Lecture 3 - Physical Activity Epidemiology Flashcards
epidemiology (EP)
a research field that is concerned with the occurrence of disease and health problems in human POPULATIONS
- > focuses on large groups of ppl and includes among its concerns the prevention of chronic disease and illness in individuals
PA EP
focuses on the relationship between PA, or lack there of, and health
- > also concerned with the distribution of PA and inactivity within the population and the determinants of PA and inactivity
- > traditionally focusses on the relationship between PA and chronic diseases, which can be defined as diseases that are long lasting (i.e. diabetes, arthritis)
3 leading causes of death in North America
- > heart disease
- > cancer
- > cardiovascular disease (stroke); PA inactivity is linked to inc. risk of stroke
- chronic diseases account for 6/10 deaths
% of strokes that could be avoided if the individual participated in appropriate amounts of PA
24
how are people and their subsequent amounts of PA classified
- > although PA levels are based on a continuum (extremely sedentary - incredibly active) people are usually classified into either physically active or physically inactive
what classifies someone being physically active vs inactive
inactive
- > do not reach recommended levels of PA
active
- > reaches recommendations
- > 30mins of moderate exercise 5x/week OR 20mins of vigorous exercise 3x a week
is the percentage of physically active Canadians a reliable measure?
the vast majority of PA studies use subjective measures of PA, which as been shown to make children and adults over report their activity levels
- > the over reported levels are still low, so the proportion of the population who are physically active is likely much lower than what has been reported
life expectancy of active vs inactive men
active men live 2yrs longer
- > inverse-dose reaction between total volume of PA and mortality risk (as PA increases mortality goes down) supporting the fact that some PA is good but more is better
what is the most common and researched form of PA
Walking
- > at least 2hrs a week is associated with significantly reducing early mortality rates
risk of stroke in various activity levels
moderately active people have a 23% reduction in stroke risk and highly active ppl have a 25% reduction in stroke risk compared to inactive people
what is the amount of PA that can cure mental illness
the minimum amount and intensity of PA needed to protect against the development of MH problems is not know but it is clear that the volume of PA is related in dose-response manner (some is good, more is better) in helping with MH problems
what is obesity
results from a chronic energy imbalance expenditure, whereby intake exceeds expenditure
- > PA therefore plays a huge role in the development and treatment of obesity
- > PA is inversely related to obesity
