scholarly journals Beyond Lockdown: The Potential Side Effects of the SARS-CoV-2 Pandemic on Public Health

Nutrients ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (5) ◽  
pp. 1600
Author(s):  
Sara Paltrinieri ◽  
Barbara Bressi ◽  
Stefania Costi ◽  
Elisa Mazzini ◽  
Silvio Cavuto ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Physical Activity ◽  
Cigarette Smoking ◽  
Alcohol Drinking ◽  
Online Survey ◽  
Negative Effects ◽  
Work Activity ◽  
Adult Age ◽  
Beneficial Effects

Lockdowns to contain the spread of the SARS-CoV-2 have disrupted routines and behaviors, which could lead to a worsening of lifestyle and an increase in the burden of non-communicable diseases. This study aimed to describe the changes in physical activity, diet, alcohol drinking, and cigarette smoking during lockdown. A self-administered online survey addressing adults living in a province in northern Italy was advertised through websites and social media. Citizens could access the survey in anonymity from 4 May until 15 June 2020. A total of 1826 adults completed the survey, with a worsening of physical activity (35.1%), diet (17.6%), alcohol drinking (12.5%), and cigarette smoking (7.7%) reported. In contrast, 33.5% reported an improvement in diet, 12.6% in alcohol drinking, 5.3% in physical activity and 4.1% in cigarette smoking. Female sex, young adult age, suspension of work activity, and symptoms of psychological distress were the factors associated with a greater likelihood of change, which was frequently for the worse. Lockdown had an impact on lifestyle, with some net beneficial effects on diet and mostly negative effects on physical activity. Public health measures should be implemented to avoid long-term negative effects of the lockdown, supporting individuals more prone to change for the worse.

The Demise of an Australian Physical Activity Alliance

2018 ◽  
Vol 15 (10) ◽  
pp. 795-798
Author(s):  
Rebecca Reynolds ◽  
David Menzies ◽  
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Physical Activity ◽  
Health Promotion ◽  
Online Survey ◽  
Government Funding ◽  
Collective Impact ◽  
Governmental Funding ◽  
Exercise Referral ◽  
Exercise Referral Scheme ◽  
National Physical Activity

Background: Physical activity health promotion coalitions are uncommon but important for beneficial collective impact on public health. The authors sought to obtain the viewpoints of member organizations of an Australian physical activity alliance, the National Physical Activity Alliance. Methods: The authors conducted an online survey regarding member agenda, commitment, and vision for the alliance. Questions were mostly open ended (eg, “What are the 3 areas of priority related to physical activity that you would like The Alliance to focus on?”). A total of 11 Australian organizations involved in physical activity public health (eg, the nongovernment organization Alzheimer’s Australia and the professional fitness association Fitness Australia). Results: 82% of members responded to the survey. Member programs and goals were diverse and overlapping. There was agreement among members that the main priority area for alliance focus was a national exercise referral scheme. Barriers for members achieving their own goals as well as alliance goals focused on governmental issues, including inadequate government funding for physical activity public health. Conclusions: This novel survey highlights the promise and difficulties of a physical activity coalition, with the difficulties, namely lack of governmental funding, resulting in a stagnation of the alliance’s activities since the study was carried out.

scholarly journals Recommendations to improve physical activity prescription for the cystic fibrosis population: an Irish perspective

2020 ◽  
Vol 20 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Nicola Hurley ◽  
Bróna Kehoe ◽  
Noel McCaffrey ◽  
Karen Redmond ◽  
Lydia Cullen ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Physical Activity ◽  
Cystic Fibrosis ◽  
Online Survey ◽  
Continuing Professional Development ◽  
Therapeutic Modality ◽  
Plain Language ◽  
Patient Centered ◽  
Cystic Fibrosis Population ◽  
Almost All

