scholarly journals Physical Activity, Stress, Depression, Emotional Intelligence, Logical Thinking, and Overall Health in a Large Lithuanian from October 2019 to June 2020: Age and Gender Differences Adult Sample

Author(s):  
Albertas Skurvydas ◽  
Ausra Lisinskiene ◽  
Marc Lochbaum ◽  
Daiva Majauskiene ◽  
Dovile Valanciene ◽  
...  

This study aimed to examine relationships and group differences among adult people’s (aged 18–74) physical activity (PA), expression of stress, depression, emotional intelligence (EI), logical thinking (LT), and overall health assessment. Two hypotheses were formulated before the study. The first hypothesis is that overweight and obesity in young adults (18 to 34 years) females and males, in particular, should increase sharply and this should be associated with decreased PA, abruptly deteriorating subject health, increased stress, depression, and poorer emotion management and EI. Second hypothesis: We further thought that the better people’s reflective thinking, the more they should live a healthier life (e.g., exercise more and eat healthier), their overweight and obesity should be small or none. We aimed to confirm or reject these two hypotheses. We applied a quantitative cross-sectional study design. The study results revealed that during the lifespan of 18–24 and 25–34 years (young adults) there was a sharp increase in overweight and obesity, a decrease in PA (and especially vigorous physical activity (VPA)) (and this was particularly evident in the male), while research participants felt less stress and depression, subjective assessment of health did not change, and EI increased steadily with age (18–24 to 65–74 years). The higher the EI of the research participants from 18–24 to 65–74 years of age the higher their moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA), the less stress and depression they felt. Based on the results, it can be said that both females and males prefer PA “with a hot heart rather than a cold mind.” We base this conclusion on the fact that females and males who have the highest EI also have the highest MVPA while LT is not associated with MVPA.

Nutrients ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 12 (7) ◽  
pp. 2025
Author(s):  
Brigita Mieziene ◽  
Arunas Emeljanovas ◽  
Natalja Fatkulina ◽  
Rimantas Stukas

A poor diet leads to serious health risks and accounts for a significant proportion of deaths. Young adults are the population whose health behaviors particularly need to be studied in terms of nutrition because they are in a period of life when the effects of nutrition accumulate to health outcomes that usually appear later in life in forms of disease or infirmity. The aim of this study is to examine the dietary pattern and its relationships with physical activity and covariates, such as body mass index, gender, age and education among Lithuanian young adults of 18–36 years old. A cross-sectional study was performed among Lithuanian young people aged 18–36 years. Snowball sampling—a non-probability, convenient sampling strategy—was used. In total, data were collected from 3031 study participants: 1723 (56.8%) were male and 1308 (43.2%) were female. The mean age was 23.72 ± 4.80 years. Adherence to a dietary pattern was evaluated using the Mediterranean Diet Adherence Screener (MEDAS). Physical activity, height, weight and education data were also gathered. About 7% of young people fully complied with the health-related Mediterranean diet, and one-third had poor compliance. Non-compliance is mostly related to the underconsumption of olive oil, nuts, fish, seafood, legumes and wine, as well as the overconsumption of red meat. The female gender (β = 0.26; p < 0.01), higher education (β = 0.30; p < 0.01) and a sufficient level of physical activity (β = 0.15; p < 0.01) predict a healthier diet. These study results should be considered by nutrition policymakers and public health authorities to improve policies and develop intervention plans for improving the nutrition habits of young adults in order to prevent health-damaging outcomes later in their life.


2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ching Li ◽  
Hsin-Yen Yen

Abstract Background: Young adults’ physical activity is a foundation of creating future healthy lifestyles. The purpose of this study was to explore differences in physical activity, sedentary behavior, walkability, and health beliefs between young adults with and without cardiometabolic risk factors and the influence of moderate-to-vigorous physical activity.Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted using a structured questionnaire.Results: Totally, 1149 valid responses were received for a response rate of 86.32%. A significant effect of cardiometabolic risk factors on the physical activity and sedentary time among groups was found. Young adults at high risk had a lower probability of moderate-to-vigorous physical activity than did healthy adults. Individuals who perceived that there were more recreational facilities, higher benefits of exercise, and lower barriers to exercise were more likely to participate in moderate-to-vigorous physical activity.Conclusions: Engaging in physical activity from environment and psychological perspectives is necessary for young adults’ cardiometabolic health promotion.


