Parental and peer support and modelling in relation to domain-specific physical activity participation in boys and girls from Germany

Parental perspectives on the decision-making process on transport mode choice in adolescents: a qualitative study with mothers and fathers

Objective

The present study aims to understand the familial decision-making process on transport mode choice in adolescents with a focus on the parental perspective within this process.

Background

Active travel contributes to adolescents' overall physical activity and its positive health effects. Based on the social-learning theory, especially parents are assigned a central role for adolescents' travel behavior. The aim of the present study was to examine how parents are involved in the decision-making process on transport mode choice in adolescents.

Method

The study is part of the cross-sectional mixed-methods ARRIVE study which includes semi-structured interviews with mothers (n = 12) and fathers (n = 7) of 11- to 14-year-old German adolescents. The interviews focused on travel behavior in adolescents and the decision-making process on transport mode choice from the parental perspective. All interviews were analyzed inductively using Thematic Analysis.

Results

Our study revealed that parents do not primarily decide for or against active travel in adolescents, but are mostly involved in the decision-making process, especially in case of a deviation from the main transport mode. Different forms of parental involvement in the decision-making process were identified. Some parents acted as main decision makers which is the highest form of involvement while others gave their children complete freedom of choose a transport mode for themselves. These parents accepted their child's choice fully which shows a low involvement in the decision-making process.

Conclusion

The results provide a deeper understanding of the familial decision-making process on travel behavior in adolescents. The results indicate an occasionally parental involvement in the decision-making process on the mainly used transport mode by adolescents, and that mothers and fathers are always involved when deviating from the main mode.

Implications

Further research should investigate changes in travel behavior from childhood to young adulthood to understand long-term travel decisions in families. Due to the findings that parents are often involved in the decision-making process on transport mode choice and that they mainly reported safety concerns as barriers to their children's active travel, further research should focus especially on the social and physical environment of adolescents.

Longitudinal changes in domains of physical activity during the transition from elementary school to high school in the U.S

OBJECTIVES

To describe patterns of age-related change in self-reported physical activity domains within a heterogeneous sample of boys and girls in the U.S. transitioning from elementary to high school.

DESIGN

Prospective cohort study.

METHODS

Participants included n = 644 children recruited in 5th grade (10.5 ± 0.5 years old, 45 % female) who completed the Physical Activity Choices survey at least twice over 5 time points (5th, 6th, 7th, 9th and 11th grade). Participants' self-reported physical activities were categorized into organized and non-organized activities, and a comprehensive variable was created as the product of the total number of physical activities reported in the past 5 days, the number of days spent in each activity, and the total time spent in each activity. Descriptive statistics and growth curve models (controlling for covariates) for the total sample and by sex were examined for total, organized, and non-organized physical activities from ages 10 to 17.

RESULTS

There was a significant age by gender interaction (p < 0.05) for time spent in non-organized physical activities. Specifically, both sexes had similar patterns of decline before age 13, while boys increased after age 13 and girls declined and then maintained. In contrast, boys and girls declined in organized physical activities from ages 10 to 17 (p < 0.001).

CONCLUSIONS

We observed stark differences in the age-related change between organized and non-organized physical activities and marked differences in the patterns of non-organized physical activities between boys and girls. Future research should examine physical activity interventions that consider age-, sex-, and domain-specific physical activity options for youth.

Associations of parents' and adolescents' active travel behavior across various destinations - a sex/gender analysis

BACKGROUND

Active travel behavior such as walking and cycling is associated with several health benefits. Especially the family environment seems to be important for active travel in children and adolescents. Currently, little is known regarding travel behavior in leisure time and associations of travel behavior within parent-adolescent dyads.

