Browsing Faculty of Community & Health Sciences by Subject "Physical activity"
Now showing items 1-7 of 7
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Puoane, Thandi (MedPharm Publications, 2008)[more][less]
Abstract: OBJECTIVE: To estimate the prevalence of overweight and obesity, and identify factors associated with Body Mass Index (BMI) and waist circumference (WC) among adults residing in an urban township in South Africa. DESIGN: Cross-sectional study. SETTING: Khayelitsha, a large black township located in Cape Town. SUBJECTS: 107 males and 530 females, aged ≥ 18 years. METHODS: The prevalence of overweight/obesity (BMI ³ 25 kg/m2) and abdominal obesity (WC ≥ 94 cm for men and ≥ 80 cm for women), and their relationship with factors previously found to increase the risk of obesity, such as age, gender, marital status, educational level, employment status, immigrant status from rural to urban, and physical activity level, were assessed using logistic regression analyses. RESULTS: The prevalence of obesity (BMI ³ 30 kg/m2) was 53.4% and 18.7%, and that of abdominal obesity was 71.5% and 23.4%, among women and men respectively. However, more women (21.3%) than men (11.2%) reported walking more than 45 minutes per day. Female gender and being married were associated with a high BMI and large WC. Recent migration was associated with a smaller WC. The level of physical activity was not associated with BMI or WC. CONCLUSIONS: These findings suggest that physical activity may play less of a role in obesity control, or that more than 45 minutes of physical activity per day is required to reduce the risk of obesity, especially in women. At least among South African women, obesity control focused on nutritional interventions may be more beneficial than increasing the intensity or duration of physical activity. URI: http://hdl.handle.net/10566/233 Files in this item: 1
MalhotraPuoaneSAJCN2008.pdf (303.1Kb) -
Pillay, Tanushree; Frantz, Jose M. (Faculty of Community and Health Sciences, University of the Western Cape, 2009)[more][less]
Abstract: Introduction: The increase in physical inactivity is thought to be one of the main risk factors for the development of diseases of lifestyle. This has highlighted the need for prevention and intervention programmes that are thought to assist in influencing the modifiable risk factors. Physical activity programmes have been proven to positively influence risk factors such us blood pressure and body mass index (BMI). Interventions by health professionals can assist in combating the problem. This study aimed to determine the effects of a short term physical activity programme on the BMI, body fat and blood pressure of high school learners in a local community in the Western Cape. Methods: The total number of learners who volunteered to participate in the study was 106. The study used a pre-test post-test design. The intervention programme was a 6 week programme run for 3 days per week for a period of 40 – 60 minutes per session. The intervention consisted of moderate to vigorous activities. Data was analysed by comparing learners who participated in the intervention and those who did not. Descriptive and inferential statistics were used in this study. Results: Prior to the intervention it was found that 18% were found to be obese and at least 10% were hypertensive. Following the intervention it was reported that blood pressure as well as BMI and percentage body fat was influenced in positive way. Conclusion: One can conclude that, a short term physical activity intervention programme conducted three times a week with moderate activities can affect the BMI and blood pressure levels of adolescents. URI: http://hdl.handle.net/10566/119 Files in this item: 1
PillayEffects2009.pdf (71.62Kb) -
Kanyoni, Maurice; Phillips, Julie (Faculty of Community and Health Sciences, University of the Western Cape, 2009)[more][less]
Abstract: Background: The size of the elderly population both in numbers and proportions of the whole world is increasing rapidly. The increase in the number of elderly people in the world will exert a big impact on health and social services. It is established that physical activity is one way of limiting age related disabilities. Objectives: This study aims to asses the levels of physical activity and the factors associated with it among older adults in selected institutions for the elderly in the Southern Province of Rwanda. Method: A cross-sectional descriptive study was conducted at 2 institutions for older adults in Rwanda. An interview questionnaire with close-ended questions was used to collect data. Results: More than one-third of the study sample was categorized as sedentary. Physical activity levels decrease with age. Females reported higher prevalence of physical activity than males. Conclusion: Older adults should be encouraged to engage in physical activity to gain the physical and mental health benefits associated with it. URI: http://hdl.handle.net/10566/114 Files in this item: 1
KanyoniPhysicalActivity2009.pdf (62.78Kb) -
Figaji, Tamara; Phillips, Julie (Faculty of Community and Health Sciences, University of the Western Cape, 2010)[more][less]
Abstract: BACKGROUND: Although the health benefits of physical activity have been proven, many children and adolescents still do not meet the recommended guidelines for sufficient physical activity. The purpose of this investigation was thus to examine the levels of PA, and learners perception of support from teachers, family and friends at an independent school in the Western Cape. Furthermore, the investigation aimed to examine the influence of social support on physical activity. METHOD: A cross-sectional design using quantitative methods was used in this study, which included 100 learners in the senior phase of the school (i.e. grades 5 to 7). The data was obtained with a self-admininstered questionnaire. The data was analyzed with the Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) version 16.0. The Chi-square test was used to explore associations between nominal and numerical data. The T-test was used to determine statistical significance between groups (independent t-tests) and within groups (paired sample t-test). RESULTS: Overall the sample responded positively when asked about support for physical activity from teachers. Furthermore, the study sample had a positive perception of both physical education (PE) and physical activity (PA) enjoyment. Boys participated in vigorous physical activity significantly more regularly than girls. CONCLUSION: As children are spending a considerable time at school, teachers, friends and parents should be encouraged to be supportive of their participation in physical activity. URI: http://hdl.handle.net/10566/181 Files in this item: 1
