Body size dissatisfaction associated with dietary pattern,overweight, and physical activity in adolescents: A cross‐sectional study

This study analyzed the association of body size dissatisfaction with body mass index, dietary pattern, and physical activity in adolescents. A sample of 1074 participants between 10 and 17 years of age was recruited. Body size dissatisfaction was assessed with the silhouettes' scale. Dietary pattern, physical activity, and socioeconomic status were assessed with questionnaires. Body mass index was measured objectively. The prevalence of body size dissatisfaction was 77.0%, where 29.8% desired to increase body size and 47.2% desired to decrease body size. Adolescents who desired to increase body size were more likely to consume vegetables and sweets and less likely to be in the highest quartile of physical activity than satisfied adolescents. Adolescents who desired to reduce body size were more likely to report lower fruit and vegetable consumption than satisfied adolescents. Health actions aiming to reduce body dissatisfaction in adolescents should address improvement in dietary pattern and physical activity engagement, considering that desires to increase or decrease body size were differently associated in this study.     

Effects of sedentary behavior and physical activity on sleep quality in older people: A cross‐sectional study

The aim of this cross‐sectional study was to investigate the influence of replacing sedentary time with time engaged in one of two levels of physical activity on sleep quality using an isotemporal substitution model. The participants were 70 community‐dwelling older Japanese adults (approximately 70% female). Physical activity types were measured using a triaxial accelerometer and categorized based on intensity as sedentary, light‐intensity, and vigorous‐intensity. The Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index assessed subjective sleep quality. Objective sleep parameters were assessed using an actigraph. A series of multi‐linear regression models analyzed the statistical relationships. Our findings showed that replacing 30 min of sedentary activity per day with an equal period of light‐intensity physical activity significantly influenced sleep quality parameters. However, there was no significant difference in sleep quality when light‐intensity activity was replaced with vigorous‐intensity activity. Engaging in one activity type means less available time for other types of activity; habitual replacement of sedentary activity with light‐intensity physical activity might have long‐term benefits on the sleep quality of older people.     

Healthcare professionals knowledge on cancer‐related fatigue: A cross‐sectional survey in Oman

Cancer‐related fatigue is a common and distressing cancer symptom that negatively affects quality of life. The main objective of this study was to determine health professionals' knowledge relating to cancer patients' fatigue in Oman and identify current management practices of cancer‐related fatigue. A cross‐sectional survey design using Qualtrics® software was performed. The survey had five sections and comprised 32 items. A total of 138 healthcare professionals working in Oman participated in the study (response rate 63.9%). Nearly three quarters of the participants were nurses (74.6%, n = 103). The mean level of knowledge of cancer‐related fatigue was 16.6/23, with 50% of participants having the expected level of knowledge above 12. The result indicated that professional discipline and work experience each were significantly associated with overall level of knowledge. Participants identified the need for guidelines, assessment tools, and training for the oncology staff to help improve the quality of life of patients with cancer‐related fatigue.     

Personal characteristics,coping strategies,and resilience impact on compassion fatigue in critical care nurses: A cross‐sectional study

Compassion fatigue is known to impact the well‐being of nurses and patient safety outcomes. Currently, there is limited academic understanding of the role of demographic factors in contributing to compassion fatigue in critical care nurses. The aim of this study was to examine the relationship between nurse demographic characteristics and the development of compassion fatigue, as indicated by level of burnout and compassion satisfaction in critical care nurses in Saudi Arabia. The cross‐sectional study design included administering three surveys to critical care nurses (n = 321) in four Saudi public hospitals to examine the nurse demographic variables in relation to compassion fatigue, the compassion fatigue coping strategies of nurses, and nurse resilience. The results show both demographic and workplace structural elements, such as length of work shift, education level, and nationality, were all significant factors in resilience to compassion fatigue among Saudi critical care nurses, whereas factors of age and sex were not significant. This study concludes that the demographic characteristics of critical care nurses enable the identification of levels of compassion fatigue and compassion satisfaction, and their resilience to the effects of compassion fatigue.     

