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Unger A, Schwarzenlander A, Wilke J. Policies and opportunities for physical activity engagement in Austrian schools: a census survey. PeerJ 2024; 12:e17794. [PMID: 39157767 PMCID: PMC11328834 DOI: 10.7717/peerj.17794] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/18/2024] [Accepted: 07/01/2024] [Indexed: 08/20/2024] Open
Abstract
Background Compelling evidence suggests that schools' infrastructure and policy represent potential predictors of health and physical activity (PA) in children and adolescents. However, the translation of these findings into practice has not been examined. This study investigated the activity friendliness of Austrian schools. Methods Using a census sampling method, principals of Austrian schools (n = 342) were invited to participate in an online survey assessing 1) the availability of PA facilities (e.g. playgrounds, sports courts, swimming halls) and 2) applied PA policies (e.g. cooperation with sports clubs and involvement in PA projects). Results A total of 130 principals answered the survey which corresponds to a minimal response rate of 38%. While most schools (87.4%, n = 111) had a gymnastic hall, only one third (37%, n = 47) had access to a swimming hall. On average, the schools had 4.2 ± 2 PA facilities with significant variation between school types (i.e., high schools: 5 ± 2 vs. primary schools: 3.5 ± 2, p < 0.05). The most common facilities were meadow areas (89%, n = 113), sports fields (71.7%, n = 91), and playgrounds (64.6%, n = 82). Almost half of the schools were part of a PA project (e.g. "active break", 45%, n = 56) and offered extracurricular PA programs and courses (54%, n = 67), but only one in five (22%, n = 27) regularly conducted fitness tests. PA policies varied between school types (p < 0.05) but almost all principals (94%, n = 117) would welcome a stronger promotion of activity friendliness at their school. Conclusion Schools are mostly activity-friendly regarding infrastructure although the limited possibilities for swimming lessons seem worrisome. PA promotion through projects, extracurricular PA offerings and fitness tests may be expanded.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alexandra Unger
- Department of Sport Science, University of Klagenfurt, Klagenfurt, Carinthia, Austria
- Department of Secondary Level, University of Teacher Education, Klagenfurt, Carinthia, Austria
| | | | - Jan Wilke
- Department of Sport Science, University of Klagenfurt, Klagenfurt, Carinthia, Austria
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Dang J, Cai S, Zhong P, Liu Y, Shi D, Chen Z, Chen M, Dong Y, Ma J, Song Y, Lau PWC, Stafford RS. Associations of school physical activity environment with comorbid obesity and myopia in children and adolescents: Findings from a Chinese national follow-up study. Scand J Med Sci Sports 2024; 34:e14562. [PMID: 38268065 DOI: 10.1111/sms.14562] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/07/2023] [Revised: 12/18/2023] [Accepted: 01/02/2024] [Indexed: 01/26/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Overweight and obesity (OWOB) and myopia have become two of the most important issues affecting the health of children and adolescents worldwide. Despite the recognition that the school physical activity (PA) environment is a critical factor for preventing and controlling overweight, obesity (OWOB), and myopia in children and adolescents, research on OWOB and myopia as a comorbidity remains unexplored, with evidence for effective strategies still being inconclusive. Hence, this study aimed to assess the prevalence and progression of comorbid OWOB/myopia and each condition alone, and to explore the association with school PA environment. METHODS A total of 9814 children and adolescents aged 6-18 years were included from the Chinese National Survey on Students' Constitution and Health follow-up survey conducted from November 2019 to November 2020 in China. Anthropometric measurements, unaided distance vision acuity and non-cycloplegic refraction data were collected to assess OWOB and myopia, while eight indicators from questionnaires for children and adolescents aged 9-18 years were investigated to assess school PA environment. We calculated the one-year incidence and progression rates of comorbid OWOB/myopia, OWOB alone, and myopia alone. Mixed effect logistic regression was evaluated the association between school PA environment and incidence and progression of comorbid OWOB/myopia, OWOB, and myopia. RESULTS The prevalence of comorbid OWOB/myopia increased from 11.1% in 2019 to 17.9% in 2020, and the incidence of comorbid OWOB/myopia was 10.9%. Children and adolescents experiencing an unfavorable school PA environment had a higher risk of the incidence of comorbid OWOB/myopia compared to a favorable school environment (OR = 1.85, 95% CI: 1.42-2.42). Similar findings were seen in the incidence of obesity (OR = 1.86, 95% CI: 1.26-2.75). Children and adolescents in an unfavorable school PA environment had a higher risk of myopia progression (OR = 1.29, 95% CI: 1.01-1.65). CONCLUSIONS Obesity and myopia and their comorbidity have been serious among children and adolescents in China. A favorable school PA environment might mitigate the risk of comorbid OWOB/myopia, OWOB, and myopia progression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jiajia Dang
- Institute of Child and Adolescent Health, School of Public Health, Peking University, Beijing, China
- National Health Commission Key Laboratory of Reproductive Health, Beijing, China
| | - Shan Cai
- Institute of Child and Adolescent Health, School of Public Health, Peking University, Beijing, China
- National Health Commission Key Laboratory of Reproductive Health, Beijing, China
| | - Panliang Zhong
- Institute of Child and Adolescent Health, School of Public Health, Peking University, Beijing, China
- National Health Commission Key Laboratory of Reproductive Health, Beijing, China
| | - Yunfei Liu
- Institute of Child and Adolescent Health, School of Public Health, Peking University, Beijing, China
- National Health Commission Key Laboratory of Reproductive Health, Beijing, China
| | - Di Shi
- Institute of Child and Adolescent Health, School of Public Health, Peking University, Beijing, China
- National Health Commission Key Laboratory of Reproductive Health, Beijing, China
| | - Ziyue Chen
- Institute of Child and Adolescent Health, School of Public Health, Peking University, Beijing, China
- National Health Commission Key Laboratory of Reproductive Health, Beijing, China
| | - Manman Chen
- Institute of Child and Adolescent Health, School of Public Health, Peking University, Beijing, China
- National Health Commission Key Laboratory of Reproductive Health, Beijing, China
| | - Yanhui Dong
- Institute of Child and Adolescent Health, School of Public Health, Peking University, Beijing, China
- National Health Commission Key Laboratory of Reproductive Health, Beijing, China
| | - Jun Ma
- Institute of Child and Adolescent Health, School of Public Health, Peking University, Beijing, China
- National Health Commission Key Laboratory of Reproductive Health, Beijing, China
| | - Yi Song
- Institute of Child and Adolescent Health, School of Public Health, Peking University, Beijing, China
- National Health Commission Key Laboratory of Reproductive Health, Beijing, China
| | - Patrick W C Lau
- Department of Sport, Physical Education & Health, Hong Kong Baptist University, Hong Kong, SAR, China
- Laboratory of Exercise Science and Health, BNU-HKBU United International College, Zhuhai, China
| | - Randall S Stafford
- Department of Medicine, Stanford Prevention Research Center, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA, USA
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Bird M, Barnett TA, Fuller D, Chinerman D, Mathieu MÈ, Datta GD. Multidimensional school features associated with physical activity among youth at risk of obesity: an exploratory principal component and generalized estimating equation analysis. BMC Public Health 2023; 23:2010. [PMID: 37845705 PMCID: PMC10577956 DOI: 10.1186/s12889-023-16889-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/11/2021] [Accepted: 03/24/2022] [Indexed: 10/18/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Schools may be high-leverage points for the promotion of physical activity (PA), yet little is known about school built and social environments among youth at high risk of obesity. PURPOSE To characterise school built and social environments that may be salient for PA and to examine associations between school PA environments and PA in youth at risk of obesity. METHODS Data from youth attending 206 schools (314 youth in 2005-2008, and 129 youth in 2008-2010) within the QUALITY cohort study, a longitudinal investigation of youth at high risk of obesity were used. Features of schools, based on built, policy/programming and social environments were identified using principal components (PC) analysis. Gender-stratified generalized estimating equation (GEE) models were used to explore associations between school features and accelerometer measured mean counts per minute (MCPM), mean daily moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA) and the odds of meeting MVPA guidelines cross-sectionally and prospectively using 90% confidence intervals. RESULTS Nine PCs were identified. Associations were observed between PA and 7 of the 9 PCs. The social environment seemed to be particularly important. Social Norms to Promote PA was associated with an increase in girls' baseline MCPM and MVPA. High Willingness to Promote PA was associated with boys' MCPM, MVPA, and odds of meeting MVPA guidelines, at both baseline and follow-up. CONCLUSION School built and social contexts may be associated with PA cross-sectionally and over time. Further studies are necessary to confirm the direction and magnitude of effects and to establish their relevance to school-based health promotion efforts.
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Affiliation(s)
- Madeleine Bird
- Public Health Agency of Canada, Office of International Affairs for the Health Portfolio, Ottawa, ON, Canada
| | - Tracie A Barnett
- Department of Family Medicine, McGill University, 5858 Côte-Des-Neiges Rd, Montreal, QC, H3S 1Z1, Canada
| | - Daniel Fuller
- Department of Community Health & Epidemiology, College of Medicine, University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, Canada
| | - Deanna Chinerman
- Department of Family Medicine, McGill University, 5858 Côte-Des-Neiges Rd, Montreal, QC, H3S 1Z1, Canada
- Department of Kinesiology, CHU Sainte-Justine, University of Montreal, 3175 Chemin de La Côte-Sainte-Catherine, Montréal, QC, H3T 1C5, Canada
| | - Marie-Ève Mathieu
- Department of Kinesiology, CHU Sainte-Justine, University of Montreal, 3175 Chemin de La Côte-Sainte-Catherine, Montréal, QC, H3T 1C5, Canada
- School of Kinesiology and Physical Activity Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, Université de Montréal, Montreal, Canada
| | - Geetanjali D Datta
- Department of Social and Preventive Medicine, School of Public Health, University of Montreal, 7101 Avenue du Parc, 3E Étage, Montréal, QC, H3N 1X9, Canada.
- Department of Medicine, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, PDC Green, 700 N San Vicente Blvd5Th Fl, West Hollywood, CA, 90069, USA.
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Zhang D, Shi L, Zhu X, Chen S, Liu Y. Effects of intervention integrating physical literacy into active school recesses on physical fitness and academic achievement in Chinese children. J Exerc Sci Fit 2023; 21:376-384. [PMID: 37927355 PMCID: PMC10624586 DOI: 10.1016/j.jesf.2023.09.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/31/2023] [Revised: 09/19/2023] [Accepted: 09/27/2023] [Indexed: 11/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Background/Objective The aim of this study was to examine the effects of school-based intervention integrating physical literacy (PL) into active school recesses (ASR) on physical fitness (i.e., body composition, 20-m shuttle run, 50-m run, rope skipping, sit and reach, handgrip) and academic achievement (i.e., academic result of Chinese and Mathematics) in Chinese children. Methods A total of 357 children (mean age: 7.8 ± 0.7 years; boys: 50.4%) were recruited from two schools and these two schools were randomly assigned as the intervention group (IG) and the control group (CG), respectively. The IG consisted of 155 children (mean age: 7.9 ± 0.7 years, boys: 51.0%), and 202 children (mean age: 7.8 ± 0.7 years; boys: 50%) were allocated to the CG. Children in the IG received a 10-week intervention integrating PL that was conducted during ASR. In the CG, children's regular school activity was remained during the intervention period. Generalized estimating equation was performed to compare the levels of physical fitness and academic achievement between the IG and the CG after intervention. Results Regarding physical fitness, there was a significant group × time interaction on 20-m shuttle run (β = -3.89, 95% CI [-5.08; -2.71], p < 0.001) and handgrip (β = -0.70, 95% CI [-1.20; -0.20], p = 0.006). After intervention, children in the IG had a greater increase than the CG (p < 0.001) in terms of 20-m shuttle run and handgrip. In addition, the post-test analysis indicated that performance of children in the IG was significantly greater than those in the CG (20-m shuttle run: p < 0.001, handgrip: p = 0.002). There was a significant group × time interaction on academic result of Chinese (β = -1.21, 95% CI [-1.91; -0.56], p = 0.001) and academic result of Mathematics (β = 16.71, 95% CI [15.14; 18.143], p < 0.001). Statistically significant positive difference in post-test was observed in academic result of Mathematics between the IG and the CG (p = 0.012). Conclusion The results of this intervention study indicate that intervention integrating PL into ASR could bring a promising effect on physical fitness and academic achievement in children. It is recommended that future studies are necessary to assess the effects of ASR-based PL intervention on physical and cognitive outcomes using a wide range of sample.
