Children's Physical Activity Levels Research Articles

Correlates of children's independent outdoor play: Cross-sectional analyses from the Millennium Cohort Study.

Time spent outdoors is associated with higher levels of physical activity. To date, correlates of independent outdoor play have not been investigated. This study aimed to identify potential demographic, behavioural, environmental and social correlates of children's independent outdoor play.Data were from the Millennium Cohort Study when children were aged 7 years. Parents reported whether their children played out unsupervised (yes/no) as well as the above mentioned correlates of unsupervised outdoor play. Children's physical activity levels were measured using waist worn accelerometry. Multiple logistic regression was used to examine associations between correlates and odds of independent (unsupervised) outdoor play. Adjusted multiple linear regression was used to estimate associations between independent outdoor play and objective measures of physical activity. Activity was measured as average daily moderate-to-vigorous activity, steps, and sedentary behaviour.3856 (n = 29%) participants were categorised as engaging in independent outdoor play. Older age, being white British, being in poverty, living in close proximity to both family friends and family, having fewer internalising problems, having more externalising conduct problems and fewer pro-social behaviours were associated with higher odds of independent outdoor play. Independent outdoor play was associated with > 2 additional minutes of moderate-to-vigorous activity (B = 2.21 95% CI, 1.09 to 3.34), > 330 additional steps per day (B = 336.66 95% CI 209.80 to 463.51), and nearly 5 min less time spent sedentary per day (B = − 4.91 95% CI − 7.54, − 2.29)Younger children, those from a higher socio-economic-status, those isolated in location from family friends and family, and those with high levels of prosocial behaviour have lower levels of independent outdoor play. Independent outdoor play was associated with higher levels of physical activity and less time sedentary. Future interventions to promote independent outdoor play should target such populations.

Impact of self-efficacy and parenting practice on physical activity among school children.

ABSTRACTAs insufficient engagement in physical activity (PA) is becoming a major health concern in Thailand, we aimed to investigate the impact of parenting practices and children’s self-efficacy on a child’s PA level and further in the subgroups, stratified by the child’s sex and weight status. A total of 609 primary school children recruited by cluster sampling in two schools were asked to complete questionnaires, and general familial factors and parenting practice related to activities were completed by parents. Multivariate linear regressions were conducted to calculate the standardized beta-coefficients (β). Children’s PA level was positively related to greater support seeking self-efficacy (β=0.281) for engaging in PA, and parenting practices, including less limit setting (β=–0.124) and more discipline (β=0.147) in the total sample. In the analyses of subgroups by a child’s sex and weight status, parenting practice, such as less limit setting and discipline played a more important role in children’s PA in normal weight children and girls as taking account of around 10% of variance of the child’s PA, while only seeking support self-efficacy showed great impact in overweight children and boys. In conclusion, impacts of children’s self-efficacy and parenting practices on children’s PA were different by child’s sex and weight status. This can suggest that future interventions to increase children’s PA might need to consider different strategies to increase children’s self-efficacy as well as parenting strategies when targeting different groups of children.

Relationship between physical activity level and psychosocial and socioeconomic factors and issues in children and adolescents with asthma: a scoping review

Asthma is a heterogeneous chronic airway disease which may reduce capability for physical activity. In healthy peers, physical activity is influenced by psychosocial and socioeconomic factors. Knowledge about the role of these factors has not been mapped in children and adolescents with asthma. The main objective of this scoping review was to identify psychosocial and socioeconomic factors associated with physical activity level in children and adolescents with asthma in the literature. The specific objectives were to map the instruments used to measure these factors, report on the construction and validation of these instruments, map psychosocial and socioeconomic issues related to physical activity level reported in qualitative studies, and identify gaps in knowledge about the relationship between psychosocial and socioeconomic factors and physical activity level in children and adolescents with asthma. Children and adolescents with asthma aged six to 18 years. Psychosocial and socioeconomic factors related to physical activity level and participation. All physical activity contexts. Quantitative and qualitative primary studies in English, with no date limit. The databases searched included nine major databases for health and sports science, and five databases for unpublished studies. After screening and identification of studies, the reference lists of all identified reports were searched, and forward citation searches were conducted using four databases. The following data were extracted: (a) relevant study characteristics and assessment of physical activity level, (b) instruments used to assess psychosocial and socioeconomic factors, (c) association between physical activity level and these factors, (d) construction and validation of instruments, and (e) psychosocial and socioeconomic issues related to physical activity participation. Twenty-one quantitative and 13 qualitative studies were included. In cross-sectional studies, enjoyment, physical self-concept, self-efficacy, attitudes and beliefs about physical activity and health, psychological distress, health-related quality of life, and social support were more often reported as being correlated with physical activity level. In three studies, the construct validity was assessed by factor analysis and construct reliability tests for the study population. Qualitative studies reported 10 issues related to physical activity participation, and capability and being like peers were most commonly reported. There was no direct evidence that qualitative research informed the development or adjustment of instruments in quantitative studies. Seven psychosocial factors correlated with physical activity level; capability and being like peers were the most commonly reported issues. Reports of the construction and validation of instruments were sparse.

