scholarly journals New Self-Report Measures of Commuting Behaviors to University and Their Association with Sociodemographic Characteristics

2021 ◽  
Vol 18 (23) ◽  
pp. 12557
Author(s):  
Ximena Palma-Leal ◽  
Fernando Rodríguez-Rodríguez ◽  
Pablo Campos-Garzón ◽  
Antonio Castillo-Paredes ◽  
Palma Chillón
Keyword(s):  
Physical Activity ◽  
Economic Benefits ◽  
Self Report ◽  
Sociodemographic Characteristics ◽  
Activity Levels ◽  
Active Commuting ◽  
Public And Private ◽  
Low Socioeconomic ◽  
New Variables ◽  
Commuting Patterns

Active commuting provides an opportunity for increased physical activity levels by a simple, inexpensive, and easy way to be incorporated in daily routines and could be considered a steppingstone for achieving a sustainable society since it provides physical, psychological, environmental, and economic benefits. Objective: (a) to describe the commuting patterns to and from university in students regarding gender, (b) to provide new self-report variables to measure the active commuting behavior, and (c) to examine the sociodemographic characteristics associated with commuting behaviors. Material and Methods: A total of 1257 university students (52.4% females) participated (22.4 ± 5.6 years old) from three Chilean universities located in different cities. Results: 56.1% of women and 42.0% men use public bus to and from university. The commuting energy expenditure was higher in active commuting followed by public and private modes of commuting (p < 0.001). The most active commuters were those older (men: OR = 3.637; 95% CI = 1.63, 8.10; women: OR = 8.841; 95% CI = 3.94, 13.78), those who lived in university residence (men: OR = 12.432; 95% CI = 4.39, 35.19; women: OR = 3.952; 95% CI = 1.31, 11.85), belonged to low socioeconomic level (men: OR = 3.820; 95% CI = 1.43, 10.18; women: OR = 4.936; 95% CI = 1.63, 14.90), and to public universities (men: OR = 26.757; 95% CI = 10.63, 67.34; women: OR = 8.029; 95% CI = 3.00, 21.48). Conclusion: The sociodemographic characteristics may influence in the mode of commuting to university. New variables of commuting behaviors may be efficient to quantify the physical activity.

scholarly journals Mode of Commuting to School and Its Association with Physical Activity and Sedentary Habits in Young Ecuadorian Students

2018 ◽  
Vol 15 (12) ◽  
pp. 2704 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yaira Barranco-Ruiz ◽  
Alfredo Guevara-Paz ◽  
Robinson Ramírez-Vélez ◽  
Palma Chillón ◽  
Emilio Villa-González
Keyword(s):  
Physical Activity ◽  
Central Region ◽  
School Setting ◽  
Daily Physical Activity ◽  
Self Report ◽  
Activity Levels ◽  
Active Commuting ◽  
Physical Activity Levels ◽  
Older Adolescents ◽  
Commuting Distance

Active commuting to and from school (ACS) could help to increase daily physical activity levels in youth; however, this association remains unknown in Ecuadorian youth. Thus, the aims of this study were (1) to determine the patterns of commuting to and from school and (2) to analyze the associations between ACS, physical activity (PA), and sedentary habits in Ecuadorian youth. A total of 732 students (65.3% males), aged 10–18 years (children = 246, young adolescents = 310, older adolescents = 162) from the central region of Ecuador participated in this study. A self-report questionnaire, including the usual mode and frequency of commuting, distance from home to school (PACO-Questionnaire), and PA and sedentary habits (YAP-Questionnaire), was used. Most of the sample lived ≤2 km from school; however, they were mainly passive commuters (96%). The most common mode of commuting was by car (to school = 43.4%, from school = 31.6%; p < 0.001). Children presented significantly higher scores (0–4) in PA outside school and total PA compared with older adolescents (2.20 ± 0.97 vs. 1.97 ± 0.96; p = 0.013 and 2.30 ± 0.76 vs. 2.09 ± 0.74, p = 0.019, respectively), as well as the lowest scores in sedentary habits (1.51 ± 0.65, p < 0.001). PA at school and total PA were positively associated with ACS (OR 3.137; 95% CI, 1.918 to 5.131; p < 0.001, and OR 2.543; 95% CI, 1.428 to 4.527; p = 0.002, respectively). In conclusion, passive modes of transportation were the most frequently used to commute to and from school in young Ecuadorians. PA at school and total PA were positively associated with ACS. Thus, interventions at school setting could be an opportunity to improve PA levels and additionally ACS in youth from the central region of Ecuador.