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Affiliation(s)
- Danqing Zhang
- School of Physical Education, Shanghai University of Sport, Shanghai, China
| | - Lijuan Shi
- Shanghai Teacher Education Institute, Shanghai, China
| | - Xiaoling Zhu
- Education Institute of Yangpu District Shanghai, Shanghai, China
| | - Sitong Chen
- Institute for Health and Sport, Victoria University, Melbourne, Australia
| | - Yang Liu
- School of Physical Education, Shanghai University of Sport, Shanghai, China
- Shanghai Research Center for Physical Fitness and Health of Children and Adolescents, Shanghai University of Sport, Shanghai, China
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Thuany M, Bandeira PFR, Vieira D, Weiss K, Knechtle B, Gomes TN. The subject-environment interplay between runners from different Brazilian macro-regions. Front Psychol 2023; 14:1134797. [PMID: 37809282 PMCID: PMC10557527 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyg.2023.1134797] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/30/2022] [Accepted: 02/06/2023] [Indexed: 10/10/2023] Open
Abstract
Purpose Our purpose was to investigate the interplay between runners and their environment using a network approach. Methods This cross-sectional study sampled Brazilian runners of both sexes, from the five macro-regions of the country. An electronic questionnaire was used to obtain information regarding age, sex, training volume, socio-economic level, place of residence, and running pace. Environmental indicators (public illumination, pavement, sidewalk, and green areas) were collected from available public information. Descriptive statistics were presented in mean (SD), and frequency (%). A network analysis was performed to evaluate the association between individual and environmental characteristics. Statistical analyses were performed in the JASP, considering p < 0.05. Results At North and Mid-West regions, public illumination presents the highest values for the expected influence (1.74 and 1.56), while in Northeast and Southeast, sidewalks present the highest values (2.13; 0.91). For betweenness centrality, in North, Northeast, and Mid-West regions, residency in the capital of a state presented a hub. In contrast, pavement, and training volume present higher values in the South and Southeast. Network topologies are different. Conclusion Public illumination (North and Mid-West) and sidewalk (Northeast, Southeast) were the most important variables for runners. Continental size countries need specific approaches to improve physical activity levels and health outcomes that consider the cultural, historical, and environmental background.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mabliny Thuany
- Centre of Research, Education, Innovation and Intervention in Sport (CIFI2D), Faculty of Sport, University of Porto, Porto, Portugal
| | - Paulo Felipe Ribeiro Bandeira
- Department of Physical Education, Regional University of Cariri, Crato, Ceará, Brazil
- Federal University of Vale do São Francisco—UNIVASF, Pernambuco, Brazil
| | - Douglas Vieira
- Post-Graduation Program of Physical Education, Department of Physical Education, Federal University of Sergipe, São Cristóvão, Sergipe, Brazil
| | - Katja Weiss
- Institute of Primary Care, University of Zurich, Zürich, Switzerland
| | - Beat Knechtle
- Institute of Primary Care, University of Zurich, Zürich, Switzerland
- Medbase St. Gallen Am Vadianplatz, St. Gallen, Switzerland
| | - Thayse Natacha Gomes
- Post-Graduation Program of Physical Education, Department of Physical Education, Federal University of Sergipe, São Cristóvão, Sergipe, Brazil
- Department of Physical Education and Sport Sciences, University of Limerick, Limerick, Ireland
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Sales D, da Silva Junior JP, Bergamo RR, de Oliveira LC, Ferrari G, Matsudo V. Association between school environment with sedentary behavior and physical activity intensity in children. Sci Rep 2023; 13:6995. [PMID: 37117328 PMCID: PMC10147915 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-023-33732-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/18/2022] [Accepted: 04/18/2023] [Indexed: 04/30/2023] Open
Abstract
We examined the association between indicators of the school environment with sedentary behavior and different intensities of physical activity in children. The study that included 515 children (265 boys) aged 9-11 years old from public and private schools in the city of São Caetano do Sul. Sedentary behavior and different intensities of physical activity were evaluated with an accelerometer. Inside school environment (policies, supervision committee, extracurricular activities, breaks, and access to school facilities) was evaluated using a questionnaire. Policies and practice (β: 8.49; 95% CI: 3.62-13.36), supervision committee (5.42; 0.64-10.19), inter-school competitions (2.40, 2.25-2.55), breaks of 15-29 min/day (6.87; 2.20-10.75), and outdoor sports field (5.40; 0.37-10.44), were positively associated with moderate-to-vigorous-intensity physical activity. Furthermore, crossing guards (7.65; 3.00-12.30) were positively associated with moderate-to-vigorous-intensity physical activity. We concluded that an association was found between school environment indicators with higher levels of physical activity and greater odds of meeting physical activity guidelines.
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Affiliation(s)
- Diego Sales
- Study Center of the Physical Fitness Laboratory of São Caetano Do Sul (CELAFISCS), Rua Santo Antonio, 50 - 5º andar - salas 504/505 - Centro, São Caetano Do Sul, SP, Brazil.
| | - João Pedro da Silva Junior
- Study Center of the Physical Fitness Laboratory of São Caetano Do Sul (CELAFISCS), Rua Santo Antonio, 50 - 5º andar - salas 504/505 - Centro, São Caetano Do Sul, SP, Brazil
| | - Raiany Rosa Bergamo
- Study Center of the Physical Fitness Laboratory of São Caetano Do Sul (CELAFISCS), Rua Santo Antonio, 50 - 5º andar - salas 504/505 - Centro, São Caetano Do Sul, SP, Brazil
| | - Luis Carlos de Oliveira
- Study Center of the Physical Fitness Laboratory of São Caetano Do Sul (CELAFISCS), Rua Santo Antonio, 50 - 5º andar - salas 504/505 - Centro, São Caetano Do Sul, SP, Brazil
| | - Gerson Ferrari
- Escuela de Ciencias de La Actividad Física, el Deporte Y La Salud, Universidad de Santiago de Chile, Santiago, Chile
- Facultad de Ciencias de La Salud, Universidad Autónoma de Chile, Providencia, Chile
| | - Victor Matsudo
- Study Center of the Physical Fitness Laboratory of São Caetano Do Sul (CELAFISCS), Rua Santo Antonio, 50 - 5º andar - salas 504/505 - Centro, São Caetano Do Sul, SP, Brazil
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Leigh G, Muminovic M, Davey R. Enjoyed by Jack but Endured by Jill: An Exploratory Case Study Examining Differences in Adolescent Design Preferences and Perceived Impacts of a Secondary Schoolyard. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2023; 20:4221. [PMID: 36901232 PMCID: PMC10002286 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph20054221] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/01/2023] [Revised: 02/21/2023] [Accepted: 02/22/2023] [Indexed: 06/18/2023]
Abstract
The school grounds provide students opportunities for respite, relaxation and relief from daily stresses during breaks in the school day. However, it is unclear whether secondary schoolyard designs adequately support the diverse and evolving needs of adolescents, particularly at a time when they are experiencing rapid emotional and physical developmental change. To investigate this, quantitative methods were used to explore differences in perceptions of schoolyard attractiveness and restorative quality based on student gender and year level. A school-wide survey was administered to approximately 284 students in years 7 to 10 at a secondary school in Canberra, Australia. Results indicate significant declines in student perceptions of schoolyard attractiveness and restorative quality. Higher ratings of schoolyard likeability, accessibility, personal connection and restorative quality of 'being away' were associated with male students across all year levels. Further work is needed to explore how schoolyard environments can better support the design preferences and well-being needs of older and female students. Such information would help planners, designers and land managers develop schoolyard designs that are more equitable in their benefits to secondary school students of different genders and year levels.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gweneth Leigh
- Health Research Institute, University of Canberra, Canberra, ACT 2617, Australia
| | - Milica Muminovic
- Faculty of Arts and Design, University of Canberra, Canberra, ACT 2617, Australia
| | - Rachel Davey
- Health Research Institute, University of Canberra, Canberra, ACT 2617, Australia
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Emm-Collison L, Salway R, Matthews J, Reid T, Jago R. Associations between the built environment, policies and curriculum in schools and primary school children’s physical activity. Wellcome Open Res 2023. [DOI: 10.12688/wellcomeopenres.18262.1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/17/2023] Open
Abstract
Background: A large proportion of children in the UK do not engage in the recommended amount of physical activity. Schools are an environment where children spend a considerable portion of their time and have the potential to facilitate more physical activity. There has been little exploration of the specific school environment factors that are most pertinent to child physical activity and sedentary behaviour. This study was intended to fill this important gap. Methods: Data were collected between March 2017 and May 2018 from 50 schools and 1223 children who participated in the B-Proact1v cohort study. School level measures were the built environment (e.g. playground equipment, cycling parking, allotments), physical activity-related policies (e.g. policy to encourage active travel) and the use of physical activity in the curriculum (e.g. regular physical activity breaks throughout day). Children’s weekday moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA) was estimated via Actigraph GT3X accelerometers. Associations between school context measures and children’s weekday MVPA were analysed using linear multilevel models, with children nested within schools, adjusted for individual characteristics. Results: On average, children at schools with allotments, a larger amount of playground equipment and where cycle training was offered, engaged in higher levels of MVPA. PE being compromised due to space was associated with lower levels of MVPA. Conclusions: Whilst there is a need for further exploration, the findings suggest that school-based provision and policies for active travel, sport and active play may be important to encouraging more primary school children to be more active more regularly.
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Zhou H, Bai X. A Review of the Role of the School Spatial Environment in Promoting the Visual Health of Minors. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2023; 20:1006. [PMID: 36673762 PMCID: PMC9859487 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph20021006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/23/2022] [Revised: 12/28/2022] [Accepted: 01/04/2023] [Indexed: 06/17/2023]
Abstract
Rising childhood myopia rate has detrimental health consequences that pose a considerable challenge to health systems. The school spatial environment, which is where students are for the longest period of time, has a high health value for myopia systematic intervention. While research has demonstrated associations between physical daylight environments, medical gene and visual health, the literature currently lacks a synthesis of evidence that will act as a spatially-organized resource for school designers. This study is based on literature from the period 2000-2022 and has been taken from the Web of Science, scopus, Medline and CNKI core collection database. Collaboration, literature co-citation and quantitative and qualitative analysis, in addition to keyword co-occurrence are adopted to conduct a visual health research review. The results indicate that intensive near work activity (as a risk factor) and longer time spent outdoors (as a protective factor), are involved in visual health factors. Two main research themes are obtained and relate to: (1) The environment of visual work behavior (especially the near work learning environment) and adaptable multimedia learning environment; and (2) the environment of outdoor exposure behavior. Furthermore, with the variation of educational demands, models and concepts, there are different demands for near work behavior, and this study makes an important contribution by pointing to two future research directions, including the accurate and controllable environment of near work behavior, which operate in accordance with various educational mode requirements and the active design of the environment of outdoor exposure behavior. In referring to differences between regions and countries, as well as the development of the educational environment, it provides insight into how these demands can be controlled.
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Affiliation(s)
- Huihui Zhou
- School of Architecture and Urban Planning, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan 430074, China
- Hubei Engineering and Technology Research Center of Urbanization, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan 430074, China
| | - Xiaoxia Bai
- School of Architecture and Urban Planning, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan 430074, China
- Hubei Engineering and Technology Research Center of Urbanization, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan 430074, China
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Sun N, Liu W, Zheng Z. Campus outdoor environment, learning engagement, and the mental health of college students during the COVID-19 pandemic: From the perspective of students in different grades. Front Public Health 2023; 11:1143635. [PMID: 37113171 PMCID: PMC10126524 DOI: 10.3389/fpubh.2023.1143635] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/13/2023] [Accepted: 03/09/2023] [Indexed: 04/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Introduction During COVID-19, the mental health of Chinese university students has been a pressing concern. But the internal mechanism of perceived campus outdoor environment and learning engagement affecting college students' mental health during the COVID-19 pandemic has not been fully discussed. Methods The current study used cross-sectional data from 45 Chinese universities to explore the relationship among perceptions of campus outdoor environments, learning engagement, and college student mental health, and focused on differences among college students in different grades. Results Our study revealed the mental health problems of Chinese college students during the COVID-19 pandemic were more severe. The mental health of postgraduates was generally poor, and their risk of depression was higher than that of undergraduates. More importantly, for postgraduates, the direct impact of the perceived campus outdoor environment on their mental health was stronger. For undergraduates, the indirect impact of learning engagement on the effect of the perceived campus outdoor environment on their mental health was stronger. Conclusion The results of the study have implications for campus planners, landscape architects, and university planners to pay particular attention to the needs of postgraduates for campus outdoor environments, which is of great significance to improve the overall mental health of students during the COVID-19 pandemic.
