scholarly journals General Architecture for Development of Virtual Coaches for Healthy Habits Monitoring and Encouragement

Sensors ◽  
2018 ◽  
Vol 19 (1) ◽  
pp. 108 ◽  
Author(s):  
Antonio Benítez-Guijarro ◽  
Ángel Ruiz-Zafra ◽  
Zoraida Callejas ◽  
Nuria Medina-Medina ◽  
Kawtar Benghazi ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Physical Activity ◽  
Architectural Design ◽  
Healthy Lifestyle ◽  
Good Health ◽  
Present System ◽  
Preliminary Evaluation ◽  
Reference Architecture ◽  
Healthy Habits ◽  
Health Tracking ◽  
General Architecture

Good health is the result of a healthy lifestyle, where caring about physical activity and nutrition are key concerns. However, in today’s society, nutritional disorders are becoming increasingly frequent, affecting children, adults, and elderly people, mainly due to limited nutrition knowledge and the lack of a healthy lifestyle. A commonly adopted therapy to these imbalances is to monitor physical activity and daily habits, such as recording exercise or creating custom meal plans to count the amount of macronutrients and micronutrients acquired in each meal. Nowadays, many health tracking applications (HTA) have been developed that, for instance, record energy intake as well as users’ physiological parameters, or measure the physical activity during the day. However, most existing HTA do not have a uniform architectural design on top of which to build other applications and services. In this manuscript, we present system architecture intended to serve as a reference architecture for building HTA solutions. In order to validate the proposed architecture, we performed a preliminary evaluation with 15 well recognized experts in systems and software architecture from different entities around world and who have estimated that our proposal can generate architecture for HTA that is adequate, reliable, secure, modifiable, portable, functional, and with high conceptual integrity. In order to show the applicability of the architecture in different HTA, we developed two telemonitoring systems based on it, targeted to different tasks: nutritional coaching (Food4Living) and physical exercise coaching (TrainME). The purpose was to illustrate the kind of end-user monitoring applications that could be developed.

Does physical and health education classes improve physical fitness?

2016 ◽  
Vol 16 (2) ◽  
Author(s):  
Ronald Chow ◽  
Drew Hollenberg ◽  
Cooper Midroni ◽  
Stuart Cumner
Keyword(s):  
Physical Activity ◽  
Blood Pressure ◽  
Health Education ◽  
Healthy Lifestyle ◽  
Interval Training ◽  
Primary Objective ◽  
School Year ◽  
Healthy Habits ◽  
Physical And Health Education ◽  
High Intensity Interval

AbstractTraditional continuous exercise, as well as low-volume high-intensity interval training in adults, have shown to offer benefits to one’s cardio-metabolic health. With the benefits of physical activity being proven without a doubt, education curricula around the world have implemented physical and health education programs with the aim of promoting a healthy lifestyle through physical activity and healthy habits. The primary objective of this study was to determine whether physical and health education, alone without any change, improved heart rate (HR), systolic blood pressure (SP) and diastolic blood pressure (DP) of adolescents at Crescent School. HR, SP and DP of students were recorded before and immediately after they ran 1 mile, and statistical analyses were conducted to determine whether there was any difference in HR, SP and DP from baseline at the beginning of the year to Term 2, the middle of the school year. While mile-run times did improve from baseline to Term 2, SP, DP and HR did not significantly change from one term to another. This study does suggest that SP, DP and HR are not affected by physical and health education classes, but it is important to keep in mind that the sample group was already a very healthy and active group.

scholarly journals Cambios en hábitos saludables relacionados con actividad física y sedentarismo durante un confinamiento nacional por covid-19 (Changes in healthy habits regarding physical activity and sedentary lifestyle during a national lockdown due to covid-19)

Retos ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 43 ◽  
pp. 415-421
Author(s):  
Eva Santos-Miranda ◽  
Javier Rico-Díaz ◽  
Aida Carballo-Fazanes ◽  
Cristian Abelairas-Gómez
Keyword(s):  
Physical Activity ◽  
Employment Status ◽  
Leisure Time ◽  
Sedentary Lifestyle ◽  
Healthy Lifestyle ◽  
Sitting Time ◽  
Redes Sociales ◽  
Humanitarian Crisis ◽  
Effective Strategies ◽  
Healthy Habits

