ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: Although physical activity (PA) is associated with significant health benefits, only a small percentage of adolescents meet recommended PA levels. This systematic review with meta-analysis explored the modifiable determinants of adolescents' device-based PA and/or sedentary behaviour (SB), evaluated in previous interventions and examined the associations between PA/SB and these determinants in settings. METHODS: A search was conducted on five electronic databases, including papers published from January 2010 to July 2023. Randomized Controlled Trials (RCTs) or Controlled Trials (CTs) measuring adolescents' device-based PA/SB and their modifiable determinants at least at two time points: pre- and post-intervention were considered eligible. PA/SB and determinants were the main outcomes. Modifiable determinants were classified after data extraction adopting the social-ecological perspective. Robust Bayesian meta-analyses (RoBMA) were performed per each study setting. Outcomes identified in only one study were presented narratively. The risk of bias for each study and the certainty of the evidence for each meta-analysis were evaluated. The publication bias was also checked. PROSPERO ID: CRD42021282874. RESULTS: Fourteen RCTs (eight in school, three in school and family, and one in the family setting) and one CT (in the school setting) were included. Fifty-four modifiable determinants were identified and were combined into 33 broader determinants (21 individual-psychological, four individual-behavioural, seven interpersonal, and one institutional). RoBMAs revealed none or negligible pooled intervention effects on PA/SB or determinants in all settings. The certainty of the evidence of the impact of interventions on outcomes ranged from very low to low. Narratively, intervention effects in favour of the experimental group were detected in school setting for the determinants: knowledge of the environment for practicing PA, d = 1.84, 95%CI (1.48, 2.20), behaviour change techniques, d = 0.90, 95%CI (0.09, 1.70), choice provided, d = 0.70, 95%CI (0.36, 1.03), but no corresponding effects on PA or SB were found. CONCLUSIONS: Weak to minimal evidence regarding the associations between the identified modifiable determinants and adolescents' device-based PA/SB in settings were found, probably due to intervention ineffectiveness. Well-designed and well-implemented multicomponent interventions should further explore the variety of modifiable determinants of adolescents' PA/SB, including policy and environmental variables.
Subject(s)
Exercise , Sedentary Behavior , Humans , Adolescent , Exercise/psychology , Adolescent Behavior/psychology , Randomized Controlled Trials as TopicABSTRACT
Background: Regular physical activity is crucial in preventing chronic diseases. International health authorities recommend that children and adolescents engage in at least 60 minutes of moderate to vigorous physical activity per day to achieve health benefits. Offering regular exercise opportunities to young people can promote the development of healthy lifestyles. In 2021, a new regu-lation introduced up to two compulsory hours of Physical Education per week in Italy and established that Physical Education should be entrusted to adequately trained teachers. The present study aimed to assess, from the perspective of the new teachers, the resources available for Physical Education in Italian primary schools. Methods: A questionnaire-based cross-sectional study was conducted among primary school Physical Education teachers during the year 2022-2023. Their opinion about the school resources were analyzed in light of their demographic characteristics and work experience. Results: Out of the 118 participating teachers, 96 (81.3%) reported the presence of a gym in their school. Participants expressed satisfaction with the size and windows of the gym, particularly for the schools of the North, as well as the adequacy of outdoor spaces. However, lower levels of satisfaction for locker rooms and gym small equipment emerged, especially among those teachers with less work experience. Conclusions: The introduction of the Physical Education teacher figure in Italian primary schools was an important step for health promotion in our country. However, some aspects related to the structural resources should be considered in future policies.
