Relationships between internet addiction, quality of life and sleep problems: a structural equation modeling analysis.

OBJECTIVE: To assess the relationship between internet addiction, quality of life, and sleep problems among adolescents. METHOD: This research was conducted with a representative sample of 875 adolescents. This cross-sectional study used the Internet Addiction Test, Pediatric Quality of Life Inventory™ version 4.0, Pediatric Daytime Sleepiness Scale, and sleep duration. Sociodemographic factors were also analyzed. Structural equation modeling was used to investigate relationships between variables. RESULTS: After adjusting the model for covariances between the latent variables of daytime sleepiness and correlations between the physical and emotional domains of quality of life, the authors obtained satisfactory fit indices (RMSEA = 0.031, CFI = 0.926, TLI = 0.909, SRMR = 0.058). Internet addiction was positively associated with daytime sleepiness (rho = 0.549, p < 0.001) and negatively associated with quality of life (rho = -0.173, p < 0.001). By contrast, sleep duration was negatively associated with daytime sleepiness (rho = -0.089, p = 0.007), positively associated with quality of life (rho = 0.105, p = 0.014), and dependent on school shift (rho = 0.453, p < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Adolescents with higher levels of internet addiction had lower perceptions of quality of life and higher daytime sleepiness. Moreover, sleep duration had a positive correlation with quality of life. Given its detrimental effects on quality of life and daytime sleepiness, parents should better supervise internet use in adolescents.

Percepções sobre os espaços públicos de lazer, segurança e qualidade de vida dos brasileiros / Perceptions about brazilian's leisure public places, security and life quality

Objetivo: analisar as percepções sobre os espaços públicos de lazer, segurança e qualidade de vida dos adultos brasileiros. Método: a amostra foi composta por 5259 adultos, representando uma cidade de cada uma das cinco regiões brasileiras, sendo elas: Florianópolis (SC), Goiânia (GO), João Pessoa (PB), Palmas (TO) e Vitória (ES). Foi utilizado um questionário estruturado que foi aplicado por equipe treinada. A Regressão Logística Binária foi utilizada para identificar as razões de chances, sendo analisadas no modelo ajustado quando as variáveis atingissem o critério pré estabelecido de p<0,05. Resultados: Pelo menos um terço da amostra (35,2%) indicou percepção de qualidade de vida negativa. Demonstraram maior chance de apresentá-la aqueles que quase nunca ou nunca frequentavam espaços públicos de lazer e os que os percebiam como desagradáveis, insuficientes e inseguros e aqueles que não se sentiam seguros durante a noite e de dia em suas cidades. Conclusão: A partir das associações encontradas após análise ajustada, sugere-se que espaços públicos de lazer e segurança podem intervir na qualidade de vida, por isso recomenda-se soluções de incentivo e manutenção daqueles, de forma que incida positivamente na percepção desta.

Objective: To analyze the perceptions about public leisure spaces, safety and quality of life of Brazilian adults. Method: the sample consisted of 5,259 adults, representing a city in each of the five Brazilian regions, namely: Florianópolis (SC), Goiânia (GO), João Pessoa (PB), Palmas (TO) and Vitória (ES). Characterizing itself as a cross-sectional descriptive epidemiological research. The instrument applied in the research was the standardized questionnaire, called Public Opinion Research (POP). Binary Logistic Regression was used to identify the odds ratios, being analyzed in the adjusted model when the variables reached the pre-established criterion of p<0.05. Results: At least one third of the sample (35.2%) indicated a negative perception of quality of life. Those who almost never or never attended public leisure spaces and those who perceived them as unpleasant, insufficient and insecure and those who did not feel safe during the night and day in their cities showed a greater chance of presenting it. Conclusion: Based on the associations found after an adjusted analysis, it is suggested that public spaces for leisure and safety can intervene in the quality of life, so it is recommended solutions to incentive and maintain those, in a way that positively affects their perception.

Efeito do período de interrupção de atividades aquáticas na aptidão funcional de idosas / The effect of stopping water exercise for 12 weeks on the functional fitness of elderly women

Esse estudo teve como objetivo verificar a influência do período de interrupção de 12 semanas na aptidão funcional de mulheres idosas, praticantes de atividades aquáticas. A amostra foi composta por 31 idosas, com x = 68,97 anos (DP = 5,34), praticantes de atividades aquáticas, que fizeram os testes da Bateria da American Alliance for Health,Physical Education, Recreation and Dance - AAHPERD, em novembro de 2005 e após 12 semanas de interrupção (março de 2006). Os resultados dos testes foram comparados com os valores normativos para essa bateria. O tratamento estatístico foi descritivo, mediante a freqüência simples e percentagem, e o teste t para amostras emparelhadas/pareadas, com nível de significância de 5%. Observou-se diferença estatisticamente significativa entre os valores médios de coordenação, agilidade e do índice de aptidão funcional geral (IAFG) entre o final do programa e após o período de interrupção. Ocorreu uma diminuição no resultado do IAFG e da coordenação após o período de interrupção de 12 semanas, porém, a agilidade das participantes melhorou. Concluiu-se que o período de interrupção de 12 semanas de atividades aquáticas influencia o IAFG em idosas. Estes resultados reforçam a importância do exercício físico no processo de envelhecimento e da conscientização sobre as vantagens de se manterem ativos mesmo no período de férias para a melhora e/ou manutenção dos níveis da aptidão funcional das idosas.

The objective of this study was to investigate the effect of a 12-week pause in exercising in water on the functional fitness of elderly women. The sample was 31 elderly women, with x = 68.97 years (SD = 5.34), all participants in a water exercise program. The women were tested in November 2005 and, after a 12-week pause in water exercises, in March 2006, using the American Alliance for Health, Physical Education, Recreation and Dance - AAHPERD test battery. The statistical analysis was descriptive, using simple frequencies and percentages, plus the t test for paired samples. A statistically significant difference was observed between mean scores for coordination, agility and the general functional fitness index (GFFI) at the end of the exercise program and 12 weeks later. The GFFI and coordination scores had reduced after the 12- week period, but the participants? agility had improved. It was concluded that a 12-week pause in water exercise impacted the GFFI of these elderly women. These results emphasize the importance of physical exercise during the ageing process and of raising awareness of the need for the elderly to keep physically active even during the holiday period in order to improve and/or maintain functional fitness levels.