Changes in physical activity, sedentary behavior, and self-reported cognitive function in cancer survivors before and during the COVID-19 pandemic: A cross-sectional study.

BACKGROUND: Physical activity (PA) and reductions in sedentary behavior (SED) may mitigate cancer-related cognitive impairment. The purpose of this study was to examine (a) the associations between changes in PA, SED, and cognitive function in cancer survivors before and during the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic; and (b) clinical subgroups that moderate this association. METHODS: A cross-sectional survey was administered online to adult cancer survivors globally between July and November of 2020. This was a secondary analysis of a cross-sectional survey examining changes in self-reported PA and quality of life in cancer survivors before and during the COVID-19 pandemic. Self-reported Questionnaires assessed moderate-to-vigorous PA (MVPA) using the modified Godin Leisure Time Exercise Questionnaire, cognitive function using the Functional Assessment of Cancer Therapy-Cognitive Function (FACT-Cog) scale, and SED using the Domain-specific Sitting Time questionnaire. Cancer survivors were classified into no change in behavior, desirable change (i.e., increase MVPA to meet PA guidelines or decrease SED by ≥60 min/day), and undesirable change (i.e., decrease MVPA to <150 min/week or increase SED by ≥60 min/day). Analysis of covariance examined differences in FACT-Cog scores across the activity change categories. Planned contrasts compared differences in FACT-Cog scores between cancer survivors with (a) no meaningful change vs. any change, and (b) a desirable change vs. an undesirable change. RESULTS: There were no significant differences in FACT-Cog scores across activity-change categories in the full sample of cancer survivors (n = 371; age = 48.6 ± 15.3 years (mean ± SD)). However, cancer survivors who were diagnosed ≥5 years ago (t(160) = -2.15, p = 0.03) or who received treatment ≥5 years ago (t(102) = -2.23, p = 0.03) and who had a desirable change in activity reported better perceived cognitive abilities than those who had an undesirable change. CONCLUSION: PA promotion efforts should consider reducing SED in addition to maintaining MVPA in long-term cancer survivors to mitigate cancer-related cognitive impairment during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Economic burden of excessive sedentary behaviour in Canada.

OBJECTIVE: To estimate health care and health-related productivity costs associated with excessive sedentary behaviour (> 8 h/day and > 9 h/day) in Canadian adults. METHODS: Three pieces of information were used to estimate costs: (1) the pooled relative risk estimates of adverse health outcomes consistently shown to be associated with excessive sedentary behaviour, gathered from meta-analyses of prospective cohort studies; (2) the prevalence of excessive sedentary behaviour in Canadian men and women, obtained using waist-worn accelerometry in a nationally representative sample of adults (Canadian Health Measures Survey 2018-2019); and (3) the direct (health care) and indirect (lost productivity due to premature mortality) costs of the adverse health outcomes, selected using the Economic Burden of Illness in Canada 2010 data. The 2010 costs were then adjusted to 2021 costs to account for inflation, population growth, and higher average earnings. A Monte Carlo simulation was conducted to account for uncertainty in the model. RESULTS: The total costs of excessive sedentary behaviour in Canada were $2.2 billion (8 h/day cut-point) and $1.8 billion (9 h/day cut-point) in 2021, representing 1.6% and 1.3% of the overall burden of illness costs, respectively. The two most expensive chronic diseases attributable to excessive sedentary behaviour were cardiovascular disease and type 2 diabetes. A 10% decrease in excessive sedentary behaviour (from 87.7% to 77.7%) would save an estimated $219 million per year in costs. CONCLUSION: Excessive sedentary behaviour significantly contributes to the economic burden of illness in Canada. There is a need for evidence-based and cost-effective strategies that reduce excessive sedentary behaviour in the population.

