Predictors of moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA) in African American young adolescents

Effects of a Faith-Based Obesity Intervention on African American and Latino Adults' Children

BACKGROUND

Faith-based interventions are promising for promoting healthy behaviors among adults, but their ripple effects on participants' children are unknown. This study is one of the first to assess the effects of a faith-based multilevel obesity intervention on adult participants' children.

METHODS

We analyzed quantitative data from a cluster randomized controlled trial with two African American and two Latino churches in South Los Angeles, California, which invited adult participants to enroll one child (5-17 years) in a sub-study. At baseline and 6-7 months follow-up, parents completed a child health survey, which included the family nutrition and physical activity screening tool, and child height and weight were measured (n = 50).

RESULTS

Results from linear regression models showed children of intervention participants, compared to control, had significantly better dietary patterns at follow-up.

CONCLUSIONS

Findings suggest the health benefits of a faith-based multilevel obesity intervention for adults can extend to children and may help address obesity disparities.

Influence of the Home Environment on Physical Activity Behaviors in African American Youth

Background: This study examined the relationships between components of the home environment and physical activity (PA) behaviors among African American adolescents. Methods: A community-based sample of 99 African American parent-child dyads (62% girls; 42% overweight/obese, 15.0 ± 0.2 years) were included in this analysis. The home environment (PA equipment, family support for PA, and internet access) was evaluated using the Health and Environment Survey. Child PA was measured objectively using accelerometry. Data collection occurred between 2014 and 2016. Results: Internet access was associated with 29 fewer minutes of light physical activity [p = 0.011, β = -29.25 ± 11.28 (95% confidence interval: -51.65 to -6.86)], 9 fewer minutes of moderate-to-vigorous physical activity [p = 0.045, β = -9.10 ± 4.48 (-17.98 to -0.21)], and 38 fewer minutes of total PA (TPA) [p = 0.006, β = -38.35 ± 13.38 (-65.62 to -11.08)]. Family support was associated with 2 minutes of TPA [p = 0.044, β = 2.25 ± 1.10 (-1.97 to 3.19)]. PA equipment was not significantly associated with greater PA (all p's > 0.05). Conclusions: These findings suggest that home internet access may hinder participation in PA among African American adolescents. Future research should continue to identify barriers in the home environment that contribute to physical inactivity among African American adolescents.

On the issue of continuity in the formation of universal competencies among school graduates and university students

In recent years, the issues of preserving the health of the population and prevention of certain diseases leading to a significant deterioration in the life quality and human activity have been keenly discussed all over the world. This circumstance has significantly activated the scientific research in development and testing of educational programs, which are based on the development of the need for systematic independent physical exercises that contribute to the formation of general cultural competencies among students of educational institutions. At the same time, the level of formation of this knowledge, skills and abilities should contribute to the further continuous process of formation of universal competencies in physical culture and sports of university students. This paper aims to analyze and experimentally substantiate the need for continuity in the formation of universal competencies among schoolchildren and university students in physical culture, as the basis for successful professionally applied physical training of future specialists in various fields of economics. The conducted research shows the need to improve the organizational and content provision of physical culture in general education institutions to increase the effectiveness of organized physical culture classes, and to improve the quality of the formation of general cultural competencies (knowledge, skills, abilities).

Adolescent Development in Context: A Decade Review of Neighborhood and Activity Space Research

Over the last decade, two lines of inquiry have emerged from earlier investigations of adolescent neighborhood effects. First, researchers began incorporating space-time geography to study adolescent development within activity spaces or routine activity locations and settings. Second, cultural-developmental researchers implicated neighborhood settings in cultural development, to capture neighborhood effects on competencies and processes that are salient or normative for minoritized youth. We review the decade's studies on adolescent externalizing, internalizing, academic achievement, health, and cultural development within neighborhoods and activity spaces. We offer recommendations supporting decompartmentalization of cultural-developmental and activity space scholarship to advance the science of adolescent development in context.

