Child's Bedroom Research Articles

Estimations of infiltration factors of diurnal PM2.5 and heavy metals in children's bedrooms.

Children are the sensitive population to fine particulate matter (PM2.5 ) exposure and spend most of their time in bedroom. Infiltration factor (Finf ) can be used to calculate the fraction of total indoor PM2.5 with outdoor origin to increase the accuracy of exposure assessment. However, studies have ignored the diurnal variations of PM2.5 Finf values, and a few studies have estimated Finf values for heavy metals in PM2.5 in children's bedrooms. To calculate the PM2.5 Finf , real-time indoor and outdoor PM2.5 concentrations and occupants' activities were collected in 56 study bedrooms. At 22 of the 56 study bedrooms, PM2.5 samples were also collected for heavy metals analysis. We noted the PM2.5 Finf was higher during the daytime (0.70±0.23) than nighttime (0.54±0.27) during the hot season, and the time of air conditioner use was longer at nighttime. The largest Finf value of heavy metal was V (0.88±0.25), followed by Pb (0.85±0.28), Mn (0.72±0.26), Cr (0.69±0.35), and Zn (0.61±0.32), with a larger variation. Our findings suggest that the estimations of diurnal PM2.5 and heavy metals Finf values are necessary to increase the accuracy of exposure assessment.

The cost of achieving healthy temperatures in children's bedrooms: Evidence from New Zealand

The World Health Organization (WHO) recommends minimum indoor temperatures of 18 °C to maintain health. In a study of 152 children's bedrooms in Wellington, New Zealand we aimed to establish the costs of following WHO advice, using standard heaters over eight weeks of autumn to spring to investigate household factors and heating behaviours that significantly increase heating costs. During the heating intervention a mean children's bedroom temperature of 20 °C (range of 17–23 °C) was achieved, over a mean period of 12.2 h per night, using on average 6.33 kWh per night. Five factors significantly affected energy use: keeping children's bedroom doors fully open, having three or more intervention weeks in mid-winter, presence of mould, housing built pre-1978, and the bedroom having two or more exterior walls. These data have important implications for the New Zealand Winter Energy Payment (WEP) policy, supporting low income households. Based on figures from this study, the projected cost to heat one child's bedroom (NZ$58 per month) equates to 46% of the 2021 WEP. The current WEP is insufficient to cover the costs of heating living areas and more than one child's bedroom and should be adjusted for number of children and climatic region.

The gradient-boosting decision tree model can predict the concentration of PAEs in children bedroom

Exposure of phthalate has adverse effects on child health. Currently, the field measurement on PAEs concentration in children’s bedrooms were limited, and the test of PAEs is laborious. Based on the data of home detection in 454 residences from March 2013 to December 2014 in Shanghai, the association of PAEs in children's bedroom and building characteristics, residents’ lifestyle and indoor environment characterization were built by Spearman correlation. According to the Spearman correlation coefficient method, the concentration of PAEs, such as residential area was significantly correlated with DMP, BBP and DiBP in children’s bedroom (sig <0.05, sig <0.01, sig <0.01; r> 0), and the use of chemicals was significantly associated with DEP and DiBP in children’s bedroom (sig <0.05, sig <0.05; r> 0). Then a gradient-boosting decision tree model with higher prediction accuracy is established. The influencing factors of the studied PAEs were determined by comprehensive consideration of the current study and literature review. 11 influencing factors of PAEs concentrations from three aspects were finally established in this study. The training model of GBDT has a reasonable accuracy( R2>0.9). This paper provides a reference for the prediction of PAEs concentration in the residential bedroom and the influence degree of influencing factors.