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Gonzálvez C, Bacon V, Kearney CA. Systematic and evaluative review of school climate instruments for students, teachers, and parents. PSYCHOLOGY IN THE SCHOOLS 2022. [DOI: 10.1002/pits.22838] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Carolina Gonzálvez
- Department of Developmental Psychology and Teaching University of Alicante Alacant Spain
| | - Victoria Bacon
- Department of Psychology University of Nevada Las Vegas Nevada USA
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Algroy E, Samdal O, Haug E. An Investigation of the Implementation of Obligatory Physical Activity Classes for 5th-7th Grade in Norway. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2022; 19:14312. [PMID: 36361193 PMCID: PMC9658417 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph192114312] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/04/2022] [Revised: 10/24/2022] [Accepted: 10/31/2022] [Indexed: 06/16/2023]
Abstract
In 2009, all Norwegian 5th-7th graders were allocated 76 h of obligatory physical activity (PA) classes in addition to physical education (PE). The study explores how schools implemented these classes and the relationship with school physical activity guidelines. The sample consisted of 134 schools participating in the WHO collaborative Health Behaviour in School-Aged Children (HBSC) survey in 2014 (n = 69) and 2018 (n = 65). Ten questions concerning PA were asked in 2014, and four of these were included in the 2018 survey. Chi-squared tests were used to investigate differences between groups. In 2014, 51% reported that PE teachers led the classes; this had reduced to 30% in 2018. A combination of teacher- and student-driven activities was most common. More student-led activities were observed when nonpedagogical personnel were responsible for the classes. Most schools reported no professional staff development related to the implementation of obligatory PA. In 2018, schools with written guidelines on physical activity had to a greater extent implemented staff development measures and increased the use of PE teachers compared to 2014. A considerable variation regarding teaching competence, teaching forms, group sizes, and facilities makes the outcome of the PA scheme uncertain. A potential effect of having established written school policies on the implementation of physical activity classes was however found.
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Affiliation(s)
- Erling Algroy
- Department of Teacher Education, NLA University College, Bergen, Pb 74 Sandviken, 5812 Bergen, Norway
| | - Oddrun Samdal
- Department of Health Promotion and Development, University of Bergen, 5020 Bergen, Norway
| | - Ellen Haug
- Department of Teacher Education, NLA University College, Bergen, Pb 74 Sandviken, 5812 Bergen, Norway
- Department of Health Promotion and Development, University of Bergen, 5020 Bergen, Norway
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A Novel Data-Driven Approach to Examine Children's Movements and Social Behaviour in Schoolyard Environments. CHILDREN (BASEL, SWITZERLAND) 2022; 9:children9081177. [PMID: 36010066 PMCID: PMC9407003 DOI: 10.3390/children9081177] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/25/2022] [Revised: 07/28/2022] [Accepted: 07/30/2022] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
(1) Many children in schoolyards are excluded from social interactions with peers on a daily basis. For these excluded children, schoolyard environments often contain features that hinder, rather than facilitate, their participation. These features may include lack of appropriate play equipment, overcrowded areas, or insufficient supervision. These can generate negative situations, especially for children with special needs-such as attention deficit or autism-which includes 10% of children worldwide. All children need to be able to participate in their social environment in order to engage in social learning and development. For children living with a condition that limits access to social learning, barriers to schoolyard participation can further inhibit this. Given that much physical development also occurs as a result of schoolyard play, excluded children may also be at risk for reduced physical development. (2) However, empirically examining schoolyard environments in order to understand existing obstacles to participation requires huge amounts of detailed, precise information about play behaviour, movement, and social interactions of children in a given environment from different layers around the child (physical, social, and cultural). Recruiting this information has typically been exceedingly difficult and too expensive. In this preliminary study, we present a novel sensor data-driven approach for gathering information on social interactions and apply it, in light of schoolyard affordances and individual effectivities, to examine to what extent the schoolyard environment affects children's movements and social behaviours. We collected and analysed sensor data from 150 children (aged 5-15 years) at two primary special education schools in the Netherlands using a global positioning system tracker, proximity tags, and Multi-Motion Receivers to measure locations, face-to-face interactions, and activities. Results show strong potential for this data-driven approach to examine the triad of physical, social, and cultural affordances in schoolyards. (3) First, we found strong potential in using our sensor data-driven approach for collecting data from individuals and their interactions with the schoolyard environment. Second, using this approach, we identified and discussed three schoolyard affordances (physical, social, and cultural) in our sample data. Third, we discussed factors that significantly impact children's movement and social behaviours in schoolyards: schoolyard capacity, social use of space, and individual differences. Better knowledge on the impact of these factors could help identify limitations in existing schoolyard designs and inform school officials, policymakers, supervisory authorities, and designers about current problems and practical solutions. This data-driven approach could play a crucial role in collecting information that will help identify factors involved in children's effective movements and social behaviour.
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Van Dyck D, Timmerman C, Hermida A, Pintado R, Cárdenas M, Escandón S, Ochoa-Avilés AM. Physical activity during recess in elementary schoolchildren in Belgium and Ecuador: The role of the physical environment at school. J Sports Sci 2022; 40:1476-1485. [PMID: 35703158 DOI: 10.1080/02640414.2022.2086521] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/18/2022]
Abstract
To increase physical activity levels in children, knowledge on how school playgrounds can be optimally designed is important. Until now, the contribution of playground variety and greening to children's physical activity level during recess remains unclear. This study examined the associations of school playground variety and greening with energy expenditure (EE) in elementary school children in Ecuador and Belgium. Additionally, moderating effects of study site and gender were studied. Observational data were collected using SOPLAY in ten schools in East Flanders (Belgium) and Cuenca (Ecuador). Data were analysed with linear mixed-effects model analyses. Results showed that independent of study site, EE was higher in playground areas with less green elements, and a higher level of total variety. Primary surface was only associated with EE in boys, they were more active when an artificial surface was present. Implementation of loose equipment was somewhat more strongly positively associated with EE in Ecuadorian than in Belgian children. Because of the well-known restorative effects of green elements, we do not wish to suggest that less greening should be implemented at schools. However, ideally green spaces should be designed in a way that active play is stimulated by combining green elements with other improvements.
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Affiliation(s)
- Delfien Van Dyck
- Department of Movement and Sport Sciences, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium
| | - Cheyenne Timmerman
- Department of Movement and Sport Sciences, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium
| | - Augusta Hermida
- Población, Faculty of Architecture, University of CuencaDepartamento de Espacio Y , Cuenca, Ecuador
| | - Rosa Pintado
- Población, Faculty of Architecture, University of CuencaDepartamento de Espacio Y , Cuenca, Ecuador
| | - Mercedes Cárdenas
- Department of Bioscience, Faculty of Chemistry, University of Cuenca, Cuenca, Ecuador
| | - Samuel Escandón
- Department of Bioscience, Faculty of Chemistry, University of Cuenca, Cuenca, Ecuador
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An unsupervised machine learning approach to evaluate sports facilities condition in primary school. PLoS One 2022; 17:e0267009. [PMID: 35443011 PMCID: PMC9020747 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0267009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/20/2020] [Accepted: 04/01/2022] [Indexed: 11/27/2022] Open
Abstract
Sports facilities have been acknowledged as one of the crucial environmental factors for children’s physical education, physical fitness, and participation in physical activity. Finding a solution for the effective and objective evaluation of the condition of sports facilities in schools (SSFs) with the responding quantitative magnitude is an uncertain task. This paper describes the utilization of an unsupervised machine learning method to objectively evaluate the condition of sports facilities in primary school (PSSFC). The statistical data of 845 samples with nine PSSFC indicators (indoor and outdoor included) were collected from the Sixth National Sports Facility Census in mainland China (NSFC), an official nationwide quinquennial census. The Fuzzy C-means (FCM) algorithm was applied to cluster the samples in accordance with the similarity of PSSFC. The clustered data were visualized by using t-stochastic neighbor embedding (t-SNE). The statistics results showed that the application of t-SNE and FCM led to the acceptable performance of clustering SSFs data into three types with differences in PSSFC. The effects of school category, location factors, and the interaction on PSSFC were analyzed by two-way analysis of covariance, which indicated that regional PSSFC has geographical and typological characteristics: schools in the suburbs are superior to those in the inner city, schools with more grades of students are configured with better variety and larger size of sports facilities. In conclusion, we have developed a combinatorial machine learning clustering approach that is suitable for objective evaluation on PSSFC and indicates its characteristics.
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Influencing factors of children's physical activity in family. BMC Public Health 2022; 22:787. [PMID: 35440083 PMCID: PMC9020037 DOI: 10.1186/s12889-022-13235-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/04/2021] [Accepted: 04/13/2022] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Children's physical activity (PA) is an important guarantee for children's physical and mental health. Influencing factors of children's PA in family is related to the healthy growth of children and the happy life of families. METHODS This is a cross-sectional study of influencing factors of children's PA in family. Parents whose children in 15 kindergartens(i.e., children are aged from 3 to 6 years) were sampled. RESULTS Government had a significant negative impact on parents' perceived risks. Community has a significant positive effect on parents' perceived benefits and a significant negative effect on parents' perceived risks. Kindergarten has a significant positive effect on parents' perceived benefits, but has no significant effect on the parents' perceived risks. Children sports club has a significant positive effect on parents' perceived benefits. Parents' perceived benefits has a significant positive impact on children's PA in family, while perceived risks has a significant negative impact. CONCLUSION Government should play a leading role in the development of children's PA in family. Community provides supplementary support. Kindergarten is the key point of developing children's PA in family. Children sports club is the auxiliary force of children's PA in family.
