This document summarizes the background and plan for a PhD study investigating the link between physical activity, sedentary behavior, and cardiovascular disease and type 2 diabetes. Specifically, it discusses how physical inactivity and obesity increase cardiovascular risk factors, and how sedentary behavior has emerged as an independent risk factor. The proposed study aims to directly measure sedentary behaviors in Irish adolescents using objective devices, as existing data is limited, and to examine tracking of physical activity and sedentary behavior from adolescence to young adulthood, a key developmental period influencing lifestyle.

1. Discovering the Link Between
Physical Activity,And Sedentary
BehaviourTo Cardio-vascular
Disease andTypeTwo Diabetes
Presented By:
Ms Gráinne Hayes

2. Background…
Cardiovascular disease (CVD) collectively refers to diseases of the heart and circulatory
system, and typically includes coronary heart disease (CHD), stroke, and peripheral
vascular diseases (e.g. deep vein thrombosis).
• Every year, 7,942 men and women die in Ireland before the age of 65 from
cardiovascular disease (European cardiovascular disease statistics 2012).
• Research has indicated that the processes associated with long term risk of CHD begin
in childhood and adolescents (Freedman et al. 2001).
• There are many factors that contribute to CVD, including dyslipidemia, hypertension,
diabetes, smoking, physical inactivity and obesity.

3. Inactive V’s Obesity
Physical inactivity and obesity, however, are of particular importance, as they
directly impact each of the other risk factors, while also exerting an independent
effect of their own (Activity 1996).
• It is believed that increases in the energy content of diet, decreased levels of
physical activity and increasingly sedentary lifestyles significantly contribute to the
prevalence of childhood and adolescent obesity (Summerbell et al. 2005).
• However, sedentary behaviour (SB) (sitting, lying,) has emerged as a new area of
scientific research on health and has been identified to play an independent role in
the development and treatment of cardio-vascular risk factors (CVRF) including
blood lipid variables and obesity (Hamilton et al. 2008; Martinez-Gomez et al. 2010).
• Within an Irish context there is currently little data available on directly measured
sedentary behaviours in adolescents using a completely objective device

4. Who Should We Study?
• The transition from adolescence to young adulthood is a key
development period where many physiological and psychological
changes occur that can have a positive or negative influence on
one’s lifestyle and activity behaviours.
• • Many researchers have investigated the tracking of physical
activity in this population however, no consistent information
relating to the tracking of sedentary behaviour exists.
• • This is an important demographic to study as these are formative
years for many future lifestyle habits.

5. My PhD Plan…

6. My PhD PLAN CONTD…

7. Finally…

8. Consider This…
• https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aUaInS6
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