Motivation for physical activity and exercise in severe mental illness: A systematic review of cross‐sectional studies

Individuals with severe mental illness (SMI) are less physically active than the general population. One important barrier contributing to this inactivity is lack of motivation. The aim of this paper is to systematically review all cross‐sectional literature on motivation for physical activity among people with SMI and to use the results as basis for guidance on how mental health nurses can facilitate motivation for physical activity. Systematic searches of seven databases were conducted from database inception to February 2015. Studies were eligible if they included participants with SMI and reported data on motivation for physical activity. In total, 21 articles were included and over half them were published in 2011 or later. The present results indicate preliminary evidence of how the motivational processes do not differ between individuals with SMI and the general population, and that they are independent of diagnosis, medication, age, gender, and body mass index. Results from the current systematic review can give some tentative guidance on how to facilitate motivation for physical activity within mental health‐care. However, there is still a great need for developing and examining practical strategies that can enhance adoption and adherence of physical activity among people with SMI.     

Sleep characteristics,exercise capacity and physical activity in patients with chronic fatigue syndrome

Abstract

Purpose: Unrefreshing sleep and lowered physical activity are commonly observed in chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS) patients, but how they might influence each other remains unexplored. Therefore, this study simultaneously examined the exercise capacity, sleep characteristics and physical activity in CFS patients. Methods: Handgrip strength and cycle exercise capacity were assessed in 42 female CFS patients and 24 inactive control subjects. During four consecutive days and nights, energy expenditure, activity and sleep–wake pattern were objectively registered using a Sensewear Armband. Results: Exercise capacity was significantly lower in CFS patients. In both groups VO₂peak correlated with the time subjects were physically active. In CFS patients only, VO₂peak correlated negatively with sleeping during the day whilst physical activity level and energy expenditure correlated negatively with sleep latency and lying awake at night. Conclusions: In the present study, CFS patients with higher VO₂peak tend to sleep less over day. Occupation in physical activities was negatively associated with sleep latency and lying awake at night. Increased physical activity potentially has beneficial effects on sleep quality in CFS. However, a close monitoring of the effects of increasing physical activity is essential to avoid negative effects on the health status of patients.

• Implications for Rehabilitation

• Female patients with chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS) have normal sleep latency and sleep efficiency, but sleep more and spent more time in bed as compared to healthy inactive women.

• Female CFS patients have lower exercise capacity, and a lower physical activity level as compared to healthy inactive women.

• CFS patients appear to be more sensitive for sleep quality (sleep latency and lying awake at night), which is associated with a low physical activity level.

     

Compassion fatigue and satisfaction: A cross‐sectional survey among US healthcare workers

Professional quality of life among healthcare providers can impact the quality and safety of patient care. The purpose of this research was to investigate compassion satisfaction and compassion fatigue levels as measured by the Professional Quality of Life Scale self‐report instrument in a community hospital in the United States. A cross‐sectional survey study examined differences among 139 RNs, physicians, and nursing assistants. Relationships among individual and organizational variables were explored. Caregivers for critical patients scored significantly lower on the Professional Quality of Life subscale of burnout when compared with those working in a noncritical care unit. Linear regression results indicate that high sleep levels and employment in critical care areas are associated with less burnout. Identification of predictors can be used to design interventions that address modifiable risks.     

Quality of life,fatigue, and activity in Australians with chronic kidney disease: A longitudinal study

In this study we investigated the relationship between health‐related quality of life, fatigue, and activity levels of people with anemia secondary to chronic kidney disease over a 12 month period following the introduction of an erythropoietin‐stimulating agent. Using a longitudinal repeated‐measure design, 28 people with chronic kidney disease completed the Short Form‐36 Health Survey, Human Activity Profile and Fatigue Severity Scale at the commencement of an erythropoietin‐stimulating agent, and then at 3, 6, and 12 months. Over a 12 month period, a significant change was found for health‐related quality of life in relation to role–physical, vitality, mental health/emotional well‐being, and overall mental health. However, activity levels did not significantly improve during that time. Renal nurses in dialysis units and chronic kidney disease outpatient clinics have repeated and frequent contact with people with chronic kidney disease over long periods of time, and are in an ideal position to routinely assess fatigue and activity levels and to institute timely interventions to optimize health‐related quality of life and independent activity.     

