Gender Differences in Physical Activity, Sedentary Behavior and BMI in the Liberec Region: the IPAQ Study in 2002-2009

Dietary patterns and physical activity in young South Asians and white Europeans and their potential implications for cardiovascular risk

Individuals of South Asian (SA) ethnicity have greater risk of developing cardiovascular disease (CVD) relative to white Europeans (WEs). Factors which generally contribute to increased CVD risk include physical inactivity and poor dietary habits, including high intake of salt and saturated fat. Contrastingly, diets rich in fibre, antioxidants and polyphenols are considered cardioprotective. The current questionnaire-based study aimed to examine whether the dietary habits and physical activity levels of young adult SAs living in the UK may contribute to their increased CVD risk in comparison to age-matched WEs. All participants (80 healthy individuals, 40 SA/ 40 WE (gender-balanced, aged 18-26 years) completed questionnaires to assess: general health; habitual physical activity levels, assessed by the International Physical Activity Questionnaire; and dietary patterns, assessed by EPIC-food frequency questionnaire and three-day food diaries. SAs had higher sitting times (SA: 469 ± 19.4, WE: 387 ± 21.5 min/day, p = 0.0107) and were less physically active (SA: 2050 ± 1110, WE: 4850 ± 2810 MET mins/day, p < 0.0001) than WEs. Further, SAs had lower consumption of cardioprotective nutrients, such as fibre (p = 0.0183), folate (p = 0.0242), vitamin C (p = 0.0105) and phytochemicals, such as flavonoids (p = 0.0644). SAs also consumed less alcohol (p < 0.0001), fat (p = 0.0066), sugar (p = 0.0218) and sodium (p = 0.0011) compared to WEs. These findings suggest that lower consumption of nutrients and phytochemicals that are cardioprotective, rather than excess consumption of fat, sugar and sodium, amongst young SAs may contribute to their increased CVD risk. Young SA individuals may also reduce their future CVD risk by increasing their physical activity.

Physical activity: the key to life satisfaction - correlations between physical activity, sedentary lifestyle, and life satisfaction among young adults before and after the COVID-19 pandemic

COVID-19 has fundamentally altered the world, significantly affecting people's health and quality of life. These changes may have impacted young adults' physical activity (PA) and sedentary behavior (SB). This study aims to explore lifestyle changes among young adults, particularly focusing on the relationship between physical activity, sedentary behavior, and life satisfaction before and after the COVID-19 pandemic. To achieve this, we analyzed two surveys carried out in 2018 and 2024. A total of 799 participants were recruited for this age group, with 279 in 2018 and 520 in 2024. We employed T-tests, Pearson's Chi-square tests, Mann-Whitney tests, and ordinal linear regression to uncover associations between physical activity and sitting time across the two periods, alongside various socio-demographic factors and predictors of life satisfaction. Our results reveal notable trends and changes in physical activity levels and sitting times among young adults in Hungary between 2018 and 2024. The most striking changes occurred in IPAQ (International Physical Activity Questionnaire) categorical scores, indicating a shift in activity levels across several demographic groups. The level of physical activity increased for both male and female respondents, residents of county seats and cities, as well as those living in relationships. In 2018, young Hungarian adults who maintained a balance of physical activity-including cycling, some home-based physical work, and limited sitting time-tended to report higher life satisfaction. In 2024, an interesting pattern emerged regarding leisure activities: individuals who engaged in very hard exercise during their free time reported varying levels of life satisfaction. Those who never engaged in very hard exercise or did so only once a week reported lower satisfaction compared to those who exercised daily. This finding aligns with existing research on the mental health benefits of regular intense physical activity. Furthermore, individuals whose physical activity was primarily work-related reported significantly lower life satisfaction compared to those whose physical activity was primarily leisure-related. This suggests that the context of physical activity is crucial in determining its impact on life satisfaction.

