Sedentariness and Health: Is Sedentary Behavior More Than Just Physical Inactivity?

Reversal of Soleus Muscle Atrophy in Older Adults: A Non-Volitional Exercise Intervention for a Changing Climate

The World Health Organization recommends that older adults undertake at least 150 minutes of moderate intensity physical activity over the course of each week in order to maintain physical, mental, and social health. This goal turns out to be very difficult for most community dwelling older adults to achieve, due to both actual and perceived barriers. These barriers include personal health limitations, confinement issues, and self-imposed restrictions such as fear of injury. Climate change exacerbates the confinement issues and injury fears among the elderly. To assist older adults in obtaining the benefits of increased physical activity under increasingly challenging climate conditions, we propose a targeted non-volitional intervention which could serve as a complement to volitional physical activity. Exogenous neuro-muscular stimulation of the soleus muscles is a non-invasive intervention capable of significantly increasing cardiac output in sedentary individuals. Long-term daily use has been shown to improve sleep, reduce bone loss, and reverse age-related cognitive decline, all of which are significant health concerns for older adults. These outcomes support the potential benefit of exogenous neuro-muscular stimulation as a complementary form of physical activity which older adults may find convenient to incorporate into their daily life when traditional forms of exercise are difficult to achieve due to barriers to completing traditional physical activities as a result of in-home or in-bed confinement, perceptual risks, or real environmental risks such as those arising from climate change.

Assessing the impact of physical activity on reducing depressive symptoms: a rapid review

CONTEXT

The prevalence of depression among teenagers is a significant issue worldwide, which calls for a thorough investigation of non-drug treatments. This expedited evaluation examines 24 specifically chosen studies to clarify the correlation between physical activity depression symptoms in teenagers, undertaken following PRISMA principles.

METHODS

A wide range of research methods, including longitudinal studies, surveys, and cross-sectional analyses, were used in different nations to understand the intricate relationship between physical activity, sedentary behaviours, and depression symptoms. The data-gathering methods included standardised questionnaires, accelerometer measurements, and self-report instruments.

FINDINGS

The review highlights the crucial significance of engaging in physical activity to alleviate depression symptoms. Improved self-esteem consistently acts as a crucial intermediary between participation in physical activity and decreased rates of depression. Engaging in physical activity is a safeguard, particularly for individuals with restricted access to physical activity. In contrast, a sedentary lifestyle greatly increases the probability of developing moderate to severe symptoms of depression. Gender differences are apparent, with females being disproportionately impacted by depression. There are strong connections between engaging in physical activity and reducing symptoms of depression, which can be observed in various situations, such as participating in team sports or engaging in leisure activities.

CONCLUSION

This study provides insight into the potential of physical activity as a non-pharmacological approach to address adolescent depression. This highlights the significant impact of physical activity, which has important implications for public health programs aimed at improving the mental well-being of adolescents by promoting physical activity. It is crucial to do additional research that considers gender-specific variations and various physical activity circumstances to enhance our comprehension of this important matter.

Circulatory Metabolite Ratios as Indicators of Lifestyle Risk Factors Based on a Greek NAFLD Case-Control Study

An ensemble of confounding factors, such as an unhealthy diet, obesity, physical inactivity, and smoking, have been linked to a lifestyle that increases one's susceptibility to chronic diseases and early mortality. The circulatory metabolome may provide a rational means of pinpointing the advent of metabolite variations that reflect an adherence to a lifestyle and are associated with the occurrence of chronic diseases. Data related to four major modifiable lifestyle factors, including adherence to the Mediterranean diet (estimated on MedDietScore), body mass index (BMI), smoking, and physical activity level (PAL), were used to create the lifestyle risk score (LS). The LS was further categorized into four groups, where a higher score group indicates a less healthy lifestyle. Drawing on this, we analyzed 223 NMR serum spectra, 89 MASLD patients and 134 controls; these were coupled to chemometrics to identify "key" features and understand the biological processes involved in specific lifestyles. The unsupervised analysis verified that lifestyle was the factor influencing the samples' differentiation, while the supervised analysis highlighted metabolic signatures. Τhe metabolic ratios of alanine/formic acid and leucine/formic acid, with AUROC > 0.8, may constitute discriminant indexes of lifestyle. On these grounds, this research contributed to understanding the impact of lifestyle on the circulatory metabolome and highlighted "prudent lifestyle" biomarkers.

Energy Expenditure Prediction from Accelerometry Data Using Long Short-Term Memory Recurrent Neural Networks

The accurate estimation of energy expenditure from simple objective accelerometry measurements provides a valuable method for investigating the effect of physical activity (PA) interventions or population surveillance. Methods have been evaluated previously, but none utilize the temporal aspects of the accelerometry data. In this study, we investigated the energy expenditure prediction from acceleration measured at the subjects' hip, wrist, thigh, and back using recurrent neural networks utilizing temporal elements of the data. The acceleration was measured in children (N = 33) performing a standardized activity protocol in their natural environment. The energy expenditure was modelled using Multiple Linear Regression (MLR), stacked long short-term memory (LSTM) networks, and combined convolutional neural networks (CNN) and LSTM. The correlation and mean absolute percentage error (MAPE) were 0.76 and 19.9% for the MLR, 0.882 and 0.879 and 14.22% for the LSTM, and, with the combined LSTM-CNN, the best performance of 0.883 and 13.9% was achieved. The prediction error for vigorous intensities was significantly different (p < 0.01) from those of the other intensity domains: sedentary, light, and moderate. Utilizing the temporal elements of movement significantly improves energy expenditure prediction accuracy compared to other conventional approaches, but the prediction error for vigorous intensities requires further investigation.

The Associations of Physical Activity and Health-Risk Behaviors toward Depressive Symptoms among College Students: Gender and Obesity Disparities

Engaging in health-risk behaviors (HRBs) may be correlated with depressive symptoms among college students, but these relationships require more research. The purpose of this study was to examine the associations of physical activity levels (i.e., light [LPA] and moderate-vigorous [MVPA]) and HRBs (i.e., sedentary behavior [screen-based and non-screen-based behavior] and cigarette and e-cigarette tobacco use) with depressive symptoms in a sample of college students. Physical activity levels and HRBs were assessed through validated questionnaires. In total, 366 students participated (Mage = 22.59 ± 3.54; 60.1% female; 52.9% normal weight). E-cigarette use in males (β = 0.23, p < 0.05) and screen-based sedentary behavior in females (β = 0.14, p < 0.05) showed significant predictive utility toward depressive symptoms. In the overweight/obese group, screen-based sedentary behaviors (β = 0.19, p < 0.05) and e-cigarette use (β = 0.23, p < 0.01) showed significant predictive utility toward depressive symptoms. Females reported higher levels of depressive symptoms (Mfemale = 18.23 vs. Mmale = 14.81; η2 = 0.03) and less MVPA (Mmale = 52.83 vs. Mfemale = 41.09; η2 = 0.06) than males. Enhancing mental health by improving physical activity and eliminating HRBs should be tailored toward at-risk demographics.

Walking to work: The role of walkability around the workplace in a Dutch adult commuting population

Current evidence on neighborhood walkability and active commuting focuses on residential rather than workplace environment. This cross-sectional study investigated whether higher workplace walkability (WW) was associated with commute walking, both independently and together with residential walkability, using data from 6769 respondents of the 2017 Dutch national travel survey. In a fully adjusted logistic regression model, 10% increase in WW was associated with 32% higher odds of commute walking (Odds ratio (OR): 1.31, 95% Confidence Interval (CI: 1.27-1.36). The estimates were stronger in rural dwellers than urban residents, (ORrural 1.49, 95%CI: 1.34-1.64 vs ORhighly.urban 1.19, 95%CI: 1.13-1.26). In participants with both high residential walkability and WW, we observed 215% higher odds (OR 3.15, 95% CI: 2.48-3.99) of commute walking compared to those with low walkability in both. Our study indicated the importance and complementary nature of walkable residence and workplace in contribution to physical activity of working individuals through active commuting.

Prevalence of dyslipidemia and associated factors in sedentary occupational population from Shanghai: a cross-sectional study

BACKGROUND

Dyslipidemia is a major risk factor for cardiovascular diseases, but its prevalence and determinants among sedentary occupational population are poorly understood. This study aimed to investigate the prevalence and associated factors for dyslipidemia among a sedentary occupational population in Shanghai, China.

METHODS

We collected data from 35,950 sedentary occupational workers on their demographics, social, medical, and family history, lifestyle, anthropometry, and biochemistry. We used the 2016 Chinese guideline for the management of dyslipidemia in adults to define dyslipidemia and its subtypes. We performed multivariate logistic regression to examine the factors associated with dyslipidemia.