scholarly journals Active Commuting to University and its Association with Sociodemographic Factors and Physical Activity Levels in Chilean Students

Medicina ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 55 (5) ◽  
pp. 152 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yaira Barranco-Ruiz ◽  
Carolina Cruz León ◽  
Emilio Villa-González ◽  
Ximena Palma Leal ◽  
Palma Chillón ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Physical Activity ◽  
University Students ◽  
Economic Status ◽  
Personal Data ◽  
Sociodemographic Factors ◽  
Activity Levels ◽  
Active Commuting ◽  
Main Mode ◽  
Physical Activity Levels ◽  
The University

Background and Objectives: Active commuting to and from university (ACU) could be a strategy to increase physical activity levels (PA) and promote health in young university students. We aimed to a) examine the patterns of commuting to university in Chilean students; b) the association between the mode of commuting to and from university and socio-demographic factors and PA-levels. Materials and Methods: A total of 496 university students (21.6 ± 2.4 years old) from two universities from Valparaíso (central coast of Chile) participated in this study. Personal data, home address, socio-economic status, PA, and the usual mode of commuting to and from the university were self-reported by a questionnaire. The commute distances were objectively measured using Google-Maps-software. Associations were examined using binary logistic regressions. Results: The main mode of commuting was by bus (to university: 55.2% vs. from university: 59.3%; p < 0.001). The least used mode was cycling (1.4% to and from university). Students living >5-km from university were less active commuters than those living in closer distances: (2–5 km, odds ratio (OR): 4.424, 95% and 95% confidence intervals (CI): 2.443–8.011, p < 0.001; 2 km, OR: 143.052, 95% CI: 55.154–371.030, p < 0.001). Students with low PA-levels were less active commuters than those with medium (OR: 1.446; 95% CI: 0.864–2.421; p = 0.160) or higher levels (OR: 1.880; 95% CI: 1.880–1.094; p = 0.022). Students who lived between 2 and 5 km, presented a significant association to be active commuters when they showed medium PA-levels (OR: 5.244, 95% CI: 1.358–20.246; p = 0.016). Conclusions: Chilean university students from Valparaíso are mainly passive commuters using public transport as the main mode of commuting to and from university; longer distances from home to the university are associated with low PA levels. ACU in distances between 2–5 km (mainly walking) could contribute to having medium PA-levels in Chilean university students. Thus, promoting the ACU walking to and from the university in such distances could be an effective strategy to increase the overall PA levels in Chilean university students.

scholarly journals eHealth-based intervention to increase physical activity levels in people with cancer: protocol of a feasibility trial in an Irish acute hospital setting

BMJ Open ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 9 (3) ◽  
pp. e024999
Author(s):  
Ciarán Haberlin ◽  
Julie Broderick ◽  
Emer M Guinan ◽  
Catherine Darker ◽  
Juliette Hussey ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Physical Activity ◽  
Treatment Options ◽  
Hospital Setting ◽  
Self Report ◽  
Feasibility Trial ◽  
Activity Levels ◽  
Eligibility Criteria ◽  
Curative Intent ◽  
Report Quality ◽  
Ethical Approval

IntroductionExercise and physical activity (PA) are established and effective treatment options for various side effects of cancer treatments such as surgery, chemotherapy and radiotherapy. The advent of eHealth brings new opportunities to influence healthy behaviours, using interactive and novel approaches. Influencing PA behaviours in people with cancer presents a potential application of this. The aim of this study is to evaluate the feasibility and preliminary efficacy of an intervention, using eHealth, for increasing PA in cancer survivors.Methods and analysisThis will be a single-arm pre–post feasibility study. We aim to recruit a heterogeneous sample of 60 participants from cancer clinics in St. James’s Hospital, Dublin, Ireland. Eligibility criteria will include patients who have completed chemotherapy and/or radiotherapy with curative intent between 3 and 36 months prior to enrolment. The intervention will include the delivery of a 12-week PA programme. The eHealth aspect of the intervention will involve the provision of a Fitbit activity tracker, which will be used in conjunction with specific PA goals remotely prescribed and monitored by a physiotherapist. Primary outcomes will be feasibility measures related to the study (recruitment capability, data collection procedures, adherence and compliance, evaluation of the resources to implement the study and evaluation of participant responses to the intervention). Secondary measures will evaluate preliminary efficacy of the intervention in terms of clinical outcomes (body composition, PA (objective and self-report), quality of life and aerobic capacity). Primary and secondary outcomes will be assessed at baseline (as appropriate), at conclusion of the intervention and at a 6-month follow-up.Ethics and disseminationEthical approval has been granted by the St. James’s Hospital/AMNCH Joint Ethics Committee (2016/05/02). Results from this study will be submitted for publication in peer-reviewed journals, as well as for presentation and dissemination at conferences in the field of oncology and survivorship.Trial registrationNCT03036436; Pre-results.

