Impact of economic growth on physical activity and sedentary behaviors: a Systematic Review.

OBJECTIVES: This study systematically reviewed scientific evidence regarding the impact of economic growth on physical activity (PA) and sedentary behaviors. METHODS: A keyword and reference search was conducted in PubMed, Web of Science, Cochrane Library, Scopus, and EBSCO from the inception of an electronic bibliographic database to November 2021. Studies that met all of the following criteria were included in the review: (1) study designs: observational studies; (2) study subjects: people of all ages; (3) exposure: macroeconomic growth; (4) outcomes: PA or sedentary behaviors/sitting time. RESULTS: 15 studies were identified. Eight among 12 studies found economic growth positively associated with at least one domain/measure of PA, whereas the remaining four found an inverse relationship. One of two studies examined the association of economic growth and physical inactivity found a positive relationship, while another found no significant relationship. Four studies examined the associations between economic growth and sedentary behaviors, and the results were inconclusive. The impact of economic growth on PA is through three main pathways-(a) building and maintaining parks and green spaces, (b) adoption of the modern workplace and high technology, and (c) motorized transportation. CONCLUSION: Building and maintaining parks and green spaces can effectively promote leisure time physical activity and active commute in developed countries, whereas promoting workplace and transportation-related PA could be prioritized in developing nations. Future research calls for longitudinal study design and further exploration of macro-environmental factors. Policymakers and stakeholders should be informed about the potential PA reduction resulting from economic growth and develop preventive strategies to alleviate the problem.

The Nambour study of ocular disease. I. Design, study population and methodology.

In association with a study of actinic skin disease, we undertook a comprehensive survey of ocular disease in a population sample of the town of Nambour, Queensland, Australia. Particular emphasis was placed on those diseases with a putative relationship to exposure to solar radiation. In addition to collecting prevalence data, a randomized controlled trial was commenced to determine, among other things, if daily ingestion of 30 mg of beta-carotene supplements reduces the incidence or progression of ocular diseases possibly related to solar radiation exposure. The study design, population and methodology of the study are described in detail as a background to the future reporting of the results. The study should provide unique epidemiological information about eye disease in an Australian community setting due to the representative nature of the subjects and the comprehensive examination performed.