OBJECTIVES: The exposure of embryos or foetuses to ionising radiation can cause serious detriments to health. Thus, an enhanced incidence of spontaneous abortions and congenital anomalies might be expected in the vicinity of a uranium processing plant. We analysed the situation in the vicinity of MAPE Mydlovary, a facility about 20 km from České Budějovice, South Bohemia, Czech Republic, which was in operation from 1963 to 1992. METHODS: No relevant data are available for the period of operation of the uranium processing plant. Statistical data have only been collected since 1994. As sanitation work in the area was initiated at around that time and has yet to be completed, we considered a study of possible prenatal effects in the vicinity of MAPE Mydlovary to still be of interest. Data were provided by the Institute of Health Information and Statistics of the Czech Republic for the years 1994-2013. RESULTS: We tested whether there are demonstrable, statistically significant differences between the microregions of the four closest villages (Mydlovary, Olešník, Zahájí, and Zliv), the District of České Budějovice, the South-Bohemian Region, and the Czech Republic. CONCLUSIONS: No increase was found in the incidence of spontaneous abortions and congenital anomalies in the vicinity of this former uranium processing plant compared to the surrounding District of České Budějovice, the South Bohemian Region, or the Czech Republic as a whole.

• Keywords
• embryo, foetus, prenatal development, radiation, uranium milling, uranium mining,
• MeSH
• Residence Characteristics statistics & numerical data   MeSH
• Power Plants statistics & numerical data   MeSH
• Incidence MeSH
• Humans MeSH
• Abortion, Spontaneous epidemiology   MeSH
• Pregnancy MeSH
• Uranium * MeSH
• Congenital Abnormalities epidemiology   MeSH
• Check Tag
• Humans MeSH
• Pregnancy MeSH
• Female MeSH
• Publication type
• Journal Article MeSH
• Geographicals
• Czech Republic epidemiology   MeSH
• Names of Substances
• Uranium * MeSH

OBJECTIVE: A residential environment refers to the physical and social characteristics in a neighbourhood. The physical characteristics include interior housing qualities, exterior neighbourhood characteristics, and the accessibility of essential facilities and services outside the neighbourhood. Older adults especially may be vulnerable to the negative impacts of the residential environment. The aim of this study is to elucidate the problems ageing people face in their neighbourhoods, buildings and public areas. METHODS: The study group consisted of a total of 1,001 people over the age of 65 who were admitted to physical medicine and rehabilitation clinics in Turkey and consented to participate. A questionnaire covering demographic, social and environmental information was used. RESULTS: Of the study group, 58.6% was living in an apartment building, but only 23.6% of these buildings had an elevator, and the stairs were inconvenient in 46.7% of the buildings. Only 49% of the elderly people went for a walk regularly. The most frequent complaint about the hospitals, community health centres and other public areas was the inappropriate restroom conditions. Eighty-six percent of the study group were not members of an organization, a foundation or a group, and 73.6% did not have personal hobbies. CONCLUSIONS: The layouts of buildings and surroundings are inappropriate for older people, and the opportunities for them to participate in social activities are limited. Health and social programmes and governmental and local policies for older people are needed, and public awareness about this issue should be raised.

• Keywords
• aged population, environment, social life,
• MeSH
• Ambulatory Care Facilities statistics & numerical data   MeSH
• Residence Characteristics statistics & numerical data   MeSH
• Humans MeSH
• Physical and Rehabilitation Medicine statistics & numerical data   MeSH
• Aged MeSH
• Check Tag
• Humans MeSH
• Aged MeSH
• Publication type
• Journal Article MeSH
• Geographicals
• Turkey MeSH