  El presente estudio analizó el efecto del confinamiento en España derivado de la COVID-19 en niveles de actividad física diaria, ejercicio físico y comportamientos sedentarios. Tras la declaración del estado de alarma, se difundió un cuestionario por redes sociales con preguntas sociodemográficas, actividad física y comportamientos sedentarios. Posteriormente, se envió por correo electrónico otro cuestionario en relación con la nueva situación de confinamiento. Respondieron a ambos cuestionarios 474 participantes. Se registró un aumento del peso e índice de masa corporal durante el confinamiento (p < .001). Aumentó el número de días en los que se realizaba ejercicio físico en tiempo de ocio (p < .001), pero no el tiempo de práctica semanal total. Se redujo el tiempo de actividad física durante actividades académicas y/o profesionales y el tiempo destinado a desplazamientos (p < .001). Se registró un mayor tiempo de sueño, siestas y sedestación (p < .01). El presente estudio evidencia la necesidad de crear estrategias eficaces encaminadas a aumentar la práctica actividad física y promover los hábitos de vida saludables, especialmente durante la actual crisis humanitaria y posibles futuras.  Abstract. The aim of this study was to analyze the effect of a lockdown in Spain due to COVID-19 on the levels of physical activity, exercise and sedentary lifestyle. After declaring state of alarm in Spain, a questionnaire was distributed via social networks with demographic questions, academic and/or employment status, physical activity and sedentary lifestyle. Subsequently, another questionnaire was sent by email in relation to the new lockdown measures. 474 participants replied to both questionnaires. An increase in weight and body mass index was recorded during lockdown (p <0.001). The number of days in which physical activity was practiced during leisure time increased (p <0.001), but the total time of weekly practice stayed the same. The time of physical activity during academic and the time spent walking was reduced, as well as was the time spent walking (p <0.001). Longer sleep, naps and sitting time was also recorded (p <0.01). The present study shows the need to create effective strategies aimed to increase the practice of physical activity and promote a healthy lifestyle during the current humanitarian crisis and possible future ones.

scholarly journals La universidad como un entorno saludable: un estudio transversal

2021 ◽  
Vol 20 (3) ◽  
pp. 221-243
Author(s):  
Ana López-Alonso ◽  
Cristina Liebana Presa ◽  
Leticia Sánchez-Valdeón ◽  
Mercedes López-Aguado ◽  
Marta Quiñones-Pérez ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Physical Activity ◽  
Healthy Lifestyle ◽  
Survey Design ◽  
Leisure Activities ◽  
Negative Relationship ◽  
Perceived Health ◽  
Good Health ◽  
Las Mujeres ◽  
The Times ◽  
Active Leisure

