BackgroundPhysical activity (PA) promotion in healthcare is an important strategy for increasing PA levels. Physiotherapists are well-positioned to promote PA, however no studies have investigated PA promotion by physiotherapists Australia-wide.MethodsAn online survey of practicing Australian physiotherapists was conducted to investigate knowledge of the Australian Physical Activity and Sedentary Behaviour (PASB) guidelines and factors associated with increased promotion frequency. Participants were asked to state the PASB guidelines and a 4-component scoring system was used to measure knowledge. Multivariate logistic regression analysis was conducted to assess factors associated with frequency of promotion.Results257 Australian physiotherapists completed the survey. Only 10% were able to accurately state the PASB guidelines and 54% reported promoting PA to 10 or more patients per month. Males were nearly three times more likely than females to promote PA to 10 or more patients per month (OR 2.68, 95% CI 1.25–5.74). Those who lacked counselling skills and felt PA promotion wouldn’t change their patients’ behaviour were much less likely to promote PA.ConclusionAustralian physiotherapists have poor knowledge of the Australian PASB guidelines and infrequently promote PA. Education and training in PA counselling and behaviour change strategies is indicated to enhance PA promotion by Australian physiotherapists.

Nursing and allied health professionals (AHPs) are in an ideal position to promote physical activity (PA) as part of their health care provision. The aim of this study was to investigate current promotion and knowledge of PA among people in these disciplines. A cross-sectional online survey of practicing Australian physiotherapists, nurses, exercise physiologists, occupational therapists, dietitians and pharmacists was conducted in 2016. A total of 433 nurses and AHPs completed the survey. All disciplines agreed that providing PA advice was part of their role, although nurses were less likely to agree. All disciplines felt they had the skills to promote PA but nurses were more likely to report a lack of time as a barrier. Physiotherapists and exercise physiologists were more confident giving PA advice to patients. Most health professionals (68%) were aware of the PA guidelines, although only 16% were accurately able to describe all relevant components. In logistic regression modelling, women and those working in public hospitals were less likely to encourage PA. Awareness of the PA guidelines doubled the odds of encouraging PA in patients (odds ratio 2.01, 95% confidence interval 1.18-3.43). Australian nurses and AHPs perceive that PA promotion is part of their role, however few have specific knowledge of the PA guidelines. To increase PA promotion by nurses and AHPs awareness of the PA guidelines appears to be essential. Nurses and AHPs are in an ideal position to promote PA, although there is limited evidence of their PA promotion and knowledge. Australian nurses and AHPs are confident and think it is feasible to promote PA to patients in several healthcare settings but many lack sufficient PA knowledge, limiting their PA promotion. Increasing PA knowledge of nurses and AHPs could generate increased levels of PA in the Australian population and improve national health and wellbeing.

ImportanceBariatric surgery–induced weight loss is often associated with improved cognitive function. However, improvement in cognitive function is not always exhibited by all patients, and the mechanisms behind cognitive improvement remain unknown.ObjectiveTo investigate the association of changes in adipokines, inflammatory factors, mood, and physical activity with alterations in cognitive function after bariatric surgery among patients with severe obesity.Design, Setting, and ParticipantsThis cohort study included 156 patients with severe obesity (body mass index [calculated as weight in kilograms divided by height in meters squared], >35) eligible for Roux-en-Y gastric bypass, aged between 35 and 55 years, who were enrolled in the BARICO (Bariatric Surgery Rijnstate and Radboudumc Neuroimaging and Cognition in Obesity) study between September 1, 2018, and December 31, 2020. Follow-up was completed July 31, 2021; 146 participants completed the 6-month follow-up and were included in the analysis.InterventionRoux-en-Y gastric bypass.Main Outcomes and MeasuresOverall cognitive performance (based on a 20% change index of the compound z score), inflammatory factors (eg, C-reactive protein and interleukin 6 levels), adipokines (eg, leptin and adiponectin levels), mood (assessed via the Beck Depression Inventory), and physical activity (assessed with the Baecke questionnaire).ResultsA total of 146 patients (mean [SD] age, 46.1 [5.7] years; 124 women [84.9%]) completed the 6-month follow-up and were included. After bariatric surgery, all plasma levels of inflammatory markers, including C-reactive protein (median change, −0.32 mg/dL [IQR, –0.57 to –0.16 mg/dL]; P < .001) and leptin (median change, −51.5 pg/mL [IQR, –68.0 to –38.4 pg/mL]; P < .001), were lower, whereas adiponectin levels were higher (median change, 0.15 μg/mL [IQR, –0.20 to 0.62 µg/mL]; P < .001), depressive symptoms were (partly) resolved (median change in Beck Depression Inventory score, −3 [IQR, –6 to 0]; P < .001), and physical activity level was higher (mean [SD] change in Baecke score, 0.7 [1.1]; P < .001). Cognitive improvement was observed in 43.8% (57 of 130) of the participants overall. This group had lower C-reactive protein (0.11 vs 0.24 mg/dL; P = .04) and leptin levels (11.8 vs 14.5 pg/mL; P = .04) and fewer depressive symptoms at 6 months (4 vs 5; P = .045) compared with the group of participants who did not show cognitive improvement.Conclusions and RelevanceThis study suggests that lower C-reactive protein and leptin levels, as well as fewer depressive symptoms, might partly explain the mechanisms behind cognitive improvement after bariatric surgery.

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