OBJECTIVE: The poor health of Roma is well documented, but there is only limited data regarding the health of Roma children. The aim of this study was to describe the socioeconomic status, health related behaviour, and health of children living in segregated Roma settlements, and to compare the data with that of non-Roma children. METHODS: In March-April of 2011, a cross-sectional questionnaire-based survey among 11-year-old (211 boys and 252 girls) and 13-year-old (205 boys and 247 girls) children living in Roma settlements was performed (response rate: 91.5%). These data were compared with data from the Health Behaviour in School-Aged Children (HBSC) survey carried out in 2009/2010. RESULTS: The parents of Roma children were substantially less educated and less likely to be actively employed, and Roma children reported lower material welfare than non-Roma ones. The prevalence of consuming sweets and soft drinks at least 5 times per week was 1.5-2 times higher among Roma children. The prevalence of regular intense physical activity was higher at the age of 13 years among Roma boys, while physical inactivity was substantially higher in both age groups among Roma girls. Almost one quarter of Roma children and approximately 14% of non-Roma children had tried smoking at the age of 11. More Roma boys tried alcohol at the age of 11 than non-Roma ones. One in ten Roma children was obese in both age groups. The self-rated health status of Roma children was worse than that of non-Roma children. CONCLUSIONS: Children living in Roma settlements reported poorer socioeconomic conditions, higher consumption of sweets and soft drinks, earlier smoking and alcohol initiation, and worse self-rated health, but with some exceptions do not differ in fruit or vegetable consumption and BMI from general child population. To promote health of children living in Roma settlements, a multi-sector approach, special health education, plus social and health promotion programmes are needed.

• Keywords
• Roma children, health behaviour, prevalence,
• MeSH
• Residence Characteristics statistics & numerical data   MeSH
• Child MeSH
• Smoking epidemiology   ethnology   MeSH
• Humans MeSH
• Adolescent MeSH
• Alcohol Drinking epidemiology   ethnology   MeSH
• Prevalence MeSH
• Cross-Sectional Studies MeSH
• Surveys and Questionnaires MeSH
• Roma ethnology   statistics & numerical data   MeSH
• Socioeconomic Factors MeSH
• Social Class MeSH
• Health Behavior ethnology   MeSH
• Health Status * MeSH
• Health Surveys methods   MeSH
• Check Tag
• Child MeSH
• Humans MeSH
• Adolescent MeSH
• Male MeSH
• Female MeSH
• Publication type
• Journal Article MeSH
• Geographicals
• Hungary epidemiology   MeSH

OBJECTIVES: Associations between the perceived social and physical environment and self-reported moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA) and screen time (ST) were examined among adolescents in four European countries. METHODS: Representative samples were surveyed with standardised methodologies. Associations between environmental variables and meeting MVPA recommendations and tertiles of ST were tested in gender-specific logistic regression models. Moderation by country and country-specific relationships were also examined. RESULTS: The most consistent findings across countries were found for the significant associations between neighbourhood social environment and MVPA in both boys and girls. Significant associations with the physical environment varied more between countries and by gender. The most consistent negative associations with ST were found for the social environmental variable of having parental rules for spending time outside the home. CONCLUSIONS: The present findings provided evidence for the generalisability of the associations between environmental correlates and MVPA across four European countries. The findings show clear differences in correlates for MVPA and ST. Further research is needed to better understand the unique aspects of the social and physical environment which explain each of the two behaviours.

• Keywords
• European countries, Health Behaviour in School-aged Children (HBSC) study, Physical activity, Screen time, Social and physical environment,
• MeSH
• Screen Time * MeSH
• Residence Characteristics statistics & numerical data   MeSH
• Exercise * MeSH
• Child MeSH
• Humans MeSH
• Adolescent MeSH
• Cross-Sectional Studies MeSH
• Sex Factors MeSH
• Social Environment * MeSH
• Age Factors MeSH
• Environment * MeSH
• Self Report MeSH
• Check Tag
• Child MeSH
• Humans MeSH
• Adolescent MeSH
• Male MeSH
• Female MeSH
• Publication type
• Journal Article MeSH
• Geographicals
• Europe MeSH

Neighborhood environmental attributes have been found to be associated with residents' time spent walking and in physical activity, in studies from single countries and in multiple-country investigations. There are, however, mixed findings on such environmental relationships with sedentary (sitting) time, which primarily have used evidence derived from single-country investigations with self-reported behavioral outcome measures. We examined potential relationships of neighborhood environmental attributes with objectively-assessed sedentary time using data from 5712 adults recruited from higher and lower socio-economic status neighborhoods in 12 sites in 10 countries, between 2002 and 2011. Ten perceived neighborhood attributes, derived from an internationally-validated scale, were assessed by questionnaire. Sedentary time was derived from hip-worn accelerometer data. Associations of individual environmental attributes and a composite environmental index with sedentary time were estimated using generalized additive mixed models. In fully adjusted models, higher street connectivity was significantly related to lower sedentary time. Residential density, pedestrian infrastructure and safety, and lack of barriers to walking were related to higher sedentary time. Aesthetics and safety from crime were related to less sedentary time in women only. The predicted difference in sedentary time between those with the minimum versus maximum composite environmental index values was 71 min/day. Overall, certain built environment attributes, including street connectivity, land use mix and aesthetics were found to be related to sedentary behavior in both expected and unexpected directions. Further research using context-specific measures of sedentary time is required to improve understanding of the potential role of built environment characteristics as influences on adults' sedentary behavior.

