Physical self-efficacy is associated to body mass index in schoolchildren

Longitudinal associations of screen time, physical activity, and sleep duration with body mass index in U.S. youth

BACKGROUND

Youth use different forms of screen time (e.g., streaming, gaming) that may be related to body mass index (BMI). Screen time is non-independent from other behaviors, including physical activity and sleep duration. Statistical approaches such as isotemporal substitution or compositional data analysis (CoDA) can model associations between these non-independent behaviors and health outcomes. Few studies have examined different types of screen time, physical activity, and sleep duration simultaneously in relation to BMI.

METHODS

Data were baseline (2017-2018) and one-year follow-up (2018-2019) from the Adolescent Brain Cognitive Development Study, a multi-site study of a nationally representative sample of U.S. youth (N = 10,544, mean [SE] baseline age = 9.9 [0.03] years, 48.9% female, 45.4% non-White). Participants reported daily minutes of screen time (streaming, gaming, socializing), physical activity, and sleep. Sex-stratified models estimated the association between baseline behaviors and follow-up BMI z-score, controlling for demographic characteristics, internalizing symptoms, and BMI z-score at baseline.

RESULTS

In females, isotemporal substitution models estimated that replacing 30 min of socializing (β [95% CI] = -0.03 [-0.05, -0.002]), streaming (-0.03 [-0.05, -0.01]), or gaming (-0.03 [-0.06, -0.01]) with 30 min of physical activity was associated with a lower follow-up BMI z-score. In males, replacing 30 min of socializing (-0.03 [-0.05, -0.01]), streaming (-0.02 [-0.03, -0.01]), or gaming (-0.02 [-0.03, -0.01]) with 30 min of sleep was associated with a lower follow-up BMI z-score. In males, replacing 30 min of socializing with 30 min of gaming was associated with a lower follow-up BMI z-score (-0.01 [-0.03, -0.0001]). CoDA estimated that in males, a greater proportion of time spent in baseline socializing, relative to the remaining behaviors, was associated with a higher follow-up BMI z-score (0.05 [0.02, 0.08]). In females, no associations between screen time and BMI were observed using CoDA.

CONCLUSIONS

One-year longitudinal associations between screen time and BMI may depend on form of screen time, what behavior it replaces (physical activity or sleep), and participant sex. The alternative statistical approaches yielded somewhat different results. Experimental manipulation of screen time and investigation of biopsychosocial mechanisms underlying the observed sex differences will allow for causal inference and can inform interventions.

Body-related concerns and participation in physical education among adolescent students: the mediating role of motivation

Background

There is a need to understand better factors influencing participation in physical education (PE) and the mechanisms involved. The adolescent years are characterised by increasing levels of body-related concerns. In PE, the body is judged for its physical abilities and subject to social comparisons and body judgements. Grounded in the Self-Determination Theory, this study aimed to explore whether body-related factors were associated with adolescents' involvement in PE and whether types of motivation mediated this relationship.

Methods

The study involved 2,140 (54.5% girls) secondary students (15-16-year-olds) from Norway participating in the nationally representative "Health Behaviour in School-aged Children (HBSC) study: a WHO collaborative cross-national study." Body-related factors included Body Mass Index (BMI), health complaints, body perception and dietary behaviours. Gender, age, and socioeconomic status (family affluence) were control variables. Motivation for PE was assessed with the Perceived Locus of Causality (PLOCQ) scale measuring three distinct factors: autonomous motivation, controlled motivation and amotivation. PE involvement was self-reported as weekly participation in PE classes and time spent in moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA) during PE.

Results

Gender (girl), family affluence, health complaints, not being on a diet but wanting to lose weight, and body perception (too fat) were negatively associated with weekly PE participation when adjusting for other variables. This association was largely explained by students' autonomous motivation in the case of health complaints and partly in the case of dietary behaviour and body perception. Similar results were observed for MVPA during PE lessons. Additionally, gender was associated with MVPA through amotivation.

