Self-weighing Practices and Associated Health Behaviors during COVID-19

2021 ◽  
Vol 45 (1) ◽  
pp. 17-30
Author(s):  
Jamie A. Cooper ◽  
Michelle vanDellen ◽  
Surabhi Bhutani

Objective: In this study, we investigated self-weighing frequency (SWF) among adults during the COVID-19 pandemic and retrospectively (6 months) before the pandemic, and whether SWF was associated with changes in health-related behaviors. Methods: United States adults (N = 1607) completed a health-related questionnaire during COVID-19 and associated shelter-in-place. We categorized respondents into 4 groups of SWF at the time of the pandemic: "Never," "< 1x a week," "1x a week," or "> 1x a week." Results: The proportion of adults never weighing increased during the pandemic (15% to 25%), whereas the proportion of those weighing < 1x week went down (41% to 29%). Higher SWF was significantly associated with changes in energy expenditure including increased total physical activity (PA), lower likelihood of decreases in vigorous, moderate, and walking PA, and a lower likelihood of sitting more. More frequent self-weighing also was associated statistically with lower likelihood of keeping unhealthy eating behaviors the same. Conversely, there was no significant difference in changes in alcohol, caffeine, takeout, fruit or vegetable consumption, and television viewing among SWF groups. Conclusion: SWF decreased during the pandemic in the lower 2 SWF categories. Higher SWF was associated with fewer negative changes in health behaviors, especially related to PA.

2019 ◽  
Vol 3 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. S692-S693
Author(s):  
Dongmei Zuo ◽  
Merril D Silverstein

Abstract This study investigates the patterns and consequences of a wide range of health-related behaviors and resources that include health-compromising behaviors, health-promoting behaviors, preventive health behaviors, and health risks coping resources. We aim to identify the empirically-derived subgroups of individuals with unique profiles of health behaviors and resources to determine how subgroup membership predicts health outcomes and medical care utilization four years later. Data derived from 5,067 respondents in the 2010 and 2014 waves of the Health and Retirement Study. Latent class analysis was used to define classes based on 13 indicators in the 2010 wave, which also provided sociodemographic and health-related covariates. Outcomes were measured over 4 years. Six latent subgroups were identified: “Best Behavior/Resources”, “Low Social Support “, “Low Physical Activity”, “High Substance Abuse”, “Low Preventive Tests”, and “Low Governmental Health Insurance”. Compared with the “Best” group, older adults identified as “Low Physical Activity” and “High Substance Abuse” were found to have higher mortality risks and a lower likelihood of seeing doctors and less nursing home nights; older adults with the lowest level of receiving flu shots, cholesterol and cancer screen test (“Low Preventive Tests”) reported a less likelihood of seeing doctors; respondents in “Low Governmental Health Insurance” subgroup were associated with a lower likelihood of hospital stay and more nursing home nights. Results suggest that distinct groups of older individuals characterized by their health behaviors and resources provide a basis for identifying the high-risk segment of the older population for intervention.


2018 ◽  
Vol 29 (6) ◽  
pp. 523-531 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jyu-Lin Chen ◽  
Jia Guo ◽  
Jill Howie Esquivel ◽  
Catherine A. Chesla

Background: Childhood obesity has become a global health issue, yet little is known about the influence of maternal factors on children’s weight-related health behaviors (dietary habits and physical activity), especially in China. The purpose of this study was to examine the influence of maternal factors on children’s eating behaviors and physical activity in Chinese preschool-age children. Method: A cross-sectional study was utilized to describe weight-related health behaviors among preschool-aged children and identify maternal factors that are associated with children’s weight-related health behaviors in China. Mothers completed questionnaires regarding family eating and activity habits, child feeding practices, and maternal self-efficacy regarding their child’s health-related health behaviors. Results: A total of 222 mother–child dyads participated in this study. Maternal health-related behavior and attitudes regarding feeding practices and self-efficacy were associated with children’s health-related behaviors, including eating behaviors and physical and sedentary activities. The influence of maternal behaviors and attitudes were domain specific. Discussion: Improvement of children’s health behaviors, promoting a healthy lifestyle of the mother and self-efficacy, and providing health home environment for the child are critical in obesity prevention. Implications for Practice: Because children’s health is critical to the health of the nation and to global development, understanding the factors related to children’s health-related behaviors is an important first step toward development of tailored, culturally sensitive interventions for promoting a healthy lifestyle and preventing obesity.