• Keywords
• Adults, Built environment, Sedentary behavior, Sitting time,
• MeSH
• Accelerometry statistics & numerical data   MeSH
• Time Factors MeSH
• Global Health MeSH
• Residence Characteristics statistics & numerical data   MeSH
• Walking statistics & numerical data   MeSH
• Exercise MeSH
• Adult MeSH
• Middle Aged MeSH
• Humans MeSH
• Young Adult MeSH
• Cross-Sectional Studies MeSH
• Surveys and Questionnaires MeSH
• Sedentary Behavior * MeSH
• Aged, 80 and over MeSH
• Aged MeSH
• Built Environment statistics & numerical data   MeSH
• Self Report MeSH
• Check Tag
• Adult MeSH
• Middle Aged MeSH
• Humans MeSH
• Young Adult MeSH
• Male MeSH
• Aged, 80 and over MeSH
• Aged MeSH
• Female MeSH
• Publication type
• Journal Article MeSH
• Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't MeSH
• Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural MeSH
• Research Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S. MeSH

BACKGROUND: To more accurately quantify the potential impact of the neighbourhood environment on adults' physical activity (PA), it is important to compare environment-PA associations between periods of the day or week when adults are more versus less likely to be in their neighbourhood and utilise its PA resources. We examined whether, among adults from 10 countries, associations between objectively-assessed neighbourhood environment attributes and moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA) varied by time of the day and day of the week. The secondary aim was to examine whether such associations varied by employment status, gender and city. METHODS: This cross-sectional study included 6,712 adults from 14 cities across 10 countries with ≥1 day of valid accelerometer-assessed MVPA and complete information on socio-demographic and objectively-assessed environmental characteristics within 0.5 and 1 km street-network buffers around the home. Accelerometer measures (MVPA min/h) were created for six time periods from early morning until late evening/night, for weekdays and weekend days separately. Associations were estimated using generalized additive mixed models. RESULTS: Time of the day, day of week, gender and employment status were significant moderators of environment-MVPA associations. Land use mix was positively associated with MVPA in women who were employed and in men irrespective of their employment status. The positive associations between MVPA and net residential density, intersection density and land use mix were stronger in the mornings of weekdays and the afternoon/evening periods of both weekdays and weekend days. Associations between number of parks and MVPA were stronger in the mornings and afternoon/evenings irrespective of day of the week. Public transport density showed consistent positive associations with MVPA during weekends, while stronger effects on weekdays were observed in the morning and early evenings. CONCLUSIONS: This study suggests that space and time constraints in adults' daily activities are important factors that determine the impact of neighbourhood attributes on PA. Consideration of time-specific associations is important to better characterise the magnitude of the effects of the neighbourhood environment on PA. Future research will need to examine the contribution of built environment characteristics of areas surrounding other types of daily life centres (e.g., workplaces) to explaining adults' PA at specific times of the day.

• Keywords
• Accelerometry, Built environment, Exercise, Geographic Information Systems, International health,
• MeSH
• Accelerometry statistics & numerical data   MeSH
• Time MeSH
• Residence Characteristics statistics & numerical data   MeSH
• Exercise physiology   MeSH
• Adult MeSH
• Middle Aged MeSH
• Humans MeSH
• Adolescent MeSH
• Young Adult MeSH
• Periodicity * MeSH
• Cross-Sectional Studies MeSH
• Reproducibility of Results MeSH
• Sex Distribution MeSH
• Aged MeSH
• Cities statistics & numerical data   MeSH
• Employment statistics & numerical data   MeSH
• Environment Design statistics & numerical data   MeSH
• Check Tag
• Adult MeSH
• Middle Aged MeSH
• Humans MeSH
• Adolescent MeSH
• Young Adult MeSH
• Male MeSH
• Aged MeSH
• Female MeSH
• Publication type
• Journal Article MeSH
• Geographicals
• Cities statistics & numerical data   MeSH

