The purpose of the current study is to investigate the changes in physical activity (PA), sleep time (ST), and body weight (BW) Pre- and during COVID-19 in South Korea, and specifically, PA data were obtained during COVID-19 at three-time points based on the multilevel social distancing policies. All data were surveyed by questionnaires online and offline, and participants were required to fill in the monthly average of daily step counts were recorded an application on participants’ smartphone devices from Pre-COVID-19 (2019 year) and during COVID-19 (2020 year). Participants were 834 adults (males: 54.4%, female: 45.6%) and all statistical analyses were summarized by SPSS 25.0 program. The monthly average of daily step counts was 6747.09 during Pre-COVID-19, but the PA during COVID-19 was 5812.11 daily step counts per month. Also, there were significant pairwise differences between average PA Pre-COVID-19 and each level of social distancing (p < 0.001). After COVID-19, the participants who slept less than 7 h decreased by 3.6%, while those who slept more than 9 h increased by that much. As a result of BW, 269 participants responded their BW changed during COVID-19, and 199 of them reported they gained BW during COVID-19 (74.0%). Although self-reported questionnaires may have led to an under-or over-estimation of ST and BW, the present study found that the environment in which the COVID-19 is prevalent had adverse relationships on PA, ST, and BW. Therefore, it is important to identify strategies to motivate individuals for remaining physically active and getting adequate sleep while maintaining social distancing due to the presence of the COVID-19 global pandemic.

Objective: This systematic literature review’s purpose was to examine the social factors (e.g., social network, social support, social interaction, loneliness, and social environmental factors) associated with PA among older adults. Data Source: Electronic databases (PsycINFO, MEDLINE, Scopus, and Web of Science) were used in this study. Study Inclusion and Exclusion Criteria: Studies published in English focusing on individuals aged 65+ that assess social and intrapersonal factors influencing PA, with quantitative data on these relationships, were included, regardless of the PA measurement method. Data Extraction: Two independent reviewers extracted data using a standardized form, capturing study design, sample size, participant characteristics, social factors assessed, and their relationship to PA behavior. Data Synthesis: A descriptive summary of study characteristics and methodological quality was conducted. Results: 1560 articles were identified and 34 were included. Wider social networks, social support, social cohesion, social norms towards PA, and positive social interactions were positively associated with PA among older adults, whereas obstructive factors (e.g., loneliness and social isolation) of the social environment were negatively associated with PA. Conclusions: The findings indicate that the social environment plays a strong role in determining PA levels among older adults. Interventions targeting PA enhancement in this population should prioritize strengthening social support and networks related to PA. Future research should focus on elucidating the mechanisms through which social factors impact PA in older adults.

The primary purpose of the present study was to assess differences in physical activity (PA), sedentary behavior (SB), and mental health (i.e., depression, suicidal thoughts, and cognitive function) by marital status (i.e., married and widowed) within an aging population in South Korea. PA, SB, and mental health were evaluated in 9092 older adults by comparing the married group (n = 5773, 73.2 ± 5.9 years, 63.5%) to the widowed group (n = 3319, 75.8 ± 6.8 years, 36.5%). Between-group differences in PA, SB, depression, and cognitive function were tested using independent t-tests, and the association between marital status and gender was evaluated using two-way ANOVA. Suicidal thoughts were analyzed using a Mann–Whitney U-test. Older adults in the widowed group participated in significantly less PA (p < 0.001) and had higher SB (p < 0.001) per week, especially the widows, who had significantly less PA (p < 0.01) and had higher SB (p < 0.001) compared to married women. Participants in the widowed group experienced more depression (p < 0.001) and suicidal thoughts (p < 0.001) and had significantly lower cognitive function compared to participants in the married group (p < 0.001). Between the two groups, widowers were more vulnerable to all mental health factors compared to those in the married group. At the same time, widows were only more vulnerable to depression and cognitive function compared to women in the married group. Findings indicated that the presence of a spouse is strongly associated with higher PA levels, lower SB, and better mental health among older adults. Spouses are the primary social supports and play a major role in the health and emotional well-being of the aging population. Given the importance of the spouse, our study suggests that health educators working with older widows should prioritize several different forms of social support to benefit their physical and mental health.

