0000000000772083
AUTHOR
Minna Aittasalo
Promoting physical activity of working aged adults with selected personal approaches in primary health care : feasibility, effectiveness and an example of nationwide dissemination
The primary aim of this study was to evaluate the feasibility and effectiveness of selected personal approaches to promote leisure time physical activity (LTPA) of working aged adults in primary health care. Three interventions were conducted in Southern Finland involving 35 health care units, 99 health care practitioners and 644 eligibility screened participants aged 18 to 65 years with no specific medical indication to increase LTPA.Intervention 1 was conducted in occupational health care (OHC) and the employees (N=155) from nine companies were randomly assigned to two experimental (EXP) and control groups (CON). In the first EXP group individual face-to-face counseling alone was implemen…
Lifestyle counseling to reduce body weight and cardiometabolic risk factors among truck and bus drivers – a randomized controlled trial
Objectives We conducted a randomized trial among overweight long-distance drivers to study the effects of structured lifestyle counseling on body weight and cardiometabolic risk factors. Methods Men with waist circumference > 100 cm were randomized into a lifestyle counseling (LIFE, N=55) and a reference (REF, N=58) group. The LIFE group participated in monthly counseling on nutrition, physical activity, and sleep for 12 months aiming at 10% weight loss. After 12 months, the REF group participated in 3-month counseling. Assessments took place at 0, 12, and 24 months. Between-group differences in changes were analyzed by generalized linear modeling. Metabolic risk (Z score) was calculated fr…
Mismatch, Empowerment, Fatigue or Balance? Four scenarios of physical activity up to 2030 in Finland
Sedentary lifestyles and the lack of physical activity (PA) are a major concern among all age groups, and current generations tend to be less fit than the previous ones in the Western World. At the same time, there is an urgent need to cut transport-related carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions. Major gains can be foreseen if current car-centred lifestyles and sedentary behaviour are addressed from an integrated perspective. In this study, we explore future scenarios in the intersections of PA and active lifestyles as well as related environmental and health benefits in Finland. We used a disaggregative Delphi approach to examine the topic. Although frequently used in health-related research, Delp…
Lifestyle counseling in overweight truck and bus drivers : Effects on dietary patterns and physical activity
We studied dietary patterns, physical activity (PA), and monthly goal setting in a weight reduction intervention in long-distance professional drivers. The study was conducted in Finland in 2009–2012. Male drivers with waist circumference > 100 cm were randomized to a lifestyle counseling (LIFE, N = 55) and a reference (REF, N = 58) group. During 12 months, LIFE participated in 6 face-to-face and 7 telephone counseling sessions on diet and PA. Dietary patterns were assessed using an index combining food diary and counselor interview, and PA with the number of daily steps using a pedometer. Monthly lifestyle goals, perceived facilitators and barriers, and adverse effects of PA in the LIFE pa…
Liikkumisvajeen luontopohjaiset ratkaisut ja ongelmat
[Johdanto] Suomalaiset liikkuvat terveytensä kannalta liian vähän, kun liikkumisella tarkoitetaan ihmisten fyysistä aktiivisuutta. Toisaalta suomalaiset liikkuvat liiankin paljon, kun liikkumisella tarkoitetaan moottorivoimin tapahtuvaa siirtymistä paikasta toiseen. Ongelmana on sekä moottoroitujen liikkumisvälineiden runsaasta käytöstä aiheutuva ihmisten fyysinen passiivisuus että ympäristön suuri kuormitus. Esimerkiksi henkilöautojen osuus päivittäin kuljetuista kilometreistä on 76 %, kun kävellen tai polkupyörällä matkoista taittuu noin 4 % (Liikennevirasto 2018). Tässä kirjoituksessa ymmärrämme liikkumisen ihmisten fyysiseksi aktiivisuudeksi ja tarkastelemme liikkumisvajeen luontopohjai…
Building transformative capacity towards active sustainable transport in urban areas – Experiences from local actions in Finland
Recent research has recognised cycling and walking (active transport) as substantial elements contributing to sustainable mobility and public health challenges. There is less knowledge available on the integrated contributions of local-level governance processes and practical implementation of active transport promotion activities. To illustrate comprehensively the contributions of local-level activities, we defined a framework presenting transformative capacity towards active sustainable transport. The framework presents the essential elements and criteria in assessing the level of contributions towards active and sustainable mobility. Previous literature and a case study in six Finnish mu…