2017 ◽  
Vol 29 (3) ◽  
pp. 408-418 ◽  
Author(s):  
Eimear Keane ◽  
Xia Li ◽  
Janas M. Harrington ◽  
Anthony P. Fitzgerald ◽  
Ivan J. Perry ◽  
...  

Purpose:Globally, public health policies are targeting modifiable lifestyle behaviors. We explore the independent association of moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA) and sedentary behavior on the risk of childhood overweight/obesity.Method:A cross-sectional survey of children aged 8–11 years (N = 826). Objective body mass index was used to classify children as normal weight or overweight/obese. Children wore wrist-worn Geneactiv accelerometers for 7-days and thresholds were applied to categorize MVPA and sedentary time. Screen time (ST) was parent reported. Poisson regression examined the independent association of (1) MVPA (2), objective sedentary time and (3) ST on the risk of overweight/obesity.Results:Overall, 23.7% (95% CI, 20.8–26.6%) of children were overweight/obese. On average, children spent 10.8% of waking time at MVPA and 61.3% sedentary. One-fifth (22.1%, 95% CI, 19.3–25.0%) of children achieved MVPA recommendations (≥ 60 min each day) and 17.5% (95% CI, 14.9–20.1%) met ST recommendations (<2 hr per day). Time spent at MVPA was inversely associated with the risk of overweight/obese independent of total sedentary time. Total time spent sedentary was not associated with overweight/obese independent of MVPA. ST was associated with an increased risk of overweight/obese independent of physical activity.Conclusion:Few schoolchildren met physical activity and screen time recommendations suggesting population based measures are needed.


2015 ◽  
Vol 2015 ◽  
pp. 1-9 ◽  
Author(s):  
Zelalem Alamrew Anteneh ◽  
Molla Gedefaw ◽  
Kidist Nigatu Tekletsadek ◽  
Meseret Tsegaye ◽  
Dagmawi Alemu

Background. Overweight and obesity are risk factors for diet-related noncommunicable diseases. These diseases are the fifth leading risks for global deaths. Virtually, all age groups are affected from consequences of overweight and obesity.Methods. Cross-sectional study was conducted among 431 school adolescents. Data were collected using self-administered questionnaire and physical measurements. The sex and age specific BMI was computed using WHO Anthroplus software and the data were analyzed using bivariate and multivariable logistic regression analysis.Results. The magnitudes of overweight and obesity were 12.3% and 4.4%, respectively, and the combined prevalence of overweight and obesity together was 16.7%. Three-fourths of the respondents (74.7%) had healthy body mass index; however, 8.6% were underweight. Sex, frequency of eating food out of home, school type, family monthly income, family having vehicle, vigorous physical activity, and frequency of vigorous physical activity were statistically significant predictors of overweight and obesity.Conclusion.The problems of overweight and obesity are taking place while students are still under the risk of underweight. Several factors were correlated with overweight and obesity. Therefore, interventions targeting gender, frequency of eating food out of home, vigorous activities, and frequency of doing vigorous physical activity are recommended.


2019 ◽  
Vol 22 (14) ◽  
pp. 2609-2616 ◽  
Author(s):  
Luciana Zaranza Monteiro ◽  
Andrea Ramirez Varela ◽  
Bruno Alves de Lira ◽  
Leonardo Chagas Contiero ◽  
Maria de Lourdes Alves Carneiro ◽  
...  

