Who Uses Exercise as a Coping Strategy for Stress? Results From a National Survey of Canadians

2014 ◽  
Vol 11 (5) ◽  
pp. 908-916 ◽  
Author(s):  
John Cairney ◽  
Matthew YW Kwan ◽  
Scott Veldhuizen ◽  
Guy EJ Faulkner
Keyword(s):  
Physical Activity ◽  
Coping Strategy ◽  
Leisure Time Physical Activity ◽  
Coping Behavior ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Canadian Community Health Survey ◽  
Stress Coping ◽  
Cross Sectional Survey ◽  
Coping With Stress ◽  
Cross Sectional

Purpose:To examine the prevalence of exercise as a coping behavior for stress, compare this to other coping behaviors, and examine its demographic, behavioral, and health correlates in a nationally representative sample of Canadians.Method:We used data from the Canadian Community Health Survey 1.2, a cross-sectional survey of 36,984 Canadians aged 15 and over, and conducted univariate and logistic regression analyses to address our objectives.Results:40% of Canadians reported using exercise for coping with stress (ranked 8th overall). These individuals were more likely to endorse other ‘positive’ coping strategies and less likely to use alcohol or drugs for coping. Being younger, female, unmarried, of high SES, and a nonsmoker were associated with higher likelihoods of using exercise as a coping strategy. High levels of leisure-time physical activity were associated with increased, and heavy physical activity at work with decreased, odds of reporting using exercise for stress coping.Conclusions:While reported use of exercise for stress coping is common in the general population, it is less so than several other behaviors. Encouraging exercise, particularly in groups identified as being less likely to use exercise for stress coping, could potentially reduce overall stress levels and improve general health and well-being.

Occupational and Leisure-Time Physical Activity Have Different Relationships With Health: A Cross-Sectional Survey Study of Working Nurses

2021 ◽  
pp. 1-8
Author(s):  
Helen M. Parker ◽  
Robyn Gallagher ◽  
Christine Duffield ◽  
Ding Ding ◽  
David Sibbritt ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Physical Activity ◽  
Confidence Interval ◽  
Leisure Time ◽  
Leisure Time Physical Activity ◽  
Survey Study ◽  
Physical Work ◽  
Cross Sectional Survey ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
South Wales ◽  
Activity Questionnaires

Background: Recent research has focused on the potential benefits of physical activity in occupational settings in addition to leisure time. However, occupational physical activity (OPA) differs substantially for occupations that require heavy and repetitive physical work, such as nursing. We explored associations between leisure time and OPA and health outcomes in working nurses and midwives. Methods: Nurses who were enrolled in the Fit For the Future study (New South Wales, Australia) and who completed physical activity questionnaires (n = 4343) were classified according to high (HO) or low (LO) occupational and high (HL) or low (LL) leisure-time physical activity (LTPA): HO performed walking/heavy labor most/all of the time at work; HL met the guidelines of 150 minutes per week moderate to vigorous LTPA, creating 4 categories: HOLL, HOHL, LOHL, and LOLL. Results: HL predicted better self-rated health (unstandardized B = 0.51, 95% confidence interval, 0.44 to 0.57) and lower likelihood of ≥3 sick days in the past 12 months (OR: 0.71, 95% confidence interval, 0.61 to 0.83), whereas HO predicted higher likelihood of ≥3 sick days (OR: 1.17, 95% confidence interval, 1.01 to 1.35), adjusting for all variables. Conclusions: OPA may not confer the same health benefits as LTPA for nurses. Health-promoting interventions should emphasize the importance of achieving adequate moderate to vigorous LTPA for all, including those undertaking substantial OPA.

scholarly journals Adherence to the Mediterranean Diet and Its Association with the Level of Physical Activity in Fitness Center Users: Croatian-Based Study

Nutrients ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (11) ◽  
pp. 4038
Author(s):  
Dinko Martinovic ◽  
Daria Tokic ◽  
Lovre Martinovic ◽  
Marko Kumric ◽  
Marino Vilovic ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Physical Activity ◽  
Mediterranean Diet ◽  
Short Form ◽  
Well Being ◽  
General Information ◽  
Cross Sectional Survey ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Fitness Center ◽  
Balanced Diet ◽  
The Mediterranean

The Mediterranean diet (MD) is based on the traditional cuisine of south European countries, and it is considered one of the healthiest dietary patterns worldwide. The promotion of combined MD and physical activity has shown major benefits. However, the association between physical activity and the MD in regular fitness center users is still insufficiently investigated. This cross-sectional survey-based study was conducted on 1220 fitness center users in Croatia. The survey consisted of three parts: general information, the Mediterranean Diet Serving Score (MDSS) and the International Physical Activity Questionnaire Short Form (IPAQ-SF). The results showed that 18.6% of fitness center users were adherent to the MD, and there was a significant positive correlation between the level of physical activity and the MDSS score (r = 0.302, p < 0.001). Moreover, after dividing the sample into tertiles based on the IPAQ-SF score, the third tertile (MET > 3150 min/wk) had the most fitness center users (34.4%) adherent to the MD, while the first tertile (MET < 1750 min/wk) had the least (6.1%). These outcomes emphasize the importance of physical activity as they imply that, with higher levels of physical activity, people are also possibly more aware of the importance that a healthy and balanced diet has on their well-being.