RéSUMé: OBJECTIF: Estimer le coût des soins de santé et le coût de productivité lié à la santé associés au comportement sédentaire excessif (> 8 heures/jour et > 9 heures/jour) chez les Canadiennes et les Canadiens adultes. MéTHODE: Trois informations ont servi à estimer ces coûts : 1) les estimations combinées du risque relatif des résultats sanitaires indésirables uniformément associés au comportement sédentaire excessif, collectées à partir de méta-analyses d'études prospectives de cohortes; 2) la prévalence du comportement sédentaire excessif chez les Canadiennes et les Canadiens, obtenue à l'aide d'un accéléromètre porté à la taille par un échantillon représentatif national d'adultes (Enquête canadienne sur les mesures de la santé 2018-2019); et 3) les coûts directs (soins de santé) et indirects (perte de productivité due à la mortalité prématurée) des résultats sanitaires indésirables sélectionnés, d'après les données du Fardeau économique de la maladie au Canada de 2010. Les coûts de 2010 ont ensuite été ajustés aux coûts de 2021 pour tenir compte de l'inflation, de la croissance démographique et de la hausse moyenne des revenus. Nous avons effectué une simulation de Monte-Carlo pour tenir compte de l'incertitude du modèle. RéSULTATS: Les coûts totaux du comportement sédentaire excessif au Canada étaient de 2,2 milliards de dollars (point de coupure de 8 heures/jour) et de 1,8 milliard de dollars (point de coupure de 9 heures/jour) en 2021, ce qui représente 1,6 % et 1,3 % du fardeau global des coûts des maladies, respectivement. Les deux maladies chroniques les plus chères imputables au comportement sédentaire excessif étaient les maladies cardiovasculaires et le diabète de type 2. Une baisse de 10 % du comportement sédentaire excessif (de 87,7 % à 77,7 %) économiserait environ 219 millions de dollars de coûts par année. CONCLUSION: Le comportement sédentaire excessif contribue de façon significative au fardeau économique de la maladie au Canada. Il nous faut des stratégies fondées sur les preuves et efficaces par rapport au coût pour réduire le comportement sédentaire excessif dans la population.

Dietary habit, physical activity and perceived barriers during movement control order among undergraduate students in Puncak Alam, Selangor

The emergence of COVID-19 had affected people in terms of their physical activity and nutritional changes which may increase the risk of various non-communicable diseases (NCD) among them. This study aimed to identify the physical activity level, nutritional changes, and perceived barriers to engage physical activity among students of UiTM Selangor, Puncak Alam Campus during the Movement Control Order (MCO) in Malaysia. A total of 234 students aged 18-24 years old were chosen to participate in this study by using convenience sampling. The International Physical Activity Questionnaire (IPAQ), Physical Activity Resource Assessment (PARA), and adapted questionnaire from the Ministry of Health (MOH) Malaysia were used in this study. Findings reveal that students were able to engage in physical activity level during the pandemic period which required them to be quarantined. Moreover, there was an increase in the frequency of healthy eating behaviour as well as unhealthy eating behaviour during MCO.Copyright © 2023 The Authors.

Gender differences on factors affecting the resting metabolic rate of academicians

BACKGROUND: There is an increasing interest to improve the physical activity level of people working in offices mostly spending their time in sitting who may be under the risks of obesity. this is especially increasing its importance worldwide due to recent 'stay at home trend' of covid-19 pandemics. academicians are the group of people having tendency to develop a sedentary lifestyle and become overweight due to long sitting hours of work. thus, the aim of this study is to understand the gender differences on factors affecting the resting metabolic rate of academic personnel. MethodS: data on demographic information, Body Mass index, resting metabolic rate (rMr), physical activity levels of academicians (n.=62, 32W, 30M) have been collected. reSUltS: their total weekly energy expenditure in relation to total physical activity was similar to each other as 1743.4+/-2189.10 MET-min/week for men and 1074.04+/-1299.09 MET-min/week for women. The RMR was significantly higher in men (1994.66+/-683.41 kcal/day) than women (1467.81+/-311.47 kcal/day) (p<0.001). Supporting this outcome, percent body fat was found higher in women (26.38+/-6.62%) than men (21.46+/-6.17%) (p<0.05). Men spent longer times "sitting" (p<0.05), it had a weak effect on their total physical activity (p<0.05). conclUSionS: although women were sitting less than men during day, they were less physically active. Men were more involved with heavy to moderate physical activities with higher resting metabolic rate. Since walking was a preferred activity in both genders, they may be motivated to increase their walking based physical activity in and out of the campus as well as at home.Copyright © 2020 Edizioni Minerva Medica.

Children's Physical Activity During the COVID-19 Lockdown: A Cross Cultural Comparison Between Portugal, Brazil and Italy.