Paternal and maternal support of moderate-to-vigorous physical activity in children on weekdays and weekends: a cross-sectional study

BACKGROUND

Most studies of associations between parental support behaviours for physical activity (PA) and children's moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA) have been conducted in developed countries, and they have focused on maternal or parental support behaviours. Children's MVPA time (i.e., weekdays vs. weekends) has not been adequately differentiated. This paper investigated the associations of paternal and maternal support behaviours for PA with the proportion of children who met the MVPA recommendations on weekdays and weekends in China.

METHODS

Cross-sectional data of 517 father-child dyads and 1422 mother-child dyads were analysed. The children recorded PA diaries on 7 consecutive days to assess their MVPA time. The father or mother completed a questionnaire concerning their support for children's PA. Multivariate logistic regression was used to investigate the independent effects of paternal and maternal support behaviours for PA on whether children met the MVPA recommendations for weekdays, weekends, and the whole week.

RESULTS

Significantly fewer children met the MVPA recommendations on weekends (37.8%) than on weekdays (62.8%). Higher paternal (odds ratio [OR] = 1.098, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.009-1.195) and maternal (OR = 1.076, 95% CI: 1.021-1.134) total support behaviour scores were associated with higher odds of children meeting the MVPA recommendations on weekends, after controlling for covariates. Paternal PA knowledge-sharing with the child was positively associated with children meeting the MVPA recommendations on weekends (OR = 1.319, 95% CI: 1.055-1.649); it tended to be associated with children meeting the MVPA recommendations on weekdays and throughout the week, although these associations were not statistically significant. Maternal reservation of PA time for the child was positively associated with a higher likelihood of children meeting the MVPA recommendations on weekdays (OR = 1.160, 95% CI: 1.025-1.313), weekends (OR = 1.241, 95% CI: 1.097-1.403), and throughout the week (OR = 1.214, 95% CI: 1.076-1.369).

CONCLUSIONS

Paternal and maternal support behaviours for PA should be enhanced on weekends to increase children's MVPA. Fathers should share PA knowledge with children and mothers should reserve PA time for children every day.

Prevalence and socio-demographic correlates of accelerometer measured physical activity levels of school-going children in Kampala city, Uganda

Background

The current international physical activity guidelines for health recommend children to engage in at least 60 minutes of moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA) daily. Yet, accurate prevalence estimates of physical activity levels of children are unavailable in many African countries due to the dearth of accelerometer-measured physical activity data. The aim of this study was to describe the prevalence and examine the socio-demographic correlates of accelerometer-measured physical activity among school-going children in Kampala city, Uganda.

Methods

A cross-sectional study design was used to recruit a sample of 10–12 years old school-going children (n = 256) from 7 primary schools (3 public schools and 4 private schools) in Kampala city, Uganda. Sedentary time, light-intensity physical activity (LPA), moderate-intensity physical activity (MPA) and vigorous-intensity physical activity (VPA) were measured by accelerometers (ActiGraph GT3X+ [Pensacola, Florida, USA]) over a seven-day period. Socio-demographic factors were assessed by a parent/guardian questionnaire. Weight status was generated from objectively measured height and weight and computed as body mass index (BMI). Multi-level logistic regressions identified socio-demographic factors that were associated with meeting physical activity guidelines.

Results

Children’s sedentary time was 9.8±2.1 hours/day and MVPA was 56±25.7 minutes/day. Only 36.3% of the children (38.9% boys, 34.3% girls) met the physical activity guidelines. Boys, thin/normal weight and public school children had significantly higher mean daily MVPA levels. Socio-demographic factors associated with odds of meeting physical activity guidelines were younger age (OR = 0.68; 95% CI = 0.55–0.84), thin/normal weight status (OR = 4.08; 95% CI = 1.42–11.76), and socioeconomic status (SES) indicators such as lower maternal level of education (OR = 2.43; 95% CI = 1.84–3.21) and no family car (OR = 0.31; 95% CI = 0.17–0.55).