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Guijarro-Romero S, Mayorga-Vega D, Casado-Robles C, Viciana J. School physical education-based reinforced program through moderate-to-vigorous physical activity improves and maintains schoolchildren's cardiorespiratory fitness: A cluster-randomized controlled trial. Sci Sports 2022. [DOI: 10.1016/j.scispo.2020.12.011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
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Blanchette S, Larouche R, Tremblay MS, Faulkner G, Riazi NA, Trudeau F. Associations Between School Environments, Policies and Practices and Children's Physical Activity and Active Transportation. THE JOURNAL OF SCHOOL HEALTH 2022; 92:31-41. [PMID: 34806179 DOI: 10.1111/josh.13102] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/29/2019] [Revised: 02/15/2021] [Accepted: 03/29/2021] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND There is evidence of school-level variability in children's active behaviors. This study investigated the associations between school environments, policies and practices, and children's physical activity (PA) and active school transportation (AST), in a school ecology context. METHODS We recruited children (N = 1699, age = 10.2 ± 1.0 years, 55.0% girls) in 37 schools from 3 diverse regions of Canada. We then collected data using questionnaires (child, parent) and pedometers. In each school, an official completed a School Health Environment Survey. Multilevel regression models were used to examine associations with children's daily steps, and frequency and volume (frequency*distance) of AST. RESULTS Between-school variation ranged from 4.7% to 22.2% demonstrating that school environments are associated with children's active behaviors. None of the school environment variables were significantly associated with children's PA or frequency of AST. Nevertheless, their inclusion improved the PA model. Children's volume of AST increased in schools that reported more initiatives to promote AST. CONCLUSIONS Our findings suggest that multiple components are needed to effectively promote active behaviors in children. Schools should determine the areas in which they can improve and assess the feasibility of implementing measures to make their school environments, policies, and practices more conducive to PA and AST.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sébastien Blanchette
- Département des Sciences de l'Activité Physique, Université du Québec à Trois-Rivières, Trois-Rivières, QC, Canada
| | - Richard Larouche
- Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Lethbridge, Lethbridge, AB, Canada
| | - Mark S Tremblay
- Healthy Active Living and Obesity Research Group, Children's Hospital of Eastern Ontario Research Institute, Ottawa, ON, Canada
| | - Guy Faulkner
- School of Kinesiology, The University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada
| | - Negin A Riazi
- School of Kinesiology, The University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada
| | - François Trudeau
- Département des Sciences de l'Activité Physique, Université du Québec à Trois-Rivières, 3351, boulevard des Forges, Trois-Rivières, QC, G9A 5H7, Canada
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School-Level Factors within Comprehensive School Health Associated with the Trajectory of Moderate-to-Vigorous Physical Activity over Time: A Longitudinal, Multilevel Analysis in a Large Sample of Grade 9 and 10 Students in Canada. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2021; 18:ijerph182312761. [PMID: 34886487 PMCID: PMC8657398 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph182312761] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/29/2021] [Revised: 12/01/2021] [Accepted: 12/01/2021] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
(1) The majority of Canadian youth are insufficiently active, and moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA) decreases substantially during secondary school. School factors within the comprehensive school health (CSH) framework may help attenuate this decline. This study aimed to examine how youth MVPA changes over a three-year period and evaluate the school characteristics associated with preventing the decline in MVPA over time, guided by the CSH framework. (2) This study uses COMPASS survey data from 78 secondary schools in Ontario and Alberta that participated in Year 2 (2013/14), Year 3 (2014/15), and Year 4 (2015/16), and 17,661 students attending these schools. Multilevel (linear mixed effects) models were used to determine the association between school-level factors and student MVPA (weekly minutes) over time, stratified by gender. (3) Both male and female students had a significant decline in MVPA across the 3 years, with a greater decrease observed among female students. Within the CSH framework, the school's social environment, partnerships, and policies were associated with student MVPA over time, however the specific school factors and directions of associations varied by gender. (4) School-based interventions (e.g., public health partnerships) may help avoid the decline in MVPA observed in this critical period and support student health.
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Schoolyard Affordances for Physical Activity: A Pilot Study in 6 Nordic–Baltic Countries. SUSTAINABILITY 2021. [DOI: 10.3390/su132111640] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
Environmental settings influence children’s and adolescents’ physical activity (PA) in neighborhoods and schoolyards. This study aimed to explore the main characteristics of schoolyards in six Nordic–Baltic countries, to document how those facilities provide affordances for PA in 7–18 year–old schoolchildren, and how the schoolyard meets children’s preferences. One schoolyard was studied in each included country: Iceland, Norway, Finland, Lithuania, Latvia, and Estonia. The affordances, facilities, and equipment for PA in schoolyards were identified through orthophoto maps and standard registration forms. Children’s preferences were collected through group interviews at each participating school. A common design of schoolyards across countries indicated mostly flat topography with sparse vegetation and green areas dominated by large traditional sport arenas such as a football field, areas suitable for ball games, and track and field activities. Green spaces and varied topography were more prominent in Nordic countries. Across nationalities, the responses from pupils regarding the schoolyard were similar: they liked it though they wished for more variety of activities to do during recess. National regulations/recommendations for schoolyard design differed across the countries, being more restricted to sport fields and sport-related activities in Latvia and Lithuania, while in Nordic countries, the recommendations focused more on versatile schoolyard design.
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School environment and physical activity in adolescents from São Paulo city. Sci Rep 2021; 11:18118. [PMID: 34518611 PMCID: PMC8438037 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-021-97671-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/30/2021] [Accepted: 08/23/2021] [Indexed: 11/08/2022] Open
Abstract
We examined the association of physical activity (PA) facilities and access to school with total PA and domain-specific PA in adolescents. We enrolled 2610 adolescents (mean: 14.9 years) from Sao Paulo city. The number and presence of sports courts, swimming pools, locker rooms, running/athletics tracks, entrance accessible for student cyclists, bike racks, speed limit signal around the school, and pedestrian crossing were assessed in each school. All participants responded to a questionnaire about frequency and duration of physical education classes, leisure time, and active commuting. Total PA was obtained by adding up all PA domains. Presence of three or more (OR: 1.62; 95% CI: 1.15 to 2.30) sports courts, swimming pool available in usable conditions (OR: 1.45; 95% CI: 1.01 to 2.10), running/athletics tracks (OR: 2.35; 95% CI: 1.07 to 5.18), and bike racks (OR: 1.38; 95% CI: 1.07 to 1.78) were positively associated with total PA. Number of sports courts, swimming pool available in usable conditions, speed limit signals around the school, and pedestrian crossings were positively associated with physical education classes. The bike racks, speed limit signs around the school, and pedestrian crossings were positively associated with active commuting. School environment was associated with increased PA. Our findings should be considered in future epidemiologic studies and for educational and health policy makers.
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Liu J, Peng Z, Cai X, Peng Y, Li J, Feng T. Students' Intention of Visiting Urban Green Spaces after the COVID-19 Lockdown in China. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2021; 18:8601. [PMID: 34444350 PMCID: PMC8394326 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph18168601] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/28/2021] [Revised: 08/08/2021] [Accepted: 08/12/2021] [Indexed: 01/16/2023]
Abstract
This study addresses students' perceptions of using urban green spaces (UGSs) after the easing of COVID-19 lockdown in China. We questioned whether they are still mindful of the risks from the outdoor gathering, or conversely, starting to learn the restoration benefits from the green spaces. Online self-reported surveys were distributed to the Chinese students aging from 14 to 30 who study in Hunan and Jiangsu Provinces, China. We finally obtained 608 complete and valid questionnaire forms from all participants. Their intentions of visiting UGSs were investigated based on the extended theory of planned behavior model. Structural equation modeling was employed to test the hypothesized psychological model. The results have shown good estimation performance on risk perception and perceived knowledge to explain the variances in their attitudes, social norms, and perceived behavior control. Among these three endogenous variables, the perceived behavior control owns the greatest and positive influence on the behavioral intention, inferring that controllability is crucial for students to make decisions of visiting green spaces in a post-pandemic context.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jiayi Liu
- School of Architecture and Art, Central South University, Changsha 410083, China; (J.L.); (J.L.)
| | - Zhikai Peng
- Department of Architecture, University of Cambridge, Cambridge CB2 1PX, UK;
| | - Xiaoxi Cai
- College of Art and Design, Hunan First Normal University, Changsha 410205, China
| | - You Peng
- Urban Planning and Transportation Research Group, Department of the Built Environment, Eindhoven University of Technology, P.O. Box 513, 5600 MB Eindhoven, The Netherlands;
| | - Jiang Li
- School of Architecture and Art, Central South University, Changsha 410083, China; (J.L.); (J.L.)
| | - Tao Feng
- Urban Planning and Transportation Research Group, Department of the Built Environment, Eindhoven University of Technology, P.O. Box 513, 5600 MB Eindhoven, The Netherlands;
- Graduate School of Advanced Science and Engineering, Hiroshima University, Hiroshima 739-8527, Japan
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A Ban on Smartphone Usage during Recess Increased Children's Physical Activity. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2021; 18:ijerph18041907. [PMID: 33669387 PMCID: PMC7920279 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph18041907] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/13/2021] [Revised: 02/02/2021] [Accepted: 02/09/2021] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
School recess provides a unique opportunity for children to be active. However, many children perceive smartphones as a key barrier for engaging in physical activity during recess. The aim was to investigate if a ban on smartphone usage during recess changed children’s physical activity. During August–October 2020, children from grades 4–7 (10–14 years) at six Danish schools were banned from using their smartphones during recess for a four-week period. Questionnaire and systematic observation (SOPLAY) data were collected from 814 children before intervention (baseline) and 828 during the last week of intervention (follow-up). The mean frequency of physical activity significantly increased from baseline to follow-up (odds ratio = 1.370), as did physical activity on a moderate level (odds ratio = 1.387). Vigorous physical activity significantly decreased (odds ratio = 0.851). The increase in physical activity was found among both schools having outdoor and indoor recess, among both boys and girls, and nearly equally among grades 4–7. This suggests that implementing a ban on smartphone usage during recess would improve the everyday conditions for health among a broad range of schoolchildren. Future studies are needed to further investigate the association between recess physical activity and smartphone usage.
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U.S. Children and Youth's Physical Activities Inside and Outside of School PE: 1985 vs. 2012. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2021; 18:ijerph18020398. [PMID: 33419158 PMCID: PMC7825504 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph18020398] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/29/2020] [Revised: 12/21/2020] [Accepted: 12/31/2020] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
The purpose of this study was, by taking advantage of the rich data from two U.S. national fitness surveys, to examine the physical activity (PA) students engaged in, both inside and outside school physical education (PE), determine if there are differences by grade, sex, and weight status, and if there was a change between 1985 and 2012. The data from the 1985 National Children and Youth Fitness Study (NCYFS) and the 2012 NHANES National Youth Fitness Survey (NNYFS) were matched, merged (N = 6178, 3107 boys and 3071 girls), and analyzed. It was found that basketball remained the most popular PA inside school PE across both surveys. Swimming was the most popular PA outside of school PE in 1985, but was replaced by running in 2012. Although PA taught and promoted inside of school PE and that such PA practiced outside were moderately correlated across the surveys, some disconnections were noticed. The impact of grade, sex, and weight status on PA preference and participation was also confirmed. What is needed is to the design and integration of more lifelong and individual PAs in future school PE curricula and school and community children and youth sport and PA programs.
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Difference in Outdoor Time and Physical Activity During Recess After Schoolyard Renewal for the Least-Active Children. J Phys Act Health 2020; 17:968-976. [PMID: 32858525 DOI: 10.1123/jpah.2019-0270] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/22/2019] [Revised: 05/20/2020] [Accepted: 07/17/2020] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND It remains unclear if schoolyard interventions "just" provide more opportunities for those children who are already active. The authors wanted to investigate schoolyard use and physical activity (PA) among the least-active children during recess following schoolyard renewals. METHODS An intervention study design with preresults and postresults comparison was used. Accelerometer and global positioning system data were collected at 6 Danish schools from 553 children at baseline and 439 after renewals (grades 4-9). Based on mean minutes of recess moderate to vigorous PA per child per school, the least-active children were defined as all children in the lowest activity quartile at baseline and follow-up, respectively. RESULTS One hundred and thirty-five children (70% girls) at baseline and 108 (76% girls) at follow-up were categorized as the least-active children. At follow-up they accumulated more time (12.1 min/d) and PA (4.4 min/d) in the schoolyard during recess compared with baseline. The difference in schoolyard PA found for the least-active children was relatively small compared with the difference for all children. CONCLUSIONS Solely improving the physical schoolyard environment seemed to have limited impact on the least-active children's PA. Future studies should investigate the complex interrelations between the least-active children and the entire schoolyard environment.
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Kemp BJ, Cliff DP, Batterham M, Parrish AM. Socio-ecological predictors of non-organized physical activity participation and decline between childhood and adolescence. J Sports Sci 2020; 39:120-130. [PMID: 32795168 DOI: 10.1080/02640414.2020.1808296] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/13/2023]
Abstract
Physical activity (PA) tends to decline during late childhood and adolescence. In Australia, this decline has been shown to particularly occur non-organized PA (e.g., active play, informal sport). This study aimed to explore predictors of non-organized PA at 13y; and decline between 11y and 13y. Data were sourced from the Longitudinal Study of Australian Children. Non-organized PA was measured using time-use diaries. Analyses included Cragg hurdle and binary logistic regressions. The likelihood of non-organized PA at 13y was predicted by PA enjoyment (OR = 1.36, p = 0.007), number of siblings (OR = 1.11, p < 0.001), sex (females) (OR = 0.66, p < 0.001) and home computer use at 11y (OR = 0.98, p = 0.002) (n = 3,193). Females also engaged in less non-organized PA at 13y (β = -77.77, p = 0.048) (n = 3,193). Significant predictors of decline in non-organized PA were socioeconomic position (OR = 0.92, p = 0.047) and sugary drink consumption at 11y (OR = 1.06, p = 0.033) (n = 3,222). Strategies to promote non-organized PA may include targeting females and those of lower socioeconomic position, and focusing on types of PA that may replace the perceived benefits of computer use.