METHODS

The present analysis is based on the German ARRIVE study (Active tRavel behavioR in the famIly enVironmEnt), which incorporated a large scale, representative cross-sectional online survey including 517 parent-child dyads consisting of adolescents (N = 517; boys = 263, girls = 254) aged 11-15 years and one of their parents (N = 517; fathers = 259, mothers = 258). Based on that survey which took place in June 2021 (during the COVID-19 pandemic), we calculated the prevalence of active travel to four commonly visited destinations (school/work, friends/relatives, shopping stores and recreational activities) using an adapted version of the travel to school questionnaire by Segura-Diaz JM, Rojas-Jimenez A, Barranco-Ruiz Y, Murillo-Pardo B, Saucedo-Araujo RG, Aranda-Balboa MJ, et al. (Int J Environ Res Public Health 17(14), 2020). In addition, we investigated the associations between parents' and adolescents' travel behavior using scores for school/work, leisure time (friends/relatives, shopping stores and recreational activities) and overall (school/work and leisure time).

RESULTS

Across all destinations, prevalence of active travel in adolescents (63.08%) was higher than in parents (29.21%). Active travel to school (47.33%) as well as to work (20.43%) indicated the lowest prevalence. Linear regression models revealed significant associations in overall active travel between mothers and adolescents (girls: β = 0.308, p < 0.001; boys: β = 0.302, p = 0.001) and in leisure time active travel behavior between mothers and daughters (β = 0.316, p < 0.001). Related to school/work active travel there were no associations between parents and adolescents.

CONCLUSION

The associations between adolescents' and parents' travel behavior differ depending on gender: they are solely seen in mother-adolescents dyads. Furthermore, our findings conclude that travel is a routine and independent of the destination.

Family predictors of physical activity change during the COVID-19 lockdown in preschool children in Germany

The COVID-19 pandemic is associated with crucial changes in children's daily life including their physical activity (PA) and screen time (ST). Among preschool children, the family represents an important factor for sufficient PA levels by being the gatekeeper for PA. Thus, the aim of this study was to investigate the influence of the family environment, specifically SES, parental support, and having siblings on COVID-19-related changes of PA and ST behavior in 317 (170 boys, 147 girls) German preschool children using longitudinal data. Our results indicate a decline in total amount of sports-related PA, an increase in outdoor play, as well as an increase in leisure ST in preschool children. The changes in total amount of PA differed between children with different levels of parental support as well as in dependence on having siblings. Furthermore, levels of outdoor play and ST in preschool children were influenced by environmental factors like having access to their own garden. We conclude that the family environment (parental support as well as physical environment) is highly relevant for PA and ST levels in preschool children. To provide every child with PA opportunities during potential future lockdowns, restriction policies should be adapted and parents need sophisticated information about the importance of their support and thus the PA levels of their children.

Compensation of overall physical activity in (pre)adolescent girls - the CReActivity project

BACKGROUND

According to the ActivityStat hypothesis more physical activity (PA) in one timespan is compensated by increased sedentary time (ST) in the following timespan and vice versa to maintain an overall stable PA level. Until now, existing literature revealed inconsistent results regarding compensatory behaviour across children and adolescents. Thus, the aim of the present study is (1) to investigate whether ST in the morning is compensated by active behaviour in the afternoon and (2) whether ST during the week is compensated by active behaviour during the weekend in (pre)adolescent girls. Additionally, we aimed to differentiate between positive and negative compensatory behaviour and examine whether it is moderated by socioeconomic status (SES), age or weight status.

METHODS

The participants were 370 sixth grade school girls (mean age 11.6 years) from Munich that participated in the CReActivity study, a school based intervention study aiming to identify the mechanisms of behavioural changes in PA among girls. ST and PA were measured over seven consecutive days using accelerometery. Descriptive determination of compensatory behaviour, as well as Bayesian multivariate multilevel analysis were conducted with data clustered on the individual (ID), class and school level.

RESULTS

Descriptive analysis revealed rather constant compensatory behaviour of about 60% for after-school days and weekends over all observation points. However, regarding all girls, compensation was predominantly negative. Differentiated analysis indicated that all girls with low ST levels in the morning or on weekdays, compensated for this behaviour with lower PA levels in the afternoon or on weekends. Multilevel covariate analysis indicated great variability between the participants. Furthermore, differences in compensatory behaviour can also be seen on class and school levels. Interestingly, PA compensatory behaviour is not associated with age, weight status or SES.

CONCLUSION

Our findings could neither confirm nor reject the ActivityStat Hypothesis. Overall, due to the great variability across the girls, it seems that compensation depends on individual factors. In the future, to prevent negative compensation, school-based interventions that have the potential to provide opportunities to be physically active, should not neglect (pre)adolescents' leisure time behaviour.

