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PubMed1996

Ethnic, socioeconomic, and sex differences in physical activity among adolescents.

Regular physical activity is recommended for health maintenance in adolescence, but basic descriptive epidemiological data are lacking for this age group. The present study examined socioeconomic status (SES), ethnic, and sex differences in physical activity in a multiethnic sample of 1871 high school students in San Diego, California. Surveys were completed in required classes by a diverse sample of students from a low-income school district and by Anglo students from a nearby more affluent district. Boys reported more vigorous exercise outside of school and during school physical education, as well as more participation in sports teams, but girls reported taking more activity-related lessons and classes. High-SES students had more frequent physical education classes, spent more time in vigorous exercise in those classes, and participated in more activity lessons outside of school. There were few ethnic differences on summary physical activity or physical education variables. There were no SES differences, but there were ethnic differences on 5 of 22 specific activities. Demographic differences in 25 psychological, social, and environmental variables that may influence physical activity were also examined. Differences between boys and girls were found on several variables, which may explain some of the boys' higher activity levels. Ethnic and/or SES differences were found in 10 of 25 potential correlates of physical activity. These data may be used to identify specific activities that may be preferred by subgroups of adolescents and specific mediating variables that can be targeted in physical activity promotion programs for adolescents.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2004

Promoting and maintaining physical activity in people with type 2 diabetes.

BACKGROUND: Limited research has investigated how to promote physical activity in people with type 2 diabetes. This study evaluated physical activity counseling over 12 months in people with type 2 diabetes. DESIGN: Participants were given standard exercise information and randomly assigned to receive physical activity counseling or not. Data were collected from September 2000 through to September 2002 and analyzed from October 2002 to February 2003. SETTING/PARTICIPANTS: Diabetes outpatient clinic. Seventy inactive people with type 2 diabetes. INTERVENTION: Physical activity counseling, based on the transtheoretical model, combined motivational theory and cognitive behavioral strategies into an individualized intervention to promote physical activity. Consultations were delivered at baseline and 6 months, with phone calls at 1 and 3 months post-consultation. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Changes from baseline at 12 months in physical activity (7-day recall and accelerometer), stages and processes of exercise behavior change. RESULTS: Between-group differences were recorded in physical activity (recall and accelerometer) at 12 months (p <0.01). Experimental participants significantly increased total activity (median difference, 115 minutes; 95% confidence interval [CI]=73-150 minutes). Control participants recorded no significant change (median difference, -15 minutes; 95% CI=-53-13 minutes). The accelerometer experimental participants recorded no significant change (mean difference, 416,632 counts; 95% CI=-27,743, 1,051,007 counts/week), while control participants recorded a significant decrease (mean difference, -669,061 counts; 95% CI=-1,292,285, -45,837 counts/week). At 12 months, more experimental participants compared to controls were in active stages of behavior(6-month chi(2)=26.4, p <0.01; 12-month chi(2)=19.9, p <0.01, respectively). Between-group differences were recorded at 12 months for the frequency of using all processes (p <0.01), except dramatic relief and stimulus control. CONCLUSIONS: Physical activity counseling was effective for promoting physical activity over 12 months in people with type 2 diabetes.

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy↗
PubMed2006

Goals and intentions mediate efficacy beliefs and declining physical activity in high school girls.

