PubMed Health⌕ Search

SEARCH · PubMed Health

Results for “Sedentary Behavior”

Explore indexed PubMed citations for clinical trials, systematic reviews and public health research. Read source abstracts and follow each citation to its original PubMed record.

Quote a phrase for an exact phrase match. Source license links do not imply unrestricted reuse.

At least 973 records · Page 54Linked to original sources

Adolescent physical activity and health: a systematic review.

Physical activity in adolescence may contribute to the development of healthy adult lifestyles, helping reduce chronic disease incidence. However, definition of the optimal amount of physical activity in adolescence requires addressing a number of scientific challenges. This article reviews the evidence on short- and long-term health effects of adolescent physical activity. Systematic reviews of the literature were undertaken using a reference period between 2000 and 2004, based primarily on the MEDLINE/PubMed database. Relevant studies were identified by examination of titles, abstracts and full papers, according to inclusion criteria defined a priori. A conceptual framework is proposed to outline how adolescent physical activity may contribute to adult health, including the following pathways: (i) pathway A--tracking of physical activity from adolescence to adulthood; (ii) pathway B--direct influence of adolescent physical activity on adult morbidity; (iii) pathway C--role of physical activity in treating adolescent morbidity; and (iv) pathway D - short-term benefits of physical activity in adolescence on health. The literature reviews showed consistent evidence supporting pathway 'A', although the magnitude of the association appears to be moderate. Thus, there is an indirect effect on all health benefits resulting from adult physical activity. Regarding pathway 'B', adolescent physical activity seems to provide long-term benefits on bone health, breast cancer and sedentary behaviours. In terms of pathway 'C', water physical activities in adolescence are effective in the treatment of asthma, and exercise is recommended in the treatment of cystic fibrosis. Self-esteem is also positively affected by adolescent physical activity. Regarding pathway 'D', adolescent physical activity provides short-term benefits; the strongest evidence refers to bone and mental health. Appreciation of different mechanisms through which adolescent physical activity may influence adult health is essential for drawing recommendations; however, the amount of exercise needed for achieving different benefits may vary. Physical activity promotion must start in early life; although the 'how much' remains unknown and needs further research, the lifelong benefits of adolescent physical activity on adult health are unequivocal.

Adolescent↗

Relationship of dietary fat to age-related maculopathy in the Third National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the associations between dietary fat and age-related maculopathy (ARM) in persons 40 years or older who participated in the Third National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey. METHODS: We used a single, nonmydriatic, fundus photograph of 1 eye to ascertain ARM status in 7883 of 11 448 survey participants. Intake of fat was estimated from 24-hour recall, and specific sources of dietary fat were estimated from responses to food frequency questionnaires. Logistic regression was used to compute odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) that accounted for complex survey design, nonresponse, and potential risk factors for ARM (age, smoking, race, sex, body mass index, history of cardiovascular disease or hypertension, eye color, and sedentary lifestyle). Persons aged 40 to 79 years (n = 7405) were included in analyses for early ARM (n = 644); those 60 years or older (n = 4294) were included in analyses for late ARM (n = 53). RESULTS: After adjustment for age, race, eye color, and sedentary lifestyle, OR for early ARM was 1.4 (95% CI, 0.9-2.2; P for trend,.10) among persons in high vs low quintiles of total fat intake (percentage of total energy). Associations for specific types of fatty acids (as percentages of caloric intake) were in the same direction and unrelated to ARM. The OR for late ARM was 0.7 (95% CI, 0.2-2.6; P for trend,.60) in persons 60 years or older. Further adjustments for other potential confounders did not significantly affect the ORs. CONCLUSION: Age-related maculopathy was not significantly associated with dietary fat in this large cross-sectional survey.

Adult↗

The importance of the social environment for physically active lifestyle--results from an international study.

