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Yuan R, Zhang J, Song P, Qin L. The relationship between screen time and gross motor movement: A cross-sectional study of pre-school aged left-behind children in China. PLoS One 2024; 19:e0296862. [PMID: 38578800 PMCID: PMC10997071 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0296862] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/13/2023] [Accepted: 12/20/2023] [Indexed: 04/07/2024] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To investigate the level of screen time and gross motor movement level and the correlation between them in left-behind children aged 3 to 6 years old in China. METHODS A randomized whole-group sampling method was used to study 817 left-behind children aged 3-6 years in 15 kindergartens in Xiangcheng city, Henan province. The third version of the Test of Gross Motor Development (TGMD-3) was used to test the children's gross motor movement level, and the screen time questionnaire was used to test the children's screen time level. The relationship between the two and the indicators was explored using Pearson's two-sided correlation and multilevel regression. RESULTS The average daily screen time of left-behind children aged 3-6 years old increased with age, and the reporting rate of >2 h/d ranged from 22.43% to 33.73%; gross motor movement of left-behind children aged 3-6 years old increased with age, with significant differences between age (p<0.05). There was a low to moderate negative correlation (r = -0.133 to -0.354, p<0.05) between screen time and gross motor movement in children aged 3-6 years, and multiple regression analysis showed that screen time was predictive of gross motor movement in children (p<0.05), with an explanation rate of 21.4%. CONCLUSION There is a correlation between screen time and gross motor movement development in children aged 3-6 years old left behind, and the gross motor movement ability of children aged 3-6 years old can be developed by reducing screen time and increasing physical activity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rui Yuan
- Department of Physical Education, University of Shanghai for Science and Technology, Shanghai, China
| | - Jia Zhang
- School of Physical Education, Chongqing University, Chongqing, China
| | - Pengwei Song
- School of Physical Education, Guangxi Science and Technology Normal University, Laibin, Guangxi, China
| | - Long Qin
- School of Physical Education, Guangxi Science and Technology Normal University, Laibin, Guangxi, China
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Quah PL, Loo BKG, Chia MYH, Chua TBK, Tan TSZ, Chan PC, Tan KH. Adherence to 24-hour integrated activity guidelines among infants, toddlers and preschool children in Singapore. PLoS One 2024; 19:e0298968. [PMID: 38408072 PMCID: PMC10896501 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0298968] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/31/2023] [Accepted: 02/01/2024] [Indexed: 02/28/2024] Open
Abstract
This study examined children's adherence to the Singapore Integrated 24-Hour Activity Guidelines for Early Childhood in infants, toddlers and preschoolers aged 0-6 years. A total of 901 caregivers, comprising 219 infants, 379 toddlers, and 303 preschoolers, provided information regarding their children's physical activity (PA), screen viewing time (SVT), and sleep durations on both weekdays and weekends. Meeting the 24-hour integrated activity guidelines was defined as follows: for infants ≥ 30 minutes per day of tummy time or floor-based play; zero SVT; total sleep of 14-17 hours per day for ages 0-3 months, 12-16 hours per day for ages 4-11 months; for toddlers ≥ 180 minutes of total PA per day; zero SVT under 2 years; <1 hour for ages 2 to less than 3 years; and a total sleep of 11-14 hours per day; for preschoolers ≥ 180 minutes of total PA per day; SVT <1 hour per day; total sleep of 10-13 hours per day for those aged 3-5 years, and 10-11 hours per day for 6-year-olds. Chi-squared tests were used to examine the differences in guideline adherence between weekdays and weekends. Compared to weekdays, during weekends there was a higher proportion of toddlers and preschoolers adhering to the PA guidelines (68.9% vs 50.1%; 78.9% vs 55.4%, respectively, p<0.05), and a lower proportion of toddlers adhering to SVT (38.8% vs 21.8%; p = 0.001). There was a declining adherence to all three activity guidelines as age groups progressed from infants (44.7%) to toddlers (15.8%) and then to preschoolers (9.4%). Concurrently, there was a decrease in adherence to SVT recommendations across the age groups, with adherence rates being highest among infants (83.1%), followed by toddlers (15.8%), and preschoolers (9.4%). Decreasing compliance with all three guidelines, coupled with a corresponding decline in adherence to SVT guidelines as children transition from toddlerhood to preschool age, is a cause for concern. This underscores the need for proactive efforts to educate caregivers about reducing or eliminating SVT among infants and young children.