Associations between indoor VOCs and childhood asthma in Shanghai, China: an analysis stratified by frequency of window opening during night

Few studies pay attention to the possible associations between indoor VOCs and childhood asthma in Shanghai considering the effect of household ventilation. From March 2013 to December 2014, we collected air samples from 358 children's bedrooms in Shanghai, China. Information on childhood asthma, environmental exposures, and lifestyle behaviors was collected. Two-sample of Mann-Whitney U test, bivariate logistic regressions, and multiple logistic regression were used to obtain the association between VOCs and childhood asthma. Association analysis stratified by frequency of window opening during night was conducted to explore its possible effect on the target association. High concentrations of toluene and dodecane were significantly associated with childhood wheeze, and a high concentration of toluene was significantly associated with diagnosed asthma. In the bedrooms with low frequency of window opening during night, high concentrations of toluene, dodecane, and TVOC were significantly associated with childhood wheeze, and a high concentration of toluene was significantly associated with diagnosed asthma. Our results indicate that exposure to VOCs may be a risk factor for childhood asthma, especially in the bedrooms with poor ventilation during night. Family avoidance behaviors of household ventilation should be considered in the study of associations of household VOCs with childhood asthmatic symptoms.

Prediction of household dust mite concentration based on machine learning algorithm

Household dust mites (HDMs) are the important allergens causing allergic diseases in children. A predictive model can help us understand the concentration of HDMs in different areas of China to better prevent and control this kind of allergen. This study used 454 household inspection samples in childrens’ room obtained from China, Children, Homes, Health (CCHH) phase 2 study, conducted during 2013-2014. Spearman correlation and multiple logistic regression were used to explore the influencing factors of HDMs concentrations, by comprehensively considering residents’ lifestyle, building characteristics, environmental exposure, especially dampness-related exposures. This study used the Gradient Boosting Decision Tree(GBDT) algorithm to build the prediction model. The data from CCHH were used to established the prediction model. It was found that there were some differences in the influencing factors between two types of HDMs. The concentration of HDMs were found a significant correlation (p<0. 05)with the number of indoor moisture indicators. 17 influencing factors of HDMs concentrations from four aspects were finally established in this study. The training model of GBDT has a reasonable accuracy(R2>0. 9). This paper provides a reference for predicting the HDMs concentrations in children's bedrooms and the influence of the influencing factors.

Association between home characteristics and occupant's behaviours and concentrations of bacteria, fungi and endotoxins

Children are particularly vulnerable to airborne bacterial and fungal concentrations exposure due to the amount of time spent in indoor environments. Children bedrooms were used to investigate the prevalence of exposure to biological agents in Porto-Portugal. This study included a walkthrough inspection and biological measurements in 76 bedrooms with the purpose of identifying and analysing positive statistical associations between bacteria, fungi and endotoxins concentrations and the investigated building characteristics and occupant's behaviours. Results indicate that the use of indoor pesticides and visible presence of damp spots in the bedroom were positively associated with higher concentration of bacteria indoors. Fungi concentration was associated with several home characteristics, specifically, with the type of ceiling and floor material, visible presence of mould growth, floor cleaning and the type of rug. A positive correlation was found between the relative humidity and fungi concentration (ρ = 0.366, p < 0.001). Endotoxins concentration was positively associated with noticeable mould odour, the heating system and the presence of cushion/pillow and rug in the bedroom. This study results demonstrate that indoor concentrations of bacteria, fungi and endotoxins are associated both to specific home characteristics and occupant's behaviour. Regarding the building characteristics building materials, dampness-related indicators and heating system were found to be the most relevant physical characteristics, as the use of indoor pesticide, fabrics presence and floor cleaning appear to be the most relevant characteristics regarding occupant's behaviour. This study results adds and contributes to the literature on exposure to indoor pollutants.

Self-Care Needs in the Domains of Knowledge, Attitude and Performance of Adolescent Girls with Regard to Drug Addiction and Risky Sexual Behaviors in Iran.

Background:Knowing about sexual issues and substance abuse is crucial for girls in preventing high-risk behaviors in the medical, social, cultural, and evolutional levels. The aim of this study was to determine the self-care needs of adolescent girls in the domains of knowledge, attitude, and performance with regard to drug use and risky sexual behaviors.Materials and Methods:This cross-sectional study was conducted in the secondary schools located in the third district of Isfahan. Data were collected from 384 female students by systematic random sampling on 2019, and using a four-part questionnaire including demographic characteristics and self-care needs (knowledge, attitude and performance), drug addiction and unsafe sexual behaviors were measured and then were analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistics.Results:According to the adolescents, “familiarity with infectious diseases caused by drug addiction”, “alcohol consumption, drugs and smoking as a way of forgetting problems” and “learning the skills of excitement control,” were their first self-care priorities in terms of awareness, attitude, and performance, respectively. Additionally, “understanding the social and mental effects of relationships with the other sex”, “separating the children's bedrooms from that of parents” and “ways of caring for personal hygiene in menstruation period and travel time” were considered as their first self-care priorities in terms of knowledge, attitude, and performance with regard to sexual behaviors, respectively.Conclusions:Based on the results, more effective interventions to protect the adolescents from being involved in substance use and sexual harmful behaviors are recommended through the training of self-care needs in adolescents.

