Physical Activity and Healthy Eating Patterns in Public Schools in Brazil: A Strategy to Avert Risk Factors in Adulthood

Objective.To highlight the perceived personal, social, and environmental barriers to healthy eating and physical activity among Arab adolescents.Method.A multistage stratified sampling method was used to select 4698 students aged 15–18 years (2240 males and 2458 females) from public schools. Seven Arab counties were included in the study, namely, Algeria, Jordan, Kuwait, Libya, Palestine, Syria, and the United Arab Emirates. Self-reported questionnaire was used to list the barriers to healthy eating and physical activity facing these adolescents.Results.It was found that lack of information on healthy eating, lack of motivation to eat a healthy diet, and not having time to prepare or eat healthy food were the main barriers to healthy eating among both genders. For physical activity, the main barriers selected were lack of motivation to do physical activity, less support from teachers, and lack of time to do physical activity. In general, females faced more barriers to physical activity than males in all countries included. There were significant differences between males and females within each country and among countries for most barriers.Conclusion.Intervention programmes to combat obesity and other chronic noncommunicable diseases in the Arab world should include solutions to overcome the barriers to weight maintenance, particularly the sociocultural barriers to practising physical activity.

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A health assessment tool for multiple risk factors for obesity: age and sex differences in the prediction of body mass index

British Journal Of Nutrition ◽

10.1017/s0007114510000607 ◽

2010 ◽

Vol 104 (2) ◽

pp. 298-307 ◽

Cited By ~ 4

Author(s):

Julie A. Chambers ◽

Vivien Swanson

Keyword(s):

Physical Activity ◽

Risk Factors ◽

Healthy Eating ◽

Assessment Tool ◽

Current Trend ◽

Eating Behaviour ◽

Physical Activity Participation ◽

Activity Participation ◽

Age Group ◽

Wide Range

The aim was to establish the relative importance of multiple dietary, activity and other risk factors in determining BMI. A cross-sectional survey was conducted with 322 adults (71 % female; aged 18–79 years; BMI 16·5–40·9 kg/m2) using a previously developed, psychometrically tested, seventy-three-item questionnaire covering a wide range of obesity risk factors (consisting of five dietary, five activity and seven other risk factor subscales). Outcome was self-reported weight and height for BMI, cross-validated with items on clothes size and perceived need to lose weight. Stepwise regression analysis predicted 25–55 % of the variance in BMI with physical activity participation, current and past dieting behaviour, amount eaten, and age being the most important predictors. The association of lower BMI and younger age appeared to be due to higher activity levels, as younger participants reported much less healthy eating behaviour than the older age group. Amount eaten and physical activity participation were stronger predictors of BMI than other factors including healthy eating and use of mechanised transport. Results showed that the relationship between various risk factors and obesity may differ by both sex and age group, suggesting that different interventions may need to be targeted at different groups. The higher-risk eating behaviour observed in younger participants is of concern and needs to be addressed, if the current trend of rising obesity levels is to be halted.

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Development and Feasibility of an App to Decrease Risk Factors for Type 2 Diabetes in Hispanic Women With Recent Gestational Diabetes (Hola Bebé, Adiós Diabetes): Pilot Pre-Post Study (Preprint)

10.2196/preprints.19677 ◽

2020 ◽

Author(s):

Ellen W Seely ◽

Patricia Flynn Weitzman ◽

Dharma Cortes ◽

Sara Romero Vicente ◽

Sue E Levkoff

Keyword(s):