RESULTS

The prevalence of dyslipidemia was 29.10%, with 15.86% for high triglycerides (TG), 6.43% for high total cholesterol (TC), 5.37% for high low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C), and 14.68% for low high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C). Men had a significantly higher prevalence of dyslipidemia than women (39.64% vs. 12.43%, P < 0.01). Factors associated with dyslipidemia included older age, being married, longer sedentary time while resting, frequent intake of animal viscera, current smoking, hypertension, diabetes, and obesity. Current drinking was associated with a 1.24 times higher prevalence of high TG (P < 0.01). Current smokers were less likely to have low HDL-C than non-smokers.

CONCLUSIONS

Our present study, in a population of 35,950 sedentary occupational workers from Shanghai, demonstrated a prevalence of dyslipidemia, but lower than in other previous studies without the limitation of occupational characteristics. Prevention and control measures for dyslipidemia should take into account the characteristics and related factors for this population group.

Relationship between addictions and obesity, physical activity and vascular aging in young adults (EVA-Adic study): a research protocol of a cross-sectional study

Background

Behavioral and substance addictions are prevalent health problems that, alongside obesity, are linked to reduced physical activity and increased sedentary time. Similarly, arterial stiffness and vascular aging are processes that begin gradually at an early age and are closely associated with morbidity and mortality from cardiovascular diseases. The main objective of this study is to analyze how addictions are related to obesity and body fat distribution, physical activity, sedentary time, arterial stiffness and vascular aging, as well as sleep quality, cognitive function and gender differences in young adults aged between 18 and 34 years.

Methods

This cross-sectional descriptive observational study will analyze data from 500 subjects (250 men and 250 women) aged 18-34 without cardiovascular disease, selected by simple random sampling with replacement from the urban population of the city center of Salamanca (34,044 people aged 18-34, with 18,450 women and 15,594 men). Behavioral and substance addictions, as well as sleep quality and cognitive impairment will be assessed using questionnaires. The Pittisburg Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) will be used to measure sleep quality and the Ford questionnaire will be used to measure insomnia in response to stress. For obesity, weight, height, waist and hip circumference, body composition will be measured with the Inbody 230® impedance meter. For physical activity and sedentary time, we will use the Actigraph® accelerometer alongside the international physical activity questionnaire (IPAQ) and the Marshall questionnaire. The Sphygmocor System® will be used for pulse wave analysis and carotid-femoral pulse wave velocity (cfPWV), while the Vasera VS-2000® will measure cardio ankle vascular index (CAVI) and brachial-ankle pulse wave velocity (baPWV). Vascular aging will be calculated with the 10th and 90th percentiles of cfPWV or baPWV. Demographic, analytical variables will be collected, as will data to assess vascular, cardiac, renal, and brain injury.

Discussion

Addictions are on the rise in today's society, affecting the mental health and well-being of those who suffer from them, generating important social problems such as job loss, family dysfunction, debt and social isolation. Together with obesity, they are prevalent health problems in young adults and are associated with lower physical activity and higher sedentary time. Meanwhile, arterial stiffness and vascular aging are processes that begin gradually at an early age and determine morbidity and mortality caused by cardiovascular diseases. The results of this project will allow us to understand the situation regarding behavioral and substance addictions in young adults. Better understanding of these addictions will in turn facilitate the development of more effective prevention strategies and intervention programs, which can then reduce the negative impact at both the individual and societal levels.

Clinical trial registration

[ClinicalTrials.gov], identifier [NCT05819840].

Take a load off: skeletal implications of sedentism in the feet of modern body donors

Background and Objectives

Modern biocultural environments continue to place selective pressures on our skeletons. In the past century, a major cultural pressure has been the rise in sedentism. However, studies considering the effects of sedentism on the foot have largely considered pathological changes to the gross foot without particular regard for the pedal skeleton. To address this gap in the literature, temporal trends in the development of osteoarthritis and entheseal changes on the tarsals and metatarsals were analyzed in the context of biodemographic data for recent modern humans.

Methodology

The sample utilized for this project is comprised of 71 individuals from the William M. Bass Donated Skeletal Collection, with birth years ranging from 1909 to 1993. Temporal trends in osteoarthritis and entheseal changes were determined via ANCOVA, using year of birth as the explanatory variable and biodemographic variables (age, sex, stature, body mass index and tibial robusticity) as covariates.

Results

Results indicate that entheseal changes and osteoarthritis have decreased over time, and these trends are statistically significant. Temporal trends in pedal entheseal changes and osteoarthritis vary by sex.

Conclusions and Implications

The increase in sedentary behavior over time has usually been framed as a net negative for human health and well-being. However, considered in isolation, the decrease in entheseal changes and osteoarthritis presented here might be considered a positive development as they suggest overall less stress on the modern human foot. This study also has the potential to inform the health sciences and general public about biocultural contributors to modern foot health.

Sedentary behavior and physical inactivity from a comprehensive perspective

OBJECTIVE

To characterize the prevalence of physical activity in the population aged ≥16 years integrating sedentarism and physical inactivity.

METHOD

A cross-sectional study using data from the Galician Risk Behavior Data System (n=12,928) was conducted. The population was classified into four categories: physically active (active and non-sedentary), active but sedentary (active and sedentary), lightly active (inactive and non-sedentary), and extremely sedentary (inactive and sedentary). Prevalences were calculated for each category and a multinomial logistic regression model was fitted.

RESULTS

58.0% of the population was physically active and the remaining 42.0% presented some degree of sedentarism and/or physical inactivity. Men were more likely to be extremely sedentary. The risk of sedentarism decreased with age, and workers and/or students were prone to a higher risk of extreme sedentarism in comparison to those who reported other status. Extremely sendentary behaviors were also more common in people with higher educational levels, individuals living alone, residents of urban environments, and smokers.

CONCLUSIONS

Joint evaluation of sedentarism and physical inactivity provides a more comprehensive and realistic picture of population behaviors related with physical activity. Since sedentarism is the most prevalent behavior, this study recommends that interventions be conducted at work and at academic environments.

Lifestyle effects on aging and CVD: A spotlight on the nutrient-sensing network

Aging is widespread worldwide and a significant risk factor for cardiovascular disease (CVD). Mechanisms underlying aging have attracted considerable attention in recent years. Remarkably, aging and CVD overlap in numerous ways, with deregulated nutrient sensing as a common mechanism and lifestyle as a communal modifier. Interestingly, lifestyle triggers or suppresses multiple nutrient-related signaling pathways. In this review, we first present the composition of the nutrient-sensing network (NSN) and its metabolic impact on aging and CVD. Secondly, we review how risk factors closely associated with CVD, including adverse life states such as sedentary behavior, sleep disorders, high-fat diet, and psychosocial stress, contribute to aging and CVD, with a focus on the bridging role of the NSN. Finally, we focus on the positive effects of beneficial dietary interventions, specifically dietary restriction and the Mediterranean diet, on the regulation of nutrient metabolism and the delayed effects of aging and CVD that depend on the balance of the NSN. In summary, we expound on the interaction between lifestyle, NSN, aging, and CVD.

Determining minimum number of valid days for accurate estimation of sedentary behaviour and awake-time movement behaviours using the ActivPAL3 in nursing home residents

INTRODUCTION

Scarce evidence is available about the minimum number of valid days wearing the activPAL3 to obtain a precise estimate of sedentary behaviour (SB) and awake-time movement behaviours (ATMB) in nursing home (NH) residents. The study aimed to determine the minimum number of valid days required for accurately estimate SB and ATMB using the activPAL3 device in NH residents. It also investigated how the starting point of a day (the 24-h period) impacted reliability.

METHODS

Participants wore an activPAL3 for 7 consecutive days. The data was classified in two-time blocks (00:00 Ante Meridiem (AM)-00:00 AM midnight vs 12:00 Post Meridiam (PM) -12:00 PM midday) and the sample was stratified into two groups according to their capacity to stand and walk, to examine if timing of sampling or physical functioning affected minimum wear time. SB, ATMB, sociodemographic, and health-related variables were collected. Sensitivity of the time-blocks were tested through the dispersion frequencies and differences between blocks through Kolmogorov-Smirnov test for normality; parametric variables through two-related means T-test and Wilcoxon test for non-parametric data. Reliability was assessed with the Cronbach's Alpha and the intra-class correlation coefficient (ICC), using a one-factor model estimating the reliability for each measurement day loading in the same latent factor.

