The physical activity and health status of two generations of Black South African professional women

Increased health risks associated with physical inactivity in the Black population have been reported in recent years. Black women, suffering the highest levels of inactivity, overweight and obesity, are at greatest risk of developing chronic diseases of lifestyle. This explorativedescriptive study investigated the physical activity patterns and health status of two generations of Black professional women, reflecting pre-democracy and post-democracy age groups. Quantitative measures were used, including the ActiGraph GT1M accelerometer, the Global Physical Activity Questionnaire and the Health-Promoting Lifestyle Profile. Sample groups comprised teachers, nurses, social workers and public sector managers. Participants aged between 35 and 45 years were allocated to the older generation group (n = 111), whilst those aged between 18 and 21 years (students in the mentioned professional fields) were allocated to the younger generation group (n = 69). The results indicated that these women displayed lower levels of health-promoting behavioural practices than expected, significantly lower levels of physical activity and significantly higher levels of overweight and obesity than the South African norms. The observation that the younger group appeared to be replicating the patterns of the older women is a cause of concern. Greater compliance to health-promoting behaviours was expected in this group owing to participants’ professional involvement in health, education and social development fields. Wide-ranging initiatives are necessary to promote physical activity and health amongst the Black female population in South Africa.Opsomming Gedurende die afgelope jare het navorsing onder die Swart bevolking ŉ toename in gesondheidsrisiko’s wat met fisieke onaktiwiteit geassosieer is, getoon. Swart vroue, wat die hoogste vlakke van onaktiwiteit, oorgewig en obesiteit toon, blyk ook die grootste risiko te loop om leefstylverwante chroniese siektes te ontwikkel. Hierdie ondersoekendbeskrywende studie het die fisieke aktiwiteitspatrone en gesondheidstatus van twee generasies van Swart professionele vroue ondersoek. Die tweegenerasiesteekproef verteenwoordig voor- en na-demokrasie-ouderdomsgroepe. Kwantitatiewe meetinstrumente, naamlik die ActiGraph GT1M versnellingsmeter, Globale Fisieke Aktiwiteitsvraelys en die Gesondheidsbevorderende Leefstylprofiel is gebruik. Die steekproef het onderwysers, verpleegkundiges, maatskaplike werkers en bestuurders in die openbare sektor ingesluit. Deelnemers tussen 35 en 45 jaar is aan die ouergenerasie-toetsgroep toegewys (n = 111), terwyl dié tussen 18 en 21 jaar (studente in bogenoemde studierigtings) aan die jongergenerasietoetsgroep toegewys is (n = 69). Die resultate het gewys dat die Swart professionele vroue laer as verwagte gesondheidsbevorderende gedrag, betekenisvol laer vlakke van fisieke aktiwiteit en betekenisvol hoër vlakke van oorgewig en obesiteit toon as die Suid-Afrikaanse norme. Die waarneming dat die jonger groep dieselfde gedragspatrone as die ouer vroue getoon het, is ŉ bron van kommer. ŉ Groter nakoming van gesondheidsbevorderende gedrag is onder die jonger groep vroue verwag, aangesien hulle hul opleiding in die professionele sektor van gesondheid, onderwys en maatskaplike werk ontvang. ŉ Holistiese benadering is nodig om fisieke aktiwiteit en gesondheid onder Swart Suid-Afrikaanse vrouens te bevorder.

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Sex Differences in Body Mass Index, Mediterranean Diet Adherence, and Physical Activity Level among Italian Adolescents

Health Behavior and Policy Review ◽

10.14485/hbpr.7.6.8 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 7 (6) ◽

pp. 596-603

Author(s):

Francesca Mastorci ◽

◽

Cristina Doveri ◽

Gabriele Trivellini ◽

Anselmo Casu ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Physical Activity ◽