Subject(s)
Health Promotion , Physical Education and Training , School Teachers , Schools , Italy , Humans , Cross-Sectional Studies , Health Promotion/methods , Male , Female , Surveys and Questionnaires , Child , Exercise , Adolescent , Adult , Middle AgedABSTRACT
Introduction: Cardiopulmonary resuscitation is fundamental to improve the outcomes of a life-threatening event. The correct knowledge of first aid actions to provide may guarantee the victim's survival. This study was aimed at evaluating the competence about cardiopulmonary resuscitation and its predictors in a sample of Italian undergraduate students. Methods: Information on socio-demographic characteristics, first aid training, knowledge of stroke and heart attack symptoms and perceived ability to provide first aid, were collected through a web-based questionnaire. Results: On a total of 744 respondents (mean age 23.9±5.4 years, 62.5% female), 71.4% identified correctly first aid actions, 59.9% and 60.8% showed a good knowledge of stroke and heart attack symptoms, respectively. However, only 39.0% of them declared their ability to intervene in case of emergency. Attending a healthcare degree course and having had first aid training were associated with knowledge of symptoms and perceived ability to provide first aid. Female gender was negatively related with perceived ability to intervene. Conclusions: In spite of the satisfactory level of knowledge, these findings highlight the need to enhance the competence about cardiopulmonary resuscitation in the lay population, especially among females.
Subject(s)
Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation , First Aid , Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice , Students , Humans , Female , Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation/education , Male , Italy , Cross-Sectional Studies , Young Adult , Students/psychology , Surveys and Questionnaires , Adult , Adolescent , Sex Factors , Self ConceptABSTRACT
PURPOSE: The aim of the study was to evaluate the caffeinated Energy Drinks (EDs) consumption among a large sample of Italian undergraduates and its association with some of the major lifestyle risk factors. METHODS: Students attending twelve public Italian universities were involved between October 2021 and May 2022. Information on socio-demographic characteristics, ED consumption, and on health-related behaviors of participants was collected by the use of a web-based questionnaire. RESULTS: A total of 2165 students participated in the study and 15.2% of them reported having used caffeinated EDs in the last six months, mainly once a month (41.5%). In comparison with non-users, ED users showed a higher proportion of males (p < 0.001) and a higher father's educational level (p = 0.003), came mainly from Northern universities (p = 0.004) and life sciences degree courses (p < 0.001). Besides, ED users reported higher BMI values (p = 0.003), more particular dietary regimens (p < 0.001), higher levels of weekly moderate-vigorous physical activity (p < 0.001) and participation in sports (p < 0.001) and in team sports (p = 0.003), and higher proportion of smokers (p < 0.001) and alcohol drinkers (p = 0.005). ED use was negatively related with female gender (OR 0.546; 95% CI 0.374-0.798), the Mediterranean diet (OR 0.587; 95% CI 0.362-0.951) and coming from the center of Italy (OR 0.500; 95% CI 0.275-0.909) and positively associated with tobacco smoke (OR 1.712; 95% CI 1.176-2.492) and participation in a team sport (OR 1.686; 95% CI 1.051-2.707). CONCLUSION: These findings could encourage figures engaged in education to increase the students' awareness on this issue in order to prevent the excessive use of EDs and associated unhealthy behaviors, especially in the most interested subgroups.
Subject(s)
Energy Drinks , Male , Humans , Female , Universities , Cross-Sectional Studies , Life Style , Students , Surveys and QuestionnairesABSTRACT
Background: A well-balanced diet is essential in sport. Due to its typical content in high-quality proteins, low glycemic index foods, and unsaturated fats, Mediterranean Diet (MD) may represent a good choice to cover nutritional needs of athletes. The aim of this study was to explore how the dietary habits of elite athletes, such as those competing at the XXX Summer Universiade, comply with the MD model. A comparison between athletes coming from the Mediterranean and non-Mediterranean countries was also assessed. Methods: The Mediterranean Diet Serving Score (MDSS) questionnaire was administered to a sample of 433 university student athletes from all over of the world to evaluate the level of adherence to the MD pattern and possible differences between geographical areas. Results: The total sample showed a medium adherence to the MD, with a mean MDSS of 15.73 ± 3.71 out of a total of 23 points. A satisfactory consumption of fruits and vegetables was reported. Athletes from Northern European countries had a lower MD pattern adherence than the other ones. Conclusions: These findings suggest that the MD model is common among elite athletes, and it may be promoted as a healthy dietary pattern in the sport setting.
Subject(s)
Diet, Mediterranean , Sports , Humans , Feeding Behavior , Athletes , FruitABSTRACT
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.