RESULTS

Ninety-five NH residents (81.1% women; age = 85.8 ± 7.2 years) were included. The midnight block had higher reliability, sensitivity and no statistically significant differences between days were found. At least three consecutive days of monitoring were necessary to achieve a reliability of ICC ≥ 0.8 for those NH residents able to stand and walk and six days for those unable.

CONCLUSIONS

NH residents who are able to stand and walk require a minimum of three consecutive days wearing the device, while those who are unable require at least six days due to their highly homogenous daily routines and sensitivity to PA events. Regardless of the activPAL3 recording start time, data processing should reference the midnight time block.

Sedentary Time and Prescription Medication Use Among US Adults: 2017-2018 National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey

BACKGROUND

Prescription medication usage has been used as a predictor of disease prevalence and overall health status. Evidence suggests an inverse relationship exists between polypharmacy, which is the use of 5 or more medications, and physical activity participation. However, there is limited evidence examining the relationship between sedentary time and polypharmacy in adults. The aim of this study was to examine the associations between sedentary time and polypharmacy in a large nationally representative sample of US adults.

METHODS

Study sample (N = 2879) included nonpregnant adult (≥20 y old) participants from the 2017-2018 National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey. Self-reported minutes per day of sedentary time were converted to hours per day. The dependent variable was polypharmacy (≥5 medications).

RESULTS

Analysis revealed that for every hour of sedentary time, there was 4% greater odds of polypharmacy (odds ratio, 1.04; 95% confidence interval, 1.00-1.07, P = .04) after adjusting for age, race/ethnicity, education, waist circumference, and the interaction term between race/ethnicity and education.

CONCLUSION

Our findings suggest increased sedentary time is associated with an increased risk of polypharmacy among a large nationally representative sample of US adults.

Associations between Physical Activity and Kyphosis and Lumbar Lordosis Abnormalities, Pain, and Quality of Life in Healthy Older Adults: A Cross-Sectional Study

Significant evidence suggests that regular physical activity (PA) leads to numerous physical and psychological outcomes in the elderly. This cross-sectional study was designed to further explore this issue by investigating the associations between PA (measured by accelerometer) and kyphosis and lumbar lordosis abnormalities, pain, and quality of life (QoL) in the elderly. In this cross-sectional study, 163 older adults (73 women) over 65 years of age (mean age: 68.70 ± 3.09) from Russia acted as participants. The following instruments were used to measure research variables: ActiGraph wGT3X-BT for measuring PA, spinal-mouse for measuring kyphosis and lumbar lordosis abnormalities, and the World Health Organization Quality of Life Scale (WHOQOL-BREF) questionnaire for measuring QoL. Pain was measured using two questions. The Independent t-test and a regression analysis were used to analyze data. The results showed that our sample participated on average in 15.8 min of moderate PA (MPA) per day, which is lower than the recommended guidelines. Men were significantly more physically active than women. In addition, MPA was significantly associated with lower kyphosis and lumbar lordosis abnormalities and pain in older adults. Finally, MPA was significantly associated with higher QoL. These findings indicate that PA is a critical concern for the elderly. Accordingly, physical educators and fitness instructors should adopt appropriate strategies to promote an active lifestyle among older adults.

Dietary Habits and Gaming Behaviors of Portuguese and Brazilian Esports Players

As the esports industry grows, marketing campaigns for fast food, soft drinks, alcoholic and energy drinks, and dietary supplements at related events intensify. Portuguese and Brazilian esports players' dietary patterns remain unexplored. This study aimed to characterize the dietary and gaming habits of esports players. We applied an anonymous, open online survey to a convenience sample of esports players that included the PREDIMED and the Internet Gaming Disorder Scale. The survey was shared through email and social media platforms, including Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Discord, WhatsApp, and Twitch. The sample (n = 579) was predominantly male (91.4%), averaged 26.1 (SD = 7.0) years, and 25.9 (SD = 5.5) kg/m2. Most reported a weak (53.7%) adherence to the Mediterranean diet. Almost a third (32.3%) consumed dietary supplements. Our sample presented a low adhesion to the Mediterranean dietary pattern, low consumption of fruit and vegetables, and high consumption of fast food, red and processed meat, soft drinks, and dietary supplements, including caffeine-based supplements. Dietary supplement consumption was related to a higher adhesion to the Mediterranean diet, and a higher level of professionalization and internet gaming disorder correlated with a lower adhesion. In conclusion, we infer that Portuguese and Brazilian esports players follow an unbalanced diet.

A prospective analysis of physical activity and mental health in children: the GECKO Drenthe cohort

BACKGROUND

Mental health problems in young people have become a global health burden. The positive effects of physical activity on mental health in adults are well known but still not clear in children. The aim of this study was to investigate to what extent physical activity in early childhood would affect mental health in middle childhood.

METHODS

From the Dutch GECKO Drenthe birth cohort, 850 children (51.5% boys) were enrolled in this analysis. Physical activity and sedentary time were measured at age 5-6 using ActiGraph GT3X. Mental health was assessed using the Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire (SDQ) at age 5-6 and age 10-11. Multiple linear regression models were used to estimate the associations between physical activity, sedentary time and SDQ subscales, stratified by gender, adjusting for age, BMI, maternal education level, family size, accelerometer wear time and season, and additionally adjusting for SDQ scores at age 5-6 to take tracking of mental health over time into account.

RESULTS

Greater physical activity volume at age 5-6 was associated with lower peer problems scores at age 10-11 in boys and girls. An increase in MVPA was associated with lower peer problems scores in boys (b = -0.445, -0.713 to -0.176) and girls (b = -0.354, -0.601 to -0.107), however, increased sedentary time was linked to higher peer problems scores in boys (b = 1.18, 0.455 to 1.906) and girls (b = 0.870, 0.191 to 1.550). For hyperactivity, higher levels of physical activity volume and MVPA were associated with higher hyperactivity scores in boys. Increased sedentary time was related to lower hyperactivity scores in boys. Further adjustment for SDQ scores at age 5-6 attenuated associations between physical activity and hyperactivity in boys but hardly changed the relationships with peer problems. No significant associations between physical activity and other SDQ subscales or total difficulties scores were observed, neither in boys nor in girls.

CONCLUSIONS

Children who are more physically active at age 5-6 have fewer peer problems at age 10-11, and for boys, greater activity levels at age 5-6 could be an indicator of hyperactivity at age 10-11.

Leisure-Time Television Viewing and Computer Use, Family History, and Incidence of Dementia

INTRODUCTION

Time spent on screen-based sedentary activities is significantly associated with dementia risk, however, whether the associations vary by family history (FHx) of dementia is currently unknown. We aimed to examine independent associations of two prevalent types of screen-based sedentary activities (television [TV] viewing and computer use) with dementia and assess the modifying effect of FHx.

METHODS

We included 415,048 individuals free of dementia from the UK Biobank. Associations of TV viewing, computer use, and FHx with dementia risk were determined using Cox regression models. We estimated both multiplicative- and additive-scale interactions between TV viewing and computer use and FHx.

RESULTS

During a median follow-up of 12.6 years, 5,549 participants developed dementia. After adjusting for potential confounding factors, we observed that moderate (2-3 h/day; hazard ratio [HR] 1.13, 95% confidence interval 0.03-1.23) and high (>3 h/day; 1.33, 1.21-1.46) TV viewing was associated with a higher dementia risk, compared with low (0-1 h/day) TV viewing. Using restricted cubic spline models, the relationship of TV viewing with dementia was nonlinear (relative to 0 h/day; p for nonlinear = 0.005). We found that >3 h/day of TV viewing was associated with a 42% (1.42, 1.18-1.71) higher dementia risk in participants with FHx while a 30% (1.30, 1.17-1.45) in those without FHx. For computer use, both low (0 h/day; 1.41, 1.33-1.50) and high (>2 h/day; 1.17, 1.05-1.29) computer use were associated with elevated dementia risk, compared with moderate (1-2 h/day) computer use. We observed a J-shaped relationship with dementia (relative to 2 h/day; p for nonlinear <0.001). Compared with 1-2 h/day of computer use, the HRs of dementia were 1.46 (1.29-1.65) and 1.10 (0.90-1.36) for 0 h/day and >2 h/day of computer use in participants with FHx, respectively, while the corresponding HRs were 1.40 (1.30-1.50) and 1.19 (1.06-1.33) in those without FHx. We observed a positive additive interaction (RERI 0.29, 0.06-0.53) between computer use and FHx, while little evidence of interaction between TV viewing and FHx.