The COVID-19 pandemic forced governments to implement measures that disrupted the daily routines of many families worldwide. We studied how the COVID-19 lockdown affected children's routines in Portugal (PT), Brazil (BR), and Italy (IT) to determine if children's age and country impacted their physical activity (PA) and sedentary time. We launched an anonymous online survey to assess how 3-12 years old children adjusted their daily routines to this situation. Parents reported the times each child was engaged in different activities throughout the day, and we used these data to calculate separately overall sedentary and physical activity time. We conducted separate analyses of variance for age and country on the percentage of time spent in the different activities. Results, based on the data from 3045 children in these three countries (PT n = 2044; BR n = 836; IT n = 165), showed that, during lockdown, most children spent most of their awake daily hours in sedentary activities. There was a clear age effect on the way their routines were organized. Percentages of time spent in intellectual activity, playful screen activity, and overall sedentary time were greater in the older age groups, whereas percentages of time spent in play (with and without PA) and in overall PA were greater in the younger groups. We found a main effect of country for all variables except play without PA. The country effect was mainly due to the difference between the routines in BR when compared to PT and IT. Values of playful screen time and overall sedentary activity were higher in BR than in the two European countries. Conversely, values for play with PA, PA, and overall PA (except in the older group) were lower in BR. Patterns of time spent in these activities were similar in IT and PT, but PA and overall PA times were higher in the two younger age groups in IT. In summary, percentage of PA time of confined children was low and decreased with age across all three countries and was particularly low for children in BR relative to those in PT and IT.

Physical Activity Pattern Before and during the COVID-19 Lockdown among Adolescents in Indonesia

BACKGROUND: Many countries have issued “stay at home” orders to combat the spread of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), which may have hampered movement in people of all ages. This may impact adolescent physical activity, sedentary behavior, screen time, etc. AIM: The purpose of this study was to assess changes in physical activity and screen time before and during the first and second COVID-19 lockdown among adolescents in Indonesia. METHODS: This study was a national web-based survey distributed through social media platforms in Indonesia. A snowball sampling method was used to recruit participants. The final sample included 5650 participants who had provided complete information for the research topic. RESULTS: Physical activity patterns of adolescents had dramatically shifted during COVID-19 lockdown, with disparities between genders and educational levels. The majority of adolescents had maintained their physical activity levels, with 34.4% of those who engaged in active transportation and 67.3% of those who walked;while, the remaining adolescents had experienced a decrease in physical activity (30.1%–63.1%). Adolescents had maintained their sleeping (about 50%) and screen time (31.4%), but almost 40% had decreased their sleeping time and 60.5% had significantly increased their screen time. Furthermore, when compared to their peers who had maintained their sedentary time before to COVID-19, more adolescents had increased their sedentary time throughout both schooldays and weekends (about 54%). CONCLUSION: This large-scale nationwide survey could be valuable for stakeholders, when deciding when and how to relax restrictions in the future. In addition, school administrators should be aware of these changes so that in-class and/or extracurricular physical programs can be developed to offset the effects of these changes.

CHANGES IN HEART RATE, SLEEP, AND PHYSICAL ACTIVITY BEHAVIOR FROM PRE- TO POST-COVID

Background: When the WHO declared COVID-19 a global pandemic on March 11, 2020, stay-at-home orders and business closures were imposed to contain viral spread. Accumulating evidence suggests that these societal disruptions caused abrupt changes in important health behaviors such as physical activity, but most work to date has used self-report measures. Longitudinal studies collecting objective measures of activity and sleep behavior and heart rate before and after the pandemic could shed light on potential health implications of the ongoing pandemic and associated social distancing measures. Objective: To determine whether significant within-person changes in objective heart rate, sleep, and physical activity occurred from pre- to post-COVID pandemic. Methods: Adult smartphone users were recruited from an online registry. 22 participants (M 47 years old, range 20-72;76% female;91% White;55% with at least one chronic medical condition) provided access to their Fitbit data and had at least one week of pre-COVID (March 11, 2019 to March 10, 2020;M = 256 days of data, range 25-366 days) and post-COVID (March 11, 2020 to December 31, 2020;M = 231 days of data, range 107-294 days) Fitbit data. Results: Paired t-tests revealed significant decreases in mean heart rate (77 to 75 bpm;t(18) = 2.91, p < .01), step counts (7946 to 6969 steps/day;t(21) = 2.72, p = .01), and total active time (185 to 165 minutes/day;t(21) = 3.02, p < .001) and significant increases in total sedentary time (766 to 781 minutes/day;t(21) =-2.88, p < .01) from pre- to post-COVID but no significant changes in Fitbit-assessed sleep time, latency, or efficiency. Conclusions: These prospective sensor data captured before and after the pandemic contribute to our understanding of how COVID-19 has affected physical activity and heart rate. Findings suggest that adults became less physically active and more sedentary after the pandemic relative to the year prior to COVID-19 but that sleep behaviors remained relatively stable. Although this is a small nonrepresentative sample, these longitudinal objective behavioral data corroborate larger self-report studies. Future analyses will examine trajectories of activity change over the course of the pandemic and characteristics of participants who maintained or increased activity levels despite social distancing mandates.