Risk Factor ◽

Mediterranean Diet ◽

Overweight And Obesity ◽

Activity Level ◽

Unhealthy Lifestyle ◽

Lifestyle Habits ◽

Female Population ◽

Significant Difference ◽

Italian Adolescents

Objective: Unhealthy lifestyle habits during adolescence are linked to a higher risk of chronic degenerative disease during adulthood. The aim of this study was to assess the lifestyle habits among Italian adolescents, considering the potential influence of sex. Methods: Data were collected from 1707 eligible students. Demographic, dietary, and lifestyle data were collected, by using KIDMED and PAQ-C instruments. Results: The overall population had a medium adherence to a Mediterranean diet (58%, KIDMED score: 2.11 ± 0.64). There was no statistically significant difference in adherence by sex. We found boys to be more physically active than girls (p < .001). Considering ponderal index status, boys had turned out to be more overweight and obese respectively (13% and 4% respect to 10% and 2% in female population, p < .05, respectively), due to the presence of only one risk factor (medium or low both in diet and in physical activity score). Conclusions: Our results showed that our population stands at average levels both for its adherence to the Mediterranean diet and for physical activity, with males having a higher percentage of overweight and obesity. Importantly, in contrast to girls, boys have a higher risk of obesity, also in the presence of a single risk factor.

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Health status and physical activity of children during education at school

Health Care of the Russian Federation ◽

10.47470/0044-197x-2021-65-3-238-244 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 65 (3) ◽

pp. 238-244

Author(s):

Valery I. Popov ◽

Tatiana L. Nastausheva ◽

Olga A. Zhdanova

Keyword(s):

Physical Activity ◽

Academic Performance ◽

Health Status ◽

Medical Care ◽

Chronic Diseases ◽

Negative Impact ◽

Disease Incidence ◽

Age Groups ◽

Medical Care System ◽

Health Group

Introduction. An increase in children’s disease incidence, including school-caused diseases, was observed during recent years. Study of schoolchildren health status will help determine medical care priorities and optimal terms. The aim of this study. To assess health status, academic performance and physical activity of Voronezh schoolchildren. Material and methods. A questionnaire survey of schoolchildren on academic performance and physical activities and analysis of the pupil’s medical records (form 026u-2000) were conducted. Five hundred seven schoolchildren aged 9-17, students of 3-11 grades of Voronezh schools, were examined. Results. Children from I health group constituted 18.9% in 3-4 grades, 16.0% in 5-7 grades and 15.7% in 8-11 grades; II health group - 64.2% in 3-4 grades, 51.0% in 5-7 grades and 28.5% in 8-11 grades; III health group - 14.9%, 32.0% and 55.2% respectively (p < 0.001). Diseases of the musculoskeletal system and connective tissue (23.6%, 40.7% and 47.9% among schoolchildren of 3-4, 5-7 and 8-11 grades) and diseases of the organ of vision (10.8%, 18.0% and 27.9%, respectively) were most frequent. No difference in performance at school was observed in children of various health groups. Discussion. Schoolchildren of 8-11 grades had worse health as the number of chronic diseases increased. Diseases of digestive and cardiovascular systems were less common compared to other regions. Chronic diseases had no negative impact on schoolchildren physical activity and lifestyle. Conclusion. The findings will help upgrade the medical care system for schoolchildren and develop targeted preventive measures for different age groups.

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H-Rec2: A Novel Mobile-Social System for Automatic Health Recognition and Recommendation

10.20944/preprints201703.0058.v1 ◽

2017 ◽

Author(s):

Huan Li ◽

Kejie Lu ◽

Qi Zhang

Keyword(s):