Physically active lifestyles are regularly associated with improved health and quality of life. Differences in lifestyles in society can partly be understood through the differences in the social and physical environment. This study examines the relationships between reported physical activity, and the extent of perceived support for physical activity in the physical and policy environment (e.g. facilities, programmes and other opportunities), and in the social environment. The data for the study come from a cross-cultural health policy study called MAREPS. In total, 3342 adults, 18 years or older, from six countries (Belgium, Finland, Germany, The Netherlands, Spain, Switzerland) were interviewed via telephone. Respondents were categorised as active or inactive according to self-reported physical activity. Social environmental factors and physical and policy environmental factors were also assessed. The analysis of the data was informed by social cognitive theory, although the study was not originally designed for this purpose. Sixty-eight percent of females and 70% of males were active. The proportions of active and inactive varied by countries to a great extent. The strongest independent predictor of being physically active was social environment. Those who perceived low social support from their personal environment (i.e. family, friends, school and workplace) were more than twice as likely to be sedentary compared to those who reported high social support from their personal environment. Specific knowledge of the programmes and actions for physical activity and sport was also a strong predictor of being active. A supportive physical and policy environment was not associated with participation in physical activity as strongly as had been anticipated. The variation between countries was stronger predictor of being active than the physical and policy environment variables. This study generates the hypotheses and raises the questions that in a preliminary way, there appears to be some relationships between aspects of physical and social environment and physical activity participation. However, future research is needed to refine and clarify this.

Adolescent↗

Effects of chronic exercise and imipramine on mRNA for BDNF after olfactory bulbectomy in rat.

We examined the effects of chronic activity wheel running and antidepressant treatment on brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) messenger RNA (mRNA) in multiple brain regions-hippocampal formation (HF), ventral tegmental area/substantia nigra (VTA/SN), nucleus accumbens (NAc), and piriform cortex (PFx)-after bilateral olfactory bulbectomy (OBX). Male, Long-Evans rats (n=72) underwent either sham or OBX surgery and were randomly divided into eight experimental groups in a 2 (sham vs. OBX) x 2 (sedentary vs. activity wheel)x2 (saline vs. imipramine) factorial design. Animals were killed after 21 days of treatment. Drug x exercise interaction effects were observed for HF (P=0.006-0.023) and VTA/SN (P=0.021); exercise increased BDNF mRNA in the saline treated animals but not in the imipramine treated animals. OBX did not affect BDNF mRNA in the HF or VTA/SN (P>0.05). BDNF mRNA levels in the PFx were not altered by exercise, drug, or OBX (P>0.05). These results suggest that the effect of exercise on BDNF mRNA extends beyond the HF to the mesolimbic ventral tegmental area and that the potentiation of BDNF mRNA by exercise and antidepressant pharmacotherapy, reported by other investigators, is time limited.

Animals↗

Variations in running activity and enzymatic adaptations in voluntary running rats.

The running behavior and biochemical markers of oxidative and glycolytic activities associated with voluntary running activity were studied in male Sprague-Dawley rats after 6 wk of training in exercise wheel cages. Twenty-four-hour recordings of running activity were used to quantify the number of individual running bouts, their duration and running speed, and the distance run per day. We then established three categories of voluntary running activity based on the mean distance run per day during the last 3 wk of training: low-activity runners averaged 2-5 km/day, medium runners 6-9 km/day, and high runners greater than 11 km/day. Each group demonstrated an intermittent, nocturnal running pattern, at relatively high intensities, with a similar mean running speed for all groups (avg approximately 45 m/min). Differences in total distance run per day were the result of variations in both the number and duration of individual running bouts. Specifically, high runners (n = 7) had 206 +/- 30 individual running bouts per 24 h, each lasting 87 +/- 7 s; medium runners (n = 7) 221 +/- 22 running bouts, lasting 47 +/- 5 s; and low runners (n = 7) 113 +/- 7 bouts, each lasting 40 +/- 7 s. Voluntary running depressed the rate of body weight gain compared with sedentary control rats, despite an increased food and water intake for all runners. Furthermore, drinking activity was temporally associated with running periods.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Animals↗

Healthy living does not reduce life satisfaction among physically handicapped persons.

Smoking, drinking, over-eating and sedentary living may be regarded as ways of compensating for losses inflicted by physical handicaps. Therefore, promoting healthy life-styles among physically handicapped persons may amount to reducing their life satisfaction. This article examines the life-style and life satisfaction of all self-reported somatically handicapped respondents 25-50 years of age in a mid-Norwegian county. Persons with physical handicaps had more unhealthy habits than the general population. But life-style was not related to degree of physical handicap. And quality of life among the physically handicapped was not associated with life-style. Efforts to promote healthy living may not threaten the quality of life of physically handicapped persons.