CONCLUSIONS

The time spent on TV viewing and computer use were independent risk factors for dementia, and the adverse effects of computer use and FHx were additive. Our findings point to new behavioral targets for intervention on preventing an early onset of dementia, especially for those with FHx.

Variety and Duration of Different Sedentary Behaviors, Inflammation, Genetic Susceptibility, and New-Onset Dementia in the Older Population

OBJECTIVES

We aimed to evaluate the relationship of the variety and duration of different sedentary behaviors (TV-watching, driving, and nonoccupational computer use) with the risk of dementia in older participants, and examine whether inflammation and genetic susceptibility may modify the relationship.

DESIGN

A prospective cohort study.

SETTING AND PARTICIPANTS

173,829 older participants (≥60 years) without prior dementia in the UK Biobank were enrolled.

METHODS

A healthy sedentary behavior score was calculated as the number of the 3 major sedentary behaviors with a duration associated with the lowest risk of dementia. The primary outcome was new-onset all-cause dementia.

RESULTS

During a median follow-up of 12.4 years, 4965 (2.9%) participants developed new-onset dementia. There were U-shaped associations for TV-watching and driving time, and a reversed J-shaped association for nonoccupational computer use time with new-onset all-cause dementia, with the lowest dementia risk at >0-<2 hours/day for all the 3 sedentary behaviors. Moreover, a higher healthy sedentary behavior score was significantly associated with a lower risk of all-cause dementia (per 1 score increment: hazard ratio 0.78, 95% CI 0.75-0.81), with a stronger inverse association in those with higher levels of high-sensitivity C-reactive protein and monocytes (both P-interactions <.05). Genetic risks of dementia did not significantly modify the association. Similar trends were found for new-onset Alzheimer's disease and vascular dementia.

CONCLUSIONS AND IMPLICATIONS

The associations between the duration of different sedentary behaviors and new-onset dementia were different in the older population. Moreover, the variety of sedentary behavior was inversely associated with new-onset dementia, especially among those with higher levels of inflammation.

Pet ownership and lifestyle behaviours of immunosuppressed individuals and their relatives in the context of COVID-19 pandemic

The COVID-19 pandemic and containment measures will likely have a detrimental impact on immunosuppressed individuals' lifestyle behaviours. Increasing evidence suggests that pet ownership is positively associated with healthier lifestyle. Yet, no study has investigated the potential benefits of pet ownership on lifestyle behaviours of immunosuppressed individuals, a population at increased risk of COVID-19 complications. This study aims to examine 1) changes in light, moderate and vigorous intensity physical activity (LPA, MPA, VPA), sedentary time (SED), and sleep duration, assessed by comparing "before COVID-19 pandemic" and "past 7 days" (i.e., current, during pandemic) self-reported behaviours in immunosuppressed individuals and their relatives; 2) to assess if changes in lifestyle behaviours are associated with pet ownership status and whether age is a moderator of these associations. A convenience sample of 132 participants (65.2% female, 41.3% ≥55 years of age) provided self-reported LPA, MPA, VPA (days/week), SED and sleep (min/day) and pet ownership status using an online questionnaire (May-August 2020). Descriptive analyses, paired T-tests, Cohen's d effect size and linear regressions were conducted. Results show that participants reported a decrease in VPA (-0.56 days/week, d = 0.34; p < 0.01) and an increase in SED (106.79 min/day, d = -0.81; p < 0.01). Stratified analysis revealed that having at least one dog, compared to not owning pets, is associated with a reduced decline in LPA, MPA and VPA and an increase in sleep in participants aged < 55 years old only. Having a dog appears to be positively associated with healthy lifestyle behaviours in younger and middle age immunosuppressed individuals.

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.

Secreted Protein Acidic and Rich in Cysteine (SPARC) to Manage Coronavirus Disease-2019 (COVID-19) Pandemic and the Post-COVID-19 Health Crisis

Coronavirus disease-2019 (COVID-19) has had and will have impacts on public health and health system expenses. Indeed, not only it has led to high numbers of confirmed COVID-19 cases and hospitalizations, but its consequences will remain even after the end of the COVID-19 crisis. Therefore, therapeutic options are required to both tackle the COVID-19 crisis and manage its consequences during the post COVID-19 era. Secreted protein acidic and rich in cysteine (SPARC) is a biomolecule that is associated with various properties and functions that situate it as a candidate which may be used to prevent, treat and manage COVID-19 as well as the post-COVID-19-era health problems. This paper highlights how SPARC could be of such therapeutic use.

Lifestyle and Dietary Habits Change Before and During Quarantine and Subsequent Weight Gain

Background

Pandemics greatly affected human health due to changes in dietary habits and lifestyle.

Methods

A multi-centric comparative cross-sectional study was conducted online using a structured questionnaire with 323 respondents from two medical colleges of Lahore, Pakistan. The collected data was analyzed including various variables of dietary habits, lifestyle changes and were compared by using paired sample t-test. Chi-square test was applied to measure the relation of weight gain with lifestyle and dietary habits changes.

Result

Out of 323 participants, 64.5% of them observed an increase in their weights and 64.1% of respondents noticed an increase in caloric intake. An increase in chicken, milk, oil, sugar and legumes intake was increased significantly during the quarantine. The lifestyle changes were noted in 91.6% of participants and decreased physical activity, working duration and outdoor games were found significant. Out of 7.4% of students who were smokers, 6.8% of them quit smoking during the quarantine.

Conclusion

A significant increase in weight is indicated during quarantine as compared to before quarantine probably due to the changes in dietary habits and lifestyle. If the pandemic prolongs, the problem of weight gain may worsen and lead to obesity and other health problems.

Cross-sectional associations between cortical thickness and physical activity in older adults with spontaneous memory complaints: The MAPT Study

BACKGROUND

Age-related changes in brain structure may constitute the starting point for cerebral function alteration. Physical activity (PA) demonstrated favorable associations with total brain volume, but its relationship with cortical thickness (CT) remains unclear. We investigated the cross-sectional associations between PA level and CT in community-dwelling people aged 70 years and older.

METHODS

A total of 403 older adults aged 74.8 ± 4.0 years (mean ± SD) who underwent a baseline magnetic resonance imaging examination and who had data on PA and confounders were included. PA was assessed with a questionnaire. Participants were categorized according to PA levels. Multiple linear regressions were used to compare the brain CT (mm) of the inactive group (no PA at all) with 6 active groups (growing PA levels) in 34 regions of interest.

RESULTS

Compared with inactive persons, people who achieved PA at a level of 1500-1999 metabolic equivalent task-min/week (i.e., about 6-7 h of brisk walking for exercise and those who achieved it at 2000-2999 metabolic equivalent task-min/week (i.e., 8-11 h of brisk walking for exercise) had higher CT in the fusiform gyrus and the temporal pole. Additionally, dose-response associations between PA and CT were found in the fusiform gyrus (B = 0.011, SE = 0.004, adj. p = 0.035), the temporal pole (B = 0.026, SE = 0.009, adj. p = 0.048), and the caudal middle frontal gyrus, the entorhinal, medial orbitofrontal, lateral occipital, and insular cortices.

CONCLUSION

This study demonstrates a positive association between PA level and CT in temporal areas such as the fusiform gyrus, a brain region often associated to Alzheimer's disease in people aged 70 years and older. Future investigations focusing on PA type may help to fulfil remaining knowledge gaps in this field.

Physical Inactivity, Sedentary Behavior and Quality of Life in the Chilean Population: ENCAVI Results, 2015-2016

Regular physical activity (PA) is indicated to be one of the main healthy habits that allow populations to achieve a good quality of life (QoL); however, levels of physical inactivity (PI) and sedentary behavior (SB) have risen worldwide, with negative health effects. The aim of this study is to analyze PI and SB levels, as well as their association with QoL in the Chilean population. A secondary analysis was performed based on the database from the 2015-2016 National Quality of Life Survey (ENCAVI) in Chile, using the modules for sociodemographic characteristics, health, and PA. Contingency tables and logistic regressions were conducted to determine the association between PI (low-intensity PA, LIPA; low-moderate PA, LMPA), SB (P75), and QoL adjusted for sociodemographic variables. Approximately 84%, 83%, and 47% of the participants presented LIPA, LMPA, and moderate-high SB, respectively. Participants that presented high PI and SB had lower QoL scores than those who were more active (p < 0.05). We observe that, in people with PI (LIPA), there is a higher risk of a low QoL regarding mental and physical components (OR 1.941; OR 1.189, p < 0.001) among females (OR 1.473; OR 1.513, p < 0.001) and those of a low educational level (OR 2.170; OR 1.410 p < 0.001). People with PI (LMPA) increased their risk for a low QoL in regard to mental and physical components (OR 1.750; OR 1.458, p < 0.001) among females (OR 1.528; OR 1.507, p < 0.001) and those of a low educational level (OR 2.195; OR 1.402 p < 0.001). We observe that people with SB (P75) increased their risk of a low QoL concerning physical and mental components (OR 1.475; OR 1.257, p < 0.001) for those of the female gender (OR 1.615; OR 1.563, p < 0.001) and a low educational level (OR 2.248; OR 1.423 p < 0.001). High levels of PI in both intensities and SB impact QoL in the Chilean population. It is crucial to generate public policies for more PA, especially for females and those of lower educational levels.

