Measuring workplace psychosocial factors in the federal government.

BACKGROUND: The National Standard of Canada for Psychological Health and Safety in the Workplace (the Standard) identifies 13 psychosocial factors affecting psychological health and safety in the workplace that employers should measure and monitor with the goal of addressing areas for improvement. The present study sought to determine the suitability of the Public Service Employee Survey as a tool for the assessment of these psychosocial factors in public service employees. It also aimed to explore-in a preliminary manner-predictors of job satisfaction in these employees. DATA AND METHODS: Data from the 2017 and 2019 Public Service Employee Survey (PSES) were analyzed. Specifically, exploratory structural modelling and tests of measurement invariance were used to identify a measurement model reflecting the psychosocial factors outlined in the Standard and to evaluate the equivalence of this model across both PSES administrations. RESULTS: The analyses uncovered 10 of the 13 psychosocial factors, as well as 2 closely related factors-diversity and inclusion-and supported the full invariance of the resulting measurement model across both PSES administrations. Lastly, preliminary results pointed to recognition and reward (encompassing leader reward behaviours) and involvement and influence (touching on participative decision making, innovation and initiative) as predictors of job satisfaction in both samples of public service employees. INTERPRETATION: The present study identified the PSES as a tool for the assessment-in public service employees-of the majority of the psychosocial factors outlined in the Standard as well as two additional factors of particular importance to the federal government, diversity and inclusion. Future research to address current limitations is discussed, as are preliminary implications for practice.

The association between walkable neighbourhoods and physical activity across the lifespan.

BACKGROUND: Walkability is positively associated with physical activity in adults. Walkability is more consistently associated with walking for transportation than recreational walking. The purpose of this study is to examine how the association between walkable neighbourhoods and physical activity varies by age and type of physical activity using a new Canadian walkability database. DATA AND METHODS: The 2016 Canadian Active Living Environments (Can-ALE) database was attached to two cross-sectional health surveys: the Canadian Health Measures Survey (CHMS; 2009 to 2015) and the Canadian Community Health Survey (CCHS; 2015 to 2016). Physical activity was measured in the CHMS using the Actical accelerometer (n = 10,987; ages 3 to 79). Unorganized physical activity outside of school among children aged 3 to 11 was reported by parents in the CHMS (n = 4,030), and physical activity data by type (recreational, transportation-based, school-based, and household and occupational) was self-reported by respondents in the CCHS (n = 105,876; ages 12 and older). RESULTS: Walkability was positively associated with accelerometer-measured moderate-to-vigorous physical activity in youth (p < 0.05), younger adults (p < 0.0001) and older adults (p < 0.05), while walkability was negatively associated with light physical activity in youth (ages 12 to 17) and older adults (ages 60 to 79) (p < 0.05). Walkability was positively associated with self-reported transportation-based physical activity in youth (p < 0.001) and adults of all ages (p < 0.0001). Walkability was negatively associated with parent-reported unorganized physical activity of children aged 5 to 11, and children living in the most walkable neighbourhoods accumulated 10 minutes of physical activity less-on average-than those living in the least walkable neighbourhoods. DISCUSSION: The results of this study are consistent with previous studies indicating that walkability is more strongly associated with physical activity in adults than in children and that walkability is associated with transportation-based physical activity. Walkability is one of many built environment factors that may influence physical activity. More research is needed to identify and understand the built environment factors associated with physical activity in children and with recreational or leisure-time physical activity.

An examination of the associations between walkable neighbourhoods and obesity and self-rated health in Canadians.

BACKGROUND: Two-thirds of Canadian adults and one-third of Canadian children and youth are overweight or obese. There is increased interest in identifying features of the built environment-such as walkability-that facilitate lifestyle habits associated with reduced obesity and improved health. The purpose of this study is to examine how the associations between walkability and both obesity and self-rated health vary by age in Canadians using a new walkability dataset. DATA AND METHODS: The 2016 Canadian Active Living Environments (Can-ALE) database was attached to Canadian Health Measures Survey (CHMS; 2009 to 2015) data. Moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA), light physical activity (LPA) and step counts were measured in the CHMS using the Actical accelerometer (n = 10,852; ages 3 to 79). Body mass index (BMI) and waist circumference were measured in a mobile clinic. Self-rated general and mental health were assessed using a questionnaire. RESULTS: The percentage of adults aged 40 to 59 classified as overweight or obese was 28 percentage points lower in the most walkable Can-ALE category than in the least walkable category (49.1% vs. 77.5%, p < 0.0125). There was a significant downward linear trend in measured BMI and waist circumference across Can-ALE categories (from least to most walkable) for adults aged 18 to 59, but not for children and youth or older adults aged 60 to 79. MVPA was a significant mediating factor in the association between the Can-ALE index and BMI in adults aged 40 to 79 (and in the waist circumference of respondents aged 40 to 59). Young adults (aged 18 to 39) were more likely than older adults (aged 60 to 79) to report very good or excellent general health as walkability increased. DISCUSSION: Using a new and freely-available Canadian walkability index, this study observed a positive association between walkability and both measured obesity and self-rated general health in adults. Walkability is one of many built environment characteristics that should be considered when trying to understand the relative contribution of the built environment to a person's weight and overall health.

Reallocating time between sleep, sedentary and active behaviours: Associations with obesity and health in Canadian adults.