Metal concentration, source, and health risk assessment of PM2.5 in children's bedrooms: Rural versus urban areas

The objective of this study is to gain a better understanding of the metal characteristics, sources, and health risks of children's exposure to PM2.5 and related metals in children's bedrooms in urban and rural areas. PM2.5 personal environmental monitoring samplers were used to collect both indoor and outdoor PM2.5 in urban and rural areas in Taiwan. Al, Cd, Cr, Mn, Pb, V, and Zn were analyzed by inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry. Source apportionment of metals in PM2.5 was carried out with factor analysis (FA). Health risk assessment of metals was performed on children via inhalation. The average indoor PM2.5 concentrations were 11.9 ± 5.2 μg/m3 and 11.9 ± 4.7 μg/m3 in urban and rural areas, respectively. The most predominant metal indoors in urban areas was Al, followed by Zn, Pb, Mn, V, Cr, and Cd, with a similar result in rural areas. The results from FA indicated that traffic emission and oil combustion in the outside environment were major pollution sources to indoor Mn, V, and Zn; corrosion of building material could be a contributor to Al, Cd, and Pb; pollution sources were different to Cr in two areas. The carcinogenic risk for indoor Cr(VI) via inhalation was higher in urban areas (boy: 6.61E-06; girl: 6.18E-06) than that in rural areas (boy: 2.80E-06; girl: 2.62E-06). These findings will help us to further understand the pollution sources, health risks, and control strategies for metals in PM2.5 in children's bedrooms for reducing adverse health effects, including in rural areas.

Cross-sectional associations of indoor environmental parameters and socioeconomic indicators with bedroom dampness schoolchildren-related exposures in Porto homes

Considering the time spent in enclosed environments, children are particularly vulnerable to indoor dampness-related indicators exposure. Seventy-six homes from 8 to 10 years old children were used to investigate the prevalence of home dampness-related indicators and their relationship with indoor environmental parameters and socioeconomic indicators, in Porto-Portugal. Few studies have included a walkthrough inspection and environmental parameters measurements in children's bedrooms. Results indicate that mean CO2 levels were significantly higher in bedrooms with visible mould growth (1093 vs. 757 ppm, p = 0.006) and in bedrooms with tendency for formation of condensations (978 vs. 752 ppm, p = 0.025). Mean relative humidity levels were also significantly higher in bedrooms with visible mould growth (61 vs. 53 %, p = 0.012). A positive correlation was found between the occupation density and the mould spot extent in the room (ρ = −0.658, p < 0.001). Recent buildings have tendency for having less water traces indoor; and parents with lower school levels (0–9 years) have higher tendency for having condensation on windows. This research makes a contribute to the literature on exposure to indoor pollutants.

Characteristics and Precipitating Circumstances of Suicide Among Children Aged 5 to 11 Years in the United States, 2013-2017