Activities of Daily Living↗

Physical activity for primary and secondary prevention. Position paper of the Working Group on Cardiac Rehabilitation and Exercise Physiology of the European Society of Cardiology.

There is now clear scientific evidence linking regular aerobic physical activity to a significant cardiovascular risk reduction, and a sedentary lifestyle is currently considered one of the five major risk factors for cardiovascular disease. In the European Union, available data seem to indicate that less than 50% of the citizens are involved in regular aerobic leisure-time and/or occupational physical activity, and that the observed increasing prevalence of obesity is associated with a sedentary lifestyle. It seems reasonable therefore to provide institutions, health services, and individuals with information able to implement effective strategies for the adoption of a physically active lifestyle and for helping people to effectively incorporate physical activity into their daily life both in the primary and the secondary prevention settings. This paper summarizes the available scientific evidence dealing with the relationship between physical activity and cardiovascular health in primary and secondary prevention, and focuses on the preventive effects of aerobic physical activity, whose health benefits have been extensively documented.

Cardiovascular Diseases↗

Cardiovascular disease-related knowledge and attitudes in a high-risk Australian population.

The population of Sydney's western suburbs has higher-than-average mortality rates of heart disease and has raised prevalence rates of the associated risk factors. To enquire into the cardiovascular disease-related knowledge, attitudes and behaviours of this population, a survey that used a multistage area-probability sampling method was conducted in May 1987. A total of 484 subjects was interviewed. The self-reported prevalence rates of angina, heart attacks, strokes and diabetes all were high compared with the rates from the Australia-wide National Heart Foundation's Risk Factor Prevalence Study in 1983. The rates of smoking, hypertension, high blood-lipid levels and sedentary life-style also were raised. Awareness of cardiovascular disease-related issues was high but detailed knowledge often was deficient. The majority of respondents reported having attempted to change their health-related behaviours. Of special note was the finding that 80% of current smokers had tried to quit smoking. The high level of awareness of the importance of making life-style changes, and the frequency with which attempts at behavioural changes were reported, suggest that improvements in the health of the population of Sydney's western suburbs will require two complementary strategies: the teaching of the skills that are needed to maintain healthy behaviours successfully and environmental changes to facilitate healthy life-style choices.

Adolescent↗

Changing the environment to promote health-enhancing physical activity.

Supportive environments have been used to change and influence health behaviours like smoking. While psychological and ecological theories and models demonstrate the possible influences of the environment on health-enhancing physical activity (HEPA), little is known about the effectiveness of the environmental interventions. This paper presents the results of a systematic review of studies that used environmental interventions to increase health-enhancing physical activity. Two groups of studies were found, studies that changed the physical environment by creating new HEPA facilities, policies and supporting mechanisms, and studies that used the elements of the environment as an active or sedentary 'point of choice', via educational materials to promote stair use. Environmental change studies showed a small increase on HEPA behaviour, but the relative impact of environment changes was not evaluated. A number of before and after studies have observed a weak effect of a simple environmental change to stimulate stair climbing while travelling or shopping. Current national policy has embraced the environment as an option for promoting health-enhancing physical activity, especially active travel, in spite of the lack of effectiveness data. It is recommended that existing or planned public health environment and HEPA initiatives should use appropriate evaluation methods to assess their efficacy and effectiveness. Further developmental research into the nature of the relationship of the environment to particular HEPA behaviours is strongly recommended before developing new environmental interventions.

Environment Design↗

Eating, exercise, and "thrifty" genotypes: connecting the dots toward an evolutionary understanding of modern chronic diseases.