Conclusion

Children spent a substantial amount of time sedentary and in LPA and less time in MVPA. Few children met the physical activity guidelines. Lower weight status, lower maternal education level and no family car were associated with meeting physical activity guidelines. Effective interventions and policies to increase physical activity among school-going children in Kampala, are urgently needed.

Self-Efficacy, Not Peer or Parent Support, Is Associated With More Physical Activity and Less Sedentary Time Among 8- to 12-Year-Old Youth With Elevated Body Mass Index

BACKGROUND

Youth experience a decrease in physical activity (PA) and an increase in sedentary time during adolescence. Better understanding of factors associated with activity levels during preadolescence may inform interventions to minimize decline. This study compared the association of self-efficacy for PA, parent support for PA, and peer support for PA with moderate-to-vigorous PA (MVPA) and sedentary time among 8- to 12-year-old children with body mass index ≥75th percentile.

METHODS

This study analyzed baseline data from a school-based healthy weight management intervention trial, conducted in metropolitan Minnesota. Self-efficacy for PA, parent support for PA, and peer support for PA were measured by child survey using reliable tools. MVPA and sedentary time were measured using accelerometer.

RESULTS

Participants included 114 children; mean age was 9.4 (0.9) years, 51% were females, 55% received public assistance, and 57% were racial/ethnic minorities. Self-efficacy for PA was positively associated with moderate to vigorous PA for girls (β = 1.83, P < .01) and inversely with sedentary time for the total sample (β = -7.00, P = .03). Parent support for PA was positively associated with sedentary time for girls (β = 9.89, P = .04) and the total sample (β = 7.83, P = .04).

CONCLUSIONS

Interventions for preadolescents with elevated body mass index may improve activity levels by increasing self-efficacy for PA.

Are Correlates of Physical Activity in Adolescents Similar Across Ethnicity/Race and Sex: Implications for Interventions

BACKGROUND

This study tested for differences in personal, social, and environmental correlates of moderate to vigorous physical activity (MVPA) across ethnicity/race in male and female adolescents.

METHODS

Self-reported MVPA and 47 potential correlates of MVPA were measured in an ethnically/racially diverse cross-sectional sample of adolescents, in Minnesota, who participated in EAT-2010 (Eating and Activity in Teens). Interactions of potential correlates with ethnicity/race on MVPA were tested in linear hierarchical regression models in boys and girls.

RESULTS

Boys reported 1.7 more weekly hours of MVPA than girls. White adolescents reported 1.1 to 2.1 more weekly hours of MVPA than nonwhite adolescents. Among girls, neighborhood road connectivity was negatively correlated with MVPA among Hispanic and Asian participants. Among boys, sports participation was positively correlated with MVPA among all ethnicities/races, except Asians. Home media equipment was positively correlated with MVPA among Hispanic boys, but negatively correlated among white boys.

CONCLUSIONS

A few correlates of physical activity among adolescents differed intersectionally by ethnicity/race and sex. Sports participation and home media equipment may have differing impacts on physical activity across ethnicities and races in boys, whereas neighborhood features like road connectivity may have differing impacts on physical activity across ethnicities and races in girls.

Exploring Racial Disparities in Physical Activity and Quality of Life Through an Expectancy-Value Perspective

OBJECTIVES

Alleviating racial/ethnic disparities in physical activity (PA) and health outcomes during childhood becomes an important public health priority as the nation's populace continues to diversify. Guided by expectancy-value model, the purposes of this study were (a) to examine the potential differences in expectancy-value beliefs, PA and health-related quality of life (HRQOL) between African-American (AA) children and their American-Caucasian (AC) peers, and (b) to determine how the relationships among these variables might differ between the two racial groups.

METHOD

Participants were 321 (152 boys; 189 AC) children from three schools who completed a previously validated questionnaire assessing their expectancy-value beliefs in physical education, leisure-time PA (PAQ-C), and HRQOL.