Suicide is the eighth leading cause of death among children aged 5 to 11 years, with rates increasing during the past decade. A better understanding of factors associated with childhood suicide can inform developmentally appropriate prevention strategies. To examine characteristics and precipitating circumstances of childhood suicide. This qualitative study examined restricted-use data from the National Violent Death Reporting System (NVDRS) regarding child suicide decedents aged 5 to 11 years in the US from 2013 to 2017. The NVDRS is a state-based surveillance system that collects data on suicide and violent deaths in 50 states, with restricted-use data available from 37 states. Details and context related to suicide deaths were identified through a content analysis of case narratives from coroner or medical examiner and law enforcement reports associated with each incident. Characteristics and precipitating circumstances associated with suicide cited in the coroner, medical examiner, and law enforcement case narratives. Suicide incidence and risk factors for suicide including mental health, prior suicidal behavior, trauma, and peer, school, or family-related problems. Analyses included 134 child decedents (101 [75.4%] males; 79 [59.0%] White individuals; 109 [81.3%] non-Hispanic individuals; mean [SD] age, 10.6 [0.8] years). Most suicides occurred in the child's home (95.5% [n = 128]), and more specifically in the child's bedroom. Suicide by hanging or suffocation (78.4% [n = 105]) was the most frequent method, followed by firearms (18.7% [n = 25]). Details on gun access were noted in 88.0% (n = 22) of suicides by firearm, and in every case, the child obtained a firearm stored unsafely in the home. Findings revealed childhood suicide was associated with numerous risk factors accumulated over time, and suggest a progression toward suicidal behavior, especially for youth with a history of psychopathology and suicidal behavior. An argument between the child and a family member and/or disciplinary action was often a precipitating circumstance of the suicide. This qualitative study found that childhood suicide was associated with multiple risk factors and commonly preceded by a negative precipitating event. Potential prevention strategies include improvements in suicide risk assessment, family relations, and lethal means restriction, particularly safe firearm storage. Future research examining the myriad aspects of childhood suicide, including racial/ethnic and sex differences, is needed.

Effectiveness of portable HEPA air cleaners on reducing indoor endotoxin, PM10, and coarse particulate matter in an agricultural cohort of children with asthma: A randomized intervention trial.

We conducted a randomized trial of portable HEPA air cleaners in the homes of children age 6-12years with asthma in the Yakima Valley, Washington. All families received asthma education while intervention families also received two HEPA cleaners (child's bedroom, living room). We collected 14-day integrated samples of endotoxin in settled dust and PM10 and PM10-2.5 in the air of the children's bedrooms at baseline and one-year follow-up, and used linear regression to compare follow-up levels, adjusting for baseline. Seventy-one families (36 HEPA, 35 control) completed the study. Baseline geometric mean (GSD) endotoxin loadings were 1565 (6.3) EU/m2 and 2110 (4.9) EU/m2 , respectively, in HEPA vs. control homes while PM10 and PM10-2.5 were 22.5 (1.9) μg/m3 and 9.5 (2.9) μg/m3 , respectively, in HEPA homes, and 19.8 (1.8) μg/m3 and 7.7 (2.0) μg/m3 , respectively, in control homes. At follow-up, HEPA families had 46% lower (95% CI, 31%-57%) PM10 on average than control families, consistent with prior studies. In the best-fit heterogeneous slopes model, HEPA families had 49% (95% CI, 6%-110%) and 89% lower (95% CI, 28%-177%) PM10-2.5 at follow-up, respectively, at 50th and 75th percentile baseline concentrations. Endotoxin loadings did not differ significantly at follow-up (4% lower, HEPA homes; 95% CI, -87% to 50%).

The reliability and validity of a physical activity and sedentary behaviour home audit tool for children aged 2–5 years

ObjectivesTo test the reliability and validity of a physical activity and sedentary behaviour home environment audit tool for young children (2–5 years old). DesignCross-sectional. MethodsParents of children aged 2–5 years were recruited through online methods (i.e., social media and blogs). Reliability of the SPACES home audit tool was assessed using self-reported surveys (n = 55) completed on two separate occasions, approximately 12 days apart. Validity of the home audit tool was assessed in a separate sample via home observations by researchers conducted after parents completed the self-report survey (n = 21). The audit tool measured indoor and outdoor home environment characteristics hypothesised to influence young children's physical activity and sedentary behaviour. Data were analysed using intraclass correlations (ICCs) and Kappas. ResultsThe majority of items demonstrated acceptable reliability and validity (80.4% and 53.4%, respectively). Size of the child's bedroom showed substantial agreement for reliability (ICC = 0.85), and slight agreement for validity (ICC = 0.23). Physical activity equipment items within the indoor environment showed slight to moderate agreement for reliability (ICC = 0.32–0.68) and slight agreement for validity (ICC = 0.15–0.35). Screen time equipment showed substantial agreement for reliability (ICC = 0.83) and fair for validity (ICC = 0.38). Outdoor items (e.g., backyard size, availability and condition of physical activity equipment, outdoor features) showed substantial agreement for reliability and validity (ICC = 0.84–0.95). ConclusionsThe home audit tool was found to be reliable and valid for many items. This tool could be used in future research to understand the impact of the home environment on young children's physical activity and sedentary behaviour.

