Correlates of intensity-specific physical activity in children aged 9-11 years: a multilevel analysis of UK data from the International Study of Childhood Obesity, Lifestyle and the Environment

Individual, family, school and neighborhood predictors related to different levels of physical activity in adolescents: A cross-sectional study

The aim of this study was to investigate the association among individual, family, school environment and neighborhood predictors with the different levels of physical activity (PA) [light (LPA) and moderate to vigorous PA (MVPA)] in Brazilian adolescents. A cross-sectional study was carried out with 309 adolescents with a mean age of 15.37 (± 0.57) years. PA and sleep time were assessed by accelerometry. Individual predictors were determined by anthropometry and questionnaires, while family, school environment and neighborhood predictors were assessed using questionnaires. Robust Regression analysis was performed considering a significance level of 5%. Individual and environmental variables were able to respectively predict 64% and 13.6% of adolescents' participation in LPA. Work (βp = 0.2322), gender (βp = -0.1318), commuting to school (βp = -0.1501), sleep (βp = -0.1260) and paved roads (βp = -0.1360) were associated with LPA. It was also observed that individual (59.4%) and environmental (27.4%) variables were able to predict adolescents' participation in MVPA. Work (βp = 0.1656), commuting to school (βp = 0.1242) and crime (βp = 0.1376, and gender (βp = -0.3041) and paved roads (βp = -0.1357 were associated with MVPA. Such results indicated that boys, those who work and those who live in unpaved neighborhoods presented greater time in LPA and MVPA; those who live in neighborhoods with higher crime had higher time spent in MVPA; and those who passively commute to school had more time in LPA. There was an average reduction of 5.0 minutes in LPA time for each additional hour of sleep. Finally, students who actively commute to school had more time in MVPA. Individual factors and those related to the neighborhood environment can play an important role in understanding the variables which can influence the different levels of PA in adolescents.

Mobility Infrastructures and Health: Scoping Review of studies in Europe

Objectives

Movement-friendly environments with infrastructure favouring active mobility are important for promoting physical activity. This scoping literature review aims at identifying the current evidence for links between mobility infrastructures and (a) behaviour regarding active mobility, (b) health outcomes and (c) co-benefits.

Method

This review was conducted in accordance with the PRISMA scoping review guidelines using PubMed and EMBASE databases. Studies included in this review were conducted in Europe, and published between 2000 and March 2023.

Results

146 scientific articles and grey literature reports were identified. Connectivity of sidewalks, walkability, and accessibility of shops, services and work are associated with walking. Cycling is positively associated with cycle-paths, separation of cycling from traffic and proximity to greenspaces, and negatively associated with traffic danger. Increased active transportation has a protective effect on cardiovascular and respiratory health, obesity, fitness, and quality of life. Co-benefits result from the reduction of individual motorized transportation including reduced environmental pollution and projected healthcare expenditure.

Conclusion

Mobility infrastructure combined with social and educational incentives are effective in promoting active travel and reducing future healthcare expenses. A shift to active transportation would increase both individual and community health and decrease greenhouse gas emissions.

The availability between recreational facilities and physical activity of US adolescents

Determining the locations where adolescents tend to accumulate greater amounts of physical activity may assist policymakers to address the built environment design and promote PA. This study evaluated the association between the availability of recreational facilities and average minutes of moderate to vigorous physical activity (MVPA) per day of US adolescents in 2017 (n = 1,437). Data for this cross-sectional study were obtained from the 2017 Family Life, Activity, Sun, Health, and Eating study, an internet-based study collecting information on diet and PA of parent and adolescent dyads. Adolescents aged 12-17 from the US were included. Predicted daily minutes of MVPA were calculated. The exposure variables of interest were the availability of school recreational facilities, indoor recreational facilities, playing fields, bike/hiking/walking trails or paths or public parks. Participants were excluded if no information was provided for MVPA or availability of recreational facilities. Unadjusted and adjusted linear regression analysis was used to calculate mean daily minutes of MVPA and their corresponding 95 % confidence intervals. In fully adjusted models, we found statistically significant associations between the type of recreational facility and differences in daily minutes of MVPA for school (p-value < 0.001) and public parks p-value < 0.001), but not for the other recreational facilities. The average daily minutes of MVPA differed by 4.4 min (95 % CI 2.6, 6.2) if participants had school recreational facilities, respectively. School recreational facilities are important for engaging adolescents in PA objectives. Features within school recreational facilities should be studied to further investigate contributions to increased PA levels.

