Peter D. Hart

The Association Between Bullying and Psychological Health Among Senior High School Students in Ghana, West Africa

BACKGROUND School-based bullying, a global challenge, negatively impacts the health and development of both victims and perpetrators. This study examined the relationship between bullying victimization and selected psychological variables among senior high school (SHS) students in Ghana, West Africa. METHODS This study utilized data from the 2008 Ghana Global School-based Student Health Survey (GSHS). Prevalence rates of being bullied (95% confidence intervals [CI]) were calculated by each demographic group, as well as each psychological variable. Multiple logistic regression was used to model the relationship of being bullied (physical/nonphysical) on the linear combination of demographic variables. RESULTS A total of 7137 students participated in the 2008 GSHS with 40.1% reporting being bullied. Senior high school-level 1 (lowest grade) students were 3 (95% CI: 2.45-3.68) times more likely to be bullied compared with SHS level 3 (highest grade) students. Victims of bullying were significantly more likely to report negative psychological health compared with those who reported not being bullied. Odds ratios were as follows: signs of depression, 1.97 (95% CI: 1.75-2.21); suicide ideation, 1.72 (95% CI: 1.45-2.05); being so worried that it affects sleep, 2.10 (95% CI: 1.77-2.49); and loneliness, 1.82 (95% CI: 1.49-2.22). There was no significant difference in self-reports of negative psychological health when comparing students who experienced physical forms with those who were bullied in nonphysical ways. CONCLUSION Bullying victimization is a major problem among SHS students. We recommend strengthening of existing proactive anti-bullying programs by taking into account the association between bullying and the psychological health of students.

Establishing a threshold for the number of missing days using 7 d pedometer data

The purpose of this study was to examine the threshold of the number of missing days of recovery using the individual information (II)-centered approach. Data for this study came from 86 participants, aged from 17 to 79 years old, who had 7 consecutive days of complete pedometer (Yamax SW 200) wear. Missing datasets (1 d through 5 d missing) were created by a SAS random process 10,000 times each. All missing values were replaced using the II-centered approach. A 7 d average was calculated for each dataset, including the complete dataset. Repeated measure ANOVA was used to determine the differences between 1 d through 5 d missing datasets and the complete dataset. Mean absolute percentage error (MAPE) was also computed. Mean (SD) daily step count for the complete 7 d dataset was 7979 (3084). Mean (SD) values for the 1 d through 5 d missing datasets were 8072 (3218), 8066 (3109), 7968 (3273), 7741 (3050) and 8314 (3529), respectively (p > 0.05). The lower MAPEs were estimated for 1 d missing (5.2%, 95% confidence interval (CI) 4.4-6.0) and 2 d missing (8.4%, 95% CI 7.0-9.8), while all others were greater than 10%. The results of this study show that the 1 d through 5 d missing datasets, with replaced values, were not significantly different from the complete dataset. Based on the MAPE results, it is not recommended to replace more than two days of missing step counts.

Meeting Recommended Levels of Physical Activity in Relation to Preventive Health Behavior and Health Status Among Adults

Objectives The purpose of this study was to examine the relationship of meeting the recommended levels of physical activity (PA) with health status and preventive health behavior in adults. Methods A total of 5630 adults 18 years of age or older were included in this study. PA was assessed using a series of questions that categorized activities based on their metabolic equivalent values and then categorized individuals based on the reported frequency and duration of such activities. Participants reporting 150 minutes or more of moderate-intensity PA per week were considered to have met the PA guidelines. Multiple logistic regression was used to model the relationships between meeting PA guidelines and health status and preventive health behavior, while controlling for confounding variables. Results Overall, 53.9% (95% confidence interval [CI], 51.9 to 55.9%) of adults reported meeting the recommended levels of PA. Among adults with good general health, 56.9% (95% CI, 54.7 to 59.1%) reported meeting the recommended levels of PA versus 43.1% (95% CI, 40.9 to 45.3%) who did not. Adults who met the PA guidelines were significantly more likely not to report high cholesterol, diabetes, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, arthritis, asthma, depression, or overweight. Furthermore, adults meeting the PA guidelines were significantly more likely to report having health insurance, consuming fruits daily, consuming vegetables daily, and not being a current cigarette smoker. Conclusions In this study, we found meeting the current guidelines for PA to have a protective relationship with both health status and health behavior in adults. Health promotion programs should focus on strategies that help individuals meet the current guidelines of at least 150 minutes per week of moderate-intensity PA.

