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Implementing movement at the workplace: Approaches to increase physical activity and reduce sedentary behavior in the context of work.
Pronk, NP
Progress in cardiovascular diseases. 2021;:17-21
Abstract
The purpose of this article is to highlight approaches to increase movement, physical activity (PA), and cardiorespiratory fitness, and reduce sedentary behavior (SB) in the context of the workplace. A deliberate strategy that will enable the successful promotion of movement at the workplace includes a business plan and rationale, an organizing framework, prioritization of interventions that are known to generate outcomes, and alignment of programmatic solutions with strong program design principles. Recommended principles of design include leadership, relevance, partnership, comprehensiveness, implementation, engagement, communications, being data-driven, and compliance. Specific evidence-based intervention examples are presented in the context of a socio-ecological framework including the individual, group, communications environment, physical environment, and policy domains. Increased movement at the workplace, as a result of promoting PA and reducing SB, generates important health outcomes across physical, mental, social, and economic domains and these benefits extend across the individual and organizational levels.
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Westernization of Lifestyle and Atherosclerosis in the Japanese: Lessons from the Hawaii - Los Angeles - Hiroshima Study.
Yoneda, M, Kubota, M, Watanabe, H, Egusa, G
Journal of atherosclerosis and thrombosis. 2021;(3):214-222
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Abstract
Japanese Americans include Japanese individuals migrating from Japan to the United States (first-generation Japanese Americans [JA-1]) and their offspring (second- or later-generation Japanese Americans [JA-2]). Although Japanese Americans share their genetic predisposition with the Japanese, their lifestyles have been westernized rapidly and extensively. We conducted a medical survey for atherosclerosis among Japanese Americans living in Hawaii and Los Angeles and native Japanese living in Hiroshima for 50 years since 1970 (the Hawaii-Los Angeles-Hiroshima Study) and obtained the following results:(1) In the 1990s, a westernized lifestyle induced hyperlipidemia among Japanese Americans, and based on the evaluation of the carotid artery intima-media wall thickness (IMT), atherosclerosis was apparently more advanced in Japanese Americans than in native Japanese. In addition, the advancement of atherosclerosis corresponded to the degree of westernization of lifestyles in JA-1 and JA-2.(2) In the 2010s, the serum total cholesterol and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol levels in native Japanese were significantly higher than those in Japanese Americans, and the difference in the progression of carotid artery IMT was smaller between native Japanese and Japanese Americans.(3) Maintaining a healthy Japanese lifestyle since childhood may suppress future worsening of risk factors for atherosclerosis (such as obesity and diabetes mellitus) and contribute to atherosclerosis prevention in the Japanese.
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Nudging to get our food choices on a sustainable track.
Vandenbroele, J, Vermeir, I, Geuens, M, Slabbinck, H, Van Kerckhove, A
The Proceedings of the Nutrition Society. 2020;(1):133-146
Abstract
Food production is one of the major contributors to environmental damage. Adaptations in our food choices are needed to preserve resources for the needs of future generations. More sustainable consumption patterns have been encouraged by economic incentives, laws, education and communication campaigns. Nonetheless, consumers still find difficulties in trying to change their current food habits. This review takes a behavioural approach in encouraging sustainable food choices among consumers. From a nudging perspective, many behavioural changes can be encouraged in a non-obtrusive way by adapting the complex food environment in which consumers are operating. These interventions do not restrict consumers' choices but rather adapt the choice architecture wherein food decisions are made. Drawing on the literature from diverse theoretical perspectives, we provide an overview of the application of nudging for more sustainable food choices and highlight where more research is needed. More specifically, we discuss research that used nudging to engender cognitive impact (i.e. the use of labels or visibility enhancements), affective responses (i.e. sensorial and social influence cues) and behavioural effects (i.e. adjustments in convenience and product size). We conclude that this review only shows the tip of the iceberg of the research on nudging and sustainable consumption that is likely forthcoming in the next few years, following the successes of nudging applications in other domains. Nonetheless, each individual nudging intervention requires careful examination. Personal predispositions towards the environment should be considered when designing interventions, demonstrating the complementarity of nudging with education on sustainable consumption.