BACKGROUND: According to theory, girls who set goals about increasing their physical activity and who are dissatisfied with their current activity level are likely to form intentions to be active and to carry out those intentions, especially if they have high efficacy and control beliefs about being physically active. We tested those ideas while observing naturally occurring change during high school. METHODS: A cohort of 431 black and white girls was tested at the end of their 9th- and 12th-grade academic years. Confirmatory factor analysis established the structural invariance of the measures across the 3-year study period. Structural equation modeling and panel analysis were used to determine whether changes in goal setting and satisfaction would mediate relations of self-efficacy and perceived behavioral control with changes in intention and physical activity. Testing occurred between February and May in 1999 and 2004. Data were analyzed in 2006. RESULTS: Goal setting and intention mediated the indirect relation between self-efficacy and change in physical activity. Perceived behavioral control and physical activity change were related directly and also indirectly by a path mediated through satisfaction and intention. Black girls had lower self-efficacy, but changes in other variables were unrelated to race. CONCLUSIONS: These observations of longitudinal relations elaborate application of self-efficacy theory and the theory of planned behavior to physical activity by showing that goal setting and satisfaction mediate the relations of self-efficacy and perceived behavioral control with changes in intention and physical activity. The results encourage additional research to identify the sources and development of physical activity goals, and their attainment, among girls, and whether experimental manipulation of goals and intentions can mitigate the decline in girls' physical activity during high school.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2005

Decline in physical activity, disability and pain-related fear in sub-acute low back pain.

AIM OF INVESTIGATION: To evaluate whether a perceived decline in the level of physical activity after the onset of pain (PAD) is more appropriate in the explanation of disability as compared to the actual level of physical activity (PAL) in patients with sub-acute back pain. METHODS: Patients with 4-7 weeks of non-specific low back pain (LBP) participated in this study. Their habitual physical activity level before the back pain started (H-PAL), their actual level of physical activity (PAL) and their perceived decline in the level of physical activity after the onset of pain (PAD) were assessed. The association between these physical activity related variables and perceived disability (QBPDS), fear of movement/(re)injury (TSK), pain catastrophizing (PCS) and pain intensity (VAS) was examined. The role of PAD as a mediator in the association between fear of movement/(re)injury and disability was examined by three linear regression analyses. RESULTS: 123 patients (66 male and 57 female) with a mean age of 44.1 years (SD=10.3) participated in this study. PAD was significantly correlated with disability, fear of movement/(re)injury, pain catastrophizing and pain intensity. PAD and PAL appeared more important in the explanation of disability in the subgroup of patients who were physically active before their back pain started. Generally, PAD indeed mediated the association between fear of movement/(re)injury and disability. CONCLUSIONS: The perceived decline in physical activity, rather than the current physical activity itself is important in the evaluation of the impact of activity related changes on disability in low back pain.

Activities of Daily Living↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Fatigue and physical activity in older women after myocardial infarction.

BACKGROUND: Within 6 years of a myocardial infarction (MI) more women (35%) than men (18%) will have another MI. Participation in physical activity is one of the most effective methods to reduce cardiac risks; however, few older women participate. One of the most frequently reported barriers to physical activity is fatigue. OBJECTIVES: The specific aims of this study were to (1) describe factors related to fatigue in older women after MI and (2) examine the relationship of fatigue to physical activity in older women after MI. METHODS: This descriptive correlational study examined the effects of age, body mass index, comorbidities, sleep, beta-blocker medication, depression, and social support on fatigue and physical activity in women (N = 84), ages 65 to 88 years old, 6 to 12 months post-MI. All women had their height and weight measured and completed (1) a health form on comorbidities, physical activity, and medication history; (2) the Geriatric Depression Scale; (3) the Epworth Sleepiness Scale; (4) the Revised Piper Fatigue Scale; and (5) the Social Provisions Scale. RESULTS: The majority (67%) of the women reported fatigue that they perceived as different from fatigue before their MI. Moderately strong correlations were noted among depression, sleep, and fatigue, and multivariate analysis indicated that depression and sleep significantly accounted for 32.7% of the variance in fatigue. Although only 61% of the women reported participating in physical activity for exercise, most were meeting minimal kilocalories per week for secondary prevention. Fatigue was not significantly associated with participation in physical activity. CONCLUSION: Describing correlates to fatigue and older women's participation in physical activity after MI are important to develop interventions targeted at increasing women's participation in physical activity, thus decreasing their risk for recurrent MIs.

Adrenergic beta-Antagonists↗
PubMed2006

General self-concept and life satisfaction for boys with differing levels of physical coordination: the role of goal orientations and leisure participation.

