E-health physical activity interventions and moderate-to-vigorous intensity physical activity levels among working-age women: a systematic review protocol.

BACKGROUND: The rapid pace of modern life requires working-age women to juggle occupational, family, and social demands. Despite the large numbers of working-age women in developed countries and the proven benefits of regular moderate-to-vigorous intensity aerobic physical activity (MVPA) in chronic disease prevention, few women meet current physical activity (PA) recommendations of 150 min of MVPA per week. It is important that appropriate and effective behavioral interventions targeting PA are identified and developed to improve the MVPA levels of working-age women. As women worldwide embrace modern technologies, e-health innovations may provide opportune and convenient methods of implementing programs and strategies to target PA in an effort to improve MVPA levels and cardiometabolic health. Previous reviews on this topic have been limited; none have focused on working-age women from developed countries who exhibit inappropriately low PA levels. It remains unknown as to which e-health interventions are most effective at increasing MVPA levels in this population. The purpose of this systematic review is to examine the effectiveness of e-health interventions in raising MVPA levels among working-age women in developed countries and to examine the effectiveness of these interventions in improving the health of women. METHODS: Eight electronic databases will be searched to identify all prospective cohort and experimental studies examining the impact of e-health interventions for increasing MVPA levels among working-age women (mean age 18-65 years) in developed countries. Gray literature including theses, dissertations, and government reports will also be examined. Study quality will be assessed using a modified Downs and Black checklist, and risk of bias will be assessed within and across all included studies using the Cochrane's risk of bias tool and Grades of Recommendation, Assessment, Development and Evaluation approach. A quantitative synthesis in the form of meta-analyses for measures of MVPA and health outcomes will be conducted where possible. DISCUSSION: This review will determine the effectiveness of e-health interventions in raising MVPA levels in working-age women in developed countries. It will form a contemporary, rigorously developed, and reliable research base for policy makers and stakeholders; and inform and influence the development and implementation of effective e-health interventions designed to increase MVPA levels and improve health outcomes in this population. SYSTEMATIC REVIEW REGISTRATION: PROSPERO CRD42014009534.

Population-based versus high-risk strategies for the prevention of cardiovascular diseases in low- and middle-income countries.

Cardiovascular diseases (CVD) are now the number one cause of death in low- and middle-income countries (LMIC), such as those in South East Asia (SEA). It is projected that SEA countries will have the greatest total number of deaths due to non-communicable diseases (NCDs) by 2020. In low resource countries, the rising burden of CVDs imposes severe economic consequences that range from impoverishment of families to high health system costs and the weakening of country economies. There are two possible options to be considered for addressing this issue: a "population-based strategy" and/or a "high risk" strategy. The question is, what is the optimal way to reduce the excessive burden of these diseases in the LMICs. We believe that by applying systematic policy and smoking cessation programs with proven effectiveness, there is a chance that the high smoking prevalence, particularly among SEA.

"A heart for Vienna"--the prevention program for the big city. Blue-collar workers as a special target group.

OBJECTIVES: To create awareness of cardiovascular health status by screening for cardiovascular risk factors, and thereby motivate people to improve their life style habits. This was carried out in form of a project within the framework of the government prevention programme "A Heart for Vienna" focussing on urban blue-collar workers, a population at greatest risk for developing cardiovascular disease. RESULTS: The prevalence of hypertension, overweight, obesity, abdominal obesity and smoking were 29.7 %, 62.4 %, 16.4 %, 29.3 %, and 49.8 %, respectively. 87.6 % presented at least one of the screened cardiac risk factors. The prevalence of hypertension, overweight, obesity and abdominal obesity increased with age. Hypertension, overweight and abdominal obesity were significantly more prevalent among unskilled compared to skilled male bluecollar workers. The prevalence of obesity and abdominal obesity was more than 1.5 times higher among female compared to male blue-collar workers. CONCLUSION: Blue-collar workers represent a population where health promotion and prevention of cardiovascular disease should have high priority. Within the bluecollar group itself the cardiovascular risk profile worsened with reduction in skill level.