Staff resilience and coping behavior as protective factors for mental health among construction tradesmen

2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Janet Mayowa Nwaogu ◽  
Albert P.C. Chan ◽  
Mershack Opoku Tetteh
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Suicide Ideation ◽  
Survey Design ◽  
Coping Behavior ◽  
Cross Sectional Survey ◽  
Coping With Stress ◽  
Essential Point ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Content Type ◽  
And Coping

Purpose Construction tradesmen are exposed to high levels of stress that can worsen mental health, negatively impacting safety compliance and organization productivity. Hence, effectively coping with stress to prevent mental ill-health becomes an essential point of reference. Thus, this study aims to examine the role of factors such as resilience and coping strategies in protecting tradesmen against mental ill-health. Design/methodology/approach Using a cross-sectional survey design, 110 tradesmen from 65 construction companies were surveyed using the Patient Health Questionnaire, Generalized Anxiety Disorder, Brief Resilience Scale and Ways of Coping Questionnaire. Findings The results were analyzed using descriptive statistics and logistic regression analysis. With a 74.5%, 36.4% and 14.6% prevalence rate of self-reported depression, anxiety and suicide ideation among the tradesmen, only positive reappraisal, accepting responsibility coping behaviors and resilience would mitigate the likelihood of developing mental ill-health symptoms. Originality/value This study has extended existing literature by providing information vital to building interventions to deal with stressors effectively. This information would benefit individuals, organizations and the economy and equip policymakers with a deeper knowledge base toward improving mental health.

Estimating leisure-time physical activity energy expenditure in the Canadian population: a comparison of 2 methods

2009 ◽  
Vol 34 (4) ◽  
pp. 666-672 ◽  
Author(s):  
Shirley N. Bryan ◽  
Peter T. Katzmarzyk
Keyword(s):  
Physical Activity ◽  
Energy Expenditure ◽  
Leisure Time ◽  
Leisure Time Physical Activity ◽  
Canadian Community Health Survey ◽  
Physical Activity Energy Expenditure ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Statistics Canada ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Activity Energy

The purpose of this study was to determine the impact of 2 different calculation methods for total leisure-time physical activity energy expenditure (LTPAEE) and LTPAEE from different intensity activities on the classification of level of physical activity in the population. Nationally representative cross-sectional data from the Canadian Community Health Survey Cycle 4.1 (2007) were used for this study (N = 64 397). LTPAEE was calculated using a metabolic equivalent (MET) value of 4.0 for all activities in the “other activity” category for method 1 (currently employed by Statistics Canada) and using activity-specific MET values for method 2. The weighted prevalence and 95% confidence intervals of active (≥3  kcal·kg–1·day–1 (kkd)), moderately active (1.5–2.9 kkd), and inactive (<1.5 kkd) were determined for each method by demographic characteristics. The agreement between the 2 methods was assessed overall, and for light, moderate, and vigorous activities. There was no difference between methods in the proportion classified as active, moderately active, or inactive for any of the subgroups studied and there was no difference in the distribution or mean LTPAEE between methods. However, assessment of the agreement showed a large number of outliers and a tendency to underestimate LTPAEE from light and vigorous activities while overestimating LTPAEE from moderate activities at the individual level. The results of this study should be considered when performing inferential statistics on the relationship between physical activity and health outcomes.

Association Between Perceived Environmental Attributes and Physical Activity Among Adults in Recife, Brazil

2010 ◽  
Vol 7 (s2) ◽  
pp. S213-S222 ◽  
Author(s):  
Pedro C. Hallal ◽  
Rodrigo S. Reis ◽  
Diana C. Parra ◽  
Christine Hoehner ◽  
Ross C. Brownson ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Physical Activity ◽  
Leisure Time ◽  
Leisure Time Physical Activity ◽  
Neighborhood Environment ◽  
Short Version ◽  
Cross Sectional Survey ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Recreational Facilities ◽  
Environmental Attributes ◽  
Low Levels

