Physical Activity and Sedentary Behavior in Relation to Cancer Survival: A Narrative Review

Simple Summary Globally, cancer is a major issue and an increasing number of people live with cancer. Lifestyle-associated factors play a major role in cancer prevention. Being physically active and limiting the amount of time spent sitting reduce the risk of developing several types of cancer. Furthermore, physical activity before, during, and after cancer diagnosis has been found to improve cancer outcomes. In addition, reduced levels of time spent sedentary may lead to improved outcomes in cancer survivors as well. This narrative review summarizes the existing evidence on the relationship of physical activity and sedentary behavior to cancer survival and other health outcomes in cancer survivors. The review provides an overview on the barriers, facilitators, and other factors that determine the levels of physical activity and sedentary behavior in cancer survivors as well as on the current recommendations on physical activity and sedentary behavior for cancer survivors. Abstract From a public health perspective, cancer is a major issue, and it contributes to a high economic and societal burden. Lifestyle-associated risk factors play a crucial role in cancer prevention. The present narrative review aims to summarize the existing evidence on the relationship of physical activity and sedentary behavior to cancer survival, including the evidence on mortality and other health-related outcomes. There is strong evidence that physical activity before, during, and after cancer diagnosis improves outcomes for breast and colorectal cancers. In addition, there is emerging evidence that reduced levels of sedentary behavior in cancer survivors are associated with improved outcomes. Future studies are needed to strengthen the evidence and to provide details on additional cancer sites. In the meantime, existing recommendations for physical activity and sedentary behavior in cancer survivors should be followed to improve the health status of cancer survivors

Sustainable Diets and Cancer: a Systematic Review

PURPOSE OF REVIEW This review aimed to investigate the association of sustainable diets in relation to cancer risk, cancer recurrence, and cancer-specific mortality in adults. RECENT FINDINGS More than 500 articles were initially identified. Nine articles were eligible for inclusion, presenting data from 8 prospective cohort studies, conducted in Europe and the USA. The sustainability indicators investigated were greenhouse gas emissions, food biodiversity, land use, exposure to pesticides or organic food consumption, and the EAT-Lancet diet. One study reported a sustainability index that combined multiple sustainability indicators. A modest inverse association between higher adherence to sustainable diets and cancer incidence or cancer mortality was observed in most studies. While sustainable diets may decrease cancer risk or mortality, the reviewed studies were heterogeneous regarding sustainability indicators and cancer outcomes. A common definition of dietary sustainability would facilitate better generalization of future research findings. Also, studies among non-western populations are needed

Arbeitsbezogenes sedentäres Verhalten

Hintergrund Sedentäres Verhalten ist mit einem erhöhten Risiko für chronische Krankheiten und einer höheren Gesamtmortalität assoziiert. Arbeitsbezogenes Sitzen hat einen großen Anteil am täglichen sedentären Verhalten, insbesondere bei Büroangestellten. Ziel der Arbeit In dieser Studie sollte untersucht werden, wie viel Zeit bei verschiedenen Aufgaben am Arbeitsplatz und beim Pendeln von Verwaltungsangestellten einer Universitätsklinik in Deutschland im Sitzen verbracht wird. Material und Methoden Eine fragebogengestützte Querschnittsstudie mit Verwaltungsangestellten des Universitätsklinikums Regensburg wurde durchgeführt, um arbeitsbezogenes sedentäres Verhalten zu untersuchen. Ergebnisse Die Studienpopulation bestand aus 159 Teilnehmenden (54,1 % Frauen, 51,6 % älter als 40 Jahre), was einer Antwortquote von 26 % entspricht. Die durchschnittliche tägliche Sitzzeit am Arbeitsplatz betrug im Median 7,0 h (Interquartilsbereich [IQR] 6,0–7,5 h) und fand hauptsächlich bei der Computerarbeit statt (57,3 %). Die mittlere Stehzeit bei der Arbeit betrug im Median 0,8 h (IQR 0,3–1,4 h). Verwaltungsangestellte verbrachten während des Pendelns im Median 0,7 h (IQR 0,3–1,0 h) pro Tag im Sitzen. Die Teilnehmenden waren der Ansicht, dass langes und ununterbrochenes Sitzen negative (69,6 %) oder eher negative (29,7 %) Auswirkungen auf die Gesundheit hat. Diskussion Verwaltungspersonal in Krankenhäusern verbringt einen großen Teil der täglichen Arbeitszeit mit sedentärem Verhalten. Maßnahmen, die es ermöglichen, sowohl im Sitzen als auch im Stehen zu arbeiten, können zu einer Verringerung der arbeitsbedingten Sitzzeit führen und damit die Gesundheit am Arbeitsplatz und im weiteren Sinne die öffentliche Gesundheit verbessern