2019 ◽  
Vol 22 (6) ◽  
pp. 530-539 ◽  
Author(s):  
Milla Kaidesoja ◽  
Sari Aaltonen ◽  
Leonie H. Bogl ◽  
Kauko Heikkilä ◽  
Sara Kaartinen ◽  
...  

AbstractThe purpose of this review is to provide a detailed and updated description of the FinnTwin16 (FT16) study and its future directions. The Finnish Twin Cohort comprises three different cohorts: the Older Twin Cohort established in the 1970s and the FinnTwin12 and FT16 initiated in the 1990s. FT16 was initiated in 1991 to identify the genetic and environmental precursors of alcoholism, but later the scope of the project expanded to studying the determinants of various health-related behaviors and diseases in different stages of life. The main areas addressed are alcohol use and its consequences, smoking, physical activity, overall physical health, eating behaviors and eating disorders, weight development, obesity, life satisfaction and personality. To date, five waves of data collection have been completed and the sixth is now planned. Data from the FT16 cohort have contributed to several hundred studies and many substudies, with more detailed phenotyping and collection of omics data completed or underway. FT16 has also contributed to many national and international collaborations.


2021 ◽  
pp. 155982762110425
Author(s):  
Hannah Uhlig-Reche ◽  
Allison R. Larson ◽  
Julie K. Silver ◽  
Adam Tenforde ◽  
Alisa McQueen ◽  
...  

As the proportion of women in the physician workforce increases, burnout in this population warrants further investigation. Exercise is an often-proposed strategy to combat burnout. Evaluating physical activity across a cohort of women physicians can assess associations of health behaviors with burnout. Cross-sectional study of women attending physicians in the United States who are actively engaged in a social media group for runners. An electronic survey comprised of 60 questions covering demographics, health behaviors, and burnout was administered. A healthy lifestyle subgroup (HLS) was defined based on American Heart Association physical activity and nutrition recommendations. We determine the prevalence of burnout and investigate associations between health behavior factors and burnout. Of the 369 included surveys, most respondents were at least six years out from medical training (85.9%) and White (74.5%). Forty-two percent experienced burnout symptoms. Time exercising was significantly associated with fruit/vegetable consumption ( P=.00002). There was no significant difference in burnout between the HLS compared to others ( P = .37). This group of self-reported physically active women physicians was found to have a lower prevalence of burnout when compared to other women physicians. Exercise and nutrition may be protective against burnout in women physicians but deserve further investigation.


2017 ◽  
Vol 51 (suppl 1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Marilisa Berti de Azevedo Barros ◽  
Margareth Guimarães Lima ◽  
Renata Cruz Soares de Azevedo ◽  
Lhais Barbosa de Paula Medina ◽  
Claudia de Souza Lopes ◽  
...  

ABSTRACT OBJECTIVE To evaluate the prevalence of health-related behaviors according to presence and type of depression in Brazilian adults. METHODS Based on a sample of 49,025 adults (18 to 59 years) from the National Survey on Health 2013 (PNS 2013), we estimated the prevalence of health-related behaviors (smoking; passive smoking; frequent or risky alcohol consumption; leisure time physical activity; time watching TV; and eating pattern indicators), according to the presence of depression (minor and major), evaluated by the Patient Health Questionnaire – 9 (PHQ-9), and the report of depressive mood (in up to seven days or more than seven days) over a two-week period. Prevalence ratios were estimated by Poisson regression. RESULTS Evaluated by the PHQ-9 scale, 9.7% of the Brazilian adults had depression and 3.9% presented major depression. About 21.0% reported depressive mood and, in 34.9% of them, that feeling has been present for more than seven days. In individuals with major depression (PHQ-9), higher prevalence was found in almost all unhealthy behaviors analyzed, in particular, smoking (PR = 1.65), passive smoking (PR = 1.55), risk alcohol consumption (PR = 1.72), TV for ≥ 5 hours/day (PR = 2.13), consumption of fat meat (PR = 1.43) and soft drink (PR = 1.42). The prevalence ratios tended to be lower in those with minor depression. Similar results were observed in adults with depressive mood. CONCLUSIONS This study detected relevant association between depression and health behaviors, in particular for smoking and physical activity. The associations found with the PHQ were similar to those observed with the application of a single question about depressive mood. Our results indicate the importance of assessing the presence of depression and the frequency and severity of symptoms when implementing actions for the promotion of healthy behaviors.