Ecological correlates related to adolescent movement behaviors: A latent class analysis

The ecological model has been widely used to help researchers understand the multiple influences in the physical activity (PA) and in the sedentary behaviors in isolated forms. To date, few correlates concerning the behavioral groupings of PA and sedentary behaviors have been studied. In this context, this study aimed to identify movement behaviors' latent classes related to the different adolescents' PA and sedentary time expressions, as well as their associations with individual, sociodemographic, family, and environmental correlates. This is a cross-sectional study with 309 students aged between 14 and 16. Latent Class Analysis was used to identify movement behavior classes based on light PA, moderate to vigorous PA, number of steps, sedentary time, and screen time (ST). An accelerometer was used to evaluate movement behaviors. The individual, sociodemographic, family, and environmental correlates were assessed by questionnaires. Three classes were identified: Class 1, "Active and Non-Sedentary" (8.10% of the sample), Class 2, "Active and Sedentary" (28.5%), and Class 3, "Inactive and Sedentary" (63.4%). Those with low fruit intake, low aerobic fitness, stressed and whose head of the family obtained an 'elementary school' level education were, respectively, 7.17, 3.59, 3.56, and 4.40 times more likely to belong to class 3 than class 1. Those with medium and high socioeconomic status were 82% and 83% less likely to belong to class 1 than classes 2 and 3, respectively. Adolescents who perceived the neighborhoods with the best access to diversified land use, street connectivity, walking/pedaling ease, and traffic safety attributes, were 84%, 85%, 82%, and 82%, respectively less likely to belong to class 1 than class 2. It is concluded that distinct correlates can be associated with the movement behaviors classes.

Associations between socioeconomic position and young people's physical activity and sedentary behaviour in the UK: a scoping review

OBJECTIVE

To examine the evidence on the associations between socioeconomic position and young people's physical activity and sedentary behaviours in the UK.

DESIGN

Scoping review.

DATA SOURCES

PubMed, SCOPUS and Web of Science databases were searched for articles published up to and including January 2021.

ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA FOR SELECTING STUDIES

Observational studies in children and adolescents (aged 5-18 years) from the UK that had assessed associations between at least one indicator of socioeconomic position and at least one outcome of physical activity and/or sedentary behaviour.

DATA EXTRACTION AND SYNTHESIS

Data were extracted by one reviewer and 20% were double checked. Indicators of socioeconomic position were tabulated with domains of physical activity and sedentary behaviour.

RESULTS

Fifty-seven publications were included in the review; 37 publications from 19 studies (k=23) of children and 21 publications from 15 studies (k=23) of adolescents. Most studies were cross-sectional. 63% of studies of children, and 40% of studies of adolescents assessed Index of Multiple Deprivation. Eighteen studies measured physical activity in children, 13 measured sedentary behaviour. Eleven studies of adolescents included a measure of physical activity, 10 included a measure of sedentary behaviour. Among children and adolescents, the association between socioeconomic position and measures of either physical activity or sedentary behaviour was highly variable depending on the measure of both socioeconomic position used and the behavioural outcome, with the exception of higher family affluence which was consistently associated with higher reported physical activity among adolescents.

CONCLUSION

Physical activity and sedentary behaviours of children and adolescents in the UK are complex and influenced by multiple indicators of socioeconomic position that are, in most cases, different across age stages, outcomes examined and measurement tools. Greater consistency in the use and measures of socioeconomic position as well as outcomes of behaviour are required for robust country-specific meta-analyses.