Physical Activity ◽

Health Status ◽

Food Intake ◽

Online Social Networks ◽

Integrated Approach ◽

Relevant Information ◽

Overweight And Obesity ◽

Personal Health Information ◽

Related Information ◽

Health Related

Over the past decades, overweight and obesity has become a global epidemic and the leading threat for death. To prevent the serious risk, an overweight or obese individual must apply a long-term weight-management strategy to control food intake and physical activities, which is however, not easy. Recently, with the advances of information technology, more and more people can use wearable devices and smartphones to obtain physical activity information, while they can also access various health-related information from Internet online social networks (OSNs). Nevertheless, there is a lack of an integrated approach that can combine these two methods in an efficient way. In this paper, we address this issue and propose a novel mobile-social framework for health recognition and recommendation, namely, H-Rec2. The main ideas of H-Rec2 include (1) to recognize the individual's health status using smartphone as a general platform, and (2) to recommend physical activity and food intake based on personal health information, life science principles, and health-related information obtained from OSNs. To demonstrate the potentials of the H-Rec2 framework, we develop a prototype that consists of four important components: (1) an activity recognition module that senses physical activity using accelerometer, (2) a health status modeling module that applies a novel algorithm to generate personalized health status index, (3) a restaurant information collection module that collects relevant information from OSN, and (4) a restaurant recommendation module that provides personalized and context-aware recommendation. To evaluate the prototype, we conduct both objective and subjective experiments, which confirm the performance and effectiveness of the proposed system.

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Parental Adherence to Ideal Cardiovascular Health Status Was Associated With a Substantially Lower Prevalence of Overweight and Obesity in Their Offspring Aged 6–18 Years

Frontiers in Nutrition ◽

10.3389/fnut.2021.715171 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 8 ◽

Author(s):

Yanhui Li ◽

Di Gao ◽

Zhaogeng Yang ◽

Ying Ma ◽

Manman Chen ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Physical Activity ◽

Health Status ◽

Cardiovascular Health ◽

Intervention Strategy ◽

Childhood Overweight ◽

Overweight And Obesity ◽

Lower Prevalence ◽

Ideal Cardiovascular Health ◽

Childhood Overweight And Obesity ◽

Pediatric Overweight

Background: Parental health status had a potential influence on offspring health. This study aimed to investigate the separate associations between paternal and maternal cardiovascular health statuses and the prevalence of childhood overweight and obesity in the offspring.Methods: Data were from a cross-sectional study conducted in seven provinces or cities of China in 2013. A total of 29,317 children aged 6–18 years old and their parents, making up 9,585 father-offspring pairs and 19,732 mother-offspring pairs, were included in the final analysis. Information on parental cardiovascular health status factors (dietary behaviors, body mass index (BMI), smoking, physical activity, hypertension, and diabetes mellitus) was obtained from the structured self-administrated questionnaires. Based on the health status factors, we then generated an ideal cardiovascular health (iCVH) score. The overweight and obesity of children were defined using age- and sex-specific cutoffs based on the International Obesity Task Force criteria. A multilevel log-binomial regression model was used to assess the association between parental cardiovascular health status and prevalence of childhood overweight and obesity in the offspring.Results: The prevalence of pediatric overweight and obesity was 22.0% in the father-offspring subset and 23.8% in the mother-offspring subset, respectively. Fathers with ideal BMI, non-smoking, and absence of hypertension and diabetes, and mothers with ideal BMI, ideal physical activity, and absence of hypertension and diabetes were found to be associated with lower prevalence of overweight and obesity in the offspring. The prevalence of offspring overweight and obesity was significantly decreased with the parental iCVH scores increased. Each additional increase in paternal and maternal iCVH factor was associated with a 30% and 27% lower prevalence of overweight and obesity in the offspring. Compared with children whose parental iCVH scores ≤ 3, offspring whose fathers or mothers met all six iCVH factors had 67% [prevalence ratio (PR): 0.33, 95%CI: 0.25–0.42] and 58% (PR: 0.42, 95%CI: 0.29–0.62) lower prevalence of overweight and obesity, respectively.Conclusions: Parental adherence to iCVH status was associated with a lower prevalence of pediatric overweight and obesity in offspring. Our findings support the intervention strategy that parents should involve in the obesity intervention program for children.