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Affiliation(s)
- Byron J Kemp
- Early Start, University of Wollongong , Australia.,School of Health and Society, Faculty of Arts, Social Sciences and Humanities, University of Wollongong , Australia
| | - Dylan P Cliff
- Early Start, University of Wollongong , Australia.,Illawarra Health and Medical Research Institute, University of Wollongong , Australia.,School of Education, Faculty of Arts, Social Sciences and Humanities, University of Wollongong , Australia
| | - Marijka Batterham
- Illawarra Health and Medical Research Institute, University of Wollongong , Australia.,School of Mathematics and Applied Statistics, Faculty of Engineering and Information Sciences, University of Wollongong , Australia.,National Institute for Applied Statistical Research Australia, University of Wollongong , Australia
| | - Anne-Maree Parrish
- Early Start, University of Wollongong , Australia.,School of Health and Society, Faculty of Arts, Social Sciences and Humanities, University of Wollongong , Australia.,Illawarra Health and Medical Research Institute, University of Wollongong , Australia
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Pagels P, Wester U, Mårtensson F, Guban P, Raustorp A, Fröberg A, Söderström M, Boldemann C. Pupils' use of school outdoor play settings across seasons and its relation to sun exposure and physical activity. PHOTODERMATOLOGY PHOTOIMMUNOLOGY & PHOTOMEDICINE 2020; 36:365-372. [PMID: 32187730 DOI: 10.1111/phpp.12558] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/20/2019] [Revised: 02/24/2020] [Accepted: 03/14/2020] [Indexed: 12/29/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Long outdoor stay may cause hazardous exposure to ultraviolet radiation (UVR) from the sun even at high latitudes as in Sweden (Spring to Autumn). On the other hand, long outdoor stay is a strong predictor of primary school children´s free mobility involving moderate to vigorous physical activity (MVPA). UV-protective outdoor environments enable long outdoor stay. We investigated the concurrent impact of different school outdoor play settings upon pupils´ sun exposure and levels of physical activity across different ages, genders, and seasons. METHOD During 1 week each in September, March, and May, UVR exposure and MVPA were measured in pupils aged 7-11 years. Erythemally effective UVR exposure was measured by polysulphone film dosimeters and MVPA by accelerometers. Schoolyard play was recorded on maps, and used areas defined as four play settings (fixed play equipment, paved surfaces, sport fields, and green settings), categorized by season and gender. RESULTS During the academic year, sport fields yielded the highest UVR exposures and generated most time in MVPA. In March, time outdoors and minutes in MVPA dropped and UVR exposures were suberythemal at all play settings. In May, green settings and fixed play equipment close to greenery promoted MVPA and protected from solar overexposure during long outdoor stays. CONCLUSION More outdoor activities in early spring are recommended. In May, greenery attractive for play could protect against overexposure to UVR and stimulate both girls and boys to vigorous play.
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Affiliation(s)
- Peter Pagels
- Department of Public Health Sciences, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden.,Department of Sport Sciences, Linneaus University, Kalmar, Sweden
| | - Ulf Wester
- Swedish Radiation Safety Authority, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Fredrika Mårtensson
- Department of Work science, Business Economics and Environmental Psychology, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, Alnarp, Sweden
| | - Peter Guban
- Center for Epidemiology and Community Medicine, Stockholm County Council, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Anders Raustorp
- Department of Food and Nutrition and Sport Science, University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg, Sweden
| | - Andreas Fröberg
- Department of Food and Nutrition and Sport Science, University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg, Sweden
| | - Margareta Söderström
- Section of General Practice, Department of Public Health, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark.,Department of Clinical Sciences in Lund, University of Lund, Lund, Sweden
| | - Cecilia Boldemann
- Department of Public Health Sciences, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
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Cohen DA, Han B, Williamson S, Nagel C, McKenzie TL, Evenson KR, Harnik P. Playground features and physical activity in U.S. neighborhood parks. Prev Med 2020; 131:105945. [PMID: 31805315 PMCID: PMC7405885 DOI: 10.1016/j.ypmed.2019.105945] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/09/2019] [Revised: 11/15/2019] [Accepted: 11/30/2019] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
Abstract
All people need to engage in routine physical activity and children require it daily. Playgrounds are settings designed for children to be physically active, yet there has been little research assessing which play elements and structures are associated with more moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA) among both youth and adults. We conducted a national study of neighborhood parks with the goal of identifying factors that promote more MVPA. We selected a nationally representative sample of 162 parks between 3 and 22 acres in 25 U.S. cities with a population >100,000. We used direct observation to measure MVPA in 147 playgrounds during spring and summer of 2016, documented playground characteristics and assessed hours of use and MVPA by age group and gender. We analyzed data using descriptive statistics and generalized linear models. The most common play elements and structures were slides and ladders (92% of parks) and swings (81%); elements supporting balancing, crawling, spinning, sand and water play were in <30% of playgrounds. Each additional play element was associated with about 50% more users and 50% more MVPA. Spinning structures and splash pads were associated with more playground use and more MVPA. Playgrounds with signage advertising park programs and on-site restrooms had more person-hours of use, but only half the parks had restrooms and <30% had signage. To address insufficient physical activity, upgrades to playgrounds should include restrooms, structures that support a wide variety of movements, and elements that also encourage adults to be active.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Bing Han
- RAND Corporation, United States of America
| | | | | | | | - Kelly R Evenson
- University North Carolina - Chapel Hill, Gillings School of Global Public Health, Department of Epidemiology, United States of America
| | - Peter Harnik
- Trust for Public Land (previous affiliation), United States of America
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29
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Physical activity levels and sedentary time during school hours of 6th-grade girls in Germany. J Public Health (Oxf) 2020. [DOI: 10.1007/s10389-019-01190-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Abstract
Aim
Regular physical activity and low levels of sedentary time have positive health effects on youth, and data are needed to base public health recommendations on. Here, findings of device-based physical activity and sedentary time in sixth graders are presented. Data below are presented as mean (SD).
Subject and methods
Three hundred and eight sixth-grade girls [11.6 (0.6) years] from the CReActivity study in Germany wore accelerometers (ActiGraph GT3X) for 7 consecutive days. Moderate to vigorous physical activity (MVPA), light physical activity (LPA), and sedentary time (ST) was obtained during school days with a focus on recess times.
Results
Girls spent 79.9 (23.2) minutes in MVPA and 9.4 (1.2) hours in ST during schooldays, of which 20.5 (8.2) minutes and 3.8 (0.4) hours respectively were accumulated during school hours. On average, students had 35.4 (4.5) minutes break, of which 6.3 (3.2) minutes (17.8%) were spent in MVPA activity and 16.5 (6.2) minutes (46.6%) in ST.
Conclusion
School setting is an important factor for physical activity and sedentary time. Therefore policy, curriculums, and school environment should promote physical activity und reduce sedentary time during school hours.
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Redesign, Field-Testing, and Validation of the Physical Activity Campus Environmental Supports (PACES) Audit. JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2019; 2019:5819752. [PMID: 31236118 PMCID: PMC6545773 DOI: 10.1155/2019/5819752] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/14/2019] [Revised: 04/04/2019] [Accepted: 05/05/2019] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
Abstract
This paper describes the redesign, field-testing, and convergent validity of a practical tool-Physical Activity Campus Environmental Supports (PACES) audit. Methods. The audit includes two parts: (1) PACES-Programs, which is comprised of questions regarding populations served, fees, programs (recreation/fitness classes and intramurals), proximity, adequacy of facilities, and marketing, and (2) PACES-Facilities, which is comprised of questions regarding built environment (aesthetics, bike racks, stairs, and universal design), recreation equipment, staff, amenities, and access. Each item criterion is specifically scored using a five-point, semantic-differential scale ranging from limited to extensive environmental support. A few questions utilize select all that apply for a summed score. PACES training, interrater reliability, and data collection are all accessible via an online portal. PACES was tested on 76 college campuses. Convergent validity was examined by comparing the PACES-Programs questions to Healthy Campus Initiatives-Programs questions (HCI-Programs) and comparing the PACES-Facilities questions to questions contained in the Physical Activity Resource Assessment (PARA) Instrument. Statistical analyses included Cronbach's alpha, ANOVA, latent profile analysis, and Spearman correlations. Results. The PACES-Programs audit includes 10 items for a potential total of 73 points (α = 0.72) and PACES-Facilities audit includes 15 items for a potential total of 77 points (α = 0.837). Most (77.8%) of the 153 facilities assessed scored in the most healthful range (20-42), which was mainly due to the extensiveness of the aerobic equipment/amenities and the competence/accessibility of staff. Significant differences in PACES-Total and PACES-Programs scores were associated with campus size and PACES-Facilities across regions. For the paired validation assessments, correlations were significant between PACES-Programs and HCI-Programs ((n=41) r=0.498, p < 0.001) and PACES-Facilities and PARA (n=29) for both features (r=0.417, p=0.024) and amenities (r=0.612, p < 0.001), indicating moderate convergent validity. Conclusion. The PACES audit is a valid, reliable tool for assessing the quality of recreation facilities and programs in a variety of college campus environments.
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31
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Carlin A, Murphy MH, Gallagher AM. Using the School Environment to Promote Walking amongst Adolescent Females: A Mixed-Method Study. CHILDREN-BASEL 2019; 6:children6030049. [PMID: 30909547 PMCID: PMC6463142 DOI: 10.3390/children6030049] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/19/2019] [Revised: 03/15/2019] [Accepted: 03/19/2019] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
Abstract
Schools have the potential to promote physical activity (PA) in adolescents through physical education (PE) and extra-curricular PA. The aims of this study were to firstly understand the experiences of adolescent females who participated in a school-based walking programme (the Walking In ScHools (WISH) study) and secondly, to assess the potential for schools to further promote PA outside of structured PE. A sample of female participants (n = 45, mean age 13.1 years) who participated in the WISH study were randomly selected to participate in focus group discussions, to explore their experiences of the intervention. In addition, an online survey was distributed to all post-primary schools (n = 208) in Northern Ireland to assess the provision of extra-curricular PA and further evaluate the feasibility of the WISH study. In total, six focus groups were conducted. Walking during the school day was viewed as an acceptable form of PA by adolescent females, providing an opportunity to be active with friends, and helped participants overcome barriers previously associated with being active at school. Responding schools (n = 59) identified adolescent females and non-sporty pupils as sub-groups who would benefit most from participation in a school-based walking programme. This study has highlighted that the delivery of a walking programme within the school setting is acceptable, warranted and practically feasible from the point of view of adolescent females and key stakeholders within the school setting.
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Affiliation(s)
- Angela Carlin
- Centre for Exercise Medicine, Physical Activity and Health, Sports and Exercise Sciences Research Institute, University of Ulster, Jordanstown Campus, Newtownabbey BT37 0QB, UK.
| | - Marie H Murphy
- Centre for Exercise Medicine, Physical Activity and Health, Sports and Exercise Sciences Research Institute, University of Ulster, Jordanstown Campus, Newtownabbey BT37 0QB, UK.
| | - Alison M Gallagher
- Nutrition Innovation Centre for Food and Health (NICHE), Biomedical Sciences Research Institute, University of Ulster, Coleraine Campus, Coleraine BT52 1SA, UK.