Introducción: Los estudiantes universitarios se encuentran en un momento crucial de sus vidas en lo que respecta a la adquisición de un estilo de vida saludable. Para esto es necesario que obtengan un equilibrio entre las demandas universitarias (compromiso académico) y el tiempo libre.Objetivos: Describir las relaciones entre ocio, engagement y salud.Método: Diseño de encuesta cuantitativa, no experimental. 1.142 estudiantes completaron los cuestionarios sobre ocio, salud y engagement. Se realizaron análisis descriptivos, de correlación lineal y ANOVA sobre los datos obtenidos.Resultados: 960 estudiantes participaron en actividades de ocio activo con actividad física durante la semana (3–9 horas) y 1.021 los fines de semana (3–8 horas); 1.084 se dedicaba al ocio activo sin actividad física de lunes a viernes (4–14 horas) y 1.109 los fines de semana (7–16 horas); 1.049 se dedicaron al ocio pasivo todos los días (2–7 horas) y 997 los fines de semana (3–8 horas) de inactividad, mientras que 748 estuvieron inactivos durante la semana (1–5 horas) y 745 los fines de semana (2–4 horas). Las mujeres pasaron menos tiempo libre durante la semana, obtuvieron puntajes más altos de engagement y una peor salud percibida. Encontramos relación negativa entre la salud y el engagement y el ocio.Conclusiones: Los estudiantes estaban comprometidos y gozaban de buena salud, lo que indica que un alto engagement y actividades de ocio están asociadas con una mejor salud percibida. Las universidades deben esforzarse por convertirse en entornos más saludables revisando sus planes de estudio, promoviendo el compromiso y ofreciendo un programa de ocio atractivo.   Introduction: University students are at a crucial time in their lives as regards acquiring a healthy lifestyle. For this it is necessary that they obtain a balance between the times used to the university demands (academic engagement) and the leisure time, as recovery time. Objectives: To describe the relationships between leisure, engagement and health. Method: We employed a quantitative, non-experimental survey design. 1.142 students completed the questionnaires on leisure, health and engagement. Descriptive, linear correlation and ANOVA analyses were performed on the data obtained. Results: 960 students engaged in active leisure with physical activity during the week (3–9 hours) and 1.021 at the weekend (3–8 hours); 1.084 engaged in active leisure without physical activity from Monday to Friday (4–14 hours) and 1.109 at the weekend (7–16 hours); 1.049 engaged in passive leisure every day (2–7 hours) and 997 at the weekend (3–8 hours) idleness, while 748 were idle during the week (1–5 hours) and 745 at the weekend (2–4 hours). Women spent less time of leisure during the week, scored higher of engagement and had poorer perceived health. We found a negative relationship between health and engagement and leisure. Conclusions: Students were engaged and in good health, indicating that high engagement and leisure activities are associated with better perceived health. Universities should strive to become healthier settings by revising their curricula, promoting engagement and offering an attractive leisure programme.

scholarly journals User Preferences Related to Multimedia Elements of a Mobile Application to Prevent Postpartum Diabetes: A Study with Focus Groups (Preprint)

2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yisel Pinillos-Patiño ◽  
Yaneth Herazo-Beltrán ◽  
Orlando Rodríguez ◽  
Amada Esther Escorcia Bermejo ◽  
Enrique Martelo ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Physical Activity ◽  
Focus Groups ◽  
Mobile Applications ◽  
Mobile Application ◽  
Healthy Lifestyle ◽  
User Preferences ◽  
Noncommunicable Diseases ◽  
Low Socioeconomic ◽  
Visual Elements ◽  
Healthy Habits

BACKGROUND Designing and implementing strategies using information technology to support programs that stimulate a healthy lifestyle in primary care plays an important role in the prevention of noncommunicable diseases. OBJECTIVE To understand user preferences related to the characteristics of an application that promotes and provides education on healthy habits in order to correctly design multimedia elements. METHODS Comprehensive qualitative study with an hermeneutical strategy, which gathered information using well-researched questions that were posed to focus groups consisting of 32 participants. These participants were asked for opinions related to multimedia elements to display educational messages about physical activity and healthy eating in a mobile application. Three analysis categories of multimedia elements: text, visual elements, and audio elements. RESULTS The majority of participants, 93.75%, are in the low socioeconomic stratum; 68.75% are in a civil union with their partner; 53.12% completed or failed to complete secondary school and 68.75% are housemakers. Based on the qualitative results, we found that mobile applications become mediating tools that support the adoption of actions that tend to improve lifestyles and increase knowledge about proper nutrition and physical activity. Message text used in mobile applications should promote the use of healthy habits and remind users of their benefits. Images and videos should be accompanied by text and audio to provide greater clarity regarding recommendations of healthy habits. CONCLUSIONS Technology serves as a complement to health care, improving the accessibility and availability of timely care and enabling customized health self-management.

scholarly journals Evaluation of the Small Changes, Healthy Habits Pilot Program: Its Influence on Healthy Eating and Physical Activity Behaviors of Adults in Louisiana

2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
pp. 251-262
Author(s):  
Praja Adhikari ◽  
Elizabeth Gollub
Keyword(s):  
Physical Activity ◽  
Healthy Eating ◽  
Food Selection ◽  
Good Health ◽  
Grocery Store ◽  
Data Sets ◽  
Sedentary Behaviors ◽  
Healthy Habits ◽  
Guidance Strategies ◽  
Before And After