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Affiliation(s)
- Phaik Ling Quah
- Division of Obstetrics & Gynaecology, KK Women's and Children's Hospital, Singapore, Singapore
- Duke-NUS Medical School, Singapore, Singapore
| | - Benny Kai Guo Loo
- General Paediatric Service, KK Women's and Children's Hospital, Singapore, Singapore
| | - Michael Yong Hwa Chia
- Physical Education & Sports Science, National Institute of Education, Nanyang Technological University, Singapore, Singapore
| | - Terence Buan Kiong Chua
- Physical Education & Sports Science, National Institute of Education, Nanyang Technological University, Singapore, Singapore
| | - Teresa Shu Zhen Tan
- Khoo Teck Puat-National University Children's Medical Institute, National University Hospital, Singapore, Singapore
| | - Poh Chong Chan
- Khoo Teck Puat-National University Children's Medical Institute, National University Hospital, Singapore, Singapore
| | - Kok Hian Tan
- Division of Obstetrics & Gynaecology, KK Women's and Children's Hospital, Singapore, Singapore
- Duke-NUS Medical School, Singapore, Singapore
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Rathi N, Kansal S, Worsley A. Indian fathers are involved in nurturing healthy behaviours in adolescents: A qualitative inquiry. BMC Public Health 2024; 24:88. [PMID: 38178085 PMCID: PMC10768344 DOI: 10.1186/s12889-024-17634-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/31/2023] [Accepted: 01/01/2024] [Indexed: 01/06/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Indian adolescents exhibit unhealthy food behaviours and inactive lifestyles which increase their risk of developing obesity and associated negative health consequences. The family food environment represents a vital setting to nurture healthy lifestyle behaviours in adolescents, with parents influencing their adolescents' dietary and physical activity behaviours. Yet, much of the existing evidence exploring parental influences predominantly focuses on mothers while fathers' engagement in instilling healthy dietary and physical activity behaviours is understudied, more so in the context of developing economies like India. Therefore, this qualitative study was designed to understand Indian fathers' views on instilling healthy behaviours in their children. METHODS Convenience sampling along with snowball sampling techniques were employed to recruit fathers of adolescents aged 10-19 years from Kolkata city, India. Informed by the research aim and review of literature, an interview guide was developed and pre-tested. Interviews were carried out either in person or virtually (Zoom/telephone) in English/Hindi/Bengali as per the preference of the participants. All interactions were audio recorded, transcribed verbatim, and translated to English for the purpose of data analysis. The transcripts were analysed thematically using NVivo software program. Themes were identified using both inductive and deductive approaches. RESULTS A total 36 fathers participated in the interviews. Seven main themes were identified: (i) Involvement of fathers in adolescent upbringing (i.e. engagement in meal preparation, food shopping, educational activities, physical activity); (ii) Family food environment (i.e. setting food rules, having meals with children, making food available); (iii) Challenges to instilling healthy behaviours in adolescents (i.e. adolescents' sedentary lifestyle and liking for unhealthy foods); (iv) Barriers to routine involvement in adolescent upbringing (i.e. time constraints due to paid employment, poor socio-economic status); (v) Adolescent nutrition education: (vi) Dual burden of malnutrition (i.e. awareness of malnutrition, no knowledge about government-led health programs for adolescents); (vii) Paternal knowledge. CONCLUSIONS The emerging themes reveal that Indian fathers played a crucial role in instilling healthy dietary and physical activity behaviour in their adolescents through various parenting practices such as purchasing nutritious food, enforcing food rules, disseminating nutrition-related knowledge, and encouraging adolescents to participate in moderate-to-vigorous intensity outdoor sports. This provides strong support for the inclusion of fathers in sustainable family-focused lifestyle interventions to maximise the nurturing care required by adolescents as well as assist in normalising the representation of fathers in health and welfare policies designed for adolescents.