A Multinomial Logistic Regression Examination of TV Time and Two Different Measures of Obesity in U.S. Adults

Background: Physical inactivity and sedentary behavior are known factors related to the growing obesity rates in US adults. However, most population-based physical activity research primarily use a single measure of obesity. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to examine the relationship between television (TV) time and two different measures of obesity in US adults. Methods: This study used data from adults 20+ years of age participating in the 2015-2016 National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES). Using body mass index (BMI), participants were categorized as obese if their values were 30 kg/m2 or greater. Using waist circumference (WC), participants were categorized as obese if their values were greater than 88 (females) or 102 cm (males). TV time was assessed from a survey question and adults were categorized into one of four different groups. Multinomial logistic regression was used to model the relationship between TV time and three different obese status categories. Results: In fully adjusted models, odds of being BMI obese (OR=1.98; 95% CI: 1.32-2.98) and WC obese (OR=2.76; 95% CI: 1.88-4.05) were significantly greater in adults with 5+ hours of TV time as compared to those with Conclusion: Results from this study indicate that TV time is clearly related to both overall and abdominal obesity in US adults. Furthermore, this relationship remains in light of MVPA and appears stronger for adults with both types of obesity.

Self-Reported Physical Inactivity and Waist Circumference Independently Predict All-Cause Mortality in U.S. Adults

Background: Physical inactivity (PIA) is a major risk factor linked to many chronic diseases as well as premature mortality. Waist circumference (WC) is a measure of abdominal obesity and is also associated with many health problems. The purpose of this study was to examine both PIA and WC as predictors of all-cause mortality in adults. Methods: Data for this research came from the 2001-02 National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) and linked mortality file. Only participants who were 18+ years of age and eligible for mortality linkage were used in the analysis. PIA status was determined from the answers to two questions that asked subjects if they participated in moderate and then vigorous physical activity. WC was assessed by a trained health professional. Cox proportional hazards regression was used to model the effects of PIA and WC on mortality while controlling for age, sex, race, and income. Results: Approximately 33% (SE=1.12) of adults were physically inactive at interview date with mean WC of 95.6 (SE=0.21) centimeters (cm). A total of 55,288 person-years of follow-up was observed with 965 deaths. In the unadjusted model, physically inactive adults were at greater risk of mortality (Hazard Ratio (HR) =2.42, 95% CI: 2.006, 2.928) as compared to their more active counterparts. A 2% increase in mortality (HR=1.02, 95% CI: 1.016, 1.025) was seen for each 1-cm increase in WC. The fully adjusted model showed a significant increase in mortality (HR=1.40, 95% CI: 1.130, 1.727) among those who were physically inactive independent of a 1% increase in mortality (HR=1.01, 95% CI: 1.002, 1.016) for each 1-cm increase in WC. Conclusion: Results from this study indicate that PIA and WC are independent predictors of mortality in adults. Health promotion programs should consider both physical activity as well as abdominal obesity in their programming objectives.

Short-term Effects of Creatine Supplementation on Physical Fitness Measures in Moderately Active College-aged Females: A Randomized Placebo-controlled Pilot Study

Supplementation of oral creatine is a popular practice among strength and power athletes. Little evidence exists, however, on creatine’s short-term performance effects in college-aged females. The purpose of this study was to examine the effects of short-term creatine supplementation on physical fitness measures of muscular strength, muscular endurance, and body composition in college aged females. A double-blinded randomized placebo controlled trial was used with n=10 college-aged females assigned to either creatine (n=5) or placebo (n=5) groups. Subjects underwent a 2-week resistance training program with treatments administered during week 2. Fitness measurements were taken at baseline, week 1 (pre-supplementation), and week 2 (post-supplementation). Significant group-by-trial interactions were seen for percent body fat (PBF), 1RM leg press (LP), 1RM bench press (BP), wall sit (WS), push-up (PU), plank, and vertical jump scores, with the creatine group exhibiting significantly (p’s<.05) greater improvement over control group on all measures. Results of this study show that short-term creatine supplementation may produce positive effects on physical fitness measures while taken during a resistance training program.

Physical Inactivity and Health-Related Quality of Life among U.S. Adult Men and Women

Objectives: Physical inactivity (PIA) and health-related quality of life (HRQOL) are both major public health concepts of growing interest. This study had two purposes: (1) To evaluate the relationship between PIA and HRQOL among adult men and women, and (2) To examine the extent to which gender differences exist in the PIA and HRQOL relationship. Methods: Data from the 2007-2008 National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) were used for the study. Four self-reported items and one constructed index for a total of five measures were used to assess HRQOL. PIA status was assessed by answers to two questions regarding recreational physical activity. Multiple logistic regression was used to obtain odds ratios and 95% confidence intervals adjusted for demographic and healthrelated variables. Results: There were significantly greater odds of poor HRQOL for those who were physically inactive, while controlling for age, race, gender, income, Body Mass Index, smoking status, and sedentary time. PIA was significantly related to all 5 measures of HRQOL with the greatest odds seen for poor general health (OR = 2.49, 95% CI: 2.11 – 2.95). Gender differences were evident in most of the models, with odds of poor HRQOL ranging from 1.38 to 1.92 and 2.37 to 3.40 for women and men, respectively. Conclusions: Results from this study show that PIA is a strong predictor of poor HRQOL and remains so after controlling for potential confounding variables. Overall, more women report poor levels of HRQOL compared to men, however, men are more likely than women to report poor levels of HRQOL if they are physically inactive.