The Effectiveness of Interventions to Reduce Sedentary Time in Different Target Groups and Settings in Germany: Systematic Review, Meta-Analysis and Recommendations on Interventions

Background: Sedentary behavior is an important risk factor for several chronic diseases and is associated with an increased risk of mortality. We assessed the effectiveness of interventions to reduce sedentary time in Germany and provide recommendations on interventions to reduce sedentary time in children and adults. Methods: We comprehensively searched PubMed, Web of Science and the German Clinical Trials Register up to April 2022 for intervention studies targeting sedentary behavior in Germany. We performed a systematic review and qualitative synthesis of the interventions and a meta-analysis in children. Results: We included 15 studies comprising data from 4588 participants. The results of included primary studies in adults and children showed inconsistent evidence regarding change in sedentary time, with a majority of studies reporting non-significant intervention effects. The meta-analysis in children showed an increase in sedentary time for children in the control and intervention groups. Conclusion: We found inconsistent evidence regarding the effectiveness of interventions to reduce time spent sedentary and our meta-analysis showed an increase in sedentary time in children. For children, we recommend physical and social environment interventions with an active involvement of families. For adults, we recommend physical environment interventions, such as height-adjustable desks at work

A cross-sectional study on the knowledge of and interest in Planetary Health in health-related study programmes in Germany

Planetary Health connects human health with the natural and anthropogenic systems on which it depends. Planetary Health education has been growing in a wide range of health-related disciplines, yet not been widely implemented in health-related university curricula. This cross-sectional study focused on students' knowledge of and interest in Planetary Health education in order to assess the relevance of Planetary Health and Planetary Health topics for university students and their fields of study. We surveyed 1,303 students enrolled in health-related programmes in Bavaria, Germany. Data was collected on students' previous knowledge of and interest in Planetary Health, as well as the relevance of different Planetary Health topics and students' willingness to select a Planetary Health elective within their study programmes. Descriptive statistics were calculated. The majority of participants (73.8%) had not yet heard of Planetary Health but were interested in learning more about this field (90.7%). Most participants considered Planetary Health as relevant to their field (81.6%) and would likely choose a Planetary Health elective (81.9%). Participants were most interested in topics about general associations between climate and health as well as its connections with mental health and (micro) plastics. There is an urgent need and high student interest to implement a Planetary Health module in health-related study programmes in order to move this topic more into focus for the next generation of students

Planetary health literacy: A conceptual model

Education for planetary health could be one of the key levers of the much-needed civilizational turn toward a sustainable and healthy future. Education goes beyond information provision and passing on of knowledge and includes competencies to transfer knowledge from one decision situation to another. There are a range of different literacy concepts from various research perspectives that aim to improve such competencies. While many contain aspects highly relevant for planetary health, there is still no comprehensive and integrative planetary health approach. To fill this research gap, we present a conceptual model of planetary health literacy. By zooming into the model, further details on the necessary core competencies of accessing, understanding, appraising, and applying information in order to make judgements and take decisions regarding planetary health can be found. Zooming out of the model allows a holistic planetary health perspective and shows the potential and opportunities of planetary health literacy for the health of humans and ecosystems. Planetary health literacy encompasses both a life-course and a transgenerational approach, at the individual, societal, and global level. Future educational programs focusing on planetary health could integrate the conceptual model to increase planetary health literacy of individuals, including relevant health literacy agents, and of societies

