Relationships between exercise or physical activity and other health behaviors

Physical activity may indirectly influence health behaviors such as overeating, smoking, substance abuse, stress management, risk taking, and others. Substantial evidence indicates that physical activity is positively associated with weight control and caloric intake. The data weakly support the hypothesis that physical activity and smoking are negatively associated. Few data are available to evaluate the association between activity and alcohol consumption, alcoholism, substance abuse, stress management, preventive health behaviors, and risk-taking behavior.     

Associations between exercise and health behaviors in a community sample of working adults

BACKGROUND: The present study examined the associations between leisure-time exercise and a range of health behaviors and reports of illness and injury in a sample of community working adults. METHODS: The study population included 4907 women and 4136 men who completed surveys in 24 worksites in the Minneapolis-St. Paul metropolitan area. RESULTS: Participants in the study were ranked by gender according to their exercise score and grouped into quartiles. Women and men in the highest activity quartiles were more highly educated and were younger. High-activity men were more likely to be unmarried. Higher levels of leisure-time exercise were positively associated with seat belt use and inversely related to smoking, dietary fat intake, reported stress, and obesity. In men only, leisure-time exercise was related to greater reports of injuries resulting in restriction of usual activities. In women only, leisure-time exercise was positively associated with daily alcohol use. Most of the significant associations were seen in the two highest quartiles of exercise. CONCLUSIONS: These findings suggest that associations between leisure-time exercise and health behaviors occur at the higher levels of exercise and interventions may need to promote this higher level of leisure-time exercise to impact overall public health.     

Relation between physical activity and energy expenditure in a representative sample of young children

BACKGROUND: Strategies for the prevention and treatment of childhood obesity require a better understanding of the relation between the pattern of free-living physical activity and total energy expenditure (TEE). OBJECTIVE: We assessed the relations between TEE and physical activity level (PAL) during engagement in different intensities of physical activity. DESIGN: We used a cross-sectional study of 104 children (median age: 5.4 y) in Scotland. TEE was measured with use of doubly labeled water (DLW), and resting energy expenditure was predicted to determine PAL. Time spent sedentary and in light-intensity activity and in moderate- and vigorous-intensity physical activity (MVPA) was assessed by accelerometry concurrent with DLW measurements. Correlation and regression were used to assess the relations between measures of sedentary behavior, intensities of activity, and PAL as the dependent variable. RESULTS: Time spent sedentary was negatively correlated with PAL (r = -0.33, P < 0.01), and time spent in light-intensity activity was positively correlated with PAL (r = 0.31, P < 0.01). In multiple regression analyses, both time spent sedentary and in light-intensity activities were significantly associated with PAL. Time spent in MVPA was not associated with PAL; engagement in MVPA was limited in this sample (median: 3% of waking hours; range: 0-14%). PAL was significantly higher in boys than in girls. CONCLUSION: In this sample and setting, PAL was not influenced by engagement in MVPA but was influenced by time spent sedentary and in light-intensity activities. This study suggests that in young children, MVPA could make only a minor contribution to free-living TEE and PAL.     

青少年发展性资产与危害健康行为的关联

通过了解重庆市青少年发展性资产与危害健康行为间的关系,为青少年健康促进提供参考.方法 采用分层随机抽样方法选择重庆市12所中学,在每所学校随机选取初一至高三各1个班的学生进行问卷调查,共获得72个班级3513名研究对象,运用SPSS 17.0统计软件对数据进行处理.结果 重庆市中学生发展性资产总分为(37.34±9.81)分,外在资产为(18.44±7.21)分,内在资产为(18.99±6.33)分,皆为中等水平;中学生发展性资产最受家庭结构的影响,其次为母亲、父亲教育水平的影响,与性别、学段及家庭经济状况无关;中学生发展性资产、外在资产、内在资产及8项资产均与各项危害健康行为呈负相关(r=-0.64~-0.14,P值均<0.05);外在资产与内在资产对整体危害健康行为及各维度均有影响(OR=-0.39~-0.19,P值均<0.05),其中内在资产的影响广度与深度高于外在资产;中学生背景因素中,家庭结构对危害健康行为的影响力最大(OR=-0.16),其次为母亲教育水平,父亲教育水平次之,与中学生性别、学段及家庭经济状况无关.结论 应强化青少年外在资产、内在资产及学习投入资产,以促进其健康成长.     