The Influence of Socio-Economic Factors on Diet and Active Lifestyle in the Spanish Female Population

A balanced diet and healthy social habits are two pillars on which the health of the population is based. Therefore, the efforts of the health system should be aimed at prevention. To this end, it is important to know the prevalence of these habits in different population groups and how they vary according to socioeconomic variables. This is an observational, descriptive, cross-sectional study using surveys. A questionnaire was designed to explore a set of variables related to diet and an active lifestyle and was validated through a pilot study and a nominal group. Dissemination was carried out online through social networks by means of non-probabilistic snowball sampling, obtaining a sample of 14.784 women aged between 18 and 45 years. Bivariate comparative analyses were performed using the Mann-Whitney method and the principal component analysis (PCA) method of dimensionality reduction was used to study the relationships between ordinal numerical variables. Results indicate that nutrition was influenced by the age of the sample; adult women have better nutrition than younger women, although they are more sedentary and do less sport. Women with higher education and a medium-high income have better nutrition and healthier lifestyles and a lower BMI and higher self-perceived health status than women with basic education and a lower income. It was concluded that a higher level of income and a higher level of education generally lead to a healthier lifestyle. Spanish women aged 18-45 years need to make changes in their nutrition and lead a more active life.

Physical Activity and Sedentary Behavior in Adults from Penafiel, Portugal: A Cross-Sectional Study

The aim of this study was to compare the physical activity (PA) and sedentary behavior (SB) levels of young and middle-aged adults living in and around the municipality of Penafiel and to determine whether they meet PA recommendations. The researchers used the "International Physical Activity Questionnaire" (IPAQ) to measure moderate to vigorous PA and time spent on sedentary behavior (high vs. low). A prospective observational cross-sectional sample of 1105 adults aged 18-63 years, living in the municipality of Penafiel and its surroundings (45% women, 55% men), was used. The results indicated that more than half of the population was inactive (53.8%) and sedentary (54.0%). Men were more likely to be sedentary (59.2%) and inactive (55.6%) than women (inactive: 51.7%, high SB: 47.7%). Regarding daily PA and SB levels, women had higher levels of walks (3.8 ± 2.3; p = 0.034) and vigorous PA (2.2 ± 1.8 min; p = 0.005) per days/week, as well as vigorous PA per minutes/week (75.4 ± 82.1 min; p = 0.034). The time spent on vigorous PA per day was also higher in women (26.2 ± 22.8 min; p = 0.030). However, men had higher values in walking minutes per day (26.3 ± 17.1 min; p = 0.030), SB for weekdays (429.2 ± 141.2 min; p = 0.001), SB for weekends (324.7 ± 163.7 min; p = 0.033) and time spent on SB per minutes/week (2795.6 ± 882.0 min; p = 0.001). The results also showed that the older the adults, the lower the frequency and total time of vigorous PA per week. Young adults (18-28 years) had higher levels of vigorous PA (p = 0.005) than the other age groups (29-39; 40-50 and 51-63 years). Finally, the study found no significant correlation between individual level factors, such as number of children, marital status and monthly income, and PA or SB. Conversely, a significant and negative correlation between SB and levels of PA was found, indicating that the higher the level of PA practice, the lower the SB level. The authors suggest that promoting new PA habits and healthy lifestyles is an important future challenge for sustainability and improving the quality of life in public health.

Device-worn measures of sedentary time and physical activity in South Asian adults at high risk for type 2 diabetes in Metro-Vancouver, Canada

Background

South Asians have high incidence of chronic disease. Physical activity (PA) and sedentary time are modifiable risk factors for chronic disease but their assessment in South Asians has been primarily based on self-report. This study presents directly-measured PA and sedentary time in South Asian adults in Canada.

Methods

A subset of 100 South Asian participants from a larger study who were identified at being at a higher risk for type 2 diabetes wore Actical accelerometers for 7 days. Anthropometric measures were taken and socio-demographic factors including age, income, education level, years since immigration, presence of children under the age of 12 years in the household and employment status were self-reported.

Results

Ninety-one participants (mean age 65.6 years) provided valid accelerometer data. Participants accumulated mean 673.5 (95% CI: 656.6, 691.0) min/day sedentary time, 130.5 (95% CI: 117.3, 145.3) min/day light PA (LPA) and 2.3 (95% CI: 1.3, 4.2) min/day moderate-to-vigorous PA (MVPA). For sedentary time and LPA, sex and BMI explained 51% of variability. For MVPA, BMI, season of assessment and employment status explained 23% variability with those who were employed accumulating significantly higher mean min/day of MVPA compared to those who were unemployed; (5.8, 95% CI: 1.5, 21.7) vs (1.5, 95% CI: 5.3, 20.0) respectively.