Participation in leisure-time activities, self-concept perceptions and individual dispositional goal orientations were examined as mediators of relationships between physical coordination and self-evaluations of life satisfaction and general self-concept for 173 boys aged 10-13 years. Participants completed seven-day activity diaries and 12-month retrospective recall questionnaires recording participation in leisure-time activities. Self-report measures of self-concept, global life satisfaction and dispositional goal orientations were also completed. Results showed that boys with moderate to severe physical coordination difficulties had significantly lower self-concept perceptions of physical ability and appearance, peer and parent relations and general self-concept, as well as lower life satisfaction than boys with medium to high levels of physical coordination. The relationships between boys' physical coordination and their self-perceptions of life satisfaction and general self-concept were significantly influenced by individual self-concept appraisals of physical ability and appearance, peer and parent relations. Adopting task-oriented goals was found to positively change the relationship between physical coordination and both general self-concept and life satisfaction. Team sport participation positively mediated the relationship between physical coordination and life satisfaction. The potential for team sport participation and adoption of task-oriented goals to influence life satisfaction for boys with differing levels of physical coordination was discussed.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2006

The relationship between sedentary activities and physical inactivity among adolescents: results from the Canadian Community Health Survey.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the relationships between the time spent on sedentary activities (computer usage, video game playing, television viewing, and reading) and physical inactivity in a sample of youth (aged 12-19 years) from the 2000-2001 Canadian Community Health Survey. METHODS: The study sample included 7982 youth (4034 males, 3948 females) across Canada (mean age: 15.61 years, SD: 2.23 years). Weekly time spent on computers, video games, television, and reading during leisure-time was obtained through self-reported questionnaires. Physical inactivity was determined by respondents' daily energy expenditure assessed through a physical activity questionnaire. Multivariate logistic regression analysis was conducted to examine the relationship between sedentary activities and physical inactivity respectively by gender. Sociodemographic variables, health status, and overweight status were controlled in the analysis. RESULTS: A substantial proportion of Canadian youth was inactive: 50.3% of males and 67.8% of females. Controlling for sociodemographic variables, health status, and body mass index, television viewing was significantly associated with physical inactivity for both males and females regardless of their overweight status. However, computer usage was associated with physical activity among males, and reading was associated with physical activity among females. CONCLUSIONS: There is a complex inter-relationship between sedentary behaviors and physical inactivity, highlighting the need for targeted interventions addressing patterns of sedentary behavior engagement. Reducing time spent on television viewing may be one plausible strategy within such interventions in reducing physical inactivity among youth.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2006

Physical activity measurements affected participants' behavior in a randomized controlled trial.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: Assessing levels and determinants of physical activity as outcome measurements might have an independent effect on participant's physical activity behavior. The objective is to study this effect in a randomized controlled trial (RCT) promoting regular physical activity in Dutch general practice. METHODS: Using a Solomon four-group design, participants were randomized twice. After randomization to a control or intervention-condition at general practice level (N = 29), participants were randomized to a group participating in measurements at baseline, 2 and 6 months (3M-group, N = 361), or a group only participating in measurements at 6 months (1M-group, N = 356). Outcome measures assessed at 6 months included: level of physical activity (self-reported and objectively measured with accelerometry), meeting ACSM/CDC guideline for regular physical activity, stage of change, and determinants of physical activity. RESULTS: Follow-up data on 635 participants (89%) was collected. Statistically significant measurement effects were found for meeting the ACSM/CDC guideline (self-reported), self-efficacy for resisting relapse, knowledge, and on awareness. Other outcome measures showed positive trends, except stages of change. CONCLUSION: Measurements of physical activity affect participant's physical activity behavior, possibly triggered by a raised awareness about their own physical activity level. Implications for future research are discussed, as well as methodologic limitations of the study design.

Adult↗
PubMed2006

Lack of relationship between gait parameters and physical function in peripheral arterial disease.