Home vs. bedroom media devices: socioeconomic disparities and association with childhood screen- and sleep-time

BackgroundThe literature has shown a widespread use of portable electronic devices among children over the last years. This study aimed to identify the availability of different media devices at home versus in children's bedroom according to the socioeconomic status (SES), and analyze the association between that availability and children's screen- and sleep-time on week and weekend days. MethodsData from 3 to 10 year-old children (n = 8430) from a cross-sectional study conducted in Portugal (2016/17) was used. Screen- and sleep-time, availability of media devices, father and mother education (as a proxy measured of SES) were assessed via questionnaire. ResultsAvailable devices at home were significantly more common among high-SES families; while media devices in the bedroom were more frequent in low-SES families (p < 0.001). In preschool and elementary school-aged children, media devices in the bedroom were associated with increase screen-time and shorter sleep per day. Also, mobile devices in the bedroom were shown to exert similar, or even more, influence on children's screen- and sleep-time as television. ConclusionsFurther research is needed to explore the pathways by which different electronic media negatively impacts on children's sleep and screen-time and to develop effective strategies to minimize device access at bedtime.

Screen exposure exacerbates ADHD symptoms indirectly through increased sleep disturbance

ObjectivesThe aim of this study was twofold. First, to confirm the deleterious aspect of evening screen exposure in school-aged children, in particular the effect of screens in the bedroom. Second, to explore the three-way association between degree of screen exposure, sleep disturbance, and ADHD symptoms. Solid evidence exists on the link between sleep disturbance and ADHD symptoms, and screen exposure and sleep disturbance. However, no studies have formally assessed the impact of screen exposure on ADHD symptoms in children, as a function of sleep disturbance. MethodsParents of 374 French children (201 girls, 173 boys, mean age of 10.8 ± 2.8 years old) completed the Sleep Disturbance Scale for Children (SDSC), the Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) Rating Scale, and a questionnaire about their children's screen habits (total hours in the morning, afternoon, and evening per day). Correlational analyses between evening screen exposure, sleep quality and behavioral problems were conducted. Then, formal mediation analyses were run in order to quantify the relationship between variables. ResultsSchool-aged children with screens in their bedrooms demonstrated more sleep and behavioral problems. Evening TV exposure was associated with higher SDSC and ADHD scores. Furthermore, the Structural Equation Modelling approach confirmed that evening screen exposure is directly associated with more disrupted sleep, which in turn is directly associated with behavioral problems. ConclusionsThese findings encourage families to avoid putting screens in their children's bedrooms, and limit evening screen exposure. They furthermore demonstrate the importance of taking into account screen exposure time (morning, afternoon, evening) and location (bedroom or elsewhere) in future studies.

Levels and correlates of physical activity and screen time among early years children (2-5 years): Cross-cultural comparisons between Canadian and South Korean data.

Cross-cultural research can provide insight into whether levels and correlates of movement behaviours among early years children vary across different cultural contexts. This study (1) compared children's physical activity (PA) and screen time (ST) and parental and environmental correlates of PA and ST between samples of Canadian and South Korean (Korean thereafter) early years children (2-5 years) and (2) investigated parental and environmental correlates of PA and ST and whether country moderates the relationships. Cross-sectional data from 121 Canadian children (3.4 years; 49.6% girls) and 101 Korean children (3.4 years; 54.9% girls) who participated in the Parents' Role in Establishing healthy Physical activity and Sedentary behaviour habits (PREPS) study were used. Demographic information, children's PA, ST, PA- or ST-specific parental cognitions and behaviours, and home and neighbourhood environments were measured using a proxy-reported questionnaire. Two-tailed independent samples T test or Mann Whitney U test, chi-square tests, linear regression and moderation analyses were performed. Canadian children spent more time in non-organized PA compared to Korean children (111 vs. 63 min/day), whereas time spent in organized PA was higher in Korean children than Canadian children (25 vs. 9 min/day). Canadian children had more ST than Korean children (159 vs. 110 min/day). Similarly, Canadian parents reported higher screen (142 vs. 116 min/day) and sitting time (317 vs. 286 min/day) than Korean parents. Though children's behaviours, as well as parental cognitions and behaviours, varied between the two samples, similar correlates of children's PA and ST were observed. The relationship between presence of electronics in children's bedrooms and children's ST was moderated by country, with Canadian children showing a stronger relationship than Korean children. Supporting parents to adopt cognitions and behaviours that are conducive to healthy PA and ST patterns of their own and their early years children may be important for both Canada and Korea.

