Family characteristics, perceived environment for physical activity, and childhood obesity: An approach with structural equation models

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ariene Silva Carmo ◽  
Larissa Loures Mendes ◽  
Milene Cristine Pessoa ◽  
Adriana Lucia Meireles ◽  
Antônio Augusto Moura Silva ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Physical Activity ◽  
Childhood Obesity ◽  
Structural Equation ◽  
Structural Equation Models ◽  
Family Characteristics ◽  
Perceived Environment

Mental distress and its associations with behavioral outcomes during the COVID-19: A national survey of Chinese adults (Preprint)

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lu Ma ◽  
Liwang Gao ◽  
Joseph Tak-Fai Lau ◽  
Rahman Atif ◽  
Blair T. Johnson ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Physical Activity ◽  
Body Weight ◽  
Educational Attainment ◽  
Structural Equation ◽  
Online Survey ◽  
Mental Distress ◽  
Structural Equation Models ◽  
Behavioral Outcomes ◽  
National Sample ◽  
Negative Consequences

BACKGROUND This study primarily aimed to evaluate the associations between mental distress and COVID-19-related changes in behavioral outcomes, and potential modifiers (age, gender, and educational attainment) of such associations. OBJECTIVE The COVID -19 pandemic has led to elevated levels of mental distress attributed to prolonged lockdowns, business closures, and social isolation. Its impact on behavioral outcomes is however less known. This study is designed to primarily evaluate the associations between mental distress and COVID-19-related changes in drinking, smoking, physical activity and body weight, and potential modifiers of such associations including age, gender, and educational attainment. METHODS An online survey using anonymous network sampling was conducted in China during April-May, 2020 using a 74-item questionnaire distributed through social media. A national sample of 10,545 adults in 31 provinces provided data on socio-demographic characteristics, COVID-19-related mental distress, and changes in behavioral outcomes. Structural equation models were used for data analyses. RESULTS About 13% of adults reported experiencing at least one symptom of mental distress. After adjusting for age, education, gender, ethnicity, marital status, residence, and number of chronic conditions, greater mental distress was associated with increased smoking and alcohol consumption (among current smokers and drinkers) and with both increased and decreased physical activity. Underweight adults were more likely to lose body weight (≥1 kg) whereas overweight adults were more likely to gain weight by the same amount. The association between mental distress and change in physical activity was stronger in adults aged 40 and above and those with high education. Mental distress was significantly associated with an increase in smoking in males but not females. CONCLUSIONS Mental distress was associated with increased smoking in males but not females. These findings inform the design of tailored public health interventions aimed to mitigate long-term negative consequences of mental distress on outcomes.

scholarly journals Expectancy-Value Model Related to Physical Activity Behaviors in Chilean and Spanish Adolescents

2020 ◽  
Vol 17 (21) ◽  
pp. 8219
Author(s):  
Laura O. Gallardo ◽  
Alberto Abarca-Sos ◽  
Alberto Moreno Doña
Keyword(s):  
Physical Activity ◽  
Structural Equation ◽  
Structural Equation Models ◽  
Perceived Competence ◽  
Group Model ◽  
Physically Active ◽  
Expectancy Value ◽  
Essential Variable ◽  
Value Model ◽  
Weight Teasing

The purpose of the study is to comparatively test the expectancy-value model in Chilean and Spanish samples. The model proposes: a social world (composed of social support, physical activity teasing, and weight teasing), expectancy (composed of perceived competence and appearance), task values (composed of enjoyment and stress) to predict physical activity and intention to be physically active. Participants were 497 (Chilean) and 1365 (Spanish) adolescents. Structural equation models and multi-group modelling were used. All the models presented adequate fit to the data. The results show that physical activity teasing is a contextual and essential variable; perceived competence and enjoyment influenced physical activity and intentions to be physically active; some differences appeared in the prediction of physical activity and intentions to be physically active when the multi-group model was run. Culturally tailored interventions are key to improving physical activity (PA) behaviors.

scholarly journals Changes in Body Mass Index and Physical Activity Predict Changes in Vitality During a Weight Loss Trial in Breast Cancer Survivors

2018 ◽  
Vol 52 (12) ◽  
pp. 999-1009 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kelly M Kenzik ◽  
Wendy Demark-Wahnefried ◽  
Patricia A Ganz ◽  
Graham Colditz ◽  
Cheryl L Rock ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Breast Cancer ◽  
Physical Activity ◽  
Body Mass Index ◽  
Weight Loss ◽  
Cancer Survivors ◽  
Body Mass ◽  
Structural Equation ◽  
Breast Cancer Survivors ◽  
Structural Equation Models ◽  
The Mean

