A scoping review of Indigenous community-specific physical activity measures developed with and for Indigenous Peoples in Canada, Australia, and New Zealand.

Historical factors including colonization and ongoing socioeconomic inequities impact Indigenous Peoples' ability to mitigate chronic disease risks such as achieving recommended physical activity (PA) levels. Reliably assessing, reflecting, and promoting PA participation among Indigenous Peoples may be impacted by a lack of culturally appropriate assessment methods and meaningful engagement with Indigenous communities throughout the research process. The objectives of this scoping review were to examine: (1) How PA research with Indigenous Peoples used community-specific PA measures developed with and/or for Indigenous Peoples in Canada, Australia, and New Zealand; and (2) How the studies utilized community-based participatory research (CBPR) principles to engage communities. A systematic search was conducted in four electronic databases (Web of Science, Medline, University of Saskatchewan Indigenous Portal, and ProQuest Dissertations and Theses Global). Thirty-one (n = 31) articles were identified and data extracted for narrative synthesis. Studies using community-specific PA measures have been increasing over time. Adapting questionnaires to traditional Indigenous activities such as cultural dances, ceremonies, and food-gathering activities were the most frequent adjustments undertaken to use community-specific measures. There are, however, gaps in research partnering with communities with only 6% of studies including all eight CBPR principles. Practical ways researchers can engage Indigenous communities and build capacity such as training and employing community members were highlighted. More needs to be done to facilitate community self-determination and develop long-term sustainable initiatives. Using culturally appropriate and relevant methodologies including partnering with Indigenous communities may help identification and implementation of culturally relevant and sustainable health-promoting initiatives.

Treatment of obesity and diabetes in mice by transplant of gut cells engineered to produce leptin.

Leptin injections evoke weight loss by causing a reduction in food consumption and an increase in energy expenditure. Also, the administration of leptin lowers blood glucose levels in some rodent models of diabetes and in humans with lipodystrophy. We explored the therapeutic potential of delivering leptin to obese, diabetic ob/ob mice and to mice fed on a high-fat diet (HFD), by transplanting gut-derived cells engineered to produce leptin, under the regulation of an inducing agent, mifepristone. These cells expressed and released leptin in a mifepristone dose-dependent and time-dependent manner. The engineered cells were either transplanted into the mice under the kidney capsule or were encapsulated in alginate and injected into the intraperitoneal cavity, while mifepristone was delivered by implanting 14-day release pellets. In ob/ob mice, leptin delivery by this method caused a significant reduction in food intake and profound weight loss, which was controllable by adjusting the dose of mifepristone. These transplants also achieved rapid and persistent amelioration of diabetes. However, mice fed on a HFD were resistant to the leptin therapy. These results indicate that gut cells can be modified to express leptin in an inducible manner and that the transplantation of these cells has a therapeutic effect in leptin-deficient mice, but not in mice fed on a HFD.

Physical Activity and Sedentary Behaviour of Master of Physical Therapy Students: An Exploratory Study of Facilitators and Barriers.

Purpose: A full 85% of Canadians fail to meet physical activity (PA) guidelines, and 69% report being sedentary. Physical therapists are uniquely positioned to promote an active lifestyle; thus, we explored the PA and sedentary behaviour (SB) of Master of Physical Therapy (MPT) students as well as the associated facilitators and barriers. Methods: We used a mixed-methods approach, accelerometry and photovoice (a focus group discussion in which participants discussed self-selected photographs). Accelerometer data were used to quantify PA (light, moderate, and vigorous) and SB. Thematic analysis of the focus group discussion was informed by the socio-ecological model. Results: A total of 26% of participants met national PA guidelines, and mean daily sedentary time for participants was 670.7 (SD 34.4) minutes. Photovoice analysis revealed four main themes related to the facilitators of and barriers to PA and SB: (1) priorities and life balance, (2) commitment and accountability, (3) environment, and (4) MPT programming. Conclusions: A full 74% of participants did not meet the recommended PA guidelines; this is concerning given their immanent roles as health care professionals. Physical therapists are well prepared to prescribe PA to clients. Not only do MPT students need competencies in prescribing PA and exercise, but they may also need to be supported in meeting PA guidelines themselves and limiting SB throughout their studies.

Objectif : au total, 85 % des Canadiens ne respectent pas les lignes directrices en matière d'activité physique (AP), et 69 % déclarent être sédentaires. Les physiothérapeutes sont en position idéale pour promouvoir des modes de vie active. Les auteurs ont donc exploré l'AP et le comportement sédentaire (CS) d'étudiants à la maîtrise en physiothérapie (MPT), de même que les incitatifs et les obstacles qui s'y associent. Méthodologie : les auteurs ont utilisé une méthode mixte, l'accélérométrie et la méthode photovoix (discussion d'un groupe de travail sur des photos qu'il sélectionnait lui-même). Ils ont utilisé les données d'accélérométrie pour quantifier l'AP (légère, modérée et vigoureuse) et le CS. Ils ont utilisé le modèle socioécologique pour étayer leur analyse thématique des discussions du groupe de travail. Résultats : au total, 26 % des participants respectaient les lignes directrices nationales en matière d'AP, alors que la période de sédentarité moyenne des participants était de 670,7 minutes (ÉT 34,4). L'analyse de photovoix a révélé quatre grands thèmes liés aux incitations et aux obstacles à l'AP et au CP : 1) priorités et équilibre de vie, 2) engagements et responsabilités, 3) environnement et 4) programme de MPT. Conclusions : un total de 74 % des participants ne respectaient pas les lignes directrices recommandées en matière d'AP. C'est inquiétant puisqu'ils deviendront bientôt des professionnels de la santé. Les physiothérapeutes sont bien préparés pour prescrire l'AP à leurs clients. Non seulement les étudiants à la MPT ont-ils besoin de compétences pour prescrire l'AP et l'exercice, mais ils ont peut-être aussi besoin de soutien pour respecter eux-mêmes les lignes directrices en matière d'AP et limiter leur CP pendant leurs études.