Validity of the global physical activity questionnaire in the National Health Survey–Chile 2009–10

Leisure time physical activity is associated with better metabolic control in adults with type 1 and type 2 diabetes mellitus: A cross-sectional study from two public hospitals in Chile

AIM

To examine the association between leisure time physical activity (LTPA) and metabolic control, in adults with diabetes mellitus (DM).

METHODS

A cross-sectional study was conducted in two hospitals (Santiago, Chile) with 101 type 1 (mean 34.4±12.3 years) and 100 type 2 DM (mean 57.8±5.2 years) adults. Glycated hemoglobin level (A1C) was obtained, and LTPA levels were estimated through the Global Physical Activity Questionnaire. Multiple linear regression models were fitted evaluating the independent effect of LTPA, sociodemographic, cardiovascular risk factors and other types of physical activity (PA) on metabolic control.

RESULTS

DM participants which reported no LTPA had higher levels of A1C (type 1 mean A1C: 8.8±1.5% and type 2 mean A1C: 9.2±1.4%) compared to those who fulfilled PA recommendations of ≥150min/week (type 1 mean A1C: 8.0±1.6% and type 2 mean A1C: 8.1±1.4%). Regression analysis showed that A1C levels were negatively associated with ≥150min/week on LTPA in type 1 (b=-0.25; 95%CI -0.16 to -0.01) and type 2 DM (b=-0.24; 95%CI -0.29 to -0.02) participants.

CONCLUSION

Leisure time physical activity may be considered as an efficient and inexpensive non-pharmacological tool for DM treatment. Hence, healthcare professionals should educate and promote PA since primary-care diagnosis in addition to prevent disease-related complications.

Beneficial association between active travel and metabolic syndrome in Latin-America: A cross-sectional analysis from the Chilean National Health Survey 2009-2010

BACKGROUND

There is limited evidence on potential health benefits of active travel, independently of leisure-time physical activity (PA), with metabolic syndrome (MetS) in Latin-America.

OBJECTIVE

To investigate the relationship between active travel and metabolic syndrome (MetS) and its components in a national representative sample of Chilean adults.

METHODS

Cross-sectional study of 2864 randomly selected adults' participants enrolled in the 2009-2010 Chilean National Health Survey (CNHS). Self-reported PA was obtained with the validated Global PA Questionnaire and classifying participants into insufficiently active (<150min/week) or active (≥150min/week). MetS was diagnosed from the modified Adult Treatment Panel (ATP) III criteria with national-specific abdominal obesity cut points. Multilevel logistic regression analysis was applied to estimate associations of travel PA with MetS and its components at a regional level, adjusted for socio-demographic characteristics and other types of PA.

RESULTS

46.2% of the sample engaged in 150min/week of active travel and the prevalence of MetS was 33.7%. Mets was significantly lower among active travel participants. Active travel was associated with lower odds of MetS (OR 0.72; 95%CI 0.61-0.86), triglycerides (OR 0.77; 95%CI 0.64-0.92) and abdominal obesity (OR 0.82; 95%CI 0.69-0.97) after controlling for socio-demographics and other types of PA.

CONCLUSION

Active travel was negatively associated with MetS, triglycerides and abdominal obesity. Efforts to increase regional active travel should be addressed as a measure to prevent and reduce the prevalence of MetS and disease burden in middle income countries.

Comparison of Health Examination Survey Methods in Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Mexico, England, Scotland, and the United States

Comparability of population surveys across countries is key to appraising trends in population health. Achieving this requires deep understanding of the methods used in these surveys to examine the extent to which the measurements are comparable. In this study, we obtained detailed protocols of 8 nationally representative surveys from 2007-2013 from Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Mexico, the United Kingdom (England and Scotland), and the United States-countries that that differ in economic and inequity indicators. Data were collected on sampling frame, sample selection procedures, recruitment, data collection methods, content of interview and examination modules, and measurement protocols. We also assessed their adherence to the World Health Organization's "STEPwise Approach to Surveillance" framework for population health surveys. The surveys, which included half a million participants, were highly comparable on sampling methodology, survey questions, and anthropometric measurements. Heterogeneity was found for physical activity questionnaires and biological samples collection. The common age range included by the surveys was adults aged 18-64 years. The methods used in these surveys were similar enough to enable comparative analyses of the data across the 7 countries. This comparability is crucial in assessing and comparing national and subgroup population health, and to assisting the transfer of research and policy knowledge across countries.