FigajiPhillips2010.pdf (58.32Kb) -
Tumusiime, David; Frantz, Jose M. (Africa Association for Health, Physical Education, Recreation,Sport and Dance/LAM Publications Limited, 2006)[more][less]
Abstract: Physical inactivity is one of the leading causes of the major non-communicable diseases, which contribute substantially to the global burden of diseases, death and disability. The burden of mortality, morbidity and disability attributable to non-communicable diseases is currently greatest and is continually growing in the developing countries. Most declines in physical activity (PA) occur during the transition period when a person goes from high school to College or University. The objectives of this study were to identify perceived benefits of and barriers to PA and determine whether previous participation in PA does have an influence on these perceptions. A cross- sectional and descriptive study with quantitative design was conducted. Five hundred (500) tertiary institution students were randomly sampled from purposively selected departments and classes at each of the five government educational tertiary institutions in Rwanda. A pre-coded self-administered questionnaire with a small number of open-ended questions was administered to the students. A response rate of 425 (85%) was obtained. Descriptive and inferential statistics were used to analyse the data, by means of SAS version 8 software. Frequencies and percentages for mean score values with standard deviations for each perception variable were descriptively obtained. False Discovery Rate (FDR) at 5% for multiple test adjustment and Spearman’s correlation (r) tests were used to identify the significant influence of previous participation on perceptions. More than 70% students were not participating in PA at tertiary level. Psychological benefits of PA were some of the most important perceived benefits cited by the students. Most of the important barriers cited concerned equipment and time constraints to exercising. Associations were found between previous participation and the current perceptions of PA. The findings of this study demonstrate that previous participation can influence perceptions of PA among the students. Physical activity promotion programmes should consider the role of these factors which should be emphasised from childhood. URI: http://hdl.handle.net/10566/397 Files in this item: 1
TumusiimePhysicalActivity2006.pdf (127.2Kb) -
Kruger, Salome H; Puoane, Thandi; Senekal, Marjanne; Van Der Merwe, Theresa M (Nutrition Society, 2005)[more][less]
Abstract: OBJECTIVES: To review data on the prevalence, causes and health consequences of obesity in South Africa and propose interventions to prevent and treat obesity and related outcomes. METHODS: Data from existing literature were reviewed with an emphasis on changing eating and activity patterns, cultural factors, perceptions and beliefs, urbanisation and globalisation. Results of studies on the health consequences of obesity in South Africans are also reviewed. RESULTS: Shifts in dietary intakes and activity patterns to higher fat intakes and lower physical activity are contributing to a higher prevalence of obesity. Few overweight black women view themselves as overweight, and some associate thinness with HIV/AIDS. Glucose and lipid toxicity, associated with insulin resistance, play roles in the pathogenesis of the co-morbid diseases of obesity. Elevated free fatty acids in the black population predispose obese black patients to type 2 diabetes. CONCLUSION & RECOMMENDATIONS: Obesity prevention and treatment should be based on education, behaviour change, political support, intersectoral collaboration and community participation, local actions, wide inclusion of the population, adequately resourced programmes, infiltration of existing initiatives, evidence-based planning, and proper monitoring and evaluation. Interventions should have the following components: reasonable weight goals, healthful eating, physical activity and behavioural change. Genes and mutations affecting susceptibility to the development of co-morbidities of obesity and vulnerable periods of life for the development of obesity should be prioritised. Prevention should be managed in community services, identification of high-risk patients in primary healthcare services and treatment of co-morbid diseases in hospital services. URI: http://hdl.handle.net/10566/285 Files in this item: 1
PuoaneObesityChallenges2005.pdf (160.4Kb) -
Matheri, Joseph Mwangi; Frantz, Jose M. (Faculty of Community and Health Sciences, University of the Western Cape, 2009)[more][less]
Abstract: Purpose: To determine the levels of and potential contributing factors to participation in physical activity among young people with physical disabilities attending high school in Kenya. Methods: A cross-sectional survey, using a pre-piloted and validated self-administered questionnaire, was carried out in a purposively selected sample of 234 young people with physical disabilities drawn from three inclusive high schools in Kenya. The questionnaire comprising outcome measures for physical activity levels, barriers, and facilitators to physical activity participation was administered to the young people. Data was analyzed using the Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) and both descriptive and inferential statistics were done. Results: Almost half of the children in the sample were inactive. Key barriers to physical activity were found to be: fear avoidance and disability, lack of time and the need to rest. Finding ways to exercise that are enjoyable, and not being in good health were associated significantly to gender (p<0.05). Likewise, age was significantly associated with gaining peer acceptance, as was encouragement from family and having disability (p<0.05). Conclusion: The results indicate there is a need, for activity counselling and provision of local disability-friendly and/or conducive environments to increase physical activity participation in this sample. All stakeholders should be enlisted in making recommendations and designing physical activity programmes for young people with disabilities in their schools. URI: http://hdl.handle.net/10566/120 Files in this item: 1
MatheriActivityLevels2009.pdf (117.5Kb)
Now showing items 1-7 of 7