TRIAL REGISTRATION

DRKS00015723 (date of registration: 2018/10/22 retrospectively registered).

The Effect of Physical Activity on Anxiety: The Mediating Role of Subjective Well-Being and the Moderating Role of Gender

PURPOSE

To explore the role of subjective well-being in the relationship between physical activity (PA) and anxiety and whether the model is moderated by gender.

METHODS

We conducted a questionnaire survey by selecting 1153 college students from Shanghai Jiao Tong University in China, and data were analyzed using SPSS, Process, and AMOS.

RESULTS

1) Correlation analysis showed that PA, subjective well-being, and anxiety were significantly related. Also, we found subjective well-being to differ significantly on the demographic variable registered residence. 2) Subjective well-being played a mediating role between PA and anxiety. 3) Gender played a moderating role in the direct effect of PA on anxiety, shown by the significant difference in the path coefficients between the male and female models (male: β = -0.03, p > 0.05, female: β = 0.10, p < 0.05).

CONCLUSION

Subjective well-being mediated the relationship between PA and anxiety, and gender moderated the mediating model. These findings highlight the importance of PA in reducing anxiety and increasing subjective well-being in the context of an epidemic.

Role of digitalization, digital competence, and parental support on performance of sports education in low-income college students

Educational institutions have failed to achieve desired goals due to the lack of technology adoption, and this situation needs researchers' emphasis. Hence, the current study examines the impact of digitalization and digital competencies among students on the educational performance of low-income college students in China. The article also investigates the moderating impact of parental support at the nexus of digitalization, digital competencies among students, and educational performance in low-income college students in China. The questionnaires were used by the researchers to gather the data from the selected respondents. The article has applied the smart-PLS to check the linkage among understudy constructs and test the hypotheses. The results revealed that digitalization and digital competencies among students positively link educational performance. The results also exposed that parental support significantly moderates digitalization, digital competencies, and educational performance in low-income college students in China. This article helps policymakers develop policies to improve educational performance using technology adoption.

Day-level associations of physical activity and sedentary time in mother-child dyads across three years: a multi-wave longitudinal study using accelerometers

Understanding associations between mothers' and children's physical activity and sedentary behavior on more fine-grained timescales can provide insights into real-time intervention opportunities. This study examined the extent to which mothers' and their children's device-measured moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA) and sedentary time (SDT) were associated at the day level during non-school time. Mother-child dyads (N = 193; baseline Mean ages = 40.69 ± 6.11 [mother] and 9.57 ± 0.89 [child] years) provided 3,135 paired days of accelerometry data from six bi-annual waves across three years. Controlling for covariates, multilevel models revealed that mothers' and their children's MVPA and SDT were positively associated at the day level during non-school time, both on weekdays and weekends. During weekdays, the day-level association for SDT was stronger for older than younger children, and the day-level association for MVPA was stronger for boys than girls. Designing family-based interventions targeting school-age children and their mothers during non-school time across the week may be useful for promoting active lifestyles.

Evaluation of the validity of the physical exercise peer support questionnaire for college students

Peer support for physical exercise is defined as behaviors such as mutual or one-way provision of material help and/or emotional care and companionship between peers in the physical environment and/or physical behavior. The assessment of peer support is complex and based on reasoning. Trustworthy assessment processes need to provide sufficient evidence of validity. The purpose of this study was to organize, collect, and use Kane's validity framework to provide validity evidence for the identification of peer support for physical exercise among college students. The article describes the experience of using the framework in this study, considers data related to the four inferences (scoring, generalization, extrapolation, and implication) that emerge from the assessment process. The findings of the study are then interpreted through the four inferences to determine whether this evidence supports the purpose of this study. Based on Kane's framework to explain the validity process of this study, the study concludes that the evidence in terms of scoring, generalization, extrapolation, and implication supports the use of the PEPSQ for the identification of physical exercise peer support among college students.