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OBESITY

The Professional Medical Journal ◽

10.29309/tpmj/2011.18.03.2375 ◽

2011 ◽

Vol 18 (03) ◽

pp. 489-493

Author(s):

FARHEEN UMAR QURESHI ◽

JAWAD HUSSAIN ◽

ANWAR SAOOD SAQIB

Keyword(s):

Physical Activity ◽

Private Schools ◽

Private School ◽

Age Groups ◽

Developed Countries ◽

Obese Individual ◽

Overweight And Obesity ◽

Government Schools ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Prevalence Of Obesity

Background: The problem of overweight and obesity is not confined only to developed countries but is also widely prevalent in developing countries. The study under report relates to determining prevalence of obesity and overweight in adolescent school boys. Objective: The objective of this study was to assess the prevalence of overweight and obesity in boys of public and private secondary schools, Faisalabad, and to relate it with their dietary style and physical activity. Study Design: Cross sectional and institutional based study. Methods: A total of 600 school boys of different age groups from the classes 6th to 10th were randomly selected and included for anthropometric measurements to categorize them into normal, overweight and obese individual. Their diet pattern and physical activity records were taken to correlate it with the obesity level. Results: The collected data revealed that 423 (70.5%) boys were normal. Whereas 98 (16.3%) were found to be overweight. Out of these, 72 (24.0%) were from private schools; while 26 (8.7%) were from government schools. Only 6 (2.0%) fell into obese category, and all belonged to private schools. No one was found to be obese in government schools. Mean ± SD weights (kg) in government and private school boys were 50.93 ± 7.18 and 56.34 ± 11.94, respectively whereas mean ± SD heights (m) of government and private schools boys were found to be 1.55 ± 6.64 and 1.56 ± 7.92 respectively. The data was statistically analyzed which exhibited significant relation with weight and BMI value. Conclusions: The prevalence of overweight was significantly higher in boys who ate junk foods and spent more time in watching television and sitting before computers. The findings of this study was found in agreement with certain earlier studies that revealed prevalence of obesity is to be on the increase among the private school boys of the area. It is, therefore, emphasized that regular physical exercise, regulated television viewing, doing household activities, balanced diet and healthy eating habits should be motivated in school children to ensure control of overweight and obesity, in this class of children.

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Age-, sex-, and race-related differences in myoglobin concentrations in the serum of healthy persons.

Clinical Chemistry ◽

10.1093/clinchem/26.13.1864 ◽

1980 ◽

Vol 26 (13) ◽

pp. 1864-1868 ◽

Cited By ~ 28

Author(s):

I W Chen ◽

R David ◽

H R Maxon ◽

M Sperling ◽

E A Stein

Keyword(s):

Black Women ◽

Black Men ◽

White Women ◽

Age Groups ◽

White Men ◽

Reference Intervals ◽

Creatinine Ratio ◽

Healthy Individuals ◽

Female Population ◽

Serum Myoglobin

Abstract A radioimmunoassay was used to study the relation of race, sex, and age to serum myoglobin concentrations in ostensibly healthy individuals: 75 white men, 76 white women, 75 black men, and 66 black women, ranging in age from 20 to 85 years. Mean serum myoglobin values were significantly higher in men than in women in both races (35 vs 31 microgram/L for whites and 44 vs 29 microgram/L for blacks). Black men had higher values than white men, but no corresponding difference was observed in the female population. Except for the group of black men, which consistently had the highest values for serum myoglobin, values were always higher for the older groups (greater than or equal to 50 years) than the younger, irrespective of race or sex. Serum myoglobin and age were significantly and directly correlated only among white men (r = 0.3408 p < 0.01, n = 75). If results were expressed as a myoglobin/creatinine ratio, the distinctions by race, sex, and age were partly eliminated. Reference intervals for serum myoglobin, expressed both ways, are given for different race, sex, and age groups.

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Do lifestyle choices influence the development of overweight and obesity in the South African Air Force?