Physical activity levels in children with sensory problems: Cross-sectional analyses from the Millennium Cohort Study

BackgroundHearing and vision impairments/problems are associated with increased risk of premature mortality in adulthood. One potential pathway explaining this association is reduced levels of physical activity. Reductions in activity levels due to sensory impairments may commence earlier in life; however, associations between sensory impairments/problems and activity levels in childhood are not well understood. ObjectiveThe objective of this study was to examine associations between hearing and vision problems and objectively measured activity levels in a representative sample of British children. MethodsData were drawn from sweep 4 of the Millennium Cohort Study, a prospective cohort study among children aged 7. Child hearing and vision problems were reported by parents in a postal survey. Children were also invited to have their physical activity measured objectively via accelerometry. A total of 6410 children had valid accelerometry data accompanied by complete survey data on the variables of interest. The main outcomes were objectively measured moderate-to-vigorous physical activity, steps and sedentary time. Adjusted linear regression was used to examine associations between vision and hearing problems and objectively measured activity levels. ResultsIn this sample of 7-year old children, 16.7% (n = 1068) had a reported vision problem and 11.6% (n = 745) had a hearing problem. Reported vision problems in both eyes, but not one eye, was associated with 2 fewer minutes of moderate-to-vigorous physical activity per day (B = −2.1 95% Confidence Intervals [CI] −3.9 to −0.4) and almost 200 fewer steps per day (B = −198.4 95% CI, −398.4 to 1.6). Hearing problems were not associated with activity levels in either one or both ears. ConclusionChildren with visual problems affecting both eyes, but not one eye, are likely to have lower levels of physical activity. Strategies to promote physical activity in children with visual problems are warranted.

Weight Status Is Related with Gender and Sleep Duration but Not with Dietary Habits and Physical Activity in Primary School Italian Children.

The prevalence of overweight and obesity in children has risen greatly worldwide. Diet and poor physical activity are the two risk factors usually examined, but epidemiological evidence exists suggesting a link between sleep duration and overweight/obesity in children. The aim of this study was to describe the relationship among body mass index (BMI), diet quality, physical activity level, and sleep duration in 690 children attending the 5th grade in primary schools (9–11 years old) in the city of Parma (Italy) involved in the Giocampus educational program. This was achieved through (i) measuring anthropometric data to compute body mass index; (ii) administering a food questionnaire to evaluate adherence to the Mediterranean Diet (KIDMED score); and (iii) administering a lifestyle questionnaire to classify children physical activity level (PAL), sleep duration, and school achievement. A highly significant negative association was found between BMI and sleep hours. Moreover, there was a significant positive association between PAL and KIDMED scores. No evidence was found of association between BMI and PAL, nor between BMI and KIDMED score. Data from this study established that BMI is correlated to gender and sleep duration, defining sleep habits as one of the factors linked to overweight and obesity.

