Sedentary Behaviors and Eating Habits in Active and Inactive Individuals: A Cross-Sectional Study in a Population from Southern Italy.

The aim of this study was to analyze sedentary behaviors and dietary habits assumed by individuals regularly practicing exercise in a gym, sports athletes and inactive individuals. The Sedentary Behavior Questionnaire and the Healthy Dietary Habits Index were administered online to evaluate the time spent in sedentary activities during the week and the habits of food consumption among adult individuals from the Campania region, in the south of Italy. Of the 411 participants, 25% were inactive, 34% were gym practitioners and 41% practiced different sport disciplines. Significant differences were found for sedentary habits adopted during the week and diets between athletes and inactive participants. However, no significant differences were observed for sedentary activities on the weekend and some sedentary behaviors such as video gaming or working/studying during the week. With regard to diet, athletes showed healthier food choices, such as fruit and vegetable consumption. The findings of this study underline the need for enhancing the awareness of the local population regarding the detrimental effects of unhealthy dietary behaviors and sedentary time, especially but not exclusively among inactive individuals.

Contamination of Hotel Water Distribution Systems by Legionella Species: Environmental Surveillance in Campania Region, South Italy.

The COVID-19 pandemic period was marked by the absence or reduced circulation of some infectious diseases. Legionellosis may have been affected by the prevention measures adopted to counter COVID-19. Legionellosis is a form of pneumonia interstitial that is normally transmitted via aerosol-containing bacteria (genus Legionella), that could be present in contaminated water sources and is often associated with travel and with staying in hotels. In this work, the data of the environmental surveys carried out by ARPA Campania in accommodation facilities since 2019 were analyzed for a better understanding of the dispersion patterns of L. pneumophila associated with the environment and to evaluate the variation of the data during the pandemic period. The aim was to provide a better understanding of Legionella at different geographic scales and to define a predictive epidemiological method. Results: In 2019, the Legionella genus contaminated 37.7% of all tourist facilities evaluated. In 2020, the Legionella genus contaminated 44.4% of all tourist facilities evaluated. In 2021, the Legionella genus contaminated 54.2% of all tourist facilities evaluated. Conclusions: Legionella pneumophila was the most prevalent species in our community, serogroup 1 was the most frequently isolated and the most implicated risk factor of contamination was the temperature of water in circulation.

Effects of Probiotic Supplementation on Sports Performance and Performance-Related Features in Athletes: A Systematic Review.

This review aims to evaluate the effects of probiotic supplementation on performance and performance-related conditions in athletes by evaluating randomized controlled studies from the MEDLINE (Pubmed), Web of Science, Scopus, and SPORTDiscus (EBSCO) databases. From a total of 2304 relevant articles, 13 studies fulfilled the inclusion criteria. Seven studies concern endurance athletes, one to rugby players, three refer to non-specified athletes, one to badminton players, and one involves baseball players. The evidence suggests that the integration of athletes' diets with some bacterial strains and also the consumption of multi-strain compounds may lead to an improvement in performance and can positively affect performance-related aspects such as fatigue, muscle pain, body composition, and cardiorespiratory fitness. However, the type of supplementation and sport is very variable among the studies examined. Therefore, to obtain more solid evidence, further controlled and comparable studies are needed to expand the research regarding the possible repercussions of probiotics use on athletes' performance.

Antioxidant, immunomodulatory, and anti-inflammatory effects of Spirulina in disease conditions: a systematic review.

The goal of this review was to critically evaluate the research on the effects of Spirulina (SP) supplementation on pathological conditions in the general population, considering its antioxidant, immunomodulatory, and anti-inflammatory properties. On a total of 1621 records screened, eighteen studies published between 2001 and 2020 met the inclusion criteria. Despite variability in research methodology and patient conditions, the findings of these studies generally support the benefits of supplementing diet with SP in subjects with both transmittable and non-transmittable diseases. Improvements were found for all the conditions studied, with the only exception of male infertility. However, the number of clinically controlled trials examining the effects of SP on specific health conditions is still very low, and some studies show medium quality. Further research in this field is needed to confirm the possible clinical role of Spirulina supplementation in parallel with medical therapies.

Effects of Probiotics Supplementation on Risk and Severity of Infections in Athletes: A Systematic Review.

The aim of this review was to appraise the literature on the effects of probiotics supplementation on gastrointestinal (GI) and upper respiratory tract infection (URTI) risk and prognosis in athletes. The search was conducted using the following electronic databases: MEDLINE (PubMed); Web of Science; Scopus; and SPORTDiscus (EBSCO). According to the PRISMA guidelines, randomized controlled studies performed on healthy athletes with a note dose of probiotics supplementation were considered. From the 2304 articles found, after eliminating reviews and studies on animals and unhealthy subjects and after screening of titles and abstracts, 403 studies were considered eligible. From these, in accordance with the inclusion and exclusion criteria, 16 studies were selected, ten of which concerned endurance athletes. The majority of the studies reported beneficial effects of probiotics in reducing the risk of developing the examined infections or the severity of related symptoms. However, due to the differences in formulations used and populations analyzed in the available studies, further research is needed in this field to achieve stronger and more specific evidence.

Antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and immunomodulatory effects of spirulina in exercise and sport: A systematic review.