Conclusion

The study adds new knowledge to the understanding of the relationship between body-related factors and PE, supporting that autonomous motivation is a central mechanism and an avenue for further research. The results should be considered in planning high-quality PE classes and suggest that an autonomous supportive learning climate sensitive to body-related concerns should be a priority to increase adolescent involvement in PE.

Body size, form, composition, and a healthy lifestyle associates with health-related quality of life among Portuguese children

OBJECTIVES

This study aimed to describe the relationship between body size, form, and composition, and children's lifestyle on health-related quality of life (HRQoL).

METHODS

This cross-sectional study comprised 1333 children (9.05 ± 0.75 years; 683 females) living in mainland Portugal. Objective anthropometric measures were collected. Parents answered a standardized questionnaire related with children's lifestyle (e.g., sport participation, screen- and sleep-time) and family socioeconomic status (e.g., parental education). HRQoL was measured using the Portuguese version of the KIDSCREEN-27. Scores were categorized into low and high using a sex-specific normative cut-off from European children. A healthier score was created including positive scores for body weight, abdominal obesity, sport participation, sleep- and screen-time.

RESULTS

Body size, form and composition were correlated with children's physical wellbeing. However, sex differences were found in which parameters were associated with wellbeing. Among boys, the body mass index, waist circumference, waist-to-height ratio, subscapular and suprailiac skinfold were most correlated with wellbeing, while waist circumference and subscapular skinfold showed the strongest correlations for girls. Sleep duration and sport participation revealed a significant relationship with girls' HRQoL. A logistic regression analysis (adjusted for parental education) revealed that boys scoring 4 or 5 in the healthier index had an increased likelihood of high HRQoL level compared to those fulfilling none.

CONCLUSIONS

Future programs aimed at reducing obesity, particularly central obesity, and incorporating multiple health indicators and behaviors, such as sport participation and sleep duration may help improve children's health and wellbeing.

Physical activity restriction in the pandemic is associated with lower pain self-efficacy in the population with musculoskeletal pain: cross-sectional study

ABSTRACT During the COVID-19 pandemic, a lower level of physical activity was observed in the population, which may influence the level of pain self-efficacy in the population with musculoskeletal pain. In this context, this study sought to analyze whether there is an association between the time of physical activity practice and the level of pain self-efficacy in the population with pain during the COVID-19 pandemic in the state of São Paulo, controlled by biopsychosocial variables. This study was conducted via an online form with questions about sociodemographic aspects, weekly physical activity practice, stress and anxiety levels, pain intensity and pain self-efficacy (Pain Self-Efficacy Questionnaire - PSEQ-10). The analysis was determined by two models of multiple linear regression, with (Model A) and without (Model B) the control of data by psycho-emotional factors (anxiety and stress) in 150 subjects. An association was found between weekly physical activity practice time and pain self-efficacy level, Model A (p=0.0271, β=1.914) and Model B (p=0.0333, β=1.826). Pain intensity during the pandemic, body mass index (BMI) and sex, among the control variables, also were associated with the pain self-efficacy level. A higher time of physical activity practice was associated with a higher pain self-efficacy level in the population with musculoskeletal pain during the COVID-19 pandemic. Pain intensity during the pandemic, BMI and sex also were associated with pain self-efficacy level.

Restrição à atividade física na pandemia está associada com menor autoeficácia para dor na população com dor musculoesquelética: um estudo transversal