Predictors of objectively-measured sedentary time during the COVID-19 pandemic among breast cancer survivors participating in a diet and physical activity intervention

Purpose of the study: The purpose of this study was to investigate the predictors of objectively-measured sedentary time (ST) among breast cancer (BC) survivors who were 60 days post-treatment and were initiating participation in an intervention to improve diet and physical activity (PA) during the early phase of the COVID-19 pandemic. Methods: Cook and Move for Your Life (CMFYL) was a pilot and feasibility study of stage 0-III BC survivors testing the effects of a remotely-delivered and remotely-assessed nutrition and PA intervention. Women were ≥60 days post-treatment (current endocrine therapy allowed), consumed <5 servings of fruits/vegetables per day and/or engaged in <150 minutes/week of moderate to vigorous physical activity (MVPA). Hip-worn Actigraph GT3X accelerometers measured ST for 7 consecutive days at baseline. ST was defined as minutes/day (continuous) based on the Troiano cutpoint (<100 counts/minute), during awake (6am-11pm) wear time, and non-wear was identified using the Choi algorithm on the vector magnitude counts/minute. Multivariable linear regression models adjusting for wear time (average minutes/day) and minutes of MVPA/day were used to examine whether the following factors were predictors of ST at baseline: self-reported demographics, psychosocial factors (assessed via PROMIS Physical Function and PROMIS Anxiety forms), diet quality (Healthy Eating Index 2015 score), caloric intake (calories/day), and fruit and vegetable intake (servings/day). Results: Among the 84 women included in this analysis who had actigraphy measurements at baseline, the average ST/day was 684±79 minutes. On average, women were 58±10 years in age and most self-identified as non-Hispanic white (87%). The average time since diagnosis at time of enrollment was 4.5 years and 59% of women were receiving endocrine therapy at baseline. Adjusted models show that participants with a college degree had 24.7 (95%CI 2.0, 47.4) more minutes of ST than those with less than a college degree, and for every 1-point increase in PROMIS Physical Function scores participants had 2.5 (95%CI -4.9, -0.2) fewer minutes of ST. Conclusion: In a sample of BC survivors enrolled in a diet and PA intervention, higher level of education and poorer physical function were associated with higher ST during the early phase of the COVID-19 pandemic. These findings provide preliminary insight into factors associated with ST. Future work will investigate how these factors influence change in ST after participation in the CMFYL intervention.

Health behavior and anxiety changes during the COVID-19 pandemic among students, faculty, and staff at a US university.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate change in health behaviors and anxiety one year after the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic. PARTICIPANTS: University students (n = 525) and faculty/staff (n = 136) surveyed in February-April 2021. METHODS: Cross-sectional survey on health behaviors and anxiety before and during the pandemic. Comparison by time and between groups using paired t-tests and chi-square tests. RESULTS: Diet quality of students did not differ comparing before to during the pandemic while diet quality improved among faculty/staff (p = 0.001). Physical activity decreased among students (p < 0.0001). Sedentary time and prevalence of symptomatic anxiety increased among both students and faculty/staff (all p < 0.05). Unhealthy changes in lifestyle and anxiety were more pronounced among those who reported a less healthy diet or weight gain during the pandemic. CONCLUSIONS: Negative impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic on physical activity, sedentary time, and anxiety have persisted approximately one year after the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic in a university population.