Correlates of Meeting the Muscle-Strengthening Exercise Guidelines in Children and Adolescent

This study aimed to explore the potential correlates of muscle-strengthening exercise (MSE) in Chinese children and adolescents. A convenient sample (n = 3733) was recruited into this study. Self-reported questionnaires were used to collect information on sex, grade, ethnicity, residence, family composition, moderate to vigorous physical activity (MVPA), family income, parent's education level and MSE in children and adolescents as well as their parent(s). The prevalence of meeting the MSE guidelines was 62.1%. Children and adolescents who were in primary or middle school were more likely to meet the MSE guidelines ([primary school] OR = 2.33, 95% CI: 1.16-4.68; [middle school] OR = 4.62, 95% CI: 2.27-9.39). Children and adolescents with Han ethnicity had a higher likelihood to meet the MSE guidelines (OR = 1.97, 95% CI: 1.37-2.83). Children and adolescents meeting the MVPA recommendation were more likely to meet the MSE guidelines (OR = 5.41, 95% CI: 3.97-7.37). Relative to those who had a parent not meeting the MSE guidelines, those with either father or mother meeting the MSE guidelines were more likely to meet the MSE guidelines (OR = 1.32, 95% CI: 1.13-1.55). Our study may offer evidence for future MSE interventions in Chinese children and adolescents.

The Impact of PM2.5 on the Growth Curves of Children's Obesity Indexes: A Prospective Cohort Study

Aims

To explore the effect of long-term exposure to particulate matter with an aerodynamic diameter of 2.5 μm or less (PM2.5) on childhood obesity based on a cohort study in Chongqing.

Methods

A total of 4,284 children aged 6-8 years at baseline were enrolled from the Chongqing Children Health Cohort in 2014-2015 and were followed up in 2019. A stratified cluster sampling was applied to select the participants. A Mixed-effects linear regression model was used to examine the effect of long-term exposure to PM2.5 on the growth curve of obesity indicators [including body mass index (BMI), BMI Z-score (BMIz), and waist-to-height ratio (WHtR)]. A mixed-effects logistic regression model was used to study the dose relationship between PM2.5 exposure and the risk of obesity indicators.

Results

A higher level of accumulating exposure to PM2.5 was associated with an increased childhood obesity index, and the effect was the most significant for WHtR than BMI and BMIz. This effect was more pronounced in boys than in girls except for WHtR, and it was the most significant under the PM2.5 exposure period from pregnancy to 6 years old. Compared the annual average PM2.5 exposure level of <60 μg/m³, the WHtR and BMI were increased by 0.019 [(95% CIs): 0.014, 0.024] and 0.326 [(95% CIs): 0.037, 0.616] Kg/m² for participants living with the PM2.5 exposure level of 70-75 μg/m³, respectively. For every 5 μg/m³ increase in PM2.5 levels (from pregnancy to 6 years old), the risk of central obesity was increased by 1.26 {odds ratio [OR] (95% CIs): 1.26 (1.16, 1.37), p < 0.001} times.

Conclusions

This study confirmed a dose-response relationship between PM2.5 exposure and childhood obesity, especially central obesity, suggesting that controlling ambient air pollution can prevent the occurrence of obesity in children and adolescents.

Comparing High School Sport Specialization Trends Between Division I and Club Collegiate Athletes

BACKGROUND

Adolescent athletes report that sports specialization improves their ability to receive a collegiate athletics scholarship, though this is not well-understood. The purpose of this study was to examine self-reported trends in high school specialization and influences for sport participation between Division I (D-I) and college-aged club (club) athletes.

HYPOTHESIS

There would be no difference in high school sport specialization or sport participation influences between D-I and club athletes.

STUDY DESIGN

Retrospective cross-sectional study.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE

Level 3.

METHODS

A survey included specialization classification (low, moderate, and high) for 9th to 12th grade, age that the athlete started organized sport and his or her collegiate sport, and several influential factors for participation in one's primary high school sport (1 = no influence to 5 = extremely influential). Chi-square analyses were used to compare specialization classifications between groups. Nonparametric tests were used to determine significant differences in age-related variables and influential factors between D-I and club athletes. All analysis were also conducted with boys and girls separately.