Thermal comfort in residences related to respiratory diseases among preschool children in Shanghai

ObjectiveThis study aimed to explore the thermal comfort situation in children's bedrooms and its association with the prevalence of respiratory diseases among children. MethodOn basis of field measurements in 454 families conducted by CCHH (China, Children, Home, Health) study group in Shanghai during 2013–2014, 167 samples inspected in transition season were selected to study the thermal sensation and thermal comfort of children in residential environments. Pearson χ2 test and multiple logistic regression were employed to examine the thermal comfort and respiratory diseases among children. ResultsIn the transition season, 24% of the residents had the predicted percentage of dissatisfied (PPD) higher than 40%. The prevalence of children with asthma, dry cough, and pneumonia were 37.7%, 31.1%, and 31.7%, respectively, where boys had a higher prevalence than girls. Children's thermal discomfort (indicators: PMV, PPD, SET) had a dose–response relationship with respiratory diseases. Compared with the neutral thermal environment (PMV[-1, 0, +1]), cold environment (PMV [-3, −2]) was associated with a higher risk of asthma, dry cough and pneumonia in children for odds ratio (95%CI, P < 0.05) of 1.19 (1.07–1.32), 1.15 (1.03–1.29) and 1.89 (1.16–3.09) respectively. After adjusting for confounders, the significant associations were also found between children in cold environment and asthma, dry cough and pneumonia (AOR is 1.34, 1.11, 1.23, P < 0.05). ConclusionsIn transition season, the thermal conditions in children's bedrooms in Shanghai were worse than expected, where PMV presented as cool to cold and high PPD. The risk of asthma and pneumonia increased significantly with the thermal discomfort and showing the sensitivity to “gender” and “weight” of children. The dose–response relationship suggested paying more attention to thermal comfort and adverse health outcomes caused by relative cold environment in transition season.

Associations between ventilation and children's asthma and allergy in naturally ventilated Chinese homes.

Building ventilation is important for occupants' health. There are few studies of associations between home ventilation and occupant's health in China. During 2013-2016, we measured ventilation in 399 homes in Tianjin and Cangzhou, China, and surveyed the health history of children. Ventilation rates were measured using mass balance of occupant generated CO2 . The associations of home ventilation with children's asthma and allergy were analyzed in different strata of time and space. A low bedroom ventilation at night was significantly associated with an increased proportion of rhinitis among children (rhinitis current, adjusted odds ratio (AOR): 1.59; 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.01-2.49; diagnosed rhinitis, AOR: 3.02 (1.16-7.89)). Our findings suggest a dose-response relationship between ventilation rate at night in children's bedrooms and rhinitis current. The night-time ventilation rate in bedrooms has a greater association with rhinitis than the whole home ventilation rate during daytime.

Associations Between Bedroom Television And Child Versus Parent-reports Of Youth Screen Time And Sleep Duration

INTRODUCTION: Child self-report and parent proxy-report are frequently used for assessing youth sleep duration (SLP) and screen time (ST) behaviors; however, ?discrepancies in the reporting of youth SLP and ST between children and parents are not well understood. PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to examine if family ST rules and child bedroom televisions (BTV) were associated with discrepancies between child and parent reports of youth SLP and ST behaviors. METHODS: Children aged 8-11 self-reported their SLP and ST behaviors, if they had a BTV, and demographic information. Parents report?ed ?information about their child’s SLP and ST behaviors, family ?ST rules, and family characteristics (i.e. income, marital status, etc.). The prevalence of parents reporting less healthy, similar, or healthier behaviors compared to child-reports was calculated. Separate linear regression models examined if BTV and family ?ST rules were predictive of the discrepancies in the reporting of youth’s SLP and ST between parents and children. RESULTS: Parents reported healthier child behaviors (less screen time and more sleep) compared to child reports. Linear regression models identified child BTV as a significant predictor of discrepancies in child-parent reporting for both, SLP and ST (p=.01 and p=.03, respectively), but not family ST rules (both p < .05) CONCLUSIONS: The presence of a child BTV contributes to discrepancies in child and parent reporting of youth’s SLP and ST behaviors. Future work evaluating youth SLP and ST behaviors using survey tools and national data collection protocols should capture information about the presence of a child BTV.