Associations of self-reported oral health with physical and mental health in a nationally representative sample of HIV persons receiving medical care

Background: The impact of oral health on HIV patients has not been sufficiently documented. Objective: To estimate the associations between measures of oral and generic health-related quality of life in persons receiving medical care for HIV. Design: This is a longitudinal study of interview data collected in a probability sample of adults with HIV receiving health care in the US. The data were collected at three points in time. Patients: Two thousand eight hundred and sixty-four HIV-infected adults using medical care. Measurements: Physical and mental health were assessed using 28 items and oral health was assessed using seven items on oral-related pain and discomfort, worry, appearance, and function. Clinical measures included CD4 count, oral symptoms, physical symptoms, and stage of HIV. Physical functioning and emotional well-being were measured on a 0–100 scale with higher scores indicating better health. Oral health was measured using seven items with a five point scale. Results: In multivariate analyses, oral symptoms had the strongest association with oral health-related quality of life. Each additional oral symptom was associated with an average decrease in oral health (0–100 possible range) of 3.97 points (p = 0.000). In addition, oral health was significantly associated with both physical and mental health. A one-point increase in oral health was associated with a 0.05 (p = 0.000) increase in mental health and 0.02 increase in physical health (p = 0.031). Conclusions: Oral health is strongly associated with physical and mental health but provides noteworthy unique information in persons with HIV infection. Thus, physical and mental health measures of HIV patients should incorporate indicators of oral functioning and well-being.     

宁波市中学生体力活动与行为危险因素关系分析

探讨青少年学生行为危险因素对体力活动水平的影响,为提高青少年健康水平提供依据.方法 采用分层整群随机抽样方法,在宁波市内抽取3个县(区)市,再从抽中的县(区)市所有中学(初中、高中)中随机抽样49个班级的2 161名学生,进行问卷调查.结果 单因素分析发现,是否每天看电视、有无打架受伤和喝汽水饮料行为在不同体力活动水平学生中的报告率差异有统计学意义(P值均<0.05).Logistic回归分析发现,年龄、性别、看电视情况对不同体力活动水平影响存在统计学意义(x2=121.01,P=0.00,R2=0.12).结论 每天看电视是青少年学生体力活动的危险因素.应针对青少年体力活动水平的危险因素进行干预,提高青少年健康水平.     

Associations between physical activity and mental health and behaviour in early adolescence

BackgroundWe examined associations between objectively-measured physical activity, depressive-symptoms, and emotional and behavioural difficulties in adolescents from a UK cohort.MethodData from 4755 participants (45% male) from the Avon Longitudinal Study of Parents and Children (ALSPAC) with physical activity assessed by accelerometry at age 11 was analysed. Indication of depressive symptoms (Short Moods and Feelings questionnaire) were obtained from parental reports at age 11 and self-reports at age 13. Behavioural and emotional problems were assessed by parents and teachers at age 11 and 13 using the Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire (SDQ).ResultsAt age 11, males averaged 29 minutes (SD = 17) of daily moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA) compared with 18 minutes (SD = 12) among females. Higher MVPA at age 11 was associated with decreased depressive-symptoms in females at age 11 after adjusting for confounders. Among males, a positive change in MVPA between the ages of 11 and 13 was associated with a reduction in depressive symptoms. Negative associations were also found between MVPA at age 11 and the emotional symptoms scale of the SDQ at age 11 and age 13 in females. Higher MVPA predicted a decreased score on the hyperactivity subscale of the SDQ at 11 and 13 for both sexes. All effect sizes were small.ConclusionsHigher MVPA was associated with reduced depressive symptoms, behavioural and emotional-difficulties in early adolescence, however the magnitude of effects was small. Efforts to support MVPA in this age group are therefore warranted.     

Relationships between leisure time physical activity for exercise and other health-related behaviors

Summary In this article the relationships between physical activity for exercise and other health-related behaviors is studied. The data analyzed were collected during 1991 by telephone in Glasgow and Edinburgh and concern 2418 male and 3053 female respondents between 18 and 60 years of age. In the analysis, respondents who reported exercising less than once in the previous week were contrasted with respondents who reported exercising more often. Compared with respondents exercising less often, respondents who reported exercising more often reported being smokers and adding salt to their food significantly less often, and more often reported drinking alcohol, using low-fat spread and engaging in weight-losing behavior. No significant relation was found between physical activity for exercise and seat-belt use among males and blood pressure checking among males and females.

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Beziehungen zwischen körperlich-sportlicher Freizeitaktivität und anderen gesundheitsassoziierten Verhaltensfaktoren

Zusammenfassung Dieser Artikel präsentiert eine Analyse der Beziehungen zwischen körperlich-sportlicher Freizeit-aktivität und anderen gesundheitsassoziierten Lebensstilfaktoren. Die vorliegenden Daten wurden im Jahre 1991 mittels Telephoninterview in Glasgow und Edinburgh (Schottland) bei 2418 Männern sowie 3053 Frauen im Alter zwischen 18 und 60 Jahren erhoben. In der Auswertung wurden alle Personen mit weniger als ein Mal wöchentlicher körperlich-sportlicher Freizeitaktivität mit allen Personen mit häufiger sportlicher Betätigung verglichen. Im Vergleich zu den weniger aktiven Personen waren die Aktiveren (Selbstangaben) signifikant seltener Raucher, fügten signifikant seltener dem Essen Salz bei, gaben häufiger Alkoholkonsum, Verwendung eines fettarmen Brotaufstrichs sowie Anstrengungen zur Gewichtsreduktion an. Keine signifikante Beziehung resultierte zwischen körperlich-sportlicher Freizeitaktivität und 1) Tragen der Sicherheitsgurten bei den Männern sowie 2) Blutdruckkontrolle bei Männern und Frauen.