Physical activity levels of children with visual impairments during an adapted sports camp

The purpose of this study was to identify the physical activity (PA) levels of children and young people with visual impairments (VI) as they participated in closed and open skilled sports as part of a specially designed 1-week sports camp. Participants ( N = 18; girls = 6; boys = 12; Mage = 13 years, 4 months) aged 9–19 years possessed various levels of VI. Data were collected using Actigraph GM1 accelerometers and analysed using a one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA). Findings suggest there was a significant effect of activity type on both intensity F(1.7,28.94) = 9.86, p = .001, [Formula: see text] and time spent in moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA) F(4,68) = 6.03, p < .001, [Formula: see text]. The findings of this study support the continued implementation of both closed and open skill-oriented disability sports as a means to reaching recommended MVPA levels for children and young people with VI.

Comparison of Moderate-to-Vigorous Physical Activity Between In-school and an Afterschool Program among Urban Underserved Children

With the elimination of physical education and recess, the opportunities for children to be physically active in schools has declined. Therefore, afterschool programs have been identified as ideal settings where children (5–14 years) can accumulate a significant portion of their total daily, recommended level of moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA). PURPOSE. The first purpose of this pilot study was to quantify the level of in-school MVPA in underserved elementary school settings. A second purpose of the study was to quantify the level of MVPA achieved through a structured afterschool program that integrates physical activity with a STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) learning component. METHODS. Participants were 13 children (female n=5, age= 9.36, SD=0.83) enrolled in an afterschool program offered at a YMCA located in an urban community. All participants wore accelerometers to track their MVPA during the school day (6 hours and 15 minutes) and while participating in the structured afterschool program (30 minutes) called Active Science. During the program, the participants completed thirty minutes of physical activity followed by a science lesson delivered through the Active Science Mobile App. Physical activity levels were monitored for five consecutive days (Monday-Friday) during the in-school and afterschool environments. RESULTS. Participants mean in school and afterschool MVPA were M=14.5 + 2.60, M=16.87 + 3.6 minutes, respectively. T-test showed a significant difference between these two settings t(12)= 16.29, p< .05. The 6-hour school day contributed to approximately 24% of the recommended daily physical activity, while the 30-minute afterschool program contributed to 28% of the daily-recommended MVPA time. CONCLUSION. A guided and well-structured afterschool physical activity program can significantly impact MVPA levels in children. The results of this study are well aligned with national recommendations that endorse innovative strategies to incorporate movement into afterschool programs to improve physical activity levels in children.

Exploring the Relationship between Fundamental Motor Skills &amp; Physical Activity Levels in Children

Exploring the Relationship between Fundamental Motor Skills &amp; Physical Activity Levels in Children

Movement-based Mathematics: Enjoyment and Engagement without Compromising Learning through the EASY Minds Program

Background:There has been a worldwide decline in interest and achievement in mathematics in young people. Despite the extensive benefits of physical activity, the majority of children are not sufficiently active. Schools have the potential to arrest both concerns through innovative teaching that challenges and complements traditional approaches.Material and methods:The aim of this paper is to report student and teacher perceptions of the Encouraging Activity to Stimulate Young Minds program, a school-based physical activity integration intervention designed to enhance learning and engagement in mathematics and increase physical activity levels in children using movement-based learning experiences. Four classroom teachers were interviewed and 66 students participated in focus groups following the 6-week intervention.Results:The program provided positive experiences for teachers and students, both in terms of enjoyment and engagement, while ensuring high quality learning experiences.Conclusions:Embedding movement-based learning across mathematics, had a significant positive effect on children’s enjoyment and engagement without compromising the quality of learning.

Relationship between physical activity level and psychosocial and socioeconomic factors and issues in children and adolescents with asthma: a scoping review protocol.

The first objective of this scoping review is to identify and map information about instruments used to measure psychosocial and socioeconomic factors associated with level of physical activity (PA) in children and adolescents with asthma that have been reported in quantitative literature, and to report on the construction and validation of these instruments. The second objective is to identify and map psychosocial and socioeconomic issues related to PA level reported in qualitative literature and gaps in the evidence on the relationship between psychosocial and socioeconomic factors and PA level in children and adolescents with asthma.Specifically the review questions are as follows.

The effect of a self-constructed material on children's physical activity during recess.

