Physical Activity and Sedentary Behavior of Children in Afterschool Programs: An Accelerometer-Based Analysis in Full-Day and Half-Day Elementary Schools in Germany.

Arvid Kuritz,Filip Mess,Melina Schnitzius,Christoph Mall

doi:10.3389/fpubh.2020.00463

Abstract

Background: Regular physical activity (PA) and reduced sedentary behavior (SB) are positively related to children's health and considered as pillars of a healthy lifestyle. Full-day schools with their afterschool programs (ASPs) have an impact on children's daily PA and SB. Studies investigating PA and SB in ASPs, which compare PA and SB between the organizational forms full-day and half-day schools, are rare. The aim of this study is to describe elementary school children's PA and SB during ASPs and to compare the results to other time periods of the day, e.g., teaching hours and leisure time. Additionally, PA and SB of children in full-day and half-day schools are compared. Further, relevant factors influencing the achievement of the World Health Organization's (WHO's) PA guidelines for children, e.g., time spent in ASPs, are investigated.Methods: PA and SB of 332 German students (n = 198 full-day school children; n = 134 half-day school children) from 11 different elementary schools were measured via accelerometry for 5 consecutive days within one school week in 2017. PA and SB during ASPs and other times of the day were analyzed via one-way and factorial ANOVA, correlation, and logistic regression.Results: Children attending full-day schools show the highest percentage of moderate-to-vigorous PA (MVPA) (13.7%) and the lowest percentage of SB (49.5%) during ASPs, in comparison with teaching hours and leisure time. In the afternoon hours, full-day school children show 20 min less SB than half-day school children. Children spending more time in ASPs obtain significantly more SB (r = 0.23) and less MVPA (r = −0.15). Further, they less likely reach WHO's PA guidelines odds ratio (OR = 0.98).Conclusion: Peers and the choice as well as offer of extracurricular activities promote PA in ASPs. Media availability leads to higher SB in leisure time. ASPs help to be more active and less sedentary. Time spent in ASPs should be limited, so that full-day school children still have the possibility to join other PA offers in leisure time. ASP time should contain a certain minimum amount of MVPA in line with ASP guidelines.

Highlights

Physical inactivity and sedentary behavior (SB) are determinants of poor health [1]
This study has three major aims: 1. the description of physical activity (PA) and SB of children attending full-day schools during time spent in after-school program (ASP), and the comparison of PA and SB in ASPs with PA and SB during teaching hours and leisure time; 2. the comparison of full-day school and half-day school children’s PA and SB during the afternoon hours; and
The study was performed from May to July 2017 in elementary schools with either a mandatory or voluntary full-day school branch located in the federal state of Baden-Württemberg, Germany

Summary

Introduction

Physical inactivity and sedentary behavior (SB) are determinants of poor health [1]. On the contrary, a basic level of physical activity (PA) is one pillar of a healthy lifestyle. Based on Dahlgren and Whitehead’s [4, 5] model of Social Determinants of Health, behavior patterns such as PA and SB are significantly influenced by the social network and living as well as working conditions. These living and working conditions are primarily the family, the commune they grow up in, and the school they attend. Regular physical activity (PA) and reduced sedentary behavior (SB) are positively related to children’s health and considered as pillars of a healthy lifestyle. Relevant factors influencing the achievement of the World Health Organization’s (WHO’s) PA guidelines for children, e.g., time spent in ASPs, are investigated

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Results

Conclusion