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32
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Flôres FS, Rodrigues LP, Copetti F, Lopes F, Cordovil R. Affordances for Motor Skill Development in Home, School, and Sport Environments: A Narrative Review. Percept Mot Skills 2019; 126:366-388. [PMID: 30773999 DOI: 10.1177/0031512519829271] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/15/2022]
Abstract
Through development, a child's varied movement contexts provide different opportunities or affordances for action that are fundamental to promoting motor competence. Although home is the primary environment for infants, as children age, school and sport environments gain importance. Studies focusing on affordances for motor behavior in children have mainly addressed the home microsystem, providing an incomplete picture of affordances across different settings, particularly later in development. Here, we undertook a narrative literature review of various affordances for children's motor development. This review revealed that prior studies of school and sports contexts have not specifically focused on those environmental properties that promote or hinder motor learning opportunities, meaning that future research should assess these relationships through manipulations of environmental features in these different microsystems.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fábio Saraiva Flôres
- 1 Faculdade de Motricidade Humana, Universidade de Lisboa, Portugal.,2 Centro de Educacão Física e Desportos, Universidade Federal de Santa Maria, Brasil
| | - Luis P Rodrigues
- 3 Escola Superior Desporto e Lazer de Melgaço, Instituto Politécnico de Viana do Castelo, Melgaço, Portugal.,4 Research Center in Sports Sciences, Health Sciences and Human Development, Vila Real, Portugal
| | - Fernando Copetti
- 2 Centro de Educacão Física e Desportos, Universidade Federal de Santa Maria, Brasil
| | - Frederico Lopes
- 1 Faculdade de Motricidade Humana, Universidade de Lisboa, Portugal
| | - Rita Cordovil
- 1 Faculdade de Motricidade Humana, Universidade de Lisboa, Portugal.,5 CIPER, Faculdade de Motricidade Humana, Universidade de Lisboa, Portugal
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Cohen DA, Han B, Isacoff J, Shulaker B, Williamson S. Renovations of neighbourhood parks: long-term outcomes on physical activity. J Epidemiol Community Health 2019; 73:214-218. [PMID: 30606773 DOI: 10.1136/jech-2018-210791] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/21/2018] [Revised: 09/07/2018] [Accepted: 12/09/2018] [Indexed: 12/25/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Neighbourhood parks are places designed to support physical activity, but are often underutilised. Park renovations are major improvements to the quality of these spaces and usually attract more park users. This study assessed changes in the use of six San Francisco neighbourhood parks and park-based physical activity levels over a 6-year period, during which five of the six parks were renovated. METHODS We used direct observation to assess park-based physical activity. We used a stepped-wedge study design at three time points in all six parks over 6 years (before all parks were renovated, after two parks were renovated and after an additional three were renovated) to evaluate the short-term and long-term effects of park renovations. RESULTS Levels of moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA) and metabolic equivalent hours expended in the parks increased overall, most immediately after renovation. Age groups responded differently with the largest increases in park use and MVPA among adults and children under age 12, with no changes among teens and seniors. CONCLUSIONS Park renovations attracted more users and increased park-based MVPA than non-renovated parks and sustained increases over time for adults and children, but not teens or seniors. Park renovations that consider and provide facilities that support varied levels of physical activity and cater to all age groups may foster increased park-based physical activity that can be sustained.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Bing Han
- RAND Corporation, Santa Monica, California, USA
| | | | - Bianca Shulaker
- The Trust for Public Land, Washington, DC, District of Columbia, USA
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34
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Abstract
PURPOSE Traditional direct observation cannot provide continuous, individual-level physical activity (PA) data throughout recess. This study piloted video direct observation to characterize children's recess PA overall and by sex and weight status. METHODS Children (N = 23; 11 boys; 6 overweight; third to fifth grade) were recorded during 2 recess periods, coding for PA duration, intensity, location, and type. Duration of PA type and intensity across sex and weight status overall and between/within locations were assessed using 1- and 2-way analysis of variances. RESULTS The field elicited more sedentary behavior (39% of time) and light PA (17%) and less moderate to vigorous PA (41%) compared with the fixed equipment (13%, 7%, and 71%, respectively) or the court (21%, 7%, and 68%, respectively). Boys engaged in significantly more vigorous-intensity activity on the court (35%) than girls (14%), whereas girls engaged in more moderate to vigorous PA on the fixed equipment (77% vs 61%) and field (46% vs 35%) than boys (all Ps > .05). PA type also differed by sex and weight status. CONCLUSION Video direct observation was capable of detecting and characterizing children's entire recess PA while providing valuable context to the behavior. The authors confirmed previous findings that PA intensity was not uniform by schoolyard location and further differences exist by sex and weight status.
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35
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Effects of a Sports-Oriented Primary School on Students' Physical Literacy and Cognitive Performance. J Funct Morphol Kinesiol 2018; 3:jfmk3030037. [PMID: 33466966 PMCID: PMC7739417 DOI: 10.3390/jfmk3030037] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/05/2018] [Revised: 06/21/2018] [Accepted: 06/23/2018] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
As only a small group of children fulfil the guidelines for physical activity, interventions are necessary to promote active lifestyles. We examined the effects of a sports-oriented primary school (N = 79) in comparison to a regular primary school (N = 90) on students' physical literacy and cognitive performance. To evaluate the implementation of the sports-oriented school curriculum a process evaluation was conducted, in which the school curriculum was analysed and guideline-based interviews were carried out with the schoolteachers and the school director. To measure students' physical literacy and cognitive performance several tests were used. Small positive effects of the sports-oriented primary school on students' physical literacy were shown in standing long jump and attitudes towards physical activity. There were no differences between the groups regarding cognitive performance. This study provides the first insights on how a sports-oriented school can promote students' physical literacy in the future. The results are in line with previous research that shows that when children spend more time in physical education and overall physical activities at school, no negative consequences result for their cognitive performance. In future, long-term evaluations of the effects of sports-oriented schools are required to receive valid results on the effects on students.
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36
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Guldager JD, Andersen PT, von Seelen J, Leppin A. Physical activity school intervention: context matters. HEALTH EDUCATION RESEARCH 2018; 33:232-242. [PMID: 29741620 DOI: 10.1093/her/cyy012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/06/2017] [Accepted: 04/19/2018] [Indexed: 06/08/2023]
Abstract
School-based interventions for increasing physical activity among children are widespread, however there is still a lack of knowledge about how school context factors are linked to implementation quality and effectiveness of programmes. The aim of this paper is to examine teacher-perceived effectiveness of a Danish national classroom-based health programme 'Active Around Denmark' and in particular, to investigate whether perceptions vary as a function of school social context factors. After completion of the programme all teachers (N = 5.892) received an electronic questionnaire. 2.097 completed the questionnaire (response rate 36%) and 1.781 datasets could be used for analysis. The teachers were asked about their perceptions of changes in children's attitudes towards and levels of physical activity after the competition. Our results indicated that certain contextual factors, such as schools' prioritization of health promotion, teachers' support by their school principal in implementation as well as teacher's satisfaction with the school' physical environment made a significant difference in teacher-perceived effectiveness. To conclude, teacher-perceived effectiveness of the health programme does vary as a function of school social context factors.
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Affiliation(s)
- J D Guldager
- Unit for Health Promotion Research, Department of Public Health, University of Southern Denmark, Niels Bohrs Vej 9-10, 6700 Esbjerg, Denmark
| | - P T Andersen
- Unit for Health Promotion Research, Department of Public Health, University of Southern Denmark, Niels Bohrs Vej 9-10, 6700 Esbjerg, Denmark
| | - J von Seelen
- Department for Research and Development-Research Program for Health Promotion and Learning, University College of Southern Denmark, Lembckesvej 3-7, 6100 Haderslev, Denmark
| | - A Leppin
- Unit for Health Promotion Research, Department of Public Health, University of Southern Denmark, Niels Bohrs Vej 9-10, 6700 Esbjerg, Denmark
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37
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Environment perception and leisure-time physical activity in Portuguese high school students. Prev Med Rep 2018; 10:221-226. [PMID: 29632802 PMCID: PMC5889708 DOI: 10.1016/j.pmedr.2017.10.013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/28/2016] [Revised: 10/13/2017] [Accepted: 10/23/2017] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
Abstract
This study aims to analyze the association between perceived environmental factors and leisure-time physical activity (PA) among adolescents of both genders. Data were collected in autumn of 2011 from 866 adolescents (412 girls and 454 boys) 12- to 18-years-old, from four Portuguese cities. Perception of environmental factors was assessed by Assessing Levels of Physical Activity and Fitness (ALPHA) questionnaire (Spittaels et al., 2010, IJBNPA). PA was assessed by a questionnaire that evaluated PA during leisure-time and participants were assigned into the following categories: sedentary; low active; moderate active; and very active. Boys presented higher levels of structured PA, frequency and intensity of PA, and level of sport competition than girls (p < 0.001). Distance to local facilities (p = 0.001 for girls; p < 0.001 for boys) and home environment (p = 0.004 for girls; p = 0.015 for boys) were negatively associated with PA. Total, cycling and walking infrastructures (p < 0.001), as well as cycling and walking network (p = 0.049) and connectivity (p = 0.034) showed a positive association with PA in boys. Analysis of variance showed significant differences between girls' PA regarding aesthetics (p = 0.013), study environment (p = 0.023), home environment (p = 0.014) and whether it is pleasant or not (p = 0.023). Differences between boys' PA were observed for distance to local facilities (p = 0.003), total, cycling and walking infrastructures (p < 0.001) and home environment (p = 0.002). This study results support that some environmental factors are associated with adolescents' PA levels, with relevant differences between genders. Therefore, these gender differences must be taken into account, in order to increase levels of PA in Portuguese youth, especially in girls. Portuguese adolescents' physical activity levels remain extremely low. Adolescent boys present higher levels of physical activity than girls. Several environmental factors are associated with adolescents' physical activity. Perceptions about the environment are different between genders. Boys and girls' physical activity is related with different environmental factors.
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Wheatley CM, Davies EL, Dawes H. Unspoken Playground Rules Discourage Adolescent Physical Activity in School: A Focus Group Study of Constructs in the Prototype Willingness Model. QUALITATIVE HEALTH RESEARCH 2018; 28:624-632. [PMID: 29199530 DOI: 10.1177/1049732317744534] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/07/2023]
Abstract
The health benefits of exercise in school are recognized, yet physical activity continues to decline during early adolescence despite numerous interventions. In this study, we investigated whether the prototype willingness model, an account of adolescent decision making that includes both reasoned behavioral choices and unplanned responses to social environments, might improve understanding of physical activity in school. We conducted focus groups with British pupils aged 12 to 13 years and used deductive thematic analysis to search for themes relating to the model. Participants described reasoned decisions about physical activity outside school and unplanned choices to be inactive during break, in response to social contexts described as more "judgmental" than in primary school. Social contexts appeared characterized by anxiety about competence, negative peer evaluation, and inactive playground norms. The prototype willingness model might more fully explain physical activity in school than reasoned behavioral models alone, indicating potential for interventions targeting anxieties about playground social environments.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Helen Dawes
- 1 Oxford Brookes University, Oxford, United Kingdom
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39
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Hamilton K, Kaczynski AT, Fair ML, Lévesque L. Examining the Relationship between Park Neighborhoods, Features, Cleanliness, and Condition with Observed Weekday Park Usage and Physical Activity: A Case Study. JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2017; 2017:7582402. [PMID: 29333172 PMCID: PMC5733243 DOI: 10.1155/2017/7582402] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/24/2017] [Revised: 10/02/2017] [Accepted: 10/29/2017] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
Background Little research has comprehensively explored how park features, quality indicators, and neighborhood environments are associated with observed park usage and physical activity (PA). This case study examined whether weekday park usage and PA differ by neighborhood type, across numerous categories of park features, and according to park feature condition and cleanliness. Methods Direct observation was used to capture the number of users and PA levels within 143 park features in 6 parks (3 urban, 3 suburban) over the course of six weeks. Audits of park environments assessed the type, condition, and cleanliness of all features and amenities. Results Urban parks experienced greater usage, but a higher proportion of sedentary users than suburban parks. Usage and PA levels differed across types of park features, with splash pads, pools, paths, and play structures having the greatest proportion of active users. Usage did not differ by park feature condition and cleanliness, but greater condition and cleanliness were generally associated with higher PA levels. Conclusions Factors such as neighborhood context, types of park features, and condition and cleanliness can impact park usage and PA levels and should be targets for researchers and planners aiming to foster more user-friendly and active neighborhood park environments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kerry Hamilton
- School of Kinesiology and Health Studies, Queen's University, 28 Division Street, Kingston, ON, Canada K7L 3N6
| | - Andrew T. Kaczynski
- Department of Health Promotion, Education, and Behavior, Prevention Research Center, Arnold School of Public Health, University of South Carolina, 921 Assembly Street, Columbia, SC 29208, USA
| | - Melissa L. Fair
- Department of Health Promotion, Education, and Behavior, Arnold School of Public Health, University of South Carolina, 921 Assembly Street, Columbia, SC 29208, USA
| | - Lucie Lévesque
- School of Kinesiology and Health Studies, Queen's University, 28 Division Street, Kingston, ON, Canada K7L 3N6
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Chung SJ, Ersig AL, McCarthy AM. The Influence of Peers on Diet and Exercise Among Adolescents: A Systematic Review. J Pediatr Nurs 2017; 36:44-56. [PMID: 28888511 DOI: 10.1016/j.pedn.2017.04.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 55] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/04/2015] [Revised: 04/24/2017] [Accepted: 04/24/2017] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
Adolescents' diet and exercise are modifiable factors contributing to high rates of adolescent obesity. Diverse contextual factors, including family, social environment, and peers, affect adolescents' diet and exercise behaviors. Because peer influence increases during adolescence, peers' contributions to adolescents' diet and exercise behaviors should be examined as potential targets for intervention to reduce the prevalence of adolescent obesity. The purpose of this systematic review is to identify research examining the contribution of peers to diet and exercise of adolescents. The electronic databases PubMed, CINAHL, Web of Science, and SCOPUS were searched. A total of 24 unique articles were included: seven examined diet only, fourteen studied exercise only, and three explored diet and exercise. This review provided evidence that diet and exercise of adolescents were significantly associated with those of their peers. However, these associations differed depending on gender, the type of diet and exercise, and closeness of friends. Findings from this review suggest that peers could be possible targets for interventions to promote healthier diet and exercise among adolescents; however, more studies are needed to identify specific peer influences and develop tailored interventions.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Ann Marie McCarthy
- The University of Iowa, College of Nursing, Iowa City, IA United States.