Abstract Background Physical activity (PA) is a well-established therapeutic modality for the maintenance and improvement of long-term health in cystic fibrosis (CF). Healthcare professionals (HCP) are considered credible and well-placed messengers for the delivery of PA advice. Limited research exists investigating the extent of PA prescription within CF care. This study aimed to identify Irish HCP i) knowledge and practice of, and ii) motivators and barriers to PA prescription, and iii) proposed strategies to optimize PA promotion and prescription in CF populations. Methods HCP from six designated CF centres in Ireland and members of the national physiotherapy CF clinical interest group were invited to participate. Following an expression of interest, each HCP (n = 81) received an email containing the plain language statement and link to the online survey. 48 HCP (physiotherapists n = 24, other n = 24) completed the 30-item investigator-developed survey, which included multiple choice single answer, matrix style and open-ended questions. Results Most HCP (81%) acknowledged that discussing PA with CF patients was part of their professional role. Almost all physiotherapists (95%) reported having sufficient knowledge regarding PA prescription, compared to 17% of other HCP. All physiotherapists reported discussing PA at every patient interaction, with 81% employing the current consensus guidelines, compared to 33 and 5% of other HCP, respectively. Among the most common barriers reported by HCP to recommending PA to their CF patients were; lack of motivation and compliance among patients to adhere to PA advice, limited availability of PA programmes to refer their patients to, limited time with patients during clinic visits and a lack of knowledge regarding PA prescription for CF care. Three-quarters of HCP reported a need to improve PA services for CF patients in Ireland. Conclusion As people with CF are living longer, it is imperative that HCP are expanding their scope of practice to include discussions around PA at every patient visit. Formal educational opportunities in the form of continuing professional development programmes are warranted for CF HCP to optimize long-term patient management and outcomes. There is also a need to develop patient-centered and evidence-based PA programmes underpinned by theories of behaviour change to enhance motivation and compliance among CF patients.

Historical Context and Current Status of the Intersection of Physical Activity and Public Health: Results of the 2015 American Kinesiology Association’s Opportunities for Kinesiology Survey

2015 ◽  
Vol 4 (4) ◽  
pp. 329-345 ◽  
Author(s):  
Bradley J. Cardinal ◽  
Minsoo Kang ◽  
James L. Farnsworth ◽  
Gregory J. Welk
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Physical Activity ◽  
Online Survey ◽  
Overall Response Rate ◽  
Historical Context ◽  
Community Outreach ◽  
Current Status ◽  
Survey Results ◽  
Survey Responses ◽  
Program Options

Kinesiology leaders were surveyed regarding their views of the (re)emergence of physical activity and public health. Their views were captured via a 25-item, online survey conducted in 2014. The survey focused on four areas: (a) types of affiliation with public health; (b) program options and course coverage; (c) outreach programming; and (d) perspectives on integration. Member and nonmember institutions of the American Kinesiology Association received the survey. Responses were received from 139 institutional leaders, resulting in an overall response rate of 21.4%. Key findings included that the combination of physical activity and public health was seen as both a stand-alone subdisciplinary area within kinesiology and also an area that has a great deal of potential for collaboration, the acquisition of external funding, and further strengthening of community outreach and engagement. The survey results are placed in historical context and interpreted with various caveats and limitations in mind.

scholarly journals Mit tudunk az e-cigaretta káros hatásairól?

2019 ◽  
Vol 160 (45) ◽  
pp. 1767-1773
Author(s):  
László Béla Nagy
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Animal Studies ◽  
Disease Risk ◽  
Electronic Cigarettes ◽  
Scientific Evidence ◽  
Long Term Effects ◽  
Negative Effects ◽  
New Public Health ◽  
New Public

Abstract: Electronic cigarettes are becoming increasingly popular with smokers worldwide. This has created an entirely new public health dilemma. The central issue in the debate is the disease risk imposed by e-cigarettes. It is generally acknowledged that e-cigarettes are unlikely to be as harmful as conventional cigarettes, but there are little data that quantify their relative harms. Experiments in cell cultures and animal studies show that e-cigarettes can have multiple negative effects. Scientific evidence regarding their human acute health effects is limited. The long term effects in humans are unknown, and there is no evidence that e-cigarettes are safer than tobacco in the long term. This review higlights the recent data regarding e-cigarettes toxicity impact on lung and cardiovascular system. Orv Hetil. 2019; 160(45): 1767–1773.

scholarly journals Positive and Negative Effects of Antipsychotic Medication: An International Online Survey of 832 Recipients

2019 ◽  
Vol 14 (3) ◽  
pp. 173-181 ◽  
Author(s):  
John Read ◽  
James Williams
Keyword(s):  
Side Effects ◽  
Adverse Effects ◽  
Antipsychotic Medication ◽  
Online Survey ◽  
Negative Effects ◽  
Duration Of Treatment ◽  
Direct To Consumer ◽  
Poor Outcomes

