SUMMARYA neighborhood environment allows defining typical features for physically active or inactive lifestyle. An accelerated pace of life and higher availability of an unhealthy lifestyle increase obesity rates. An analysis of body composition can be used as a predictor for assessment of current somatic conditions. The aim of the study was to determine the dependence of selected body composition parameters on neighborhood walkability in 167 women aged 20-60 years attending weight-loss programme called STOB-courses. A multifrequency bioimpedance analysis InBody 720 was used to determine the body composition of respondents. Further, ANEWS questionnaire was used to determine the level of neighborhood walkability. We divided the sample into two age groups (<40 years; ≥40 years) and into partial subgroups according to the neighborhood "level of walkability" (lower and higher level). Based on the assessment of body composition, it can be assumed more walkable neighborhood opportunities positively affect body composition. Body composition in older women is positively influenced if they lived in high walkable areas. In younger women we found only one indicator of body composition (body fat mass) influenced by neighborhood walkability. The relationship between health indicators of body composition and residential infrastructure might be useful in strategies aimed at maintaining and developing a healthy lifestyle within the community.
Sedentary lifestyle is associated with health problems and also becomes a psychological and social risk (Kalvach, Zadák, Jirák, Zavázalová, & Sucharda, 2004). PA is one way how to positively influence physical and mental health. Lack of PA and a preference to a sedentary lifestyle lead to fading physical condition which causes the elderly population premature loss of self-sufficiency and significantly impairs their quality of life. Varo et al. (2003) indicate that the prevalence of sedentary lifestyle in the EU is at a high level and with increasing age of the population the number of inactive people increases. A decrease in the level of PA is significantly modified by exogenous factors which include obesity, smoking and the level of educational attainment. Obese individuals, smokers and people with secondary or university education have lower levels of PA (Norman, Bellocco, Vaida, & Wolk, 2002). The study by
Background: Accelerated pace of life and consumerism leads to an increase in obesity. The key element in programs to reduce overweight and obesity is regular physical activity (PA) by means of a healthy lifestyle. Walking, which can be simply assessed by pedometers is appropriate PA that is accessible to everyone, regardless of age and gender. Aim: The aim of our study was to analyse the effect of courses in weight reduction to the selected body composition (BC) parameters in the obese and overweight women of various age and PA level. Methods: 124 women with existing sendenary lifestyles participated in the study, they were differentiated by age (< 40 years: aged 31.3 ± 5.4 years, body weight of 88.2 ± 18.5 kg, body height of 166.5 ± 9.5 cm and ≥ 40 years: aged 51.6 ± 7.5 years, body weight of 88.9 ± 13.3 kg, body height of 163.8 ± 8.2 cm). We divided the monitored sample into sub-groups according to the level of their PA. To determine the average daily number of footsteps during the PA the Yamax pedometer was used. InBody 720 device using the Direct Multi-frequency Bioelectrical Impedance Analysis Method (DSM-BIA Method) was used to measure and analyse the BC. Results: Based on monitoring of PA and BC health risk indicators the effect of the exercise program, which included cognitive behavioural therapy, showed a decline in body mass index (BMI) and body fat expressed in percentages (PBF) and in the decrease of the visceral fat area (VFA). The amount of fat-free mass (FFM) remained the same. Preceding the therapy the BMI average was within the obesity group (BMI > 30 kg/m 2 ). Following the three month therapy we observed in women with a higher level of PA a shift to the overweight group. Therapy contributed to a reduction in PBF from 2.4% to 3.9% even though the women's groups were still classified as obese (> 35%). During the repeated measurements significant changes (p < .05) occurred only in the VFA in relation to different ages. Conclusions: Research studies have shown positive relationships between the increase in PA and changes in health risk indicators. Observance of the recommended number of 10,000 footsteps per day primarily prevents the increase in body fat mass (BFM) and maintains FFM. Taking up a weight reduction program is essential when commencing the weight loss process in the course of lifestyle change.
Objective: Obesity is a chronic disease in modern age and finding approach to the prevention, diagnosis and treatment of obesity has its place among the priorities of modern medicine and related fields. Important component in programmes to reduce overweight and obesity is regular physical activity (PA), which plays vital role in the comprehensive approach to the treatment of obesity. Primary objective of our study was to assess changes in somatic characteristics following eleven weeks of PA in overweight and obese women aged 30 to 60 years. Methods: Our research sample consisted of 221 women who were classified according to the level of PA carried out, namely 1 st , 2 nd and 3 rd category. STOB (STop OBesity) course participants underwent PA monitoring and diagnosis of the body composition, which is a modern multifaceted cognitive behavioural method. Results: Younger highly active women (PA 3) achieved higher average differences in body fat than did women with the typical daily activity (PA 1), however, significant differences have not been found. Statistically significant differences in visceral fat between the 1 st (PA 1) and 3 rd PA category (PA 3) have been observed in older women. Conclusion: Given the significantly higher increase of fat-free mass percentage in older highly active women (PA 3), we may assess the course results positively. Our study demonstrated positive correlation between carrying out the recommended level of PA and its impact on the body composition's health risk indicators. Obese women should walk at least 10,000 steps per day to improve their health.
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