scholarly journals A longitudinal study of physical activity and menstrual cycle characteristics in healthy Norwegian women – The Nord-Trøndelag Health Study

2011 ◽  
Vol 20 (2) ◽  
Author(s):  
Sigridur Lara Gudmundsdottir ◽  
William Dana Flanders ◽  
Liv Berit Augestad

<strong><em>Background</em>:</strong> Long menstrual cycles have been associated with anovulation, infertility and spontaneous abortion. Elite athletes have been found at risk of menstrual dysfunction. We evaluated the longitudinal association between leisure time physical activity (LTPA) and menstrual function in healthy non-athletic women.<br /><em><strong>Methods:</strong></em> A population-based health survey (HUNT 1) was conducted during 1984-1986 in Nord-Trøndelag county, Norway, with follow-up in 1995-1997 (HUNT 2). The current study included 3,097 women, &lt;45 years old in HUNT 2. LTPA was assessed by questionnaire in HUNT 1, and menstrual function by questionnaire in HUNT 2. Data focused on overall occurrence of menstrual disorders in the population. Results were adjusted<br />for age, education, psychological health, smoking and alcohol intake. Additional analyses included BMI as a potential confounder.<br /><strong><em>Results</em>: </strong>The median cycle length was 30 days and median number of days bleeding was 5. In women with normal cycle length, mean (SD) cycle length and duration of bleeding was 29.3 (2.8) and 5.6 (1.7) respectively. Cycle length increased with higher frequency of LTPA for women &gt;25 years old. Women, 20-25 years old at baseline who were active most days had increased odds of short cycles, more bleeding days and increased odds of having irregular cycles, OR=4.7; 95% CI = 1.2-18.0). Number of bleeding days decreased with longer duration (p&lt;0.05) and higher intensity (p=0.065) in young women. Adjustment for BMI did not affect the results.<br /><strong><em>Conclusion</em>:</strong> Leisure time physical activity may affect menstrual function, although in our study, the results were modified by age

2014 ◽  
Vol 11 (6) ◽  
pp. 1133-1140 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sigridur Lara Gudmundsdottir ◽  
W. Dana Flanders ◽  
Liv Berit Augestad

Background:Menstrual dysfunctions are often found in athletic women. This study evaluated the association between leisure time physical activity (LTPA) and menstrual function in healthy nonathletic women.Methods:During 1984–1986, a populationbased health survey (HUNT 1) was conducted in Nord-Trøndelag, Norway, with follow-up (HUNT 2) in 1995–1997. Women < 45 years old in HUNT 2 were included in the current study. LTPA was assessed by questionnaire in HUNT 1 and HUNT 2, and menstrual function by questionnaire in HUNT 2.Results:Adjusted odds ratios (OR’s) for long cycles were increased in women who reported < 1 hour of light LTPA (OR = 1.4, 95% CI = 1.0–2.0) and 1–2 hours (OR = 1.3, 95% CI = 1.0–1.8) per week compared with women with ≥ 3 hours/week. Adjusted OR for irregular cycles was decreased in women constantly in the lowest tertile of LTPA index in HUNT 1 and HUNT 2 (OR = 0.4, 95% CI = 0.2–0.9). Adjusted OR for prolonged bleeding was 2.6 (95% CI = 1.3–5.4) for women with < 1 hour/week of light LTPA and 2.3 (95% CI = 1.3–4.3) for women with 1–2 hours, compared with ≥ 3 hours/week.Conclusions:Very low physical activity may increase the risk of menstrual cycle disruptions. Moderate PA should be encouraged for optimum reproductive health.


Pain Medicine ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 21 (11) ◽  
pp. 3094-3101
Author(s):  
Rahman Shiri ◽  
Tea Lallukka ◽  
Ossi Rahkonen ◽  
Päivi Leino-Arjas

Abstract Objective To estimate the effects of excess body mass and leisure time physical activity on the incidence and persistence of chronic pain. Design A prospective cohort study. Methods As a part of the Finnish Helsinki Health Study, we included three cohorts of employees of the City of Helsinki (18,562 observations) and defined incident chronic pain as having pain in any part of the body for more than three months at follow-up in participants without chronic pain at baseline (N = 13,029 observations). Persistent chronic pain was defined as having pain for more than three months at both baseline and follow-up (N = 5,533 observations). Results Overweight (adjusted odds ratio [OR] = 1.18, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 1.06–1.31) and obesity (OR = 1.65, 95% CI = 1.45–1.88) increased the incidence of chronic pain. Moreover, overweight (OR = 1.16, 95% CI = 1.02–1.32) and obesity (OR = 1.48, 95% CI = 1.26–1.74) increased the risk of persistent chronic pain. Vigorous leisure time physical activity reduced the incidence of chronic pain (OR = 0.85, 95% CI = 0.75–0.96). Physical activity did not influence the risk of persistent chronic pain. Furthermore, overweight/obesity modified the effect of leisure time physical activity on incident chronic pain. Inactive overweight or obese participants were at the highest risk of chronic pain (OR = 1.71, 95% CI = 1.40–2.09), while the OR dropped to 1.44 (95% CI = 1.19–1.75) in moderately active overweight or obese participants and to 1.20 (95% CI = 0.97–1.47) in highly active overweight or obese participants. Conclusions Obesity not only increases the risk of developing chronic pain, but also increases the risk of persistent pain, while leisure time physical activity reduces the risk of developing chronic pain.