The medium-term consequences of a COVID-19 lockdown on lifestyle among Spanish older people with hypertension, pulmonary disease, cardiovascular disease, musculoskeletal disease, depression, and cancer.

OBJECTIVES: This study investigated the associations of chronic diseases with changes in lifestyle and health behaviours in older people following the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) lockdown in Spain and compared the differences in changes over time. METHODS: 1,092 participants (80.3±5.6 years; 66.5% female) from 2 Spanish cohorts were included. Telephone-based questionnaires were conducted to evaluate lifestyle and health risk behaviours at the end of lockdown and 7 months post-lockdown. Participants were classified as having physician-diagnosed chronic diseases based on self-reported data. Cox proportional models adjusted for major confounders were used. RESULTS: Compared to those without the corresponding chronic diseases, older people with hypertension were less likely to report increased alcohol consumption (hazard ratio [HR], 0.73; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.55 to 0.99). Pulmonary diseases were associated with lower risks of increased sedentary time (HR, 0.58; 95% CI, 0.39 to 0.86) and worsened sleep quality (HR, 0.56; 95% CI, 0.36 to 0.87), while cardiovascular diseases were associated with a lower risk of decreased sedentary time (HR, 0.58; 95% CI, 0.38 to 0.88). Depression was linked to a higher likelihood of improved diet quality (HR, 1.53; 95% CI, 1.00 to 2.36). Cancer pacients were less likely to have worsened sleep quality (HR, 0.44; 95% CI, 0.22 to 0.89) but more likely to have reduced their frequency of social contact (HR, 2.05; 95% CI, 1.05 to 3.99). CONCLUSIONS: Older people with chronic diseases showed beneficial changes in lifestyle and health risk behaviours after the COVID-19 lockdown. In particular, older people with hypertension, pulmonary disease, and cancer tended to make beneficial lifestyle and health behaviour changes. However, older people with cardiovascular disease and depression engaged in more health risk behaviours.

Factors Associated with PA Level during the COVID-19 Outbreak in Serbia.

OBJECTIVE: The novel coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2) has had an influence on almost the entire world and has become a major public health problem. Many countries have introduced measures that restrict the movement of the population and that may negatively influence the physical activity (PA) levels. The aim of this study was to examine the factors associated with changes in PA in Serbia during the COVID-19 outbreak. METHODS: The cross-sectional study was conducted from the 9th through the 13th of April 2020. A total of 340 people, all contacted using Viber, were invited to participate in the study. The study instrument was a questionnaire that gathered information regarding social characteristics, PA during the outbreak, PA before the outbreak, and fear of COVID-19. RESULTS: A total of 50 participants (14.7%) had low levels of PA in the 7 days prior to the study, while 133 (39.1%) had moderate and 106 (31.2%) had high levels of PA. The participants with high levels of PA had significantly higher energy expenditures before than after the COVID-19 outbreak (P < .001). There were no significant differences between the participants with different levels of PA in the scores on the Fear of COVID-19 scale (low: 13.4 ± 5.2; moderate: 12.6 ± 4.4; high: 13.8 ± 5.5; P = .204). CONCLUSION: One-sixth of the participants had low PA levels, and as restrictive measures are still in place in many countries, the lack of PA in high proportions of the general population may cause significant public health concerns.

The Medium-Term Changes in Health-Related Behaviours among Spanish Older People Lifestyles during Covid-19 Lockdown.

OBJECTIVES: The aim was to evaluate general changes and investigate the association between diet quality, physical activity (PA), and sedentary time (ST) during COVID-19 lockdown and the subsequent 7-month changes in health-related behaviours and lifestyles in older people. PARTICIPANTS: 1092 participants (67-97y) from two Spanish cohorts were included. DESIGN: Telephone-based questionaries were used to evaluate health-related behaviours and lifestyle. Multinomial logistic regression analyses with diet quality, PA, and ST during lockdown as predictors for health-related behaviours changes post-lockdown were applied. RESULTS: Diet quality, PA, and ST significantly improved post-lockdown, while physical component score of the SF-12 worsened. Participants with a low diet quality during lockdown had higher worsening of post-lockdown ST and anxiety; whereas those with high diet quality showed less likelihood of remaining abstainers, worsening weight, and improving PA. Lower ST was associated with a higher likelihood of remaining abstainers, and worsening weight and improving social contact; nevertheless, higher ST was linked to improvement in sleep quality. Lower PA was more likely to decrease alcohol consumption, while higher PA showed the opposite. However, PA was more likely to be associated to remain abstainers. CONCLUSIONS: Despite improvements in lifestyle after lockdown, it had health consequences for older people. Particularly, lower ST during lockdown seemed to provide the most medium-term remarkable lifestyle improvements.