Background:To evaluate the association between perceived environmental factors and leisure-time and transport-related physical activity.Methods:A random-digit-dialing telephone cross-sectional survey in Recife, Brazil, was conducted among individuals aged 16 years or older (n = 2046). Leisure-time and transport-related physical activity were measured using the long version of the International Physical Activity Questionnaire. Three outcome variables were used: leisure-time physical activity (min/wk), transport-related physical activity (min/wk), and walking for leisure (min/wk). A cutoff of 150 min/wk was used for all outcome variables. The environmental module of the questionnaire was based on the short version of the Neighborhood Environment Walkability Scale (A-NEWS), and included 12 environmental items.Results:The proportions of subjects reaching the 150-minutes per week threshold were 30.6% for leisure-time physical activity, 26.6% for transport-related physical activity and 18.2% for walking for leisure. Lack of sidewalks and low access to recreational facilities were associated with a lower likelihood of performing 150 minutes per week or more of leisure-time physical activity. Lack of sidewalks was associated with low levels of walking for leisure. Neighborhood aesthetics was inversely associated with transport-related physical activity.Conclusions:Lack of sidewalks and low access to recreational facilities were predictors of low levels of leisure-time physical activity, suggesting that policy strategies aimed at improving these environmental features may be warranted.

Food-Coping Strategy Index Applied to a Community of Farm-Worker Households in South Africa

2008 ◽  
Vol 29 (1) ◽  
pp. 3-14 ◽  
Author(s):  
Rozanne Kruger ◽  
Hettie Carina Schönfeldt ◽  
Johanna Hendriena Owen
Keyword(s):  
South Africa ◽  
Nutrition Education ◽  
Coping Strategy ◽  
Rural Areas ◽  
Coping Behavior ◽  
Farm Worker ◽  
Cross Sectional Survey ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Food Stress ◽  
Side Dishes

Background In South Africa, households living in informal urban settlements, in rural areas, and on commercial farms experience various levels of dietary variety, food intake, and household hunger. Low incomes, poor food production and availability, and low spending power characterize these households. Households employ various food-coping strategies to alleviate food stress or poor food availability. Objective To apply an existing food-coping strategy (FCS) index to assess household hunger and its usefulness in identifying the level of food stress and the patterns of food coping in farm-worker households. Methods A cross-sectional survey was conducted. Data were gathered from women (18 to 57 years of age) responsible for food provision in a small farm-worker community in Fouriesburg, South Africa. A structured food-coping questionnaire and a standardized FCS index were used to gather data. Results The two most common FCS used were relying on cheaper food (chicken feet, diluted soya-mince soup) or less preferred food (meat bones) and employing food-seeking strategies (gathering wild foods), followed by consumption of seed stock (maize) and reduced portion sizes (protein foods and side dishes), resulting in starch-based diets of poor variety. Seasonal strategies varied according to the level of food stress experienced. Patterns of food coping were identified. Conclusions Negative FCS (limiting food choices, only consuming starchy staples) may cause poor health status. The FCS index was effectively used to assess farm-worker household food-coping behavior (early, clear signals of the level of food distress). These results could be used to allocate appropriate food aid (type of food) and to design nutrition education programs focused on positive FCS (food gathering or bartering) in a particular community to prevent suboptimal nutritional status.

scholarly journals Change in alcohol consumption and physical activity during the COVID-19 pandemic amongst 76 medical students

PeerJ ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 9 ◽  
pp. e12580
Author(s):  
Christina Sandell ◽  
Mikhail Saltychev
Keyword(s):  
Physical Activity ◽  
Medical Students ◽  
Alcohol Consumption ◽  
Leisure Time Physical Activity ◽  
Survey Study ◽  
Rank Test ◽  
Cross Sectional Survey ◽  
Higher Alcohol ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Negative Effect

Objective To investigate whether the COVID-19 pandemic has affected physical activity and alcohol consumption among medical students. Methods Cross-sectional survey study among 76 students in their second year of medical school. The Wilcoxon sign-rank test and Kruskal-Wallis H test were used to assess the difference between groups. Results Of 76 respondents, 68% were women, 66% were single and 34% were co-habiting. The median age was 21 years. Overall alcohol consumption decreased during the pandemic year by 12 g/week. Overall physical activity did not significantly change. The decrease in alcohol consumption was mostly caused by a change seen in a high tertile, change was −96 g/week. Alcohol consumption decreased more in women than in men, p = 0.0001. Conclusions It seems that alcohol consumption among medical students has decreased during the COVID-19 pandemic probably due to reduced social contacts and negative effect of social isolation. This decrease was seen especially among women and among students with higher alcohol consumption before the pandemic. Also, it seems that students had found their ways to remain active during the pandemic since the amount of leisure-time physical activity had not changed significantly.

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