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Promoting Cardiovascular Health for African American Women: An Integrative Review of Interventions.
White, BM, Rochell, JK, Warren, JR
Journal of women's health (2002). 2020;(7):952-970
Abstract
Background: African American (AA) women bear a disproportionate burden of cardiovascular disease. Promoting ideal cardiovascular health is one strategy to promote health equity for this disparate population. The goal of this integrative review was to summarize and evaluate the research evidence for cardiovascular risk reduction interventions specifically targeting, tailored, or adapted for AA women. Materials and Methods: A review of the literature was conducted using the EBSCOHost platform. Study elements from articles in the final analysis were extracted. Results: Fourteen interventions were included in the final analysis (16 peer-reviewed articles). Most studies targeted two or more areas of cardiovascular health with the most common areas being physical activity and diet. Primary and secondary outcome measures varied; the most common measures were self-reported dietary intake, physical activity, and knowledge-related measures. Eleven studies reported health outcomes; only five reported long-term intervention effects. Most studies employed at least one cultural tailoring or adaptation strategy for AA women. The most common strategies included incorporating feedback from the target population before implementation and tailoring intervention material to reflect the target population. Conclusions: There is a need to develop and evaluate tailored or adapted evidence-based interventions for AA women. Additional research is needed to design interventions for subgroups of the population such as low-income or rural AA women.
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Healthy brain, healthy life: a review of diet and exercise interventions to promote brain health and reduce Alzheimer's disease risk.
Baranowski, BJ, Marko, DM, Fenech, RK, Yang, AJT, MacPherson, REK
Applied physiology, nutrition, and metabolism = Physiologie appliquee, nutrition et metabolisme. 2020;(10):1055-1065
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Abstract
With the world's population aging at a rapid rate, the prevalence of Alzheimer's disease (AD) has significantly increased. These statistics are alarming given recent evidence that a third of dementia cases may be preventable. The role of lifestyle factors, such as diet and exercise, can directly alter the risk of disease development. However, an understanding of the effectiveness of dietary patterns and exercise strategies to reduce AD risk or improve brain function is not fully understood. The aim of this review is to discuss the effects of diet and exercise on AD risk. Key components of the Western and Mediterranean diets are discussed in relation to AD progression, as well as how physical activity promotes brain health. Components of the Western diet (saturated fatty acids and simple carbohydrates) are detrimental to the brain, impair cognition, and increase AD pathologies. While components of the Mediterranean diet (polyunsaturated fatty acids, polyphenols, and antioxidants) are considered to be neuroprotective. Exercise can significantly reduce the risk of AD; however, specific exercise recommendations for older adults are limited and optimal intensity, duration, and type remains unknown. This review highlights important modifiable risk factors for AD and points out potential avenues for future research. Novelty Diet and exercise are modifiable factors that can improve brain health and reduce the risk of AD. Polyunsaturated fatty acids, polyphenols, and antioxidants are neuroprotective. Exercise reduces neuroinflammation, improves brain insulin sensitivity, and increases brain derived neurotrophic factor.
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A review of healthy weight behavior maintenance in Hispanic women.
Garcia, DS
Health care for women international. 2019;(4):407-432
Abstract
Healthy weight behavior maintenance is key to prevent overweight and obesity in Hispanic/Latino women, particularly for those who are more likely to be sedentary. In this paper, I review the intervention components used by various researchers for successful healthy weight behavior maintenance for Hispanic women. Randomized and experimental studies were located (N = 9) through computer and manual searches in identified articles dated between 1992 and 2015. The methodological characteristics and components of the intervention studies were analyzed systematically. Maintenance of behavior was determined by the statistical significant behavior change and by the effective magnitude of the intervention effect report, favoring the experimental groups in the follow-up periods. Intervention components supporting Hispanic women's weight-related behavior changes and maintenance included interpersonal contact, intervention duration, and the use of cultural motivation and social support strategies. Seven studies were found to be successful in maintaining behavior change, although their retention rates at follow-up completion had either wide-ranging variations or were not specified. The findings are discussed, and recommendations are made so future efforts may successfully employ weight-related intervention strategies for behavior maintenance in Hispanic women.