CHANGES IN SEDENTARY AND PHYSICAL ACTIVITY HABITS OF WORKERS WHO SWITCHED TO TELEWORKING DURING THE COVID PANDEMIC19

Introduction: Confinement has led to changes in the work patterns of some workers that have an impact on habits such as physical activity. Objective:The aim was to analyse differences in sedentary time and physical activity before (2018) and after the pandemic (2021) in sedentary workers (N=44), differentiated by sex, who switched to teleworking. Material and Methods: Single-group retrospective observational before-after study. The variables age, sex, sedentary time and energy expenditure in metabolic equivalents were collected. Percentages, mean, median and standard deviation were calculated. Mann-Whitney U-test, t-test for independent and related samples and the sign test for absence of symmetry were applied. Results: Sedentary time decreased between 2018 and 2021 (p=0.005). Total expenditure and partial expenditure for heavy and light physical activity increased between the two years (p<0.001). Conclusion: Switching to telework decreased sedentary time and increased heavy and light physical activity.

Change in Depression and Its Determinants during the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Longitudinal Examination among Racially/Ethnically Diverse US Adults.

This study examined longitudinal data to identify changes in the occurrence of depressive symptoms, and to explore if such changes were associated with socio-demographic, movement behaviors, and health variables during the COVID-19 pandemic, among a diverse sample of central Texas residents. Participants who completed two online surveys in 2020 (in June and November) from an on-going longitudinal study were included. Depressive symptoms were measured by Patient Health Questionnaire-2. Change in depressive symptoms' occurrence status between the two time points was categorized into (1) stable/improved, and (2) consistent depressive symptoms/declined. Sociodemographic factors, movement behaviors and health data were self-reported. Statistical analyses utilized descriptive statistics and logistical regression. Among a total of 290 individuals (84.1% female; 71.0% racial/ethnic minorities), 13.5% were categorized as consistent depressive symptoms/declined. Multivariable logistic regression indicated that racial/ethnic minorities, older age, and increased physical activity were associated with a lower likelihood, while greater sedentary time was associated with higher likelihood of consistent depressive symptoms/declined status. Between 3 months and 8 months into the pandemic, various socio-demographic and behavioral variables were associated with changes in depressive symptoms' occurrence status. Future research should explore the longer-term impacts of COVID-19 on depression among a diverse population and identify risk factors for depression.

Moving Forward: Understanding Correlates of Physical Activity and Sedentary Behaviour during COVID-19 in Children and Adolescents-An Integrative Review and Socioecological Approach.

Novel coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic restrictions have negatively impacted physical activity (PA) and sedentary time/behaviour. This integrative review systematically explored the socioecological factors that impacted and influenced these movement behaviours in children and adolescents during the pandemic. Five electronic databases were systematically searched in January 2021, with data extracted from 16 articles (n = 18,352; 5-17 years; 12 countries). Risk-of-bias was assessed using the Mixed Methods Assessment Tool (MMAT), with correlates identified, coded, and themed via thematic analysis. A socioecological model of during-pandemic PA and sedentary time/behaviour was conceptualised and mapped to the Capability, Opportunity, Motivation, and Behaviour (COM-B) model of behaviour-change mechanisms, illustrating influences over five levels: Individual (biological)-age and sex; Individual (psychological)-mental health, and cognition, motivation, and behaviour; Social-family factors, and structured support; Environmental-area of residence and resources; and Policy-COVID-19-related rules. For sedentary time/behaviour, individual-(age and sex), social-(family factors) and policy-(COVID-19-related rules) level factors may be important correlates. There were no age or sex associations with PA levels, though there was some indication that sedentary time/behaviour increased with age. Interventions seeking to enhance young people's movement behaviours during periods of enforced restrictions should focus on enhancing opportunities on a social and environmental level.