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41
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Christiansen LB, Toftager M, Pawlowski CS, Andersen HB, Ersb�ll AK, Troelsen J. Schoolyard upgrade in a randomized controlled study design-how are school interventions associated with adolescents' perception of opportunities and recess physical activity. HEALTH EDUCATION RESEARCH 2017; 32:58-68. [PMID: 28115424 PMCID: PMC5914349 DOI: 10.1093/her/cyw058] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/05/2016] [Accepted: 12/28/2016] [Indexed: 06/06/2023]
Abstract
School recess physical activity is important for adolescent s health and development, and several studies have established evidence based on cross-sectional studies that it is influenced by the environment in the schoolyard. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect and variation across schools of a school-based intervention on students perceived opportunities for physical activity in the schoolyard, and to evaluate if an improved collective perception of opportunities was followed by an increase in PA during recess for the 13-15 year-old students. The intervention components included schoolyard renovation; mandatory outdoor recess; and increased adult supervision and support. Students collective perceptions were evaluated by a newly developed Schoolyard index (SYi) with seven items, and physical activity was objectively measured with accelerometer. We found variations in the change of student perceptions across the intervention schools, and that a one unit increase in the Schoolyard index (SYi) led to a 12% increase in recess PA. This study shows that adolescent PA during recess can be increased through a multicomponent intervention. The prospect for making an impact is low and according to the process analysis dependent on direct involvement; active and supportive adults; and varied, connected and well located facilities.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lars B. Christiansen
- Department of Sports Science and Clinical Biomechanics, University of Southern Denmark, Campusvej 55, 5230, Odense M, Denmark
| | - Mette Toftager
- National Institute of Public Health, University of Southern Denmark, �ster Farimagsgade 5a, 1353, Copenhagen K, Denmark
| | - Charlotte S. Pawlowski
- Department of Sports Science and Clinical Biomechanics, University of Southern Denmark, Campusvej 55, 5230, Odense M, Denmark
| | - Henriette B. Andersen
- Department of Sports Science and Clinical Biomechanics, University of Southern Denmark, Campusvej 55, 5230, Odense M, Denmark
| | - Annette K. Ersb�ll
- National Institute of Public Health, University of Southern Denmark, �ster Farimagsgade 5a, 1353, Copenhagen K, Denmark
| | - Jens Troelsen
- Department of Sports Science and Clinical Biomechanics, University of Southern Denmark, Campusvej 55, 5230, Odense M, Denmark
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Tarun S, Arora M, Rawal T, Benjamin Neelon SE. An evaluation of outdoor school environments to promote physical activity in Delhi, India. BMC Public Health 2017; 17:11. [PMID: 28056908 PMCID: PMC5217605 DOI: 10.1186/s12889-016-3987-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/02/2016] [Accepted: 12/22/2016] [Indexed: 12/04/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Increasing physical activity in children is an important public health goal in India. Schools may be a target for physical activity promotion, but little is known about outdoor school environments. The purpose of this study was to describe characteristics of the surrounding outdoor school environments that may promote children’s physical activity in Delhi, India. Methods For this cross-sectional study, we conducted a structured observation of outdoor school environments in a random sample of 16 private schools in Delhi, India using the Sport, Physical activity and Eating behavior: Environmental Determinants in Young people (SPEEDY) audit tool. The SPEEDY school audit measured six categories, including (1) access to the school; (2) surrounding area; (3) school grounds; (4) aesthetics; (5) usage; and (6) overall environment. Six trained data collectors conducted the audit independently in the summer of 2012 while schools were in session. Results Of the 16 schools, one had cycle lanes separated from the road while two schools had cycle lanes on the road. Two schools had pavement on both sides of the road for pedestrians. One school had marked pedestrian crossings. No schools had school warning signs, road safety signs, or route signs for cyclists that would help calm vehicular traffic. Fifteen schools had playground equipment and nine had courts, an assault course (a sequence of equipment designed to be used together), and a quadrangle (an enclosed or semi-enclosed courtyard) for outdoor physical activity. The majority of schools were shielded from the surrounding area by hedges, trees, or fences (n = 13) and were well maintained (n = 10). One school had evidence of vandalism. Two schools had graffiti, seven had litter, and 15 had murals or art. Conclusions The majority of schools did not have infrastructure to support physical activity, such as cycle lanes, marked pedestrian crossings, or traffic calming mechanisms such as school warning signs. However, most had playground equipment, courts, and outdoor play areas. Nearly all were free from vandalism and many had murals or art. These results provide preliminary data for future work examining outdoor school environments, active transport to school, and children’s physical activity in India. Electronic supplementary material The online version of this article (doi:10.1186/s12889-016-3987-8) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.
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Affiliation(s)
- Samiksha Tarun
- Saint Louis University School of Medicine, 1402 South Grand Boulevard, St Louis, MO, 63104, USA
| | - Monika Arora
- Health Promotion and Tobacco Control, Public Health Foundation of India, Plot No. 47, Sector-44, Gurgaon, 122002, India
| | - Tina Rawal
- Public Health Foundation of India, Plot No. 47, Sector-44, Gurgaon, 122002, India
| | - Sara E Benjamin Neelon
- Department of Health, Behavior and Society, Johns Hopkins University, 624 N Broadway, Baltimore, MD, 21205, USA.
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[Settings-based prevention of overweight in childhood and adolescents : Theoretical foundation, determinants and intervention planning]. Bundesgesundheitsblatt Gesundheitsforschung Gesundheitsschutz 2016; 59:1394-1404. [PMID: 27695936 DOI: 10.1007/s00103-016-2439-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/20/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Childhood and adolescent overweight can still be seen as a global public health problem. Based on our socioeconomic understanding, overweight is the result of a complex interplay of a diverse array of factors acting on different levels. Hence, in addition to individual level determinants overweight prevention should also address environmental related factors as part of a holistic and integrated setting approach. OBJECTIVE This paper aims to discuss the setting approach with regard to overweight prevention in childhood and adolescence. In addition to a summary of environmental factors and their empirical influence on the determinants of overweight, theoretical approaches and planning models of settings-based overweight prevention are discussed. RESULTS While settings can be characterized as specific social-spatial subsystems (e. g. kindergarten, schools), living environments relate to complex subject-oriented environments that may include various subsystems. Direct social contexts, educational contexts and community contexts as relevant systems for young people contain different evidence-based influences that need to be taken into account in settings based overweight prevention. To support a theory-driven intervention, numerous planning models exist, which are presented here. DISCUSSION Given the strengthening of environments for health within the prevention law, the underlying settings approach also needs further development with regard to overweigth prevention. This includes the improvement of the theoretical foundation by aligning intervention practice of planning models, which also has a positive influence on the ability to measure its success.
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Permanent play facility provision is associated with children's time spent sedentary and in light physical activity during school hours: A cross-sectional study. Prev Med Rep 2016; 4:429-34. [PMID: 27583201 PMCID: PMC4995570 DOI: 10.1016/j.pmedr.2016.08.011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/15/2016] [Revised: 08/09/2016] [Accepted: 08/12/2016] [Indexed: 11/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Objective: To study the associations between: 1) number of permanent outdoor play facilities per pupil and 2) the size of the outdoor play area per pupil with sedentary time and physical activity (PA) during school hours in six-, nine-, and 15-year olds. We conducted a cross-sectional study of nationally representative samples of Norwegian six- (n = 1071), nine- (n = 1421) and 15-year-olds (n = 1106) in 2011 (the Physical Activity Among Norwegian Children Study). The participation rates were 56.4%, 73.1% and 57.8% for six-, nine- and 15-year olds, respectively. We assessed PA objectively for seven consecutive days using accelerometers, the size of a school's outdoor play area (SOPA) using an online map service and the permanent play facility (PPF) provision using a standardized form during school site visits. We successfully measured SOPA and PPF in 99 schools, from which 3040 participants provided valid accelerometer data. We used generalized least-squares random-effects models with robust variance estimation to assess associations. Our results indicate that better provision of permanent play facilities may reduce sedentary time and increase time spent in light PA among six-year-olds. Permanent play facility provision was not associated with sedentary time or PA among nine- and 15-year-olds. Associations found between outdoor play area size, physical activity and sedentary time were negligible. Future research should investigate what types of permanent play facilities may be associated with physical activity in both children and adolescents. Permanent play facility provision was associated with sedentary time. Permanent play facility provision was associated with light PA. Permanent play facility provision was not associated with MVPA. Outdoor play area size was not associated with sedentary time or PA.
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Key Words
- Adolescent
- BMI, Body mass index
- CI, Confidence interval
- CPM, Counts per minute
- Child
- LPA, Light physical activity
- MVPA, Moderate-to-vigorous physical activity
- PA, Physical activity
- PE, Physical education
- PPFs, Permanent play facilities
- Physical activity
- Recess
- SES, Socioeconomic status
- SOPA, School's outdoor play area(s)
- School
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Morton KL, Corder K, Suhrcke M, Harrison F, Jones AP, van Sluijs EMF, Atkin AJ. School polices, programmes and facilities, and objectively measured sedentary time, LPA and MVPA: associations in secondary school and over the transition from primary to secondary school. Int J Behav Nutr Phys Act 2016; 13:54. [PMID: 27112754 PMCID: PMC4845338 DOI: 10.1186/s12966-016-0378-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/27/2016] [Accepted: 04/18/2016] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Background There is increasing policy interest in ensuring that the school environment supports healthy behaviours. We examined the cross-sectional and longitudinal associations between schools’ policies, programmes and facilities for physical activity (PA) and adolescents’ objectively-measured activity intensity during the school day and lunchtime. Methods Accelerometer-derived PA (proportion of time spent in sedentary (SED), light PA (LPA) and moderate-to-vigorous PA (MVPA)) during school hours and lunchtime from 325 participants in the SPEEDY study were obtained from baseline measurements (primary school, age 9/10 years) and +4y follow-up (secondary school). School environment characteristics were assessed by teacher questionnaire. Multivariable multi-level linear regression analyses accounting for school and adjusted for sex, age, BMI and family socio-economic status assessed cross-sectional associations with lunchtime and school-day SED, LPA and MVPA; effect modification by sex was investigated. The association of changes in school environment with changes in outcomes was examined using multivariable cross-classified linear regression models. Results There were significant differences between primary and secondary schools for 6/10 school environment characteristics investigated (including secondary schools reporting shorter breaks, more lunchtime PA opportunities, and higher number of sports facilities). Cross-sectional analyses showed that boys attending secondary schools with longer breaks spent significantly less time in SED and more time in MVPA during the school day. Longitudinally, an increase in break-time duration between primary and secondary school was associated with smaller reductions in MVPA during the school day. Moreover, participants who moved from a primary school that did not provide opportunities for PA at lunchtime to a secondary school that did provide such opportunities exhibited smaller increases in SED and smaller reductions in MVPA at lunchtime. Conclusions Schools should consider the potential negative impact of reducing break time duration on students’ MVPA and SED during the school day. School-based interventions that combine longer breaks and more PA opportunities during lunchtime may be a fruitful direction for future research. Further research should also explore other factors in the school environment to explain the school-level clustering observed, and study sex differences in the way that the school environment influences activity intensity for adolescent populations. Electronic supplementary material The online version of this article (doi:10.1186/s12966-016-0378-6) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.
