Miguel Peralta

Associations between physical activity and self-rated wellbeing in European adults: A population-based, cross-sectional study.

Although self-rated wellbeing is an indicator of health status, it has been receiving little attention; its relationship with physical activity among adults remains inconclusive. The purpose of this study was to analyse the relationship between physical activity and several dimensions of self-rated wellbeing in European adults. This cross-sectional study was based on data from the European Social Survey round 6, 2012, comprising 40,600 European adults (18,418 men, 22,186 women) from 27 countries, with mean age 42.1±13.3. Meeting physical activity guidelines was assessed using World Health Organization criteria. Six dimensions of the self-rated wellbeing were assessed (evaluative wellbeing, emotional wellbeing, functioning, vitality, community wellbeing, supportive wellbeing). Men and women who attained physical activity recommended levels had better evaluative wellbeing (men, p=0.009; women, p<0.001), emotional wellbeing (men, p<0.001; women, p<0.001), functioning (men, p<0.001; women, p<0.001), vitality (men, p<0.001; women, p<0.001), supportive relationships (men, p<0.001; women, p<0.001), and wellbeing total score (men, p<0.001; women, p<0.001). Physical activity frequency was linearly associated with self-rated wellbeing in the 6 dimensions as well as the wellbeing total score (p<0.001). Attaining recommended physical activity levels is related to better self-rated wellbeing, and more frequent physical activity is linearly associated with better self-rated wellbeing in its 6 dimensions.

European adults’ physical activity socio-demographic correlates: a cross-sectional study from the European Social Survey

Background. From a public health perspective, the study of socio-demographic factors related to physical activity is important in order to identify subgroups for intervention programs. Objective. This study aimed to identify the prevalence of, and the socio-demographic correlates related to, the achievement of recommended physical activity levels. Methods. Using data from the European Social Survey round 6, physical activity and socio-demographic characteristics were collected, in 2012, from 39,278 European adults (18,272 men, 21,006 women), aged 18–65 years, from 28 countries. The question of meeting physical activity guidelines was assessed using World Health Organization criteria. Results. A total of 64.50% (63.36% men, 66.49% women) attained physical activity recommended levels. The likelihood of attaining physical activity recommendations was higher in the 55–64 years age group (men: OR = 1.22, p < 0.05; women: OR = 1.66, p < 0.001), among those who had secondary education (men: OR = 1.28, p < 0.01; women: OR = 1.26, p < 0.05), among those who lived in rural areas (men: OR = 1.20, p < 0.001; women: OR = 1.10, p < 0.05), and among those who had three or more people living at home (men: OR = 1.40, p < 0.001; women: OR = 1.43, p < 0.001). On the other hand, attaining physical activity recommendations was negatively associated with being unemployed (men: OR = 0.70, p < 0.001; women: OR = 0.87, p < 0.05), being a student (OR = 0.56, p < 0.001; women: OR = 0.64, p < 0.01), being a retired person (men: OR = 0.86, p < 0.05) and with having a higher household income (OR = 0.80, p < 0.001; women: OR = 0.81, p < 0.01). Conclusions. This research helped clarify that, as the promotion of physical activity is critical to sustain health and prevent disease, socio-demographic factors are important to consider when planning the increase of physical activity.

Cross-sectional and prospective relationship between physical activity and chronic diseases in European older adults

ObjectivesThis study examined the relationship between physical activity (PA) and chronic diseases in European older adults, using a prospective analysis with data from 2011 and 2013.MethodsParticipants were 37,524 older adults (16,204 men) who responded to the fourth (in 2011) and fifth (in 2013) wave of SHARE project, from 13 European countries. Participants’ answers to interview questions about the presence of chronic conditions and PA. The cross-sectional and prospective association between PA and the number of chronic diseases was assessed using general linear models.ResultsAmong men and women, moderate or vigorous physical activity (MVPA) in 2011 was associated with fewer reported chronic diseases in 2011 and 2013. In prospective analysis, MVPA in 2011 was inversely associated with the number of chronic diseases in 2013 in the unadjusted model. In the adjusted model MVPA more than once a week remained as a significant predictor of fewer chronic diseases.ConclusionsPA should be prescribed to older adults in order to prevent and reduce the number of chronic diseases, and, when possible, vigorous intensity PA should be recommended.