The community-based Small Changes, Healthy Habits (SCHH) program was developed to teach skills and techniques to help adults in Louisiana make and maintain small behavioral changes in their food selection, preparation, and consumption, and in physical activity routines. The content of this four-week program included habit formation and goal setting techniques; physical activity guidance; strategies for a healthier home food environment; a grocery store tour focused on label reading for healthier food selections; basic knife and cooking skills. The program was piloted at ten sites throughout the state. A survey with 14 core items was applied before and after the program to evaluate participant acquisition of skills and behaviors associated with topic areas. A total of 47 participants provided complete data sets. Post-program, these participants reported increased confidence in preparing healthy meals at home (p = 0.04); changes in fats (p = 0.03) and salt (p = 0.01) intake; increased frequency of reading nutrition labels (32%); decreased frequency of meals eaten outside the home (Improvement Index = 0.27); and decreased time/day spent sitting (p < 0.05). These short-term results suggest that the SCHH program has potential to positively affect healthy eating and to reduce sedentary behaviors, both of which are fundamental to good health and wellness.

scholarly journals LA ACTIVIDAD FÍSICA Y DEPORTIVA COMO MEDIO PARA LA REDUCCIÓN DE LOS NIVELES DE DETERIORO COGNITIVO EN LAS PERSONAS MAYORES

2016 ◽  
Vol 1 (2) ◽  
pp. 465 ◽  
Author(s):  
Juan Miguel Fernández Campoy
Keyword(s):  
Quality Of Life ◽  
Physical Activity ◽  
Cognitive Impairment ◽  
Cognitive Decline ◽  
Healthy Lifestyle ◽  
Healthy Lifestyles ◽  
Calidad De Vida ◽  
Healthy Habits ◽  
Wide Range

Abstract.SPORT AND PHYSICAL ACTIVITY AS A MEANS FOR REDUCING LEVELS OF COGNITIVE DECLINE IN THE ELDERLY.Thanks to scientific knowledge, developed societies begin to assume that the population is growing significantly, which makes copper paramount importance in order to guarantee high levels of quality of life, articulation and implementation of a wide range of activities and programs that enable them to reduce their levels of cognitive impairment. It is in this context that the programs and activities of sport and physical activity are presented as outstanding instruments to ensure that older acquire and adopt efficient sports routines and healthy habits that will enable them to reduce their levels of cognitive decline and improve the quality of lifetime. From this situation, with this empirical study, we try to ascertain whether there is empirical evidence to affirm categorically that the combination of exercise and healthy lifestyle helps reduce levels of cognitive impairment in old age and therefore, to increase their quality of life. For this we used a descriptive methodology characterized by the use of qualitative instruments, such as the analysis of the main scientific studies on the subject, preceded the present. Although the data collected are not entirely decisive, it does shows that those elderly who manage to maintain significant levels of physical activity and sport and, moreover, are able to adopt healthy lifestyles will be able to maintain adequate health balance and, Consequently, a higher quality of life. interesting results are presented for future studies and research in this area continue to deepen. the desirability of the biggest sporting routines and adopt healthy lifestyles as a great strategy to ensure adequate health balance that enables them to increase their levels of perceived quality of life.Keywords: Health balance, cognitive impairment, elderly, programs and physical activities and sports, healthy lifestyle, quality of life.Resumen.Merced al conocimiento científico, las sociedades desarrolladas comienzan a asumir que la población mayor está creciendo de manera significativa, lo que hace que cobre una importancia capital, a fin de garantizarles altos niveles de calidad de vida, la articulación e implementación de una amplio abanico de actividades y programas que les posibiliten reducir sus niveles de deterioro cognitivo. Es precisamente en este contexto donde los programas y actividades de actividad física y deportiva se presentan como destacados instrumentos para garantizar que los mayores adquieran y adopten eficientes rutinas deportivas y hábitos de vida saludable que les posibiliten reducir sus niveles de deterioro cognitivo e incrementar su calidad de vida. A partir de esta situación, con el presente estudio empírico, se intenta comprobar si existen evidencias empíricas que permitan afirmar, con rotundidad, que la combinación de ejercicio físico y de hábitos de vida saludable contribuye a reducir los niveles de deterioro cognitivo durante la vejez y, por tanto, a incrementar su calidad de vida. Para ello se ha utilizado una metodología descriptiva caracterizada por el empleo de instrumentos de corte cualitativo, como son el análisis de los principales estudios científicos que, sobre la temática, han precedido al presente. Aunque los datos recopilados no son totalmente determinantes, sí que se aprecia que aquellos mayores que logran mantener importantes niveles de actividad física y deportiva y que, además, son capaces de adoptar hábitos de vida saludable van a conseguir mantener un adecuado equilibrio sanitario y, en consecuencia, una mayor calidad de vida. Se presentan resultados interesantes para futuros estudios e investigaciones que continúen profundizando en este ámbito. Se percibe la conveniencia de que los mayores adopten rutinas deportivas y hábitos de vida saludable como una gran estrategia para garantizarles un adecuado equilibrio sanitario que les posibilite incrementar sus niveles de calidad de vida.Palabras clave: Equilibrio sanitario, deterioro cognitivo, personas mayores, programas y actividades físicas y deportivas, hábitos de vida saludable, calidad de vida.