RESULTS

Students' PA was positively associated with HRQOL among AC and AA children (p < .01). AA children had significant higher expectancy-value beliefs but lower HRQOL than AC children. The regression results revealed that both racial groups had a nearly identical effect of expectancy beliefs on their self-reported PA (β = .34 in AA group, β = .33 in AC group, respectively). The regression analysis also suggests that expectancy-value belief was a significant predictor of HRQOL while controlling for all other variables (β = .36; p < .001) for the AC group, but not the AA group.

CONCLUSIONS

The growing health disparities across racial/ethnic subgroups are of great public health concern. Thus, this study provided valuable insights regarding how to promote AA children's PA and HRQOL through an expectancy-value approach.

A Dyadic Analysis on Source Discrepancy and a Mediation Analysis via Self-Efficacy in the Parental Support and Physical Activity Relationship among Black Girls

BACKGROUND

Physical activity (PA) declines in adolescence among black girls. This study assesses how moderate/vigorous physical activity (MVPA) relates to caregiver- vs. adolescent-reported parental support and whether the relationship is mediated by self-efficacy.

METHODS

MVPA was assessed through accelerometry. Parental support and encouragement on adolescents' PA were reported by caregivers and adolescents with a 10-item Social Support and Exercise Survey. Adolescent-reported self-efficacy related to PA was assessed with an 8-item scale. Structural equation modeling assessed source variation (caregiver vs. adolescent report) in the relationship between parental support and MVPA and mediation through adolescent self-efficacy.

RESULTS

The sample includes black adolescent girls (n = 272), with mean age of 11.6 years (standard deviation = 0.7), and average MVPA/day of 40.6 minutes. Caregiver/adolescent agreement on parental support was low (weighted Kappa <0.20). There was significant source variation in the parental support-MVPA relationship (Wald χ² = 4.18, df = 1, p = 0.041); adolescent-reported support was related to MVPA (b = 0.40, standard error = 0.14, p = 0.003) and mediated through self-efficacy (95% bootstrapped confidence interval: 0.05-0.29). Caregiver-reported support or BMI z-score was not related to MVPA.

CONCLUSIONS

The association between MVPA and adolescent-reported parental support among black adolescent girls is explained by positive self-efficacy. Findings suggest that effective adolescent/caregiver communication around parental support on PA relates to high adolescent self-efficacy and supports objectively measured PA. Additional research is merited to examine longitudinal patterns. Furthermore, although 51.5% of girls in the sample were overweight or obese, the lack of association between MVPA and body composition minimizes its implication for mitigating obesity among overweight/obese black adolescent girls.

After-school leisure time: physical activity and estimated caloric expenditure in schoolchildren from southeast Spain

Introducción. Por lo general, el periodo de ocio extraescolar es empleado por los escolares para realizar actividades físicas; sin embargo, se desconoce el nivel de actividad física de moderada a vigorosa intensidad (AFMV) y de gasto calórico registrados en ese periodo.Objetivo. Analizar los niveles de actividad física y gasto energético estimado durante el periodo de ocio extraescolar.Materiales y métodos. Participaron 408 escolares, con un rango de edad entre 11 y 12 años, siendo 205 niñas (11.21±0.41) y 203 niños (11.20±0.40) del sistema educativo español. Se siguió un diseño de tipo descriptivo relacional y de carácter transversal. Los escolares registraron la actividad física con el instrumento Previous Day Physical Activity Recall y su análisis se hizo a través del promedio de minutos realizando AFMV (>3 MET) y el gasto calórico extraído de los niveles de MET.Resultados. Se encontraron medias superiores para los hombres respecto a las mujeres, tanto en los minutos de AFMV (p<0.05) como en el gasto calórico (p<0.001) registrado.Conclusiones. El promedio de minutos de AFMV estimada por los escolares estudiados cumple con los valores diarios recomendados por la Organización Mundial de la Salud. Se debe prestar especial atención al género femenino y a la entrada a la adolescencia.