Prevalence of adult overweight and obesity in 20 European countries, 2014

Background Monitoring obesity and overweight prevalence is important for assessing interventions aimed at preventing or reducing the burden of obesity. This study aimed to provide current data regarding the prevalence of overweight and obesity of adults, from 20 European countries. Methods Participants were 34 814 (16 482 men) adults with mean age 50.8 ± 17.7. Data from European Social Survey round 7, 2014, were analysed. Body mass index (BMI) was calculated from self-reported height and weight. Results The proportion of underweight was only 2%, and 44.9% for normal weight. Overweight and obese accounted for 53.1%. More men than women were overweight (44.7% vs. 30.5%). Older adults were significantly more overweight (42.4%) and obese (20.9%) than middle age and younger adults. Retired people account for a greater proportion of overweight (42.0%) and obese (21.5%), when compared with employed, unemployed and students. People from rural areas were significantly more overweight (39.1 vs. 36.1%) and obese (17.0 vs. 15.3%) than those who lived in urban areas. The estimates indicate that the highest prevalence of overweight was in Czech Republic (45.2%), Hungary (43.7%) and Lithuania (41.7%). For obesity, Slovenia (20.8%), Estonia (19.7%) and the United Kingdom (19.2%) were the countries with the highest prevalence. Conclusion Even though data was self-reported, and individuals tend to overestimate their height and underestimate their weight, the prevalence of overweight and obesity is considered high. More than half of the European population is overweight and obese. This study strengthens and updates the claims of an excessive weight epidemic in Europe.

Exploring psychosocial correlates of physical activity among children and adolescents with spina bifida

BACKGROUND To enhance physical activity of children with spina bifida, it is important to investigate the correlates of physical activity to support the development of interventions to promote active lifestyles. OBJECTIVE This study aimed to identify psychosocial correlates of physical activity among children and adolescents with spina bifida. METHODS A survey was conducted with 31 students (15 boys), aged 10-17 years with spina bifida. A questionnaire was used to collect data of physical activity, demographic and psychosocial variables (attitudes, sports goal orientation and perceptions). Unadjusted and adjusted binary logistic regressions were performed to examine the relationship of psychosocial factors and physical activity participation. Data were collected in 2013. RESULTS Only 38.7% reported to participate in both organized and non-organized physical activity. Results showed no relationship between participation in organized and non-organized physical activity and psychosocial correlates. The result of the adjusted regression analysis show that perception of competence (OR = 9.55, 1.06-85.99, p < 0.05) was the only variable positively associated with participation in non-organized physical activity. CONCLUSIONS Most of the participants reported that they did not participate in physical activity regularly. Psychosocial variables were not related with physical activity, except perception of competence. Studies with bigger samples are needed, focused on the same and in others factors to identify the predictors of physical activity of young people with spina bifida.

Regular physical activity eliminates the harmful association of television watching with multimorbidity. A cross-sectional study from the European Social Survey

The aims of the study were to analyse the association of television viewing, physical activity (PA), and multimorbidity; and to understand if PA attenuates or eliminates the detrimental associations between television viewing and multimorbidity. This is a cross-sectional study based on data from the European Social Survey round 7, 2014. Participants were 32,931 adults (15,784 men), aged 18-114 years old, from 18 European countries. Self-reported information regarding chronic diseases (CD), PA and time watching television were collected through interview. Logistic regression analysis was conducted to analyse the association between watching television and PA with the presence of multimorbidity (≥1 CD). Men and women who watched television had increased odds of having multimorbidity. When considering PA it was observed that, independently of television viewing, compared to engaging in PA for ≤1 day/week, engaging in 2-4 days/week and in ≥5 days/week was inversely associated with multimorbidity. Increased odds of multimorbidity were observed for men spending >3 h/day watching television in the 2-3 days/week and ≤1 day/week categories of PA. For women engaged in 30 min of physical activity 2-3 days/week, spending >3 h/day watching television was associated with higher odds for multimorbidity. For adults who practiced physical activity on ≥ 5 days/week watching television was not associated with multimorbidity. Time spent watching television is associated with multimorbidity. However, physical activity participation can attenuate or even eliminate this association.

