Abstract
Measured objectively, less than a quarter of adults and under half of preschool children in Finland meet the physical activity recommendations. Moreover, higher sedentary time among parents (such as watching television) is associated with higher sedentary time of their children. The study introduces an intervention based on reducing sedentary behavior among mothers and their children. It utilizes a combination of music and exercise via a motivation-targeting movement-to-music video program in the home environment. Data were collected in summer 2014 from Finland’s Pirkanmaa region. Each mother–child pair (n = 24, child age: 4–7 years) was assigned to the intervention and control group. Both groups used an accelerometer and completed physical activity diaries for two consecutive weeks (14 days) during waking hours. In addition, the intervention group was instructed to use the movement-to-music video program during the second week. Differences between groups were expected in analysis of sedentary time and physical activity between weeks 1 and 2. The parameters assessed were sedentary time (i.e., lying down or sitting), standing still, and time spent in physical activity. Less sedentary time was revealed in week 2 than in week 1 among both intervention group mothers (56.6 vs. 53.3 %) and for intervention group children (49.5 vs. 46.0 %). The opposite was true of control group mothers (52.1 vs. 52.4 %) and children (46.7 vs. 49.8 %). Within-group differences in mothers’ sedentary time correlated moderately with the children’s sedentary time (Spearman’s r = 0.56). All groups exhibited slightly more standing in the second week than in week 1. Both sets of intervention participants also engaged in more light physical activity in week 2, with the opposite evident for the two control sets. In all groups, except the control children, the proportion of moderate to vigorous physical activity was higher in the second week than the first. The use of music and video content together may yield added benefits in efforts to reduce sedentary behavior and increase physical activity among mothers and their children in the home environment.
Highlights
Sedentary behavior (SB) is an ever-increasing problem, and many health-related risks, including the risk of type 2 diabetes, obesity, breast cancer, cardiovascular diseases, and all causes of mortality overall, grow as sedentary lifestyles become more widespread (Biswas et al.2015; Brocklebank et al 2015; Katzmarzyk et al 2009; Patel et al 2010; de Rezende et al 2014)
The results indicated that there was a trend for less sedentary time in each set of intervention group participants, on average, as a proportion of measurement time in the second week as compared to the first week
The use of music and video content together may hold additional force in reducing SB and increasing Physical activity (PA). For those mothers and children who have difficulties in exercising outside the home, a movement-to-music video program might represent an important element of motivation to be physically active
Summary
Sedentary behavior (SB) is an ever-increasing problem, and many health-related risks, including the risk of type 2 diabetes, obesity, breast cancer, cardiovascular diseases, and all causes of mortality overall, grow as sedentary lifestyles become more widespread (Biswas et al.2015; Brocklebank et al 2015; Katzmarzyk et al 2009; Patel et al 2010; de Rezende et al 2014). Physical activity (PA), on the other hand, is associated with reduced risk of metabolic disorders and a lower number of risk factors for other chronic diseases (Cho et al 2009; Woolf et al 2008). (≥6 METs) PA or an equivalent combination of aerobic activities every week in sessions of 10 min or more. Recommended are muscle-strengthening activities for all major muscle groups on two or more days a week (Physical Activity Guidelines Advisory Committee 2008). The PA guidelines recommend 60 min or more of aerobic activity per day, along with muscle- and bonestrengthening activities at least 3 days a week (Physical Activity Guidelines Advisory Committee 2008)
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