scholarly journals Pollution, Health, and the Moderating Role of Physical Activity Opportunities

2020 ◽  
Vol 17 (17) ◽  
pp. 6272
Author(s):  
George B. Cunningham ◽  
Pamela Wicker ◽  
Brian P. McCullough
Keyword(s):  
Physical Activity ◽  
Water Pollution ◽  
Air Pollution ◽  
Physical Activity Behavior ◽  
The United States ◽  
Physical And Mental Health ◽  
Particle Matter ◽  
Close Proximity ◽  
Health Related ◽  
Negative Effect

Air and water pollution have detrimental effects on health, while physical activity opportunities have a positive relationship. The purpose of this study was to explore whether physical activity opportunities moderate the relationships among air and water pollution, and measures of health. Aggregate data were collected at the county level in the United States (n = 3104). Variables included the mean daily density of fine particle matter (air pollution), reported cases of health-related drinking water violations (water pollution), subjective ratings of poor or fair health (overall health), the number of physically and mentally unhealthy (physical and mental health, respectively), and the percentage of people living in close proximity to a park or recreation facility (access to physical activity). Air and water pollution have a significant positive effect on all measures of residents’ poor health, while physical activity opportunities only have a negative effect on overall health and physical health. Access to physical activity only moderates the relationship between air pollution and all health outcomes. Since physical activity behavior can be more rapidly changed than some causes of pollution, providing the resident population with better access to physical activity can represent an effective tool in environmental health policy.

Who Uses Wearable Activity Trackers and Why? A Comparison of Former and Current Users in the United States

2020 ◽  
Vol 34 (7) ◽  
pp. 762-769
Author(s):  
Ciarán P. Friel ◽  
Carol Ewing Garber
Keyword(s):  
Physical Activity ◽  
Average Length ◽  
Physical Activity Behavior ◽  
The United States ◽  
Web Based ◽  
Shared Data ◽  
Activity Trackers ◽  
Wearable Activity Trackers ◽  
Average Current ◽  
Activity Behavior

Background: There has been an explosion in the use of wearable activity trackers (WATs), but we do not fully understand who wears them and why. This study’s purpose was to describe the characteristics of WAT users and to compare current and former users. Materials and Methods: A variety of internet-based resources (eg, Craigslist, Facebook) were used to recruit current and former WAT users. Respondents completed a web-based survey, where they provided information on sociodemographic characteristics, health, physical activity behavior, and about their WAT use. Results: Of the 2826 respondents who gave informed consent, 70.8% (n = 2002) met inclusion criteria for this analysis. Respondents ranged from 18 to 81 years old (mean 32.9 ± 12.2 standard deviation) with 73.8% women. Most were current WAT users (68.7%), and the average length of WAT use overall was 9.3 ± 9.7 months. On average, current users wore the device for 3.7 months longer than former users. Compared to current users, former users had a lower body mass index (1.2 kg/m2 less), reported fewer medical conditions, shared data from their device less often, and received the device as a gift more frequently. Conclusions: Current and former users varied in their reasons for using a WAT and how they used their device. Differences identified between these groups support further exploration of associations between WAT users’ profiles and their physical activity behavior.

Physical Activity Levels and Self-Reported Risk-Taking Behavior among Rural Australian and American 7th–9th Grade Adolescents

1998 ◽  
Vol 17 (4) ◽  
pp. 345-360 ◽  
Author(s):  
Michael P. Savage ◽  
Derek R. Holcomb
Keyword(s):  
Physical Activity ◽  
Body Weight ◽  
Health Behaviors ◽  
Risk Taking ◽  
The United States ◽  
Activity Level ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Drinking Alcohol ◽  
Health Related ◽  
Risk Taking Behaviors