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Rehabilitation, the Great Absentee of Virtual Coaching in Medical Care: Scoping Review.
Tropea, P, Schlieter, H, Sterpi, I, Judica, E, Gand, K, Caprino, M, Gabilondo, I, Gomez-Esteban, JC, Busnatu, S, Sinescu, C, et al
Journal of medical Internet research. 2019;(10):e12805
Abstract
BACKGROUND In the last few years, several studies have focused on describing and understanding how virtual coaches (ie, coaching program or smart device aiming to provide coaching support through a variety of application contexts) could be key drivers for health promotion in home care settings. As there has been enormous technological progress in the field of artificial intelligence and data processing in the past decade, the use of virtual coaches gains an augmented attention in the considerations of medical innovations. OBJECTIVE This scoping review aimed at providing an overview of the applications of a virtual coach in the clinical field. In particular, the review focused on the papers that provide tangible information for coaching activities with an active implication for engaging and guiding patients who have an ongoing plan of care. METHODS We aimed to investigate the use of the term virtual coach in the clinical field performing a methodical review of the relevant literature indexed on PubMed, Scopus, and Embase databases to find virtual coach papers focused on specific activities dealing with clinical or medical contexts, excluding those aimed at surgical settings or electronic learning purposes. RESULTS After a careful revision of the inclusion and exclusion criteria, 46 records were selected for the full-text review. Most of the identified articles directly or indirectly addressed the topic of physical activity. Some papers were focused on the use of virtual coaching (VC) to manage overweight or nutritional issues. Other papers dealt with technological interfaces to facilitate interactions with patients suffering from different chronic clinical conditions such as heart failure, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, depression, and chronic pain. CONCLUSIONS Although physical activity is a healthy practice that is most encouraged by a virtual coach system, in the current scenario, rehabilitation is the great absentee. This paper gives an overview of the tangible applications of this tool in the medical field and may inspire new ideas for future research on VC.
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Empowering the Aging with Mobile Health: A mHealth Framework for Supporting Sustainable Healthy Lifestyle Behavior.
Faiola, A, Papautsky, EL, Isola, M
Current problems in cardiology. 2019;(8):232-266
Abstract
Healthcare providers are shifting to a value-based model that acknowledges the importance of a healthy lifestyle for managing chronic disease and mental health. This approach empowers patients to adopt and/or sustain healthy lifestyle choices through the use of innovative technologies-providing beneficial ways of delivering health literacy, self-monitoring, and patient-provider collaboration. Such pathways have the potential to enable healthy lifestyle management for a growing U.S. cohort-the "baby boomer" generation (BBG)-who are at risk for developing heart disease, stroke, arthritis, high cholesterol, and diabetes, etc. In this paper, we argue for a new mHealthy lifestyle management (MLM) model that uses mobile health technology as a means to engage BBG consumers in ways that establish their role in self-care and decision-making, as well as patient-provider collaboration that can significantly impact sustainable healthy lifestyle behaviors. By merging the domains of health informatics and human factors psychology, MLM addresses the complex challenges associated with patient-provider collaborative work, while offering a healthcare framework to BBGs in their quest to self-manage a physical and/or mental healthy lifestyle. A MLM use-case highlights the challenges and solutions for team-based clinical counseling. Finally, recommendations for future MLM tools are outlined that support patient access to personal health eTools, information, and services.
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Users, Uses, and Effects of Social Media in Dietetic Practice: Scoping Review of the Quantitative and Qualitative Evidence.