The current study is to examine the differences in physical activity (PA), sedentary behavior (SB), and mental health (i.e., stress, depression, and suicidal behaviors) between early menopausal women and age-matched general middle-aged women. Among 1348 participants in South Korea, 674 participants who experienced menopause before the age of 45 were defined as the early menopausal group, and 674 women who experienced menopause from 45 years to 55 years were classified as the general group by matching age based on early menopausal women. PA, SB, and mental health were evaluated by using the Global Physical Activity Questionnaire (GPAQ). An independent t-test was used to compare the associations of PA, SB, and mental health between the two groups. To demonstrate the predictors of early menopause, variables in the study were analyzed by multinomial logistic regression. The main findings were that moderate-to-vigorous PA (MVPA) and light PA (LPA) had significant differences between the two groups, but SB had no significant differences. In mental health, only perceived stress had significant differences in this study. The moderate level of stress in the early menopausal group was twice as high as that of the general group, and the severe level of stress was even 2.6 times higher than the general group. PA plays an essential role in mitigating the causes of mortality and the risk of various chronic diseases and improving quality of life; thus, the main findings of this study could be important to provide insights on the corresponding impact between early menopausal women and PA to encourage their healthy lifestyle. Further longitudinal studies are needed to examine the mechanisms underlying the effects of PA, SB, and mental health on early menopausal women.

BodyMetrix™ BX-2000 (IntelaMetrix, Livermore, CA, USA) has been introduced as one of the alternatives and portable methods to estimate body fat percentage. However, inconsistent results between protocols built-in the Bodymetrix^TM may be compelling the question of its validity. Thus, this study first investigated the possible errors between protocols and evaluated the validity of body fat percentage (BF%) compared to the gold standard method (dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry, DEXA). One hundred and five collegiate males, aged 20.01 ± 2.11 years, body height, 174.81 ± 6.01 cm, body mass, 73.26 ± 13.60 kg, and body mass index, 23.91 ± 3.77 kg·m⁻² participated in the present study. Participants’ body fat percentage was estimated by built-in nine different protocols in the BodyMetrix™ BX-2000 using A-MODE ultrasound. Pearson correlation (r), Mean absolute percentage errors (MAPEs), Bland & Altman plots, and Equivalence testing were used to examine the validity of each protocol by comparing it to the criterion measure (i.e., DEXA). The results indicated good potential for almost all of the protocols in correlation (Min: r = 0.79, Max: r = 0.92)., MAPEs (Min: 20.0%, Max: 33.8%), and Bland-Altman (Min diff: 16.7, Max diff: 41.4). Particularly, the estimated BF% from protocol 7 (4-sites by Durnin & Wormersley) and protocol 9 (9-sites Parllo) were completed within the equivalence zone (±10% of the mean). The estimates measured by protocol 7 and protocol 9 identified as the most valid methods for estimating BF% using a BodyMetrix™ BX-2000, compared to the DEXA. Our findings provide valuable information when applying in young male individuals, but future studies with other populations such as female or adolescents may be required to suggest a valid protocol within the instrument.

This study investigates the impact of the Health Belief Model (HBM) constructs on self-care behaviors among Black/African American men with Type 2 Diabetes (T2D). A cross-sectional survey was conducted from February to June 2024, involving 1225 Black/African American men aged 21 years or older who self-reported a T2D diagnosis. The survey included HBM constructs, and self-care behaviors measured using established scales. Statistical analyses, including multiple linear regression, were performed to assess the relationships between HBM components and self-care practices, adjusted by demographic factors such as age, education, and income. The study found that self-efficacy was the strongest predictor of self-care behaviors across all domains (β = 0.055, p < 0.001). Perceived susceptibility was positively associated with healthful eating (β = 0.042, p = 0.038), glucose monitoring (β = 0.117, p < 0.001), and foot care (β = 0.140, p < 0.001). Perceived severity was positively linked to diet adherence (β = 0.015, p < 0.001) and glucose monitoring (β = 0.028, p < 0.001). Perceived barriers were negatively associated with self-care practices, including glucose monitoring (β = −0.047, p < 0.001). However, perceived benefits did not significantly impact overall self-care behaviors (β = 0.001, p = 0.893). Self-efficacy, perceived susceptibility, and perceived severity were significant predictors of self-care behaviors among Black/African American men with T2D. In particular, interventions aimed at enhancing self-efficacy, addressing barriers, and promoting awareness of diabetes risks may improve diabetes management and self-care behaviors in this population.