Conclusion

High sedentary time, and low MVPA indicates the need to focus health promotion efforts on shifting sedentary time into LPA while trying to increase MVPA. Future studies need to be based on larger, representative samples of South Asians.

Anxiety sensitivity and modifiable cardiovascular disease risk factors: the role of pain intensity among individuals with chronic pain

Chronic pain is often comorbid with modifiable cardiovascular disease risk factors, such as obesity and tobacco use. Among individuals with chronic pain, psychological risk factors may increase pain which, in turn, may increase risk for modifiable cardiovascular disease correlates. Thus, the current study examined the explanatory role of pain intensity in the relationship between anxiety sensitivity and two well-documented modifiable cardiovascular disease risk factors. Participants included 396 adults with chronic pain who completed an online survey from a larger study examining chronic pain-mental health relations. Results revealed that higher levels of anxiety sensitivity were related to higher levels of body mass index (BMI) through greater levels of pain intensity. Bi-directional relations were observed between anxiety sensitivity and pain intensity for tobacco risk. The current study highlights a potential transdiagnostic cognitive vulnerability factor, anxiety sensitivity, which may be an important treatment target to reduce modifiable cardiovascular disease risk factors via reductions in pain intensity.

Occupational Health: Does Compliance with Physical Activity Recommendations Have a Preventive Effect on Musculoskeletal Symptoms in Computer Workers? A Cross-Sectional Study

A lack of physical activity in computer workers (CW) can contribute to the development of musculoskeletal symptoms (MSS). Aim: (i) Evaluate MSS over a 12 month and 7 days period, (ii) determine physical activity (PA) levels and compliance with World Health Organization (WHO) PA recommendations, and (iii) assess the relationship between compliance with WHO PA recommendations and MSS. Methods: A cross-sectional observational study comprising 119 computer workers. The Nordic Musculoskeletal Questionnaire (NMQ) was used to evaluate the MSS and the International Physical Activity Questionnaire (IPAQ) was used to analyse the perception of the level of PA. Results: MSS occurred in the lumbar region (56.3%), neck (43.7%), and shoulders (39.5%). 44.7% of the participants reported a low level of PA. The percentage of compliance was similar among women and men (62.2% vs. 58.5%, respectively). Negative correlations were found between pain intensity and metabolic equivalent values. The participants who followed the WHO PA recommendations reported a lower frequency of MSS compared to those who did not, but the differences were not statistically significant. Conclusion: It was possible to conclude that computer workers presented a higher frequency of MSS in the lower back, neck, and shoulders. Regarding the level of PA, participants were mostly classified as low. Participants who followed the WHO PA recommendations reported lower MSS than those who did not. This finding could be important in obtaining successful programs that promote health-oriented physical activity in this group of workers.

Gender differences in the association between physical activity and health-related quality of life among community-dwelling elders

BACKGROUND

Physical activity can improve health-related quality of life (HRQoL) in older adults. However, the differential effects of gender on quality of life are unclear.

AIMS

To determine the association between physical activity and HRQoL in men and women.

METHODS

This was a cross-sectional study conducted from March to August 2011. Community-dwelling older people aged 65 years or older were eligible. Physical activity in kcal per week was measured with the International Physical Activity Questionnaire (IPAQ)-Taiwan version. HRQoL was measured with the 36-Item Short Form Survey (SF-36) questionnaire. Cognitive function and depression were assessed using the Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE) and Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9). The relationship between physical activity and HRQoL in men and women was investigated by a multiple linear regression model.

RESULTS

A total of 188 older people (M: 50.5%) participated in this study. The mean ages of men and women were 71.9 ± 5.3 and 77.1 ± 6.4 years, respectively (p < 0.001). Older women had higher physical activity levels than men (4786.1 ± 1065.6 vs 4422.2 ± 1114.3 kcal/week, p = 0.023). After adjusting for covariates, multiple linear regression analysis showed that older men with higher physical activity levels had better scores on both the physical component summary (PCS) (p = 0.031) and mental component summary (MCS) (p = 0.007) than men with lower levels. Furthermore, older men with higher moderate-vigorous physical activity levels had better scores on the PCS than older men with lower activity levels, and older men with higher walking physical activity levels had better scores on the MCS than older men with lower activity levels.

CONCLUSIONS

In this study, older women were more physically active than older men. However, older men (but not older women) with higher physical activity had better HRQoL. The association between physical activity and HRQoL differed between men and women.