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Relations entre les activités sportives de loisirs et d'autres facteurs comportementaux ayant attrait à la santé

Résumé Cet article présente une analyse des relations entre l'activité sportive pendant les loisirs et d'autres comportements ayant attrait à la santé. Les données présentées ont été récoltées par interview téléphonique auprès de 2418 hommes et de 3053 femmes agés de 16 à 60 ans à Glasgow et à Edinburgh (Ecosse) en 1991. L'analyse compare des personnes ayant eu moins d'une activité sportive de loisir durant la semaine précédant l'interview aux sujets ayant des activités sportives plus fréquentes. Les personnes plus actives se désignaient moins souvent comme fumeur, ajoutaient de faion significative moins souvent du sel au repas, déclaraient plus fréquemment consommer de l'alcool, l'utilisation de produits à tartiner pauvres en calories, et elles faisaient des efforts pour réduire leur poids. Une relation significative entre l'activité sportive de loisirs, le port de ceintures de securité dans la voiture chez les hommes et les contrôles de tension artérielle dans les deux sexes n'a pas été constatée.

     

The relationship between physical activity and mental health in a national sample of college females

The objective of the present analysis was to examine the relationship between vigorous/moderate or strength training exercise, and mental health in a national sample of college females. Secondary data (n = 22,073) from the National College Health Assessment administered during the Spring 2002 and 2003 semesters were used in a cross-sectional design. Depression, anxiety, suicidal ideation, and perceived health were the dependent variables; and two measures of weekly exercise frequency were the independent variables. Vigorous/moderate exercise was associated with positively associated perceived health and modestly negatively associated with depression. Strength training exercise was positively associated with perceived health and modestly negatively associated with depression, anxiety, and suicidal ideation. These findings support an association between two forms of exercise and several indicators of mental health. Additional longitudinal research is needed prior to endorsing exercise as treatment for mental disorders.     

Stages of change for physical activity in a community sample of adolescents

The aims of the present study were to investigate (1) the proportion of adolescents in each of the stages of change, (2) the differences in psychosocial factors and in physical activity between the stages, and (3) the classification accuracy using several reference criteria. A random sample of 38 schools from the Flemish community in Belgium resulted in a sample of 5931 adolescents (mean age=14.8, range 12-18, 61% females). All adolescents completed a computerized questionnaire assessing demographic variables, physical activity, physical activity determinants and stages of change. Distribution across the stages was: precontemplation, n=684 (11.5%); contemplation, n=948 (16.0%); preparation, n=818 (13.8%); action, n=492 (8.3%); and maintenance, n=2989 (50.4%). Analyses revealed gender and age differences (P<0.001), with girls and older adolescents being more prevalent in the first three stages. Differences between the stages of change were related to higher levels of physical activity of different intensity and within different contexts (P<0.001), together with more favorable psychosocial determinants related to physical activity (P<0.001). No differences between stages were found for sedentary activities. Three subgroups of adolescents were identified based on psychosocial determinants and physical activity levels. About 71% of the adolescents placed themselves in a stage which was in accordance with their self-reported level of physical activity.     

Age-related health risk behaviors of adolescents with physical disabilities

Objective: To investigate age-related differences in health risk behaviors in 11–12-, 13–14-, and 15–16-year-old adolescents with physical disabilities.Method: Health survey data from 319 adolescents with physical disabilities were compared with the same data from 7 020 adolescents in a national sample.     

Associations between physical activity and fat mass in adolescents: the Stockholm Weight Development Study

BACKGROUND: Obesity is multifactorial. However, the accumulation of fat mass (FM) is proposed to be due to a positive energy balance, which may be caused by reduced physical activity (PA). OBJECTIVE: The objectives of the study were to describe the independent associations between PA and FM in adolescents and to describe the intergenerational association of FM between mothers and their offspring. DESIGN: We conducted a cross-sectional study in 445 (190 M, 255 F) 17-y-old adolescents and their mothers. PA was assessed with a self-reported questionnaire and validated by comparison with accelerometric data in a subsample of the cohort. Body composition was measured by using air-displacement plethysmography. RESULTS: Males were significantly more active than were females (P<0.01). PA was significantly and inversely associated with FM (beta=-3.63, P=0.005) and percentage FM (beta=-3.117, P=0.017) in males but not in females (beta=-0.576, P=0.54; beta=-0.532, P=0.59, respectively) after adjustment for birth weight and maternal FM and education level. However, FM and percentage FM in females were significantly associated with maternal FM (beta=0.159, P<0.0001; beta=0.145, P=0.002, respectively) and education level (beta=-1.048, P<0.005; beta=-1.085, P=0.006, respectively). No such associations were observed in males. CONCLUSIONS: PA was independently associated with FM in males but not in females. The data also showed an intergenerational association of FM between mothers and their daughters but not between mothers and their sons.     