RESUMO Durante a pandemia de COVID-19, observou-se um menor nível de prática de atividade física pela população, o que pode influenciar o nível de autoeficácia para dor na população com dor musculoesquelética. Neste contexto, o objetivo deste estudo foi analisar se existe associação entre o tempo de prática de atividade física e o nível de autoeficácia para dor na população com dor musculoesquelética durante a pandemia de COVID-19 no estado de São Paulo, controlada por variáveis biopsicossociais. Realizou-se um estudo através de um formulário online com questões sobre aspectos sociodemográficos, tempo semanal de prática de atividade física, níveis de estresse e ansiedade, intensidade de dor e autoeficácia para dor (PSEQ-10 - Pain Self-Efficacy Questionnaire). A análise estatística ocorreu por meio de dois modelos de regressão linear múltipla, com (modelo A) e sem (modelo B) o controle dos dados por fatores psicoemocionais (ansiedade e estresse) em 150 pessoas. Foi encontrada associação entre o tempo de prática de atividade física semanal e o nível de autoeficácia para dor no modelo A (p=0,0271, β=1,914) e no modelo B (p=0,0333, β=1,826). Intensidade de dor durante a pandemia, índice de massa corporal (IMC) e sexo, dentre as variáveis de controle, também foram associadas ao nível de autoeficácia para dor. Maior tempo de prática de atividade física foi associado a maior nível de autoeficácia para dor na população com dor musculoesquelética durante a pandemia de COVID-19. Intensidade de dor durante a pandemia, IMC e sexo também foram associados ao nível de autoeficácia para dor.

Influence of Self-Efficacy on Cancer-Related Fatigue and Health-Related Quality of Life in Young Survivors of Childhood Cancer

This study aims to elucidate how self-efficacy influences cancer-related fatigue and health-related quality of life (HRQoL) in young survivors of childhood cancer. Forty-six young survivors (age range, 8–18 years) of childhood cancer who were currently in complete remission completed measures for self-efficacy (Pediatric General Self-Efficacy Scale (PedsSE)), cancer-related fatigue (Cancer-related Fatigue Score (CRFS)), and HRQoL (Pediatric Quality of Life Inventory 4.0 Generic Core Scale, Pediatric Quality of Life Inventory (PedsQL)). Structural relationships between the PedsSE and CRFS or PedsQL, including the effects of potential demographic or clinical confounders, were examined by machine learning random forest algorithms and structural equation modeling. According to the distribution of the PedsQL, six survivors with PedsQL < 70 were determined to have compromised HRQoL (referred to as “low-PedsQL survivors”). The random forest model identified six variables for the prediction of the CRFS, with the PedsSE being the most important, and eight variables for the distinction of low-PedsQL survivors, with the CRFS being the most and the PedsSE the third most important variable. The structural equation model indicated that a direct influence of the PedsSE on the PedsQL was less detectable (β = −0.049), whereas an indirect influence of the PedsSE on the PedsQL via the CRFS was evident (β = 0.333). The model explained 51% of the variation of the CRFS and 28% of the variation of the PedsQL. The PedsSE was strongly correlated with “altered mood” in the subclass of the CRFS (r = −0.470), and “altered mood” was strongly correlated with the PedsQL (r = 0.737). In conclusion, self-efficacy is a major determinant of cancer-related fatigue and influences HRQoL via cancer-related fatigue in survivors of childhood cancer. The main pathway from self-efficacy to HRQoL is thought to be via the emotional aspect of cancer-related fatigue. However, unlike adult survivors of cancer, self-efficacy for young survivors may not contribute much to self-management behaviors that maintain HRQoL.

The Influence of Physical Education on Self-Efficacy in Overweight Schoolgirls: A 12-Week Training Program

The purpose of this randomized controlled study was to investigate the impact of a 12-week physical education (PE) program on the self-efficacy of overweight schoolgirls. We randomly assigned 60 overweight schoolgirls (15–17 years) to either an experimental moderate to vigorous aerobic exercise (∼90 min, three times a week) group (n = 30) or a control group (CG) (n = 30) that received non-specific regular PE lessons with activities chosen by the curricular teacher mainly focused on team games and sports skills that aimed to achieve general psycho-physical wellness (∼90 min, three times a week). To assess the starting level of students and significant changes reached, at baseline and after training, a battery of standardized assessment motor tests and a psychometric scale (generalized self-efficacy scale, GES) were administered. At the end of the intervention, the experimental group reported a considerable decrease in body mass index (BMI) and a large improvement in self-efficacy (p < 0.001). No significant changes were found in the CG. The results suggested that the 12-week moderate to a vigorous aerobic exercise program is an effective weight loss intervention and a vehicle to promote a range of outcomes important to the qualitative growth of adolescents. In fact, it could provide a positive and significant impact on the self-efficacy of overweight schoolgirls.