Mental health nursing and physical health care: A cross‐sectional study of nurses' attitudes,practice, and perceived training needs for the physical health care of people with severe mental illness

Mental health nurses have a key role in improving the physical health of people with a serious mental illness, however, there have been few studies of their attitudes or the extent of their involvement in this work. The aim of this study was to examine mental health nurses' attitudes to physical health care and explore associations with their practice and training. A postal questionnaire survey including the Physical Health Attitude Scale for mental health nurses (PHASe) was used within a UK mental health trust. The 52% (n = 585) of staff who responded reported varying levels of physical health practice; this most frequently involved providing dietary and exercise advice and less frequently included advice regarding cancer screening and smoking cessation. Having received post‐registration physical health‐care training and working in inpatient settings was associated with greater reported involvement. More positive attitudes were also evident for nurses who had attended post‐registration physical health training or had an additional adult/general nursing qualification. Overall, the attitudes of mental health nurses towards physical health care appear positive and the willingness of nurses to take on these roles needs to be recognized. However, there are areas where nurses in our sample were more ambivalent such as cancer screening and smoking cessation.     

Patients want their doctors’ help to increase physical activity: a cross sectional study in general practice

BackgroundInactivity is prevalent in patients presenting in general practice, and the health benefits of increased physical activity (PA) are well known. Few studies have explored whether patients want their general practitioner’s (GPs) contribution in facilitating a lifestyle change.ObjectiveTo identify the characteristics of patients who expect help from their doctor in increasing levels of PA.DesignWe collected data via questionnaires for this cross-sectional study from general practices.SettingGeneral practices in Norway, during Spring 2019.SubjectsA total of 2104 consecutive patients (response rate 75%) participated.Main outcome measuresThe questionnaire included questions about self-rated health, level of physical activity, the desire to become more physically active, and questions about the role of the GP in increasing the level of physical activity in their patients. We analysed our data using Pearson chi-square and binary logistic regression.ResultsFemale patients were less active, but their motivation to increase activity and their expectations of receiving help from their doctor were similar to males. Younger patients were more motivated for increased activity, and to manage without help from their doctors. Impaired self-rated health (SRH) was associated with inactivity and, at the same time, with the motivation to become more active with help from general practitioners.ConclusionMost patients in the GPs’ office are physically inactive. This study revealed an important message for GPs: in clinical work, emphasise physical activity for health gains, especially for patients with impaired SRH.

Key Points

• Four out of five patients attending Norwegian general practice are inactive
• More than 85% of these patients want to increase their physical activity level
• More than 50% would like help from their GP to achieve this goal

     

Analyzing functional status and its correlates in Chinese centenarians: A cross‐sectional study

Factors affecting independence in basic and instrumental activities of daily living have been established in older adults, but not centenarians. The purpose of this study was to examine the state and factors affecting activities of daily living independence in centenarians who resided in Guangxi Province, China. A cross‐sectional design was used. Activities of daily living, physical activity, mobility, and physical performance were measured by the Population Study of ChINese Elderly study instruments, and demographics and cognition were assessed. Of the 228 participants, 57% were independent in basic activities of daily living and 5.7% in instrumental activities of daily living. Stepwise regression showed physical activity, cognition, calf circumference, and self‐reported health were associated with basic activities of daily living. Physical activity, mobility, cognition, and physical performance were correlated with instrumental activities of daily living. In conclusion, the Chinese centenarians showed impaired instrumental activities of daily living but mostly maintained basic functioning. Physical activity and cognition were associated with activities of daily living independence.     

Perceived family functioning in depressed Chinese couples: A cross‐sectional study

This study investigated family functioning in Chinese couples with a first episode of major depression, and in normal controls, and examined the association between depression severity and family impairment. Seventy‐four patients with a first episode of major depression and 73 normal controls, together with their respective spouses, were assessed using the Family Assessment Device and Beck Depression Inventory. Patients with a first episode of major depression reported significantly higher Family Assessment Device scores for all dimensions compared with normal controls. Beck Depression Inventory scores were positively associated with Family Assessment Device scores for patients with a first episode of major depression for five dimensions, but not for affective responsiveness and affective involvement. A first episode of major depression was thus associated with impaired family functioning in Chinese families, and depression severity was positively associated with family impairment for the depressed patients. These findings indicate the importance of including family interventions in the treatment of Chinese patients with a first episode of major depression.