Higher Sedentary Behaviors and Lower Levels of Specific Knowledge Are Risk Factors for Physical Activity-Related Injuries in Saudi Adolescents

Encouraging physical activity (PA) for adolescents is necessary to achieve and maintain optimal health, but it may increase the risk of PA-related injuries. This study sought to assess the frequency, location, type, and severity of PA-related injuries in Saudi students aged 13 to 18 years and to identify associated risk factors. A total of 402 students, including 206 boys aged 15.87 ± 1.69 years and 196 girls aged 15.83 ± 1.70 years, were randomly assigned to participate in this study. For each participant, height, weight, body mass index, and fat percentage were measured. Responses to a specially designed four-part self-administered questionnaire were also collected. Results revealed that better specific knowledge was associated with a lower likelihood of sustaining injuries (β = -0.136; p = 0.001) but increased sedentary behaviors were associated with a greater likelihood of sustaining a PA-related injury (β = 0.358; p = 0.023). Gender, knowledge, and sedentary behaviors were the factors overall associated with a greater likelihood of suffering 1, 2, and 3 or more PA-related injuries. However, gender, fat-free mass, knowledge, and sedentary behaviors were associated overall with a greater likelihood of bruises, strains, fractures, sprains, concussions, and at least two types of PA-related injuries. Collectively, we should pay attention to the PA-related injury problem among middle and high school students, particularly when promoting a physically active lifestyle.

Impact of COVID-19 on dietary intake, sleeping patterns and physical activity levels among Malaysian University students

OBJECTIVES

The COVID-19 pandemic has brought a significant impact on people's behaviour and lifestyles. Limited research has been conducted on the impact of COVID-19 on Malaysian university students' lifestyle modifications. This study aims to identify the impact of COVID-19 on dietary intake, sleeping patterns and physical activity levels among Malaysian university students.

METHODS

A total of 261 university students were recruited. Sociodemographic and anthropometric data were collected. Dietary intake was assessed using PLifeCOVID-19 questionnaire, sleep quality was assessed using Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index Questionnaire (PSQI) while physical activity level was assessed using International Physical Activity Questionnaire-Short Forms (IPAQ-SF). SPSS was used to perform statistical analysis.

RESULTS

30.7% of the participants adhered to the unhealthy dietary pattern, 48.7% had poor quality of sleep and 59.4% engaged in low physical activity levels during the pandemic. Unhealthy dietary pattern was significantly associated with a lower IPAQ category (p=0.013), and increased time spent sitting (p=0.027) during the pandemic. Participants being underweight before the pandemic (aOR=2.472, 95% CI=1.358-4.499), increased takeaway meal consumption (aOR=1.899, 95% CI=1.042-3.461), increased snacking between meals consumption (aOR=2.989, 95% CI=1.653-5.404) and engaged in a low level of physical activity during pandemic (aOR=1.935, 95% CI=1.028-3.643) were the predictors of unhealthy dietary pattern.

CONCLUSIONS

The university students' dietary intake, sleeping patterns, and physical activity levels were impacted in different ways during the pandemic. Strategies and interventions should be developed and implemented to improve the dietary intake and lifestyle of the students.

The correlation between physical inactivity and students' health based on data mining and related influencing factors

The sedentary behavior among college students has become one of the most important factors affecting the development of physical and mental health. Chronic lack of physical activity may lead to health problems such as decreased physical fitness, and increased psychological disorders. In the post-epidemic era, it is necessary for college students to have a strong immune system, and a strong body cannot be achieved without regular leisure physical activity. Therefore, it is necessary to explore the relationship between relevant health factors and physical activity. This paper presents an optimized COM-B model. And the experimental results show that the optimized model is well applied in describing the current situation of physical activity participation among college students, analyzing the distribution characteristics of socio-demographic variables related to physical activity, and exploring the correlation between physical activity and the subhealth status of college students.

Sedentary behavior and the biological hallmarks of aging

While the benefits of physical exercise for a healthy aging are well-recognized, a growing body of evidence shows that sedentary behavior has deleterious health effects independently, to some extent, of physical activity levels. Yet, the increasing prevalence of sedentariness constitutes a major public health issue that contributes to premature aging but the potential cellular mechanisms through which prolonged immobilization may accelerate biological aging remain unestablished. This narrative review summarizes the impact of sedentary behavior using different models of extreme sedentary behaviors including bedrest, unilateral limb suspension and space travel studies, on the hallmarks of aging such as genomic instability, telomere attrition, epigenetic alterations, loss of proteostasis, deregulated nutrient sensing, mitochondrial dysfunction, cellular senescence, stem cell exhaustion, and altered intercellular communication. We further highlight the remaining knowledge gaps that need more research in order to promote healthspan extension and to provide future contributions to the field of geroscience.

Cardiovascular disease prevention and management in the COVID-19 era and beyond: An international perspective

Despite some indicators of a localized curtailing of cardiovascular disease (CVD) prevalence, CVD remains one of the largest contributors to global morbidity and mortality. While the magnitude and impact of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic have yet to be realized in its entirety, an unquestionable impact on global health and well-being is already clear. At a time when the global state of CVD is perilous, we provide a continental overview of prevalence data and initiatives that have positively influenced CVD outcomes. What is clear is that despite attempts to address the global burden of CVD, there remains a lack of collective thinking and approaches. Moving forward, a coordinated global infrastructure that, if developed with appropriate and relevant key stakeholders, could provide significant and longstanding benefits to public health and yield prominent and consistent policy resulting in impactful change. To achieve global impact, research priorities that address multi-disciplinary social, environmental, and clinical perspectives must be underpinned by unified approaches that maximize public health.

Associations between Sedentary Duration and Cognitive Function in Older Adults: A Longitudinal Study with 2-Year Follow-Up

OBJECTIVES

This study aimed to investigate the association between different forms of sedentary behavior and cognitive function in Chinese community-dwelling older adults.

DESIGN

A longitudinal study with a 2-year follow-up.

SETTING AND PARTICIPANTS

Data from 5356 participants at baseline and 956 participants at the follow-up of the Anhui Healthy Longevity Survey (AHLS) were analysed.

MEASUREMENTS

Cognitive function was evaluated by the Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE), and mild cognitive impairment (MCI) was classified according to education-specific criteria. Self-report questionnaires were used to assess the sedentary behavior of the participants.

RESULTS

The participants who reported longer screen-watching sedentary duration had higher MMSE scores (1-2 hours: β=0.758, 95% CI: 0.450, 1.066; > 2 hours: β=1.240, 95% CI: 0.917, 1.562) and lower likelihoods of MCI (1-2 hours: OR= 0.787, 95% CI: 0.677, 0.914; >2 hours: OR=0.617, 95% CI: 0.524, 0.726). The participants who had played cards (or mahjong) sedentary had higher MMSE scores (β= 1.132, 95% CI: 0.788, 1.476) and lower likelihoods of MCI (OR=0.572, 95% CI: 0.476, 0.687). However, the participants who reported longer other forms of sedentary duration had lower MMSE scores (1-2 hours: β=-0.409, 95% CI: -0.735, -0.082; > 2 hours: β=-1.391, 95% CI: -1.696, -1.087) and higher likelihoods of MCI (1-2 hours: OR=1.271, 95% CI: 1.081, 1.496; > 2 hours: OR=1.632, 95% CI: 1.409, 1.889). No significant association was detected between sedentary duration and MCI incidence.

CONCLUSION

Variations in the impact of diverse sedentary behaviors on the cognitive function were detected in Chinese older adults. However, such associations were cross-sectional and longitudinal associations were not found in the current study.

Estimating causal effects of physical activity and sedentary behaviours on the development of type 2 diabetes in at-risk children from childhood to late adolescence: an analysis of the QUALITY cohort

BACKGROUND

Uncertainty remains regarding the causal effect of physical activity and sedentary behaviours on the development of type 2 diabetes in children. We aimed to estimate average treatment effects of physical activity and sedentary behaviours on risk of type 2 diabetes in individuals who are at risk during childhood and adolescence.