scholarly journals Effects of peer influence on dietary intake and physical activity in schoolchildren

2009 ◽  
Vol 13 (3) ◽  
pp. 376-383 ◽  
Author(s):  
Tara Finnerty ◽  
Sue Reeves ◽  
Jaqueline Dabinett ◽  
Yvonne M Jeanes ◽  
Claus Vögele
Keyword(s):  
Physical Activity ◽  
Dietary Intake ◽  
Peer Influence ◽  
Age Groups ◽  
Saturated Fat ◽  
Self Report ◽  
Activity Levels ◽  
Anthropometric Measures ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Physical Activity Levels

AbstractObjectiveTo investigate the dietary intake and physical activity of boys and girls aged 9–13 years, and the influence of peers on these behaviours.DesignCross-sectional study.SettingNine primary and secondary schools in south-west London.SubjectsA total of 315 children wore sealed pedometers, provided self-report measures of dietary intake and answered a questionnaire relating to peer influence. Anthropometric measures of height and weight were also obtained.ResultsObese children had the lowest reported energy intakes and the lowest step counts per day. Boys took significantly more steps per day than girls, however girls were closer to achieving their recommended cut-offs for physical activity. Girls had lower energy intakes per day and lower BMI Z-scores than boys, however both genders, across all age groups, had higher than recommended intakes of saturated fat. There were significant associations between peer influence and physical activity levels but not between peer influence and dietary intake.ConclusionsLow energy intake and physical activity levels but high saturated fat intakes among boys and girls across all age groups highlight the importance of promoting both physical activity and healthy food choices. The finding that peers have a significant effect on physical activity levels but not on dietary intake offers an important approach for the design of health promotion interventions and obesity prevention programmes. Such designs may be particularly beneficial for obese youth, since the low physical activity levels found could be a major contributing factor to the maintenance of the condition.

scholarly journals The development and evaluation of a novel computer program to assess previous-day dietary and physical activity behaviours in school children: The Synchronised Nutrition and Activity ProgramTM (SNAPTM)

2008 ◽  
Vol 99 (6) ◽  
pp. 1266-1274 ◽  
Author(s):  
Helen J. Moore ◽  
Louisa J. Ells ◽  
Sally A. McLure ◽  
Sean Crooks ◽  
David Cumbor ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Physical Activity ◽  
Energy Balance ◽  
Dietary Intake ◽  
Vigorous Physical Activity ◽  
Population Level ◽  
Mean Difference ◽  
Self Report ◽  
Substantial Contribution ◽  
Activity Levels ◽  
Food Groups

Self-report recall questionnaires used to measure physical activity and dietary intake in children can be labour intensive and monotonous and tend to focus on either dietary intake or physical activity. The web-based software, Synchronised Nutrition and Activity ProgramTM (SNAPTM), was developed to produce a novel, simple, quick and engaging method of assessing energy balance-related behaviours at a population level, combining principles from new and existing 24 h recall methodologies, set within a user-friendly interface. Dietary intake was measured using counts for twenty-one food groups and physical activity levels were measured in min of moderate to vigorous physical activity (MVPA). A combination of the mean difference between methods, type II regression and non-parametric limits of agreement techniques were used to examine the accuracy and precision of SNAPTM. Method comparison analyses demonstrated a good agreement for both dietary intake and physical activity behaviours. For dietary variables, accuracy of SNAPTM (mean difference) was within ± 1 count for the majority of food groups. The proportion of the sample with between-method agreement within ± 1 count ranged from 0·40 to 0·99. For min of MVPA, there was no substantial fixed or proportional bias, and a mean difference between methods (SNAPTM – accelerometry) of − 9 min. SNAPTM provides a quick, accurate, low-burden, cost-effective and engaging method of assessing energy balance behaviours at a population level. Tools such as SNAPTM, which exploit the popularity, privacy and engagement of the computer interface, and linkages with other datasets, could make a substantial contribution to future public health monitoring and research.