Survival of Homo sapiens during evolution was dependent on the procurement of food, which in turn was dependent on physical activity. However, food supply was never consistent. Thus it is contended that the ancient hunter-gatherer had cycles of feast and famine, punctuated with obligate periods of physical activity and rest. Hence, gene selection in the Late-Paleolithic era was probably influenced by physical activity and rest. To ensure survival during periods of famine, certain genes evolved to regulate efficient intake and utilization of fuel stores. Such genes were termed "thrifty genes" in 1962. Furthermore, convincing evidence shows that this ancient genome has remained essentially unchanged over the past 10,000 years and certainly not changed in the past 40-100 years. Although the absolute caloric intake of modern-day humans is likely lower compared with our hunter-gatherer ancestors, it is nevertheless in positive caloric balance in the majority of the US adult population mainly due to the increased sedentary lifestyle in present society. We contend that the combination of continuous food abundance and physical inactivity eliminates the evolutionarily programmed biochemical cycles emanating from feast-famine and physical activity-rest cycles, which in turn abrogates the cycling of certain metabolic processes, ultimately resulting in metabolic derangements such as obesity and Type 2 diabetes. In this context, we postulate that perhaps a crucial mechanism to break the stall of the metabolic processes would be via exercise through the regulation of "physical activity genes," some of which may also be potential candidates for the "thrifty genes" of our hunter-gatherer ancestors. Therefore, the identification of such "thrifty gene" candidates would help provide insight into the pathogenetic processes of the numerous physical inactivity-mediated disorders.

Biological Evolution↗

31P-NMR spectroscopy and the metabolic properties of different muscle fibers.

To study the in vivo recruitment of different fiber types and their metabolic properties, 31P-nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy (31P-NMRS) of the human calf muscle was performed in seven normal sedentary subjects. In the exhaustive exercise protocol used, the work load was increased every minute during 5 min. This resulted in a prominent split of the Pi resonance in all subjects, indicating pH compartmentation in the muscles studied. From the chemical shift of the Pi peaks relative to phosphocreatine (PCr) at the end of the exercise, intracellular pH (pHi) averaged 6.92 +/- 0.05 (SD) in compartment 1 and 6.23 +/- 0.15 in compartment 2. The recovery of both Pi resonances after exercise could be followed easily in five of these subjects. The recovery rate of the Pi peak is a good estimate of the oxidative metabolism at the end of the exercise. A monoexponential regression analysis showed that the mean initial recovery rate S0 was 2.49 +/- 0.17%/s in compartment 1 and only 0.87 +/- 0.12%/s in compartment 2, indicating aerobic function three times higher in compartment 1 at the end of exercise. The mean relative ATP fraction dropped significantly (P less than 0.001), from 20.0 +/- 1.0% of the total 31P signal integral before exercise to 14.0 +/- 1.6% at the end of exercise. The simultaneous visualization of two compartments, in good order, one with high pHi and fast recovery and another with low pHi and slow recovery, is rationalized by the different metabolic behavior of type I and II fibers in human calf muscle in response to exhaustive exercise. This study demonstrates that 31P-NMRS is an excellent noninvasive procedure to quantify aerobic metabolism in both fiber types simultaneously.

Adenosine Triphosphate↗

Exploring the thrifty genotype's food-shortage assumptions: a cross-cultural comparison of ethnographic accounts of food security among foraging and agricultural societies.

The "thrifty genotype hypothesis" has become firmly entrenched as one of the orienting concepts in biomedical anthropology, since first being proposed by Neel (1962 Am. J. Hum. Genet. 14:353-362) over 40 years ago. Its influence on inquiries into the evolutionary origins of diabetes, lactose tolerance, and other metabolic disorders can hardly be underestimated, as evidenced by its continued citation in many top scientific and medical journals. However, its fundamental assumption, that foragers are more likely to experience regular and severe food shortages than sedentary agriculturalists, remains largely untested. The present report tests this assumption by making a cross-cultural statistical comparison of the quantity of available food and the frequency and extent of food shortages among 94 foraging and agricultural societies as reported in the ethnographic record. Our results indicate that there is no statistical difference (P < 0.05) in the quantity of available food, or the frequency or extent of food shortages in these reports between preindustrial foragers, recent foragers, and agriculturalists. The findings presented here add to a growing literature that calls into question assumptions about forager food insecurity and nutritional status in general, and ultimately, the very foundation of the thrifty genotype hypothesis: the presumed food shortages that selected for a "thrifty" metabolism in past foraging populations.

Agriculture↗

Women, nutrition and exercise: a review of athletes' intakes and a discussion of energy balance in active women.

