scholarly journals Appetite for life: an evaluation of a primary care lifestyle programme

2010 ◽  
Vol 2 (4) ◽  
pp. 281 ◽  
Author(s):  
Liz Cutler ◽  
Bronwen King ◽  
Nicky McCarthy ◽  
Greg Hamilton ◽  
Lynley Cook

INTRODUCTION: Appetite for Life is a six-week primary care–based programme for women who are overweight, and aims to achieve long-term health gain through establishing healthy eating and physical activity patterns and a healthier weight. AIM: To evaluate the outcomes of Appetite for Life, a primary care–based healthy lifestyle programme for women who are overweight. METHODS: Two hundred and sixty-one women enrolled and consented to take part in the six-week Appetite for Life programme via general practice and were followed for 12 months. Eating behaviours and physical activity levels were measured at baseline, six weeks, six months and 12 months. Anthropometric and biomedical data was collected at visits to the participants’ general practitioners at baseline and 12 months. RESULTS: Positive lifestyle changes were reported that were sustained for the duration of the 12-month follow-up period. Participants reported an increase in intake of fruit and vegetables, dairy products, healthy fats and an increased level of physical activity. There was also an increase in reported enjoyment and participation in exercise. Mean weight was maintained over this time period. There was a reduction in mean LDL and total plasma cholesterol. DISCUSSION: A healthy lifestyle programme offered through primary care that is based on a non-dieting approach may help overweight women develop and sustain positive lifestyle changes. KEYWORDS: Health promotion; health status; obesity; weight loss, physical activity

Author(s):  
Xiaotao Zhang ◽  
Abiodun Oluyomi ◽  
LeChauncy Woodard ◽  
Syed Ahsan Raza ◽  
Maral Adel Fahmideh ◽  
...  

This study examined individual-level determinants of self-reported changes in healthy (diet and physical activity) and addictive (alcohol use, smoking, and vaping) lifestyle behaviors during the initial COVID-19 lockdown period in the USA. A national online survey was administered between May and June 2020 that targeted a representative U.S. sample and yielded data from 1276 respondents, including 58% male and 50% racial/ethnic minorities. We used univariate and multivariable linear regression models to examine the associations of sociodemographic, mental health, and behavioral determinants with self-reported changes in lifestyle behaviors. Some study participants reported increases in healthy lifestyle behaviors since the pandemic (i.e., 36% increased healthy eating behaviors, and 33% increased physical activity). However, they also reported increases in addictive lifestyle behaviors including alcohol use (40%), tobacco use (41%), and vaping (46%). With regard to individual-level determinants, individuals who reported adhering to social distancing guidelines were also more likely to report increases in healthy lifestyle behaviors (β = 0.12, 95% CI 0.04 to 0.21). Conversely, women (β = −0.37, 95% CI −0.62 to −0.12), and unemployed individuals (β = −0.33, 95% CI −0.64 to −0.02) were less likely to report increases in healthy lifestyle behaviors. In addition, individuals reporting anxiety were more likely to report increases in addictive behaviors (β = 0.26, 95% CI 0.09 to 0.43). Taken together, these findings suggest that women and unemployed individuals may benefit from interventions targeting diet and physical activity, and that individuals reporting anxiety may benefit from interventions targeting smoking and alcohol cessation to address lifestyle changes during the pandemic.


2021 ◽  
pp. 135910532110127
Author(s):  
Leanne Tyson ◽  
Wendy Hardeman ◽  
Gareth Stratton ◽  
Andrew M Wilson ◽  
Joanna Semlyen

This study aimed to explore how social distancing and self-isolation measures, aimed at protecting vulnerable groups from COVID-19, affected the wellbeing and physical activity levels among adults diagnosed with asthma. Twenty-seven participants took part across four online focus groups. Transcripts were analysed using thematic analysis. Participants reported becoming more health conscious due to being labelled as vulnerable. Their relationship with the severity of their asthma was altered and they reported making positive changes to increase their physical activity levels. Findings suggest there is a window of opportunity to engage with people diagnosed with asthma to promote beneficial lifestyle changes and self-management.


