Effects of Instructional Physical Activity Courses on Overall Physical Activity and Mood in University Students.

PURPOSE: The aim of this research was to assess the association between university-based instructional physical activity (PA) courses and changes in overall PA levels and negative mood and their interrelations. The study also sought to determine the amount of change in PA required to significantly improve mood in course enrollees. METHOD: Participants were university students initially completing PA below the level recommended for health who were either presently enrolled in an elective instructional PA course (treatment group, n = 52, 69% female) or not presently enrolled in such a course (comparison group, n = 32, 69% female). Validated surveys assessed volumes of PA completed per week and overall negative mood from baseline to course end. Mediation analyses assessed group effects on mood through PA changes and reciprocal relations between PA and mood changes. RESULTS: There was a significantly greater increase in PA and significantly more reduction in negative mood in the treatment group. Change in PA completely mediated the relationship between group and change in negative mood, and change in mood completely mediated the relationship between group and PA. These findings indicated a reciprocal, mutually reinforcing relationship between changes in PA and mood. An increase in PA of at least 2 days/week was associated with a significant reduction in negative mood, with no greater effect for more increase. CONCLUSIONS: Results provided an improved understanding of the effects of university-based instructional PA courses and how they might be leveraged to improve students' mental health and possibly contribute to their academic success.

Physical activity and eating habits in public high schools from different regions in Brazil: the Saude na Boa project / Atividade física e hábitos alimentares em escolas públicas do ensino médio em diferentes regiões do Brasil: o projeto Saúde na Boa

PURPOSE: To analyze physical activity and dietary patterns of adolescents and young adults attending evening classes in high schools at two socioeconomic and culturally contrasting Cities in Brazil: Recife (in northern Brazil) and Florianopolis (in southern Brazil). METHODS: This is a cross-sectional analysis (baseline data) of a school-based randomized trial (the Saude na Boa project), including 2,147 students (15-24 years of age; 55.7 percent females) from 10 schools in each city, pair-matched by size and location. Data were collected by questionnaire. RESULTS: Males were more active than females (p<0.001) in all three physical activity measures in the questionnaire: days/wk of 60+min of moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA) - males 3.8 d/wk (s=2.3), females 3.2 d/wk (s=2.4); walk/bike to school - males 4.5 d/wk (s=2.4), females 4.1 d/wk (s=2.4); and, strength exercises - males 2.3 d/wk (s=2.5), females 0.8 d/wk (s=1.7). The prevalence of physical inactivity (zero d/wk of 60+ min MVPA) was significantly higher in Recife (p<0.001). Consumption of fruits was significantly higher in Recife than in Florianopolis (p<0.001), but no differences were observed for vegetable (p=0.28) and soda consumption (p=0.09). In general, one out of five students (21.7 percent) consumed fruits and vegetables <5 d/wk. CONCLUSIONS: Students attending evening classes (public high schools) in Recife tend to be older but are less likely be employed than their counterparts in Florianopolis. Participation in physical education classes was much more prevalent in Florianopolis (87.6 percent x 19.4 percent in Recife), especially for females. The prevalence of less than optimal eating habits and insufficient levels of physical activity justify the efforts to promote healthier behaviors in this transitional phase in life.

OBJETIVO: Analisar os padrões de atividade física e hábitos alimentares de adolescentes e jovens adultos matriculados no ensino noturno de escolas públicas do ensino médio em duas cidades com características culturais e socioeconômicas diversas no Brasil: Recife (Região Nordeste) e Florianópolis (Região Sul). MÉTODOS: Estudo observacional transversal dos dados de base de uma intervenção escolar randomizada (Projeto Saúde na Boa), incluindo 2.147 estudantes (15-24 anos; 55,7 por cento do sexo feminino) de 10 escolas em cada uma das cidades, pareadas por tamanho e localização. Os dados foram coletados por questionário. RESULTADOS: Os rapazes foram mais ativos que as moças (p<0,001) em todas as três medidas de atividade física no questionário: dias/sem com 60+min de atividade física moderada a vigorosa (AFMV) - rapazes 3,8 d/sem (DP=2,3), moças 3,2 d/sem (DP=2,4); caminhar ou pedalar para a escola - rapazes 4,5 d/sem (DP=2,4), moças 4,1 d/sem (DP=2,4); e exercícios de força muscular - rapazes 2,3 d/sem (DP=2,5), moças 0,8 d/sem (DP=1,7). A prevalência de inatividade física (zero dias/sem com 60+min de AFMV) foi significativamente mais alta em Recife (p<0,001). A frequência de consumo de frutas foi mais elevada em Recife do que em Florianópolis (p<0,001), não havendo diferença no consumo de legumes e verduras (p=0,28) e consumo de refrigerantes (p=0,09). Em geral, um em cada cinco estudantes (21,7 por cento) consumia frutas e verduras em menos de cinco dias da semana. CONCLUSÕES: Estudantes matriculados no período noturno em escolas públicas do ensino médio em Recife tendem a ser mais velhos, mas apresentam menor proporção de trabalhadores. A participação em aulas de Educação Física era bem mais frequente em Florianópolis (87,6 por cento x 19,4 por cento em Recife), particularmente para as moças. A prevalência de hábitos alimentares inadequados e insuficiente atividade física justificam os esforços para promoção de comportamentos mais saudáveis...