Brisk Walking Pace Is Associated with Better Cardiometabolic Health in Adults: Findings from the Chilean National Health Survey 2016-2017.

BACKGROUND: Although the importance of walking for promoting a better cardiometabolic health is widely known (this includes both cardiovascular and metabolic/endocrine systems), there is little knowledge regarding its appropriate pace to provide adults with more cardiometabolic benefits. AIM: To analyze the associations between different walking pace categories and cardiometabolic health markers in the adult Chilean population. METHODS: Cross-sectional study. A total of 5520 participants aged 15 to 90 years old from the Chilean National Health Survey (CNHS) 2016-2017 were included. Walking pace categories (slow, average, and brisk) were collected through self-reported methods. Glycaemia, glycosylated hemoglobin (HbA1c), gamma glutamyl transferase (GGT), vitamin D2, vitamin D3, systolic and diastolic blood pressure, and lipid profile (Total, HDL, LDL, VLDL, No HDL cholesterol and triglycerides) were determined using blood sample tests and measured with the standardized methods described in the CNHS 2016-2017. RESULTS: People who had a brisk walking pace were associated with lower levels of glycaemia, HbA1c, GGT, systolic and diastolic blood pressure, and higher vitamin D3 levels compared with those with a slow walking pace. Moreover, people with a brisk walking pace had lower levels of VLDL cholesterol compared with those with a slow walking pace. However, after adjusting the model to include sociodemographic background, nutritional status, and lifestyle variables, the differences remained only for glycaemia, HbA1c and systolic blood pressure levels. CONCLUSIONS: A brisk walking pace was associated with better cardiometabolic health markers and lipid profile compared with a slow walking pace.

Asociación entre tiempo de uso de teléfono celular, nivel de actividad física y rendimiento académico en universitarios / Association between time spent on a cell phone, physical activity level, and academic performance in college students

Introducción: El aumento del uso de teléfono celular y la baja actividad física en universitarios se han asociado a un bajo rendimiento académico. Objetivo: Analizar la relación entre tiempo de uso del teléfono celular, el nivel de actividad física y rendimiento académico en estudiantes universitarios. Materiales y métodos: Estudio de alcance correlacional y temporalidad longitudinal. Participaron 36 estudiantes universitarios, a quienes se evaluó durante un semestre, el tiempo que destinaron al uso de teléfono celular, a través de la aplicación "Moment" y la actividad física mediante la aplicación "Pacer". Se registró el rendimiento académico con el promedio de notas. Resultados: Durante el semestre, los hombres realizaron mayor actividad física y utilizaron por mayor tiempo el teléfono. En periodos de evaluación, las mujeres tuvieron mayor actividad física y menor uso del teléfono celular (p=0,019 y p=0,033, respectivamente). Además, los hombres que tuvieron mejores notas promedio hacían un menor número de pickups diarios (p=0,032). Conclusiones: Los hombres universitarios son físicamente más activos y usan más el celular durante el semestre, aunque en periodo de evaluaciones las mujeres tienden a ser más activas y usar menos tiempo su celular. Los universitarios que usan menos el teléfono celular tienen mejor rendimiento académico.

Introduction: Low academic performance of college students has been associated with an increase in time spent on cell phones and a low physical activity. Objective: To analyze the relationship between time spent on cell phones, physical activity level, and academic performance in college students. Materials and methods: A study with a correlational and longitudinal temporality approach. During a semester, 36 college students were assessed on the time they spent using cell phones and their physical activity levels through the Moment and Pacer applications, respectively. Academic performance was monitored through report cards. Results: Men engaged in more physical activity and used cell phones more frequently during the analyzed period, while women showed higher physical activity levels and lower cell phone usage during evaluation periods (p=0.019 y p=0.033, respectively). Also, men who had better grade averages showed lower number of daily pickups (p=0.032). Conclusions: College men show higher physical activity levels and longer cell phone usage during the semester, while women tend to be more active and use their cell phones less frequently during evaluation periods. College students who use cell phones less regularly also have a better academic performance.