Author(s):  
Dominika Berent ◽  
Mariusz Skoneczny ◽  
Marian Macander ◽  
Marcin Wojnar

Background: Nurses are known to work in conditions of stress and physical overload. Health behaviors are modifiable factors that may reduce the adverse effects of work on general health. The present study examined health-related behaviors and their association with current night shift work and chronic morbidity among female nurses.Design and Method: Four hundred seventy-two female nurses (M ± SD = 44.28±7.14 years) self-reported their health habits, physical activity, body mass index (BMI), and chronic disorders that required current treatment. Instruments used in the study consisted of an author-developed questionnaire and the Health Behavior Inventory (HBI). Reported diagnoses were classified as cardio-vascular, gastro-intestinal, malignant neoplastic, endocrine, or other.Results: The most common reported disorders were cardiovascular disorders (5.7% of nurses) followed by other (7.6%), endocrine (7.4%), gastro-intestinal (6.4%), and malignancy (0.2%). On average, health-related behaviors on the HBI were average (83.49 ± 14.33). Overweight and/or obesity (i.e., BMI ≥ 25 kg/m2) were reported by 41.5% of nurses, 24.2% were current smokers, and 36% reported no recreational physical activity. The remaining 64% of nurses who performed physical activity did not report activity levels that met World Health Organization recommendations. Physical activity and HBI scores (total and subscales; i.e., positive attitude, preventive behaviors, proper dietary habits, health-related practices) were not associated with current night shift work or morbidity.Conclusion: Health-promoting programs are needed to support weight control and promote health-related behaviors among nurses. Future research should identify potential barriers to healthy lifestyle recommendations in the workplace.


2020 ◽  
Vol 30 (Supplement_5) ◽  
Author(s):  
D de Assumpção ◽  
S M Álvares Domene ◽  
A M Pita Ruiz ◽  
P M Stolses Bergamo Francisco

Abstract Background The consumption of red meat should not surpass 500 g of cooked weight per week. Regular consumption can exceed this recommendation, increasing the risk of chronic diseases. Objective Estimate the prevalence of the regular consumption of red meat according to health behaviors in Brazilian adults (≥18 years). Methods A cross-sectional study was conducted with data from the 2013 National Health Survey, which is a household inquiry with a representative sample of the population ≥18 years of age. The regular consumption of red meat (beef, pork, goat) was defined as ≥ 5 days/week. Prevalence ratios (PR) and 95% confidence intervals (CI) were estimated according to health behaviors (healthy and unhealthy eating patterns, smoking, practice of physical activity during leisure and alcohol intake). Results A total of 60,202 adults were interviewed, 52.9% of whom were women and mean age was 42.9 years (95%CI: 42.6-43.2). The prevalence of regular red meat consumption was 36.7% (95%CI: 36.0-37.5) and was higher among those who ingested soft drinks/artificial juice (PR = 1.08) and sweets (PR = 1.05) ≥3 days/week, ingested beans (PR = 1.07) and raw vegetables (PR = 1.03) ≥5 days/week, ingested fatty meat (PR = 1.09), smokers (PR = 1.05), individuals who were inactive during leisure (PR = 1.04) and those who consumed alcohol ≥2 times/week (PR = 1.06). The prevalence was lower among those who ate fruit (PR = 0.99) and chicken (PR = 0.95) ≥5 days/week, those who ate fish (PR = 0.90) at least 1 day/week and those who drank no fat/low fat milk rather than whole milk. Conclusions The regular consumption of red meat was higher among individuals who ingested unhealthy foods more often, those who ingested fatty meat, smokers, those who ingested alcoholic beverages and those who did not practice physical activity. Actions are needed to reduce the frequency of red meat consumption. Key messages Regular consumption of red meat can exceed the recommendation of 500 g of cooked weight per week. The regular consumption of red meat was associated with the more frequent ingestion of unhealthy foods and fatty meat.