RESULTS

Participants included 266 D-I (girls, 155; 58%) and 180 club (girls, 122; 68%) athletes. Club athletes were more likely to be classified as low specialization at every grade in high school, and this difference was more pronounced between D-I and club female athletes than male athletes. The number of years an athlete was classified as highly specialized in high school was not different between D-I and club athletes. Club athletes were more influenced by playing with friends than D-I athletes and D-I athletes were more influenced by pursuing a collegiate scholarship than club athletes.

CONCLUSION

High levels of specialization in high school sport may not be necessary for playing at the collegiate level, though some level of specialization in high school might be necessary.

CLINICAL RELEVANCE

Clinicians should advocate for healthy long-term athlete development, which does not support high specialization in high school sports.

Move more - be happier? physical activity and health-related quality of life in children with congenital heart disease

OBJECTIVE

This cross-sectional study aimed to determine whether there is an association between objectively assessed physical activity (PA) and health-related quality of life (HRQoL) in children with CHD.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

From September 2017 to January 2021, 343 children with CHD (12.1 ± 3.3 years, 135 girls) provided valid PA data after a 7-day objective PA assessment. PA was evaluated as average daily steps and moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA) minutes assessed via wearable bracelet Garmin vivofit Jr. These children also completed the KINDL - a 24 Likert-scaled item questionnaires assessing HRQoL in the six dimensions physical well-being, emotional well-being, self-esteem, family, friends and everyday functioning.

RESULTS

Daily Steps (r = 0.166, P = .003) and daily MVPA minutes (r = 0.134, P = .017,) were both correlated to total KINDL score. Furthermore, both steps and MVPA were associated with the subscales physical well-being (steps: r = 0.165 p=.003; MVPA: r = 0.129, P = .022), friends (steps: r = 0.210, P < .001, MVPA: r = 0.179, P = .001), steps, and to everyday functioning (r = 0.142, P = .012). Logistic regression showed each MVPA minute increase conferred to a 1% increase in reporting better HRQoL (OR: 1.009 [95% CI: 1.002 - 1.017], P = .019).

CONCLUSIONS

PA was positively associated with HRQoL in children with CHD. Patients who move more are more likely to report better HRQoL. While the magnitude of this association needs to be further understood, continuous encouragement towards more PA seems to be crucial in a holistic approach to medical aftercare in children with CHD.

Predictors of physical activity behavior change based on the current stage of change-an analysis of young people from Hawai'i

This study investigated the corresponding change between psycho-social predictors and physical activity (PA) behavior and if these relationships were dependent on the stages of change from the Transtheoretical Model in Minority American adolescents. We conducted a longitudinal field study with N = 357 students aged 13-18 years (M = 14.24 years, SD = 0.88); predominantly Filipino (61.2%) using a test-retest design assessing psycho-social PA predictors (enjoyment, self-efficacy, family support, friends' support, knowledge, stage of change) and moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA) at two time points over six months. Hierarchical regression results indicated that a positive change of enjoyment, knowledge about PA and family support predicted a change of MVPA, independently of stage. The time-varying covariation showed the importance of the current stage of change for enjoyment, self-efficacy and support of friends for a change of MVPA. Overall, our findings suggest that an individual's current stage of change should be considered to determine individually appropriate starting points and goals for designing interventions to promote PA among Minority American adolescents.

Sports participation of children and adolescents in Germany: disentangling the influence of parental socioeconomic status

BACKGROUND

Participation in sports and physical activity (PA) is a critical resource for children's health and social development. This study analyzes how the parental socioeconomic status (SES) of children and adolescents affects their PA in sports clubs (organized sports) and outside of sports clubs (unorganized sports) and tests whether the potential impact of parental SES is mediated by the opportunity structure of their residential area (walkability, infrastructure, etc.) and by family and peer support for PA. Furthermore, PA is analyzed respecting differences by gender and migration background.

METHODS

Using representative data from the MoMo/KiGGS study (2009-2012 and 2014-2017), we take into account about 8000 measurements from about 7000 subjects. We estimate hurdle regression models to analyze the minutes per week spent on sports activities.