Calidad de vida en personas según tipo de confinamiento de estudiantes universitarios chilenos en pandemia por COVID-19 / Quality of life according to type of confinement of Chilean university students during COVID-19 pandemic

BACKGROUND: COVID-19 confinement measures in the population affected the quality of life and sleep. AIMS: To determine if confinement is associated with a lower quality of life and sleep. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: A self-reported survey including questions about type of confinement, time spent in front of a screen, the international physical activity questionnaire (IPAQ), the Sleep Self Report questionnaire and the SF-36 quality of life survey, was answered by 621 Chilean university students. RESULTS: Confined and not confined respondents spent a great amount of time in front of a screen, in sedentary activities and sleeping > 8 or < 6 hours per day. Those who were in confinement reported having a poorer quality of sleep and quality of life compared to those who were not in confinement. Those who required mandatory confinement for suspected COVID-19 had the worst quality of sleep and quality of life. CONCLUSIONS: University students had sedentary lifestyles regardless of the type of confinement. Those who were in confinement, especially for suspected COVID-19 infection, had the worst quality of sleep and quality of life.

Factores socio demográficos y de estilos de vida asociados a un bajo nivel de actividad física durante el confinamiento producto del COVID-19 en adultos latinoamericanos

Background: The confinement caused by the COVID-19 pandemic changed the lifestyles of the population affecting their levels of physical activity. Aim: To determine the factors associated with a low level of physical activity in adults during confinement during the COVID-19 pandemic. Material and Methods: Adults from Chile, Colombia, México and Perú were invited through social networks to answer an online survey. Questions about sociodemographic, health status and lifestyle variables were included. The level of physical activity and sedentary behavior were determined through the short version of the International Physical Activity Questionnaire (IPAQ). Results: The survey was answered by 3,362 adults aged between 18 and 60 years. Respondents more likely to be inactive were women, those with less than eight years of education, those with overweight or obesity, those who smoked at least one cigarette a day, consumed alcohol four or more times a week, slept less than six hours per day and spent more than 6 hours per day in sedentary behaviors. Conclusions: These findings provide a sociodemographic and lifestyle profile associated with physical inactivity during the period of confinement in Latin American adults. The results confirm the need to promote healthy lifestyles in the population during periods of confinement.

[Factors associated with inactivity during COVID-19 confinement among Latin American adults]. / Factores socio demográficos y de estilos de vida asociados a un bajo nivel de actividad física durante el confinamiento producto del COVID-19 en adultos latinoamericanos.

BACKGROUND: The confinement caused by the COVID-19 pandemic changed the lifestyles of the population affecting their levels of physical activity. AIM: To determine the factors associated with a low level of physical activity in adults during confinement during the COVID-19 pandemic. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Adults from Chile, Colombia, México and Perú were invited through social networks to answer an online survey. Questions about sociodemographic, health status and lifestyle variables were included. The level of physical activity and sedentary behavior were determined through the short version of the International Physical Activity Questionnaire (IPAQ). RESULTS: The survey was answered by 3,362 adults aged between 18 and 60 years. Respondents more likely to be inactive were women, those with less than eight years of education, those with overweight or obesity, those who smoked at least one cigarette a day, consumed alcohol four or more times a week, slept less than six hours per day and spent more than 6 hours per day in sedentary behaviors. CONCLUSIONS: These findings provide a sociodemographic and lifestyle profile associated with physical inactivity during the period of confinement in Latin American adults. The results confirm the need to promote healthy lifestyles in the population during periods of confinement.

[Quality of life according to type of confinement of Chilean university students during COVID-19 pandemic]. / Calidad de vida en personas según tipo de confinamiento de estudiantes universitarios chilenos en pandemia por COVID-19.

BACKGROUND: COVID-19 confinement measures in the population affected the quality of life and sleep. AIMS: To determine if confinement is associated with a lower quality of life and sleep. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: A self-reported survey including questions about type of confinement, time spent in front of a screen, the international physical activity questionnaire (IPAQ), the Sleep Self Report questionnaire and the SF-36 quality of life survey, was answered by 621 Chilean university students. RESULTS: Confined and not confined respondents spent a great amount of time in front of a screen, in sedentary activities and sleeping > 8 or < 6 hours per day. Those who were in confinement reported having a poorer quality of sleep and quality of life compared to those who were not in confinement. Those who required mandatory confinement for suspected COVID-19 had the worst quality of sleep and quality of life. CONCLUSIONS: University students had sedentary lifestyles regardless of the type of confinement. Those who were in confinement, especially for suspected COVID-19 infection, had the worst quality of sleep and quality of life.