Physical Activity ◽

Risk Factors ◽

Type 2 Diabetes ◽

Healthy Eating ◽

Self Efficacy ◽

Hispanic Women ◽

Short Term ◽

Increased Risk ◽

Reduce Risk

BACKGROUND Hispanic women have increased risk of gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM), which carries an increased risk for future type 2 diabetes, compared to non-Hispanic women. In addition, Hispanic women are less likely to engage in healthy eating and physical activity, which are both risk factors for type 2 diabetes. Supporting patients to engage in healthy lifestyle behaviors through mobile health (mHealth) interventions is increasingly recognized as a viable, underused tool for disease prevention, as they reduce barriers to access frequently experienced in face-to-face interventions. Despite the high percentage of smartphone ownership among Hispanics, mHealth programs to reduce risk factors for type 2 diabetes in Hispanic women with prior GDM are lacking. OBJECTIVE This study aimed to (1) develop a mobile app (¡Hola Bebé, Adiós Diabetes!) to pilot test a culturally tailored, bilingual (Spanish/English) lifestyle program to reduce risk factors for type 2 diabetes in Hispanic women with GDM in the prior 5 years; (2) examine the acceptability and usability of the app; and (3) assess the short-term effectiveness of the app in increasing self-efficacy for both healthy eating and physical activity, and in decreasing weight. METHODS Social cognitive theory provided the framework for the study. A prototype app was developed based on prior research and cultural tailoring of content. Features included educational audiovisual modules on healthy eating and physical activity; personal action plans; motivational text messages; weight tracking; user-friendly, easy-to-follow recipes; directions on building a balanced plate; and tiered badges to reward achievements. Perceptions of the app’s acceptability and usability were explored through four focus groups. Short-term effectiveness of the app was tested in an 8-week single group pilot study. RESULTS In total, 11 Hispanic women, receiving care at a federally qualified community health center, aged 18-45 years, and with GDM in the last 5 years, participated in four focus groups to evaluate the app’s acceptability and usability. Participants found the following sections most useful: audiovisual modules, badges for completion of activities, weight-tracking graphics, and recipes. Suggested modifications included adjustments in phrasing, graphics, and a tiering system of badges. After app modifications, we conducted usability testing with 4 Hispanic women, with the key result being the suggestion for a “how-to tutorial.” To assess short-term effectiveness, 21 Hispanic women with prior GDM participated in the pilot. There was a statistically significant improvement in both self-efficacy for physical activity (<i>P</i>=.003) and self-efficacy for healthy eating (<i>P</i>=.007). Weight decreased but not significantly. Backend process data revealed a high level of user engagement. CONCLUSIONS These data support the app’s acceptability, usability, and short-term effectiveness, suggesting that this mHealth program has the potential to fill the gap in care experienced by Hispanic women with prior GDM following pregnancy. Future studies are needed to determine the effectiveness of an enhanced app in a randomized controlled trial. CLINICALTRIAL ClinicalTrials.gov NCT04149054; https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT04149054

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Effects of a physical activity and healthy eating intervention to reduce stroke risk factors in older adults

Preventive Medicine ◽

10.1016/j.ypmed.2013.07.004 ◽

2013 ◽

Vol 57 (5) ◽

pp. 708-711 ◽

Cited By ~ 2

Author(s):

Amy L. Silva-Smith ◽

Julie Fleury ◽

Michael Belyea

Keyword(s):

Physical Activity ◽

Risk Factors ◽

Older Adults ◽

Healthy Eating ◽

Stroke Risk ◽

Stroke Risk Factors

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Health and nutrition in public and private schools in the city of Recife

Revista Brasileira de Saúde Materno Infantil ◽

10.1590/1806-930420170001000011 ◽

2017 ◽

Vol 17 (1) ◽

pp. 191-200 ◽

Cited By ~ 3

Author(s):

Myrtis de Assunção Bezerra ◽

Eduardo Freese de Carvalho ◽

Juliana Souza Oliveira ◽

Vanessa Sá Leal

Keyword(s):

Physical Activity ◽

Public Schools ◽

Nutritional Status ◽

Community Participation ◽

Private Schools ◽

Healthy Eating ◽

Cardiovascular Risks ◽

Public And Private ◽

Promotion Of Physical Activity ◽

The City

Abstract Objectives: to analyze the implementation of initiatives and environments promoting healthy feeding as well as the practice of physical activity in public and private schools in Recife. Methods: the schools selected in the City of Recife (n=39) are part of the sample in the Study of Cardiovascular Risks in Adolescents (ERICA). The degree of implementation was estimated by means of interviews with the school manager emphasizing the following components: community participation, presence of healthy environments, partnership with the health segment, monitoring of nutritional status and nutrition policies. The variables selected were assigned points whose sum rated them as satisfactory implementation, poor implementation and critical implementation. Results: the promotion of healthy eating as well as the practice of physical activity was satisfactorily implemented in 13.8% of public schools. However, no private schools obtained such rating. Public schools, when compared to private schools, showed themselves to be more structured, concerning the policies and environments promoting healthy eating and school community participation, however, they showed greater fragility regarding the promotion of physical activity practice and nutritional status monitoring. A few schools had satisfactory implementation in the partnership with the health segment. Conclusions: public and private schools have presented barriers which compromise the full implementation of initiatives and environments promoting healthy eating and physical activity practice.