BACKGROUND: Moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA) and sleep are positively associated with adults' health, while the association with sedentary behaviour (SED) is negative. Light-intensity physical activity (LPA) is emerging as an independent predictor of improved cardiovascular health. The health impacts of each of these factors have been examined in isolation, but interest has increased in associations between health and movement behaviours collectively. DATA AND METHODS: This analysis examines how reallocating time between movement behaviours is associated with obesity and with self-rated general and mental health. Data for 18- to 79-year-olds (n = 10,621) were collected from 2007 through 2015 as part of the Canadian Health Measures Survey. LPA, MVPA, and SED were measured using the Actical accelerometer. Body mass index (BMI) and waist circumference (WC) were directly measured. Sleep and general and mental health were self-reported. RESULTS: Reallocation of 30 minutes from SED, LPA or sleep to MVPA was associated with a lower BMI and smaller WC, particularly for older and overweight/obese individuals. Time reallocation from SED to LPA was associated with lower BMI and smaller WC in respondents who were aged 50 or older or who were overweight/obese. Time reallocated from SED to any other movement behaviour was associated with decreased odds of reporting poor/fair rather than excellent general health. Time reallocation from SED to LPA or to sleep, but not to MVPA, was associated with decreased odds of reporting poor/fair rather than excellent mental health. DISCUSSION: These findings confirm previous research indicating a strong association between MVPA and markers of obesity and health, particularly among older and overweight/obese individuals. This study also provides evidence that increasing LPA is an important health promotion message for these two subpopulations.

Duration and quality of sleep among Canadians aged 18 to 79.

This article provides recent estimates of the duration and quality of sleep of Canadian adults and of the percentage who adhere to sleep duration guidelines (7 to 9 hours per night at ages 18 to 64, and 7 to 8 hours per night at age 65 or older). The study is based on 10,976 respondents aged 18 to 79 from the 2007-to-2013 Canadian Health Measures Survey, a nationally representative, cross-sectional survey. Sleep duration and quality were self-reported. Mean sleep duration was 7.12 hours per night at ages 18 to 64 and 7.24 hours per night at ages 65 to 79. An estimated 65% of 18- to 64-year-olds and 54% of seniors slept the recommended number of hours per night. However, short sleep duration and poor sleep quality were relatively common. About a third slept fewer hours than recommended. At ages 18 to 64, an estimated 43% of men and 55% of women reported trouble going to sleep or staying asleep "sometimes/most of the time/all of the time"; the corresponding percentages at ages 65 to 79 were 40% and 59%.

Physical activity and sedentary behavior levels in children and adolescents with type 1 diabetes using insulin pump or injection therapy - The importance of parental activity profile.

In children and adolescents, treatments for type 1 diabetes (T1D) have recently evolved with the introduction of the insulin pump. However, little is known about how a pump is associated with physical activity (PA) patterns. The goal of the study was to examine the activity profile of Canadian children and adolescents with T1D according to their insulin treatment (pump vs. injections), as well as barriers to exercise and parental lifestyle habits. A self-administered questionnaire was completed by 188 subjects with T1D aged 6 to 17 and their parents at the endocrinology clinic of Sainte-Justine's University Hospital Center (Montreal, Canada). Sixty percent of patients used an insulin pump. There were no significant differences in any components of the PA profile, sedentary habits, and exercise barriers between subjects using injections and those using a pump. Fear of hypoglycemia was the main PA barrier in both treatment groups. A more diverse PA practice by parents was associated with more moderate-to-vigorous PA and less screen time in adolescents. In conclusion, type of treatment was not associated with more activity in pediatric patients with T1D and a varied parental PA profile was the main factor of interest for healthier habits in adolescents with T1D.

Long duration of stressful homework as a potential obesogenic factor in children: a QUALITY study.

OBJECTIVE: To examine for the first time whether stressful mental tasks are associated with an unfavorable anthropometric profile in children. METHODS: A cross-sectional analysis was undertaken in 511 children. A complete anthropometric profile was assessed, and children reported their homework duration and the presence/absence of stress related to schoolwork. Accelerometers and questionnaires provided the other profile of lifestyle components. RESULTS: Homework duration was not related to adiposity indicators in children not stressed by schoolwork. In boys stressed by schoolwork, significantly higher total and trunk body fat percentages were obtained in the high versus low duration of homework group. No difference in adiposity indicators was present in boys not stressed by schoolwork and in girls. A reduced activity level and an increased screen time partly mediated the relationship between homework and anthropometric profiles. CONCLUSIONS: Boys with a high workload of homework, when combined with the presence of schoolwork-related stress, have unfavorable adiposity indicators. This study suggests that more attention should be paid to stressful mental work as a potent risk factor for obesity.

Spatio-temporal distribution of hypothyroidism in Quebec.

This study estimates the incidence and prevalence of hypothyroidism in Quebec, based on a data bank produced by the Régie de l'assurance maladie du Québec (RAMQ) on the use of thyroid hormones by persons insured under RAMQ's public drug insurance plan between 1992 and 2001. In 2001, the prevalence of thyroid hormone use in women and men respectively was 10.8 and 2.9 percent. Prevalence increases with age, reaching, among those aged 65 and over, 21.9 percent in women and 8.0 percent in men in 2001. Incidence is highest in women between the ages of 45 and 64 and in men aged 65 and over. Age-related incidence is relatively stable in women but tends to increase in men. On a regional and local basis (by Centre local de services communautaires [CLSC]), incidence rates up to 2.4 times higher than anticipated on the basis of provincial incidence rates were observed.