Clustering of risk factors for chronic diseases among adolescents from Southern Brazil

AbstractObjectiveTo investigate the clustering of risk behaviors for chronic non-communicable diseases and their associated factors among adolescents from Southern Brazil.MethodsIn 2008, a survey was conducted with 3990 adolescents aged 14–15years (mean: 14.3; SD: 0.6) from the 1993 Pelotas Birth Cohort Study. Clustering was determined by comparing observed (O) and expected (E) prevalence of all possible combinations of the four risk factors investigated (smoking, alcohol intake, low fruit intake, and physical inactivity). We carried out Poisson regression to evaluate the effect of individual characteristics on the presence of at least three risk behaviors.ResultsAll risk factors tended to cluster together (O/E prevalence=3.0), especially smoking and alcohol intake (odds ratio to present on behavior in the presence of other >5.0). Approximately 15% of adolescents displayed three or more risk behaviors. Females (adjusted OR=1.55), people 15years and older (OR=1.47), with black skin color (OR=1.23), and of low socioeconomic level (OR=1.29) were more likely to display three or more risk factors.ConclusionThese findings suggest that lifestyle-related risk factors tend to cluster among adolescents. Identifying subgroups at greater risk of simultaneously engaging in multiple risk behaviors may aid in the planning of preventive strategies

Associations between movement behaviours and obesity markers among preschoolers compliant and non-compliant with sleep duration:A latent profile analysis

This study identifies physical activity (PA) and sedentary behaviour (SB) clusters in preschoolers compliant (C) or non-compliant (NC) with sleep recommendations; and associates these clusters with obesity markers. PA and SB were objectively assessed (Actigraph WGT3-X) in 272 preschoolers (4.4 ± 0.7 years old). Sleep duration was parent-reported, and preschoolers were classified as C (3–4 years old: 600–780 min/day; 5 years old: 540–660 min/day) or NC with sleep recommendations. Body mass index (BMI) and waist circumference (WC) were assessed according to international protocols. Moderate to vigorous physical activity (MVPA) and light physical activity (LPA) were categorized as low/high (60 min/day or <180 min/180 min/day, respectively). SB was defined according to mean values between clusters. Latent profile analysis was performed. Associations between the observed clusters and obesity markers were determined using linear regression (RStudio; 1.3.1073). Four cluster solutions for C and NC preschoolers were identified. A negative association between C/Low MVPA cluster and BMI, and a positive association between NC/Low MVPA and BMI (β = −0.8, 95%CI = −1.6;−0.1, and β = 0.9, 95%CI = 0.1;1.7, respectively) were observed. No association was seen for SB clusters. Adequate sleep duration may have a protective role for preschoolers’ BMI, even if the children do not comply with MVPA recommendations

Children’s moderate-to-vigorous physical activity on weekdays versus weekend days:A multi-country analysis

PURPOSE: The Structured Days Hypothesis (SDH) posits that children's behaviors associated with obesity - such as physical activity - are more favorable on days that contain more 'structure' (i.e., a pre-planned, segmented, and adult-supervised environment) such as school weekdays, compared to days with less structure, such as weekend days. The purpose of this study was to compare children's moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA) levels on weekdays versus weekend days using a large, multi-country, accelerometer-measured physical activity dataset. METHODS: Data were received from the International Children's Accelerometer Database (ICAD) July 2019. The ICAD inclusion criteria for a valid day of wear, only non-intervention data (e.g., baseline intervention data), children with at least 1 weekday and 1 weekend day, and ICAD studies with data collected exclusively during school months, were included for analyses. Mixed effects models accounting for the nested nature of the data (i.e., days within children) assessed MVPA minutes per day (min/day MVPA) differences between weekdays and weekend days by region/country, adjusted for age, sex, and total wear time. Separate meta-analytical models explored differences by age and country/region for sex and child weight-status. RESULTS/FINDINGS: Valid data from 15 studies representing 5794 children (61% female, 10.7 ± 2.1 yrs., 24% with overweight/obesity) and 35,263 days of valid accelerometer data from 5 distinct countries/regions were used. Boys and girls accumulated 12.6 min/day (95% CI: 9.0, 16.2) and 9.4 min/day (95% CI: 7.2, 11.6) more MVPA on weekdays versus weekend days, respectively. Children from mainland Europe had the largest differences (17.1 min/day more MVPA on weekdays versus weekend days, 95% CI: 15.3, 19.0) compared to the other countries/regions. Children who were classified as overweight/obese or normal weight/underweight accumulated 9.5 min/day (95% CI: 6.9, 12.2) and 10.9 min/day (95% CI: 8.3, 13.5) of additional MVPA on weekdays versus weekend days, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: Children from multiple countries/regions accumulated significantly more MVPA on weekdays versus weekend days during school months. This finding aligns with the SDH and warrants future intervention studies to prioritize less-structured days, such as weekend days, and to consider providing opportunities for all children to access additional opportunities to be active