Subject(s)
Antioxidants , Spirulina , Humans , Male , Antioxidants/pharmacology , Antioxidants/therapeutic use , Anti-Inflammatory Agents/pharmacology , Anti-Inflammatory Agents/therapeutic use , Dietary SupplementsABSTRACT
OBJECTIVE: Adolescents may be vulnerable to misleading nutritional information and adopt unhealthy food habits. In addition, specific features related to physical training, either aimed to improve fitness or to comply with sport demands, may influence food habits of the youth. This cross-sectional study was aimed to compare nutrition knowledge, food habits and adherence to Mediterranean diet in youth engaged in fitness training, competitive sports or inactive. METHODS: Three questionnaires, the General and Sport Nutrition Knowledge (GeSNK) questionnaire, a food habit questionnaire and the KIDMED were administered to gym members, athletes engaged in volleyball, long-distance swimming, and gymnastics, and inactive adolescents. RESULTS: The total sample included 211 youth (age 16.8 ± 1.7 years). Gym members, like the inactive youth, had lower general and sport-related nutrition knowledge compared to athletes (p = 0.001). In the whole sample, general nutrition knowledge was positively associated with healthy food habits (p < 0.01) and adherence to the Mediterranean diet pattern (p < 0.02). CONCLUSIONS: Gym members had a level of nutrition knowledge lower than young athletes and similar to inactive youth. Healthy food habits were related with nutrition knowledge among adolescents. Specific nutritional education programs are needed to address food habits in fitness settings.
Subject(s)
Athletes , Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice , Adolescent , Cross-Sectional Studies , Humans , Sports Nutritional Physiological Phenomena , Surveys and Questionnaires , SwimmingABSTRACT
BACKGROUND AND AIMS: Restriction measures adopted during the Coronavirus Disease-19 pandemic favored unhealthy behaviors. Tele-health offered the opportunity to pursue alternative ways of chronic diseases management. This retrospective study sought to determine the effects of a telehealth counselling intervention during the lockdown to children and adolescents with obesity previously engaged in a family-based secondary care program in an outpatient clinic of South Italy. METHODS AND RESULTS: 117 out of 156 patients participated to the tele-health intervention. Participants underwent videocalls with each component of the multidisciplinary team to receive support in adopting adequate dietary habits and to practice exercise at home. They were included in a closed social group to watch age-adapted tutorials on healthy habits. 75 patients returned to the Center after the end of the lockdown, while only 7 patients who did not participate to the videocalls, took part to the follow-up. Body Mass Index and body composition were assessed in all these patients. BMI z score did not increase in both groups. However, a significant increase of fat mass was observed in the non-participating group (0.046), while the intervention group showed an increase of fat free mass (p < 0.000). CONCLUSION: Notwithstanding the limited sample size, the telehealth intervention allowed the maintenance of baseline weight status in participants, with an increase of fat-free mass. As the CoViD-19 pandemic moves forward, the increasing adoption of the new technologies may help the continuity of care, even in pediatric obesity treatment.
Subject(s)
COVID-19/epidemiology , Continuity of Patient Care , Pediatric Obesity/therapy , Telemedicine/methods , Adolescent , Body Mass Index , COVID-19/prevention & control , Child , Communicable Disease Control/methods , Exercise , Feeding Behavior , Female , Humans , Italy/epidemiology , Male , Pandemics , Pediatric Obesity/epidemiology , Retrospective Studies , SARS-CoV-2ABSTRACT
An increasing prevalence of overweight and obesity was reported in youth with type 1 diabetes, likely due to the intensive insulin treatment and/or an unhealthy lifestyle. Analyses of body composition may help describe the real increase in fat mass, which contributes to the diabetes-related cardio-metabolic risk. This systematic review evaluated the current literature on body composition assessments in youth with type 1 diabetes and the potential association with cardio-metabolic, functional, or behavioural risk factors. A systematic search of literature studies reporting assessments of body composition in youth with type 1 diabetes published until April 2018 was performed following the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses guidelines. Twenty-three articles with different study designs reported assessments of body composition. The following methods were used to assess body composition: computerized dual energy X-ray absorptiometry (n = 10), bioelectrical impedance analysis (n = 8), skinfold thickness measurement (n = 4), and air displacement plethysmography (n = 1). Higher fat mass values were found in youth with type 1 diabetes in seven of the 13 studies that included a healthy control group. Most studies investigating the association between body composition and cardio-metabolic risk factors showed that youth with higher fat mass levels had poor glycaemic control, dyslipidaemia, or higher blood pressure. Assessments of body composition may represent a useful clinical procedure to support decision-making in type 1 diabetes management. Further research is needed to standardize the assessment of body composition and develop a consensus guideline.