METHODS

We used data from the Quebec Adipose and Lifestyle Investigation in Youth (QUALITY) cohort of children of western European descent (white non-Hispanic race or ethnicity) with a parental history of obesity (defined as a BMI of 30 kg/m² or more, or a waist circumference of more than 102 cm in men and 88 cm in women) evaluated at the ages of 8-10 years (baseline), 10-12 years (first follow-up cycle), and 15-17 years (second follow-up cycle) in Québec, Canada. We measured moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA) and sedentary time by accelerometry, and leisure screen time by questionnaire at each cycle. Outcomes included fasting and 2 h post-load glycaemia and validated indices of insulin sensitivity and insulin secretion. We estimated average treatment effects of MVPA, sedentary time, and screen time on markers of type 2 diabetes using longitudinal marginal structural models with time-varying exposures, outcomes, and confounders from the ages of 8-10 to 15-17 years and inverse probability of treatment and censoring weighting. We considered both the current and cumulative effects of exposures on outcomes.

FINDINGS

630 children were evaluated at baseline (age 8-10 years) between July, 2005, and December, 2008, 564 were evaluated at the first follow-up (age 10-12 years) between July, 2007, and March, 2011, and 377 were evaluated at the second follow-up (age 15-17 years) between September, 2012, and May, 2016. Based on cumulative exposure results, estimated average treatment effects for MVPA were 5·6% (95% CI 2·8 to 8·5) on insulin sensitivity and -3·8% (-7·1 to -0·5) on second-phase insulin secretion per 10 min daily increment from the ages of 8-10 years to age 15-17 years. Average treatment effects for sedentary time and reported screen time resulted in reduced insulin sensitivity (-8·2% [-12·3 to -3·9] and -6·4% [-10·1 to -2·5], respectively), increased second-phase insulin secretion (5·9% [1·9 to 10·1] and 7·0% [-0·1 to 14·7], respectively), and higher fasting glycaemia (0·03 mmol/L [0·003 to 0·05] and 0·02 mmol/L [0·01 to 0·03], respectively) per additional daily hour from the ages of 8-10 years to 15-17 years.

INTERPRETATION

Using modern causal inference approaches strengthened the evidence of MVPA and sedentary behaviours as key drivers of development of type 2 diabetes in at-risk children and adolescents, and should be considered as key targets for prevention.

FUNDING

Canadian Institutes of Health Research, Heart and Stroke Foundation of Canada, and Fonds de Recherche du Québec-Santé.

TRANSLATION

For the French translation of the abstract see Supplementary Materials section.

A Human Model of the Effects of an Instant Sheer Weight Loss on Cardiopulmonary Parameters during a Treadmill Run

Exercise tolerance is limited in obesity and improves after weight reduction; therefore, we mutually compared the relative changes in exercise capacity variables during cardiopulmonary exercise tests (CPET) in a 12 kg sheer weight reduction model. Twenty healthy male runners underwent two CPETs: CPET1 with the actual body weight, which determined the anaerobic threshold (AT) and respiratory compensation point (RCP); and CPET2 during which the participants wore a +12 kg vest and ran at the AT speed set during the CPET1. Running after body weight reduction shifted the CPET parameters from the high-mixed aerobic-anaerobic (RCP) to the aerobic zone (AT), but these relative changes were not mutually similar. The most beneficial changes were found for breathing mechanics parameters (range 12-28%), followed by cardiovascular function (6-7%), gas exchange (5-6%), and the smallest for the respiratory exchange ratio (5%) representing the energy metabolism during exercise. There was no correlation between the extent of the relative body weight change (median value ~15%) and the changes in CPET parameters. Weight reduction improves exercise capacity and tolerance. However, the observed relative changes are not related to the magnitude of the body change nor comparable between various parameters characterizing the pulmonary and cardiovascular systems and energy metabolism.

Sedentary patterns and cardiometabolic risk factors in Mexican children and adolescents: analysis of longitudinal data

BACKGROUND

Sedentary behavior is a modifiable risk factor for cardiometabolic health; however, the assessment of total sedentary time may not capture youth's highly active and interrupted activity patterns. This study examined the associations between sedentary activity patterns and cardiometabolic risk factors among Mexican youth, who have a disproportionate burden of metabolic diseases, using a repeated measure design out of a longitudinal data.

METHODS

570 subjects in the Early Life Exposure in Mexico to ENvironmental Toxicants (ELEMENT) birth cohort, who were followed up to three-time points during adolescence, were included. Bout duration, and frequency and percentages of waking time spent in specific intensities of activity, were quantified using ActiGraph wGT3X-BT wrist accelerometers. Self-reported questionnaires were used to query the usual duration of different sedentary behaviors. Outcomes were fasting lipid profile, markers for glucose homeostasis, anthropometry, and blood pressure. Associations were modeled using linear mixed-effects models, and isotemporal substitution approach was additionally used to assess the effect of replacing objectively assessed sedentary activity with other activity intensities, adjusting for potential confounders.

RESULTS

Each hour of self-reported screen-based time was positively associated with diastolic blood pressure (mm Hg) [β = 0.30, 95% confidence interval (95% CI) = 0.10, 0.51], and an hour of other sedentary time was associated with log serum glucose (mg/dL) [β = 0.01, 95% CI = 0.004, 0.017]. Substitution models showed that replacing 5% of sedentary time with moderate to vigorous physical activity (MVPA) was associated with lower waist circumference (cm) [β = - 1.35, 95% CI = - 1.91, - 0.79] and log serum triglycerides (mg/dL) [β = - 0.11, 95% CI = - 0.18, - 0.03]. Substituting one uninterrupted sedentary bout with light activity was associated with lower insulin (μIU/mL) [β = - 0.06, 95% CI = - 0.10, - 0.02].

CONCLUSIONS

Sedentary time was associated with cardiometabolic risk factors in Mexican youth in a context-specific manner. Replacing sedentary time with higher intensities was associated with improvements in some cardiometabolic markers.

Influence of Sedentary Behaviour Interventions on Vascular Functions and Cognitive Functions in Hypertensive Adults-A Scoping Review on Potential Mechanisms and Recommendations

Since the workplace has become desk-based and leisure time has become dominated by digital relaxation modes, the world is moving at a pace where physical activity has become a time-bound routine. The negative effects of extended sitting are a global concern since the workforce is becoming more desk based. There is a dearth of reviews that may link the knowledge on the effects of sedentary behaviour on hypertension and its accompanying damage to the brain and blood vessels and provide a future scope for the investigations connected to the relationship between sedentary behaviour and hypertension. Methods: Based on the database search and extensive research we did, we found studies that concentrated on the adverse effects of sedentary behaviour in association with blood pressure, cognitive decline and brain damage on adults. Results: We extracted 12 articles out of 20,625. We identified the potential adverse effects of sedentary behaviour, methods to reduce sedentary behaviour and the positive changes on health due to the interventions introduced. Sedentary lifestyle has shown a decline in human health. However, the visible symptoms presented later in life makes it very important to know the areas of decline and look for ways to curb the decline or procrastinate it.

Longitudinal associations between physical activity and other health behaviours during the COVID-19 pandemic: a fixed effects analysis

Government enforced restrictions on movement during the COVID-19 pandemic are likely to have had profound impacts on the daily behaviours of many individuals, including physical activity (PA). Given the associations between PA and other health behaviours, changes in PA during the pandemic may have been detrimental for other health behaviours. This study aimed to evaluate whether changes in PA during and after the first national lockdown in the United Kingdom (UK) were associated with concurrent changes in alcohol consumption, sleep, nutrition quality, diet quantity and sedentary time. Data were derived from the UCL COVID-19 Social Study, in which 52,784 adults were followed weekly across 22 weeks of the pandemic from 23rd March to 23rd August 2020. Fixed effects regression models showed that greater PA was positively associated with improved sleep and nutrition quality. However, increases in PA also showed modest associations with increased alcohol consumption and sedentary time. Encouraging people to engage in PA may lead to wider changes in other health behaviours in times of adversity. These associations could be a result of increases in available leisure time for many people during COVID-19 restrictions and are of ongoing importance given the emerging long-term changes to lifestyle and working patterns.