Retos ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 43 ◽  
pp. 274-282
Author(s):  
Leonardo Intelangelo ◽  
Nacim Molina Gutiérrez ◽  
Nicolás Bevacqua ◽  
Cristian Mendoza ◽  
Iris Paola Guzmán-Guzmán ◽  
...  

Objective: to determine lifestyle changes, such as physical activity, nutrition, and sleep in an Argentinean university population, caused by confinement during the COVID-19 pandemic. Methods: Cross-sectional study via web survey. 1021 the Argentinean university population (women, n = 645 and men, n = 376) aged between 18–70 years old was participate. Survey was utilized to measure participant physical activity behavior, nutrition, and sleep April to May 2020. Results: the main findings revealed that 4.3% of the sample showed obesity; the highest proportion of the sample stayed more than 6 hours in a sedentary status; 21.74% reported bad sleep quality; a reduction in good feeding pattern; and an increase in subjects who do not perform physical activity. According to socio-demographic and anthropometric factors, being a student (OR 2.19, CI95% 1.18 - 4, p= .012), overweight (OR 1.71, CI95% 1.19 – 2.44, p= .003), obesity (OR 4.45, CI95% 2.27 – 8.7, p< .001), and have been confined more than 45 days was associated with bad feeding. Likewise, low physical activity levels were associated with obesity (OR 3.2 CI95% 1.66 – 6.18, p= .001), being female (OR 1.61, CI95% 1.14 –2.28, p= .006) and get married (OR 1.72, CI95% 1.14 – 2.61, p= .009). Moreover, being a student was associated with poor sleep quality (OR 43.6, CI95%5.4 – 350, p< .001). Conclusion: This study suggests that confinement decreased healthy living habits such as good nutrition and physical activity and affected the quality of sleep in young subjects.  Resumen. Objetivo: determinar los cambios en el estilo de vida, como la actividad física, la nutrición y el sueño en una población universitaria argentina, causados por el confinamiento durante la pandemia de COVID-19. Métodos: Estudio transversal mediante encuesta por Internet. Participaron 1021 personas de la población universitaria argentina (mujeres, n = 645 y hombres, n = 376) de entre 18 y 70 años de edad. La encuesta fue utilizada para medir el comportamiento de la actividad física, la nutrición y el sueño de los participantes de abril a mayo de 2020.Resultados: los principales hallazgos mostraron que el 4,3% de la muestra presentaba obesidad; la mayor proporción de la muestra permaneció más de 6 horas en estado sedentario; el 21,74% informó sobre la mala calidad del sueño; una reducción de los hábitos correctos de alimentación; y un aumento de los participantes que no realizan actividad física. De acuerdo con factores socio-demográficos y antropométricos, ser estudiante (OR 2.19, CI95% 1.18 - 4, p= .012), el sobrepeso (OR 1.71, CI95% 1.19 - 2.44, p= .003), la obesidad (OR 4.45, CI95% 2.27 - 8.7, p< .001), y haber estado confinado más de 45 días se asoció con una mala alimentación. Asimismo, los bajos niveles de actividad física se asociaron con la obesidad (OR 3,2; IC95% 1,66 - 6,18, p= .001), ser mujer (OR 1,61; IC95% 1,14 -2,28, p= .006) y estar casado (OR 1,72; IC95% 1,14 - 2,61, p= .009). Además, ser estudiante se asoció con una mala calidad de sueño (OR 43,6, CI95% 5,4 - 350, p< .001). Conclusión: Este estudio sugiere que el confinamiento disminuyó los hábitos de vida saludables como la buena nutrición, la actividad física, y afectó la calidad del sueño en sujetos jóvenes.


