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To investigate the mediating role of social network size and perceived quality in the associations of physical activity with quality of life and depressive symptoms in middle-aged and older adults. We analyzed information of 10,569 middle-aged and older adults from waves 2 (2006–2007), 4 (2011–2012), and 6 (2015) of the Survey of Health, Ageing, and Retirement in Europe study (SHARE). Data on physical activity (moderate and vigorous intensities), social network (size and quality), depressive symptoms (EURO-D scale), and quality of life (CASP) were self-reported. Sex, age, country of residency, schooling, occupational status, mobility, and baseline values of the outcome were used as covariates. We created mediation models to test the mediating effect of social network size and quality in the association between physical activity and depressive symptoms. Social network size partly mediated the association between vigorous physical activity and depressive symptoms (7.1%; 95%CI: 1.7–12.6) as well as the association between moderate (9.9%; 1.6–19.7) and vigorous (8.1%; 0.7–15.4) physical activity and quality of life. Social network quality did not mediate any of the associations tested. We conclude that social network's size, but not satisfaction, mediates part of the association of physical activity with depressive symptoms and quality of life in middle-aged and older adults. Future physical activity interventions among middle-aged and older adults should consider increasing social interactions to facilitate benefits for mental health-related outcomes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The purpose of the study was to clarify the independent association between sedentary behavior and physical activity with multiple chronic diseases and medicine intake in older individuals. Sedentary behavior and physical activity were measured by questionnaires. Diseases and medication use were self-reported. Poisson's regression was adopted for main analysis, through crude and adjusted prevalence ratio and confidence interval of 95%. For men, sedentary time >4 hr/day presented a 76% higher prevalence of ≥2 chronic diseases, while physical inactivity increases the likelihood of using ≥2 medicines in 95%. For women, sedentary behavior >4 hr/day presented an 82% and 43% greater prevalence for ≥2 chronic diseases and the intake of ≥2 medicines, respectively. Sedentary behavior represents an independent associated factor of multiple chronic diseases in older men and women. In addition, inactivity for men and sedentarism for women are associated with the amount of medicine intake. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Community-based supervised group exercise may be an effective option to increase activity levels throughout pregnancy. Previous studies that have explored predictors of low adherence to exercise during pregnancy have not examined group-based settings. We analysed an international cohort of 347 pregnant women who participated in group-based prenatal exercise interventions (from <20 weeks to 34–36 weeks pregnant). Probable adherence predictors informed by previous literature that were assessed included: pre-pregnancy physical activity level and body mass index (BMI) classification, age, number of previous pregnancies, and education level. Adherence was measured by attendance. Adjusted odds ratios (aOR) and 95% confidence intervals (CI) were calculated to explore the relationship between the selected predictors and high adherence (≥70%). Post-secondary education level versus only secondary (aOR 5.28; CI 1.67; 16.72) or primary level (aOR 13.82; CI 4.30; 44.45) presented greater likelihood to have high adherence to the exercise intervention than low adherence. Future research and public health initiatives should consider implementing strategies to overcome education-related barriers to improve accessibility to prenatal exercise. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The current study aimed to describe the trends in gender, ethnicity, and education inequalities of types of leisure-time physical activity (LTPA) practiced by Brazilian adults from 2006 to 2019. Methods: We used data from 2006 to 2019 of the Brazilian Surveillance System for Risk and Protective Factors for Chronic Diseases by Telephone Survey, which is an annual survey with a representative sample of adults (≥ 18y) living in state capital cities. The types of LTPA considered were walking, running, strength/gymnastics, sports, other LTPA, and no LTPA participation. Gender (women or men), ethnicity (white, black, brown, or yellow/indigenous), and years of formal education were also self-reported. We used relative frequencies and their respective 95% confidence intervals to analyze trends. The absolute and relative differences between the proportions were used to assess the inequalities. Results: We observed increases in inequalities related to gender and education (running and strength/gymnastics), while gender inequalities for sports, other types, and no LTPA participation decreased. There were persistent inequalities related to gender (walking) and education (sports, other types, and no LTPA participation). Considering ethnicity, we noted increases in inequality for strength/gymnastics, where white adults were more active than black and brown adults. In addition, white adults reported more access to LTPA than brown adults over the years analyzed. Conclusion: Women, black and brown people, and subjects with less schooling were the most unfavored groups. While some inequalities persisted over the years, others increased, such as ethnicity and education inequalities for strength/gymnastics. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Quarantine periods change routines and behaviors with potential impact on different health outcomes. To determine the association between changes in physical activity and sedentary behaviors with changes in back pain during the COVID-19 pandemic quarantine among Brazilian adults. This was a nationwide survey through online questionnaires using data from 43,062 adults (≥ 18 years of age). Information on back pain was assessed using questions about episodes of back pain and worsening symptoms during the quarantine. The pattern of movement behaviors adopted before and during the pandemic were considered for physical inactivity (< 150 min/week of activity), high TV-viewing (≥ 4 h/d), and high computer/tablet use (≥ 4 h/d). Covariates included sex, age group, academic achievement, skin color, working status during the quarantine, and adherence to the quarantine. Logistic regression models were used for statistical analyses (weighted for national representativity). Becoming inactive (OR=1.76, 95% CI: 1.32, 2.37), with high TV-viewing (OR=1.35, 95% CI: 1.14, 1.61) and high computer/tablet use (OR=1.39, 95% CI: 1.11, 1.73) during the pandemic were associated with a higher incidence of back pain. The incidence of physical inactivity was also associated with increased back pain (OR=2.71, 95%CI: 1.64, 4.48). We conclude that increased physical inactivity and sedentary behaviors due to the COVID-19 pandemic quarantine are associated with the incidence and worsening symptoms of back pain among Brazilian adults. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Active transportation is a crucial sort of physical activity for developing sustainable environments and provides essential health benefits. This is particularly important in Latin American countries because they present the highest burden of non-communicable diseases relative to other worldwide regions. This study aimed to examine the patterns of active transportation and its association with sociodemographic inequities in Latin American countries. Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted in eight countries. Participants (n = 8547, 18–65 years) self-reported their active transportation (walking, cycling, and total) using the International Physical Activity Questionnaire. Sex, age, ethnicity, socioeconomic level, education level, public and private transport use, and transport mode were used as sociodemographic inequities. Results: Participants spent a total of 19.9, 3.1, and 23.3 min/day with walking, cycling, and total active transportation, respectively. Mixed and other ethnicity (Asian, Indigenous, Gypsy, and other), high socioeconomic level as well as middle and high education level presented higher walking than Caucasian, low socioeconomic and education level. Private transport mode and use of ≥ 6 days/week of private transport showed lower walking than public transport mode and ≤ 2 days/week of private transport. Use of ≥ 3 days/week of public transport use presented higher walking than ≤ 2 days/week of public transport. Men had higher cycling for active transportation than women. Use of ≥ 3 days/week of public transport use presented higher cycling than ≤ 2 days/week of public transport. ≥6 days/week showed lower cycling than ≤ 2 days/week of private transport use. Men (b: 5.57: 95 %CI: 3.89;7.26), black (3.77: 0.23;7.31), mixed (3.20: 1.39;5.00) and other ethnicity (7.30: 2.55;12.04), had higher total active transportation than women and Caucasian. Private transport mode (-7.03: -11.65;-2.41) and ≥ 6 days/week of private transport use (-4.80: -6.91;-0.31) showed lower total active transportation than public transport mode and ≤ 2 days/week of private transport use. Use of 3–5 (5.10: 1.35;8.85) and ≥ 6 days/week (8.90: 3.07;14.73) of public transport use presented higher total active transportation than ≤ 2 days/week of public transport use. Differences among countries were observed. Conclusions: Sociodemographic inequities are associated differently with active transportation across Latin American countries. Interventions and policies that target the promotion of active policies transportation essential to consider sociodemographic inequities. Trial registration: ClinicalTrials.Gov NCT02226627. Retrospectively registered on August 27, 2014. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background This study examined the joint associations of leisure time physical activity and television (TV) viewing time with the prevalence of chronic diseases among Brazilian adults. Methods Data from the Brazilian Health Survey, a nationally representative survey conducted in 2013 (n  = 60 202; ≥18 years), were used. Time spent in TV viewing and leisure physical activity, physician diagnoses of diabetes, hypertension and heart disease and information on co-variables (chronological age, education, ethnicity, candies/sweets consumption, sodium intake and tobacco smoking) were collected via interview. Descriptive statistics (mean and 95% confidence interval) and logistic regression models were used for etiological analyses. Results Physical activity attenuated but did not eliminate the risk associated with high TV viewing for at least one chronic disease in the general population [odds ratio [OR]: 1.29 (1.11–1.50)] and among women [OR: 1.31 (1.09–1.60)], adults [OR: 1.24 (1.05–1.46)] and older adults [OR: 1.63 (1.05–2.53)]. On the other hand, physical activity eliminated the risk associated with high TV viewing for at least one chronic disease among men [OR: 1.24 (0.98–1.58)]. Conclusions We conclude that physical activity can attenuate but not eliminate the negative effects of high TV viewing on chronic disease among subgroups of Brazilian adults. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Characteristics of the neighborhood built environment are associated with physical activity (PA). However, few studies with representative samples have examined environmental correlates of domain-specific PA in Latin America. We examined the associations of the perceived neighborhood built environment with domain-specific PA in a large sample of adults from eight Latin American countries. Methods: This study examined data from 8185 adults (aged 18–65 years) from eight Latin American countries. The Neighbourhood Environment Walkability Survey - Abbreviated (NEWS-A) scale was used to assess perceptions of land use mix–diversity, land use mix-access, street connectivity, walking/cycling facilities, aesthetics, safety from traffic, and safety from crime. Perceived proximity from home to public open spaces (metropolitan parks, playgrounds, public squares) and to shopping centers was also measured. Transport-related and leisure-time PA were assessed using the long form of the International Physical Activity Questionnaire. Both logistic and linear regression models were estimated on pooled data. Results: Perceptions of higher land use mix-access (OR: 1.40; 95% CI: 1.22,1.61), the existence of many alternative routes in the neighbourhood (1.12; 1.04,1.20), slow speed of traffic (1.19; 1.03,1.35) and few drivers exceeding the speed limits (1.09; 1.03,1.15) were associated with greater odds of reporting at least 10 min/week of transport-related PA. Perceptions of higher levels of land use mix-diversity, better aesthetics and greater safety from crime, the presence of crosswalks and pedestrian signals, and greater proximity of shopping centers were associated with more min/week of transport-related PA. Perceptions of higher land use mix-diversity (1.12; 1.05,1.20), higher land use mix-access (1.27; 1.13,1.43), more walking/cycling facilities (1.18; 1.09,1.28), and better aesthetics (1.10; 1.02,1.18) were associated with greater odds of engaging in at least 10 min/week of leisure-time PA versus none. Perceptions of higher land use mix-diversity were associated with more min/week of leisure PA. Conclusions: Different perceived neighborhood built environment characteristics were associated with domain-specific PA among adults from Latin America countries. Interventions designed to modify perceptions of the neighbourhood built environment might influence initiation or maintenance of domain-specific PA. Trial registration: ClinicalTrials. Gov NCT02226627. Retrospectively registered on August 27, 2014. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background Our aim was to investigate the association between physical activity and alcohol consumption, as well as the sociodemographic and behavioral patterns of this association in a representative sample of Brazilian adults. Methods Data from the Brazilian Health Survey (PNS), a nationally representative survey conducted in 2013 (n = 60 202; age≥18 years), were used. Time spent in leisure physical activity, alcohol consumption as well as sociodemographic (chronological age, educational status and skin color) and associated behavioral factors (TV viewing and tobacco smoking) were collected via interview. Logistic regression models were used for the main analyses. Results Prevalence of weekly and almost daily alcohol consumption were 29.5% and 6.7% for men and 12.0% and 1.0% for women respectively. Adults with weekly alcohol consumption were more likely to be classified as physically active [young: men=OR:1.20 (CI 95%:1.02–1.39), women= OR:2.33 (CI 95%:1.92–2.82); middle-aged: men= OR:1.46 (CI 95%: 1.17–1.82), women= OR:1.75 (CI 95%:1.38–2.22); older: men= OR:1.83 (CI 95%:1.27–2.66), women= OR:2.11 (CI 95%: s1.26–3.52)], when compared to adults with no alcohol consumption. Almost daily alcohol consumption was associated with lower physical activity among young and middle-aged adults but with higher physical activity among older adults of both sexes and young women. Conclusions Weekly alcohol consumption was associated with a higher level of physical activity among young, middle aged and older adults. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aim Examine the association between child and adolescent physical activity maintenance categories and metabolic profile in adolescence. Methods This cross-sectional study was conducted with 1152 adolescents (57.4% female) aged 10–16 years from Londrina, Brazil. Physical activity was self-reported in childhood (7–10 years old, retrospective data) and adolescence through questionnaires. Cardiorespiratory fitness (20 m shuttle-run test), body fat (skinfolds), waist circumference, blood pressure (automatic instrument) and blood variables (fasting glucose, HDL-cholesterol and triglycerides) were measured at adolescence. Results Frequency of physical activity in childhood and adolescence was 50.3 and 17.2%, respectively, and only 25.7% of boys and 10.9% of girls were active at both ages. Adolescents who were physically active in childhood alone were less likely [OR = 0.71 (95% CI: 0.52–0.97)] to present low cardiorespiratory fitness in adolescence compared to those who were non-active in childhood. Regardless of controlled, actives in childhood and adolescence were less likely to present low cardiorespiratory fitness [OR = 0.50 (95% CI: 0.34–0.73)], high blood pressure [OR = 0.52 (95% CI: 0.32–0.85)] and high metabolic risk score [OR = 0.44 (95% CI: 0.22–0.90)] compared to the non-actives at both ages. Conclusions Actives through childhood to adolescence are less likely to present low cardiorespiratory fitness, high blood pressure and high metabolic risk. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Physical inactivity and sedentary behavior are major concerns for public health. Although global initiatives have been successful in monitoring physical activity (PA) worldwide, there is no systematic action for the monitoring of correlates of these behaviors, especially in low- and middle-income countries. Here we describe the prevalence and distribution of PA domains and sitting time in population sub-groups of six south American countries. Methods: Data from the South American Physical Activity and Sedentary Behavior Network (SAPASEN) were used, which includes representative data from Argentina (n = 26,932), Brazil (n = 52,490), Chile (n = 3719), Ecuador (n = 19,851), Peru (n = 8820), and Suriname (n = 5170). Self-reported leisure time (≥150 min/week), (≥150 min/week), transport (≥10 min/week), and occupational PA total (≥10 min/week), as well as sitting time (≥4 h/day) were captured in each national survey. Sex, age, income, and educational status were exposures. Descriptive statistics and harmonized random effect meta-analyses were conducted. Results: The prevalence of PA during leisure (Argentina: 29.2% to Peru: 8.6%), transport (Peru: 69.7% to Ecuador: 8.8%), and occupation (Chile: 60.4 to Brazil 18.3%), and ≥4 h/day of sitting time (Peru: 78.8% to Brazil: 14.8%) differed widely between countries. Moreover, total PA ranged between 60.4% (Brazil) and 82.9% (Chile) among men, and between 49.4% (Ecuador) and 74.9% (Chile) among women. Women (low leisure and occupational PA) and those with a higher educational level (low transportation and occupational PA as well as high sitting time) were less active. Concerning total PA, men, young and middle-aged adults of high educational status (college or more) were, respectively, 47% [OR = 0.53 (95% CI = 0.36–0.78), I2 = 76.6%], 25% [OR = 0.75 (95% CI = 0.61-0.93), I2 = 30.4%] and 32% [OR = 0.68 (95% CI = 0.47-1.00), I2 = 80.3%] less likely to be active. Conclusions: PA and sitting time present great ranges and tend to vary across sex and educational status in South American countries. Country-specific exploration of trends and population-specific interventions may be warranted. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To analyze the association between four key different physical activity (PA) domains and depressive symptoms among Brazilian adults. Data from the Brazilian National Health Survey (n = 60,202; ≥18 years) were used. PA across four different domains (leisure, transport, occupational and household) was collected through specific questionnaires. The cutoff point adopted in each domain was 150 min/week. Depression was evaluated through the Patient Health Questionnaire-9. Multivariable adjusted linear and logistic regression models were applied. Leisure PA was associated with lower depressive symptoms [β: −0.008 (95% CI: −0.010 to −0.005); OR: 0.69 (95% CI: 0.59 to 0.81)]. Transport PA was also associated with lower depressive symptoms among older adults [β −0.008 (−0.012 to −0.003); OR: 0.70 (95% CI: 0.53–0.94)] but not middle-aged adults. On the other hand, occupational PA [β: 0.003 (95% CI: 0.002 to 0.005); OR: 1.62 (95% CI: 1.38 to 1.91)] and household PA [β: 0.009 (95% CI: 0.006 to 0.012); OR: 1.57 (95% CI: 1.37 to 1.79)] were associated with higher depressive symptoms. The association between PA and depression symptoms varies according to the domains of PA and some appear independent from each other. While leisure PA is associated with fewer depressive symptoms; occupational and household PA appear to be associated with an increased depression risk. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To examine the relationship between physical activity, sedentary behaviors, and social isolation in a representative sample of Brazilian adolescents. Cross sectional analyses using data from the Brazilian Scholar Health Survey conducted in 2015. The sample included 100,839 adolescents (mean age: 14.3 y, 51.4% Female) from 3040 schools. Information about social isolation (number of close friends and perceived loneliness), physical activity (International Physical Activity Questionnaire) and sedentary behaviors (total sitting time and TV viewing) were self-reported. Chronological age, race and type of city (state capital or other) were co-variables. Logistic regression models were used to analyze the data (results are presented as odds ratios (OR) with 95% confidence intervals). Physical activity was associated with lower odds of both social isolation indicators in boys, and with lower likelihood of having few friends in girls. Greater sitting time was associated with higher likelihood of social isolation, as was low (<1 h/d) [boys: OR: 1.54 (95% CI: 1.33 to 1.77); girls: OR: 1.31 (95% CI: 1.17 to 1.48] and high TV viewing (≥8 h/d) [boys: OR: 1.75 (95% CI: 1.47 to 2.09)]; girls: OR: 1.58 (95% CI: 1.37 to 1.82)]. More than 300 min/week of physical activity was sufficient to eliminate the association of high TV viewing and high sitting time with markers of social isolation in boys. Physical activity is associated with a lower prevalence of social isolation, especially among boys. Both high and low amounts of TV viewing increase the likelihood of social isolation. Physical activity reduced the association between TV viewing and sitting with social isolation among boys. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]