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Affiliation(s)
- Neha Rathi
- Department of Home Science, Mahila Maha Vidyalaya, Banaras Hindu University, 221005, Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh, India.
| | - Sangeeta Kansal
- Department of Community Medicine, Institute of Medical Sciences, Banaras Hindu University, 221005, Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh, India
| | - Anthony Worsley
- School of Exercise and Nutrition Sciences, Deakin University, 3220, Geelong, VIC, Australia
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Schoeppe S, Waters K, Salmon J, Williams SL, Power D, Alley S, Rebar AL, Hayman M, Duncan MJ, Vandelanotte C. Experience and Satisfaction with a Family-Based Physical Activity Intervention Using Activity Trackers and Apps: A Qualitative Study. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2023; 20:3327. [PMID: 36834022 PMCID: PMC9963519 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph20043327] [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: 12/14/2022] [Revised: 02/07/2023] [Accepted: 02/09/2023] [Indexed: 06/18/2023]
Abstract
Wearable activity trackers and smartphone apps have been shown to increase physical activity in children and adults. However, interventions using activity trackers and apps have rarely been tested in whole families. This study examined the experience and satisfaction with an activity tracker and app intervention (Step it Up Family) to increase physical activity in whole families. Telephone interviews were conducted with Queensland-based families (n = 19) who participated in the Step it Up Family intervention (N = 40, single-arm, pre/post feasibility study) in 2017/2018. Using commercial activity trackers combined with apps, the intervention included an introductory session, individual and family-level goal setting, self-monitoring, family step challenges, and weekly motivational text messages. Qualitative content analysis was conducted to identify themes, categories and sub-categories. In summary, parents reported that children were engaged with the activity tracker and app features to reach their daily step goals. Some technical difficulties were experienced with app navigation, syncing of activity tracker data, and tracker band discomfort. Although families liked that the weekly text messages reminded them to be active, they did not find them very motivating. Using text messages for physical activity motivation in families requires further testing. Overall, the intervention was well-received by families for increasing physical activity motivation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stephanie Schoeppe
- Physical Activity Research Group, Appleton Institute, School of Health, Medical and Applied Sciences, Central Queensland University, Rockhampton 4702, Australia
| | - Kim Waters
- Physical Activity Research Group, Appleton Institute, School of Health, Medical and Applied Sciences, Central Queensland University, Rockhampton 4702, Australia
| | - Jo Salmon
- Institute for Physical Activity and Nutrition (IPAN), School of Exercise and Nutrition Sciences, Deakin University, Geelong 3125, Australia
| | - Susan L. Williams
- Physical Activity Research Group, Appleton Institute, School of Health, Medical and Applied Sciences, Central Queensland University, Rockhampton 4702, Australia
| | - Deborah Power
- Physical Activity Research Group, Appleton Institute, School of Health, Medical and Applied Sciences, Central Queensland University, Rockhampton 4702, Australia
| | - Stephanie Alley
- Physical Activity Research Group, Appleton Institute, School of Health, Medical and Applied Sciences, Central Queensland University, Rockhampton 4702, Australia
| | - Amanda L. Rebar
- Physical Activity Research Group, Appleton Institute, School of Health, Medical and Applied Sciences, Central Queensland University, Rockhampton 4702, Australia
| | - Melanie Hayman
- Physical Activity Research Group, Appleton Institute, School of Health, Medical and Applied Sciences, Central Queensland University, Rockhampton 4702, Australia
| | - Mitch J. Duncan
- Priority Research Centre for Physical Activity and Nutrition, School of Medicine and Public Health, Faculty of Health and Medicine, The University of Newcastle, Newcastle 2308, Australia
| | - Corneel Vandelanotte
- Physical Activity Research Group, Appleton Institute, School of Health, Medical and Applied Sciences, Central Queensland University, Rockhampton 4702, Australia
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