Subject(s)
Body Composition , Body Mass Index , Diabetes Mellitus, Type 1/physiopathology , Skinfold Thickness , HumansABSTRACT
Though classroom time has been identified as a contributing factor to sedentary behavior, school has been recognized as the main educational setting providing physical activity (PA) opportunities. The purpose of this study was to develop and evaluate the feasibility of a classroom-based intervention which integrates PA during the school time, and assess its potential effect on reducing inactivity in primary school children. The intervention was performed in a sample of 47 children attending a primary school in the south of Italy and it was structured in two sessions of classroom active breaks (CABs) in three school days a week, shared with and supervised by the teachers. CABs showed an overall potential positive effect on the reduction of inactivity of â¼12 min and an equivalent increase in PA levels, of which 5 min were of moderate/vigorous intensity. Girls showed lower time spent in light and moderate PA and higher amount of inactivity than boys and responded better to the intervention. The satisfaction of children and teachers was high. CABs program is a safe tool to reduce inactivity and increase moderate/vigorous PA. Designing structured exercise breaks adapted in a flexible way to meet the needs of the school curriculum program may increase the feasibility of such PA program in the schools.
Subject(s)
Exercise/physiology , Health Promotion , Schools , Students , Child , Feasibility Studies , Female , Humans , Italy , Male , Sex FactorsABSTRACT
PURPOSE: This study aimed to evaluate the prevalence of traits of orthorexia nervosa (ON) and muscle dysmorphia (MD) in a group of undergraduates, investigate the associations between the risk of these conditions and the type of university course attended, the individual characteristics (gender, BMI, amount of physical activity, supplements and medicines use, dieting) and the risk of eating disorders (EDs). METHODS: A self-reported questionnaire consisting of a socio-demographic section and three tests validated for the evaluation of a risk of ON (ORTO-15), MD (MDDI-ITA) and EDs (EAT-26) was completed by 918 students from three Italian universities. RESULTS: 29.0% of participants demonstrated traits of ON and 5.0% of MD, without differences in prevalence in the three areas of study investigated (health-scientific, economic-humanistic, sport sciences); students of sport sciences exhibited a significantly higher score for MDDI-ITA (F = 6.493, p = 0.002). Participants with ON and MD traits were more on a diet (OR = 0.47, p ≤ 0.001 and OR = 0.428, p = 0.020, respectively) and showed a higher prevalence of EDs risk (OR = 3.55, p < 0.001 and OR = 10.23, p ≤ 0.001, respectively). The simultaneous presence of ON, MD, and EDs traits was seen in 5.4% of the students and the three test scores were correlated. CONCLUSIONS: The prevalence of ON and MD traits was found similar to that reported in the literature on undergraduates. Some associations observed improvement in the knowledge about these conditions, especially the association of participants with ON and MD traits with dieting and EDs traits and the correlation of the three test scores suggests a connection among these potential conditions. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Level V, descriptive cross-sectional survey.
Subject(s)
Feeding and Eating Disorders , Universities , Cross-Sectional Studies , Feeding Behavior , Feeding and Eating Disorders/epidemiology , Health Behavior , Humans , Italy/epidemiology , Muscles , Prevalence , Students , Surveys and QuestionnairesABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: The aim of the study was to explore lifestyle of undergraduate students in southern Italy and to investigate their determinants. METHODS: An anonymous, web-based questionnaire investigating weight and its perception, smoking and alcohol use, achievement of recommended levels of physical activity and time spent daily in screen-based sedentary behaviors was administered to students attending two universities in southern Italy. Age, gender, city, type of degree course attended, occupational status and residential status were considered as possible demographic determinants. RESULTS: The majority of the participants reported a normal weight (71.2%), were non-smokers (66.6%), occasional alcohol consumers (60.5%) and insufficiently active (62.6%), with a reported mean screen time exceeding 2 h per day. Gender, city, type of degree course and occupational status were found to be associated with lifestyle by regression analysis. Normal weight, overweight and obese students were generally properly aware of their weight condition; however, weight misperceptions were registered among normal and underweight undergraduates. CONCLUSIONS: This study highlighted some critical issues regarding lifestyles of university students that suggest the need for health promotion interventions targeted mainly on physical activity.