Gender Difference and Correlates of Physical Activity Among Urban Children and Adolescents in Ethiopia: A Cross-Sectional Study

Background

Studies indicate that children and adolescent populations in most countries show a low level of physical activity (PA) and an increasing prevalence of obesity. Addressing gender disparity in PA is the main element of public health programs. There is currently a paucity of studies, particularly, in developing countries that investigate gender differences and correlates of PA among children and adolescents.

Objective

The study is aimed to assess the gender difference and correlates of PA among children and adolescents in Ethiopia.

Methods

An observational population-based cross-sectional study was conducted in representative samples of children and adolescents in the capital city of Ethiopia, Addis Ababa. Multivariable logistic regression models with robust estimation of SEs were fitted to predict the odds ratios (ORs) and 95% CIs.

Results

A total of 632 children and adolescents-parent dyads were included in the study. More boys than girls (17.0 and 11.7%) were engaged in moderate intensity PA 3 days a week or more (p = 0.057). Age, mothers working in a private business, attending public schools, longer sleep duration, and being taught the benefits of PA were positively associated with meeting moderate-to-vigorous PA (MVPA) in both sexes combined and in a sub-sample of boys. Furthermore, an inverse association was found between overweight/obesity and MVPA in the overall children and girls as well. For moderate PA (MPA); the age of the children, maternal education and occupation, school type, overweight/obesity, and sleep duration on school nights were significant correlates among the studied children.

Conclusions

The present study provided evidence of several correlates identified associated with meeting MVPA and MPA in both sexes combined. Girls are less likely than boys to engage in PA. Therefore, there is a need to take into perspectives the provision of a comprehensive multifaceted health behavior modification and interventions, such as focused and regular physical education in schools.

Physical Activity and BMI before and after the Situation Caused by COVID-19 in Upper Primary School Pupils in the Czech Republic

Regular physical activity is a very important factor in the healthy development of an individual and an essential part of a healthy lifestyle. However, today’s population still suffers from an insufficient amount of exercise caused mainly by technological progress and often inappropriate conditions for practising sports. In relation to this, we are grappling with a steady increase in obesity. During the COVID-19 pandemic, conditions for regular physical activity became even more unfavourable, with the declaration of a state of emergency and antipandemic measures leading to the closure of sports grounds and sporting competitions. Using a questionnaire survey of a sample of children (n = 1456), we found that, already before the pandemic, 69% of the observed sample had not met the recommended amount of physical activity, and only 67% of the sample was of normal weight. By comparing both groups after the end of pandemic restrictions, we found statistically significant differences at examined indicators of the children’s Body Mass Index (BMI), their physical activity, and free time spending habits. We noticed the significant differences in BMI indicators in two different categories, normal weight (7.5%) and stage 1 obesity (1.66%). Simultaneously, we noticed differences in the children’s physical activities, especially with children who attend sports playgroups connected to athletic development (8.74%). More differences were noticed in free time spending habits indicators; the most significant ones were with the children who spend their free time behind the personal computer for more than 14 h a week (5.4%) and with the children who spend their free time on social media for 8–14 h a week (18.56%).

Physical Activity, Body Mass Index (BMI) and Abdominal Obesity of Pre-Adolescent Children in the Region of Thrace, NE Greece, in Relation to Socio-Demographic Characteristics