Children’s moderate-to-vigorous physical activity on weekdays versus weekend days: a multi-country analysis

Abstract: Purpose: The Structured Days Hypothesis (SDH) posits that children’s behaviors associated with obesity – such as physical activity – are more favorable on days that contain more ‘structure’ (i.e., a pre-planned, segmented, and adult-supervised environment) such as school weekdays, compared to days with less structure, such as weekend days. The purpose of this study was to compare children’s moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA) levels on weekdays versus weekend days using a large, multi-country, accelerometer-measured physical activity dataset. Methods: Data were received from the International Children’s Accelerometer Database (ICAD) July 2019. The ICAD inclusion criteria for a valid day of wear, only non-intervention data (e.g., baseline intervention data), children with at least 1 weekday and 1 weekend day, and ICAD studies with data collected exclusively during school months, were included for analyses. Mixed effects models accounting for the nested nature of the data (i.e., days within children) assessed MVPA minutes per day (min/day MVPA) differences between weekdays and weekend days by region/country, adjusted for age, sex, and total wear time. Separate meta-analytical models explored differences by age and country/region for sex and child weight-status. Results/findings: Valid data from 15 studies representing 5794 children (61% female, 10.7 ± 2.1 yrs., 24% with overweight/obesity) and 35,263 days of valid accelerometer data from 5 distinct countries/regions were used. Boys and girls accumulated 12.6 min/day (95% CI: 9.0, 16.2) and 9.4 min/day (95% CI: 7.2, 11.6) more MVPA on weekdays versus weekend days, respectively. Children from mainland Europe had the largest differences (17.1 min/day more MVPA on weekdays versus weekend days, 95% CI: 15.3, 19.0) compared to the other countries/regions. Children who were classified as overweight/obese or normal weight/underweight accumulated 9.5 min/day (95% CI: 6.9, 12.2) and 10.9 min/day (95% CI: 8.3, 13.5) of additional MVPA on weekdays versus weekend days, respectively. Conclusions: Children from multiple countries/regions accumulated significantly more MVPA on weekdays versus weekend days during school months. This finding aligns with the SDH and warrants future intervention studies to prioritize less-structured days, such as weekend days, and to consider providing opportunities for all children to access additional opportunities to be active

Enrollment in Physical Education Is Associated With Health-Related Behavior Among High School Students

METHODS: A total of 4210 students attending public high schools in Pernambuco (northeast of Brazil) were selected using random 2-stage cluster sampling. Data were collected by using the Global School-based Student Health Survey. The independent variable was the frequency of participation in PE classes, whereas physical activity, television viewing, smoking, and alcohol, fruit, vegetables and soda consumption were dependent variables. Logistic regressions were carried out to perform crude and adjusted analysis of the association between enrollment in PE classes and health-related behaviors. RESULTS: Sixty-five percent of students do not take part in PE classes, with a significantly higher proportion among females (67.8%). It was observed that enrollment in PE classes was positively associated with physical activity, TV viewing, and fruit consumption, but was negatively associated with soda drinking. The likelihood of reporting being active and eating fruit on a daily basis was 27% and 45% higher, respectively, among those who participate in at least 2 classes per week in comparison with those who do not. Students who participate in PE classes had 28-30% higher likelihood of reporting lower TV viewing during week days. CONCLUSIONS: Findings suggest that higher levels of enrollment in PE classes could play a role in the promotion of health-related behaviors among high school students

Association of time spent in physical activities and sedentary behaviors with carotid-femoral pulse wave velocity: A systematic review and meta-analysis

