Comparison of sleep and health behaviors among diabetic patients and non-diabetics in Phitsanulok, Thailand: a cross-sectional study

Background: Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) is a global public health problem. To avoid disease complications, diabetic patients have to control their blood glucose and maintain a healthy lifestyle including a healthy diet, weight control, moderate exercise, and smoking cessation. Methods: This study aimed to survey sleep, eating, and exercise behaviors of diabetic patients in Bang Rakam district, a rural community in Phitsanulok province, Thailand. The data on sleep and other health behaviors were taken from 1,385 T2DM patients and 1,394 non-T2DM controls, who were aged 30 - 85 years and were free from other chronic diseases. The data were collected using a structured questionnaire. Results: Compared to the control group, the diabetes group had a significantly higher body mass index (BMI). However, fewer of them were found to smoke cigarettes and drink alcohol. Most of the participants were ‘morning people’ who slept 7-9 hours per day. It was found that sleep ≥8 hours increased the risk of diabetes among women (OR = 1.27, 95% CI 1.03 - 1.56). The diabetes group reported eating chicken and vegetables more than the control group. They also avoided eating beef and eating more than a cup of rice per meal. However, the T2DM group did fewer physical activities, such as walking, biking, or playing sports, during their leisure time. Conclusions: Compared to the control group, diabetic patients in a rural community of Thailand had healthier sleep, lifestyle, and eating behaviors but not healthier exercise behaviors, especially among obese women. Diabetes prevention programs should emphasize and promote weight control and increasing levels of exercise.

Age and Gender Differences in Long-Term Exercise Behavior for Older Adults with Heart Disease

Exercise decreases mortality and hospital admissions. Exercise adherence is challenging, and little is known about exercise adherence especially in older adults with heart disease. To gain an understanding of long-term exercise behaviors in older adults we conducted a cross-sectional study of individuals diagnosed between 2016-2020 with myocardial infarction (MI)/angina. Emails were sent in 2020 to recruit participants. Exercise adherence was measured using the Exercise Adherence Rating Scale (EARS), Godin’s Leisure-Time Activity Scale (GLTEQ) for exercise intensity, and self-report for impact of COVID-19. Descriptive statistics and t-tests were used to analyze data. Eight-hundred and seven individuals (x ̅ age 67.3) responded to the on-line survey. The majority were males (68.8%), married, (68.9%), and retired (59.3%). Co-morbidities included hypertension (32%), hyperlipidemia (21%), diabetes (12%), and depression (6.2%). Long-term exercise behaviors were independently observed in participants ≥65yr (n=526) and <65yr (n=281). Females ≥65yo demonstrated higher exercise adherence scores compared with males ≥65yo (1.66 ± 1.1 vs. 1.30 ± 21.7; t = -2.59, p=.010). Conversely, males scored higher in exercise intensity (34.4 ± 24.7 vs. 22.6 ± 21.7; t = 3.84, p=.000). Gender related exercise adherence and exercise intensity did not differ significantly in <65yo (p=.278 & p=.282, respectively). Exercise frequency decreased in both age groups after COVID-19 Pandemic started, however the decrease was significant only in older adults (p=.014) indicating they were at greater risk for exercise problems when faced with environmental barriers. Additional research is recommended as to the impact of environmental factors on exercise adherence in older adults and potential interventions.

Effects of Physical Exercise Motives on Physical Health and Aerobic Fitness of Teenagers

Background: A good level of physical fitness helps teenagers maintain a good state in daily study and life and enables them to cope well with emergencies. We aimed to explore the influences of physical exercise motives on the physical health and aerobic fitness of teenagers. Methods: A total of 982 teenagers aged between 13 and 16 years in the four districts of Guangzhou City, China from January to December 2019 were selected randomly with the assistance of communities. Their physical exercise motives and exercise behaviors were investigated using a questionnaire survey, and their physical health indexes and aerobic fitness were assessed. The relationships of physical exercise motives and behaviors with physical health and aerobic fitness were analyzed. Results: Teenagers who have higher physical health scores show significantly increasing trends in their scores in exercise motives and different dimensions, exercise behaviors, and aerobic fitness scores (P<0.05). Physical exercise motives show significant correlations with exercise behaviors, physical health, and aerobic fitness. Moreover, exercise behaviors show significantly positive correlations with physical health and aerobic fitness (P<0.05). Physical exercise motives have a positive effect on exercise behaviors, physical health, and aerobic activities, and exercise behaviors have a positive effect on physical health and aerobic activities (P<0.05). Conclusion: The physical exercise motives of teenagers have positive and prediction effects on exercise behaviors, physical health, and aerobic fitness. Exciting physical exercise motives can promote the physical exercise behaviors of teenagers and improve their physical health and aerobic fitness.

Impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on exercise habits among cancer patients

Purpose There is limited information on how the COVID-19 pandemic has changed health behaviors among cancer patients. We examined the impact of the pandemic on changes in exercise behaviors and identified characteristics associated with these changes among cancer patients. Methods Cancer patients (n = 1,361) completed a survey from August-September 2020 to assess COVID-19 pandemic-related changes in health behaviors and psychosocial factors. Patients were categorized into 3 groups: exercising less, exercising did not change, and exercising more. Patient characteristics were compared by exercise groups. Results One-third of the patients reported a decreased amount of regular exercise, while 11% reported exercising more during the pandemic. Patients who exercised less were more likely to be unemployed/retired, undergoing active treatment, and had increased pandemic-related alcohol consumption and psychosocial stressors such as loneliness and financial stress (all p < 0.05). In contrast, patients who exercised more were younger, female, full-time employed, did not consume alcohol, and had good health status and more social interactions (all p < 0.05). Patients who were living in rural areas and did not experience changes in daily life, were also more likely not to experience changes in exercise habits (all p < 0.05). Conclusion Our results indicate that a significant proportion of cancer patients experienced changes in exercise habits during the first 6 months of the COVID-19 pandemic. Age, sex, employment status, health status, alcohol consumption, and psychosocial factors were associated with changes in exercise behaviors. Providers should monitor for changes in health behaviors, such as exercise, because of their importance in improving cancer survivorship.

Career self-management perceptions reflected in the psychological contract of virtual employees: a qualitative and quantitative analysis

PurposeThe question of responsibility for career development is critical for virtual employees who work remotely. The purpose of this paper is to (1) compare the perceptions of virtual and on-location employees in the high-tech industry about where responsibility lies for career management, as reflected in their psychological contract (PC) and (2) evaluate the ability of virtual employees to exercise behaviors capable of enhancing their career development.Design/methodology/approachA mixed-methods approach was used for this study. Study 1 consisted of semi-structured interviews (N = 40) with virtual and on-location employees working for the same high-tech organization, exploring perceptions responsibility for career self-management as captured by their PCs. Study 2, a quantitative survey of virtual and on-location employees (N = 146) working for various organizations in the high-tech sector, examined perceptions of career self-management through the perceived PC, as well as the perceived ability to exercise behaviors that would enhance career development.FindingsBoth categories of employees assumed that they, together with their direct manager, had responsibility for managing their career development. Nevertheless, virtual employees had lower expectations of support from their managers in this respect (Study 1) and felt that they actually received less support from their managers (Study 2). The results of both studies show, however, that virtuality does not have any significant effect on employees’ self-reported proactive career-influencing behaviors.Originality/valueThe study contributes to existing research by highlighting the perceived joint responsibility for career management and the critical role played by line management in this regard and by showing that virtuality does not have a significant effect on employees’ self-reported proactive career-influencing behaviors.

Examining Race and Gender Differences in Associations Among Body Appreciation, Eudaimonic Psychological Well-Being, and Intuitive Eating and Exercising

Purpose: The present study examined race and gender differences among positive psychological constructs, and adaptive eating and exercise behaviors. Design: Cross-sectional. Setting: Online. Sample: College students ( N = 1,228; Mage = 22.27, SD = 5.83). Measures: Participants completed measures assessing positive body image, eudaimonic psychological well-being, and health behaviors. Analyses: Multi-group structural equation modeling was used to examine whether White versus Black race and, separately, woman versus man gender identity moderated associations among body appreciation, eudaimonic psychological well-being, and intuitive eating and intuitive exercising. Results: Results generally indicated that greater body appreciation was associated with greater eudaimonic psychological well-being (βs = 0.48, 0.56) and, in turn, intuitive eating (βs = −0.20, 0.25) and intuitive exercising (βs = −0.06, 0.23). However, notable variations in this pattern of results were identified based on the facet of intuitive eating and exercising under investigation, and participants’ racial identities. For example, greater eudaimonic psychological well-being strictly mediated a positive association between body appreciation and reliance on hunger and satiety cues intuitive eating behaviors among participants who identified as Black (95%CI: 0.01, 0.12), but not White (95%CI: −0.08, 0.04). Conclusions: Although the present findings warrant replication using longitudinal designs due to the cross-sectional nature of the present study, these findings suggest that increasing adults’ eudaimonic psychological well-being may help improve health-promoting eating and exercise behaviors, and should be assessed as a mechanism of change in future clinical research.