This study aimed to explore the prevalence of overweight, obesity, and abdominal obesity, and define predictive factors of their occurrence among pre-adolescents in the region of Thrace, NE Greece. A secondary aim was to record physical activity at different times (schooldays, weekends, holidays) and explore associations with characteristics such as gender, overweight and obesity, and socio-demographic conditions. A cross-sectional study was conducted involving children aged 11–12 years. Participating children were measured for height, weight, and waist circumference, and their parents answered a questionnaire. In total, 1929 children were included. Prevalence of overweight was 31.5%, prevalence of obesity 17%, and only 1% of children were underweight. Abdominal obesity was detected in 20.3% of the sample. Overweight and obesity were more frequent in males, who also had higher mean values of Body Mass Index-for-age z-scores (BMIaz) and Waist-to-Height ratio (WtHR). Obesity rates were higher among those not participating in physical activities; however, no significant difference was observed between normal-weight, overweight and obese children in the time spent for organized athletic activities or free play. Logistic regression analysis showed that the probability for overweight/obesity was higher in boys (OR = 1.39, 95% CI = 1.16–1.66) and lower in children whose fathers had a higher educational level (OR = 0.75, 95% CI = 0.60–0.93). The probability for abdominal obesity was also higher in boys (OR = 1.37, 95% CI = 1.10–1.72) and lower in children participating at least one hour/day in an organized physical activity (compared to those with no physical activity (OR = 0.66, 95% CI = 0.51–0.85), and whose father was exercising at least 1–2 times/week (OR = 0.76, 95% CI = 0.591–0.98). In conclusion, the prevalence of overweight and obesity among pre-adolescents in NE Greece was estimated at 48.5%. This is associated with the male gender and not participating in physical activities. The educational level and exercise habits of the father (but not of the mother) affect the probability of obesity and abdominal obesity, respectively.

A socio-ecological examination of the primary school playground: Primary school pupil and staff perceived barriers and facilitators to a physically active playground during break and lunch-times

Using Brofenbrenner's socio-ecological model as a conceptual framework, the objective of this study was to determine playground users (primary school staff and pupils) perceptions of the barriers and facilitators to a physically active school playground at an intra-personal (individual), inter-personal (social), environmental and policy level. Results from a series of qualitative interactions with children (n = 65) from years five and six (9 to 11 years old), and structured interviews with adult teachers (n = 11) revealed key differences in the child and adult perceptions of the playground and the purpose of break-times. A number of inter-related environmental boundaries and school policies were identified as restrictive to children's explorations and activity levels during 'free play' periods, which centred on resource availability, accessibility and health and safety. Further, traditional playground hierarchies act to promote and prevent physical activity engagement for different groups (e.g. gender and age). Finally, differences between the adult and child perception of the primary school playground were observed. Playground physical activity, during break-times appears to be affected by a number of variables at each level of the socio-ecological model. This study provides an opportunity for primary schools to reflect on primary school playground strategies and practices that are implemented at each level of the socio-ecological model to encourage a more effective use of the playground during school break-times.

Walkability indices and children's walking behavior in rural vs. urban areas

PURPOSE

This study described associations between selected walk indices (WI) and walking and physical activity behaviors in rural and urban children.

FINDINGS

WI were higher in urban environments, yet children from rural areas walked for transportation more than children from urban areas. There was a negative correlation between National WI scores and walking for transportation in urban areas, and between the Frank WI scores and walking for exercise in rural areas.

CONCLUSIONS

Indices of walkability are not associated with objectively measured physical activity or self-reported walking behavior in children living in rural and urban settings.

Adolescent's movement behaviors and built environment: a latent class analysis

BACKGROUND

Latent class analysis (LCA) is an alternative and innovative approach to verify the relation of the various combinations of the constructed environment and movement behavior (levels of physical activity, sedentary behavior, and sleep) characteristics. This study aimed to identify latent classes based on the characteristics of the neighborhood environment perceived by adolescents and their association with gender, socioeconomic status (SS), body composition and movement behaviors.

METHODS

This cross-sectional study includes 309 Brazilian adolescents (14 to 16 years old, 57% female). The characteristics of the neighborhood environment perceived were analyzed by the Neighborhood Walkability for Youth Scale. Accelerometers were used for a week to evaluate the movement behaviors. Questionnaires assessed the screen times, total sitting time (TST), and sociodemographic characteristics. LCA was used for modeling the "Perceived Enviroment" variable, having been conducted in the poLCA (Polychromous Variable Latent Class Analysis) package of the R statistical software.