Background: Antipsychotic medication is currently the treatment of choice for psychosis, but few studies directly survey the first-hand experience of recipients. Objective: To ascertain the experiences and opinions of an international sample of users of antipsychotic drugs, regarding positive and negative effects. Methods: An online direct-to-consumer questionnaire was completed by 832 users of antipsychotics, from 30 countries – predominantly USA, UK and Australia. This is the largest such sample to date. Results: Over half (56%) thought, the drugs reduced the problems they were prescribed for, but 27% thought they made them worse. Slightly less people found the drugs generally ‘helpful’ (41%) than found them ‘unhelpful’ (43%). While 35% reported that their ‘quality of life’ was ‘improved’, 54% reported that it was made ‘worse’. The average number of adverse effects reported was 11, with an average of five at the ‘severe’ level. Fourteen effects were reported by 57% or more participants, most commonly: ‘Drowsiness, feeling tired, sedation’ (92%), ‘Loss of motivation’ (86%), ‘Slowed thoughts’ (86%), and ‘Emotional numbing’ (85%). Suicidality was reported to be a side effect by 58%. Older people reported particularly poor outcomes and high levels of adverse effects. Duration of treatment was unrelated to positive outcomes but significantly related to negative outcomes. Most respondents (70%) had tried to stop taking the drugs. The most common reasons people wanted to stop were the side effects (64%) and worries about long-term physical health (52%). Most (70%) did not recall being told anything at all about side effects. Conclusion: Clinical implications are discussed, with a particular focus on the principles of informed consent, and involving patients in decision making about their own lives.

scholarly journals Recommendations to Improve Physical Activity Prescription for the Cystic Fibrosis Population: An Irish Perspective

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nicola Hurley ◽  
Bróna Kehoe ◽  
Noel McCaffrey ◽  
Karen Redmond ◽  
Lydia Cullen ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Physical Activity ◽  
Cystic Fibrosis ◽  
Online Survey ◽  
Continuing Professional Development ◽  
Therapeutic Modality ◽  
Plain Language ◽  
Patient Centered ◽  
Cystic Fibrosis Population ◽  
Almost All

Abstract Background: Physical activity (PA) is a well-established therapeutic modality for the maintenance and improvement of long-term health in cystic fibrosis (CF). Healthcare professionals (HCP) are considered credible and well-placed messengers for the delivery of PA advice. Limited research exists investigating the extent of PA prescription within CF care. This study aimed to identify Irish HCP i) knowledge and practice of, and ii) motivators and barriers to PA prescription, and iii) proposed strategies to optimize PA promotion and prescription in CF populations.Methods: HCP from six designated CF centres in Ireland and members of the national physiotherapy CF clinical interest group were invited to participate. Following an expression of interest, each HCP (n=81) received an email containing the plain language statement and link to the online survey. 48 HCP (physiotherapists n=24, other n=24) completed the 30-item investigator-developed survey, which included multiple choice single answer, matrix style and open-ended questions.Results: Most HCP (81%) acknowledged that discussing PA with CF patients was part of their professional role. Almost all physiotherapists (95%) reported having sufficient knowledge regarding PA prescription, compared to 17% of other HCP. All physiotherapists reported discussing PA at every patient interaction, with 81% employing the current consensus guidelines, compared to 33% and 5% of other HCP, respectively. Among the most common barriers reported by HCP to recommending PA to their CF patients were; lack of motivation and compliance among patients to adhere to PA advice, limited availability of PA programmes to refer their patients to, limited time with patients during clinic visits and a lack of knowledge regarding PA prescription for CF care. Three-quarters of HCP reported a need to improve PA services for CF patients in Ireland.Conclusion: As people with CF are living longer, it is imperative that HCP are expanding their scope of practice to include discussions around PA at every patient visit. Formal educational opportunities in the form of continuing professional development programmes are warranted for CF HCP to optimize long-term patient management and outcomes. There is also a need to develop patient-centered and evidence-based PA programmes underpinned by theories of behaviour change to enhance motivation and compliance among CF patients.

scholarly journals Change in physical activity and stress during COVID-19 in a sample of older adults with exercise habits