Nutrients ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (7) ◽  
pp. 2353
Author(s):  
Shannon M. Robson ◽  
Samantha M. Rex ◽  
Katie Greenawalt ◽  
P. Michael Peterson ◽  
Elizabeth Orsega-Smith

Cooperative Extension is a community outreach program. Despite its large reach, there is a need for the evaluation of changes in health-related outcomes for individuals engaged with Cooperative Extension. A team-based challenge was developed using community-engaged participatory research integrated with Cooperative Extension to encourage healthy eating and physical activity behaviors through Cooperative Extension programming. Thus, the primary purpose of this secondary analysis was to (1) evaluate changes in anthropometric outcomes and (2) evaluate changes in health behavior outcomes. Associations of anthropometric changes and health behavior changes with engagement in the three-month team-based challenge were explored. Anthropometrics were measured using standard procedures, and intake of fruits and vegetables and physical activity were self-reported. Of the 145 participants in the community-engaged participatory research portion of the study, 52.4% (n = 76) had complete anthropometrics before and after the team-based challenge and were included in this study. At 3 months, there was a significant reduction in body mass index (−0.3 kg/m2, p = 0.024) and no significant change in waist circumference (p = 0.781). Fruit and vegetable intake significantly increased (+0.44 servings/day, p = 0.018). Physical activity did not significantly change based on (1) the number of days 30 or more minutes of physical activity was conducted (p = 0.765) and (2) Godin Leisure-Time Exercise Questionnaire scores (p = 0.612). Changes in anthropometrics and health behaviors were not associated with engagement in the team-based challenge. Using community-engaged participatory research with community outreach programs, such as Cooperative Extension, can improve health-related outcomes in underserved populations. However, despite a participatory approach, changes in anthropometrics and health behaviors were not associated with engagement in the developed team-based challenge.


Author(s):  
Djordje Stevanovic ◽  
Mina Poskurica ◽  
Jovan Jovanovic ◽  
Miodrag Sreckovic ◽  
Vladimir Zdravkovic ◽  
...  

Abstract Obesity is a global health problem associated with numerous pathological conditions. Unhealthy eating habits and the lack of regular physical activity are considered the most common cause of disordered nutritional status. The aim of the research was to determine the nutritional status in student population and the predictors which determine this condition. The cross-sectional study was conducted on 262 students of the Faculty of Medical Sciences in Kragujevac (130 males and 132 females). Body weight and height, body mass index (BMI) and visceral fat (VF) were measured. Each respondent completed a specially designed questionnaire considering sociodemographic data, eating habits and physical activity. The majority of students have normal BMI values (75.6%), 5.3% were classified as underweight, 14.9% as over-weight and 4.3% as obese. Normal VF values were found in 93.1% of subjects, while high in 5.7% and very high in 1.1%. A statistically significant difference in BMI and VF values was found between male and female gender (24.41 vs. 21.05, Sig = 0.000 and 5.47 vs. 3.07, Sig = 0.000, respectively), as well as between students of the first 4 and the last 2 years of study (Sig = 0.019 and 0.000 respectively). Unhealthy eating habits, such as the consumption of sweets, snacks, fast foods and white bread, and the absence of regular physical activity were statistically more present in overweight/obese respondents. Given the significant presence of pre-obesity/obesity in the examined population, corrective measures should be taken in this population in order to avoid a major health problem in the future.


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