RESULTS

Three classes were recognized: class 1, "Best Perceived Environment" with 23.03% of adolescents; class 2, "Moderate Perceived Environment", 63.33%; and class 3, "Worst Perceived Environment", 13.67%. Light physical activity (LPA), TST, and SS were associated with class prevalence. The adolescents with medium and low SS were, respectively, 3.42 (95% CI 1.62-7.21) and 4.18 (95% CI 1.66-10.50) more likely to belong to class 2, and those with low SS were 5.21 (95% CI 1.35-20.13) more likely to belong to class 3. Class 1 adolescents were associated with a lower chance (OR: 0.09, 95% CI 0.02-0.55) of involvement in 'adequate LPA time' compared to class 3. Class 1 adolescents were associated with a lower chance (OR: 0.31, 95% CI 0.12-0.79) of involvement in 'adequate TST' compared to class 2. There was a difference between the LPA and TST classes; class 3 presented a longer time in LPA than class 1; class 1 had higher TST than the other classes.

CONCLUSION

The findings highlight the influence of neighborhood classes on adolescents' LPA and TST.

Associations Between Children's Physical Activity, Pain and Injuries

Our aim in this study was to investigate the relationships between physical activity (PA), pain, and injury among children. Secondarily, we examined whether these relationships differed between children with normal versus excessive weight or obesity. This was a cross-sectional study of 102 children (57 girls) aged 8–12 years old. We assessed the prevalence of moderate and vigorous PA using accelerometry over a seven-day period. We examined the associations between moderate PA, vigorous PA, pain presence, and injury presence using generalized estimating equations with a logit link and binomial distribution. We adjusted the obtained models for potential confounders and explored the moderating effect of weight status. We found no association between moderate PA and pain, but time spent in vigorous PA was associated with pain. Neither moderate or vigorous PA were associated with injury, and there was no moderating effect of weight status in these relationships. In summary, we found that objectively measured vigorous PA is associated with pain among 8–12 year old children. While these results should be replicated in longitudinal studies, they suggest that an association between vigorous PA and pain should be considered when developing PA interventions for children.

Potential health-related behaviors for pre-school and school-aged children during COVID-19 lockdown: A narrative review

As a consequence of the COVID-19 pandemic, different measures have been implemented by governments from each affected country. Such measures usually involve restrictions on the movement of citizens, and have had a profound effect on usual activities and timetables. As a result of school closures and strict restrictions regarding going outside home, children have been one of the most disadvantaged population groups during the lockdown period. We therefore aimed to investigate potential health risk behaviors amongst isolated pre-school and school-aged children. We retrieved relevant articles from MEDLINE, Web of Science, PsycInfo, and Scopus databases to describe identified health-related behaviors (i.e. screen exposure, environmental influence, physical activity and fitness, sedentariness, sleep patterns, eating habits, psychological response, body composition, and injuries) in relation to social isolation and social deprivation of children without previous illness or conditions. This review depicts the potential health-related behaviors according to related literature, and put the focus on future short and long-term sequels of social isolation. Socio-affective complications and insufficient physical activity are underscored as two of the main concerns, particularly among socio-economic deprived children. Both issues could be effectively addressed with either adequate parental or community guidance.

Relationship between primary school healthy eating and physical activity promoting environments and children's dietary intake, physical activity and weight status: a longitudinal study in the West Midlands, UK

OBJECTIVE

We aimed to examine the association between food and physical activity environments in primary schools and child anthropometric, healthy eating and physical activity measures.

DESIGN

Observational longitudinal study using data from a childhood obesity prevention trial.

SETTING

State primary schools in the West Midlands region, UK.

PARTICIPANTS

1392 pupils who participated in the WAVES (West Midlands ActiVe lifestyle and healthy Eating in School children) childhood obesity prevention trial (2011-2015).