scholarly journals Individual and Co-occurring SNAP Risk Factors

2016 ◽  
Vol 18 (6) ◽  
pp. 298-304 ◽  
Author(s):  
Julia M. Balto ◽  
Ipek Ensari ◽  
Elizabeth A. Hubbard ◽  
Naiman Khan ◽  
Jennifer L. Barnes ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Physical Activity ◽  
Risk Factors ◽  
Smoking Status ◽  
Dietary Guidelines ◽  
Self Report ◽  
Activity Levels ◽  
Physical Activity Guidelines ◽  
Poor Diet ◽  
Physical Activity Levels ◽  
Insufficient Physical Activity

Background: Smoking, poor nutrition, excess alcohol consumption, and insufficient physical activity underlie most preventable causes of morbidity in the general population and may be associated with comorbidities and health outcomes in multiple sclerosis (MS). However, the frequency of co-occurrence of these risk factors in people with MS remains unclear. Methods: Sixty-nine individuals with MS completed self-report measures of smoking status, nutrition, alcohol use, physical activity levels, and sociodemographic and clinical characteristics. The data were analyzed using t tests and χ2 analyses. Results: Poor diet was the most common risk factor, with 85.5% of the sample not meeting dietary guidelines. Of participants with two risk factors, 90.3% were not meeting dietary and physical activity guidelines. Seventy-three percent of women were not meeting physical activity guidelines, compared with 38% of men (χ2 = 7.5, P &lt; .01). There were also differential rates by sex of the most commonly co-occurring risk factors: 65% of women reported the co-occurrence of insufficient physical activity and poor diet, compared with 38% of men (χ2 = 4.2, P = .05). Conclusions: These results indicate that 85.5% of the sample was not meeting nutrition guidelines, 90.3% of participants with two risk factors reported the co-occurrence of poor diet and insufficient levels of physical activity, and physical activity levels and the total number of risk factors varied across sex.

scholarly journals Preschool environment and preschool teacher’s physical activity and their association with children’s activity levels at preschool

2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Chu Chen ◽  
Viktor H. Ahlqvist ◽  
Pontus Henriksson ◽  
Cecilia Magnusson ◽  
Daniel Berglind
Keyword(s):  
Physical Activity ◽  
Environmental Factors ◽  
Policy Evaluation ◽  
Sedentary Time ◽  
Preschool Teachers ◽  
Structural Characteristics ◽  
Self Report ◽  
Activity Levels ◽  
The Mean ◽  
Child Age

Abstract Background The preschool environment presents an ideal opportunity to promote early development of healthy physical activity (PA) and sedentary time (ST) habits in young children. However, less is known about how environmental and structural characteristics of preschools are associated with preschool children’s objectively assessed levels of PA and ST during preschool hours. The aim of the current study was to investigate to what extent preschool playground size, formalized PA policies, time spent outdoors and preschool teacher’s levels of PA were associated with children’s objectively assessed levels of PA and ST during preschool hours. Methods In total, 369 children and 84 preschool teachers from 27 preschools in Södermalm municipally, Stockholm Sweden wore an Actigraph GT3X+ accelerometer during 7 consecutive days. Preschool environmental and structural characteristics were measured via the Environment and Policy Evaluation Self-Report (EPAO-SR). Instrument and time in- and outdoors was recorded by preschool teachers on all days during the PA measurements. Weight and height of participating children were measured via validated scales and parents filled out a questionnaire on demographical and descriptive variables. Analyses were adjusted for age of the child, sex and BMI. Results The mean child age was 4.7 years (SD 0.8) and 45% were girls. We found that children were more active in preschools with a formalized PA policy, compared to schools without such a policy, but not less sedentary. The association between policy and activity seemed to be more pronounced when accounting for other environmental factors. Preschool teachers light PA (LPA) (ß=0.25, P=0.004) and steps (ß=0.52, P<0.001) were associated with children’s LPA and steps while the preschool playground size showed no association with PA in children. Conclusion The current study showed that preschool structural characteristics such as formalized PA policies and more time spent outdoors were positively associated with children’s PA. These findings suggest that formalized PA policies and time outdoors may be of importance for promoting children’s PA during preschool hours.