The relationship between the activity level, internet addiction, and depressive symptoms of university students during the coronavirus disease-2019 outbreak cross-sectional study

Objective: The coronavirus disease-2019 (COVID-19) pandemic significantly disrupted normal activities globally. Social restriction measures were encountered during the pandemic process, which resulted in students staying at home for a long time. This study aimed to investigate the relationship between physical activity, internet addiction, and depressive symptoms of university students during the COVID-19 pandemic. Materials and Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted with 160 students studying at Aydin Adnan Menderes University Söke Health Services Vocational School between July and August 2020. A Personal Identification Form, Short Form of Young's Internet Addiction Test, Beck Depression Scale, and International Physical Activity Questionnaire (IPAQ) were used to collect the research data. Spearman correlation test and Student's t-test were used for data analysis. Results: The IPAQ revealed that 28.2% of the students were active. The students' mean depression scores were 8.8±6.6 (0-37) and the internet addiction mean score was 25.1±7.2 (12-47). A moderately significant positive correlation was found between the mean scores of internet addiction and depressive symptoms (r=0.303;p<0.01). No difference was found between the mean scores of depressive symptoms and internet addiction in active and inactive students (p>0.05). Contrarily, a relationship was determined between internet addiction and depressive symptoms. Conclusion: Improving the physical and psychological health of university students during the pandemic process is important for public health. Therefore, various multi-sectoral approach developments, such as online physical activity programs, are recommended. Additionally, students should be made aware of how to balance the time spent in front of the computer or the internet.

An internet-based culinary behavioral weight loss program in college students: A feasibility study

Background: College students with overweight/obesity have reported low self-efficacy in meal preparation and an interest in participating in a culinary weight loss program. Interventions that target weight loss and culinary skills and adhere to COVID-19 social distancing guidelines are lacking. The primary objective of this study was to evaluate the feasibility of a 6-week, internet-based culinary behavioral weight loss program in undergraduates with overweight/ obesity. The secondary objectives were to evaluate changes in culinary outcomes, nutrition knowledge, weight and physical activity, and to assess facilitators and barriers to program adherence. Methods: NYU students with overweight/obesity participated in the 6-week Dietary Intervention and Culinary Education (DICE) program delivered via Zoom. DICE included evidence-based behavioral weight loss strategies, hands-on culinary activities, Instacart gift cards for groceries, weekly incentives and text messaging support. We used a one-group pretest-posttest design with a mixed-methods approach to assess feasibility (sample characteristics, recruitment, resources, program adherence), culinary, nutrition, weight, and physical activity outcomes, and to identify facilitators/barriers to adherence. Results: Participants (N = 26, BMI = 29.6 ± 4.6, age = 20 ± 1) were 69% female, 77% Non-Hispanic/ Latino, 31% Asian and 23% Black/ African-American. Recruitment by Zoom was most successful;39% indicated Zoom as their mode of recruitment. Total implementation cost was $5,797. Forty-eight percent of participants attended sessions and submitted goals for at least 4 of the 6 weeks (adherers). Perceived culinary skills/nutrition knowledge and cooking attitudes/self-efficacy increased and weight and sitting time decreased during the study (p <.05). Facilitators to adherence were optimal timing of sessions, cooking in their own kitchen, and accountability. Barriers were insufficient culinary equipment and time to submit goals/self-monitor, fast pace of culinary educator, desire for more grocery options, and inconvenient time. Conclusions: DICE is a low cost program that can improve culinary and weight outcomes and reduce sitting time. Recruitment efforts to increase diversity and additional culinary equipment, grocery choices and time should be incorporated into future programs.

Weight loss approaches in rural and urban u.s. adults in the international weight control registry