Examining the ability to track multiple moving targets as a function of postural stability: a comparison between team sports players and sedentary individuals

Background

The ability to track multiple objects plays a key role in team ball sports actions. However, there is a lack of research focused on identifying multiple object tracking (MOT) performance under rapid, dynamic and ecologically valid conditions. Therefore, we aimed to assess the effects of manipulating postural stability on MOT performance.

Methods

Nineteen team sports players (soccer, basketball, handball) and sixteen sedentary individuals performed the MOT task under three levels of postural stability (high, medium, and low). For the MOT task, participants had to track three out of eight balls for 10 s, and the object speed was adjusted following a staircase procedure. For postural stability manipulation, participants performed three identical protocols (randomized order) of the MOT task while standing on an unstable platform, using the training module of the Biodex Balance System SD at levels 12 (high-stability), eight (medium-stability), and four (low-stability).

Results

We found that the ability to track moving targets is dependent on the balance stability conditions (F2,66 = 8.7, p < 0.001, η² = 0.09), with the disturbance of postural stability having a negative effect on MOT performance. Moreover, when compared to sedentary individuals, team sports players showed better MOT scores for the high-stability and the medium-stability conditions (corrected p-value = 0.008, Cohen's d = 0.96 and corrected p-value = 0.009, Cohen's d = 0.94; respectively) whereas no differences were observed for the more unstable conditions (low-stability) between-groups.

Conclusions

The ability to track moving targets is sensitive to the level of postural stability, with the disturbance of balance having a negative effect on MOT performance. Our results suggest that expertise in team sports training is transferred to non-specific sport domains, as shown by the better performance exhibited by team sports players in comparison to sedentary individuals. This study provides novel insights into the link between individual's ability to track multiple moving objects and postural control in team sports players and sedentary individuals.

Impact of COVID-19 pandemic on physical activity level and screen time is associated with decreased mental health in Brazillian adults: A cross-sectional epidemiological study

The objective was to verify whether the impact of COVID-19 on physical activity and screen time was associated with the impact on quality of life and symptoms of anxiety and depression in a sample of Brazilian adults. The invitation was made through social networks and the collection was carried out through electronic research. There was a decrease in quality of life and physical activity, and an increase in symptoms of anxiety and depression and screen time. These findings are important for new strategies that promote physically active habits during the pandemic .

The Association between Stress and Children's Weight Status: A School-Based, Epidemiological Study

Given the evidence on how stress affects weight status in children, this research examined this association among Greek students aged 10−12 years old. Overall, 1452 children and their parents from several urban areas participated in an observational study conducted during the period 2014−2016. Participants completed validated questionnaires. International Obesity Task Force guidelines were used for children’s weight status classification. Descriptive statistics and nested logistic regression models were used. Multivariate correspondence analysis was also used to construct a score to evaluate the children’s stress levels. The overall prevalence of overweight/obesity was 27%. More than 80% of the children appeared to have a medium or high level of stress, mainly due to the school environment. School-related stress increased the odds of obesity in children. The association between stress and overweight/obesity status showed a consistent trend (adjusted odds ratios varied from 1.44 to 1.52, p-values < 0.01). Children’s weight status was associated with several school-related stressors. Although the school environment may play an aggravating role in the weight status of children, family plays a catalyst role in this direction. Therefore, actions have to be promoted in the school community so that children become more health literate on a public health level.

Frailty Risk Prediction Model among Older Adults: A Chinese Nation-Wide Cross-Sectional Study

OBJECTIVES

Numerous studies have been performed on frailty, but rarely do studies explore the integrated impact of socio-demographic, behavioural and social support factors on frailty. This study aims to establish a comprehensive frailty risk prediction model including multiple risk factors.

METHODS

The 2018 wave of the Chinese Longevity and Health Longitudinal Survey was used. Univariate and multivariate logistic regressions were performed to identify the relationship between frailty and multiple risk factors and establish the frailty risk prediction model. A nomogram was utilized to illustrate the prediction model. The area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUC), Hosmer-Lemeshow test and calibration curve were used to appraise the prediction model.

RESULTS

Variables from socio-demographic, social support and behavioural dimensions were included in the final frailty risk prediction model. Risk factors include older age, working as professionals and technicians before 60 years old, poor economic condition and poor oral hygiene. Protective factors include eating rice as a staple food, regular exercise, having a spouse as the first person to share thoughts with, doing physical examination once a year and not needing a caregiver when ill. The AUC (0.881), Hosmer-Lemeshow test (p = 0.618), and calibration curve showed that the risk prediction model was valid.

CONCLUSION

Risk factors from socio-demographic, behavioural and social support dimensions had a comprehensive effect on frailty, further supporting that a comprehensive and individualized intervention is necessary to prevent frailty.

Reducing Screen-Based Sedentary Behavior Among Overweight and Obese Hispanic Adolescents Through a Family-Based Intervention

BACKGROUND

Sedentary behaviors, including screen-based activities, are associated with obesity, cardiovascular, and mental health risks. In the US, minority and socioeconomically disadvantaged youth engage in substantial sedentariness, requiring targeted interventions. Familias Unidas for Health and Wellness (FUHW) is a family intervention to reduce risks among Hispanic youth with overweight and obesity. Analyses examined (1) FUHW's impact on parent and adolescent screen-based sedentary behavior and (2) differential intervention effects by adolescent gender, internalizing symptoms, and body mass index.

METHODS

A total of 280 overweight/obese Hispanic middle schoolers and parents were randomized to FUHW or control and assessed at baseline, 6, 12, and 24 months between 2015 and 2019.

RESULTS

Linear growth models showed that exposure to FUHW was not associated with parent sedentary behavior over time (b = -0.11, P = .32) but was associated with decreases in adolescent sedentary behavior (b = -0.27, P = .03). Neither gender nor internalizing symptoms moderated intervention effects, but there were differential effects by body mass index. Compared to controls, FUHW showed significant decreases in sedentary behavior among overweight (b = -0.85, P < .01) and obese (b = -0.79, P < .01) youth but not severely obese youth.

CONCLUSIONS

FUHW reduced youth screen-based sedentary behavior. Youth with severe obesity require additional intervention.

Influencing Factors Related to Female Sports Participation Under the Implementation of Chinese Government Interventions: An Analysis Based on the China Family Panel Studies

Objectives

Regular sports participation is a gendered phenomenon in China. Women have reported much higher constraints than men on time, partner, psychology, knowledge, and interest. This study explores personal, family, lifestyle, and health factors associated with sports participation.

Study Design

This study is a cross-sectional study.

Methods

Data were collected from the national reprehensive China Family Panel Studies (CFPS) database (2018) to analyze personal information, family background, lifestyle, and health in relation to women's sports participation. Multiple classification logistic regression was used to quantify the association between independent variables and sports time.

Results

Women with high personal income and education, who were unmarried, in faster economic development areas have more awareness and more time for sports participation. Women who were overweight and self-rated as unattractive spent less time on sports participation. Women with a small family population and no children have more time for sports participation. Less time on the internet and moderate sleep contribute to active sports participation. Women with chronic diseases and high medical costs are less likely to participate in sports.

Conclusions

Negative body aesthetic perception, the burden of family environment, modernization of lifestyle, and the normalization of sub-health are essential factors affecting women's sports participation. The government should understand the inner and outer barriers to women's participation in sports, develop policies and regulations to protect and support women's sports participation, and guide and monitor the effective implementation of women's sports activities.

Tai Chi Quan Versus Physical Therapy on Pain and Cognitive Performance for Elderly People With Chronic Low Back Pain: Study Protocol for a Randomized Controlled Trial

Objectives

Chronic low back pain has become a major cause of global disability and caused a huge economic burden to society. Physical therapy is a vital strategy for rehabilitation of chronic low back pain. Although several trials have shown that Tai Chi Quan is a beneficial treatment, the comparative effectiveness of Tai Chi Quan versus physical therapy is unknown. We are conducting a randomized controlled trial to assess the effectiveness of Tai Chi Quan versus that of physical therapy in treating chronic low back pain.

Methods

We will perform a single-blind randomized controlled trial on elderly people with chronic low back pain. 138 participants will be randomly assigned to the Tai Chi Quan group (60-min classes, three times per week for 12 weeks) or physical therapy group (10 min of evaluation and warm-up, 40 min of therapist-directed exercise therapy, and 10 min of relaxation, three times per week for 12 weeks) with an allocation of 1:1. The participants will be followed up for 40 weeks for the study of long-term effects. The primary outcomes include pain intensity and back-related function at 12 weeks. Secondary outcomes include lumbar quantitative sensory testing, balance, cognitive function, psychosocial function, cost-effectiveness, compliance and adverse events. We will perform the intention-to-treat analysis for withdrawal and missing data.