PRIMARY AND SECONDARY OUTCOME MEASURES

School environment (exposure) was categorised according to questionnaire responses indicating their support for healthy eating and/or physical activity. Child outcome measures, undertaken at three time points (ages 5-6, 7-8 and 8-9 years), included body mass index z-scores, dietary intake (using a 24-hour food ticklist) and physical activity (using an Actiheart monitor over 5 days). Associations between school food and physical activity environment categories and outcomes were explored through multilevel models.

RESULTS

Data were available for 1304 children (94% of the study sample). At age 8-9 years, children in 10 schools with healthy eating and physical activity-supportive environments had a higher physical activity energy expenditure than those in 22 schools with less supportive healthy eating/physical activity environments (mean difference=5.3 kJ/kg body weight/24 hours; p=0.05). Children in schools with supportive physical activity environments (n=8) had a lower body mass index z-score than those in schools with less supportive healthy eating/physical activity environments (n=22; mean difference=-0.17, p=0.02). School food and physical activity promoting environments were not significantly associated with dietary outcomes.

CONCLUSIONS

School environments that support healthy food and physical activity behaviours may positively influence physical activity and childhood obesity.

TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER

ISRCTN97000586.

Relationship Between Health-Promoting Lifestyle and Body Mass Index in Male Nurses Based on Demographic Variables

Behaviors such as an appropriate diet, physical activities, health responsiveness such as attending diagnoses and treatment recommendations, preventing from known health risks such as smoking, allocating time to rest and peace and managing stress are related to health-promoting lifestyles (HPLs). The objective of the current study was to determine the relationship between HPL and body mass index (BMI) of male nurses based on demographic variables. A descriptive correlation survey was conducted among 108 male nurses using the nonprobability sampling technique. Data were gathered through a questionnaire consisting of two parts: demographic characteristics and Pender's health promotion questionnaire. Data were analyzed by presenting measures, mean, standard deviation, independent t-test, Pearson's coefficient correlation, and one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA), using SPSS version 22. The mean score for male nurses' HPL was good (3.13). The highest mean was from spiritual growth (3.48) and the lowest was from physical activity (2.69). Approximately 24.07% participants were overweight and obese. The mean of HPL in normal-weight people was better than that of obese ones. Participants did not pay much attention to their family's health-promoting behaviors. They also were exposed to occupational hazards, including psychological (47.2%), ergonomic (21.7%), physical (20.8%), and biological hazards (10.4%). There was no significant relationship between age (p = .14), educational level (p = .95), marital status (p = .32), job experiences (p = .17), and HPL variables. As health providers, nurses should both provoke patients to attain their health and to strive to maintain and sustain their own health, especially for obesity prevention. From society's perspective, a nurse is one who knows more and acts better; therefore, paying attention to nurses' HPL is a professional and social expectation.

Health-Related Behaviors Among School-Aged Children and Adolescents During the Spanish Covid-19 Confinement

In response to the coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) world pandemic, affected countries such as Spain enacted measures comprising compulsory confinement as well as restrictions regarding free movement. Such measures likely influence children's and adolescents' lifestyles. Our study aimed to investigate the impact that the Covid-19 confinement has on health-related behaviors (HRBs) among Spanish children and adolescents. An online survey was administered to 516 parents to collect data about 860 children and adolescents (49.2% girls) aged between 3 and 16 years in relation to physical activity, screen exposure, sleep time, and fruit and vegetable consumption during the Covid-19 confinement. Respectively, t-paired test and t-test between groups served to check differences between HRBs levels before and during the confinement as well as between strict and relaxed confinement. Significant differences were found for a reduction of weekly minutes of physical activity during the confinement (-102.5, SD 159.6) (p < 0.001), an increase of daily hours of screen exposure (2.9, SD 2.1) (p < 0.001), and a reduction of daily fruit and vegetable consumption (-0.2, SD 1.6) (p < 0.001). Sleep time showed a significant difference between strict and relaxed confinement (-0.3, SD 0.1) (p < 0.05), whereas binomial logistic regression adjusted for covariates (age, sex, education of the parents, siblings, current condition, exposure to Covid-19, and previous health risk behavior) showed significantly lower odds for screen exposure risk behavior with relaxed confinement (OR 0.60, 95%CI 0.40-0.91). The present study suggests that Covid-19 confinement reduced physical activity levels, increased both screen exposure and sleep time, and reduced fruit and vegetable consumption. Therefore, most HRBs worsened among this sample of Spanish children and adolescents. Closure of schools, online education, and the lack of policies addressing the conciliation between labor and family life could have played an important role in HRBs worsening among pupils, which might be mitigated with adequate conciliation policies, parental guidance, and community support.