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Habitual Physical Activity Behavior Does Not Infer Healthy Eating Patterns in Clinic Staff

Medicine & Science in Sports & Exercise ◽

10.1249/01.mss.0000401403.65773.f5 ◽

2011 ◽

Vol 43 (Suppl 1) ◽

pp. 509

Author(s):

Abraham C. Schlauderaff ◽

Nicole Major ◽

Trever Ball ◽

Tan Leng Goh ◽

Janet M. Shaw

Keyword(s):

Physical Activity ◽

Healthy Eating ◽

Physical Activity Behavior ◽

Habitual Physical Activity ◽

Eating Patterns ◽

Clinic Staff ◽

Activity Behavior

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Exploring Maternal and Children Perspectives Towards Healthy Eating and Active Living in Lebanon: A Qualitative Study

Current Developments in Nutrition ◽

10.1093/cdn/nzab035_023 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 5 (Supplement_2) ◽

pp. 115-115

Author(s):

Myriam Dagher ◽

Tamar Kabakian-Khasholian ◽

Lara Nasreddine ◽

Lamis Jomaa

Keyword(s):

Physical Activity ◽

Public Schools ◽

Social Cognitive Theory ◽

Healthy Eating ◽

Social Cognitive ◽

Cognitive Theory ◽

Eating Habits ◽

American University ◽

The Social ◽

Depth Interviews

Abstract Objectives To explore the perspectives and experiences of children and their mothers towards healthy eating habits and regular physical activity in Lebanon and to identify potential strategies that can be recommended for future interventions to promote healthy lifestyles among children. Methods Qualitative research methodology and the social cognitive theory were used. Focus group discussions and in-depth interviews were conducted with children (aged 10–11 years) and their mothers, respectively, from two private and one public schools in Beirut, Lebanon. Thematic inductive analytical approach was adopted. Results A total of six FGDs and 11 in-depth interviews with mothers were conducted from February till November 2020. Four main overarching themes emerged. Theme 1 pertained to the different views of children and mothers regarding the meaning of healthy eating and physical activity and their perceived impact on children's wellbeing. Theme 2 revealed a set of intrapersonal, social, and environmental determinants, which were reported differently between children and their mothers. Participants in our study who were interviewed after the COVID-19 pandemic talked about how their eating habits were adversely affected as a result of the sudden changes in daily schedules, boredom and anxiety. Theme 3 reflected the role of schools and sports facilities in setting a good example for children's healthy eating and active behaviors. Theme 4 revolved around participants’ suggestions to receive support for healthy eating and lifestyle habits at multiple levels, including intrapersonal, family/social, community, and policy-level strategies. Our findings highlight the importance of using theory-driven interventions, such as the social cognitive theory, to improve long-term health behaviors. Conclusions Findings highlight the multiple influences that pertain to children's eating and activity habits and shed light on the need to use child- and parental-driven strategies in the planning and development of programs to promote children's health and wellbeing. Funding Sources This study was partially funded by the Department of Nutrition and Food Sciences at the American University of Beirut.

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Physical Activity and Healthy Eating Promotion among Adults with Cardiovascular Metabolic Risk Factors: An Application of Intervention Mapping Framework

Health Scope ◽

10.5812/jhealthscope.15167 ◽

2017 ◽

Vol In Press (In Press) ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Leila Sabzmakan ◽

Mohammad Asghari Jafarabadi ◽

Andrew Springer ◽

Mohammad Ali Morowatisharifabad ◽

Eesa Mohammadi

Keyword(s):

Physical Activity ◽

Risk Factors ◽

Healthy Eating ◽

Intervention Mapping ◽

Metabolic Risk Factors ◽

Metabolic Risk

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Knowledge, attitude, and behaviours on diet, physical activity, and tobacco use among school students: A cross-sectional study in two Indian states

F1000Research ◽

10.12688/f1000research.51136.2 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 10 ◽

pp. 544

Author(s):

Shalini Bassi ◽

Deepika Bahl ◽

Melissa Blythe Harrell ◽

Neha Jain ◽

Arun Kandasamy ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Physical Activity ◽