This study compares self-reported physical activities and selected health behaviors (i.e., participation in physical activity, alcohol and cigarette use, perceived level of energy, and satisfaction with body weight) of a sample of seventh and ninth grade adolescents from Australia and the United States. A modified version of the Personal Wellness Profile 400™ (PWP 400) was used to measure adolescents' participation in physical activity and health behaviors. Five of the seven items studied showed significant differences ( p < .05). Ninety-seven percent of Australian adolescents reported they engaged in physical activity long enough to work up a sweat four or more times per week, compared to 94 percent of U.S. adolescents. The Australian cohort, however, reported a significantly higher level of ever smoking (34.1% vs. 12.3%), and drinking alcohol during the past year than did U.S. adolescents (55.0% vs. 16.0%). Male adolescents demonstrated significant differences on five of the seven items measured. Australian males reported greater participation in physical activity, smoking and drinking, and reported they had higher levels of energy than did U.S. males. The female adolescents also demonstrated significant differences on five of the seven items measured, e.g., over 76 percent of Australian females reported engaging in strength exercises at least once a week compared to 59 percent of U.S. females, and only 23 percent of Australian females reported they were sedentary compared to 41 percent of U.S. females. Finally, the relationship between physical activity and involvement with risk-taking behaviors and health-related attitudes for both samples was examined. Increased activity was associated with less smoking, more satisfaction with body weight, and perceived higher energy level for U.S. adolescents. Drinking alcohol was not associated with activity level for U.S. adolescents. For Australian adolescents there was no association between physical activity and risk-taking behaviors and health-related attitudes. Future research should continue to examine cultural differences.

Recommended Levels of Physical Activity and Health-Related Quality of Life Among Overweight and Obese Adults in the United States, 2005

2009 ◽  
Vol 6 (4) ◽  
pp. 403-411 ◽  
Author(s):  
Gregory W. Heath ◽  
David W. Brown
Keyword(s):  
Quality Of Life ◽  
Physical Activity ◽  
United States ◽  
The United States ◽  
Health Related Quality ◽  
Obese Adults ◽  
Related Quality ◽  
Health Related ◽  
Physically Inactive

Background:Since overweight (25 ≤ BMI < 30) and obesity (BMI ≥ 30 Kg/m2) are associated with poor health-related quality of life (HRQOL) and regular physical activity is associated with higher levels of HRQOL, the authors examined the relationship between physical activity and HRQOL among overweight and obese adults (age ≥ 18 years) residing in the United States.Methods:Using the 2005 BRFSS survey, they examined the independent relationship between recommended physical activity and measures of HRQOL developed by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention among 283,562 adults age 18 years or older with overweight or obesity. Measures of physical activity, height, weight, and HRQOL were self-reported. Multivariable logistic regression was used to obtain odds ratios and 95% confidence intervals adjusted for age, race/ethnicity, sex, education, smoking status, chronic disease, and body-mass index.Results:The proportion of adults with overweight and obesity who attained recommended levels of physical activity had higher levels of HRQOL than physically inactive adults for all age, racial/ethnic, and sex groups. After multi-variable adjustment, overweight and obese adults who met the recommended level of physical activity had higher levels of HRQOL than physically inactive adults across all age strata.Conclusions:These results highlight the HRQOL role that physical activity can have among overweight and obese persons despite their excess body weight.

DOES CLASS SIZE IN A HEALTH-RELATED FITNESS COURSE AFFECT CHANGES IN PHYSICAL ACTIVITY BEHAVIOR?