A systematic review of methods to measure family co-participation in physical activity

The family environment is key in influencing children's health behaviours. Encouraging family co-participation in physical activity may therefore be an effective approach to increasing children's physical activity levels. Yet, little is known about how to best assess family co-participation in physical activity. This review summarizes methods to measure family co-participation in physical activity, which was defined as joint physical activities including at least one healthy child (0-18 years) and one other family member. Methods were identified through a systematic literature search, cross-referencing pre-selected reviews and contacting research groups. Thirty-seven measurement methods were included. Questionnaires were the most common method used, with the majority assessing frequency of co-participation and few also assessing duration and type. Reliability and internal consistency of scales were often reported, but rarely specified for the item(s) relevant to co-participation. Other methods of measuring co-participation included diaries, event history calendars, direct observations and accelerometry combined with diary, ecological momentary assessment or global positioning systems (GPS). Whilst a large number of measurement methods of family co-participation in physical activity exist, few are comprehensive and/or report acceptable psychometric properties. Future work should focus on reaching consensus in defining family co-participation in physical activity, and subsequently developing reliable and valid measures.

Perfiles de orientación hacia la meta y su relación con indicadores de actividad físico-deportiva

El presente estudio examinó la motivación hacia la actividad física empleando la teoría de la orientación hacia la meta. Un total de 786 estudiantes participaron en este estudio. Un procedimiento de análisis de cluster jerárquico permitió identificar cuatro perfiles de orientación hacia la meta. El perfil más adaptativo (alta tarea/alto ego/altas expectativas) se asoció con la obtención de los mejores resultados. Se concluye que los jóvenes con una alta motivación hacia la tarea, ego, y expectativas de ejecución obtienen las mayores muestras de apoyo por parte de familiares e iguales para la práctica de actividad física, se perciben más autoeficaces para realizar dicha actividad, se atribuyen una mejor forma física autopercibida, y manifiestan una práctica más frecuente de actividad físico-deportiva.

Effect of Child Gender and Psychosocial Factors on Physical Activity From Fifth to Sixth Grade

BACKGROUND

Gender differences in physical activity (PA) trajectories during adolescence are well documented, yet little research has examined whether the determinants of these trajectories vary by child's gender. This study is one of few prospective examinations of gender differences in the influences of psychosocial and socioenvironmental factors on changes in objectively measured PA.

METHODS

Students and parents from elementary and middle schools located in 2 school districts in South Carolina were enrolled in a prospective cohort study of changes in children's PA from elementary to middle school. Measures included children's and/or parents' ratings of various psychosocial and socioenvironmental factors as well as objectively measured PA, children's anthropometric characteristics, and neighborhood factors at fifth and sixth grades.

RESULTS

Parents' reports of children's sport and class participation, parent-reported support for PA, and neighborhood resources for PA were protective against declines in PA for both boys and girls. The effects of 2 factors-children's self-efficacy and parents' leisure-time PA-on changes in PA over time were moderated by the child's gender.

CONCLUSIONS

A better understanding of these dynamics may inform the development of interventions.

A pilot study of children's physical activity levels during imagination-based mobile games

This research looked at Biba: a suite of mobile games intended to get kids back out to playgrounds and engaging in more moderate to vigorous physical activity (MVPA). Year after year, annual national surveys report a general decline in physical activity amongst children and a corresponding increase in screen time. Further to this, time spent outside by children has been reported to be on the decline since the 1980s. Recent work has suggested that in order to 'maintain the outdoor recreation participation of children across America, park and recreation professionals may need to embrace the expanding role of technology'. This research tested Biba in precisely this regard, deploying a 20-subject within-subject experimental design that compared Biba playground gameplay with typical free play playground sessions, measuring heart rate activity in them. The outcome demonstrated that Biba playground play results in greater amounts of MVPA with a difference in heart rate that was significantly higher in the Biba play session than in the free play session t(19) = 2.41, p < 0.05.