OBJECTIVE: Physical function is limited in patients with peripheral arterial disease who are symptomatic with intermittent claudication (PAD-IC). When patients with PAD-IC experience claudication, previous reports have described gait abnormalities, including alterations in step length and cadence. This study tested the hypothesis that patients with PAD-IC would have a decrease in usual and maximal walking speed and that this alteration in gait parameters would contribute to their decreased physical function scores, even in the absence of claudication. The aims were to evaluate usual and maximal walking speed and gait parameters (step length, cadence and toe out angle) in subjects with PAD-IC and control subjects with similar baseline activity levels. METHOD: A cross-sectional study of 25 subjects with PAD-IC compared with 26 age-matched controls was conducted in a research laboratory in an academic medical center. Study subjects were similar in age, gender, and physical activity status. Subjects with PAD-IC had an ankle-brachial index <0.90 in at least one leg and reported symptoms of intermittent claudication that limited walking ability. Subjects in either group were excluded if they used assistive devices to walk or were limited in walking ability by orthopedic, neurologic, cardiac, or pulmonary symptoms. Gait parameters were assessed at the onset of walking (before the development of claudication pain in the PAD-IC group) at self-selected and maximal walking speeds during which step and stride characteristics were collected. Subjects completed a physical activity recall, a Short Form questionnaire (SF-36), and a 6-minute walk that was limited by claudication in the PAD-IC group. RESULTS: During gait testing, no patient with PAD-IC developed claudication. There were no significant differences between the PAD-IC and control groups in usual or maximal walking speed or other gait variables (step length, cadence, stride width, toe out angle). In contrast, the SF-36 physical function score was reduced 15.2 percentage points (P < .02) and the summary physical component score was reduced 6.7 percentage points in the PAD-IC group compared with controls (P = .002). In addition, the 6-minute walk distance was significantly less in the PAD-IC group than in the control group by 308.8 feet (P < .001). A series of bivariate analyses demonstrated that PAD-IC was the best predictor of reduced physical function, whereas no gait parameter was associated with reduced physical function. CONCLUSION: Patients with PAD-IC have significantly reduced 6-minute walk distance and reduced physical function by questionnaire scores that was not explained by any effects of PAD-IC on walking speed and selected gait parameters assessed before the onset of claudication pain.

Aged↗
PubMed2006

Randomized pilot test of a lifestyle physical activity intervention for breast cancer survivors.

OBJECTIVE: This paper will report the results of a pilot test of a 6-month, 21-session intervention to increase breast cancer survivors' physical activity by teaching them to incorporate short periods of moderate activity into their daily routines (lifestyle intervention). The effect of the intervention on physical performance, quality of life, and physical activity are reported. METHODS: Sixty breast cancer survivors were randomized to either a lifestyle intervention or a standard care control group. Physical performance, quality of life (Medical outcomes study short form-36 [SF-36]), and physical activity (7-day recall and motivation readiness), were assessed at baseline and 6 months. RESULTS: The lifestyle group had significantly better performance in the 6-min walk task than the controls (p=0.005) at 6 months. The intervention had positive effects on the bodily pain (p=0.020) and general health (p=0.006) subscales from the SF-36. The lifestyle group had a greater motivational readiness for physical activity at 6-month than standard care, but no significant differences were seen between the two in terms of number of minutes of moderate or more intense physical activity or number of days on which they did > or =30 min of moderate or more intense activity. CONCLUSIONS: Despite the small sample size, the lifestyle intervention showed promise for improving physical functioning and quality of life and increasing physical activity, and should be tested in a larger randomized trial. PRACTICE IMPLICATIONS: If the lifestyle approach is shown to be effective in a larger trial, it represents a highly feasible intervention that it can be delivered to cancer survivors by health care institutions or community organizations without dedicated exercise facilities and equipment.

Activities of Daily Living↗
PubMed2006

Integration of feeding and spontaneous physical activity: role for orexin.