2016 ◽  
Vol 56 (1) ◽  
pp. 26-32 ◽  
Author(s):  
Arlene E. Chung ◽  
Asheley C. Skinner ◽  
Stephanie E. Hasty ◽  
Eliana M. Perrin

We developed and pilot tested a mHealth intervention, “Tweeting to Health,” which used Fitbits, Twitter, and gamification to facilitate support for healthy lifestyle changes in overweight/obese (OW) and healthy weight (HW) young adults. Participants tracked activity and diet using Fitbits and used Twitter for messaging for 2 months. Physical activity, dietary intake, and Tweets were tracked and participants completed surveys at enrollment, 1 month, and 2 months. Descriptive statistics were used to examine steps/day, physical activity intensity, lifestyle changes, and total Tweets. Participants were on average 19 to 20 years old and had familiarity with Twitter. OW participants had on average 11 222 daily steps versus 11 686 (HW). One-day challenges were successful in increasing steps. Participants increased fruit/vegetable intake (92%) and decreased their sugar-sweetened beverage intake (67%). Compliance with daily Fitbit wear (99% of all days OW vs 73% HW) and daily dietary logging (82% OW vs 73% HW) and satisfaction was high.


Retos ◽  
2015 ◽  
pp. 48-52
Author(s):  
Joaquín Reverter Masià ◽  
Dani Plaza Montero ◽  
María del Carmen Jové Deltell ◽  
Vicenç Hernández González

En los últimos años se está creando un importante problema de sedentarismo en la infancia. A la hora de diseñar programas de intervención para fomentar la práctica de actividad física es necesario obtener información precisa sobre los niveles de práctica de la población infantil así como de los posibles determinantes de la práctica. Para ello se ha diseñado un estudio donde se evalúan los niveles de práctica de niños y niñas de 6 a 12 años de actividad física. Las conclusiones que se desprenden del estudio realizado son: un alto porcentaje de sujetos no realizan ejercicio físico (34,4%), observándose diferencias entre niños y niñas; se puede afirmar que las niñas practican menos que los niños (35,4% versus 24,9%). Por otro lado, el porcentaje de sujetos físicamente activos es de un 31,2% cuando se considera la recomendación más extendida, de tres o más horas a la semana. Los resultados obtenidos confirman la necesidad de incentivar programas de intervención en niños y jóvenes, aconsejando la práctica de actividad física, prestando especial interés a las chicas.Palabras clave: Salud. Actividad física. Deportes. Niños y adolescentes.Abstract: In recent years, is creating a major problem of physical inactivity in childhood. To design intervention programs that promote physical activity is necessary to obtain accurate information about levels of practice of the child population as well as the possible determinants of the practice. This was carried out a cross-sectional and descriptive. The sample is representative of students attending school in the city of Torrevieja and was selected by a pro rata basis. Participants in the study were 1248 students from thirteen primary schools offering primary education in the city of Torrevieja. The study evaluated physical activity levels of children aged 6 to 12 years. The instrument used in this study is a questionnaire (Latorre, 2006). The version used shows adequate factorial structure (Latorre, 2006). It is an instrument designed to assess the variables of healthy lifestyle among young people and teenagers. The results confirm the need to provide adequate education about healthy lifestyles and enhance the development of intervention programs for children and youth, counseling on diet and physical activity with particular interest in the girls, who are less physically active group and increased risk of disorders.Keywords: Health. Physical activity. Sports. Children and adolescents.


Author(s):  
hashem A. Kilani ◽  
Bataineh ◽  
Ali Al-Nawayseh ◽  
Khaled Atyat ◽  
Omar Obeid ◽  
...  