Arthrospira platensis, also known as spirulina, is currently one of the most well-known algae supplements, mainly due to its high content of bioactive compounds that may promote human health. Some authors have hypothesized that spirulina consumption could protect subjects from exercise-induced oxidative stress, accelerate recovery by reducing muscle damage, and stimulate the immune system. Based on this, the main goal of this review was to critically analyze the effects of spirulina on oxidative stress, immune system, inflammation and performance in athletes and people undergoing exercise interventions. Of the 981 articles found, 428 studies were considered eligible and 13 met the established criteria and were included in this systematic review. Most recently spirulina supplementation has demonstrated ergogenic potential during submaximal exercise, increasing oxygen uptake and improving exercise tolerance. Nevertheless, spirulina supplementation does not seem to enhance physical performance in power athletes. Considering that data supporting benefits to the immune system from spirulina supplementation is still lacking, overall evidence regarding the benefit of spirulina supplementation in healthy people engaged in physical exercise is scarce and not consistent. Currently, spirulina supplementation might be considered in athletes who do not meet the recommended dietary intake of antioxidants. Further high-quality research is needed to evaluate the effects of spirulina consumption on performance, the immune system and recovery in athletes and active people. Systematic review registration: [https://www.crd.york.ac.uk/prospero/display_record.php?RecordID=262896], identifier [CRD42021262896].

An exercise-based educational and motivational intervention after surgery can improve behaviors, physical fitness and quality of life in bariatric patients.

INTRODUCTION: Unhealthy lifestyles may hinder bariatric surgery outcomes. This non-randomized controlled study aimed to evaluate the effects of an integrated post-operative exercise-based educational and motivational program in improving behaviors, quality of life, anthropometric features, cardiorespiratory and physical fitness in bariatric patients respect to the only surgical intervention. METHODS: A group of adult sedentary bariatric patients chose to attend a 12-month exercise program integrated with diet education and motivational support, or to receive usual care. Dietary habits, binge eating disorder, physical activity, obesity-related quality of life, Body Mass Index, waist and hip circumference, VO2max, strength and flexibility were assessed at the start and at the end of the study in both groups. RESULTS: On a total of 82 patients enrolled, follow-up measures were obtained from 28 (85.7% females, mean age 38.2±8.7) and 42 (71.4% females, mean age 40.2±9.5) patients included in the intervention and control group, respectively. All the behavioral and physical outcomes improved significantly in the participants to the intervention, while the control group showed lesser changes, especially regarding quality of life and physical fitness. CONCLUSIONS: Notwithstanding the self-selection, these results suggest that a timely postoperative behavioral multidisciplinary program for bariatric patients may be effective in establishing healthy behaviors which can lead to better surgery outcomes.

Effects of nutrition motivational intervention in patients affected by type 2 diabetes mellitus: a longitudinal study in Naples, South Italy.

BACKGROUND: Type 2 diabetes (T2D) is associated with a prion diminished quality of life, especially due to the severe complications that it implicates. Changing dietary habits is an absolute priority, as well as implementing nutritional motivational programs. The aim of this study was to verify the effectiveness of a nutritional intervention in improving the health of patients affected by T2D. METHODS: A total of 69 patients participated in a nine-months motivational program focused on the principles of the Mediterranean diet, the classes of nutrients, the distribution of the meals during the day and the dietary choices. During regular meetings, the patients were requested to fill out a questionnaire about their dietary habits and behaviours. Clinical and metabolic parameters were also analysed. RESULTS: At the end of the intervention the number of people who declared that they ate five meals a day (p = 0.006) and preferred to have fruit for snack (p = 0.004) increased, while there was a reduction in the use of sweeteners and an elimination of the use of fructose (p = 0.05). The total daily consumption of kilocalories (kcal) had been reduced and the percentages of carbohydrates, proteins and lipids, after the intervention, follow the guidelines. In relation to this, a significant improvement (p < 0.05) was registered in systolic and diastolic pressure, BMI and waist circumference, as well as in glycaemic values (p = 0.018). CONCLUSIONS: A nutritional motivational intervention may be useful in improving dietary habits and health status of patients with T2D. We hope that a similar intervention will be applied in Campania and in other Italian regions. TRIAL REGISTRATION: Registration number is ISRCTN11067689 ; date of registration: 10/09/2018. Retrospectively registered.

Improving Self-Management of Type 2 Diabetes in Overweight and Inactive Patients Through an Educational and Motivational Intervention Addressing Diet and Physical Activity: A Prospective Study in Naples, South Italy.

INTRODUCTION: Nutrition and physical activity are key elements in the prevention and management of type 2 diabetes. A community-based, multidisciplinary educational intervention aimed to improve quality of life and disease self-management in sedentary, overweight/obese type 2 diabetic patients was implemented in Naples, South Italy. METHODS: The 9-month intervention included a motivational program, a nutrition program, and an exercise program. Satisfaction, worry, and embarrassment regarding their condition, together with disease-related behaviors and propensity towards physical activity, were evaluated through a validated questionnaire before and after the intervention; health status perception was evaluated through the short-form 12 questionnaire. Changes in HbA1c level and weight were also checked. RESULTS: A significant improvement (p < 0.05) was registered in behaviors related to the management of hypoglycemic crisis and food choice; in nearly all the items related to living with the disease (p < 0.01); and in health status perception (p < 0.01). The adoption of healthy behavior was more common among women (OR 2.17, 95% CI 1.09, 3.02) and persons with higher educational levels (OR 1.26, 95% CI 0.83, 2.17; OR 1.54, 95% CI 0.56, 2.27). About 30% of participants did not modify their emotional status after the intervention. Although not significantly (p = 0.18), the trust of patients towards physical activity increased at the end of the study, together with their active lifestyle (p < 0.01) and with the decrease of perceived barriers (p < 0.01). A significant improvement was registered in glycemic control and weight status (p < 0.01). CONCLUSIONS: The intervention was feasible and effective in addressing diet and physical activity among participants, giving consequent improvements in health status. Similar educational interventions including a training program for people with diabetes should be standardized and adopted by the Italian National Health System.