Association of Physical Fitness, Screen Time, and Sleep Hygiene According to the Waist-to-Height Ratio in Children and Adolescents from the Extreme South of Chile.

OBJECTIVE: To analyze the perception of physical fitness, screen time, and self-reported sleep hygiene in children and adolescents (CA) from the extreme south of Chile and its associations with waist-to-height ratio (WtHr). MATERIAL AND METHODS: An observational cross-sectional study was conducted in a sample of 594 schoolchildren from 5th to 8th grade of primary education, belonging to municipal educational establishments in the Magallanes region, Chile. Cardiorespiratory fitness was assessed through the 20-m shuttle run test, muscle strength through handgrip and the standing broad jump test, physical fitness perception through the International Fitness Scale, and central obesity through the waist-to-height index. In addition, sleep hygiene and screen time were measured. RESULTS: More than 92% of CA spent more than two hours a day watching or using screens. In addition, CA with excess central adiposity had a lower perception of physical fitness, and lower muscle strength and cardiorespiratory fitness compared to CA with normal values of adiposity. CONCLUSIONS: CA of the present study spent a high number of hours watching or using screens and had poor sleep quality. In addition, excessive central adiposity was associated with lower physical fitness.

Association between the Physical Activity Behavioral Profile and Sedentary Time with Subjective Well-Being and Mental Health in Chilean University Students during the COVID-19 Pandemic.

OBJECTIVE: To analyze the association between the behavioral profile of physical activity and sedentary time with subjective well-being and mental health in university students during the COVID-19 pandemic in Chile. METHODS: Cross-sectional study in a voluntary sample of 469 university students (22.4 ± 0.19 years; 66% women). According to students' self-reports of physical activity and sedentary time, four behavioral profiles were created to investigate their association with subjective well-being and mental health using one-factor ANOVA that was adjusted to a multifactorial model. RESULTS: The physically inactive and sedentary behavior profile presents the lowest levels of subjective well-being (p < 0.001), positive affective experiences (p < 0.001) and general mental health (p = 0.001). When adjusting for confounding variables, it was observed that the physically active and non-sedentary profile was associated with better general mental health (p < 0.01) in contrast to those who are physically active and sedentary. CONCLUSIONS: Chilean university students with a physically inactive and sedentary profile during the pandemic presented worse well-being and mental health, with a sedentary lifestyle being one of the variables that most affects the mental health of these students. Therefore, measures should be implemented to encourage this population to maintain adequate levels of physical activity and reduce sedentary times.

[Factors associated with low quality of life in Chilean adults during the COVID-19 quarantine]. / Factores asociados a una baja calidad de vida en adultos chilenos durante la cuarentena por COVID-19.

BACKGROUND: The quarantine and social distancing implemented during COVID 19 pandemic may hamper the quality of life of the population. AIM: To determine the factors associated with a low quality of life during COVID 19 quarantine in Chilean adults. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The SF-36 survey about quality of life was answered by 1,082 Chilean adults aged between 18 and 60 years, who were quarantined by the COVID-19 health alert. Other variables studied were sociodemographic background, nutritional status, lifestyles, level of physical activity, sedentary behavior and sleep hours. Risk factors associated with low quality of life were identified by logistic regression analysis for each of the 8 dimensions evaluated in the SF-36 questionnaire. RESULTS: The factors that increased the probability of having a lower general health perception were being female (Odds ratio (OR) = 1.29; p = 0.05), being physically inactive (OR = 2.76 p < 0.01), unhealthy hours of sleep (OR = 1.58, p < 0.01), smoking (OR = 1.59, p < 0.01) and eating junk food (OR = 2.26; p < 0.01). For the other dimensions of quality of life, the most frequently repeated factors were being female, junk food consumption, and being physically inactive and sedentary. CONCLUSIONS: There are factors associated with a low quality of life during the quarantine of the COVID-19 pandemic in the Chilean population. Their identification could reinforce remedial actions at the government level to benefit the health of the population during this health emergency.