Environmental correlates of sedentary behaviors and physical activity in Chinese preschool children: A cross-sectional study

ObjectiveThis cross-sectional study examined environmental correlates of sedentary behavior (SB) and physical activity (PA) in preschool children in the urban area of Tianjin, China. MethodsData were collected from the Physical Activity and Health in Tianjin Chinese Children study, involving healthy children 3–6 years old and their families. In all children (n = 980), leisure-time SB (LTSB) and leisure-time PA (LTPA) were reported in min/day by parents. In a subgroup (n = 134), overall sedentary time, light PA, and moderate-to-vigorous PA (MVPA) were objectively measured using ActiGraph accelerometry (≥3 days, ≥10 h/day). Environmental correlates were collected using a questionnaire that included home and neighborhood characteristics (e.g., traffic safety, presence of physical activity facilities) and children's behaviors. Potential correlates were identified using linear regression analysis. ResultsMultiple linear regression analysis showed that “having grandparents as primary caregivers” (βs and 95% confidence intervals (95%CIs) for overall sedentary time: 29.7 (2.1–57.2); LTSB (ln): 0.19 (0.11–0.28)) and “having a television (for LTSB (ln): 0.13 (0.00–0.25)) or computer (for LTSB (ln): 0.13 (0.03–0.23)) in the child's bedroom” were both associated with higher SB. Furthermore, “having grandparents as primary caregivers” was associated with less MVPA (β (95%CI): −7.6 (−14.1 to −1.2)), and “active commuting to school by walking” correlated with more MVPA (β (95%CI): 9.8 (2.2–17.4)). The path model showed that “more neighborhood PA facilities close to home” was indirectly related to higher LTPA (ln), which was partly mediated by “outdoor play” (path coefficients (95%CI): 0.005 (0.002–0.008)) and “going to these facilities more often” (path coefficients (95%CI): 0.013 (0.008–0.018)). Traffic safety was not a correlate. ConclusionFamily structure and media exposure in the home maybe important factors in shaping preschoolers’ PA patterns. Built environmental correlates could indirectly influence preschoolers’ LTPA through parental help with engaging in active behaviors.

Indoor air quality and dustborne biocontaminants in bedrooms of toddlers in Athens, Greece

Contaminants of biological origin, such as fungi and bacteria, are ubiquitous inside the residences and especially in bedroom microenvironments. Epidemiological studies have shown that fungal exposure is associated with respiratory and allergic symptoms. Infants and young children comprise a susceptible population to study, since they spend most of their day inside their rooms. A study was undertaken to investigate environmental factors (temperature and relative humidity), indoor pollutants (PM2.5, CO2), building characteristics and occupant activities in relation to the spectrum and levels of settled fungi in 25 Greek young's children bedrooms, and to evaluate the fungal qualitative and quantitative composition of houses with and without asthmatic/allergic children. In this context, on-site house inspections to study the Indoor Air Quality (IAQ) in bedrooms of young children below three years of age were conducted in Athens, Greece. Sampling campaigns were conducted over one-week period using Electrostatic Dust Collectors (EDCs) to quantify fungal and bacterial exposure in settled dust and real-time monitoring techniques for environmental parameters (T, RH, CO2, PM2.5). The present investigation revealed that the predominant dustborne genus was Cladosporium followed by Alternaria and Aspergillus, and that living in a suburban area, the presence of an attached garage and the presence of a carpet in the bedroom were significant predictors of fungal concentrations. Furthermore, although the difference was not statistically significant, higher fungal concentrations were recorded in the houses with asthmatic or atopic children.