AbstractBackgroundBreast cancer survivors rank fatigue (e.g., decreased vitality) as their number one concern affecting quality of life. Excess adiposity is associated with decreased vitality in breast cancer survivors, yet weight loss intervention trials report inconsistent effects on this parameter.MethodsThis is a secondary analysis of the Exercise and Nutrition to Enhance Recovery and Good Health for You trial, in which 692 overweight or obese breast cancer survivors ≤5 years from diagnosis, initiated weight loss interventions, and completed assessments semi-annually for 2 years. Assessments included the Godin Leisure-Time Exercise Questionnaire and the SF-36 MOS vitality subscale as an inverse measure of fatigue. Multilevel structural equation models estimated the direct effects of physical activity on vitality and indirect effects through body mass index (BMI) changes.ResultsWithin-person findings show that at assessments with greater physical activity, BMI was significantly lower (B = −0.07, p < 0.001) and vitality was higher (B = 0.22, p < 0.001). However, there was no direct relationship between lower BMI and higher vitality (B = −0.11, p = 0.262) after controlling for the relationship of physical activity with BMI and physical activity with vitality. The between-person indirect effect of physical activity change through BMI change to vitality was significant (B = 0.03, p < 0.001). Participants whose physical activity was above the mean (B = 0.37, p < 0.001) and whose BMI was below the mean (B = −1.05, p < 0.001) were more likely to report greater vitality.ConclusionImprovements in vitality are primarily associated with increases in physical activity rather than BMI changes in this trial. Vitality was lower among survivors with higher BMI, although within-individual changes in BMI had no effect on vitality. Physical activity and weight loss share mechanistic links to vitality with physical activity potentially increasing (e.g., in an additive or synergistic manner) the effect of BMI reduction on vitality.

scholarly journals Exploring the importance of diversified physical activities in early childhood for later motor competence and physical activity level: a seven-year longitudinal study

2021 ◽  
Vol 21 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Paulina S. Melby ◽  
Peter Elsborg ◽  
Glen Nielsen ◽  
Rodrigo A. Lima ◽  
Peter Bentsen ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Physical Activity ◽  
Structural Equation ◽  
Structural Equation Models ◽  
Experimental Studies ◽  
Physical Activities ◽  
School Intervention ◽  
Activity Level ◽  
Life Course Perspective ◽  
Motor Competence ◽  
Daily Physical Activities

Abstract Background Research indicates that childhood motor competence (MC) can predict physical activity (PA) levels later in life and it has been argued that frequently engaging in a wide diversity of physical activities will eventually improve children’s MC. However, no longitudinal or experimental studies have confirmed this theoretical rationale. The aims of this study are to explore the longitudinal associations between diversified physical activities at age six and later MC and PA (time spent in moderate-to-vigorous PA) (age nine and 13). Furthermore, we explore to what extent the longitudinal association between diversified physical activity and PA is mediated by MC. Methods Longitudinal data from the Copenhagen School Intervention Study were used for this analysis, where 704 participated (69% response rate). Diversified physical activity (self-reported), MC (The Körperkoordinationstest für Kinder battery of postural stability and locomotor skills) and PA (accelerometer) were assessed in the children at age six, age nine and age 13. A total of 654 participated in at least two of the measures and, therefore, were included in the analysis. Two structural equation models were constructed, with diversified physical activity at age six and MC and PA at age nine as predictors of PA and MC at age 13. Results The data from both models demonstrated good model fit. Diversified physical activity at 6 years of age was significantly associated with physical activity and MC at age 13, when adjusting for sex, age, intervention, weight, height, and previous levels of PA and MC. Diversified physical activity at age six was also positively associated with PA and MC at age nine, which were, in turn, positively related to PA at age 13 but to a lesser degree than diversified PA at age six. The association between diversified physical activity at age six and PA at age 13 was not mediated by MC at age nine. Conclusions The results of this study indicate that diversified physical activity at age six is important for the development of MC and PA in adolescence. Increasing the diversity of children’s daily physical activities, not only the amount and intensity, seems important for future PA behavior and thereby health promotion in a life course perspective.