Physical inactivity and sedentary behaviors in the Bangladeshi population during the COVID-19 pandemic: An online cross-sectional survey

This study aimed to determine the prevalence of physical inactivity and sedentary behaviors during the COVID-19 pandemic among Bangladeshi people. An online survey was conducted among 2,028 people over a period of 10 days on June, 2020 during the COVID-19 pandemic at a time that the number of newly diagnosed cases was increasing, lockdown was still in place. Survey questions included socio-demographics and an adapted version of the IPAQ-SF to assess physical activity and sedentary behaviors. The prevalence rates of physical inactivity (<600 MET-minutes/week) and high sedentary behaviors (≥8 h/day) among Bangladeshi people were 37.9% and 20.9%, respectively. Regression analyses revealed that young age, being a student, from a middle-class family, or upper-class family, living with nuclear family, urban living, and suffering from no chronic diseases were all associated with physical inactivity and high sedentary behaviors. Moreover, physical inactivity and high sedentary behavior were strongly interrelated. However, many of the univariate risk factors exhibited interdependency. During the COVID-19 pandemic coinciding with lockdown measures a sizeable proportion of Bangladeshi people were physically inactive and reported sedentary behaviors ≥8 h/day. Public campaigns and media-based interventions encouraging home-based physical activities should be promoted to attenuate the impact of lockdown measures during a pandemic.

Impact of Gender on Type II Diabetes Glycemic and Cardiovascular Markers Control and Treatment

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE

Type II Diabetes (T2D) is considered a major health burden locally, regionally and internationally. Gender differences in T2D prevalence were found in several epidemiological and observational studies. The primary goal of this study was to assess the prevalence of T2D-related comorbidities and treatment modalities and the impact of gender.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

This was a cross-sectional study that was conducted between June of 2013 and July of 2016 for patients with T2D at the 2 main outpatient diabetes clinics in Taif city, Saudi Arabia. Those with type I diabetes, gestational diabetes and drug-induced diabetes were excluded.

RESULT

A total of 945 patients with a mean age of 58.4±11.8 years with a nearly equal distribution among both genders but with slightly more male predominance (52.2%). When compared to females, male patients were more likely to be older (p<0.001) and exhibit a longer T2D duration (P 0.003), lower mean BMI (p<0.001), lower systolic blood pressure (P 0.062), higher diastolic blood pressure (P 0.468), less likely to have hypertension and be on ACE/ARB blockers (P 0.065 and 0.019, respectively), more likely to have hyperlipidemia and be on a statin (P 0.065 and 0.124, respectively), and more likely to have cardiac disease and stroke and to be on beta-blockers (P 0.005, 0.279, 0.005, respectively).

CONCLUSION

Both genders exhibited comparable HbA1c levels. Medical treatment optimization along with controlling both measured cardiovascular makers and laboratory result levels was based on comorbidities and complications rather than gender.

Association between sex and body mass index as mediated by temperament in a nonclinical adult sample

PURPOSE

The main purpose of the present study was to investigate the association between sex and body mass index (BMI) as mediated by the temperament traits postulated by the regulative theory of temperament.

METHODS

A group of 317 subjects, including 122 men and 195 women 18-82 years old (M = 31.93; SD = 12.64 years), was recruited from the general population to participate in the study. A cross-sectional design was applied in this study. Temperament was assessed using the formal characteristics of behaviour-temperament inventory revised version (FCB-TIR). In the sample, BMIs ranged from 16.51 to 35.56 kg/m² (M = 23.31 kg/m²; SD = 3.61 kg/m²).

RESULTS

The male group had significantly higher BMI, briskness and endurance levels and significantly lower perseveration, sensory sensitivity and emotional reactivity levels compared to the female group. No significant differences between these groups were noted in terms of activity and rhythmicity. The correlations between BMI and briskness and between BMI and endurance were positive, while the correlations between BMI and perseveration and between BMI and activity were negative. The correlations among BMI, sensory sensitivity, emotional reactivity and rhythmicity were not statistically significant. The mediation analysis showed that briskness and endurance were significant partial mediators of the relationship between sex and BMI.

CONCLUSIONS

Sex and two temperament traits, briskness and endurance, were the best predictors of BMI. Briskness and endurance partially mediated the relationship between sex and BMI.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE

Descriptive cross-sectional study. Level V.