RESULTS

Results show that children with a higher parental SES, children living in areas with many opportunities for PA, and children receiving family and peer support are more physically active than children without these features. Controlled for opportunities and support, status effects are small but visible. The differences regarding parental SES are much more apparent for organized sports than for unorganized sports, indicating the relevance of economic resources. Boys are more active than girls, whereas there is no clear effect of migration background.

CONCLUSIONS

The coefficient of parental SES on organized sports most probably relates to the resources needed to participate in sports clubs, including fees and equipment. Lower membership fees might potentially help to integrate children with low parental SES into sports clubs and thereby make organized sports more accessible to all social classes.

The Lancet women and cardiovascular disease Commission: reducing the global burden by 2030

Cardiovascular disease is the leading cause of death in women. Decades of grassroots campaigns have helped to raise awareness about the impact of cardiovascular disease in women, and positive changes affecting women and their health have gained momentum. Despite these efforts, there has been stagnation in the overall reduction of cardiovascular disease burden for women in the past decade. Cardiovascular disease in women remains understudied, under-recognised, underdiagnosed, and undertreated. This Commission summarises existing evidence and identifies knowledge gaps in research, prevention, treatment, and access to care for women. Recommendations from an international team of experts and leaders in the field have been generated with a clear focus to reduce the global burden of cardiovascular disease in women by 2030. This Commission represents the first effort of its kind to connect stakeholders, to ignite global awareness of sex-related and gender-related disparities in cardiovascular disease, and to provide a springboard for future research.

A Comparison in Physical Fitness Attributes, Physical Activity Behaviors, Nutritional Habits, and Nutritional Knowledge Between Elite Male and Female Youth Basketball Players

Background: Limited evidence exists comprehensively assessing physical fitness attributes, physical activity behaviors, nutritional habits, and nutritional knowledge according to sex in basketball players during early adolescence. Insight of this nature could be used to optimize the training process and lifestyles in young basketball players. Objective: To compare physical fitness attributes, physical activity levels, nutritional habits, and nutritional knowledge between elite male and female basketball players under 14 years of age (U-14). Methods: Twenty-three U-14 basketball players (male, n = 13 and female, n = 10) from the same elite basketball academy (Spanish Asociación de Clubes de Baloncesto [ACB] League) participated in this study. Physical fitness attributes were assessed using a basketball-specific test battery (countermovement jump, drop jump, linear sprint, Lane Agility Drill, 505 change-of-direction, and repeated-change-of-direction tests), while physical activity levels (Physical Activity Questionnaire for Adolescents, PAQ-A), nutritional habits (Turconi questionnaire), and nutritional knowledge (Turconi questionnaire) were assessed using questionnaires. Results: Male players exhibited better physical fitness in all tests (p <0.001 to 0.036, effect size = -0.44 to -0.76, intermediate to strong) compared to female players. Male players also performed more physical activity in their leisure time (p = 0.036) than females. No significant differences in nutritional habits and nutritional knowledge were evident between sexes (p > 0.05). Of note, a high proportion of players declared never or only sometimes eating fruit (males: 23%; females: 40%) and vegetables (males: 46%; females: 70%). In addition, relatively poor nutritional knowledge was evident in all players with the group correctly answering <50% of nutritional questions overall (4.57 ± 1.88 out of 11 points, 42%) and according to sex (males: 4.07 ± 2.10, 37%; females: 5.20 ± 1.40, 47%). Conclusion: These findings emphasize the necessity to perform individualized prescription of training stimuli across sexes to optimize the physical preparedness and development of youth basketball players. Additionally, strategies such as nutrition-focused education interventions may be necessary in this population given the low consumption of fruits and vegetables, as well as the poor nutritional knowledge observed in players.

The school policy, social, and physical environment and change in adolescent physical activity: An exploratory analysis using the LASSO

PURPOSE

We examined the association between the school policy, social and physical environment and change in adolescent physical activity (PA) and explored how sex and socioeconomic status modified potential associations.

