Objective measures of physical activity and fitness as health risk factors in Geneva

Eiman ALGallaf

Objective measure of physical activity and fitness as health risk factors in Geneva

This report shows the project that has reached in the first year of the doctoral program. In order to write my literature review and proposal, several references have been read and checked and a summary of my proposal will be provided in this report.

Moreover, the main reasons of changing the project will be explained below. At the end, all courses that achieved since 2015 will be listed.

The prevalence of obesity is a global problem in public health, and it has led to the prevalence of non-communicable diseases (NCD) such as, cancer, chronic respiratory diseases, diabetes, heart disease, high blood pressure and stroke. These are the most serious diseases in public health which lead to mortality in over the world. Moreover, the World Health Organization in 2012 reported that 48% of people who died from chronic disease in low and middle-income countries in (WHO, 2016). In addition, there are health risk factors that may have led to health issues. Examples would include levels of education, social environment and economic factors. Closely, lifestyle is one of the most serious factors that has been widely noted to cause or lead to obesity (WHO, 2016).

Research question: What is the objective measure of physical activity and fitness as health risk factors in Geneva.

Research Objectives:

1. Literature research on (Quantification of daily physical activity in population studies, with special interest for those who use (d) the Actigraph.

2. Literature research on (Quantification of fitness levels in population studies, with special interest for those who use (d) a measure of gas exchange, especially those who used devices only measuring oxygen uptake (Cosmed).

3. To explore and explain the barriers of practice regular physical activity.

4. This study will provide the recommendations of behavioral intervention program to reduce the prevalence non-communicable diseases (NCD) in future.

Methodology

Type of study: Mixed Method (Quantitative & Qualitative).

Population: Elderly male and females aged aged ≥30 years old because the prevalence of diseases among this age is more than other age groups, and this study will measure their level of physical activity and fitness.

Physical activity methods: Actigraph and Cosmed will be the measuerments tools. The participants will wear them at their waist during 7 days in free-living condition except water activities.

Expected Results: The results might be used to improve the lifestyle of this age and help to set suitable interventions.

Target group: older adults. Sex: Male and Female. Age: aged ≥30 years old because the prevalence of diseases among the elderly more than in other age groups, and this study will measure levels of physical activity and fitness.

2.1 The main reasons that led to the change project

1. I did not have an accommodation, which was very difficult to be accepted.

2. I had problems in completing the requirements of the permits for my husband and me.

3. I suffered from health problems during my pregnancy. These included the eclampsia and high blood pressure. These were mentioned at the onset of my study. These issues affected by strength so I could not engage in any serious effort. All of these factors have led to birth at 36 weeks by C-Section.

4. My daughter has had a serious health problem since birth. She has a lot of the appointments with her doctors to monitor her health condition per week. My baby did not have any official proof of birth certificate, passport, permit and medical insurance! We did not get any help in finding a solution in spite of the difficult situation! In 2016, my daughter got a birth certificate and medical assurance, but she got after year-old passage. In January, my little baby will have a big surgery