Ruijter ◽

Hester F. Lingsma ◽

Willem A. Bax ◽

Johan Legemaate

Keyword(s):

Internal Medicine ◽

The Netherlands ◽

Patient Choice ◽

Cross Sectional Survey ◽

Online Questionnaire ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Physician Characteristics ◽

Distribution Of Resources ◽

Healthcare Rationing ◽

Do So

Abstract Background Healthcare rationing can be defined as withholding beneficial care for cost reasons. One form in particular, hidden bedside rationing, is problematic because it may result in conflicting loyalties for physicians, unfair inequality among patients and illegitimate distribution of resources. Our aim is to establish whether bedside rationing occurs in the Netherlands, whether it qualifies as hidden and what physician characteristics are associated with its practice. Methods Cross-sectional online questionnaire on knowledge of -, experience with -, and opinion on rationing among physicians in internal medicine within the Dutch healthcare system. Multivariable ordinal logistic regression was used to explore relations between hidden bedside rationing and physician characteristics. Results The survey was distributed among 1139 physicians across 11 hospitals with a response rate of 18% (n = 203). Most participants (n = 129; 64%) had experience prescribing a cheaper course of treatment while a more effective but more expensive alternative was available, suggesting bedside rationing. Subsequently, 32 (24%) participants never disclosed this decision to their patient, qualifying it as hidden. The majority of participants (n = 153; 75%) rarely discussed treatment cost. Employment at an academic hospital was independently associated with more bedside rationing (OR = 17 95%CI 6.1–48). Furthermore, residents were more likely to disclose rationing to their patients than internists (OR = 3.2, 95%CI 2.1–4.7), while salaried physicians were less likely to do so than physicians in private practice (OR = 0.5, 95%CI 0.4–0.8). Conclusion Hidden bedside rationing occurs in the Netherlands: patient choice is on occasion limited with costs as rationale and this is not always disclosed. To what extent distribution of healthcare should include bedside rationing in the Netherlands, or any other country, remains up for debate.

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Prevalence of Physical Activity and Sedentary Behaviors in US High School Students by Metropolitan Status and Geographic Region

Journal of Physical Activity and Health ◽

10.1123/jpah.3.4.365 ◽

2006 ◽

Vol 3 (4) ◽

pp. 365-380 ◽

Cited By ~ 19

Author(s):

Andrew E. Springer ◽

Deanna M. Hoelscher ◽

Steven H. Kelder

Keyword(s):

Physical Activity ◽

High School Students ◽

Sedentary Behavior ◽

Geographic Region ◽

Sedentary Behaviors ◽

The South ◽

School Students ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Nationally Representative ◽

Tv Watching

Background:Geographic differences in the prevalence of physical activity (PA) have been found among adults in the US; similar studies have not been conducted among adolescents.Methods:Using nationally representative cross-sectional data from the CDC’s 2003 Youth Risk Behavior Survey, we estimated the prevalence of PA and sedentary behaviors by metropolitan status and geographic region.Results:The prevalence of PA was lowest and prevalence of sedentary behavior highest for urban students. Students from the South reported the lowest prevalence of PA and the highest prevalence of TV watching, while students from the West generally reported the highest PA prevalence and lowest sedentary behavior prevalence. Prevalence differences ranged from < 1.0% to > 15%, with most differences falling between 5% and 10%.Conclusions:Findings mirror regional variations previously observed in adult PA. We need to understand factors that contribute to lower PA in youth living in the South and in urban settings.

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The Association between Dry Eye Disease and Physical Activity as well as Sedentary Behavior: Results from the Osaka Study

Journal of Ophthalmology ◽

10.1155/2014/943786 ◽

2014 ◽

Vol 2014 ◽

pp. 1-6 ◽

Cited By ~ 17

Author(s):

Motoko Kawashima ◽

Miki Uchino ◽

Norihiko Yokoi ◽

Yuichi Uchino ◽

Murat Dogru ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Physical Activity ◽

Sedentary Behavior ◽

Dry Eye ◽

Visual Display ◽

Dry Eye Disease ◽

Activity Level ◽

Eye Disease ◽

Cross Sectional Survey ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Large Groups