2019 ◽  
Vol 29 (Supplement_4) ◽  
Author(s):  
A Dedele ◽  
A Miskinyte

Abstract Background According to the World Health Organization, non-communicable diseases or chronic diseases, account for 71 percent of all deaths globally, affecting individuals of all age groups and countries. Epidemiological studies have shown an association between a lack of physical activity (PA) and the risk of raised blood pressure, increased body mass index and obesity that can lead to chronic diseases. Methods The aim of the study was to assess the relationship between leisure-time PA and the risk of chronic diseases among adult population. We conducted a cross-sectional study of 470 men and 641 women who participated in “The Impact of Sustainable Mobility, Physical Activity and Environmental Factors on Urban Population Health Study (ISMA)” in Lithuania. Leisure-time PA was self-reported and divided into three levels: low, moderate and high. Logistic regression was used to estimate adjusted odds ratios (ORs) of chronic diseases according to leisure-time PA. Results More than half (55%) of the study population engaged in a moderate intensity PA and 12% of participants engaged in a high intensity leisure-time PA. Men 1.6 times more often than women reported engaging in a high intensity PA in leisure time (p = 0.004). Adults who engaged in low intensity leisure-time PA had almost 3 times (OR = 2.91; 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.62-5.24) higher risk of chronic diseases, whereas those adults who reported moderate intensity leisure-time PA had an OR of 1.63 (95% CI 0.92-2.87) compared to individuals who engaged in a high-level PA. Conclusions Our findings suggest that high levels of leisure-time PA could reduce the risk of chronic diseases and this effect was significantly stronger in men. Key messages Global decline in PA is related to inaction during leisure time and sedentary behaviour at work and at home that has a major health impact worldwide. High levels of leisure-time PA are important factor for chronic disease prevention.


2020 ◽  
Vol 20 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Neda Esmailzadeh Bruun-Rasmussen ◽  
George Napolitano ◽  
Allan Kofoed-Enevoldsen ◽  
Stig Egil Bojesen ◽  
Christina Ellervik ◽  
...  

Abstract Background This study aimed to investigate prevalence and risk factors for prediabetes, undiagnosed diabetes mellitus, poorly and potentially sub-controlled diabetes in a rural-provincial general adult population in Denmark. Methods Using cross-sectional data from the Lolland-Falster Health Study, we examined a total of 10,895 individuals aged 20 years and above. Results Prevalence of prediabetes was 5.8% (men: 6.1%; women: 5.5%); of undiagnosed diabetes 0.8% (men: 1.0%; women: 0.5%); of poorly controlled diabetes 1.2% (men: 1.5%; women: 0.8%); and of potentially sub-controlled diabetes 2% (men: 3.0%; women: 1.3%). In total, 9.8% of all participants had a diabetes-related condition in need of intervention; men at a higher risk than women; RR 1.41 (95% CI 1.26–1.58); person aged + 60 years more than younger; RR 2.66 (95% CI 2.34–3.01); obese more than normal weight person, RR 4.51 (95% CI 3.79–5.38); smokers more than non-smokers, RR 1.38 (95% CI 1.19–1.62); persons with self-reported poor health perception more than those with good, RR 2.59 (95% CI 2.13–3.15); low leisure time physical activity more than those with high, RR 2.64 (95% CI 2.17–3.22); and persons with self-reported hypertension more than those without, RR 3.28 (95% CI 2.93–3.68). Conclusions In the Lolland-Falster Health Study, nearly 10% of participants had prediabetes, undiagnosed diabetes, poorly controlled, or potentially sub-controlled diabetes. The risk of these conditions was more than doubled in persons with self-reported poor health perception, self-reported hypertension, low leisure time physical activity, or measured obesity, and a large proportion of people with diabetes-related conditions in need of intervention can therefore be identified relatively easily.


