Health Promotion & Physical Activity

Obesity measures and heart disease risks— the risks of overtraining and being underweight

Wed, 29 Apr 2026 00:00:00 +0200

Purpose: Obesity and abnormal fat distribution are major components of the Cardiovascular–Kidney–Metabolic (CKM) syndrome and are strongly associated with cardiovascular disease (CVD). However, the comparative performance of different anthropometric measures and the modifying role of physical activity remain incompletely defined. We aimed to examine the associations between body mass index (BMI), body fat percentage (BFP), waist-to-height ratio (WHtR), physical activity, and prevalent CVD in a large population-based cohort.
Materials and methods: We conducted a cross-sectional analysis of UK Biobank participants aged 40–69 years. After excluding individuals with missing data, N = 489909 participants were included. Prevalent CVD was defined as a history of angina, myocardial infarction, or stroke at baseline assessment. Multivariable logistic regression models were used to evaluate associations between anthropometric measures and CVD, adjusting for age, sex, smoking status, and major comorbidities. Physical activity was analyzed by type and duration. Results are reported as odds ratios (OR) with 95% confidence intervals (CI).
Results: BMI showed a U-shaped association with CVD, with higher prevalence observed at both low (<18.5 kg/m²) and high (>25 kg/m²) values. WHtR was positively associated with CVD across its range, whereas BFP provided little additional predictive value after adjustment. Moderate physical activity was associated with lower odds of CVD, while very high volumes of vigorous activity showed no additional benefit and were associated with slightly higher CVD prevalence.

Physical activity levels, sedentary behaviors, and physical fitness of female adolescents with and without intellectual disabilities attending school in Kinshasa

Wed, 13 May 2026 00:00:00 +0200

The aim of this study was to compare physical activity (PA), sedentary behavior, and physical fitness (PF) levels in female adolescents with and without intellectual disability (ID). An analytical cross-sectional study was conducted in Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of Congo, with 247 female adolescents with 123 with ID and 124 without ID, over a three-month period from 1st November 2022, to 28th February 2023. PF parameters such as balance, flexibility, and arm strength from the EUROFIT battery were assessed in both groups. These were complemented by the assessment of PA and sedentary behavior in the school setting using the CAPAS-Q 8–18 year questionnaire. Female Adolescents with ID had significantly lower PF scores in the balance, flexibility and arm strength components compared to their peers without ID (p < 0.001). They also exhibited higher body fat mass and lower muscle mass (p < 0.001). At school, they spend fewer hours in physical activity, less time walking or running, do not sweat, feel less stuffy while walking, and climb fewer flights of stairs compared to their peers without intellectual disability (p < 0.001). Furthermore, they spend more time sitting and in front of screens per day (p < 0.001). A significant association was observed between body composition parameters and physical activity (p < 0.001). Female adolescents with ID have higher fat mass and reduced lean mass. They also have lower levels of PA and increased sedentary behavior. Finally, an association between body composition parameters and PF was observed.

Knowledge, attitudes, and practices regarding pregnancy-related health problems among pregnant women in Tiznit, Morocco

Sat, 30 May 2026 00:00:00 +0200

Introduction: Pregnancy-related complications remain a major public health concern, particularly in low- and middle-income countries where maternal health literacy may be limited. Adequate knowledge, positive attitudes and appropriate practices (KAP) during pregnancy are essential to prevent avoidable maternal and neonatal complications. This study assessed KAP regarding pregnancy-related health problems among pregnant women in Tiznit, Morocco, and explored associated socio-demographic and obstetric factors.

Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted from 27 April to 13 May 2025 among pregnant women attending antenatal consultations in public health facilities in Tiznit. Data were collected using a structured questionnaire assessing socio-demographic characteristics and KAP. Knowledge was scored from 0 to 10, with scores ≥5 classified as good knowledge. Attitudes and practices were considered positive/good when ≥50% of responses were favourable. Associations were analysed using χ² tests and multivariable logistic regression. Statistical significance was set at p < 0.05.

Results: Forty pregnant women participated. Most were aged 18–28 years (52.5%), lived in urban areas (80.0%), were housewives (92.5%) and had no formal education (42.5%). Good knowledge was observed in 25.0% of participants, whereas 75.0% demonstrated poor knowledge. In contrast, attitudes and practices were predominantly positive/ good (92.5%). Secondary education was independently associated with higher odds of good knowledge (adjusted OR 6.72; 95% CI 1.02–44.38).

Conclusions: Poor maternal knowledge was common despite favourable attitudes and practices. Strengthening structured antenatal education, particularly for women with low educational attainment, is essential to improve maternal health literacy and prevent pregnancy-related complications.

Psychosocial determinants of physical activity behavior in postgraduate students in Yogyakarta

Sat, 30 May 2026 00:00:00 +0200

Introduction: Graduate students face a high risk of adopting a sedentary lifestyle due to academic demands and stress. Although physical activity is crucial for health, there remains a gap in understanding the psychosocial factors that influence this behavior in specific populations. This study aimed to test an expanded Theory of Planned Behavior (TPB) model by incorporating Anticipated Affect and Habit to analyze the determinants of intention and physical activity behavior among postgraduate students in Yogyakarta.

Methods: Using a quantitative approach, 249 postgraduate students (Master’s and Doctoral) were recruited via voluntary sampling. Data were analyzed using Partial Least Squares Structural Equation Modeling (PLS-SEM). The research instrument measured core TPB constructs (Attitude, Subjective Norms, Perceived Behavioral Control – PBC), additional constructs (Habit, Anticipated Affect), Intention, and actual physical activity behavior (T_MET) using the International Physical Activity Questionnaire Short Form (IPAQ-SF). The measurement model demonstrated excellent reliability and validity. The structural model showed a high predictive power for Intention, explaining 75.1% of its variance (R² = 0.751). Anticipated Affect (β = 0.353), Habit (β = 0.221), and PBC (β = 0.205) were the strongest predictors of Intention. In contrast, the model demonstrated a very weak association with actual physical activity behavior (T_MET), with R² = 0.002.

Results: All hypothetical pathways to Behavior (from Intention, Habit, and PBC) were found to be statistically insignificant. These findings suggest a weak intention–behavior correspondence among graduate students. Although emotional factors and habitual tendencies strongly shape intention, they are insufficient to translate into actual physical activity.

Conclusion: Contextual limitations, including unmeasured environmental factors, may contribute to this limited translation from intention to behavior. Health interventions on campuses may benefit from integrating volitional strategies (such as implementation intentions) and creating a supportive environment to help students bridge the intention–behavior gap.