METHODS

Data from the GoActive study were used for these analyses. Participants were adolescents (n = 1765, mean age±SD 13.2±0.4y) from the East of England, UK. Change in longitudinal accelerometer assessed moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA) was the outcome. School policy, social and physical environment features (n = 267) were exposures. The least absolute shrinkage and selection operator variable selection method (LASSO) was used to determine exposures most relevant to the outcome. Exposures selected by the LASSO were added to a multiple linear regression model with estimates of change in min/day of MVPA per 1-unit change in each exposure reported. Post-hoc analyses, exploring associations between change in variables selected by the LASSO and change in MVPA, were undertaken to further explain findings.

FINDINGS

No school policy or physical environment features were selected by the LASSO as predictors of change in MVPA. The LASSO selected two school social environment variables (participants asking a friend to do physical activity; friend asking a participant to do physical activity) as potential predictors of change in MVPA but no significant associations were found in subsequent linear regression models for all participants (β [95%CI] -1.01 [-2.73;0.71] and 0.65 [-2.17;0.87] min/day respectively). In the post-hoc analyses, for every unit increase in change in participants asking a friend to do PA and change in a friend asking participants to do PA, an increase in MVPA of 2.78 (1.55;4.02) and 1.80 (0.48;3.11) min/day was predicted respectively.

CONCLUSIONS

The school social environment is associated with PA during adolescence. Further exploration of how friendships during adolescence may be leveraged to support effective PA promotion in schools is warranted.

Systematic review of the correlates of outdoor play and time among children aged 3-12 years

BACKGROUND

Due to the myriad of benefits of children's outdoor play and time, there is increasing concern over its decline. This systematic review synthesized evidence on the correlates of outdoor play and outdoor time among children aged 3-12 years.

METHODS

A total of 12 electronic databases in five different languages (Chinese, English, Korean, Spanish, Portuguese) were searched between October 28, 2019 and July 27, 2020. Covidence software was used for screening and Microsoft Excel with a predesigned coding form was used for data extraction. Evidence was synthesized and correlates were categorized using the socioecological model framework.

RESULTS

Based on 107 studies representing 188,498 participants and 422 childcare centers from 29 countries, 85 studies examined potential correlates of outdoor play while 23 studies examined that of outdoor time (one examined both). The duration of outdoor play and outdoor time ranged between 60 and 165 min/d and 42-240 min/d, respectively. Out of 287 (outdoor play) and 61 (outdoor time) potential correlates examined, 111 correlates for outdoor play and 33 correlates for outdoor time were identified as significant correlates. Thirty-three variables were identified as key/common correlates of outdoor play/time, including eight correlates at the individual level (e.g., sex/gender, race/ethnicity, physical activity), 10 correlates at the parental level (e.g., parental attitude/support/behavior, parenting practice), nine at the microsystem level (e.g., proximal home/social environment such as residence type, peer influence), three at the macrosystem/community level (e.g., availability of space children can play), and three at the physical ecology/pressure for macrosystem change level (e.g., seasonality, rurality). No key correlates were found at the institutional level.

CONCLUSIONS

Individual, parental, and proximal physical (home) and social environments appear to play a role in children's outdoor play and time. Ecological factors (i.e., seasonality, rurality) also appear to be related to outdoor play/time. Evidence was either inconsistent or lacking at institutional and macrosystem/community levels. Standardizing terminology and measures of outdoor play/time is warranted. Future work should investigate the interactions and processes of multiple variables across different levels of socioecological modelling to better understand the mechanisms through which outdoor play/time opportunities can be optimized for children while paying special attention to varying conditions in which children are born, live, and play.

Gaelic4Girls-The Effectiveness of a 10-Week Multicomponent Community Sports-Based Physical Activity Intervention for 8 to 12-Year-Old Girls