Background: Individuals living in rural areas have higher obesity and obesity related co-morbidities than their urban counterparts. Understanding rural-urban differences associated with weight management may inform the development of effective weight management interventions for adults living in rural areas. Methods: The International Weight Control Registry (IWCR) is an online registry designed to assess factors contributing to successes and challenges with weight loss and weight loss maintenance across the world. We examined demographics, weight history and weight management strategies in a sample of urban and rural residents in the Midwestern U.S. (IA, IL, IN, KS, MI, MN, MO, ND, NE, OH, SD, WI). Participants were classified as rural or urban by the Rural-Urban Commuting Area Code. Analyses included Chi-square tests for proportions and independent t-test and Wilcoxon rank sum test for continuous variables. Results: The sample was 45% rural (n = 78 of a total N = 174) with a mean age of 50.3 years. Rural residents were more likely to be white, non-college graduates, and have lower family income compared with urban areas (p < 0.05). Rural and urban residents reported similar weight histories and strategies for weight management. Work-related physical activity was higher and weekday sitting time was lower in rural compared to urban residents (p < 0.01). These data could potentially be impacted by the relative number of residents working from home during COVID-19 (Urban: 59% vs. Rural: 37%, p < 0.05). Rural residents were more likely to report a lack of neighborhood walkability (p < 0.01) and healthy food availability (p < 0.05) compared with urban residents. Conclusions: These data suggest rural-urban differences in demographic characteristics, opportunity for leisure time physical activity, and the availability of heathy foods should be considered in the development of weight management interventions. The consistency of the observed findings will be evaluated at the regional, national and international levels as the size of the available sample in the IWCR increases.

Are we sitting too comfortably? What evidence do we have regarding sedentary behaviour among GPs?

Background: Excessive sedentary behaviour is associated with several adverse health outcomes and increased all-cause mortality. GPs who are more physically active are more likely to recommend physical activity to their patients. Research question: What is the current evidence regarding levels of sedentary behaviour among GPs? Methods: A systematic review was conducted to establish the evidence regarding current levels of sedentary behaviour among GPs. Subsequently, a multi-item questionnaire survey (modified version of the International Sedentary Assessment Tool (ISAT)) was disseminated to GPs in Northern Ireland. A purposive, maximally varied sample of 20 survey participants was then recruited to wear thigh-worn accelerometers and complete a sleep/work log to obtain objective data regarding their sedentary behaviour. This allowed the comparison of subjective, self-reported data with objective, accelerometer data. Results: Systematic Review: Search criteria returned 1707 studies. 34 full texts were reviewed and two studies were included in the final review. Both were cross-sectional surveys of satisfactory methodological quality and a high risk of bias. Sedentary Behaviour Study: Out of 1999 GPs in Northern Ireland, the questionnaire received 352 valid responses (response rate of 18%). Overall mean workday sedentary time for GPs was 10 h 20 min. Overall mean non-workday sedentary time was 4 h 47 min. Only 6% of GPs had access to an active workstation, such as a standing desk, however, 61% of those who didn't have an active workstation would consider using one. 81% of GPs reported spending more time sitting at work now than before the COVID- 19 pandemic. 87% of GPs would prefer less time sitting at work. Conclusion: Sedentary behaviour among GPs has increased since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, with the vast majority of GPs exceeding the recommended daily levels of sedentary behaviour. Further research is required to identify ways of reducing sedentary behaviour and increasing physical activity among GPs.

Home Working and Physical Activity during SARS-CoV-2 Pandemic: A Longitudinal Cohort Study.

BACKGROUND: Due to the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic, human lifestyles and occupational settings have changed in the workplace. This survey explores associations of home working employment and related physical activity (PA-MET min/week). METHODS: A longitudinal cohort study was conducted between March 2020 and March 2021. A standardized method for assessing PA and sedentary time, the Italian version of the International Physical Activity Questionnaire-Short Form (IPAQ-SF), was used through the Microsoft Forms® platform for self-administering the questionnaire. Baseline data were collected, and four follow-ups were performed; a full calendar year was observed. RESULTS: In total, 310 home workers were recruited in this investigation. The average body mass index (BMI- kg/m2) was 21.4 ± 4.2 at baseline. The value increased at the first follow-up and fluctuated in the other recalls. The t-test of MET values of the four activities (Total PA, Vigorous-intensity activity, Moderate-intensity activity, Walking) show similar results; the total PA, at baseline 275.7 ± 138.6, decreased statistically significantly at the first (198.5 ± 84.6), third (174.9 ± 98.4), and fourth (188.7 ± 78.5) follow-ups, while it increased statistically significantly at the second follow-up (307.1 ± 106.1) compared to the baseline. Sedentary time was constant until the second follow-up, while it increased statistically significantly at the 3rd and 4th follow-up. CONCLUSION: workers involved reduced and reorganized their PA during this pandemic year. Each business company should intervene to improve the PA levels of workers and reduce sedentary behavior in the workplace.