Dumas, AA, Lapointe, A, Desroches, S
Journal of medical Internet research. 2018;(2):e55
Abstract
BACKGROUND Social media platforms are increasingly used by registered dietitians (RDs) to improve knowledge translation and exchange in nutrition. However, a thorough understanding of social media in dietetic practice is lacking. OBJECTIVE The objective of this study was to map and summarize the evidence about the users, uses, and effects of social media in dietetic practice to identify gaps in the literature and inform future research by using a scoping review methodology. METHODS Stages for conducting the scoping review included the following: (1) identifying the research question; (2) identifying relevant studies through a comprehensive multidatabase and gray literature search strategy; (3) selecting eligible studies; (4) charting the data; and (5) collating, summarizing, and reporting results for dissemination. Finally, knowledge users (RDs working for dietetic professional associations and public health organizations) were involved in each review stage to generate practical findings. RESULTS Of the 47 included studies, 34 were intervention studies, 4 were descriptive studies, 2 were content analysis studies, and 7 were expert opinion papers in dietetic practice. Discussion forums were the most frequent social media platform evaluated (n=19), followed by blogs (n=13) and social networking sites (n=10). Most studies targeted overweight and obese or healthy users, with adult populations being most studied. Social media platforms were used to deliver content as part of larger multiple component interventions for weight management. Among intervention studies using a control group with no exposition to social media, we identified positive, neutral, and mixed effects of social media for outcomes related to users' health behaviors and status (eg, dietary intakes and body weight), participation rates, and professional knowledge. Factors associated with the characteristics of the specific social media, such as ease of use, a design for quick access to desired information, and concurrent reminders of use, were perceived as the main facilitators to the use of social media in dietetic practice, followed to a lesser extent by interactions with an RD and social support from fellow users. Barriers to social media use were mostly related to complicated access to the site and time issues. CONCLUSIONS Research on social media in dietetic practice is at its infancy, but it is growing fast. So far, this field of research has targeted few social media platforms, most of which were assessed in multiple-component interventions for weight management among overweight or obese adults. Trials isolating the effects and mechanisms of action of specific social media platforms are needed to draw conclusions regarding the effectiveness of those tools to support dietetic practice. Future studies should address barriers and facilitators related to the use of social media written by RDs and should explore how to make these tools useful for RDs to reach health consumers to improve health through diet.
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Association between posttraumatic stress disorder and lack of exercise, poor diet, obesity, and co-occuring smoking: A systematic review and meta-analysis.
van den Berk-Clark, C, Secrest, S, Walls, J, Hallberg, E, Lustman, PJ, Schneider, FD, Scherrer, JF
Health psychology : official journal of the Division of Health Psychology, American Psychological Association. 2018;(5):407-416
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Abstract
OBJECTIVES Research has shown that posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) increases the risk of development of cardiometabolic disease (CMD) including cardiovascular disease and diabetes. Whether PTSD is also associated with behavioral risk factors (e.g., diet, exercise, smoking and obesity) for CMD, is less clear. METHODS PubMed, Web of Science, and Scopus databases were searched to obtain papers published between 1980-2016. Studies were reviewed for quality using the Quality of Cohort screen. Significance values, odds ratios (OR), 95% confidence intervals (CI), and tests of homogeneity of variance were calculated. PRINCIPAL FINDINGS A total of 1,349 studies were identified from our search and 29 studies met all eligibility criteria. Individuals with PTSD were 5% less likely to have healthy diets (pooled adjusted OR = 0.95; 95% CI: 0.92, 0.98), 9% less likely to engage in physical activity (pooled adjusted OR = 0.91; 95% CI: 0.88, 0.93), 31% more likely to be obese (pooled adjusted OR = 1.31; 95% CI:1.25, 1.38), and about 22% more likely to be current smokers (pooled adjusted OR = 1.22; 95% CI: 1.19, 1.26), than individuals without PTSD. CONCLUSIONS Evidence shows PTSD is associated with reduced healthy eating and physical activity, and increased obesity and smoking. The well-established association between PTSD and metabolic and cardiovascular disease may be partly due to poor diet, sedentary lifestyle, high prevalence of obesity, and co-occurring smoking in this population. The well-established association of PTSD with CMD is likely due in part to poor health behaviors in this patient population. (PsycINFO Database Record