Girls are less active than boys throughout childhood and adolescence, with limited research focusing on female community sports-based programs. This study aims to assess the effectiveness of a multi-component, community sports-based intervention for increasing girl's physical activity (PA) levels, fundamental movement skill (FMS) proficiency, and psychological wellbeing, as relative to a second treatment group (the traditionally delivered national comparative program), and a third control group. One hundred and twenty female-only participants (mean age = 10.75 ± 1.44 years), aged 8 to 12 years old from three Ladies Gaelic Football (LGF) community sports clubs (rural and suburban) were allocated to one of three conditions: (1) Intervention Group 1 (n = 43) received a novel, specifically tailored, research-informed Gaelic4Girls (G4G) intervention; (2) Intervention Group 2 (n = 44) used the traditionally delivered, national G4G program, as run by the Ladies Gaelic Football (LGF) Association of Ireland; and (3) Control Group 3 (n = 33) received no G4G intervention (group 1 or 2) conditions and were expected to carry out their usual LGF community sports activities. Primary outcome measurements (at both pre- and 10-week follow up) examining the effectiveness of the G4G intervention included (1) PA, (2) FMS and (3) Psychological correlates (enjoyment levels, self-efficacy, peer and parental support). Following a two (pre to post) by three (intervention group 1, intervention group 2, and control group 3) mixed-model ANOVA, it was highlighted that intervention group 1 significantly increased in PA (p = 0.003), FMS proficiency (p = 0.005) and several psychological correlates of PA (p ≤ 0.005). The findings demonstrate that the 10-week, specifically tailored, research-informed G4G intervention is a feasible and efficacious program, leading to a positive effect on the physical and psychological wellbeing of pre-adolescent Irish girls, relative to the traditionally delivered national G4G comparative program and control group conditions.

Physical Activity, Sport and Physical Education in Northern Ireland School Children: A Cross-Sectional Study

Internationally, insufficient physical activity (PA) is a major health concern. Children in Northern Ireland (NI) are recorded as having the lowest levels of PA in the United Kingdom (UK). To date, validated and representative data on the PA levels of NI school children are limited. The aim of this study was to provide surveillance data on self-reported PA, sport and physical education (PE) participation of school children in NI. Differences between genders and factors associated with PA were also examined. A representative sample of primary (n = 446) and post-primary (n = 1508) children was surveyed in school using validated self-report measures. Findings suggest that PA levels are low, with a minority of children (13%) meeting the PA guidelines (primary pupils 20%, post-primary pupils 11%). NI school children have lower levels of PA, PE and sports participation than UK and European peers. A trend of age-related decline across all the domains of PA was apparent. The data presented highlighted that females are less likely to achieve PA guidelines, children from lower socio-economic background participate in school and community sport less often, and that enjoyment and social support are important variables in PA adherence. Policy solutions that would support implementation e.g., mandatory minimum PE time, whole school approaches to PA promotion and targeted investment in schools, particularly in areas of deprivation and for females, are suggested.

Parental and Peer Support are Associated with Physical Activity in Adolescents: Evidence from 74 Countries

Although parental and peer support can influence adolescents’ physical activity (PA), these associations have not been fully examined through a global assessment. This study examined the associations of parental and peer support with PA among adolescents from 74 countries. The Global School-based Student Health Survey data from 250,317 adolescents aged 11–17 years (48.8% girls), collected between 2007 and 2016, were analysed. Adolescents were asked how many days/week they were physically active and about their parental and peer support. Meta-analysis showed that adolescents who had high parental or peer support had higher odds of attaining sufficient PA (odds ratio (OR): 1.40, 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.34–1.46; OR: 1.57, 95% CI: 1.49–1.65, respectively). Pooled estimates of association were significant across all World Health Organization (WHO) regions and country-income categories with the highest estimate from the low-income countries. The Western Pacific region showed the highest association between parental support and adolescents’ PA (OR: 1.49, 95% CI: 1.41–1.59), while South-East Asia exhibited the highest association between peer support and adolescents’ PA (OR: 1.80, 95% CI: 1.59–2.04). Country-level estimates of associations are presented. Future studies should use robust assessment of PA and PA-specific parental and peer support with emphasis on qualitative investigation to understand the complexity of the relationships.

Associations between specific physical activity domains and social isolation in 102,072 Brazilian adolescents: Data from the 2015 National School-Based Health Survey

This study investigated the association among loneliness, number of friends, and participation in physical education classes, leisure-time physical activities, and active commuting. Data from 102,072 adolescents participating in the National School-based Health Survey aged 11-19 years were analyzed. Information about the study variables was self-reported through a questionnaire. Adolescents more active in physical education classes and leisure were less likely of having social isolation. Those more active in commuting were more likely of having social isolation. Interventions aimed at addressing social isolation in adolescence can prioritize school and leisure-time physical activities.