ABSTRACTOBJECTIVETo analyze whether an intervention supported by free play with a self-constructed material increases the level of physical activity of students during recess.METHODSThe participants were 166 children of third to sixth grade, between nine and 12 years old (average = 10.64; SS = 1.13). An experimental project was conducted with pre-test and post-test measurement, and a control group. Experimental group participants built cardboard paddles (third and fourth) and flying rings (fifth and sixth), a material they used freely for one week during recess. ActiGraph-GT3X accelerometers were used to measure physical activity. An ANOVA of repeated measures was used to find differences between groups and genders.RESULTSSignificant intervention effects were found in the analyzed variables: sedentary activity (F = 38.19; p < 0.01), light (F = 76.56; p < 0.01), moderate (F = 27.44; p < 0.01), vigorous (F = 61.55; p < 0.01), and moderate and vigorous (F = 68.76; p < 0.01). Significant gender differences were shown (time × group × gender) for moderate (F = 6.58; p < 0.05) and vigorous (F = 5.51; p < 0.05) activity.CONCLUSIONSThe self-constructed material is effective to increase the physical activity levels of children during recess; it decreases sedentary activity and light physical activity and increases the time devoted to moderate physical activity and vigorous physical activity, both in boys and in girls. The boys had an increase in vigorous physical activity and the girls in moderate physical activity. Due to its low cost, this strategy is recommended for administrators and teachers to increase the physical activity of children during recess.

Playful Interventions Increase Knowledge about Healthy Habits and Cardiovascular Risk Factors in Children: The CARDIOKIDS Randomized Study.

BackgroundChildhood obesity is an important health problem worldwide. In this context, there is a need for the development and evaluation of innovative educational interventions targeting prevention and formation of health habits.ObjectivesTo ascertain the impact of ludic workshops on children’s knowledge, self-care, and body weight.MethodsThis was a randomized, clinical study with 79 students aged 7-11 years, conducted from March to November 2012. Anthropometric measurements were collected and two questionnaires (Typical Day of Physical Activities and Food Intake, in Portuguese, and the CARDIOKIDS, a questionnaire of knowledge about cardiovascular risk factors) were applied at baseline, at the end of intervention, and three months thereafter. The intervention consisted of eight playful workshops, which involved the presentation of a play.ResultsSeventy-nine students were randomized to the intervention (n = 40) or the control group (n = 39). Mean age was 10.0 ± 1.1 years. After eight weeks, the intervention group showed significant improvement in the knowledge score (p < 0.001). There was an increase in physical activity scores in both groups, but with no difference between the groups at the end of intervention (p = 0.209). A reduction in the BMI percentile was observed in the intervention group, but there was no significant statistical difference between the two groups after the intervention.ConclusionsPlayful interventions may improve knowledge and physical activity levels in children and, when combined with other strategies, may be beneficial to prevent child obesity and improve self-care.

Objectively measuring children's physical activity levels in a free living environment

Objectively measuring children's physical activity levels in a free living environment

保育所における園庭と園外での外遊びの活動状況

保育所における園庭と園外での外遊びの活動状況

After-School Physical Activity Interventions on Child and Adolescent Physical Activity and Health: A Review of Reviews

Schools are a critical setting for children to accrue recommended levels of physical activity, and after-school programmes are suggested to supplement existing programmes such as physical education. This review of reviews provides a comprehensive picture of the effects of after-school physical activity programmes on student physical activity and health. We completed a literature search of electronic databases and identified six existing systematic reviews and meta-analyses of the effects of after-school programmes on child and adolescent physical activity and health. We compared these reviews on numerous factors, including the databases searched, aims, outcome variables, physical activity measures, inclusion criteria, and quality of original studies. Our review of reviews identified considerable differences among the published reviews in the number and type of studies included, and in the conclusions drawn. In general, the reviews identified better outcomes when conducting the programmes in school rather than community settings, providing sessions on two or more days a week, and ensuring high programme attendance rates. Subgroup analyses indicated that girls were more receptive than boys to intervention programmes that promoted weight control. Additionally, there were some benefits for increasing physical activity levels among over-weight youth and boys. This review of reviews suggests there is currently only modest support of the benefits of after-school programmes on child and adolescent physical activity levels and body composition. Many questions remain unanswered, and there is further need to design, implement, and assess quality after-school interventions that target physical activity in diverse settings.