10.21203/rs.3.rs-40841/v1 ◽

2020 ◽

Author(s):

Carina Haasbroek ◽

Ronette Lategan-Potgieter ◽

Cornel Van Rooyen ◽

Marizeth Jordaan

Keyword(s):

Physical Activity ◽

South African ◽

Air Force ◽

Lifestyle Factors ◽

Overweight And Obesity ◽

Meal Frequency ◽

The South ◽

Military Population ◽

Lifestyle Choices ◽

High Prevalence

Abstract Background: An increase in the prevalence of overweight and obesity has been reported globally amongst the general public as well as military populations around the world. No information about the prevalence of overweight and obesity as well as the lifestyle choices that influence the development is available for the South African military population. The aim of this study was too determine the prevalence of overweight and obesity at Air Force Base Bloemspruit in Bloemfontein, Free State, South Africa, as well as the dietary and lifestyle factors and physical activity which may play a role in the development thereof. Methods: A descriptive cross-sectional study was performed on active military personnel, by taking anthropometric measurements and collecting data using a self-administered questionnaire. Results: A high prevalence of overweight (38.6%) and obesity (36.1%) was identified in the study population. No significant associations were detected between lifestyle factors or physical activity and body mass index (BMI). The majority of participants (59.6%) consumed three meals per day. Meal frequency did not differ between different BMI categories, and no associations were found between meal frequency and being overweight or obese. Inadequate intakes of fruit and vegetables were observed. Conclusion: A high prevalence of overweight and obesity was observed in this study, which calls for urgent intervention. No associations were, however found between dietary and lifestyle factors and the presence of overweight and/or obesity. Further investigation is required to identify the causes of overweight and obesity and effective ways to address this health challenge.

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The Relationship Between Health-Promoting Behaviors and Metabolic Syndrome in Community-Dwelling Older Adults

Biological Research For Nursing ◽

10.1177/1099800416655882 ◽

2016 ◽

Vol 18 (5) ◽

pp. 549-557 ◽

Cited By ~ 6

Author(s):

Tzu-Ting Wu ◽

I-Ju Chen ◽

Shu-Ling Cho ◽

Ai-Fu Chiou

Keyword(s):

Physical Activity ◽

Older Adults ◽

Metabolic Syndrome ◽

Health Status ◽

Community Dwelling ◽

Convenience Sample ◽

Health Promoting Behaviors ◽

Health Promoting ◽

Community Dwelling Older Adults ◽

The Relationship

Background: Poor health-promoting behaviors increase the risk of chronic disease and disability in older adults. Nevertheless, the predictors of health-promoting behaviors and their relationship with metabolic syndrome have been poorly characterized in older Taiwanese adults. Objective: To explore the determinants of health-promoting behaviors in community-dwelling older adults in Taiwan and the relationship of health-promoting behaviors with metabolic syndrome. Methods: A cross-sectional design was used. A convenience sample of 200 community residents aged 60 years and over was recruited from two large communities in New Taipei City, Taiwan. Data collection included physical examination and a structured questionnaire including measures of health status, health-promoting behaviors, self-efficacy, social support, and metabolic syndrome. Results: Metabolic syndrome was found in 60% of older Taiwanese adults. These participants had higher scores in interpersonal relationships but lower scores in physical activity. Half of the health-promoting behaviors were explained by behavior-specific cognitions and affect, and 44% of behavior-specific cognitions and affect was explained by the health status of the older adult. Conclusions: Physical activity should be promoted in older Taiwanese adults. Positive behavior-specific cognitions and affect and better health status might impact the health-promoting behaviors of these adults.

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636 Associations among sleep, physical activity and high body mass index in youth: Age differences

SLEEP ◽

10.1093/sleep/zsab072.634 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 44 (Supplement_2) ◽

pp. A249-A249

Author(s):

Xiaopeng Ji ◽

Lauren Covington ◽

Janeese Brownlow

Keyword(s):