Given the heightened interest in nutritional aspects of exercise, and an increase in athletic participation by women, it appeared timely to review the nutritional implications of exercise in women. The initial part of this paper contains a compilation of published studies on the nutrient intakes of female athletes. These reveal that most groups of athletes have adequate nutrient intakes, and that their vitamin and mineral intakes appear to be superior to those of nonathletic women. The average energy intake of athletes in studies summarized in this paper was 2069 kcal, and for certain groups of athletes, energy intakes were even lower. How these women manage to train intensely while consuming energy intakes similar to those of sedentary women is not readily apparent, and for this reason, the remainder of the paper discusses energy balance as affected by activity. Methodological considerations related to assessment of the components of the energy balance equation (food intake, energy expenditure, and body energy stores) are presented, with a focus on considerations in women. The effects of activity on each of these components are then discussed in an attempt to determine whether some form of energy conservation may occur. Finally, effects of activity on the menstrual cycle are reviewed. The observed changes are discussed in relation to nutrition 1) in terms of how nutrition may play a role in their causation; and 2) in terms of their nutritional implications for the amenorrheic athlete, specifically as regards energy balance and bone density.

Amenorrhea↗

Long-term effects of a lifestyle-change obesity treatment program with minorities.

OBESITY AND A SEDENTARY LIFESTYLE PLACES AMERICANS IN GENERAL, AND MINORITIES IN PARTICULAR, AT RISK FOR A NUMBER OF CHRONIC HEALTH PROBLEMS: cardiovascular and cerebrovascular disease, diabetes, and hypertension, to name a few. It is therefore concluded that walking or other energy-expending activities and a sensible diet are not only an efficient weight-loss approach, but the most effective long-term weight maintenance approach available to date. Moreover, the potential for enhanced psychological well-being, increased health benefits, and reduced risk factors is also far greater with diet and exercise than with diet alone.Practitioners concerned with improving the overall health status of obese minorities would be well advised to remember that dieting is a depriving experience, while walking and other aerobic activities can be an exhilarating experience that gives the obese individual another degree of freedom.

Adult↗

Pharmacological aspects of obesity treatment: towards the 21st century.

Obesity: a bio-behavioural-environmental phenomenon: Obesity is on the increase all over the world in technologically advanced countries, developing countries and rural communities. What is causing this upward drift in body weight? Can drugs do anything to ameliorate the situation? It is generally agreed that obesity results from genetic vulnerability combined with a provocative environmental situation. This provides the basis for a psychobiological interaction in which behaviour plays a key role. This is the case since it is behaviour which translates biological propensities into action on the environment, and it is behaviour which mediates (in part) the effect of the environment upon biology. Two particularly important behavioural aspects of the genes-environment interaction are low levels of physical activity (high sedentariness) and dietary habits which favour overconsumption (high intake of energy, particularly as fat). One continuing theme of research is the development of drugs to allow people to gain control over appetite by modifying eating patterns (dietary habits) through a number of possible mechanisms. The use of drugs to make people more willing or more able to engage in physical activity is not widely discussed although the use of drugs to increase total energy expenditure (via a variety of mechanisms) is actively researched. More than a decade ago Sullivan defined the framework for the development of anti-obesity drugs by specifying that drugs could act on energy intake, energy output or on those mechanisms involved in the assimilation and storage of lipids in the body.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Body Weight↗

Community center-based resistance training for the maintenance of glycemic control in adults with type 2 diabetes.

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to determine whether beneficial effects on glycemic control of an initial laboratory-supervised resistance training program could be sustained through a community center-based maintenance program. RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS: We studied 57 overweight (BMI >or=27 kg/m2) sedentary men and women aged 40-80 years with established (>6 months) type 2 diabetes. Initially, all participants attended a twice-weekly 2-month supervised resistance training program conducted in the exercise laboratory. Thereafter, participants undertook a resistance training maintenance program (2 times/week) for 12 months and were randomly assigned to carry this out either in a community fitness and recreation center (center) or in their domestic environment (home). Glycemic control (HbA1c [A1C]) was assessed at 0, 2, and 14 months. RESULTS: Pooling data from the two groups for the 2-month supervised resistance training program showed that compared with baseline, mean A1C fell by -0.4% [95% CI -0.6 to -0.2]. Within-group comparisons showed that A1C remained lower than baseline values at 14 months in the center group (-0.4% [-0.7 to -0.03]) but not in the home group (-0.1% [-0.4 to 0.3]). However, no between-group differences were observed at each time point. Changes in A1C during the maintenance period were positively associated with exercise adherence in the center group only. CONCLUSIONS: Center-based but not home-based resistance training was associated with the maintenance of modestly improved glycemic control from baseline, which was proportional to program adherence. Our findings emphasize the need to develop and test behavioral methods to promote healthy lifestyles including increased physical activity in adults with type 2 diabetes.