Validity of the Perceived Physical Ability Scale for Children: An Actigraphic Study

This study aimed to provide evidence of the validity of the Perceived Physical Ability Scale for Children against an external-objective criterion of the 24 h motor activity pattern assessed through actigraphy. A total of 107 children (60 females; mean age 10.25 ± 0.48) were originally enrolled. Children wore the actigraph model Actiwatch AW64 (Cambridge Neurotechnology Ltd., Fenstanton, UK) for seven days, 24 h per day, around the non-dominant wrist. At the beginning of the actigraphic recording, participants filled in the Perceived Physical Ability Scale for Children. Functional Linear Modeling was used to examine variation in the 24 h motor activity pattern according to the total score in the Perceived Physical Ability Scale for Children. Higher physical self-efficacy was significantly related to greater levels of motor activity in the afternoon. Overall, this pattern of results supports the validity of the Perceived Physical Ability Scale for Children against the external-objective criterion of the 24 h motor pattern. The Perceived Physical Ability Scale for Children could represent a promising endpoint for studies assessing the effectiveness of physical activity promotion interventions.

Self-Reported Physical Fitness in Children and Adolescents with Obesity: A Cross-Sectional Analysis on the Level of Alignment with Multiple Adiposity Indexes

Obesity has been associated with several alterations that could limit physical activity (PA) practice. In pediatrics, some studies have highlighted the importance of enjoyment as a motivation to begin and maintain adherence in PA. Since self-reported physical (SRPF) fitness was related to motivation, the aim of this study was to investigate the existence of differences between SRPF in children with obesity (OB) compared to normal weight (NW). The International Fitness Enjoyment Scale (IFIS) questionnaire was administered to 200 OB and 200 NW children. In all the subjects, height, weight, and BMI and in OB children adiposity indexes including waist circumference (WC), body shape index (ABSI), triponderal mass index (TMI), and fat mass were measured. NW group showed higher IFIS item scores than the OB group (p < 0.01), except in muscular strength. In OB, the anthropometric outcomes were inversely correlated to SRPF outcome except for muscular strength. OB children reported a lower perception of fitness that could limit participation in PA/exercise programs. The evaluation of anthropometric patterns may be useful to prescribe a tailored exercise program considering individual better self-perception outcomes to obtain an optimal PA adherence.

Health-related quality of life in children and adolescents with overweight and obesity: results from the German KIGGS survey

BACKGROUND

The well-being of persons with overweight and obesity, in particular of children and adolescents, may be impaired. The present study investigates the health-related quality of life (HRQoL) of girls and boys with overweight and obesity living in Germany as compared to those of normal-weight, while taking a selection of relevant determinants of HRQoL into account.

METHODS

The sample comprises 1771 children and adolescents aged 11 to 17 years that took part in the cross-sectional German Health Interview and Examination Survey for Children and Adolescents (KIGGS Wave 2, 2014-2017). Sex-and age-specific BMI (kg/m2) percentiles were utilized to classify overweight and obesity. HRQoL was measured with the KIDSCREEN-27 questionnaire, which gathers detailed information about the five dimensions physical and psychological well-being, well-being regarding peers (i.e., social acceptance), parents (i.e., autonomy) and within the school environment. Multiple regression analyses were performed with HRQoL dimensions as outcomes to test for differences between children and adolescents with normal-weight vs. those with overweight and vs. those with obesity, separately for girls and boys. In a next step, age, physical activity, media consumption, social support and self-efficacy were considered as potential confounders in the analyses.

RESULTS

18.7% of the children and adolescents under study were affected by overweight and among them 8.0% by obesity. After adjusting for potential confounders, overweight and obesity were associated with lower physical well-being as compared to normal weight in both sexes (boys with overweight: standardized beta [β] = -.14, standard error [SE] = .03, p < .001, and obesity: β = -.16, SE = .03, p < .001; girls with overweight: β = -.09, SE = .04, p = .011, and obesity: β = -.11, SE = .03, p = .003). Results moreover suggest lower levels of psychological (β = -.10, SE = .04, p = .002) and parent-related well-being (β = -.08, SE = .04, p = .036) of boys with obesity as compared to normal-weight peers.