Physical Activity ◽

Body Mass Index ◽

Sleep Duration ◽

Body Mass ◽

Age Groups ◽

High Body Mass Index ◽

Overweight And Obesity ◽

Regular Physical Activity ◽

High Body ◽

High Bmi

Abstract Introduction Short sleep duration is associated with overweight and obesity. Less clear is how sleep regularity and physical activity interact with sleep duration in predicting overweight across adolescent stages. This study examined interactions between (1) sleep duration and regularity, and (2) sleep duration and physical activity on overweight in preadolescents (10–11 years), early (12–14), and middle (15–17 years) adolescents. Methods Using the National Survey of Children’s Health 2017–2018 dataset, we included youth with sleep, physical activity and overweight data available (n=25,875) in the analyses. Parents reported their children’s sleep duration, sleep regularity and physical activity (>60 min/day) frequency per week. High Body Mass Index (BMI, ≥85th percentile) for age and sex indicated overweight/obesity. Accounting for complex survey design and covariates (age, sex, race, poverty, and resilience), separate logistic regression models (STATA 16.0) estimated the associations in preadolescents, early and middle adolescents. Results Preadolescents had the highest odds of high BMI compared to other age groups (OR= 0.64 and 0.78, p<0.001). Every hour increase in sleep duration was associated with 4–18% decrease in the odds of having high BMI, with the highest magnitude shown in preadolescents (OR=0.82, p<0.001), followed by adolescents aged 12–14 (OR=0.89, p<0.001) and 15–17 years old (OR=0.96, p=0.04). For preadolescents, irregular sleep (OR=1.41, p<0.001) and physical activity (OR=0.83, p=0.03) modified the association between sleep duration and BMI. Specifically, the association was attenuated or even reversed among irregular sleepers (OR=1.09, p=0.27) compared with regular sleepers (OR=0.77, p<0.001). Preadolescents with regular physical activity (≥4 days/week) showed stronger associations (OR=0.74, p<0.001) between sleep duration and BMI than their counterparts (OR=0.89, p=0.01). Sleep regularity was not associated with BMI nor a modifier in other age groups. Although there was no interaction with sleep duration, regular physical activity was independently associated with decreased odds of having high BMI (OR=0.62, p<0.001) in early and middle adolescents. Conclusion The relationship between lifestyle factors (i.e., sleep duration and physical activity) and BMI varies by age groups. Sufficient sleep duration, regular bedtimes and physical activity represent resilience factors against overweight/obesity, especially in preadolescents who are at greater risk for high BMI. Support (if any) N/A

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Physical Activity Attitudes, Beliefs, and Practices Among Women in a Woodland Cree Community

Journal of Physical Activity and Health ◽

10.1123/jpah.10.8.1119 ◽

2013 ◽

Vol 10 (8) ◽

pp. 1119-1127 ◽

Cited By ~ 10

Author(s):

Brenda Bruner ◽

Karen Chad

Keyword(s):

Physical Activity ◽

First Nations ◽

Age Groups ◽

Good Health ◽

Overweight And Obesity ◽

Attitudes And Beliefs ◽

Beliefs And Practices ◽

Aboriginal Women ◽

Modifiable Activity Questionnaire ◽

Activity Questionnaire

Background:Overweight and obesity among Aboriginal women is a growing concern, with increasing prevalence rates linked to a sedentary lifestyle. Physical inactivity is a modifiable risk factor for unhealthy body weight; however before addressing health enhancing behaviors, understanding lifestyle practices, attitudes and beliefs are important.Methods:A mixed methods approach assessed physical activity (PA) practices (n = 58), and attitudes and beliefs (n = 19) among First Nations women. The Modifiable Activity Questionnaire assessed PA, and a focused ethnography explored attitudes and beliefs.Results:Self-reported PA was highest in the youngest age group. Both total and leisure-time PA decreased when house-related activities were not accounted for. Younger participants reported sport-related activities, while older participants reported traditional activities (eg, berry picking, fishing). Participants’ believed PA promoted good health, yet personal (ie, lack of time), community-specific (ie, lack of opportunities/encouragement) and environmental (ie, inclement weather, safety) factors acted as barriers. Age-specific, women-only programs were highlighted as potential enablers.Conclusions:The findings highlight the need to assess cultural specific practices, attitudes and beliefs as PA programs that focus on reducing barriers identified in the community and are designed based on expressed interest and preferences may improve leisure-related PA levels among all age groups.

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