Abstract Background In previous times, infectious diseases affected the quality of human life during home confinement. This study investigated the influence of home confinement during the COVID-19 pandemic outbreak on lifestyle, mental wellbeing, nutritional status, and sleeping pattern. Method: An online multicategory questionnaire was distributed to collect Demographical information and combined the following tools: Food Frequency Questionnaire (FFQ), International Physical Activity Questionnaire (IPAQ), WHO-5 wellbeing score, and Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI). A snowball none-discriminate sampling procedure was followed to collect data from people attending or working at higher institution had covering the period between Mar/00/2020 and Apr/24/2020. A total of 1723 completed responses (917 Males 37.4 ± 13.4 yrs. old and (806 Females 32.2 ± 11.5 yrs. old) were collected. Results Female participants had significantly lower mental health scores as compared to males (53.9% vs 46.1%). on Mental wellbeing score was better among participants with medium and high Physical Activity Levels (p < 0.00). Additionally, mental wellbeing score was significantly improved by dietary quality and sleeping score (p < 0.001). However, physical activity was by far the major determinants of mental health score. Conclusion Factors such as PA, Diet, sleeping patterns were associated with mental wellbeing during COVID-19 confinement among Arab participants.


Author(s):  
Rasa Jankauskiene ◽  
Migle Baceviciene ◽  
Simona Pajaujiene ◽  
Dana Badau

The present study aimed to assess the-prevalence of health-compromising eating and physical activity behaviours, and to test their associations with physical activity, internalisation of sociocultural attitudes towards appearance, and body image in a sample of adolescents of both genders. A total sample of 736 adolescents (437 or 59.4% were girls) participated in the study. The participants ranged in age from 16 to 19 years (x = 17.2, SD = 0.6). The sample completed a questionnaire measuring body mass index, the risk of eating disorders, body image, internalisation of sociocultural ideals of appearance, health-compromising eating behaviours (HCEB), and health-compromising weight control related to physical activity behaviours (HCPAB). Logistic regressions were used to assess the associations between the study variables and predictors of HCEB and HCPAB. The results of the study showed a relatively high prevalence of HCEB with a significantly higher prevalence in girls and participants with a higher BMI. The study also demonstrated that the prevalence of adolescent HCPAB was higher than HCEB. The internalisation of sociocultural attitudes towards appearance and body image concerns were higher in the HCEB and HCPAB groups. Female gender (OR = 1.88; 95% PI = 1.10–3.18), HCPAB (OR = 1.19; 95% PI = 1.10–1.28), a preoccupation with being overweight (OR = 3.43; 95% PI = 2.52–4.66), and body weight evaluation as too high (OR = 2.40; 95% PI = 1.57–3.68) were significant predictors of HCEB. More frequent physical activity (OR = 3.02; 95% PI = 1.76–5.17), HCEB (OR = 1.22; 95% PI = 1.11–1.32), and perceived pressures to conform to popular beauty ideals (OR = 1.51; 95% PI = 1.12–2.03) predicted higher HCPAB. HCPAB is an important variable associated with adolescents’ body image, physical activity, and weight control. The results of the present study are important for health promotion and education programs addressing adolescents’ healthy lifestyle, weight control, and body image concerns.


2016 ◽  
Vol 25 (3-4) ◽  
pp. 183-198
Author(s):  
Matthew R. Bice ◽  
James W. Ball ◽  
Thomas Parry ◽  
Megan Adkins

Abstract Presumably, individuals are taught skills throughout their primary education that are required to live a healthy lifestyle throughout the lifespan. The primary purpose of this study was to assess adult psychological need satisfaction in relation to high school participation. Participation included university employees and students of two mid-sized universities and members of a state health organization. Participants (n = 512) completed the Psychological Need Satisfaction in Exercise (PNSE) and the International Physical Activity Questionnaire (IPAQ). The current study found modest associations between measured motivation constructs on physical activity levels. Standardized coefficients report competence and autonomy had a significant effect on physical activity in predicting adult physical activity levels. Results of this study provide insight into the determinants underlying the development of physical activity tendencies in adults and suggest high school physical education and sport participation have an equal influence on adult physical activity levels.


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