Sedentariness and overweight in relation to mortality in Sub-Saharan Africa. A Mediation analysis based on the WHO-Global Health Observatory Data Repository

Aims: The aim of the study was to investigate the complex mediation analysis between physical inactivity and overweight in relation to mortality. Methods: The study is based on public data collected by the Global Health Observatory (GHO) of the World Health Organisation. Results: We showed that the median early mortality attributable to NCDs during the period 2016 - 2019 in both men and women all together was 23.2% (5th to 95th range = 17.2, 35.6) while that in men alone was 25.1% (16.5, 45.7) and that of women was 22.0% (17.0, 27.9). When considering regional early NCDs mortality for both men and women, a systematically high median was observed in Southern Africa (28.7% (22.2, 43.8)) and a low median in Eastern Africa (21.1% (17.15, 27.3)). The analysis of the overall relation between physical inactivity, overweight and early mortality due to NCDs revealed a statistical significance of the direct association between physical inactivity and early mortality due to NCDs. Conclusion: Our findings revealed three main epidemiological and public health concerns. First, an early mortality attributable to NCDs in a range of about 20% to 30% across the SSA regions for both sexes were observed. Second, there was a direct effect between physical inactivity and early NCDs mortality as well as for the indirect effect mediated by overweight. Finally, a percentage point decrease of physical inactivity prevalence and overweight could effectively generate a reduction of mortality due to NCDs. Future studies are needed to confirm the scientific evidence observed in this study. Such studies should be based on observation of individual subjects, adopt a longitudinal design, and collect information that evaluate the complex relation between physical inactivity and early NCDs mortality, along with the role of overweight as a possible mediator.

Effects of COVID-19 lockdown on physical, mental and emotional parameters among sportspersons

Background: The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) lockdown was a strange and new occurrence, which left many individuals ill-equipped to cope with the new way of living. Sportspersons had to adapt to a new training style within a new environment, both physically and mentally. Aim: The purpose of this study was to understand the physical, mental and emotional parameters among sportspersons during the COVID-19 lockdown regulations. Setting: The study consisted of 105 regular sportspersons (from South Africa). Methods: This was a quantitative research study design using an online questionnaire. An online questionnaire was adapted and distributed via online social platforms (WhatsApp, Twitter and Instagram) to collect data in which sportspersons (n = 105) answered questions about the effects that they experienced during lockdown on their physical, mental and emotional well-being. Results: Sportspersons participated in cardiovascular training, flexibility training, strength training and bodybuilding exercises during pre-lockdown. During lockdown, more than 74% of sportspersons had adequate training space, equipment and the time to perform physical activity. However, more than 43% of these sportspersons experienced a decrease in flexibility, muscle mass and muscle strength. Exercise was used as a form of stress relief by 77.1% of sportspersons throughout lockdown. In addition, sportspersons who used exercise as a form of stress relief continued to experience an increase in stress throughout lockdown. Conclusion: The outcomes from this study demonstrated how the COVID-19 lockdown had adverse effects on the overall health and well-being of most sportspersons. Other outcomes included the effects that physical inactivity had among sportspersons, including changes in diet and sleep. Contribution: This study highlights the urgency for the sports fraternity to adopt measures to provide various methods of stress relief (as well as opportunities for physical activity) during similar periods of lockdown (or exercise restrictions) for those who rely on exercise as their daily physical, mental and emotional outlet.

Prevalence of physical activity and dietary patterns as risk factors for cardiovascular diseases among semi-urban dwellers in Ibadan, Nigeria

Background: Physical inactivity and unhealthy diet are leading risk factors for cardiovascular diseases globally. Limited studies have assessed the prevalence of these risk factors in community-based settings in Nigeria. Objectives: This study assessed the prevalence of physical activity and the dietary pattern of residents in selected semi-urban communities in Ibadan, Nigeria. Methods: This was a cross-sectional study carried out among 500 randomly selected residents from two semi-urban communities. Multi-stage random sampling technique was used to select households and participants. Data were collected using a pretested modified version of the WHO STEPS instrument. Descriptive and inferential statistical analyses were determined at 5% level of significance. Results: The mean age was 35.36 ± 12.24 and a mean household size of 4.07 ± 1.85. Majority (87.2%) of the respondents engaged in low physical activity (< 150-300 min/wk). Consumption of fruits and vegetables was low among respondents at 33% and 36.4% respectively. The employment status of respondents was significantly related to expected workplace physical activity level (χ2=11.27; P=0.024). Conclusions: This study highlights the need for the development and implementation of community-driven, multi-layered public health promotion initiatives across different settings

Saúde, estilo de vida e urbanização em Moçambique: problemas e perspectivas / Health, Lifestyle and urbanization in Mozambique: problems and perspectives

A irreversibilidade do processo de urbanização da população mundial está a atingir Moçambique de uma forma abrupta com múltiplas consequências para a saúde e bem, estar. Entre outros, o aumento da mecanização, o tempo de televisão, o uso do automóvel e o recurso a alimentação artificial, está a transformar, em poucos anos, uma população activa em pessoas sedentárias sujeitas à poluição e níveis de ansiedade até então desconhecidos. Os estudos disponíveis demonstram de forma clara uma enorme redução dos espaços para a recreação activa e uma concomitante redução do dispêndio energético por actividade física habitual. Como consequência, os dados epidemiológicos indicam um aumento, nas cidades, da obesidade, hipertensão e diabetes em adultos. Por seu turno, as crianças em idade escolar estão a conhecer um crescimento em todos os factores de risco de doença cardiovascular e uma redução do seu nível de desenvolvimento motor. A falta de planeamento no crescimento urbano está a ter consequências catastróficas na saúde da população urbana. Neste quadro, a denominada transição epidemiológica acontece sob a forma de acumulação, dado que a população continua muito permissiva a doenças transmissíveis e sofre agora a acumulação de um grupo de patologias associadas ao sedentarismo e desiquilíbrio nutricional.

The process of urbanization of the world population is reaching Mozambique rather abruptly with multiple consequences for the health and well-being. Increased mechanization, screen time, car use and use of fast food are causing, in a short time period, a dramatic changing in lifestyle. Population is reducing their activity levels, that used to be high, the stress levels are increasing as well as the environmental pollution. The available studies demonstrate a huge reduction of spaces for active recreation and a concomitant reduction of energy expenditure for physical activity. As a consequence, epidemiological data indicate an increase in the prevalence of obesity, hypertension and diabetes in adults. In turn, studies are demonstrating that the school aged children are increasing prevalence in all risk factors for cardiovascular disease and a reduction in their level of motor development. Lack of urban planning on urban growth seems to cause disastrous consequences on the health of the urban population. Thus, the so-called epidemiological transition are happening in the form of accumulation since the population remains very permissive to transmissible diseases adding to them an increased in the sedentary lifestyle and nutritional imbalance related diseases.

Effect of Physical Activity on Body Water in Sedentary Young Underweight and Obese Women

Background: The purpose of this study is to examine the effect of a walking exercise on body water among sedentary obese and thin women. Methods: Forty young untrained girls between the age of 20 and 25 years (obese; BMI30: N=20 and thin; BMI