Personal, Social, and Environmental Influences on Physical Activity in Groups of Children As Defined by Different Physical Activity Patterns

BACKGROUND

Interventions promoting physical activity (PA) in youth have had limited success, in part because studies with methodological challenges have yielded an incomplete understanding of personal, social, and environmental influences on PA. This study described changes in these factors for subgroups of youth with initially high PA that decreased (Active-Decline) compared with children with initially low PA that decreased (Inactive-Decline) from fifth to ninth grades.

METHODS

Observational, prospective cohort design. Participants (n = 625) were fifth-grade children recruited in 2 school districts and followed from elementary to high school. Students and their parents responded to questionnaires to assess personal, social, and perceived physical environmental factors in the fifth (mean age = 10.5 [.5] y) and ninth (mean age = 14.7 [.6] y) grades. Analyses included a mixed-model 2-way repeated analysis of variances.

RESULTS

Children in the Active-Decline compared with those in the Inactive-Decline group showed a more favorable profile in 6 of 8 personal variables (perceived barriers, self-efficacy, self-schema, enjoyment, competence, and fitness motives) and 4 of 6 social variables (friend support, parent encouragement, parent support, and parent-reported support).

CONCLUSIONS

The results suggest efforts to promote PA should target selected personal, social, and perceived environmental factors beginning before age 10 and continuing through adolescence.

Daily School Physical Activity Is Associated with Higher Level of Physical Activity Independently of Other Socioecological Factors

Only one fifth of children aged 11–17 years are physically active for 60 min (min)/day. As physical activity (PA) levels track from childhood to adulthood, it is important to establish healthy PA behavior early in life. This study aims to evaluate whether daily school PA is associated with objectively measured PA independently of other socioecological factors. This study includes 209 children (120 boys) aged 9.8 ± 0.6 (mean ± SD) years from four government-funded schools in Sweden. One school including 113 children (70 boys) had 40 min of daily school PA (intervention) and three schools including 96 children (50 boys) had 60 min of school PA/week (control). PA was measured during four serial days with accelerometers. General PA (GPA) was defined as mean counts per minute (cpm). Socioecological factors were collected by questionnaires, and anthropometric traits by measurements. Analysis of covariance (ANCOVA) was used to test whether sex, age, relative age, body height, fat mass, lean mass, screen time activity, parental educational level, parental attitude towards PA, parental PA, sibling(s)’ PA, living in a house or apartment, and whether the child was allocated to 40 min daily school PA or 60 min school PA/week, was independently associated with GPA. Daily GPA was found to be 686.9 ± 211.9 cpm. Independently of the other included factors, daily school PA was associated with +81.8 (15.7, 147.8) cpm compared with 60 min PA/week. This study infers that daily school PA is an appropriate strategy to promote PA in 10-year-old children, independently of different socioecological factors.