Adolescent obesity in contextual settings: a scoping study of multilevel and hierarchical examinations

Multilevel/hierarchical obesity studies analyze adolescent and family, neighbourhood and social settings' characteristics to generate data needed to design prevention interventions. This scoping study summarizes such studies' characteristics and key findings to provide information to decision makers, which allows them to quickly grasp the state of the evidence and potential policy implications for adolescent obesity prevention. PubMed, CINAHLplus, PsychINFO and Sociological Abstracts were searched for peer-reviewed studies spanning 1 January 2000-31 August 2014. Inclusion criteria included (i) outcome weight status, physical activity and weight status, or physical activity alone if the aim was obesity prevention; (ii) 12- to 19-year-old participants in a cross-sectional study, a separate analysis in a cross-sectional study or a longitudinal follow-up. Nineteen studies were published in the United States of America; four in Canada; two in Spain, China and Vietnam, respectively; and one in Germany. Self-efficacy, parental physical activity support, perceived neighbourhood support, social cohesion and access to recreational facilities were associated with increased activity levels; neighbourhood physical disorder and perceived lack of safety associated with reduced physical activity levels. Overweight or obesity was associated with sugar-sweetened beverage intake and household availability thereof; reduced odds were reported with fruit and vegetable intake and household availability of these, daily breakfast and family meal frequency. Potential adolescent obesity risk regulators may be found at the individual, family or social contextual levels.

The role of social support on physical activity behaviour in adolescent girls: a systematic review and meta-analysis

Abstract

Adolescent girls have been targeted as a priority group for promoting physical activity levels however it is unclear how this can be achieved. There is some evidence to suggest that social support could impact the physical activity levels of adolescent girls, although the relationship is complex and not well understood. We aimed to systematically review and meta-analyse the relationship between social support and physical activity in adolescent girls, exploring how different types and providers of social support might influence the relationship. Articles were identified through a systematic search of the literature using 14 electronic databases, personal resources, grey literature, and reference lists of included studies and previous reviews. Search terms representing social support, physical activity and adolescent girls were identified and used in various combinations to form a search strategy which was adapted for different databases. Cross-sectional or longitudinal articles published in English that reported an association between social support and physical activity in adolescent girls between the ages of 10 to 19 years were included. Studies that focused only on clinical or overweight populations were excluded. Data extraction was carried out by one reviewer using an electronic extraction form. A random 25 % of included articles were selected for data extraction by a second reviewer to check fidelity. Risk of bias was assessed using a custom tool informed by the Critical Appraisal Skills Programme Cohort Study Checklist in conjunction with data extraction. Cross-sectional results were meta-analysed and longitudinal results were presented narratively. Small but significant associations between all available providers of total social support (except teachers) and physical activity were found (r = .14-.24). Small but significant associations were also identified for emotional, instrumental and modelling support for some providers of support (r = .10-.21). Longitudinal research supported the cross-sectional analyses. Many of the meta-analysis results suggested high heterogeneity and there was some evidence of publication bias, therefore, the meta-analysis results should be interpreted with caution. In conclusion, the meta-analysis results suggest that social support is not a strong predictor of physical activity in adolescent girls though parents and friends may have a role in enhancing PA.

Trial registration

PROSPERO 2014:CRD42014006738

Electronic supplementary material

The online version of this article (doi:10.1186/s12966-016-0405-7) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.

Physical activity, psychosocial and perceived environmental factors in adolescents from Northeast Brazil

The aim of this study was to evaluate the association between levels of physical activity, psychosocial and perceived environmental factors in adolescents from Northeastern Brazil. A cross-sectional epidemiologic study was conducted with 2,859 adolescents enrolled in secondary schools (57.8% females; mean = 16.5 years; SD = 1.2) in the city of João Pessoa, Paraíba State, Brazil. The following physical activity correlates were measured: attitude, self-efficacy, social support from friends and parents, and perceived environmental characteristics. Physical activity was measured using a questionnaire. Multivariable ordinal logistic regression with proportional odds model analysis showed that the following factors are positively related to physical activity levels in adolescents: attitude, self-efficacy, as well as social support from parents and friends. Physical activity intervention programs should increase self-efficacy and social support from parents and friends, as well as a positive attitude toward physical activity.