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Physical activity before COVID-19 infection is associated with less severe outcomes. The study determined whether a dose‒response association was observed and whether the associations were consistent across demographic subgroups and chronic conditions. A retrospective cohort study of Kaiser Permanente Southern California adult patients who had a positive COVID-19 diagnosis between January 1, 2020 and May 31, 2021 was created. The exposure was the median of at least 3 physical activity self-reports before diagnosis. Patients were categorized as follows: always inactive, all assessments at 10 minutes/week or less; mostly inactive, median of 0–60 minutes per week; some activity, median of 60–150 minutes per week; consistently active, median>150 minutes per week; and always active, all assessments>150 minutes per week. Outcomes were hospitalization, deterioration event, or death 90 days after a COVID-19 diagnosis. Data were analyzed in 2022. Of 194,191 adults with COVID-19 infection, 6.3% were hospitalized, 3.1% experienced a deterioration event, and 2.8% died within 90 days. Dose‒response effects were strong; for example, patients in the some activity category had higher odds of hospitalization (OR=1.43; 95% CI=1.26, 1.63), deterioration (OR=1.83; 95% CI=1.49, 2.25), and death (OR=1.92; 95% CI=1.48, 2.49) than those in the always active category. Results were generally consistent across sex, race and ethnicity, age, and BMI categories and for patients with cardiovascular disease or hypertension. There were protective associations of physical activity for adverse COVID-19 outcomes across demographic and clinical characteristics. Public health leaders should add physical activity to pandemic control strategies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To determine weight-related characteristics of adults with overweight or obesity who had not attempted weight loss in the prior 12 months. Adults from the obesity cohort of the PORTAL clinical data research network were randomly selected to complete a survey in 2015. It included topics of experiences with health care providers, weight history, and health-promoting behaviors. A total of 2811 adults completed the survey, of whom 24% reported not attempting weight loss in the previous 12 months. Controlling for sociodemographic characteristics and body mass index, respondents who reported that their health care provider never talked about weight were more likely to not attempt weight loss in the previous 12 months compared with respondents who reported providers frequently brought up weight (OR: 0.45; 95% CI: 0.24, 0.66). Respondents who perceived themselves as normal weight or underweight were 4.22 times more likely (95% CI: 3.53, 5.05) to not attempt weight loss compared with respondents who perceived themselves as overweight. Respondents who reported that they never tried to lose at least 10 lbs, ate 0−2 servings of fruits and vegetables daily, or engaged in 0−29 min of physical activity weekly were less likely to attempt weight loss. Receiving advice on weight loss from health care providers to improve awareness of overweight and obesity status may be important factors for a person's weight management. Provider discussions about weight may be a strategy to motivate weight loss attempts. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Purpose: Although the decline of physical activity in adolescent girls is well-documented, there are girls whose physical activity does not follow this pattern. This study examined the relationships between physical activity trajectories and personal, psychosocial, and environmental factors among adolescent girls. Methods: Participants were from the University of Maryland field site of the Trial of Activity for Adolescent Girls. Of 730 girls measured in 8th grade, 589 were remeasured in 11th grade. Moderate-to-vigorous physical activity was assessed by accelerometers; participants were categorized as active maintainers (n = 31), inactive maintainers (n = 410), adopters (n = 64), or relapsers (n = 56). Height and weight were measured, personal and psychosocial information was collected from surveys, and distance from home to school and parks was assessed from Geographical Information Systems. Multivariable logistic regression was used for data analysis. Results: Variables at individual, social, and environmental levels predicted active maintainers and inactive maintainers, while only individual-level variables predicted adoption. None predicted relapse. Higher (favorable) scores for physical self-concept, perceived body fat, friend and family physical activity support, frequency of physical activity with friends, and shorter distance from home to a park predicted active maintainers. Overweight/obese status, earlier age at menses, and lower scores for physical self-concept, perceived body fat, friend physical activity support, and frequency of physical activity with friends, and farther distance from home to school predicted inactive maintainers. High physical self-concept and not being overweight/obese predicted adopters. Conclusions: Multilevel factors appear to predict behavior maintenance rather than actual change. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Background: The benefits of regular physical activity are particularly salient to persons with serious mental illness (SMI) who have increased prevalence of obesity, diabetes, and earlier mortality from cardiovascular disease. Methods: The Activating Consumers to Exercise through Peer Support (ACE) trial will examine the effectiveness of peer support on adherence to a 4-month pilot exercise program for adults with SMI. Design, rationale and baseline data are reported. Baseline measures included: graded treadmill test; six-minute walk; height, weight and blood pressure; body composition; fasting blood; and self-reported psychiatric symptoms. Fitness levels were compared with national data and relationships among fitness parameters, psychological factors and cardiovascular disease risk factors were examined. Results: There were 93 participants and 18 peer leaders recruited from community psychiatry programs with an average age of 47 years (SD 10). There were no differences in demographics (76% female, 72% African American) or mental health symptoms between participants and peer leaders. Ninety-five percent of the sample had below average fitness levels for their age and sex with average MET levels of 5.9 (SD 2.2) for participants and 6.2 (SD 2.3) for peer leaders. Fitness evaluated during the treadmill test and the six-minute-walk were associated (r s  = 0.36, p < 0.001). Lower MET levels were associated with a higher BMI (r s  = −0.35, p < 0.001) and percent body fat (r s  = −0.36, p < 0.001). Conclusion: The uniformly low baseline cardiovascular fitness and the association of fitness with BMI and adiposity underscore the importance of suitably tailored programs to increase physical activity among adults with SMI. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Change in high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (CRP) from low-fat diet (diet) and physical activity (PA) interventions is relatively unknown for adults with metabolic syndrome. The objective of the study was to assess CRP change (ΔCRP) with diet and/or PA in men and women with and without metabolic syndrome. Men (n = 149) and postmenopausal women (n = 125) with elevated low-density lipoprotein cholesterol and low high-density lipoprotein cholesterol were recruited into a 1-year randomized controlled trial. Treatment groups were as follows: control, diet (reduced total fat, saturated fat, and cholesterol intake), PA (45-60 minutes at 60%-85% maximum heart rate), or diet + PA. Weight loss was not an intervention focus. Metabolic syndrome was defined using the American Heart Association/National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute criteria. Stored plasma samples were analyzed for CRP. Change in CRP was compared between treatments, within sex and metabolic syndrome status, using analysis of covariance, including covariates for baseline CRP and body fat change. For women with metabolic syndrome (n = 39), ΔCRP was greater in diet vs control (−1.2 ± 0.4, P = .009), diet + PA vs control (−1.3 ± 0.4, P = .006), and diet + PA vs PA (−1.1 ± 0.4, P = .02). Women with metabolic syndrome receiving the diet component (diet or diet + PA) had greater ΔCRP compared with those who did not (control or PA) (P = .001). Change in CRP was not significantly different between intervention groups in men overall, women overall, men with (n = 47) or without metabolic syndrome (n = 102), or women without metabolic syndrome (n = 86). Low-fat diet may be the most effective treatment for reducing CRP in women with metabolic syndrome. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

: BackgroundPhysical activity is an important aspect of cardiovascular disease prevention. However, the populations that show high risk of cardiovascular disease also have high rates of physical inactivity. The purpose of this article was to summarize findings from the Women and Physical Activity Survey, part of the Women''s Cardiovascular Health Network Project. The goal of the survey was to identify personal, social environmental, cultural, and physical environmental factors that are associated with physical activity status among a diverse group of women.: MethodsSeven universities were funded to study factors that influence physical activity among white, African American, Latina, and Native American women residing in rural, suburban, and urban living environments. An ecologic model and qualitative data from these population groups were used to design a quantitative questionnaire. The survey was implemented by telephone and face-to-face interviews in seven sites across the United States.: ResultsYounger age, good general health, and high self-efficacy were the most consistent personal correlates associated with physical activity. Knowing people who exercise and attending religious services were the only social environmental factors with significant associations across population groups. With the exception of safety from crime, no physical environmental factors were consistently related to physical activity. Most groups had intervention suggestions that included access to facilities.: ConclusionThis study identifies pertinent factors related to physical activity in women and addresses the differences in assessment among the groups. Because each group may have unique characteristics, it is important to assess all levels that could influence physical activity such as personal, social, environmental, and policy. The information can then be used to tailor interventions for the various groups. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Background: Recruitment and retention of adolescent research participants presents unique challenges and considerations when conducting epidemiological studies. Purpose: To describe the use of the social networking website in the re-recruitment and tracking of adolescent girls into a follow-up study of the Trial of Activity for Adolescent Girls (TAAG) at the University of Maryland field site. Methods: 730 girls were recruited as 8th graders into TAAG. Re-recruitment efforts were conducted when they were 11th graders (TAAG 2). Traditional methods, including mailings and school visits, were conducted. A TAAG 2 Facebook site was created to search for girls not found through traditional recruitment methods. Chi-square and t-tests were conducted to identify differences in characteristics between those found and “friended” through Facebook and through traditional recruitment methods. Results: There were 175 girls we were unable to locate using traditional recruitment methods. Of these, 78 were found on Facebook, 68 responded to our friend request, and 43 girls (6% of the girls previously recruited) participated in the study. Demographic data were similar for those who friended us on Facebook and traditional methods. 8th grade body mass index and percent body fat were lower for those recruited from Facebook (p =0.03 and 0.04, respectively). Number of daily minutes of moderate-to-vigorous physical activity tended to be lower among the TAAG 2 Facebook friends (19±11 vs 21±11, p =0.06). Conclusions: Loss to follow-up was minimized by contacting potential participants through Facebook. Social networking websites are a promising method to recruit adolescents. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Describes the status of risk factor control and adherence to the 1995 recommendations in a group of patients undergoing revascularization for the treatment of coronary artery disease (CAD) in 1998 and 1999. Measurement of dietary intake; Reasons why patients who underwent coronary revascularization had a high prevalence of CAD risk; Provision of dietary advice by physicians to lower cholesterol.