Towards a demographic risk profile for sedentary behaviours in middle-aged British adults: a cross-sectional population study

OBJECTIVES

In response to a call from the American Heart Association to more clearly identify the demographic factors associated with sedentary behaviours, this study aimed to identify the hierarchy of demographic characteristics associated with the sedentary behaviours of television viewing, recreational computer use and driving.

DESIGN

Cross-sectional analysis of baseline data collected as part of the UK Biobank. The UK Biobank is a population cohort recruited from 22 centres across the UK. Participants aged between 37 and 73 years were recruited between 2006 and 2010.

METHODS

Decision tree models were generated for the sedentary behaviour outcomes of hours/day spent television viewing, recreational computer use and all driving; a sum of time spent in these sedentary behaviours ('overall') was computed. Age, sex, race, college attendance, employment, shift-work, urban versus rural residence as well as physical activity were considered as predictors.

RESULTS

The analytic sample comprised 415 666 adults who were mostly female (54.2%), white (95.2%), non-college attendee (64.5%), employed (61.7%), lived in an urban centre (85.5%), with a mean age of 56.6 (SD=8.1) years. Television viewing was most common sedentary behaviour (2.7 hour/day vs 1.1 for recreational computer use and 1.0 for all driving). Males (tier 1), who did not attend college (tier 2) were the highest risk group for overall sedentary time. Adults with no college attendance (tier 1) and were retired (tier 2) were the most high-risk demographic group for television viewing. College attendees (tier 1) were highest risk for recreational computer use. Adults who were employed (tier 1), male (tier 2) and did not attend college (tier 3) were most at risk for driving CONCLUSIONS: Daily time spent in different sedentary behaviours varies by sex, employment status and college attendance status. The development of targeted interventions to reduce sedentary behaviour in different demographic subgroups is needed.

Relationships between Physical Activity Levels, Self-Identity, Body Dissatisfaction and Motivation among Spanish High School Students

The aim of this study was to examine the relationships between gender and the educational grade on the one hand, and physical activity levels, motivation, self-identity, body dissatisfaction, the intention to be physically active and daily sitting time on the other, in a sample of Spanish high school adolescents. The sample consisted of 2087 Spanish students from the 3rd (n = 1141) and 4th grade (n = 946), both male (n = 1046) and female (n = 1041), ranging in age from 15 to 17 years old (M = 15.42; SD = .86). Students completed questionnaires to assess their levels of physical activity, self-identity, motivation, intention to be physically active and daily sitting time. The students' perceptions of their body height and mass were also tested. With the exception of walking MET values, the results showed gender differences in the variables tested. Male participants showed higher intrinsic motivation and lower amotivation than female participants. Furthermore, male students revealed higher levels of physical activity than female students. Finally, the research concluded with the importance of promoting intrinsic reasons for physical activity in order to encourage positive consequences in high school students.

Sedentary Behaviour and Physical Activity of Randomised Sample of Czech Adults Aged 20-64 Years: IPAQ and GPAQ Studies between 2002 and 2011

AIM

The prevalence of sedentary behaviour has increased, and physical activity (PA) levels have declined with increases in urbanisation and modernisation. Researchers need to find solutions to address this lack of PA. The main aim of this study was to identify the PA level and sedentary behaviour in a randomised sample of the Czech adult population in 2002 and 2011.

METHODS

To investigate PA in 20-64 year old adults, the International Physical Activity Questionnaire (IPAQ) (in 2002) and the Global Physical Activity Questionnaire (GPAQ) (in 2011) were applied. The randomised samples comprised 1,782 participants in 2002, and 1,359 participants in 2011.

RESULTS

The results showed a significant decrease (F=83.84; p<0.001; ω²=0.03) in the time spent sitting between the years 2002 and 2011. The proportion of individuals reporting low PA has increased (11.4% in 2002 vs. 27.9% in 2011). Individuals with college/university education were more likely to have low PA levels (OR=1.51, p<0.001, CI=1.21-1.68) compared with those with elementary or secondary education. Along with educational level, low PA levels are also associated with older age, spending more than four hours a day sitting, and the survey year.

CONCLUSION

Sedentary behaviour, PA, and factors influencing this behaviour may differ across countries; therefore, more trend-related research should be performed on these issues, especially in Central and Eastern Europe, where these studies are scarce.