The WHO Childhood Obesity Surveillance Initiative (COSI) and the CLICK framework

2020 ◽  
Vol 30 (Supplement_5) ◽  
Author(s):  
J Breda
Keyword(s):  
Physical Activity ◽  
Childhood Obesity ◽  
Dietary Habits ◽  
Overweight And Obesity ◽  
Family Characteristics ◽  
Digital Marketing ◽  
Quality Data ◽  
Lifestyle Behaviors ◽  
Future Possibility ◽  
Public Health Institutions

Abstract The WHO European Childhood Obesity Surveillance Initiative (COSI) is a well-established system that measures trends in overweight and obesity in over 300,000 primary school aged children from over 40 countries across the WHO European Region. The COSI collects important information related to child anthropometrics, school and family characteristics and child lifestyle behaviors. Major determinants covered by COSI include physical activity, dietary habits and school environments. COSI data has revealed substantial differences in physical activity estimates between countries. However, studies based on COSI data show that 40% of children spend at least two hours watching TV or using electronic devices per day. To prevent increased childhood obesity, policymakers should simultaneously increase opportunities for children to engage in physical activity and act to reduce the amount of time spent on sedentary activities. As children are increasingly online and connected to mobile devices, an emerging concern relates to digital marketing of unhealthy products, which can be effectively targeted at children using advanced persuasive techniques. The WHO CLICK report suggests the need to integrate information such as children's time spent online, device, app and social media usage with outcomes such as child obesity. One future possibility may be to integrate such questions into future COSI questionnaires, which would provide important information at minimal cost and could generate extensive, high quality data. The monitoring and surveillance advocated by the CLICK report is necessary to provide data on whether and how far WHO recommendations in online settings are adopted by governments and public health institutions. The WHO CLICK report acts on consultation with experts to provide a tool to support Member States in monitoring the digital marketing of unhealthy products to children and suggests policy options.

Correlates of participation in physical activity among older women in Israel: does ethno-cultural background matter?

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Offer E Edelstein ◽  
Iris Vered ◽  
Orly Sarid
Keyword(s):  
Physical Activity ◽  
Perceived Control ◽  
Former Soviet Union ◽  
Structural Equation ◽  
Structural Equation Models ◽  
Subjective Norms ◽  
Cultural Groups ◽  
Ethiopian Immigrants ◽  
Knowledge Variable ◽  
Intention To Participate

Abstract Osteoporosis and its related fractures are major public health concerns. Physical activity (PA) is crucial for bone density preservation and fractures prevention. Yet, gaps in understanding exist regarding how ethno-cultural backgrounds might shape attitudes, intentions and actual PA participation. Based on the theory of planned behaviour (TPB) for predicting PA, the aims of this study were: (i) to compare attitudes, subjective norms, perceived control, intentions and knowledge, across four ethno-cultural groups; (ii) to evaluate the fit of the model we constructed across four ethno-cultural groups of women: Israeli-born Jews and Israeli-born Bedouin-Muslims, immigrants from the Former Soviet Union (FSU) and Ethiopian immigrants. Four hundred women (one hundred from each group), aged >65, completed valid and reliable questionnaires assessing knowledge, TPB components and actual PA. The level of knowledge on osteoporosis was relatively low among all four ethno-cultural groups. Intention to participate in PA was the only variable that directly predicted actual PA. Intention to participate in PA served as a mediator among attitudes, subjective norms, perceived control and actual PA. The structural equation models (SEMs) revealed that among Israeli-born Jews and Ethiopian immigrants, TPB components mediated the link between knowledge and intention to participate in PA. Among FSU immigrants and Israeli Bedouin-Muslims, the knowledge variable was not included in the final model, as its contribution was not significant. It is essential to better understand and augment interventions that enhance PA in the community, and to address the unique needs of each ethno-cultural group.

scholarly journals Distance Learning During the First Lockdown: Impact on the Family and Its Effect on Students' Engagement

2021 ◽  
Vol 12 ◽  
Author(s):  
Antonella Chifari ◽  
Mario Allegra ◽  
Vincenza Benigno ◽  
Giovanni Caruso ◽  
Giovanni Fulantelli ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Structural Equation ◽  
Online Survey ◽  
Structural Equation Models ◽  
Holistic Approach ◽  
Family Characteristics ◽  
School Age ◽  
Student Records ◽  
The Family ◽  
Families With Children ◽  
The Impact