Spontaneous physical activity is activity that is non-volitional, or subconscious, such as fidgeting and shifting in one's seat, and time spent moving (standing and ambulating). Recent evidence indicates that spontaneous physical activity, and the resulting thermogenesis (non-exercise activity thermogenesis) may be regulated by brain systems. A large number of brain areas, with their associated neurotransmitter populations and connectivity, participate in the regulation of feeding behavior by acting as energy sensing and modulating centers. Although less well characterized, it is likely that a multitude of neurotransmitters and brain areas act to mediate spontaneous physical activity. These two behaviors, feeding and spontaneous physical activity, affect energy intake and expenditure and thus are important to body weight. Interestingly, often the two behaviors are affected simultaneously; when feeding is affected, so too is spontaneous physical activity, and both food intake and physical activity (whether spontaneous or volitional) influence activity of brain areas important to both. Several brain areas and neuropeptides are important to feeding and spontaneous physical activity. The lateral hypothalamus is one area that appears important to both behaviors, as stimulation or lesion of this region produces alterations in feeding behavior and spontaneous physical activity. Orexin neurons, with their central location in the lateral hypothalamus, widespread projections and connectivity to other brain areas important to energy homeostasis, are well situated to perform an integrative function. This review focuses on how hypothalamic orexins participate in both feeding and spontaneous physical activity, and provides potential models for the integration of signals important to both.

Animals↗
PubMed2006

Physical abuse during pregnancy and risk of low-birthweight infants among aborigines in Taiwan.

OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to assess whether physical abuse during pregnancy is associated with an increased risk of giving birth to a low-birthweight (LBW) infant. STUDY DESIGN AND METHODS: A cross-sectional survey was conducted and 1143 aboriginal women were recruited into this study. The Abuse Assessment Screen was used to collect information regarding maternal physical abuse, and infants' birth weights were obtained from hospital medical records. Multiple logistic regression was used to estimate the association of LBW with physical abuse during pregnancy, adjusting for behavioural and sociodemographic variables. RESULTS: Of the women experiencing physical abuse during their recent pregnancy, 11.76% delivered a LBW infant, compared with 5.78% of women who did not experience physical abuse [odds ratio (OR) 1.97, 95% confidence intervals (CI) 1.07-3.63]. Physical abuse during pregnancy was also significantly associated with low weight gain in the prenatal period. Univariate analysis revealed that delivery of a LBW infant was associated with maternal alcohol use, maternal betel chewing and maternal educational level. Multiple logistic regression was performed, adjusting for prenatal weight gain, maternal height, maternal years of education, maternal alcohol use and maternal betel quid use. It was found that women who reported physical abuse with injuries during pregnancy had a 2.4-fold higher risk of delivering a LBW infant compared with women who did not report physical abuse with injuries (adjusted OR=2.43, 95%CI 1.06-5.55). CONCLUSIONS: These findings suggest that physical abuse during pregnancy is an independent risk factor for delivery of a LBW infant. Prenatal care for aboriginal women should be coupled with routine systematic screening for the presence of abuse during pregnancy, and adequate support and interventions for abused women.

Adult↗
PubMed2005

The somatising effect of clinical consultation: what patients and doctors say and do not say when patients present medically unexplained physical symptoms.

Patients with symptoms that doctors cannot explain by physical disease are common in primary care. That they receive disproportionate amounts of physical intervention, which is largely ineffective and sometimes iatrogenic, is usually attributed to patients' belief that they are physically diseased, their denial of psychological difficulties, and their demand for physical intervention. The evidence for this view has mainly been doctors' subjective reports. By observing what patients and doctors say in consultation, we tested hypotheses arising from recent qualitative evidence. In particular, that physical intervention is proposed more often by general practitioners (GPs) than by patients, that most patients indicate psychosocial needs, and that GPs offer little effective explanation or empathy. Consultations of 420 consecutive patients identified by British GPs as presenting medically unexplained symptoms (MUS) were audio-recorded, transcribed and coded, utterance-by-utterance, using a specially developed coding scheme based on the previous qualitative analyses of these kinds of consultation. Physical intervention was, as predicted, proposed more often by GPs than patients. Also as predicted, almost all patients provided cues concerning psychosocial difficulties or their need for explanation. Although, contrary to prediction, most GPs did provide explanations other than physical disease, most also suggested physical disease. Few GPs empathised. The findings suggest that the explanation for the high level of physical intervention for MUS lies in GPs' responses rather than patients' demands, and we propose that explanations for 'somatisation' should be sought in doctor-patient interaction rather than in patients' psychopathology.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2005

Perceived Neighborhood Environments and physical activity in adolescents.