Subject(s)
Life Style , Students/psychology , Weight Perception , Adolescent , Adult , Cross-Sectional Studies , Female , Humans , Italy , Male , Students/statistics & numerical data , Surveys and Questionnaires , Universities , Young AdultABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: This study aimed to analyze the effects of a long-term community-based combined exercise program consisting of aerobic, resistance, flexibility and agility/balance training associated with motivational interviewing on physical fitness, physiological parameters and Physical Activity (PA) levels in middle-aged and older patients with Type 2 Diabetes (T2D). METHODS: Sixty-nine diabetic subjects (mean age 63 ± 5.2 y, 62.3% M) underwent a 9-month exercise program and 12 motivational group meetings focused on PA, while 90 diabetic controls (mean age 64 ± 6.4 y, 58% M) underwent usual PA recommendations. Changes in physical fitness measured by Senior Fitness Tests, BMI, HbA1c, waist circumference (WC) and habitual PA expressed in Metabolic Equivalent of Tasks (METs)-min/week were evaluated in each group through the International PA Questionnaire and compared between groups. RESULTS: At the end of the intervention participants showed significant improvements in BMI (29.3 to 27.6 kg/m2, P < 0.03), HbA1c (6.5 to 6.1%, P < 0.01), WC (104.2 to 95.6 cm, P < 0.01) and all the physical fitness parameters (P < 0.01) but lower body flexibility (P = 0.82), while only upper body strength (P = 0.04) and agility (P ≤ 0.01) improved significantly in controls. Habitual PA increased in participants and controls (+67 and +19 METs-min/week, respectively, P ≤ 0.01). Changes in physical fitness and PA levels registered in the two groups differed significantly (P < 0.01), while improvements in BMI, HbA1c and WC did not (P = 0.40, P = 0.52, P = 0.05, respectively). CONCLUSIONS: A long-term motivational exercise-based intervention may be more effective than PA recommendations only in improving physical fitness and PA levels in individuals with T2D and produce similar health improvements.
Subject(s)
Community Health Services/methods , Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2/therapy , Exercise/physiology , Motivational Interviewing/methods , Physical Fitness/physiology , Aged , Body Mass Index , Body Weights and Measures , Cardiorespiratory Fitness/physiology , Female , Humans , Italy , Male , Middle Aged , Muscle Strength , Postural Balance/physiology , Prospective Studies , Socioeconomic FactorsABSTRACT
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.
Subject(s)
Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2/therapy , Feeding Behavior/psychology , Motivation , Aged , Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2/psychology , Diet, Mediterranean , Female , Humans , Italy , Longitudinal Studies , Male , Middle Aged , Surveys and Questionnaires , Treatment OutcomeABSTRACT
Type II diabetes has a high prevalence rate worldwide, especially in industrialized countries. By requiring increasing health expenditures and resources, the disease and its complications generate a considerable economic burden. Since many years several institutions promote awareness and information programs regarding the most effective strategies to prevent and control diabetes. By reducing the severity of the disease and its complications, Adapted Exercise therapy (AE) represents an ideal instrument to remodulate the Therapeutic Healthcare Management Protocol (THMP) of patients with type II diabetes and may be defined as a new health technology. On the basis of these considerations, a Budget Impact Analysis (BIA) was carried out from the healthcare management perspective to evaluate advantages deriving from the introduction of a structured program of AE for diabetics in Campania, one of the Italian regions with the highest prevalence of diabetes. The analysis has examined two scenarios: the basic one, in which is not provided a program of AE and alternative that, instead, contemplated it. In a horizon of 5 years, the implementation of integrated THMP would entail, as demonstrated by the present analysis, a decrease in the estimation of the number of diabetic subjects complicated and related costs. The sensitivity analysis, adapted to check the soundness of this result, has supported the basic assumptions.