Effects of reallocating physical activity,sedentary behaviors,and sleep on mental health in adolescents

ObjectivePhysical activity, sedentary behavior, and sleep are associated with mental health in adolescents. Mental health may depend not only on the amount of time spent in a specific activity, but also on the activity it displaces. The aim of this study was to examine the impact of reallocating 15 min of time spent in one health behavior with 15 min in another on adolescent mental health.MethodsCross-sectional data from the students participating in the COMPASS Study (2018–2019) were analyzed (N = 46,413). Participants self-reported the amount of time they spent engaged in moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA), doing homework and using screens, and their sleep duration on average each day, depressive symptoms, anxiety, and flourishing. Data were analyzed using isotemporal substitution modeling.ResultsAmong adolescents getting less than the recommended amount of sleep, replacing any behavior with sleep was generally associated with better mental health outcomes. Conversely, among adolescents getting adequate sleep, the findings did not support replacing other behaviors with sleep with the exception of screen time. Replacing homework and MVPA with sleep was associated with less flourishing regardless of sleep duration.ConclusionsReplacing screen time with any behavior may be better for mental health outcomes. Results provide further support for the critical role of sleep in promoting healthy development during adolescence, though more sleep than is recommended may confer little benefit for mental health. The findings demonstrate that mental health benefits may be obtainable at intervals as short as 15 min.     

Patterns and correlates of physical activity and nutrition behaviors in adolescents

BACKGROUND: Knowledge of the prevalence, clustering, and correlates of multiple adolescent health behaviors can inform the design of health promotion interventions. METHODS: A cross-sectional design was used to assess 878 adolescents aged 11 to 15 years (53.6% girls, 58% non-Hispanic white) recruited in primary care clinics in 2001-2002. Adolescent physical activity (assessed with accelerometers), television viewing time (reported), percent calories from fat, and servings of fruits and vegetables (assessed with multiple 24-hour recalls) were dichotomized into meeting or not meeting national guidelines. Parent health behaviors were assessed with self-reported measures. Analyses were conducted in 2006. RESULTS: Fifty-five percent of adolescents did not meet the physical activity guideline, and 30% exceeded 2 hours daily of television viewing time, with boys more active and less sedentary than girls (p <0.01). The majority of the adolescents did not meet dietary guidelines. Nearly 80% had multiple risk behaviors and only 2% met all four guidelines. The number of risk behaviors was associated with being older and being at risk for overweight or being overweight, for boys and girls (p <0.05). Two parent health behaviors-history of smoking and failure to meet the fruits and vegetables guideline-were significantly associated with a higher number of risk behaviors for girls (p <0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Eight of ten adolescents in this sample failed to meet guidelines for two or more diet, physical activity, and sedentary risk behaviors. Some parent health behaviors, along with the adolescent's weight status and age, were associated with a higher number of adolescent health risk behaviors.     

Job stress and other working conditions: Relationships with smoking behaviors in a representative sample of working Australians

OBJECTIVES: To assess the relationships between current smoking status and psychosocial working conditions. METHODS: A cross-sectional population-based telephone survey was conducted (66% response rate, N = 1,101). Job stress was measured using the demand/control, effort/reward imbalance (ERI), and job pressure models. Multiple regression modelling was conducted for smoking status (current versus non-smokers, and a more restricted analysis of current versus former-smokers) and daily smoking intensity outcomes in relation to job stress measures, working hours, shift work, and other independent variables. RESULTS: After adjustment for age, education, martial status, and hostility, high job strain was positively associated with current smoking in men only. Employment in active jobs was associated with decreased odds of smoking among women only. High strain jobs were associated with decreased odds of current smoking compared to former smoking in women. In men, extreme and moderate job pressure were related to current smoking compared to current non-smoking, and moderate job pressure was associated with current smoking compared with former smokers. Other working conditions associated with smoking were excessive working hours in men and physical demand in women. Daily smoking intensity in current smokers was associated with high psychological demand and with ERI in women. CONCLUSIONS: These results suggest that job stress is related to smoking status at the population level, with different patterns in men and women.