AbstractObjective:To assess weight status and eating habits of undergraduate university students in relation to gender and examine the relationships between weight status, physical activity and eating habits.Design:Cross-sectional study conducted between October 2016 and May 2017.Setting:Young adults in Midwest Brazil.Participants:Undergraduate university students (n 2163) majoring in health care.Results:Among 2163 students, 69·3 % were female, 65·4 % were aged 20–29 years, 66·8% consumed alcohol and 44·2% did not achieve more than 150 min of physical activity per week. We found significant differences in the consumption of beans (P &lt; 0·04) and full-fat milk (P &lt; 0·01) between women and men. Women also had more sedentary lifestyles (P &lt; 0·01) and showed higher prevalence of overweight (33·8 %) and obesity (5·0 %) than men. Students who did not engage in physical activity were more overweight (P = 0·03), consumed more soft drinks (P &lt; 0·01) and meat with excess fat (P = 0·01). There was a positive association between weight status and fruit (P = 0·02), salad (P &lt; 0·01), greens/vegetables (P &lt; 0·01) and beans (P &lt; 0·01) intake.Conclusions:The low level of physical activity and unhealthy eating patterns reported by the study participants were inconsistent with the national recommendations for a healthy active lifestyle for adults and may contribute to the increasing rate of overweight and obesity in this population. A joint effort between universities and all relevant government agencies is needed to develop and promote school- and community-based interventions.


2020 ◽  
Vol 2020 ◽  
pp. 1-7
Author(s):  
Lan. P. T. Nguyen ◽  
Bach X. Nguyen ◽  
Tam T. Ngo ◽  
Yen H. N. Nguyen ◽  
Hang T. Phan

Young adults are susceptible to overweight and obesity and their adverse outcomes. However, limited studies have been conducted to understand this health problem in Vietnamese youths. This study was conducted to examine the rate of overweight and obesity, as well as the relationship between this condition on body perception, physical activity, and respiratory function among young adults in Hanoi, Vietnam. We performed a cross-sectional survey with 367 students aged 18-25 years at the Hanoi University of Pharmacy from June 2017 to June 2018. The result showed that the rate of overweight and obesity in our sample was 16.6%. There were 55.7% of overweight/obese students having the misperception of their body image. Results of multivariate regression analysis showed that overweight/obesity increased nearly three times (OR=2.8, 95% CI: 1.5-5.0) the ability to be active. Overweight/obese students with physical activity had a better respiratory function. To conclude, this study underlined the associations between overweight and obesity with physical activity, body image, and respiratory function in our young sample. Further longitudinal studies should be warranted to examine their causal relationships.


2018 ◽  
Vol 20 (2) ◽  
Author(s):  
Furahini D. Tluway ◽  
Germana H. Leyna ◽  
Elia J. Mmbaga

 Background: Childhood and adolescent overweight and obesity have increased dramatically in recent years. We assessed the burden and factors associated with overweight and obesity among adolescents in a semi-rural district of Babati in Tanzania.Methods: A school-based descriptive cross-sectional survey was conducted among adolescents attending secondary schools. Anthropometric measurements were taken using standard procedures. A Food Frequency Questionnaire and the International Physical Activity Questionnaire were adapted to assess dietary and physical activity patterns, respectively.Results: A total of 619 students were included in the analysis. The mean age and body mass index of the respondents were 16.7±1.68 years and 19.9±3.16 kg/m², respectively. The overall prevalence of overweight and obesity was 9.2% with more girls being overweight and obese than boys (P<0.0001). In the Generalized Estimating Equations (GEE) models, girls (Odds Ratio [OR] = 5.6; 95% Confidence Interval [CI]: 1.97, 15.72]); unhealthy diet (OR = 2.2; 95% CI: 1.32, 3.63); vigorous physical activity (OR = 2.2; 95%CI: 1.34, 3.56) and physical inactivity (OR = 1.7; 95%CI: 1.08, 2.79) were independent predictors of overweight or obesity.Conclusion: The prevalence of overweight and obesity was modest. Female sex, unhealthy diet and physical inactivity were significantly predictive. There is a need for interventions in obesity to have a broader target audience to include adolescents and residents of rural areas. Primary preventive interventions are needed. 


2015 ◽  
Vol 4 (2) ◽  
pp. 85
Author(s):  
Desderius Haufiku ◽  
Hans Justus Amukugo