Subject(s)
Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2/prevention & control , Exercise Therapy/economics , Biomedical Technology , Costs and Cost Analysis , Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2/economics , Health Expenditures , Health Resources/economics , Humans , ItalyABSTRACT
(1) Background: Body image dissatisfaction has been commonly reported in adolescents with overweight/obesity and has been related to a lack of motivation to change lifestyle behaviors. Plus, a better perception of physical fitness has been related to a higher self-perception in physical aspect and social items in youths. (2) Methods: A total of 120 (59.2% males, mean age of 12.3 ± 0.9 years) middle-school adolescents participated in the present study. Anthropometric measurements were assessed following the standard procedures. Body weight perception and body image satisfaction were assessed using the Silhouette Figure Body Images Test. Self-perception profile, perceived physical fitness, and perceived difficulties in conducting physical tasks were assessed by using structured questionnaires. (3) Results: Overweight was present in 27.5% adolescents and obesity in 32.5%. A total of 89.7% of adolescents with obesity did not have a real perception of his/her weight status and 84.6% of adolescents with obesity were not satisfied with his/her body image. The self-perception of physical appearance, perceived difficulties in running, perceived overall fitness, and perceived speed/agility were lower in adolescents who were unsatisfied with their body image. Body image satisfaction was positively associated with the self-perception of physical appearance and overall fitness and negatively associated with perceived difficulties in running, independently of sex, age, and BMI. (4) Conclusions: Adolescents with obesity did not have a real perception of their weight status and were unsatisfied with their body image. The positive association between body satisfaction, a better perception of overall fitness, and less difficulties in conducting physical tasks suggests the protective role of the components of physical activity and health-related fitness on body acceptance in a critical period of life.
ABSTRACT
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.
ABSTRACT
Digital technologies have greatly developed and impacted several aspects of life, including health and lifestyle. Activity tracking, mobile applications, and devices may also provide messages and goals to motivate adopting healthy behaviors, namely physical activity and dietary changes. This review aimed to assess the effectiveness of digital resources in supporting behavior changes, and thus influencing weight loss, in people with overweight or obesity. A systematic review was conducted according to the PRISMA guidelines. The protocol was registered in PROSPERO (CRD42023403364). Randomized Controlled Trials published from the database's inception to 8 November 2023 and focused on digital-based technologies aimed at increasing physical activity for the purpose of weight loss, with or without changes in diet, were considered eligible. In total, 1762 studies were retrieved and 31 met the inclusion criteria. Although they differed in the type of technology used and in their design, two-thirds of the studies reported significantly greater weight loss among electronic device users than controls. Many of these studies reported tailored or specialist-guided interventions. The use of digital technologies may be useful to support weight-loss interventions for people with overweight or obesity. Personalized feedback can increase the effectiveness of new technologies in motivating behavior changes.
ABSTRACT
OBJECTIVES: Energy drink (ED) use is promoted to stimulate mental and/or physical activity, and their popularity has increased over the years, especially among young people. However, the use of EDs is often improper, and can induce adverse effects for human health. The purpose of this systematic review and meta-analysis was to analyze the literature to characterize the prevalence of ED consumption and motivations for use among undergraduate students. Furthermore, adverse effects and health-related behaviors associated with ED consumption were explored. METHODS: This systematic review was carried out according to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis guidelines, and the PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science databases were used for data research. RESULTS: A total of 71 articles published between 2007 and 2021 met the inclusion criteria and were included in the review. The estimated overall prevalence of ED consumption was 42.9% in undergraduate students (95% confidence interval, 42.5%-43.3%), with significant heterogeneity among studies (Q test: P < 0.001; I2 = 99.4%). The main reasons for use were engagement in study, projects or examinations, stay awake or alert, and physical activity/sport engagement. Sleep disturbance and increased heart rate or blood pressure were the most commonly reported adverse effects. ED consumption was frequently associated with alcohol use and smoking. CONCLUSIONS: These findings suggest that the inappropriate use of EDs and related unhealthy behaviors should be identified early, and addressed through effective educational interventions.
Subject(s)
Energy Drinks , Humans , Adolescent , Energy Drinks/adverse effects , Universities , Alcohol Drinking/adverse effects , Alcohol Drinking/epidemiology , Students , SmokingABSTRACT
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.