Climate-specific health literacy in health professionals: an exploratory study

Background: Health professionals such as physicians and nurses may play an important role in the transformation process towards a healthy, sustainable and climate-sensitive society. However, little is known about their climate-specific health literacy. This study aimed to assess knowledge regarding climate change and its impacts on health and climate-specific health literacy in health professionals. Methods: In July/August 2022, a cross-sectional, questionnaire-based study was carried out at the University Hospital Regensburg, Germany, to assess climate-specific health literacy in nurses and physicians from various clinical specialties. Descriptive and exploratory statistical analyses were performed. Results: The study population consisted of 142 participants (57.7% women; response rate: 24,7%). Most participants (93%) considered climate change to be highly relevant. However, only 12% of respondents stated to be very well informed regarding the general consequences of climate change. Although 57% of all participants had never mentioned climate change in relation to health to their patients, participants with higher levels of knowledge regarding the effects of climate change were more likely to mention it compared to those with lower levels of knowledge. The most frequently stated obstacle to integrate the topic of climate change in clinical work was lack of time during work (79%), not enough information (42%) and lacking materials (39%). Differences between health professions were apparent. Conclusion: The results of our survey suggest that the current state of climate-specific health literacy differs between different groups of health professionals. There is a need to improve health professionals’ levels of climate-specific health literacy and to increase the potential in interprofessional cooperation regarding planetary health

Association between physical activity, grip strength and sedentary behaviour with incidence of malignant melanoma: results from the UK Biobank

Background Physical activity has been positively related to malignant melanoma. However, that association may be confounded by ultraviolet radiation (UV), a variable closely related to both outdoor physical activity and malignant melanoma. We examined physical activity, grip strength and sedentary behaviour in relation to risk of malignant melanoma, accounting for relevant confounders using data from a prospective cohort study. Methods In 350,512 UK Biobank participants aged 38–73 years at baseline, physical activity was assessed with a modified version of the International Physical Activity Questionnaire Short Form, grip strength was measured with a hand dynamometer, and sedentary behaviour was recorded with three specific questions. Multivariable hazard ratios (HR) and corresponding 95% confidence intervals (CI) were estimated using Cox proportional hazards regression. Results During 7 years of follow-up, 1239 incident malignant melanoma diagnoses were recorded. Physical activity and sedentary behaviour were unrelated to malignant melanoma (HRs 1.01 (95% CI 0.95–1.07) and 1.04 (95% CI 0.97–1.12), respectively), and the initially positive association with grip strength in the basic model (HR 1.23, 95% CI 1.08–1.40) was attenuated after full adjustment (HR 1.10, 95% CI 0.96–1.26). Conclusion Physical activity, grip strength and sedentary behaviour are not associated with malignant melanoma risk

Planetary health literacy: A conceptual model

Education for planetary health could be one of the key levers of the much-needed civilizational turn toward a sustainable and healthy future. Education goes beyond information provision and passing on of knowledge and includes competencies to transfer knowledge from one decision situation to another. There are a range of different literacy concepts from various research perspectives that aim to improve such competencies. While many contain aspects highly relevant for planetary health, there is still no comprehensive and integrative planetary health approach. To fill this research gap, we present a conceptual model of planetary health literacy. By zooming into the model, further details on the necessary core competencies of accessing, understanding, appraising, and applying information in order to make judgements and take decisions regarding planetary health can be found. Zooming out of the model allows a holistic planetary health perspective and shows the potential and opportunities of planetary health literacy for the health of humans and ecosystems. Planetary health literacy encompasses both a life-course and a transgenerational approach, at the individual, societal, and global level. Future educational programs focusing on planetary health could integrate the conceptual model to increase planetary health literacy of individuals, including relevant health literacy agents, and of societies

Health-Promoting and Sustainable Behavior in University Students in Germany: A Cross-Sectional Study

Health-promoting and sustainable behaviors, such as active transportation and sustainable diets, are associated with positive effects on human health and the environment. In order to unlock the potential of university students as key actors and multipliers, it is of interest to investigate their level of knowledge about the health effects of climate change and their willingness toward and implementation of health-promoting and sustainable behaviors. In November 2021, an online survey was conducted among students at the University of Regensburg, Germany. A total of 3756 participants (response rate 18%; mean age 23 years; 69% women) provided valid data. A large proportion of medical students (48%) considered themselves well-informed about the health-related effects of climate change, while only a small proportion (22%) of students within economic/computer/data sciences and law felt informed. Most participants knew about the impact of climate change on malnutrition (78%), but considerably fewer were aware of its impact on cardiovascular diseases (52%). Participants who considered themselves informed were consistently more willing to engage in climate-friendly behavior, and this willingness was also reflected in their actions, as they simultaneously promoted a healthy lifestyle. Across all academic disciplines, there is a strong need for knowledge transfer regarding topics that combine health and sustainable development