2003 ◽  
Vol 35 (Supplement 1) ◽  
pp. S219
Author(s):  
M A. Collins ◽  
B Goldfine ◽  
A B. Lanier ◽  
M V.G. Barros ◽  
M V. Nahas ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Physical Activity ◽  
Class Size ◽  
Physical Activity Behavior ◽  
Health Related ◽  
Activity Behavior ◽  
Health Related Fitness

scholarly journals Personality Traits, Coping, Health-related Behaviors, and Cumulative Physiological Health in a National Sample: 10 Year Prospective Effects of Conscientiousness via Perceptions of Activity on Allostatic Load

2020 ◽  
Vol 54 (11) ◽  
pp. 880-892
Author(s):  
Elizabeth Milad ◽  
Tim Bogg
Keyword(s):  
Physical Activity ◽  
Health Risk ◽  
Personality Traits ◽  
Allostatic Load ◽  
Coping Styles ◽  
The United States ◽  
National Sample ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Health Related Behaviors ◽  
Health Related

Abstract Background Personality traits, coping styles, and health-related behaviors show associations with various aspects of health. However, integrative life-course investigations of pathways by which these factors might affect later cumulative physiological health risk remain sparse. Purpose To investigate prospective associations of personality traits via coping styles and health-related behaviors on allostatic load in a national sample. Methods Using data from the Midlife in the United States study (MIDUS; N = 1,054), path analyses were used to test direct and indirect associations (via coping styles, smoking, frequency of alcohol consumption, leisure-time physical activity, and perceptions of activity) of personality traits on a latent measurement model of allostatic load informed by 10 biomarkers associated with cardiovascular, inflammation, glucose, and lipid subsystems. Results Direct 10 year associations of greater conscientiousness on healthier allostatic load and greater extraversion on less healthy allostatic load were observed. Consistent with hypothesized behavioral pathways, relationships between conscientiousness and extraversion on allostatic load were prospectively mediated by greater perceptions of activity. Physical activity and more frequent alcohol use were associated with healthier allostatic load but did not act as prospective mediators. Conclusions The results provide further evidence of conscientiousness’ standing as a marker of health via cumulative physiological health. Moreover, a greater perception of activity was identified as a pathway through which conscientious individuals experienced healthier physiological profiles over time. Examining a more detailed picture of the psychosocial mechanisms leading to development of health risk, as was found with perceptions of activity, remains an important area for future research.

scholarly journals Physical Activity Behavior After a Diagnosis of Lung Cancer Differs Between Countries: An Observational Cohort Study

2017 ◽  
Vol 17 (2) ◽  
pp. 493-502 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jun Ni ◽  
Linda Denehy ◽  
Jian Feng ◽  
Liqin Xu ◽  
Yi Wu ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Physical Activity ◽  
Lung Cancer ◽  
Cohort Study ◽  
Physical Activity Behavior ◽  
The Elderly ◽  
Physically Active ◽  
Baseline Group ◽  
Related Quality ◽  
Health Related ◽  
Walking Time

Introduction. Physical activity (PA) is important in lung cancer. Objectives. To investigate PA levels and health-related quality of life (HRQoL) of patients with lung cancer in China and compare this to a similar cohort in Australia. Methods. Prospective cohort study. 71 patients from China (group CH) and 90 patients from Australia (group AU) with newly diagnosed lung cancer. Questionnaires assessed self-reported PA levels and HRQoL at baseline (diagnosis) and 8 weeks. Results. At baseline, group CH were engaged in less overall PA than group AU (Physical Activity Scale for the Elderly [PASE] total score: median [IQR] group CH, 56 [32-59]; group AU, 66 [38-116]; P < .005), and less occupational and household activity ( P < .005). However, at baseline, group CH reported significantly more walking time than group AU (median [IQR]: group CH, 210 [150-315] min/wk; group AU, 55[0-210] min/wk; P < .0005). Global HRQoL scores were similar between groups (P = .038). Over 8 weeks, group CH increased their overall PA levels ( P < .005) and walking time ( P = .008), and HRQoL remained unchanged. The comparison group AU experienced a reduction in PA levels ( P = .02) and HRQoL ( P < .005). Conclusions. A diagnosis, patients in China were less physically active than those in Australia. Following diagnosis, patients in China increased their PA levels, whereas those in Australia reduced their PA levels. Research is required to explore potential reasons behind differences, and this may inform research/clinical services to facilitate patients with lung cancer to be more active.

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