<p>The study investigated the prevalence and factors associated with obesity amongst employees of Pocket Beaches mine. Obesity rates are increasing at an alarming rate worldwide; 1.2 billion people worldwide are overweight of which 300 million are clinically obese. Of concern, is that obesity is a risk factor for many diseases, including hypertension, diabetes and other forms of cancers. Although there are several mine workers who on reporting to occupational health services for minor ailment are found to be overweight or obese, we are not certain about the extent with the problem. The health risk associated with obesity could cause a big loss to NAMDEB in terms of care cost, low productivity and absenteeism.</p><p>The aim of this study was to investigate the prevalence and determinants of obesity amongst NAMDEB employees working at Pocket Beaches diamond mine.a descriptive; cross-sectional study measured the prevalence of obesity and describes the factors that are associated with obesity and overweight.</p><p>Study population: NAMDEB employees who were working at Pocket Beaches mine. A simple random sampling technique was used to select participants. Eighty seven employees were selected from 188 total NAMDEB employees working at Pocket Beaches mine. Data was collected through interviews. Anthropometric measurements namely, weight, height and abdominal circumference were collected using a standard protocol.</p><p>Data was analyzed using Epi Info 2002. Body Mass Index (BMI) was calculated as kg/m2. Overweight was defined as BMI = 25 to 29.9 kg/m2 and obesity as BMI ≥ 30 kg/m2. Waist Circumference ≥80 cm was used to identify central obesity in women and ≥90 cm in men. The frequency of participation in physical activity, barriers to physical activity and food consumption is reported in percent and means.</p><p>The study found prevalence 42% overweight and 32% obesity among employees of NAMDEB. A significant number of participants 48% never participate in moderate exercise per week. 71% of participants reported lack of motivation exercising and too tired after work as the major barriers to physical activity. The consumption of fatty foods such as fried chicken and fried meat was common among study subjects. A large number of respondents 79% eat fried chicken regularly while 74% eat fried meat regularly. 79% of participants consumed inadequate fruits and vegetable (one fruit and vegetable per day). The two most mentioned reasons for low fruits and vegetables consumption were lacked of fruits and vegetables in hostel food menu, and 14% don’t like fruits.</p><p>This study results revealed a high prevalence of overweight and obesity among employees. There is also low participation in physical activity and inadequate intake of fruits and vegetables among employees. Lack of motivation to exercise and unavailability of fruits and vegetable contributed to unhealthy lifestyles. Appropriate interventions are necessary in order to reduce the high obesity prevalence. Wellness program to promote physical activity should be introduced at Pocket Beaches mine. Management should engage Sodexho (catering company) to increase fruits and vegetables in the employees’ menu.</p>


Author(s):  
Hadia Radwan ◽  
Mahra Al Kitbi ◽  
Hayder Hasan ◽  
Marwa Al Hilali ◽  
Nada Abbas ◽  
...  

Background: Lockdown measures were implemented in many countries to limit the spread of the COVID-19 pandemic. However, such restrictions could precipitate unintended negative consequences on lifestyle behaviors. The main objective of this study was to investigate the prevalence and determinants of unhealthy behavior changes during the COVID-19 lockdown among residents of the United Arab Emirates (UAE). Methods: A cross-sectional web-based survey of adults residing in the UAE was carried out during lockdown (n = 2060). Using a multi-component questionnaire, the collected data included questions regarding the following lifestyle changes: Increased dietary intake, increased weight, decreased physical activity, decreased sleep, and increased smoking. An unhealthy lifestyle change score was calculated based on the number of unhealthy lifestyle changes each participant reported. In addition, sociodemographic and living conditions information was collected. Descriptive statistics as well as simple and multiple linear regression analyses were used to examine the prevalence and determinants of the unhealthy lifestyle changes considered in this study. Results: Among the unhealthy lifestyle changes examined, increased food intake was the most common (31.8%), followed by decreased physical activity (30%), increased weight (29.4%), decreased sleep (20.8%), and increased smoking (21%). In addition to identifying the correlates of each of the aforementioned lifestyle changes, the results of the multiple regression linear analyses revealed the following correlates for the overall unhealthy lifestyle change score: females (β = 0.32, CI: 0.22; 0.42), living in an apartment (β = 0.12, CI: 0.003; 0.23) and being overweight/obese (β = 0.24, CI: 0.15; 0.32) had higher scores, while older adults (>40 years) had lower scores (β = −0.23, CI: −0.34; −0.12). Conclusions: The COVID-19 lockdown has resulted in a high prevalence of unhealthy lifestyle behaviors and practices among UAE residents. The findings of this study provided the evidence base for officials to design interventions targeting high-risk groups and aiming to improve healthy lifestyle factors among residents during the pandemic.


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