CONCLUSION

HRQoL of German children and adolescents with overweight and obesity is impaired according to physical well-being in general, while psychological and parent-related well-being is particularly affected in boys. Public health approaches should therefore promote children and adolescents with overweight and obesity by improving diverse facets of HRQoL as well as relevant associated factors (i.e., media consumption, self-efficacy) in general and in boys in particular.

School self-efficacy is affected by gender and motor skills: findings from an Italian study

Background

Perceived school self-efficacy (SE) is an important variable in students’ activities as it affects their motivation and learning. Further, self-efficacy might represent a good predictor of performance, persistence and perseverance. Motor skills and other physical health determinants are extensively debated and linked to cognitive function in children of developmental age. However, inconclusive evidence supports a definitive relationship between perceived school SE and motor skills among schoolchildren. We conducted a cross-sectional study on 6–11-year-old schoolchildren to evaluate the extent by which perceived school SE and physical health determinants were related.

Methods

A SE questionnaire and motor performance battery tests were administered to primary school pupils recruited from 154 sampled schools of northwest Italy. Perceived SE at school was assessed via 12 items from the Caprara’s questionnaire. Motor performance scores were obtained from motor skill tests: 4 × 10 m shuttle run test, SRT; standing broad jump, SBJ; six-minute walking test, 6MWT.

Results

A total of 3,962 children (M = 2,019; F = 1943) were studied and 68% were normal weight. Overall, a 58% of the sample perceived a high SE, while, as to gender differences, a greater percentage of females perceived high levels of school SE with respect to any other level (χ² = 38.93, p < 0.0001). Results from multinomial logistic regression analysis revealed that: (i) females perceived higher SE compared to males; (ii) children who performed better in SRT and 6MWT showed higher levels of perceived school SE; (iii) no significant effect was registered for the body weight. Alternative strategies are encouraged to enhance SE through physical education: structured interventions might enhance both complex motor skills and high-order cognitive skills, like SE, in young children.

Prevalence and associated factors of overweight and obesity among schoolchildren in Hanoi, Vietnam

BACKGROUND

The prevalence of overweight and obesity (OW/OB) has increased rapidly in Vietnam. This study aimed to elucidate the factors influencing OW/OB among secondary schoolchildren.

METHOD

A survey was conducted in January 2014 in four randomly selected state schools in two Hanoi urban districts, and 821 students in grade six (11-12 years old) participated. Definitions of OW/OB followed the World Health Organization standard cut-offs.

RESULTS

Overall, 4.1% of children were underweight, 59.7% were normal weight, 17.1% were overweight, and 19.1% were obese. The odds of OW/OB were lowest among children whose parents had college/university degrees [father (aOR =0.65, 95% CI: 0.42-1.00); mother (aOR =0.63, 95% CI: 0.41-0.97)] compared with those whose parents had only a primary education. Children with an OW/OB family history had an increased risk of OW/OB. Other associated factors include parental OW/OB and birth weight (BW). The odds of OW/OB were highest among children with parents with OW/OB [father (aOR =2.022, 95% CI: 1.34-3.04); mother (aOR =2.83, 95% CI: 1.51-5.30)] compared with those with normal-weight parents. Children with both parents having OW/OB [both parents (aOR =6.59, 95% CI: 1.28-33.87) had the highest risk, followed by one parent (aOR =2.22, 95% CI: 1.50-3.27)] and then neither parent having OW/OB. Moreover, high-birth-weight children [BW ≥ 3500 g (aOR =1.52, 95% CI: 1.07-2.15)] had greater odds than did normal-birth-weight children. Children who slept 11 h per day [8-11 h (aOR =0.57, 95% CI: 0.40-0.81) or more (aOR =0.44, 95% CI: 0.22-0.87)] had lower OW/OB odds than those who slept 8 h or less. Children with specific positive lifestyle behaviours had lower risk of OW/OB than those who did not engage in positive lifestyle behaviours. The odds were lower among children who exercised for weight reduction (OR = 0.16, 95% CI: 0.11-0.23), lowered food intake (aOR = 0.12, 95% CI: 0.09-0.17), and added vegetables to their diet (aOR = 0.26, 95% CI: 0.19-0.35).