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: Increased arterial stiffness is linked to increased risk of cardiovascular disease and mortality. Studies have reported conflicting results regarding the relationship between arterial stiffness and time spent in sedentary behavior (SB) and physical activity (PA). The objective of this systematic review and meta-analysis was to assess the relationship between objectively measured light PA (LPA), moderate to vigorous PA (MVPA), and SB with the gold standard measurement of arterial stiffness, carotid-femoral pulse wave velocity (cfPWV). METHODS: PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science were searched for relevant studies published until November 2016. Studies reporting the correlation of objectively measured PA and SB with cfPWV in human adults >18 years old were included in this analysis. Correlation coefficients (CCs) were converted to Z scores via Fisher's z values for the analysis of summary effects, using a random-effects model. RESULTS: Twelve studies were included in the systematic review. The meta-analysis showed a negative correlation between cfPWV and LPA (CC -0.16; 95% CI: -0.29 to -0.03; p=0.02) and MVPA (CC -0.16; 95% CI: -0.26 to -0.06; p<0.01), and a positive relationship between cfPWV and SB (CC 0.23; 95% CI: 0.12 to 0.35; p<0.01). CONCLUSIONS: Time spent in light and moderate physical activities is associated with lower arterial stiffness, while time spent in SB is related to higher arterial stiffness. It suggests that PA at any intensity is favorable for arterial stiffness, whereas SB leads to increased arterial stiffness. Considering that cfPWV has an independent prognostic value, these associations may have important clinical implications

Association between physical activity and walking capacity with cognitive function in peripheral artery disease patients

OBJECTIVE: To identify the association between objectively measured physical activity and walking capacity with cognitive function in patients with symptomatic peripheral artery disease. METHODS: This was an observational, cross sectional study. One hundred and thirty patients (age 67 ± 8 years) were recruited at a tertiary centre specializing in vascular disease. Cognitive function (global, memory, executive function and attention) was evaluated using the Montreal Cognitive Assessment tool. Physical activity levels (total, light, and moderate-vigorous) were obtained using an accelerometer. A 6 min and 4 m walk test were undertaken to assess walking capacity. Crude and covariate adjusted, linear regression analyses confirmed significant associations between physical activity levels and walking capacity with cognitive function. RESULTS: Positive and significant associations were observed between moderate to vigorous physical activity (p = .039) and walking capacity (p = .030) with memory after adjusting for covariates. No significant association was identified between light physical activity and usual gait speed with any cognitive function outcome. CONCLUSION: Greater memory performance was associated with greater moderate to vigorous physical activity levels and walking capacity in patients with symptomatic peripheral artery disease. Clinical interventions focused on improving moderate to vigorous physical activity levels and walking capacity may provide important therapies to potentially enhance cognitive health in patients with peripheral artery disease

Prevalence and sociodemographic correlates of physical activity and sitting time among south american adolescents: a harmonized analysis of nationally representative cross-sectional surveys

Background: to identify the prevalence and sociodemographic correlates of diferent domains of physical activity (PA) and higher sitting time among South American adolescents. Methods: data from national surveys of 11 South American countries were analyzed, and comprised information on 166,901 adolescents. PA (≥60 min/day of moderate-vigorous PA), physical education classes (PEC) (≥3 classes/wk), active commuting to school (≥1 d/wk), and higher sitting time (≥3 h/d) were self-reported. Sociodemographic correlates, such as gender, age, and food security status were explored using a random efect meta-analysis for logistic parameters. Results: recommended PA ranged between 7.5% (Brazil) and 19.0% (Suriname). Peru (2.2%) and Guyana (43.1%) presented the lowest prevalence of PEC and active commuting to school, respectively. Higher sitting time was less prevalent in Bolivia (24.6%) and more prevalent in Argentina (55.6%). Compared to girls, boys were more prone to reach recommendations for PA [OR=1.94(1.65;2.28)]; to reach≥3 PEC [OR=1.17(1.04;1.33)] and to be active in commuting to school [(OR=1.14(1.06;1.23)], but less prone to higher sitting time [(OR=0.89(0.82;0.96)]. Older adolescents had less odds of reach PA guidelines [OR=0.86(0.77; 0.97)] and accumulated higher sitting time [OR=1.27(1.14;1.41)]. Adolescents with food insecurity reported more PEC [OR=1.12(1.04;1.21)] and active commuting to school [OR=1.12(1.02;1.22)] but had less higher sitting time than their food security pairs [OR=0.89(0.81;0.98)]. Conclusions: few adolescents reach the PA recommendation. Actions aiming the promotion of PA and the reduction of sitting time must consider girls and older adolescents as target groups, as well as the specifcs of each country.RHOA and ECMS are supported by the Coordination for the Improvement of Higher Education Personnel (CAPES) with a PhD scholarship (CAPES process: 88887.605034/2021-00) and (CAPES process: 88887.605029/2021-00), respectively. AOW is supported by the São Paulo Research Foundation (FAPESP) with a PhD scholarship (FAPESP process: 2019/24124-7). RRV is funded in part by a Postdoctoral Fellowship Resolution ID 420/2019 of the Universidad Pública de Navarra

Science has no borders, so should scientific publishing: a position statement from the <i>Journal of Physical Activity and Health</i>

ISSN:1543-3080ISSN:1543-547