2021 ◽  
Vol 15 (2) ◽  
pp. 6-16
Author(s):  
Petr Vajda ◽  
Kateřina Strašilová ◽  
Lenka Svobodová
Keyword(s):  
Physical Activity ◽  
Older Adults ◽  
Perceived Stress ◽  
Online Survey ◽  
Protective Factor ◽  
Exercise Habits ◽  
Perceived Change ◽  
Relationship Of ◽  
The Relationship

BACKGROUNDː The COVID-19 outbreak forced many states to introduce public health and social measures (PHSM), which may pose an obstacle to performing physical activity (PA).METHODS: This study investigated PA levels and their changes and perceived stress in a sample of 193 participants (aged 71.21 ± 4.87 years) engaged in exercise lessons prior to PSHM. Data were collected via an online survey distributed directly to the participants. The survey included two instruments: the International Physical Activity Questionnaire and the Perceived Stress Scale.RESULTS: The results indicate that sports habits may be a protective factor in staying active and meting PA recommendations. Nevertheless, there were no associations between the number of exercise lessons in the pre-COVID-19 period and PA level or the perceived change in PA during PSHM. Ability to replace the cancelled exercise lesson with PA of similar duration and intensity was negatively associated with PA levels and its change. The PSS-10 score suggests that the sample did not experience a significant increase in perceived stress, but the relationship of this outcome to PA is unclear.CONCLUSIONS: The promotion of alternative PA that could be performed during PHSM and building long-term exercise habits in older adults should be considered. 

scholarly journals The effects of long-term physical activity interventions in communities: Scoping review in the Nordic countries

2021 ◽  
pp. 140349482110205
Author(s):  
Elsi H. Haverinen ◽  
Hanna M. Elonheimo ◽  
Hanna K. Tolonen ◽  
Pekka J. Jousilahti ◽  
Heini J.C. Wennman
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Physical Activity ◽  
Behaviour Change ◽  
Scoping Review ◽  
Current Knowledge ◽  
Health Planning ◽  
Age Groups ◽  
Population Level ◽  
Nordic Countries

Aims: Physical activity (PA) is an important part of maintaining good overall health. Currently, the number of insufficiently physically active adults and children is alarmingly high worldwide. To tackle the challenge, several interventions have been conducted, however, current knowledge on intervention effectiveness is still inconclusive. This scoping review aimed to summarize the effects of long-term PA interventions across all age groups in the Nordic countries. Methods: A scoping review was conducted by including all age groups and interventions lasting more than 12 months. The aims of the interventions had to focus on increasing PA and/or fitness. The Behaviour Change Wheel framework was used to describe components of the intervention functions. Results: Initially, 1937 studies were identified. Twelve intervention studies fulfilled the inclusion criteria and were included in the analysis. From the included studies, seven focused on children and/or their parents and five on working-age adult populations. Most of the studies built on theoretical backgrounds and included several behaviour change functions. A hindering factor for synthesis was variation in measurement methods: both subjective and objective outcome measures were reported. Among all age groups, intervention effects on PA were modest. Conclusions: There was no clear evidence of increased PA or fitness from long-term interventions in communities. However, even small improvements in PA are important for increasing PA at a population level and enhancing public health. More research is required for evidence-based community and public health planning.

scholarly journals Lockdowns and the COVID-19 pandemic: What is the endgame?

2020 ◽  
pp. 140349482096129 ◽  
Author(s):  
Theodore Lytras ◽  
Sotirios Tsiodras
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Infection Rate ◽  
Natural Infection ◽  
Herd Immunity ◽  
Social Costs ◽  
Surveillance Data ◽  
Negative Effects ◽  
Social Distancing

An overall long-term strategy for managing the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic is presented. This strategy will need to be maintained until herd immunity is achieved, hopefully through vaccination rather than natural infection. We suggest that a pure test-trace-isolate strategy is likely not practicable in most countries, and a degree of social distancing, ranging up to full lockdown, is the main public-health tool to mitigate the COVID-19 pandemic. Guided by reliable surveillance data, distancing should be continuously optimised down to the lowest sustainable level that guarantees a low and stable infection rate in order to balance its wide-ranging negative effects on public health. The qualitative mixture of social-distancing measures also needs to be carefully optimised in order to minimise social costs.

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