BACKGROUND: There is a reason to believe that physical environments variables play an especially important role in the level of physical activity. Few studies have examined the association between environmental variables and level of physical activity in adolescents. OBJECTIVES: This study aims were: (1) to evaluate differences in perceived neighborhood environment according to physical activity level and (2) to determine which, if any, perceived neighborhood environmental variables were associated with reported physical activity levels in an adolescent population. METHODS: The sample comprised of 1123 adolescents, which were classified according to physical activity levels into actives (n = 589) and non-active (n = 534). A questionnaire assessed Perceived Neighborhood Environments. Physical activity was assessed by questionnaire and used as the dependent variable. RESULTS: More active children were reported to more significantly (P < 0.05) agree with the importance of the accessibility of shops, the social environment, neighbors with recreational facilities, and aesthetics. Logistic regression analysis showed that aesthetic (OR = 1.302; P = 0.05) and recreational facilities (OR = 1.297; P = 0.05) domains were related to being physically active. CONCLUSIONS: Some perceived neighborhood environmental attributes were found to be associated with level of physical activity in adolescents.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2007

Association between leisure-time physical activity and health-related quality of life changes over time.

OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to assess whether changes in leisure-time physical activity over 3 years are associated with changes in health-related quality of life. METHOD: Among the adults enrolled in the Supplementation en Vitamines et Minéraux Antioxidants study in France, 3891 completed the Modifiable Activity Questionnaire to assess leisure-time physical activity and the Medical Outcomes Study 36-item Short-Form to assess health-related quality of life in 1998 and 2001. Multivariate analyses involving logistic and linear regressions determined the association between changes in leisure-time physical activity and changes in health-related quality of life. RESULTS: Over 3 years, increased leisure-time physical activity was associated with high scores in health-related quality of life dimensions: physical functioning, mental health, vitality for both sexes as well as social functioning for women only. An increase of 1 h per week of leisure-time physical activity was associated with a 0.17- and 0.39-point increase in the vitality dimension in men and women, respectively. The mental component score was also increased in women increasing their leisure-time physical activity. CONCLUSION: The long-term association between leisure-time physical activity and health-related quality of life changes is limited and has little clinical significance, especially for men and for the physical health-related quality of life dimensions. The long-term association needs to be further explored before formulating public health recommendations.

Adult↗
PubMed1999

Disability, physical activity, and muscle strength in older women: the Women's Health and Aging Study.

OBJECTIVE: To study associations of motor disability, physical activity, and muscle strength in older women, in particular to investigate whether model of spiraling decrease is expressed in the data. DESIGN: Cross-sectional analysis using data from the baseline measurements of The Women's Health and Aging Study (WHAS). SETTING: Participants' homes. PARTICIPANTS: A total of 1,002 disabled women aged 65 years and older living in the community. OUTCOME MEASURES: Motor disability was measured by the number of self-reported difficulties in grasping, lifting 101b, walking across a small room, walking 1/4 mile, climbing 10 steps, and doing heavy housework. Level of physical activity was determined from response to a series of questions on the frequency and amount of common activities and physical exercise. Hand grip and knee extension forces were measured using portable hand-held dynamometers. RESULTS: Disability and physical activity were inversely associated, with inactivity being most common among the most disabled women. Those with poorer strength reported more difficulties in motor activities. Greater strength was found among the physically more active. In stratified analyses, the positive association of physical activity on knee extension strength was consistent across disability levels. Multiple regression analysis showed that both physical activity and muscle strength were significant predictors for severity of disability. Structural equation model (LISREL) showed that muscle strength had a mediating role between physical activity and disability; disability was associated with physical inactivity, which correlated with lower muscle strength, which was associated with greater degree of disability. CONCLUSION: Even though causality cannot be confirmed in this cross-sectional analysis, our findings suggested a spiraling model of decline in which muscle strength has a significant role.