scholarly journals PHYSICAL ACTIVITY, HEALTH CONDITION AND LIFESTYLE OF ACADEMIC YOUTH

2019 ◽  
Vol 10 (2) ◽  
pp. 201-215
Author(s):  
Luba Jakubowska ◽  
Barbara Grabowska ◽  
Mariola Seń
Keyword(s):  
Physical Activity ◽  
Correlation Coefficient ◽  
Healthy Lifestyle ◽  
Nationwide Survey ◽  
Good Health ◽  
Health Condition ◽  
Lifestyle Factor ◽  
Research Survey ◽  
Medical University ◽  
The Relationship

Introduction: Living in the age of modern inventions one forgets about one of the best medications for many health problems, which is physical activity. In 2016, Kantar Public (Ministry of Sport and Tourism, 2016) announced that only one in five Poles aged 15-69 had an adequate level of physical activity. A CBOS (Centre for Public Opinion Research) survey conducted in 2014 showed that half of Poles weigh too much. For the development of lifestyle diseases, besides overweight, the wrong lifestyle also contributes (CBOS No. 122/2014). According to the WOBASZ (a multi-center nationwide survey of the health status of the population) survey, only 3% of Polish society is characterized by "an indicator of a healthy lifestyle" (Kwaśniewska, Kaczmarczyk-Chałas, Dziankowska-Zaborszczyk, Kucharczyk, Drygas, 2010). The role and task of physical activity at an early age, as well as at any other stage of life, is very important in the prevention of civilization diseases, which is why it is crucial to monitor it. Aim of the study: The aim of the study was to assess the relationship between the level of physical activity, state of health and the lifestyle of the academic youth. Material and methods: The research was carried out among students from three universities in Wrocław (n = 629): University of Wrocław (UWr), Wrocław University of Science and Technology (PWr) and Wrocław Medical University (UM). The study used self-constructed questionnaires: physical activity questionnaire, health questionnaire, lifestyle questionnaire. The following statistical analyzes of the results were used: Shapiro-Wilk test, Pearson chi-square test independence, post-hoc test, analysis of variance (ANOVA), correlation coefficient rank (Spearman) and Pearson's correlation coefficient. In the calculations, the package of computer programs STATISTICA v. 9.0 was used. Hypotheses verified at the level of p ≤0.05. Results: Health was the highest-rated one of the studied factors. In addition, it was found that as much as 67.7% of students from all universities represent a very good level of lifestyle. 68.4% of the respondents were characterized by a very good health potential. Research has shown that the physical activity of students from Medical University is at a higher level than students of PWr and UWr. Among the demographic variables, gender turned out to be important (men perform physical activity more often than women, while BMI and place of origin did not affect the physical activity of students). Studies have confirmed the relationship between all major variables (physical activity, lifestyle and health). The increase in the level of physical activity is accompanied by an increase in the level of lifestyle. A positive correlation between lifestyle factor and health condition was also observed.

