Older adults physically inactive in occupational and commuting domains have a higher risk for osteopenia and osteoporosis: A 12-month prospective study.

The relationship between different domains of physical activity (PA) and bone health in older adults needs to be further investigated. We evaluated 379 Brazilian older adults and observed that the risk of osteopenia is higher in older adults who are physically inactive in occupational domain and for osteoporosis the risk is higher in physically inactive in commuting domain and total habitual PA. PURPOSE: Bone mineral density (BMD) usually decreases with age, and the risk of osteometabolic diseases, such as osteopenia and osteoporosis, increases in older adults. PA is strictly related to BMD. However, the relationship between different domains of PA and bone health in older adults is still unclear, and needs to be further investigated, aiming at the implementation of preventative health measures for this population. Thus, the aim of the current study was to analyze the association between different domains of PA and the risk for osteopenia and osteoporosis in older adults in a 12-month follow-up. METHODS: Prospective study that included 379 Brazilian community-dwelling older adults, aged ≥ 60 years (70 ± 7 years, 69% women). Areal bone mineral density (aBMD) total, proximal femur, and lumbar spine were measured by dual energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA), and PA was self-reported. Binary logistic regression analysis and 95%CI were used to analyze the association between the practice of PA in different domains (at baseline and follow-up) and risk for osteopenia and osteoporosis (follow-up). RESULTS: The risk for osteopenia (total proximal femur or lumbar spine) is higher in older adults who are physically inactive in the occupational domain (OR:3.25; 95%CI:1.24-8.55). In addition, older adults who are physically inactive in the commuting domain (OR:3.43; 95%CI:1.09-10.82) and total PA (OR:5.58; 95%CI:1.57-19.88) present a higher risk for osteoporosis (total proximal femur or lumbar spine) compared to physically active older adults. CONCLUSION: The risk of osteopenia is higher in older adults who are physically inactive in occupational domain and for osteoporosis the risk is higher in physically inactive in commuting domain and total habitual PA.

Elevated Risk of Overweight/Obesity-Related Markers and Low Muscular Fitness in Children Attending Public Schools in Chile.

In Chile, children of low socioeconomic status usually attend public schools and have few opportunities to engage in healthy behaviors. This may increase their risk of overweight/obesity and low muscular fitness. Therefore, we aimed to determine the association between the school type attended with overweight/obesity-related markers and the muscular fitness of children in Chile. We included 1410 children (6-13 years old) attending public, subsidized, or private schools. Overweight/obesity-related markers included BMI Z-scores, waist circumference, and body fat percentage. Muscular fitness assessment included handgrip strength and standing long jump. The odds ratios [95% CI] of overweight/obesity, elevated waist circumference, elevated body fat, low handgrip strength, and low standing long jump were compared between school types. Compared with boys attending public schools, those attending subsidized or private schools had lower odds ratios of low handgrip strength (0.63 [0.42-0.94] and 0.44 [0.25-0.78], respectively). Girls attending subsidized schools, compared with those in public schools, had lower odds of overweight/obesity (0.63 [0.44-0.90]) and of having low handgrip strength (0.51 [0.34-0.78]). Compared with girls in public schools, those attending private schools had lower odds (vs. public schools) of overweight/obesity (0.45 [0.28-0.74]), of having elevated body fat (0.53 [0.29-0.96]), and of having low standing long jump (0.41 [0.21-0.77]). The elevated risk of overweight/obesity-related markers and lower muscular fitness in children, particularly girls, attending public schools increase their current and future disease risk. This suggests that childhood socioeconomic status plays a central role in determining disease risk. Health-promoting interventions specifically focused on children from disadvantaged contexts are required.

Association of sedentary behavior and early engagement in physical activity with low back pain in adolescents: a cross-sectional epidemiological study.

PURPOSE: To investigate the association of sedentary behavior and physical activity from childhood to adolescence with prevalence of low back pain in adolescents. In addition, we also explored whether sleep quality influences this association. METHODS: This is a cross-sectional epidemiological study. Participants (aged 10-17 years) were recruited from public and private schools in Brazil. Sedentary behavior and previous and current engagement in physical activity were assessed through questionnaires. Low back pain and sleep quality were assessed by the Nordic questionnaire and Mini-Sleep Questionnaire, respectively. Sex, age, body mass index, abdominal obesity, socioeconomic status and sleep quality were used as potential confounders. Binary logistic regression models were used to generate values of odds ratio (OR) and 95% confidence intervals (95%CI). RESULTS: A total of 1,001 (44,5% boys; n = 446) were included. Overall prevalence of low back pain was 18%, with higher rates among inactive and sedentary participants. Physical inactivity from childhood to adolescence in combination with high sedentary behavior doubled the likelihood of having low back pain (OR = 2.40 [95%CI: 1.38-4.18]), independent of potential confounders. Sleep quality attenuates, but not eliminates, this association (OR = 2.19 [95%CI: 1.25-3.84]). CONCLUSION: Being inactive from childhood to adolescence in combination with high sedentary behavior is associated with low back pain in adolescents. Sleep quality seems to attenuate, but not eliminate, this association.