Activities of Daily Living↗
PubMed1997

Relationship between changes in physical activity and plasma insulin during a 2.5-year follow-up study.

The association between changes in physical activity, body weight, and diet and fasting plasma insulin was analyzed in a 2.5-year follow-up study of 146 men aged 50 to 60 years. Physical activity was assessed by a 7-day physical activity recall interview, diet by a 4-day food record, and plasma insulin radioimmunologically. Total physical activity decreased from (mean +/- SD) 45.1 +/- 10.1 to 39.0 +/- 6.1 metabolic equivalent (MET) hours (METh).d-1 and conditioning physical activity (> 5.0 METs) from 8.0 +/- 11.2 to 2.7 +/- 5.0 METh.d-1, whereas plasma insulin increased from 8.2 +/- 5.8 to 9.2 +/- 6.7 mU.L-1 and body weight from 80.5 +/- 12.0 to 81.6 +/- 11.6 kg during the follow-up period (P < or = .001 for all). The change in conditioning physical activity correlated inversely (r = -.34, P < .001) and change in body weight positively (r = .42,P < .001) with the change in plasma insulin level. With data adjusted for the baseline insulin level, cardiovascular health status, alcohol intake, change in body weight, smoking, age, and follow-up time, the odds ratio for an increase in fasting plasma insulin was 8.9 (95% CI, 2.1 to 37.1; P = .003) for men with the greatest decrease in conditioning physical activity (< -7 METh) compared with men who reported an increase in conditioning physical activity. The same logistic regression model showed an odds ratio of 9.9 (95% CI, 2.1 to 45.4; P = .003) for the increase in plasma insulin for subjects who gained more than 3.3 kg body weight compared with subjects who lost at least 0.6 kg. Men who consumed at least 12 g.d-1 alcohol at both examinations had an odds ratio of 12.8 (95% CI, 1.7 to 94.5; P = .012) compared with nondrinkers. These data suggest that in middle-aged men, a reduction in physical activity increases the risk for increased plasma insulin independently of alcohol intake and changes in body weight.

Aging↗
PubMed2003

Association between physical activity and mental disorders among adults in the United States.

BACKGROUND: The objective of this study was to determine the association between regular physical activity and mental disorders among adults in the United States. METHODS: Multiple logistic regression analyses were used to compare the prevalence of mental disorders among those who did and did not report regular physical activity using data from the National Comorbidity Survey (n = 8098), a nationally representative sample of adults ages 15-54 in the United States. CONCLUSIONS: Slightly over one-half of adults reported regular physical activity (60.3%). Regular physical activity was associated with a significantly decreased prevalence of current major depression and anxiety disorders, but was not significantly associated with other affective, substance use, or psychotic disorders. The association between regular physical activity and lower prevalence of current major depression (OR = 0.75 (0.6,0.94)), panic attacks (OR = 0.73 (0.56, 0.96)), social phobia (OR = 0.65 (0.53, 0.8)), specific phobia (OR = 0.78 (0.63, 0.97)), and agoraphobia (OR = 0.64 (0.43, 0.94)) persisted after adjusting for differences in sociodemographic characteristics, self-reported physical disorders, and comorbid mental disorders. Self-reported frequency of physical activity also showed a dose-response relation with current mental disorders. DISCUSSION: These data document a negative association between regular physical activity and depressive and anxiety disorders among adults in the U.S. population. Future research that investigates the mechanism of this association using longitudinal data to examine the link between physical activity and incident and recurrent mental disorders across the lifespan is needed.

Adolescent↗