BMJ Open ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 9 (8) ◽  
pp. e028684 ◽  
Author(s):  
Eivind Schjelderup Skarpsno ◽  
Tom Ivar Lund Nilsen ◽  
Trond Sand ◽  
Knut Hagen ◽  
Paul Jarle Mork

ObjectivesTo investigate the association between insomnia symptoms and risk of self-reported fibromyalgia in women, and to explore whether leisure time physical activity and body mass index (BMI) modify this association.DesignProspective cohort study.SettingWe used longitudinal data from the Norwegian Nord-Trøndelag Health Study collected in 1995–1997 (baseline) and 2006–2008 (follow-up).ParticipantsA total of 14 172 women who reported to be free from fibromyalgia at baseline.Primary outcome measuresWe estimated adjusted risk ratios (RRs) with 95% CI for self-reported fibromyalgia at follow-up associated with baseline insomnia symptoms, leisure time physical activity and BMI.ResultsOverall, 466 incident cases of fibromyalgia were reported during the follow-up period of approximately 11 years, corresponding to a crude absolute risk (AR) of 3.3%. Compared with women without insomnia symptoms (crude AR=2.8%), women who reported one, two or three symptoms had RRs of fibromyalgia of 1.39 (95% CI: 1.08 to 1.80), 1.86 (95% CI: 1.33 to 2.59) and 2.66 (95% CI: 1.75 to 4.06), respectively. Compared with highly physically active women without insomnia symptoms (crude AR=2.7%), women with one or more insomnia symptoms had a RR of fibromyalgia of 1.90 (95% CI: 1.30 to 2.79) if they reported low physical activity and a RR of 1.55 (95% CI: 1.12 to 2.13) if they reported high physical activity. We found no synergistic effect between insomnia symptoms and BMI on risk of fibromyalgia; however, overweight and obese women with one or more insomnia symptoms had RRs of 2.35 (95% CI: 1.73 to 3.21) and 2.18 (95% CI: 1.42 to 3.35) compared with the reference group of normal weight women without insomnia symptoms (crude AR=2.3%).ConclusionsInsomnia symptoms are strongly and positively associated with risk of fibromyalgia in adult women. Leisure time physical activity may compensate for some of the adverse effect of insomnia symptoms on risk of fibromyalgia.


2015 ◽  
Vol 12 (4) ◽  
pp. 506-514 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lanay M. Mudd ◽  
Jim M. Pivarnik ◽  
Karin A. Pfeiffer ◽  
Nigel Paneth ◽  
Hwan Chung ◽  
...  

Background:We sought to evaluate the effects of maternal leisure-time physical activity (LTPA) during pregnancy and current child LTPA on child weight status.Methods:Women with term pregnancies in the Pregnancy Outcomes and Community Health Study (1998–2004) were followed-up. A race-stratified subset of participants (cohort A) received extensive follow-up efforts leading to better response rates (592/926 = 64%) and diversity. The remainder (Cohort B) had a lower response rate (418/1629 = 26%). Women reported child height, weight and LTPA at 3 to 9 years (inactive vs. active), and recalled pregnancy LTPA (inactive vs. active). A 4-category maternal/child LTPA variable was created (reference: active pregnancy + active child). Children were classified as healthy weight, overweight, or obese using age- and sex-specific Body Mass Index percentiles. Logistic regression was used to assess the odds of child obesity (reference: healthy weight).Results:In unadjusted analyses, pregnancy inactivity increased odds for obesity when the child was active (1.6 [95% CI, 1.0−2.6] in Cohort A; 2.1 [95% CI, 1.1−4.0] in Cohort B), and more so when the child was inactive (2.4 [95% CI, 1.2−4.9] in Cohort A; 3.0 [95% CI, 1.0−8.8] in Cohort B). Adjustment for covariates attenuated results to statistical nonsignificance but the direction of relations remained.Conclusions:Maternal inactivity during pregnancy may contribute to child obesity risk.


2014 ◽  
Vol 29 (11) ◽  
pp. 851-857 ◽  
Author(s):  
Anthony S. Gunnell ◽  
Matthew W. Knuiman ◽  
Mark L. Divitini ◽  
Prue Cormie

2015 ◽  
Vol 31 (suppl 1) ◽  
pp. 136-147 ◽  
Author(s):  
Amanda Cristina de Souza Andrade ◽  
Sérgio Viana Peixoto ◽  
Amélia Augusta de Lima Friche ◽  
Janaína Lavalli Goston ◽  
Cibele Comini César ◽  
...  

Abstract This study aimed to estimate the prevalence of leisure-time physical activity and investigate its association with contextual characteristics of the social and physical environment in different socioeconomic statuses, using a household survey in Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais State, Brazil (2008-2009). Leisure-time physical activity was measured by the International Physical Activity Questionnaire; and the social and physical environment by scales arising from perception of neighborhood attributes. Multilevel logistic regression analysis was performed separately for each socioeconomic status stratum. The overall prevalence of leisure-time physical activity was 30.2%, being 20.2% amongst participants of low socioeconomic status, 25.4% in the medium and 40.6% in the high socioeconomic status group. A greater perception of social cohesion was associated with increased leisure-time physical activity only amongst participants of the lowest socioeconomic status even after adjusting for individual characteristics. The results demonstrate the importance of social cohesion for the promotion of leisure-time physical activity in economically disadvantaged groups, supporting the need to stimulate interventions for enhancing social relationships in this population.


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