BACKGROUND: The socioeconomic and ethnic composition of urban neighbourhoods may affect mortality, but evidence on Central European cities is lacking. The aim of this study was to assess the associations between socioeconomic and ethnic neighbourhood indicators and the mortality of individuals aged 20-64 years old in the two biggest cities of the Slovak Republic. METHODS: We obtained data on the characteristics of neighbourhoods and districts (educational level, unemployment, income and share of Roma) and on individual mortality of residents aged 20-64 years old, for the two largest cities in the Slovak Republic (Bratislava and Kosice) in the period 2003-2005. We performed multilevel Poisson regression analyses adjusted for age and gender on the individual (mortality), neighbourhood (education level and share of Roma in population) and district levels (unemployment and income). RESULTS: The proportions of Roma and of low-educated residents were associated with mortality at the neighbourhood level in both cities. Mutually adjusted, only the association with the proportion of Roma remained in the model (risk ratio 1.02; 95 % confidence interval 1.01-1.04). The area indicators - high education, income and unemployment - were not associated with mortality. CONCLUSION: The proportion of Roma is associated with early mortality in the two biggest cities in the Slovak Republic.

• MeSH
• Residence Characteristics statistics & numerical data   MeSH
• Healthcare Disparities ethnology   statistics & numerical data   MeSH
• Adult MeSH
• Middle Aged MeSH
• Humans MeSH
• Mortality ethnology   MeSH
• Risk Factors MeSH
• Roma statistics & numerical data   MeSH
• Socioeconomic Factors * MeSH
• Cities epidemiology   ethnology   MeSH
• Multilevel Analysis MeSH
• Check Tag
• Adult MeSH
• Middle Aged MeSH
• Humans MeSH
• Male MeSH
• Female MeSH
• Publication type
• Journal Article MeSH
• Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't MeSH
• Geographicals
• Slovakia epidemiology   ethnology   MeSH
• Cities epidemiology   ethnology   MeSH

BACKGROUND: A youths' neighborhood can play an important role in their physical, health, and emotional development. The prevalence of health risk behavior (HRB) in Czech youth such as smoking, drug and alcohol use is the highest in Europe. AIM: To analyze differences in HRB in youth residents within different types of Prague's neighborhoods in relation to the perception of the built environment, quality of their school and home environments. DATA AND METHODS: The data is based on the on-line survey among elementary school students aged between 14-15 years, which was administered in19 selected schools in Prague, during the months of October 2013 to March 2014. Respondents were asked their opinions on various issues related to their HRB, about their indoor and outdoor housing and school environments. The questionnaire was completed by 407 students. Factor analysis with a principal components extraction was applied to determine the underlying structure in the variables. A consequent field research was conducted to map the opportunity hot spots and critical places around the elementary schools. RESULTS: Binge drinking has been reported mainly by the students living in the housing estates with blocks of flats. The most frequent occurrence of daily smokers was found in the neighborhoods of old city apartment houses. High prevalence of risky marijuana use almost in all the surveyed types of neighborhoods. The respondents were more critical in their evaluation of school characteristics. The neighborhoods critically evaluated by the students as regards the school outdoor environments were the older apartment houses in the historical centre and inner city, the school indoor environment was worst assessed within the housing estate neighborhoods. CONCLUSIONS: Our results suggest that perceptions of problems in both residential and school environment are associated with HRB. This fact makes this issue of a serious importance also from the policy point of view. Mainly the school surroundings have to be better managed by the local authorities responsible for the public space. This research thus forms part of the Sophie project aiming to find the most efficient policies that would tackle with the inequalities in the health and quality of life.