Prevalence and trends of overweight and obesity in older adults from 10 European countries from 2005 to 2013

Aims: Overweight and obesity are clinical public-health concerns worldwide. Amongst older adults, the prevalence of overweight and obesity is considered high. The purpose of this study was to provide current data regarding the prevalence and trends of overweight and obesity of adults from 2005 to 2013 in 10 European countries. Methods: The data used in the present study were derived from the first, second, fourth and fifth waves of the Survey of Health, Ageing and Retirement in Europe. The present study includes individuals aged ⩾50 years from 10 European countries. Body mass index (BMI) was calculated from self-reported height and weight (kg/m2). Results: The general prevalence of overweight (BMI ⩾25 kg/m2) was slightly above 60% and remained stable between 2005 (60.1%, 95% confidence interval (CI): 59.3–60.9%) and 2013 (60.3%, 95% CI: 59.7–60.9%). On the other hand, the prevalence of obesity (BMI ⩾30 kg/m2) increased significantly (1.6 points, 95% CI: 0.7–2.6) from 17.5% in 2005 to 19.2% in 2013. Although the prevalence of obesity increased in most countries, the only significant increase was observed in Germany (5.8 points, 95% CI: 1.8–9.9). Spain was the only country where the prevalence of obesity decreased significantly (−4.7 points, 95% CI: −8.8 to −0.5). Sex and age differences are reported. Conclusions: Although the prevalence of overweight was stable, the prevalence of obesity rose. Based on the data currently available for Europe, the prevalence of obesity in European older adults has already reached epidemic proportions, which reinforces the need for the development of effective healthy lifestyle programs.

Physical activity buffers the negative relationship between multimorbidity, self-rated health and life satisfaction

Background This study aimed to examine the relationship between multimorbidity, self-rated health and life satisfaction, and to test the moderating effect of physical activity on the relationship between multimorbidity, self-rated health and life satisfaction. Methods This is a cross-sectional study based on data from the European Social Survey 2014. Participants were 25 713 adults (12 830 men), aged 18-64 years old, from 18 European countries and Israel. Self-reported information regarding chronic diseases, health perception, life satisfaction and physical activity was collected through interview. Multimorbidity was defined as the co-occurrence of ≥ 2 chronic diseases. Linear regression models were used to estimate the effects of multimorbidity, physical activity and the interaction effect of multimorbidity × physical activity on self-rated health and life satisfaction. Results Multimorbidity was negatively related to self-rated health (d = 0.03) and life satisfaction (d = 0.03). Physical activity was positively related to self-rated health and life satisfaction. There was a significant interaction effect between multimorbidity and physical activity with regard to self-rated health (β = 0.01, P < 0.001) and life satisfaction (β = 0.04, P < 0.001). Conclusions Physical activity buffered the negative relationship between multimorbidity, self-rated health and life satisfaction; contributing to better self-rated health and life satisfaction.

Cross-Sectional and Prospective Relationship Between Low-to-Moderate–Intensity Physical Activity and Chronic Diseases in Older Adults From 13 European Countries

AIM To assess the relationship between low-to-moderate-intensity physical activity (LMPA) in 2011 and chronic diseases in 2011 and 2013 among older European adults. METHODS Participants (16,157 men and 21,260 women) from 13 European countries were interviewed about the presence of chronic conditions and LMPA. The association between LMPA and number of chronic diseases was assessed using logistic regression models. RESULTS Most of the older adults participated in LMPA more than once a week (81.9%), 8.4% participated once a week, and 9.3% did not participate. The prevalence of chronic diseases was significantly lower among those who reported engaging in LMPA. The LMPA in 2011 was related with lower odds of having several chronic diseases in 2013. CONCLUSION Engaging in LMPA is associated with reduced risk for chronic diseases in older European men and women. Even the practice of LMPA once a week seems to be enough to diminish the risk of having chronic diseases.

Self-rated wellbeing and physical activity associations in European older adults

Abstract Background: Physical activity and self-rated wellbeing have important benefits to health. However, scientific knowledge regarding their relationship among older adults is scarce. Thus, the aim of this study was to examine the associations between physical activity frequency and several dimensions of self-rated wellbeing, in a representative sample of European older adults from 28 countries. Methods: This study is based on the European Social Survey round 6, 2012. It had a total sample size of 12,341 older adults (5100 men, 7241 women) with mean age 73.8 ± 6.6 years. Information was collected through a questionnaire, filled-in during an hour-long face-to-face interview. Physical activity was accessed using the question “On how many of the last 7 days you were physically active continuously for 20 minutes or longer?” and six dimensions of self-rated wellbeing were used. Results: Physical activity in the last 7 days was linearly related with all dimension of the self-rated wellbeing and with wellbeing total score for both sexes (men, β = 0.09, 95% CI: 0.07 to 0.10, p < .001; women, β = 0.10, 95% CI: 0.09 to 0.11, p < .001). Conclusions: Physical activity promotion should be stressed as a meaningful strategy to improve peoples wellbeing overall. This strategy has special importance when considering the older adult population.