This contribute investigates how Emergency Remote Education (ERE) impacted families during the spring 2020 Covid-19 lockdown, and in particular, the extent to which the impact of ERE on families, measured in terms of space and equipment sharing, moderates the effect of student and family characteristics on students' engagement. The study derived from the administration of an online survey to 19,527 families with children attending schools, from nursery to upper secondary grade. The total number of student records collected amounted to 31,805, since parents had to provide data for each school-age child in the family. The survey contains 58 questions, divided into three sections, with the first two sections designed to get a reading at family level and the third section to gather data for each school-age child in the family. After verifying the validity of the engagement construct through confirmatory factor analysis, two structural equation models were used to analyze the students' engagement. The main findings reveal how the impact of the ERE on the families has had a significant role in predicting students' level of engagement observed by parents with respect to different predictor variables. Finally, we argue that it is necessary to follow a holistic approach to observe the challenges imposed by the switch of the process of deferring teaching from presence to distance, imposed by the pandemic emergency on families. In fact, a holistic approach can promote student engagement and prevent the onset of cognitive-behavioral and affective problems linked to disengagement in ERE.

scholarly journals A graphical perspective of marginal structural models: An application for the estimation of the effect of physical activity on blood pressure

2016 ◽  
Vol 27 (8) ◽  
pp. 2428-2436
Author(s):  
Denis Talbot ◽  
Amanda M Rossi ◽  
Simon L Bacon ◽  
Juli Atherton ◽  
Geneviève Lefebvre
Keyword(s):  
Physical Activity ◽  
Blood Pressure ◽  
Repeated Measures ◽  
Structural Equation ◽  
Structural Equation Models ◽  
Causal Effect ◽  
Structural Models ◽  
Marginal Structural Models ◽  
Time Varying ◽  
Causal Graph

Estimating causal effects requires important prior subject-matter knowledge and, sometimes, sophisticated statistical tools. The latter is especially true when targeting the causal effect of a time-varying exposure in a longitudinal study. Marginal structural models are a relatively new class of causal models that effectively deal with the estimation of the effects of time-varying exposures. Marginal structural models have traditionally been embedded in the counterfactual framework to causal inference. In this paper, we use the causal graph framework to enhance the implementation of marginal structural models. We illustrate our approach using data from a prospective cohort study, the Honolulu Heart Program. These data consist of 8006 men at baseline. To illustrate our approach, we focused on the estimation of the causal effect of physical activity on blood pressure, which were measured at three time points. First, a causal graph is built to encompass prior knowledge. This graph is then validated and improved utilizing structural equation models. We estimated the aforementioned causal effect using marginal structural models for repeated measures and guided the implementation of the models with the causal graph. By employing the causal graph framework, we also show the validity of fitting conditional marginal structural models for repeated measures in the context implied by our data.

scholarly journals Age-related decline of cognitive resources precedes and explains the decline in physical activity

2018 ◽  
Author(s):  
Boris Cheval ◽  
Dan Orsholits ◽  
Stefan Sieber ◽  
Delphine Courvoisier ◽  
Stéphane Cullati ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Physical Activity ◽  
Mixed Models ◽  
Verbal Fluency ◽  
Structural Equation ◽  
Structural Equation Models ◽  
Moderate Physical Activity ◽  
Cognitive Resources ◽  
Delayed Recall ◽  
Level Of Education ◽  
Age Related

Objective: This study aimed to test whether the level of cognitive resources explain the engagement in physical activity across aging and whether the age-related decline of cognitive resources precede the decline in physical activity. Methods: Data from 105,206 adults aged 50 to 90 years from the Survey of Health, Ageing and Retirement in Europe (SHARE) were used in adjusted linear mixed models to examine whether the engagement in moderate physical activity and its evolution across aging was dependent on cognitive resources. Cognitive resources and physical activity were measured 5 times over a 12-year period. Delayed recall, verbal fluency, and the level of education were used as indicators of cognitive resources. The frequency of engagement in moderate physical activity was self-reported. Dynamic structural equation models (SEM) were used to assess the temporal precedence of changes in cognitive resources and physical activity. Results: Results showed that lower cognitive resources were associated with lower levels and steeper decreases in moderate physical activity across aging. Results further revealed a time-ordered effect with a stronger influence of cognitive resources (delayed recall and verbal fluency) on subsequent changes in moderate physical activity than the opposite. Conclusion: These findings suggest that, after age 50, the level of engagement in moderate physical activity and its trajectory depend on the availability of cognitive resources.

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