• MeSH
• Residence Characteristics * statistics & numerical data   MeSH
• Communism * statistics & numerical data   MeSH
• Marijuana Smoking ethnology   psychology   MeSH
• Smoking ethnology   psychology   MeSH
• Humans MeSH
• Urban Population * statistics & numerical data   MeSH
• Adolescent MeSH
• Pilot Projects MeSH
• Alcohol Drinking ethnology   psychology   MeSH
• Risk-Taking * MeSH
• Data Collection methods   MeSH
• Health Behavior ethnology   MeSH
• Environment * MeSH
• Check Tag
• Humans MeSH
• Adolescent MeSH
• Male MeSH
• Female MeSH
• Publication type
• Journal Article MeSH
• Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't MeSH
• Geographicals
• Czech Republic ethnology   MeSH

This study examined the strength and shape of associations between perceived environmental attributes and adults' recreational walking, using data collected from 13,745 adult participants in 12 countries. Perceived residential density, land use mix, street connectivity, aesthetics, safety from crime, and proximity to parks were linearly associated with recreational walking, while curvilinear associations were found for residential density, land use mix, and aesthetics. The observed associations were consistent across countries, except for aesthetics. Using data collected from environmentally diverse countries, this study confirmed findings from prior single-country studies. Present findings suggest that similar environmental attributes are associated with recreational walking internationally.

• Keywords
• Built environment, Exercise, Leisure, Physical activity, Urban design,
• MeSH
• Residence Characteristics statistics & numerical data   MeSH
• Walking psychology   statistics & numerical data   MeSH
• Adult MeSH
• Esthetics MeSH
• Middle Aged MeSH
• Humans MeSH
• Urban Population MeSH
• Adolescent MeSH
• Young Adult MeSH
• Perception MeSH
• Cross-Sectional Studies MeSH
• Surveys and Questionnaires MeSH
• Regression Analysis MeSH
• Recreation MeSH
• Aged MeSH
• Social Class MeSH
• Cross-Cultural Comparison MeSH
• Environment Design statistics & numerical data   MeSH
• Check Tag
• Adult MeSH
• Middle Aged MeSH
• Humans MeSH
• Adolescent MeSH
• Young Adult MeSH
• Male MeSH
• Aged MeSH
• Female MeSH
• Publication type
• Journal Article MeSH
• Multicenter Study MeSH
• Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't MeSH
• Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural MeSH
• Comparative Study MeSH
• Geographicals
• Australia MeSH
• Europe MeSH
• Hong Kong MeSH
• South America MeSH
• Mexico MeSH
• New Zealand MeSH
• United States MeSH

AIMS: This cross-sectional survey assessed and compared by gender the levels and correlates of achieving the international guidelines recommendations on five forms of physical activity (PA) (walking, moderate PA, vigorous PA, moderate or vigorous PA- MVPA, and muscle-strengthening PA). We examined the associations between achieving the international guidelines recommendations on five forms of PA and a variety of sociodemographic, health and academic performance variables. METHODS: Data was collected across nine Libyan universities (2008-2009, representative sample of 1,300 undergraduates). A self-administered questionnaire assessed frequency and duration of PA/week for each form of PA. Cut-offs for recommended guidelines were set according to the American Heart Association. RESULTS: About 43.7% of students achieved the guidelines for muscle strengthening PA, 20.7% for walking, 11.2% for vigorous PA, 28.5% for MVPA, and 4.8% for moderate PA (excluding walking). Binary logistic regression showed that except for walking, males were consistently associated with achieving the guidelines recommendations for all other forms of PA. Students with higher health awareness were more likely to achieve the guidelines for vigorous PA and muscle strengthening PA. Better academic performance was associated with higher levels of muscle strengthening PA. Students at institutions in the East of Libya were less likely to achieve the guidelines for walking, vigorous PA or muscle strengthening PA as compared to students from the North. Students from the West of Libya were also less likely to walk or to engage in moderate PA than their peers from the North. CONCLUSIONS: Overall, relatively low proportions of students achieved the recommended guidelines of PA. Female students were particularly at risk for low level of PA. Attention is required to national policies that promote active living, along with addressing the cultural, geographic and other barriers to engagement of young adult males and females in PA.

• MeSH
• Residence Characteristics statistics & numerical data   MeSH
• Exercise * MeSH
• Adult MeSH
• Humans MeSH
• Adolescent MeSH
• Young Adult MeSH
• Cross-Sectional Studies MeSH
• Sex Factors MeSH
• Students statistics & numerical data   MeSH
• Universities * MeSH
• Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice * MeSH
• Check Tag
• Adult MeSH
• Humans MeSH
• Adolescent MeSH
• Young Adult MeSH
• Male MeSH
• Female MeSH
• Publication type
• Journal Article MeSH
• Multicenter Study MeSH
• Geographicals
• Libya MeSH