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

Background

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

Methods

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

Results

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

Conclusion

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

The convergent validity of the Children's Leisure Assessment Scale (CLASS) and Children's Assessment of Participation and Enjoyment and Preferences for Activities of Children (CAPE/PAC)

Background: Children's play and leisure participation is often assessed by occupational therapists. As such, it is essential that therapists utilize play and leisure scales that are valid, reliable and responsive.Aim: To examine the convergent validity between the Children's Leisure Assessment Scale (CLASS) and Children's Assessment of Participation and Enjoyment and Preferences for Activities of Children (CAPE/PAC).Methods: Forty healthy Australian children (60% female; mean age 9.2 ± 2.01 years) completed the CLASS and CAPE/PAC. Spearman's rho correlations with bootstrapping were completed.Results: A number of the CLASS and CAPE/PAC subscales were significantly correlated. The CAPE's overall scale scores and CLASS's instrumental indoor activities, outdoor activities and games and sport activities subscales were significantly correlated (p > 0.05). The CAPE's Social domain showed several significant correlations with the CLASS's instrumental indoor activities, outdoor activities and self-enrichment activities domains (p < 0.05). Statistically significant relationships were found between the CLASS's outdoor activity preference and the PAC's recreational, physical, formal, informal and overall performance scores (r = 0.466-0.773, p < 0.05).Conclusions and Significance: Preliminary evidence in support of the convergent validity between the CAPE/PAC and CLASS was obtained. Limitations include a small sample size and convenience sampling. Further investigation of the psychometric properties of the CAPE/PAC and CLASS are recommended.

Socioeconomic and ethnic differences in children's vigorous intensity physical activity: a cross-sectional analysis of the UK Millennium Cohort Study

OBJECTIVE

To investigate if daily vigorous physical activity (VPA), adjusted for minutes of moderate physical activity (MPA) performed, differs by socioeconomic position or ethnicity in a large sample of UK children with objectively measured physical activity.

DESIGN

Nationally representative prospective cohort study.

SETTING

UK children born between 2000 and 2002.

PARTICIPANTS

5172 children aged 7-8 with valid accelerometer data for ≥10 hour on ≥3 days, including 1 weekend day.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES

Time spent in VPA (>3841 counts per min).

EXPLANATORY MEASURES

Maternal education, annual household Organisation for Economic Co-Operation and Development equivalised income, ethnicity.

RESULTS

Multivariable linear regression models fitted to explore differences in average daily minutes of VPA (adjusted for MPA, mean accelerometer wear time, season of measurement, age and sex), revealed significantly higher amounts of VPA accumulated as a child's socioeconomic position increased (highest vs lowest level of maternal education: β: 2.96, p: 0.00; annual household equivalised income: β: 0.58, p: 0.00, per £10 000 annual increase). Additionally, children from certain minority ethnicities (Bangladeshi and Pakistani: β: -3.34, p: 0.00; other ethnic groups: β:-2.27, p: 0.02) accrued less daily VPA compared with their white British counterparts.

CONCLUSIONS

The socioeconomic and ethnic patterning of vigorous activity observed in this study mirrors parallel inequalities in rates of childhood obesity. Given the stronger association of VPA with adiposity than of MPA, intensity specific differences may be contributing to widening inequalities in obesity. Accordingly, these findings suggest that the current global focus on overall moderate-to-vigorous intensity activity may mask important behavioural inequalities.

Evaluation of a Pilot School-Based Physical Activity Clustered Randomised Controlled Trial-Active Schools: Skelmersdale

Schools are key environments in which physical activity (PA) can be promoted. Various strategies and opportunities should be used to engage children in PA within schools. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of the multi-component Active Schools: Skelmersdale (AS:Sk) pilot intervention on children's PA and sedentary time (ST). The AS:Sk intervention was implemented for eight weeks in four schools with three control schools continuing normal practice. It consisted of eight components: active breaks, bounce at the bell, 'Born To Move' videos, Daily Mile or 100 Mile Club, playground activity challenge cards, physical education teacher training, newsletters, and activity homework. Child-level measures were collected at baseline and follow-up, including objectively measured PA. After accounting for confounding variables, the intervention had a significant effect on school day ST which was significantly less for the intervention children by 9 min per day compared to the control group. The AS:Sk pilot intervention was effective in reducing school day ST but significant changes in PA were negligible. To increase the efficacy of the current and future school-based interventions, authors should focus on implementation and process evaluations to better understand how schools are implementing intervention components.