Forms of physical activity of the elderly

2020 ◽  
Vol 18 (3) ◽  
pp. 221-228
Author(s):  
Piotr Czarnecki ◽  
◽  
Justyna Podgórska-Bednarz ◽  
Lidia Perenc ◽  
◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Physical Activity ◽  
Elderly People ◽  
Population Aging ◽  
Human Life ◽  
Good Health ◽  
The Elderly ◽  
Polish Society ◽  
Central Statistical ◽  
Key Phrases ◽  
The Impact

Introduction. Physical activity is known to be an important factor influencing health throughout human life. This issue has become crucial for public health due to the aging of the population in both developed and developing countries. Aim. is to present a literature review on the forms of physical activity undertaken by the elderly, as well as on issues related to physical activity and the population aging. Material and methods. The study was prepared on the basis of a review of Polish and foreign literature. The following databases and data sources were used: EBSCO, ScienceDirect and Google Scholar. An additional source of data were the websites of the Central Statistical Office. Strictly defined key phrases were used during the collection of literature. The work has been divided into thematic subsections on the aging of the society, the impact of physical activity on health and the main topic, i.e. forms of physical activity selected by the elderly. Analysis of the literature. The number of elderly people in Polish society has increased by almost 3.7 million over three decades. Therefore, an important topic is prophylaxis aimed at increasing the number of days in good health, largely covering the broadly understood activation of the elderly. The available data indicate that only 12% of elderly people undertake physical activity once a week. The most common form of spending free time actively is walking (as many as 73% of people in this population declare this form of physical activity in one of the presented studies). Conclusion. Organized forms of physical activity are undertaken much less frequently by the analyzed age group mainly due to financial limitations and limited availability of sports infrastructure.

Hygienic characteristics of the cosmetologists' lifestyle

2020 ◽  
Vol 60 (12) ◽  
pp. 958-963
Author(s):  
Natalia I. Latyshevskaya ◽  
Tatyana L. Yatsyshena ◽  
Elena L. Shestopalova ◽  
Irina Yu. Krainova
Keyword(s):  
Physical Activity ◽  
Risk Factors ◽  
Information And Communication Technologies ◽  
Health Risks ◽  
Healthy Lifestyle ◽  
Personal Hygiene ◽  
Risk Category ◽  
Essential Components ◽  
Group A ◽  
Group B

Modern trends in the deterioration of health and the growth of non-communicable diseases among the adult working-age population, including medical workers, actualize the importance of a healthy lifestyle for maintaining health and professional longevity. There were almost no studies related to cosmetologists' experienced group as representatives of aesthetic medicine. There is no scientific evidence on behavioral risks of this group. It justifies the relevance of this study. The study aims to analyze the essential components of the cosmetologists' lifestyle depending on age and the argumentation of priority behavioral health risk factors for preventive and recreational work justification. Sixty women (practicing cosmetologists in Volgograd at the age of 28-39 years (group A) and 40-53 (group B)) took part in the study. Lifestyle assessment included a modified questionnaire. The questionnaire consists of 5 blocks (block 1 - nutrition; 2 - physical activity, including hardening and active rest; 3 - daily regimen; 4 - personal hygiene; 5 - bad habits). It allows the analysis of the adherence to a healthy lifestyle based on the provision of quantitative data. Statistical data processing was carried out using the Excel package. The authors identified the essential and statistically significant differences in the cosmetologists' lifestyle depending on age. The respondents of group B demonstrated hygienically rational indicators in all blocks of the lifestyle more often. They had a more formed adherence to a healthy lifestyle: 504 answers in the category "insignificant risk" of respondents in group B versus 354 in group A. Distribution of answers in the "high risk" category: 119 responses in group B and 185 in group A. The lifestyle of 46.7% of the respondents in group B refers to a healthy lifestyle. 3.3% of the group B respondents have an anxious lifestyle, 50% have health risks. 10% of Group A respondents' lifestyle refers to a healthy lifestyle. 13.3% of Group A respondents' lifestyle refers to an anxious lifestyle; 76.7% of this group have health risks. There was almost no complex hygienic research profession of medical cosmetologists. Cosmetologists of the older age group (40-53 years old) are more conscious of maintaining a hygienically rational lifestyle. The most significant defects among cosmetologists aged 28-39 years are low physical activity, nutritional defects, insufficient duration of night rest, and excessive use of information and communication technologies for rest, accompanied by manifestations of neurotization and signs of pronounced fatigue. The obtained results argue the need to develop and implement informational and educational measures to prevent risk behavior patterns, taking into account the age of cosmetologists and the priority of the identified behavioral risk factors.

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