CONCLUSION

The results suggest that parents and children with OW/OB parents or a high BW should be educated to prevent OW/OB at an early stage. Positive lifestyle behaviours should be adopted by the students.

Benefits of Activity-Based Interventions Among Female Adolescents Who Are Overweight and Obese

PURPOSE

The purpose of this study was to compare the effects of 2 activity-based motor interventions among female adolescents who are overweight and obese.

METHODS

This study was conducted in a low-income community of Cape Town, South Africa. The study involved 52 participants classified as overweight and obese. Participants were randomly assigned to task-oriented functional training or Wii Fit intervention. Both interventions were 45 minutes of active training once a week for 14 weeks. Outcome measures included aerobic fitness, motor coordination, and self-efficacy. Data were collected before and after the interventions.

RESULTS

Participants in both groups demonstrated significant improvement in aerobic fitness and motor coordination but not self-efficacy. However, no between-group differences were observed on any of the outcomes.

CONCLUSIONS

Activity-based interventions may improve aerobic fitness and motor coordination in female adolescents who are overweight and obese and may also help prevent declines in physical fitness and coordination in this population.

Adopción de comportamientos saludables en la niñez: análisis del concepto

La adopción de comportamientos saludables es un fenómeno multidimensional que está determinado tanto por las características individuales del niño, como por las relaciones sociales y con el entorno que se establecen. La niñez es una etapa de grandes cambios a nivel neurofisiológico y social, que determinan el establecimiento de comportamientos asociados a la salud que pueden mantenerse de por vida y por tanto tener un efecto positivo o negativo en el bienestar y calidad de vida del futuro adulto. Este artículo tiene como objetivo analizar el concepto de adopción de comportamientos saludables en la niñez, a través de la metodología propuesta por Walker y Avant (2005), que permite examinar las características definitorias y atributos del concepto. La clarificación de este concepto amplia el conocimiento acerca de este fenómeno, lo que permitirá consolidar y plantear estrategias de promoción, prevención e intervención, así como guiar la investigación y la práctica de cuidado de enfermería en la niñez.

Características antropométricas, capacidade funcional de exercício e atividade física de crianças vítimas de queimaduras

RESUMO O objetivo do estudo foi analisar as características antropométricas, capacidade funcional do exercício e atividade física, bem como verificar se há associação entre as variáveis antropométricas e de atividade física com a gravidade da queimadura em crianças após a alta hospitalar. O estado nutricional foi estabelecido pelo escore z, a atividade física regular foi avaliada por meio do questionário Physical Activity Questionnaire for Older Children (PAQ-C), e a capacidade funcional de exercício pelo teste de caminhada de seis minutos (TC6). O teste Shapiro-Wilk foi utilizado para verificar a normalidade dos dados. Para análise de associação entre as variáveis qualitativas foi utilizado o teste exato de Fisher. A significância foi estabelecida em 5%. A idade foi de 10,0±2,7 anos, e a maioria dos participantes foi classificada como grande queimado. Após 12,7±5,5 meses da alta hospitalar, 13 (61,9%) participantes encontravam-se eutróficos e 7 (33,3%) com a estatura abaixo do esperado. Em relação à atividade física, 11 (52,3%) foram classificados como ativos, e a distância percorrida no TC6 foi de 564,7±70,6. Na análise de associação, não houve diferença significante entre as variáveis eutróficos ou sobrepeso com ativos ou sedentários (p=0,65); e entre médio ou grande queimados com ativos ou sedentários (p=0,31). Os achados mostraram que não houve associação entre as crianças consideradas grande queimado ou sobrepeso/obesas com o sedentarismo, também não houve redução da capacidade funcional do exercício, mesmo com parte dos participantes apresentando alteração nos dados antropométricos e sendo sedentários.