Adipose Tissue↗

Aerobic exercise and its impact on musculoskeletal pain in older adults: a 14 year prospective, longitudinal study.

We studied the long term impact of running and other aerobic exercise on musculoskeletal pain in a cohort of healthy aging male and female seniors who had been followed for 14 years. We conducted a prospective, longitudinal study in 866 Runners' Association members (n = 492) and community controls (n = 374). Subjects were also categorized as Ever-Runners (n = 565) and Never-Runners (n = 301) to include runners who had stopped running. Pain was the primary outcome measure and was assessed in annual surveys on a double-anchored visual analogue scale (0 to 100; 0 = no pain). Baseline differences between Runners' Association members and community controls and between Ever-Runners versus Never-Runners were compared using chi-square and t-tests. Statistical adjustments for age, body mass index (BMI), gender, health behaviors, history of arthritis and comorbid conditions were performed using generalized estimating equations. Runner's Association members were younger (62 versus 65 years, p < 0.05), had a lower BMI (22.9 versus 24.2, p < 0.05), and less arthritis (35% versus 41%, p > 0.05) than community controls. Runners' Association members averaged far more exercise minutes per week (314 versus 123, p < 0.05) and miles run per week (26 versus 2, p < 0.05) and tended to report more fractures (53% versus 47%, p > 0.05) than controls. Ever-Runners were younger (62 versus 66 years, p < 0.05), had lower BMI (23.0 versus 24.3, p < 0.05), and less arthritis (35% versus 43%, p < 0.05) than Never-Runners. Ever-Runners averaged more exercise minutes per week (291 versus 120, p < 0.05) and miles run per week (23 versus 1, p < 0.05) and reported a few more fractures (52% versus 48%, p > 0.05) than Never-Runners. Exercise was associated with significantly lower pain scores over time in the Runners' Association group after adjusting for gender, baseline BMI, and study attrition (p < 0.01). Similar differences were observed for Ever-Runners versus Never-Runners. Consistent exercise patterns over the long term in physically active seniors are associated with about 25% less musculoskeletal pain than reported by more sedentary controls, either by calendar year or by cumulative area-under-the-curve pain over average ages of 62 to 76 years.

Aged↗

Seeing in the dark: molecular approaches to the study of bat populations.

Whilst the use of molecular genetic techniques is widespread in the fields of population and evolutionary biology, their application within the mammalian order Chiroptera neither reflects the species richness nor the ecological and behavioural diversity of the order. This is despite the fact that the Chiroptera are problematic to study using more direct observational techniques. Here, we standardize and synthesise the current data, assess the contribution of molecular research to the study of bat species and highlight the importance of its continued and expanded use. At an inter-population level, molecular studies have demonstrated a great diversity of population genetic structure within the order. Among populations of migratory species, genetic structure appears universally low, and hence seasonal movement is likely to be the prevailing influence. However, for sedentary species an array of factors including dispersal ability, extrinsic barriers to gene flow and historical events may determine the extent of genetic partitioning among populations. Intrinsic factors such as wing morphology or roost requirements may also influence population genetic structure in sedentary bat species, a proposal which requires further research. Molecular studies have also made important contributions towards an understanding of social organisation in bats. Evidence indicates that in many polygynous species male mating success does not translate directly into reproductive success, perhaps as a result of multiple mating by females. Estimates of relatedness within and genetic structure among colonies are, in general, very low; a finding which has important implications regarding theories concerning the formation and persistence of bat social groups. Molecular studies have provided new and important insights into the ecology of bats, and have opened up exciting and previously unexplored avenues of research. The data from these studies suggest not only a predictive framework for future studies, but also the use of genetic data in the management and conservation of bat species.

Animal Migration↗