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Moderate Physical Activity (moderate + physical_activity)

Distribution by Scientific Domains

Medical Sciences	100%

Selected Abstracts

Moderate Physical Activity and Its Relationship to Select Measures of a Healthy Diet

THE JOURNAL OF RURAL HEALTH, Issue 2 2004
Frank Blakely MS
ABSTRACT: Context: In rural communities, physical activity may influence and predict nutritional behaviors. Purpose: The purpose of this investigation was to determine if an individual's stage of participation in moderate physical activity was related to select measures of a healthy diet. Methods: Data were collected using a mail-in survey from a random sample conducted in the rural/frontier communities of Idaho, Montana, and Wyoming. A total of 6 communities, 2 from each state, were surveyed with approximately 575 surveys sent to each community. The response rate was 51.5%. Findings: Regression analysis revealed that there was a significant difference (P<.05) in select measures of a healthy diet between those in the maintenance stage of moderate levels of physical activity (physically active for 6 months or more) and those in precontemplation (not currently active and with no intention of starting), contemplation (not currently active but considering starting within the next 6 months), and preparation (not currently active but taking steps to become active within the next 30 days). Those in maintenance had a healthier diet. Additionally, women, older people, those with at least some college education, and those who were employed had healthier diets. Conclusions: These results lend preliminary support to the idea that moderate physical activity could act as a gateway behavior, a behavior that, if adopted, could lead to the adoption of other healthy behaviors. However, additional research is needed to confirm the nature, if any, of this relationship. [source]

Factors affecting uptake of an education and physical activity programme for newly diagnosed type 2 diabetes

EUROPEAN DIABETES NURSING, Issue 1 2008
MPH Postgraduate Research Associate, S Visram BA Hons
Abstract Background: Intensive lifestyle intervention involving weight reduction and moderate physical activity has been shown to help regulate, and even prevent, type 2 diabetes. Aim: This study sought to explore factors affecting uptake of an education and physical activity programme for those diagnosed with type 2 diabetes. Method: Focus group discussions were conducted with individuals who completed the programme and semi-structured interviews were conducted with those who declined the invitation to attend. Data were analysed using a thematic framework approach and key similarities and differences between the groups were identified. Results: The 11 programme participants studied appeared to have received clearer messages about the severity of unmanaged diabetes, whereas the 10 non-attenders studied felt that co-morbidities posed greater risks to their health. There were major concerns among both groups about undertaking exercise, and strategies for diabetes management focused heavily on dietary modification. Conclusion: The findings of this study suggest that fears and lack of understanding about both diabetes and exercise can act as barriers to engaging in physical activity. These findings are supported by the literature and highlight the need for more tailored programmes of lifestyle intervention for those with type 2 diabetes. Copyright © 2008 FEND [source]

Dietary and Physical Activity Behaviors of Middle School Youth: The Youth Physical Activity and Nutrition Survey,

JOURNAL OF SCHOOL HEALTH, Issue 1 2008
Lauren B. Zapata MSPH
ABSTRACT Background:, Obesity has become a national epidemic among youth. Declining physical activity and poor nutrition contribute to this epidemic. The purpose of this study was to obtain data on middle school students' physical activity and nutrition knowledge and practices. Methods:, The Youth Physical Activity and Nutrition Survey was developed and distributed to a probability sample of Florida public middle schools (n = 73) in spring 2003, producing data from 4452 students in grades 6-8. Results:, Results showed that less than one fourth of youth met expert recommendations for daily fruit and vegetable intake and less than one fifth identified the daily fruit and vegetable serving recommendation. Less than half of students reported eating breakfast daily. More non-Hispanic black youth reported not engaging in vigorous or moderate physical activity during the previous 7 days, and more girls and Hispanic youth reported not attending any physical education classes during the average school week. Conclusion:, These findings demonstrate that dietary and physical activity behaviors and knowledge among these middle school youth are setting the stage for the obesity epidemic to continue. [source]

Exercise tolerance and daily life in McArdle's disease

MUSCLE AND NERVE, Issue 5 2005
Karen Ollivier MSc
Abstract McArdle's disease is a common disorder of muscle metabolism and is due to myophosphorylase deficiency. The major complaint of patients with this disease is effort intolerance. Although the clinical features of affected patients are well known, their daily lifestyle is not well documented. The main objective of this work was to assess their mean daily energy expenditure (DEE) and compare it with control subjects. Thirty patients and 87 control subjects completed a questionnaire. A 3-day self-record of daily physical activities was used to estimate the mean DEE for patients and control subjects. A separate section of the questionnaire was used to assess patients' clinical features and daily lifestyle. The DEE of patients (44.1 ± 6.9 kcal/kg) was not significantly different from control subjects (44.5 ± 5.6 kcal/kg). Half of the patients with McArdle's disease performed a daily physical leisure activity as sport, sometimes at a high level (17%). Despite large individual variation, physical abilities and patients' symptoms were negatively correlated. Physical leisure activity significantly decreased the sensation of muscle pain (P < 0.03). These findings show that patients with McArdle's disease do not have a strictly sedentary lifestyle. Moreover, physical exercise appears to have positive effects on the main clinical features, such as effort intolerance. Thus, regular, moderate physical activity may be beneficial in McArdle's disease. Muscle Nerve, 2005 [source]

Impact of an exercise and walking protocol on quality of life for elderly people with OA of the knee

PHYSIOTHERAPY RESEARCH INTERNATIONAL, Issue 3 2003
Rosângela Corrêa Dias
Abstract Background and Purpose The knee is the weight-bearing joint most commonly affected by osteoarthritis (OA). The symptoms of pain, morning stiffness of short duration and physical dysfunction in the activities of daily living (ADL) can have an effect on many aspects of health, affecting quality of life. Regular and moderate physical activity adapted to individuals' life-styles and education, and joint protection strategies have been advocated as conservative management. The purpose of the present study was to assess the impact of an exercise and walking protocol on the quality of life of elderly people with knee OA. Method The study design was a randomized controlled clinical trial. The subjects comprised 50 elderly people, aged 65 or more, with knee OA who had been referred to the geriatric outpatient unit for rehabilitation. Changes in severity of pain and quality of life were compared between a control group (CG) and an experimental group (EG). Both groups participated in an educational session and the EG also received a 12-week exercise and walking protocol. Both groups were assessed at baseline and after three and six months by an independent observer. The Lequesne Index of Knee OA Severity (LI), the Health Assessment Questionnaire (HAQ) and the Medical Outcomes Short-Form Health Survey (SF-36) were used as measurement instruments. Results In the CG, the measures of quality of life (SF-36), the HAQ and the LI between subjects did not yield statistically significant differences over the three measurement points. For the EG, there was a significant improvement in function, measured by HAQ, and decreasing OA symptom severity, measured by LI. For the SF-36 there were significant improvements in physical function, functional role limitation and pain. Comparisons between the groups showed statistically significant differences after three and six months for all measures, except for the SF-36 emotional domains. Conclusion The exercise protocol and walking programme had a positive effect on the quality of life of elderly individuals with knee OA. Copyright © 2003 Whurr Publishers Ltd. [source]