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Affiliation(s)
- Katie L Morton
- UKCRC Centre for Diet and Activity Research (CEDAR), MRC Epidemiology Unit, University of Cambridge School of Clinical Medicine, Box 285 Institute of Metabolic Science, Cambridge Biomedical Campus, Cambridge, CB20QQ, UK.
| | - Kirsten Corder
- UKCRC Centre for Diet and Activity Research (CEDAR), MRC Epidemiology Unit, University of Cambridge School of Clinical Medicine, Box 285 Institute of Metabolic Science, Cambridge Biomedical Campus, Cambridge, CB20QQ, UK
| | - Marc Suhrcke
- Centre for Health Economics, University of York, York, UK
| | - Flo Harrison
- UKCRC Centre for Diet and Activity Research (CEDAR) and Norwich Medical School, University of East Anglia, Norwich, UK
| | - Andy P Jones
- UKCRC Centre for Diet and Activity Research (CEDAR) and Norwich Medical School, University of East Anglia, Norwich, UK
| | - Esther M F van Sluijs
- UKCRC Centre for Diet and Activity Research (CEDAR), MRC Epidemiology Unit, University of Cambridge School of Clinical Medicine, Box 285 Institute of Metabolic Science, Cambridge Biomedical Campus, Cambridge, CB20QQ, UK
| | - Andrew J Atkin
- UKCRC Centre for Diet and Activity Research (CEDAR), MRC Epidemiology Unit, University of Cambridge School of Clinical Medicine, Box 285 Institute of Metabolic Science, Cambridge Biomedical Campus, Cambridge, CB20QQ, UK
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Svozil Z, Frömel K, Chmelík F, Jakubec L, Groffik D, Šafář M. Mental Load and Its Compensation by Physical Activity in Adolescents at Secondary Schools. Cent Eur J Public Health 2016; 23 Suppl:S44-9. [PMID: 26849543 DOI: 10.21101/cejph.a4186] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/14/2014] [Accepted: 08/14/2015] [Indexed: 11/15/2022]
Abstract
AIM Sedentary behaviour and increasing mental load in adolescents is one of the major health problems of the contemporary youth. The aim of the study is to analyze the associations between mental load and physical activity (PA) in adolescents in school-day segments. METHODS 381 adolescents (120 boys, 261 girls) took part in the research which was conducted in 19 secondary schools in the Czech Republic. Participants throughout the whole day (1-3 days) wore an ActiTrainer accelerometer that monitors PA and heart rate (HR). The reports covered 727 school days. The participants were divided into two groups with lower and higher mental load. RESULTS Boys and girls with higher mental load in lessons do not compensate this load in neither volume nor intensity of PA during recess in greater amount than those who had lower mental load. In the individual school-day segments (apart from the time before school) no significant differences between the groups were found. CONCLUSION When creating a habit of immediate compensation for mental load in lessons by PA, it is necessary to pay attention to boys and girls with higher mental load in lessons. The adoption of the habit should be supported by adequate physical literacy of both students and teachers and by changes in the school programme.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zbyněk Svozil
- Department of Social Sciences in Kinanthropology, Faculty of Physical Culture, Palacký University Olomouc, Olomouc, Czech Republic
| | - Karel Frömel
- Institute of Active Lifestyle, Faculty of Physical Culture, Palacký University Olomouc, Olomouc, Czech Republic
| | - František Chmelík
- Institute of Active Lifestyle, Faculty of Physical Culture, Palacký University Olomouc, Olomouc, Czech Republic
| | - Lukáš Jakubec
- Institute of Active Lifestyle, Faculty of Physical Culture, Palacký University Olomouc, Olomouc, Czech Republic
| | | | - Michal Šafář
- Department of Social Sciences in Kinanthropology, Faculty of Physical Culture, Palacký University Olomouc, Olomouc, Czech Republic
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Pereira S, Borges A, Gomes TN, Santos D, Souza M, Dos Santos FK, Chaves RN, Barreira TV, Hedeker D, Katzmarzyk PT, Maia JAR. Correlates of children's compliance with moderate-to-vigorous physical activity recommendations: a multilevel analysis. Scand J Med Sci Sports 2016; 27:842-851. [PMID: 26990113 DOI: 10.1111/sms.12671] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 02/15/2016] [Indexed: 12/01/2022]
Abstract
This study aimed to investigate the association between individual and school characteristics associated with the number of school days children comply with moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA) recommendations. Sample comprises 612 Portuguese children, aged 9-11 years, from 23 schools. Time spent in MVPA was measured by accelerometry, while individual-level correlates were obtained by anthropometry and questionnaires. School-level variables were collected by questionnaire, and accelerometer wear time and season were also considered. Maximum likelihood estimates of model parameters were obtained via a multilevel analysis with children as level-1, and school as level-2. Children who spent more time in sedentary activities and girls were less likely to comply with MVPA/daily. More mature children and those who use active transportation to school were more likely to attain the PA recommendation. Furthermore, greater accelerometer wear time and spring season increased the chance to achieve the recommended MVPA. In terms of school-level correlates, a greater number of available facilities was negatively associated with children MVPA compliance. Given the set of variables, our results showed that individual characteristics seem to be more relevant for children's compliance rates with PA/day than school context variables, which should be taken into account in the implementation of school policies and practices.
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Affiliation(s)
- S Pereira
- CIFI2D, Faculty of Sport, University of Porto, Porto, Portugal
| | - A Borges
- CIFI2D, Faculty of Sport, University of Porto, Porto, Portugal
| | - T N Gomes
- CIFI2D, Faculty of Sport, University of Porto, Porto, Portugal
| | - D Santos
- CIFI2D, Faculty of Sport, University of Porto, Porto, Portugal
| | - M Souza
- Federal University of Santa Catarina (UFSC), Santa Catarina, Brazil
| | - F K Dos Santos
- Department of Physical Education, Federal University of Viçosa (UFV), Minais Gerais, Brazil
| | - R N Chaves
- Federal University of Technology-Paraná (UTFPR), Curitiba, Brazil
| | - T V Barreira
- Pennington Biomedical Research Center, Louisiana State University System, Baton Rouge, LA, USA.,School of Education, Syracuse University, Syracuse, NY, USA
| | - D Hedeker
- Department of Public Health Sciences, University of Chicago, Chicago, IL, USA
| | - P T Katzmarzyk
- Pennington Biomedical Research Center, Louisiana State University System, Baton Rouge, LA, USA
| | - J A R Maia
- CIFI2D, Faculty of Sport, University of Porto, Porto, Portugal
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Harrison F, van Sluijs EMF, Corder K, Jones A. School grounds and physical activity: Associations at secondary schools, and over the transition from primary to secondary schools. Health Place 2016; 39:34-42. [PMID: 26922516 PMCID: PMC5405048 DOI: 10.1016/j.healthplace.2016.02.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/27/2015] [Revised: 12/02/2015] [Accepted: 02/10/2016] [Indexed: 10/27/2022]
Abstract
This paper aims to further understanding of the physical environments of secondary schools and their associations with young peoples' physical activity. Accelerometer-derived physical activity measurements from 299 participants in the SPEEDY study (Norfolk, UK) were obtained from baseline measurements (age 9-10y) and +4y follow-up. These were linked to objective measures of primary and secondary school environments as measured by the SPEEDY grounds audit tool. We saw considerable differences in the nature of school grounds between primary and secondary schools. Cross-sectional associations were seen between active travel provision scores and commuting time moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA) for 13-14 year old boys and adolescents living further from school. However, few associations were seen between changes in school grounds scores and changes in school-based MVPA.
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Affiliation(s)
- Flo Harrison
- Norwich Medical School & UKCRC Centre for Diet and Activity Research, University of East Anglia, Norwich, UK.
| | - Esther M F van Sluijs
- MRC Epidemiology Unit & UKCRC Centre for Diet and Activity Research, University of Cambridge School of Clinical Medicine, Institute of Metabolic Science, Cambridge Biomedical Campus, Cambridge, UK.
| | - Kirsten Corder
- MRC Epidemiology Unit & UKCRC Centre for Diet and Activity Research, University of Cambridge School of Clinical Medicine, Institute of Metabolic Science, Cambridge Biomedical Campus, Cambridge, UK.
| | - Andy Jones
- Norwich Medical School & UKCRC Centre for Diet and Activity Research, University of East Anglia, Norwich, UK.
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Children's Physical Activity Behavior during School Recess: A Pilot Study Using GPS, Accelerometer, Participant Observation, and Go-Along Interview. PLoS One 2016; 11:e0148786. [PMID: 26859288 PMCID: PMC4747537 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0148786] [Citation(s) in RCA: 36] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/30/2015] [Accepted: 01/22/2016] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Schoolyards are recognized as important settings for physical activity interventions during recess. However, varying results have been reported. This pilot study was conducted to gain in-depth knowledge of children's physical activity behavior during recess using a mixed-methods approach combining quantitative GPS and accelerometer measurements with qualitative go-along group interviews and participant observations. Data were collected during three weekdays in a public school in Denmark. Eighty-one children (47 girls) wore an accelerometer (ActiGraph GT3X) and GPS (QStarz BT-Q1000xt), sixteen children participated in go-along group interviews, and recess behavior was observed using an ethnographical participant observation approach. All data were analyzed separated systematically answering the Five W Questions. Children were categorized into Low, Middle and High physical activity groups and these groups were predominantly staying in three different locations during recess: school building, schoolyard and field, respectively. Mostly girls were in the building remaining in there because of a perceived lack of attractive outdoor play facilities. The children in the schoolyard were predominantly girls who preferred the schoolyard over the field to avoid the competitive soccer games on the field whereas boys dominated the field playing soccer. Using a mixed-methods approach to investigate children's physical activity behavior during recess helped gain in-depth knowledge that can aid development of future interventions in the school environment.
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Lewis L, Maher C, Katzmarzyk P, Olds T. Individual and School-Level Socioeconomic Gradients in Physical Activity in Australian Schoolchildren. THE JOURNAL OF SCHOOL HEALTH 2016; 86:105-112. [PMID: 26762821 DOI: 10.1111/josh.12357] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/25/2014] [Revised: 05/13/2015] [Accepted: 06/18/2015] [Indexed: 06/05/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND We attempted to determine whether there was a socioeconomic gradient in 9- to 11-year-old Australian children's moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA), and whether school facilities or policies supporting physical activity were associated with school-level socioeconomic status (SES) and MVPA. METHODS Children (N = 528) from 26 randomly selected schools participated in the International Study of Childhood Obesity, Lifestyle and the Environment. School-level SES was determined by the Index of Community Socio-Educational Advantage. MVPA was determined from 7-day, 24-hour accelerometry. School facilities (21 items) were evaluated with an objective school ground audit. School policies related to physical activity were collected (18 items) in a school administrator survey. Relationships among SES, MVPA, school facilities, and policies were examined using bivariate regression, correlation analyses, and analysis of variance. RESULTS There was a clear SES gradient in daily and in-school MVPA. School facilities or physical activity policies were not associated with SES or in-school MVPA, with the exception of presence of a sports field which was associated with lower SES schools (p = .02) and lower in-school MVPA (p = .001). CONCLUSIONS School-built, policy, and resource environments are similar across different SES-level schools. Therefore, some other mechanism must be underlying the SES gradients seen in MVPA participation in Australian children.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lucy Lewis
- Discipline of Physiotherapy, Faculty of Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences, Flinders University, Adelaide, Australia.
- Alliance for Research in Exercise, Nutrition and Activity (ARENA), Sansom Institute for Health Research, School of Health Sciences, University of South Australia, Adelaide, Australia.
| | - Carol Maher
- Alliance for Research in Exercise, Nutrition and Activity (ARENA), University of South Australia, Adelaide, Australia.
| | | | - Timothy Olds
- Alliance for Research in Exercise, Nutrition and Activity (ARENA), University of South Australia, Adelaide, Australia.
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