Purpose. To assess the association of dry eye disease (DED) with physical activity and sedentary behavior.Methods. The cross-sectional survey conducted included Japanese office workers who use visual display terminals (n=672). DED was assessed according to the Japanese Dry Eye Diagnostic Criteria, and participants were categorized into “definite DED,” “probable DED,” or “non-DED” groups based on the results of DED examinations. Physical activity and sedentary behavior of participants were assessed using the International Physical Activity Questionnaire (IPAQ), and physical activity level was calculated in metabolic equivalent units per week (MET, min/week). Participants were classified as having a high, moderate, or low level of physical activity.Results. Participants with abnormal tear break-up time (BUT) (≤5 s) were involved in sedentary behavior for significantly longer duration than those with normal BUT (P=0.035). Non-DED participants (14.5%) tended to have higher levels of physical activity than definite DED participants (2.5%). Participants with definite DED had significantly lower MET scores than those with non-DED (P=0.025).Conclusions. Our findings suggest that a lower level of physical activity and sedentary behavior are associated with DED; however, longitudinal/intervention studies with large groups of participants are needed to validate these findings.

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Objectively Measured Sedentary Behavior, Obesity, and Psychological Well-Being: A Cross-Sectional Study of Japanese Schoolchildren

Journal of Physical Activity and Health ◽

10.1123/jpah.2016-0374 ◽

2017 ◽

Vol 14 (4) ◽

pp. 270-274 ◽

Cited By ~ 8

Author(s):

Kaori Ishii ◽

Ai Shibata ◽

Minoru Adachi ◽

Yoshiyuki Mano ◽

Koichiro Oka

Keyword(s):

Psychological Health ◽

Vigorous Physical Activity ◽

Emotional Problems ◽

Well Being ◽

Self Report ◽

Sedentary Behaviors ◽

Japanese Children ◽

Cross Sectional Survey ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Psychological Well Being

Background:Sedentary behaviors (SB) are associated with health indicators; however, there are currently very few studies that have examined these associations, especially in conjunction with psychological factors, in children. The current study examined the independent relationship between objectively assessed SB, and indicators of obesity and psychological well-being, among Japanese children.Methods:A total of 967 elementary-school children completed a cross-sectional survey. SB was measured with accelerometers for 7 consecutive days. Psychological well-being data (eg, anxiety and behavior problems) were collected via a self-report questionnaire. To determine the relationship of SB with degree of obesity and psychological well-being, linear regression analyses were conducted to relate the indicators of obesity and psychological well-being on SB, adjusted by gender, grade, percentage of moderate-to-vigorous physical activity per day, duration spent wearing the accelerometer, and degree of obesity.Results:SB was significantly related to behavioral/emotional problems (β = .280, P = .010, R2 = .015). There was a statistically significant relationship between SB and anxiety (β = .206, P = .059, R2 = .007). No significant association with degree of obesity was found.Conclusions:Excess SB relates higher levels of behavioral/emotional problems and anxiety. These results can inspire the development of interventions that promote well-being and enhance psychological health, by focusing on SB in Japanese children.

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Functional Limitations and Perceived Neighborhood Walkability Among Urban Dwelling Older Adults

Frontiers in Public Health ◽

10.3389/fpubh.2021.675799 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 9 ◽

Author(s):

Rie Suzuki ◽

Jennifer Blackwood ◽

Noah J. Webster ◽

Shailee Shah

Keyword(s):

Older Adults ◽

General Education ◽

Functional Limitations ◽

Walking Distance ◽

Lower Income ◽

Cross Sectional Survey ◽

General Education Development ◽

Education Development ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Neighborhood Walkability

Older adults with functional limitations (FLs) often experience obstacles to walking. Although health promotion programs targeting physical activity are available in lower-income areas, few studies have compared the walking experiences of older adults who have FLs with those who do not in the community. The purpose of this cross-sectional survey was to compare perceptions of neighborhood walkability among older adults living in lower-income communities with and without FLs. Participants (N = 132) were recruited in 2018 at regional health clinics in Flint, Michigan. To be eligible, participants had to be 65 years of age or older, report no cognitive decline, and be Flint residents. Of the 132 participants, the mean age was 69.74 (SD = 4.97). The majority were female (66%); African American (77%); single, divorced, or widowed (72%); educated below the General Education Development level (57%), and had a FL (67%). Older adults with FLs were significantly (p < 0.05) less likely than those without to visit many places within walking distance, to have well-lit neighborhoods at night, and to reside in neighborhoods where sidewalks were separated from the road and traffic. Multiple regression analyses revealed that having a FL was associated with poorer neighborhood perceptions of mixed-land-use (b = −0.19, p < 0.05) and more walking hazards (b = −0.26, p < 0.05). Findings suggest that a FL is associated with perceptions of walkability. It is essential to develop disability-friendly support systems and accommodations to encourage walking in lower-income communities.

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