Association of physical activity with arterial stiffness among Black adults

2021 ◽  
pp. 1358863X2110327
Author(s):  
Shabatun J Islam ◽  
Nour Beydoun ◽  
Anurag Mehta ◽  
Jeong Hwan Kim ◽  
Yi-An Ko ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Physical Activity ◽  
Arterial Stiffness ◽  
Self Report ◽  
Activity Levels ◽  
Linear Regression Models ◽  
Black Adults ◽  
Home Life ◽  
Premature Cardiovascular Disease ◽  
Physical Activity Levels ◽  
Independent Cohort

Arterial stiffness is a precursor for the development of hypertension and premature cardiovascular disease (CVD). Physical activity has been associated with lower arterial stiffness among largely White populations, but the types of activity required and whether these findings apply to Black adults remain unknown. We examined whether physical activity levels were associated with arterial stiffness among Black adults in two independent cohorts. In the Morehouse-Emory Cardiovascular (MECA) Center for Health Equity, 378 Black adults (age 52.8 ± 10.3, 39.7% male) without known CVD living in Atlanta, GA were recruited. Arterial stiffness was measured as pulse wave velocity (PWV). Total and domain-specific physical activity were assessed by self-report. Multiple linear regression models were used to investigate differences across physical activity levels after adjusting for age, sex, CVD risk factors, and socioeconomic status. Findings were validated in an independent cohort of Black adults ( n = 55, age 50.4 ± 9.2, 23.6% male). After adjustment for covariates, lower arterial stiffness was associated with higher self-reported levels of sport/exercise (6.92 ± 1.13 vs 7.75 ± 1.14, p < 0.001, highest vs lowest quartile) and home/life activities (7.34 ± 1.24 vs 7.73 ± 1.07, p = 0.04, highest vs lowest quartile), but not work, active living, or the overall physical activity scores. These findings were replicated in the independent cohort where higher levels of sport/exercise remained associated with lower arterial stiffness (6.66 ± 0.57 vs 8.21 ± 0.66, p < 0.001, highest vs lowest quartile). Higher levels of sport/exercise and home/life-related physical activities (in comparison to occupational physical activity) are associated with lower arterial stiffness in Black adults.

Footprints in Time: Physical Activity Levels and Sociodemographic and Movement-Related Associations Within the Longitudinal Study of Indigenous Children

2020 ◽  
pp. 1-8
Author(s):  
Rona Macniven ◽  
Rachel Wilson ◽  
Tim Olds ◽  
John Evans
Keyword(s):  
Physical Activity ◽  
Longitudinal Study ◽  
Parental Education ◽  
Self Report ◽  
Activity Levels ◽  
Related Factors ◽  
Indigenous Australian ◽  
Indigenous Children ◽  
Physical Activity Levels ◽  
Sociodemographic Correlates

Background: Emerging evidence suggests that Indigenous children have higher physical activity levels that non-Indigenous children, yet little is known of the factors that influence these levels or how they may be optimized. This study examines correlates of achieving ≥1 hour/day of physical activity among Indigenous Australian children aged 8–13 years. Methods: Data were collected through parental self-report in the Longitudinal Study of Indigenous Children. Proportions of children achieving ≥1 hour/day physical activity, approximating the Australian aerobic physical activity recommendations, were calculated, and associations with sociodemographic, family composition, and movement-related factors were quantified using multiple logistic regression analyses. Results: Half of the 1233 children achieved ≥1 hour/day physical activity. Children from families with low parental education and unemployment, remote residence, low socioeconomic status, and without a father in the household were more likely to meet the recommendations. Achieving ≥1 hour/day of physical activity was also associated with low levels of playing electronic games and total screen time. Conclusions: Sociodemographic correlates of physical activity among Indigenous Australian children run counter to those typically found in non-Indigenous Australian children. Further longitudinal examination of the predictors of these associations would provide a greater understanding of Indigenous physical activity determinants, to inform strategies to facilitate participation.

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