Risk Factors ◽

Public Schools ◽

Tobacco Use ◽

Vigorous Physical Activity ◽

Early Years ◽

School Type ◽

School Students ◽

Indian States ◽

Health Programmes

Background: Non-communicable diseases (NCDs) are escalating in India and can be attributed to behavioural risk factors such as unhealthy diet, physical inactivity and tobacco use that began in early years. Understanding adolescents’ knowledge, attitudes and behaviours (KAB) related to NCD risk factors would inform the development of school-based health programmes to prevent NCDs. Methods: Sixth-grade students (n=1026) in 20 schools (10 private, 10 public) from two Indian cities (n=667 from Pune; n=359 from Bengaluru) participated in a KAB survey in 2019. Differences in KAB by gender, school type within cities were investigated. Results: Knowledge about the harms of tobacco use was higher than knowledge about a healthy diet and importance of physical activity. Only a small proportion of students did not eat breakfast (8.7%) or fruits (11.3%) daily. Only 33.4% of students read nutrition labels before choosing their food. Moderate-to-vigorous physical activity of less than an hour per day was reported by 42.5% of students. Approximately one-third of students had ever tried smoking tobacco (30.1%), smokeless tobacco (30.5%), and e-cigarettes (32.4%). Differences in these behaviours by gender and school type showed that both boys, girls and students of private and public schools are vulnerable. Conclusions: The study findings highlight that knowledge is low for thematic areas like diet and physical activity. While knowledge of tobacco related harms is better but the prevalence of ever tobacco use was found to be high. Socio-demographic factors such as school type and gender had a varying effect on various KAB indicators. There is a need to strengthen health education activities by developing context-specific health intervention materials by engaging school children, their parents, teachers, and communities to promote healthy behaviours among adolescents. Need to augment school health programmes in India with a differential approach based on the issues, specific to school type and city.

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Orthorexia nervosa risk and associated factors among Chilean nutrition students: a pilot study

Journal of Eating Disorders ◽

10.1186/s40337-022-00529-6 ◽

2022 ◽

Vol 10 (1) ◽

Author(s):

Manuel Villa ◽

Nicole Opawsky ◽

Sara Manriquez ◽

Nicole Ananías ◽

Pablo Vergara-Barra ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Physical Activity ◽

Risk Factors ◽

At Risk ◽

Pilot Study ◽

Healthy Eating ◽

Associated Factors ◽

Risk Group ◽

Orthorexia Nervosa ◽

Nutrition And Dietetics ◽

Present Pilot Study

Abstract Background Orthorexia nervosa (ON) is characterized by an excessive, obsessive concern with healthy eating generating psychological complications and even malnutrition at a caloric and protein level. Current evidence suggests that people with greater food knowledge are the most likely to be affected, placing nutrition students as a populational risk group. Since there are no nationwide studies dealing with orthorexia nervosa in this risk group, the present pilot study intends to identify risk factors for orthorexia nervosa in a sample of Nutrition and Dietetics students in Chile. Method A descriptive cross-sectional pilot study was done on 90 Nutrition and Dietetics students from a Chilean university, representing 70% of its population. The ORTHO-11-ES instrument was applied to determine ON risk, along with consulting about attitudinal, physical-clinical and social variables. Statistical tests were performed in GraphPad PRISM 8.0®, applying probability ratios and personal correlation, between the sociodemographic variables and the risk of orthorexia nervosa. This study was approved by the university Ethics Committee based on the Helsinki Declaration. Results 23.3% of the studied population was at risk of suffering ON. Associated variables were being in the second year of their major (OR 2.22), coming from a charter school (OR 3.00) and cohabitation being limited to ≤ 1 person (OR 2.47). Particularly, declared physical activity limits are associated to the risk of suffering ON (Sedentary OR 2.42, Heavy OR 3.53), as well as time spent on the social network Instagram (< 1 h OR 2.77, > 3 h OR 1.80). Conclusions There is an ON risk prevalence of 23.3% in the present pilot sample under study, indicating that years of study, cohabitation, secondary educational establishment, physical activity and Instagram use constitute associated factors for the studied condition. Some results vary from international evidence, describing a dual nature in the variables for Instagram time and declared physical activity for ON risk. This study needs replication in more representative samples and longitudinal character with control groups which can confirm the studied elements as ON risk factors. Plain English summary Orthorexia nervosa (ON) is an expression created to indicate a possible new eating disorder characterized by excessive and obsessive preoccupation with healthy eating. Some of its most distinctive traits include marked anxiety over food, exaggerated fear over the appearance of some diseases and shame about physical appearance. This ultimately impacts food choice, planning, acquisition, preparation and consumption, creating psychological complications along with some associated with malnutrition. Considering that Nutrition students are an at-risk group, the present pilot study evaluated its prevalence and associated factors in a specific sample in Chile. Conditions associated with the risk of orthorexia nervosa identified in the present study include: number of hours spent using Instagram, limited cohabitation, extreme physical activity, and number of years in the major. These results should be taken cautiously, with their association confirmed in follow-up studies.

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