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Aim. The aim of the study was to analyze the association between body mass index (BMI), sleep quality and physical activity. Material and methods. We conducted a cross-sectional study on a sample that included a total of 241 adults randomly selected, to respond to standardized questionnaires on physical activity levels and sleep quality. Assessment of nutritional status was done by measuring and weighing participants to determine BMI. Results. The average duration of sleep was 8.06 hours, the fall asleep interval was of 20.87 minutes and the number of hours of restful sleep per night of 7.14 hours. A total of 88 participants (36.5%) had a poor quality of sleep. Sleep duration was significantly correlated with energy expenditure during work (p=0.024) and recreational activities (p=0.006). Sleep quality was correlated only with energy expenditure in recreational activities (p=0.007). Average and total sedentary time was associated positively with the BMI. BMI increased with poor sleep quality (r=0.177, p=0.006) and daytime sleepiness (r=0.183, p=0.004). Conclusion. The association between BMI, sedentarism, recreational physical activity and sleep quality overlap current nutrition recommendations or physical activity which recommends regular exercise. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background. Elderly people in institutions are subjected to the occurrence of psychogenic iatrogenic disorders often due to communication errors with the medical staff. These lead to mistrust and the appearance of new physical disorders that affect physical activities. Aims. The aim of this study was to evaluate the physical activity, the prevalence of depression and the anti-iatrogenic and antidepressive effect of physical activity of elderly people in state nursing homes. Methods. We included in the study 86 elderly people from a state nursing home in Alba-Iulia in May-June 2008. They were 39 women and 57 men, aged between 61 and 92 years. The elderly people had been in the nursing home between 7 and 10 years. They were divided in two groups: the first group: 40 men with an average age of 75.4±7.5 years; the second group: 36 women, average age 73.2±5.2 years. The following tests were performed: physical activity index (IAF), based on the Dumitriu questionnaire; depression index (ID) based on the Geriatric Depression Scale (SGD), adapted from Sheikh and Yesavage. Results. Body mass index revealed normal values for the majority of the patients in both groups. The Body Mass Index show increased values for the low fitness category males and reasonable fitness category females. The correlation between Body Mass Index and Physical Activity Index is inversely proportional. The correlation between depression scores and Physical Activity Index is inversely proportional. Conclusions. For the elderly people in state nursing homes, aged 70 or older we observed an acceptable physical activity. Physical activity for those aged over 70 years, with regard to the intensity and duration demonstrates anti-iatrogenic, antidepressive effects. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Physical activity represents an important component of a healthy lifestyle, which contributes to the enhancement of the quality of life and to one's personal well being. This paper represents a review of the scientific literature regarding physical activity and health, taking into account the advantages of physical activity, the risks of a sedentary lifestyle and the factors which impede an active lifestyle. In the second part some recommendations are presented regarding the modification of the school curriculum with the purpose of developing healthy attitudes towards physical activity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]