Discussion

The study will be the first randomized trial with comparative-effectiveness of Tai Chi Quan and physical therapy for chronic low back pain. Standardized protocol, large sample size, and comprehensive outcomes are important features in this trial. This study aims to determine the feasibility and effectiveness of Tai Chi Quan for low back pain. The results of this study will be beneficial for elderly people with low back pain and medical rehabilitation personnel.

Clinical Trial Registration

www.chictr.org.cn, identifier ChiCTR2000029723.

Covid-19 Social Distancing, Lifestyle and Health Outcomes Among Persons Living with HIV (PLWH): A Web-based Survey

We investigated changes in lifestyle, depressive symptoms, self-perception of health, and body weight changes of persons living with HIV (PLWH) during the COVID-19 social distancing (SD). In a Web-based cross-sectional survey, participants (n = 406) were questioned about lifestyle and health status before and during SD. Most responders were men, 50 + years old, high education level; 49.8% had their income reduced during SD. About 9% were diagnosed with COVID-19, of whom 13.5% required hospitalization. During SD: - most participants did not change their food intake, although 25% replaced healthy foods with unhealthy ones; -more than half mentioned poor sleep quality; -about 50% increased their sedentary behavior. Depressive symptoms (reported by 70.9%) were associated with sedentary behavior, poor sleep quality, and reduced income. About one-third had a negative perception of their health status, which was inversely associated with practicing physical exercises and positively associated with sedentarism and poor sleep quality. More than half increased their body weight, which was associated with a lower intake of vegetables. The older age reduced the odds of the three outcomes. Carefully monitoring PLWH regarding SD will enable early interventions toward health.

Modifiable Host Factors for the Prevention and Treatment of COVID-19: Diet and Lifestyle/Diet and Lifestyle Factors in the Prevention of COVID-19

Many studies have shown that the immune system requires adequate nutrition to work at an optimal level. Not only do optimized nutritional strategies support the immune system, but they also reduce chronic inflammation. Nutritional supplements that are recommended for patients with critical illnesses are thought to also be effective for the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) patients in the intensive care unit. Some studies have recommended fresh fruits and vegetables, soy, nuts, and antioxidants, such as omega-3 fatty acids, to improve immune system activity. Although nutritional status is considered to be an important prognostic factor for patients with COVID-19, there is to date no sufficient evidence that optimal nutritional therapies can be beneficial for these patients. Some have argued that the COVID-19 pandemic is a good opportunity to test the effectiveness of nutritional intervention for infectious diseases. Many researchers have suggested that testing the proposed nutritional approaches for infectious diseases in the context of a pandemic would be highly informative. The authors of other review papers concluded that it is important to have a diet based on fresh foods, such as fruits, vegetables, whole grains, low-fat dairy products, and healthy fats (i.e., olive oil and fish oil), and to limit the intake of sugary drinks as well as high-calorie and high-salt foods. In this review, we discuss the clinical significance of functional food ingredients as complementary therapies potentially beneficial for the prevention or treatment of COVID-19. We believe that our review will be helpful to plan and deploy future studies to conclude these potentials against COVID-19, but also to new infectious diseases that may arise in the future.

Mendelian randomization suggests a bidirectional, causal relationship between physical inactivity and adiposity

Physical inactivity and increased sedentary time are associated with excess weight gain in observational studies. However, some longitudinal studies indicate reverse causality where weight gain leads to physical inactivity and increased sedentary time. As observational studies suffer from reverse causality, it is challenging to assess the true causal directions. Here, we assess the bidirectional causality between physical inactivity, sedentary time, and adiposity by bidirectional Mendelian randomization analysis. We used results from genome-wide association studies for accelerometer-based physical activity and sedentary time in 91,105 individuals and for body mass index (BMI) in 806,834 individuals. We implemented Mendelian randomization using CAUSE method that accounts for pleiotropy and sample overlap using full genome-wide data. We also applied inverse variance-weighted, MR-Egger, weighted median, and weighted mode methods using genome-wide significant variants only. We found evidence of bidirectional causality between sedentary time and BMI: longer sedentary time was causal for higher BMI [beta (95% CI) from CAUSE method: 0.11 (0.02, 0.2), p = 0.02], and higher BMI was causal for longer sedentary time (0.13 (0.08, 0.17), p = 6.3 x 10^-4). Our analyses suggest that higher moderate and vigorous physical activity are causal for lower BMI (moderate: –0.18 (-0.3,–0.05), p = 0.006; vigorous: –0.16 (-0.24,–0.08), p = 3.8 × 10^-4), but indicate that the association between higher BMI and lower levels of physical activity is due to horizontal pleiotropy. The bidirectional, causal relationship between sedentary time and BMI suggests that decreasing sedentary time is beneficial for weight management, but also that targeting adiposity may lead to additional health benefits by reducing sedentary time.

Prevalence, Sociodemographic, and Health Correlates of Insufficient Physical Activity and High Sedentary Behavior Among Older Adults in Singapore

We determined the prevalence and correlates of insufficient physical activity and high sedentary behavior among a nationally representative sample of 2,240 older adults (≥60 years) in Singapore. The Global Physical Activity Questionnaire, administered through face-to-face interviews, assessed physical activity and sedentary behavior. Logistic regression identified the correlates of insufficient physical activity (<600 metabolic equivalent of task minutes/week) and high sedentary behavior (>7 hr/day). The prevalence of insufficient physical activity and high sedentary behavior was 33.7% and 17.3%, respectively. Those older, females, Malays, residing in smaller housing, living with child but no spouse, with functional limitations and sensory impairments (vision/hearing) were more likely to have insufficient physical activity whereas those with tertiary education had lower odds. High sedentary behavior was more likely among those older, with secondary education, preobesity/obesity, and with functional limitations. While policies should encourage all older adults to be physically active, at-risk subgroups identified in our study merit greater attention.

Changes in Physical Activity and Sedentary Behavior before and during the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Swedish Population Study

Governments have enforced measures to limit the spread of COVID-19 with varying degrees of success, which could affect people’s physical activity (PA) and sedentary behavior. This study aimed to examine changes in PA levels, types of PA, and sedentary behavior in the Swedish population before and during the COVID-19 pandemic. Associations between changed PA levels and demographical and behavioral determinants were also investigated. In December 2020, 1035 individuals (18–79 years old) completed a survey about their PA and sedentary behavior before and during the pandemic. Factors influencing their PA were also explored. Fifty-one percent of the sample reported reduced total PA, 18% had no change, and 31% increased their PA. Overall, organized PA decreased the most and sedentary behavior increased. The youngest and oldest age groups reported the greatest reduction in PA, while middle-aged groups reported the most increased PA. Men reported a larger increase in sedentary behavior than women. Mental and physical capability was associated with change in PA. In conclusion, this study indicates that, during the COVID-19 pandemic, the majority of the Swedish population have decreased PA levels with a concurrent increase in sedentary behavior, which may have negative health consequences. Interventions are recommended to address both PA and sedentary behavior, specifically to strengthen people’s ability to perform PA and focusing on the youngest and oldest age groups.

Edible Mushrooms as Novel Myco-Therapeutics: Effects on Lipid Level, Obesity and BMI

Obesity, usually indicated by a body mass index of more than 30 kg/m², is a worsening global health issue. It leads to chronic diseases, including type II diabetes, hypertension, and cardiovascular diseases. Conventional treatments for obesity include physical activity and maintaining a negative energy balance. However, physical activity alone cannot determine body weight as several other factors play a role in the overall energy balance. Alternatively, weight loss may be achieved by medication and surgery. However, these options can be expensive or have side effects. Therefore, dietary factors, including dietary modifications, nutraceutical preparations, and functional foods have been investigated recently. For example, edible mushrooms have beneficial effects on human health. Polysaccharides (essentially β-D-glucans), chitinous substances, heteroglycans, proteoglycans, peptidoglycans, alkaloids, lactones, lectins, alkaloids, flavonoids, steroids, terpenoids, terpenes, phenols, nucleotides, glycoproteins, proteins, amino acids, antimicrobials, and minerals are the major bioactive compounds in these mushrooms. These bioactive compounds have chemo-preventive, anti-obesity, anti-diabetic, cardioprotective, and neuroprotective properties. Consumption of edible mushrooms reduces plasma triglyceride, total cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein, and plasma glucose levels. Polysaccharides from edible mushrooms suppress mRNA expression in 3T3-L1 adipocytes, contributing to their anti-obesity properties. Therefore, edible mushrooms or their active ingredients may help prevent obesity and other chronic ailments.