Predictors of meeting physical activity recommendation before and during COVID-19 pandemic in adults

Introduction: This study aimed to determine the variables that predict whether WHO's global recommendation for physical activity (PA) before and during the COVID-19 pandemic can be met among adults. Material and Methods: A total of 921 adults voluntarily participated in this study. A demographic information form and the Physical Activity Assessment Questionnaire for Turkish people were administered by self-report. The participants were also asked whether they regularly do PA and if the duration of PA is over 150 minutes. Results: The number of adults doing regular PA at the level recommended by WHO significantly decreased during the COVID-19 pandemic, and the rate of not doing regular PA significantly increased compared to the period before the COVID-19 pandemic (p<0.05). Variables that reduce the likelihood of doing regular PA at the recommended level include being male, being under 45 years old, being married, having high school education or below, having a moderate and low-income, having a high BMI, and having a high recreational sedentary screen time (RSST) during the COVID-19 pandemic. Conclusions: The results of this study provide a priori information for implementations aimed at improving the recommended PA level for adults during social isolation or lockdown.

The Effects of COVID-19 Restrictions on Dietary Behaviors, Supplement, and Physical Activity Habits of Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder

Study Objectives: Limited studies show that adverse behavioral outcomes such as physical activity (PA), Dietary Behaviors (DB) are increasing among children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) because of COVID 19. However, the effects of the pandemic on children with ASD are little known. This study aimed to evaluate the factors that may affect the PA, DS, and DB of individuals with ASD before and during the curfew brought by the COVID-19 epidemic. Method(s): A total of 64 ASD participants (40 boys and 24) girls aged 6-18 years, were included in the study. The mean age of the participants was (13.75 +/- 1.67). An online questionnaire consisting of sociodemographic data, PA, DS, and DS habits was applied to the participants. Result(s): BMI (kg/m2) increased compared to pre-COVID-19 (< 0.001). It was determined that the physical activity levels of the participants with ASD were greatly reduced compared to pre-COVID-19 (<0.001). Duration of PA conducted 1 time a week, 3 times a week, and >7 days/week were found to be <30 minutes (< 0.001). Compared to pre-COVID-19, breakfast habits were changed (71.9%;< 0.001). Eating and snacking although not feeling hungry increased, (< 0.310;< 0.120 respectively). Vitamin C (53.1%), vitamin D (70.3%), vitamin B12 (50.0%), Calcium (75.0) and Magnesium (67.1%) use was determined to increase significantly (< 0.001) in participants with ASD during COVID-19. Conclusion(s): It was determined that individuals with ASD have significant decreases in physical activity, and nutritional behavior and significant increases in supplement use during the COVID-19 epidemic.Copyright © 2022 Mattioli 1885. All rights reserved.

Investigation of the usage of herbal products during the COVID-19 pandemic. (COVID-19 dedicated issue.)

During the COVID-19 pandemic period, herbal products have been used by patients for many purposes. In this study, the frequency of use of herbal products during the COVID-19 pandemic was investigated. This research is a cross-sectional study. Patients who admitted to an academic hospital (Gazi University Faculty of Medicine) Chest Diseases Clinic between November 2020-January 2021 were included in the study. It was concluded that approximately 32% of the patients used herbal products during the pandemic period and that the purpose of most of the participants was to strengthen the immune system. It was observed that the participants first consulted the spice sellers about the medicinal plants used against COVID-19. As a result, it has been determined that patients from many segments of society use herbal products against COVID-19 and they generally learn about the use of these products from non-medical sources. In this work, as it is always emphasized in terms of human health, the importance of being the first address where physicians and pharmacists should provide consultancy services on herbal products during the COVID-19 pandemic has been demonstrated once again.

Coping with the COVID-19 pandemic: the role of physical activity An international position statement

Since its appearance at the end of 2019 and the beginning of 2020 in Wuhan (China), the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) has spread rapidly worldwide. The outbreak was declared a pandemic in March 2020. Home confinement, travel restrictions, the closing of venues for exercise and recreation, and the cancellation of indoor and outdoor events including sport have been characteristic features of the public health responses around the world. The result has been a reduction in the levels of physical activity experienced by large numbers of the world population of all ages. This has caused considerable alarm for physical activity professionals around the world. In response, this position statement makes a case for the importance of continuing to embrace regular physical activity alongside the existing public health strategies that are being implemented in the management of the effects of the virus internationally. To be consistent with these policies this activity should always be away from others (application of social distancing) and preferably outdoors. Some potential benefits specific to the current situation, are suggested by reference to existing knowledge about the significance of exercise in the maintenance of a healthy immune system. However, these recommendations need to be viewed primarily within an unchanging context of the long-term value of healthy levels of physical activity for population well-being and quality of life. This has been made the more important on account of the potential harmful effects of the current reduced levels. Some recommendations for appropriate dosage and types of PA for those with different conditions are provided.

THE EFFECTS OF COVID-19 PHOBIA ON QUALITY OF LIFE: A CROSS-SECTIONAL STUDY OF CANCER PATIENTS

Objective: Cancer patients are defined as a risk group in the COVID-19. It is unknown how COVID-19 phobia affects the quality of life (QoL) in cancer patients who are vulnerable to infections during the COVID-19 pandemic. The purpose of this study was to determine the effects of COVID-19 phobia on QoL in cancer patients. Patients and Methods: This descriptive and cross-sectional study was conducted between June 2020 and September 2020 in an Oncology Clinic within a State Hospital in Istanbul. Data were collected by using the following three tools: 1- sociodemographic characteristics, information on cancer diagnosis and treatment, the presence of COVID-19 and isolation measures for protection from COVID-19;2- participants' COVID-19 phobia;3- the last tool was on defining the QoL. Results: The results showed that women had higher COVID-19 phobia than men, and marital status and education level had an impact on the QoL. It was observed that the factor affecting the total score of the COVID-19 Phobia Scale was the QoL_Physical score (6.8%), followed by the QoL_Environmental score (3.7%), gender (2.5%), and QoL_Social score (0.8%), respectively. Conclusions: This study addressed that is effectiveness of COVID-19 Phobia on QoL in cancer patients.