Cardiometabolic risk is associated with the severity of sleep-disordered breathing in children with obesity

BackgroundThe alarming progression of pediatric obesity is associated with the development of sleep-disordered breathing (SDB), and both exhibit similar adverse cardiometabolic health outcomes. Physical activity level (PAL) may counteract sleep and metabolic disturbances. The present study investigates i) the association between the metabolic syndrome in childhood obesity and SDB, ii) the impact of SDB severity on cardiometabolic risk scores and PAL in children with obesity. MethodsMaturation status (Tanner stages), anthropometric (height, weight, body mass index, waist circumference, body adiposity index) and cardiometabolic characteristics (systolic and diastolic blood pressure, lipid and glycemic profiles) were assessed in 83 obese children (mean±SD, age: 10.7±2.7years). PAL and SDB were investigated with a step test and interviews, and an overnight sleep monitor, respectively. The presence or absence of metabolic syndrome (MS) was established and continuous cardiometabolic risk scores were calculated (MetScoreBMI and MetScoreWC). ResultsObese children with (61.4%) and without (38.6%) MS present similar SDB. SDB severity is associated with increased insulin concentrations, MetScoreBMI and MetScoreWC (p<0.05) in obese children. There is no association between SDB and PAL. ConclusionsIn a context where no consensus exists for SDB diagnosis in children, our results suggest the influence of SDB severity on cardiometabolic risk factors. Further studies are needed to explore the association between PAL and both metabolic and sleep alterations in obese children.

A Randomized-Controlled Trial of School-Based Active Videogame Intervention on Chinese Children's Aerobic Fitness, Physical Activity Level, and Psychological Correlates.

Active videogames (AVGs) that require body movements to play offer a novel opportunity to turn a traditionally sedentary behavior into a physically active one. We sought to determine the effect of a school-based AVG intervention on Chinese children's aerobic fitness, physical activity (PA) level, and PA-related psychological correlates. Eighty 8-11-year-old Chinese children (55 males) were recruited from one Hong Kong primary school and were allocated at random to either an AVG intervention or control group. Children in the intervention group played an AVG, Xbox 360, twice per week during after-school hours, each for 60 minutes over 12 weeks in duration. The control group received no intervention. Children's body-mass index (BMI), objective PA, aerobic fitness (maximum oxygen consumption [VO2max]), PA task efficacy, barrier efficacy, and enjoyment were assessed. Compared with the control group, significant increases were found in the intervention group in VO2max [mean and 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.58 (0.74, 2.42) mL/(kg·min)], objective moderate-to-vigorous PA [6.73 (1.70, 11.76) min/day], and total PA [27.19 (9.33, 45.04) min/day], but not for BMI. No significant differences in PA task efficacy, barrier efficacy, and enjoyment were observed. A 12-week (60 minutes × twice per week) school-based AVG intervention can improve Chinese children's aerobic fitness and PA level. These findings indicated that AVGs could be used as an alternative means to engage Chinese children in PA in school setting. However, the treatment effects of AVGs on PA-related psychological correlates and body composition need more investigation.

Validação do Questionário de Avaliação da Atividade Física em Crianças

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Parental influences on children's physical self-perceptions, body composition, and physical activity levels

BackgroundIn the UK, 28% of children are overweight or obese, the deleterious effects of which are well documented. Promotion of physical activity is one solution to preventing obesity. Previous studies have identified parental influence as a factor that can shape a child's physical self-perceptions, and act as a stimulus for physical activity. Therefore, we aimed to assess parental influence and physical self-perceptions on children's physical activity, and to examine whether these factors affect body composition. MethodsWe recruited a convenience sample of 13 children from a local primary school in Wales. Testing was done at two timepoints with a 1 week interval. At baseline, anthropometric data of the children were collected, and ActiSleep+ accelerometers (ActiGraph, Pensacola, FL, USA) distributed. Participants were directed to go about their normal activities for 7 consecutive days while wearing the monitor. At the second timepoint, parental influence and the children's physical self-perception were measured with questionnaires based on the Youth Physical Activity Model and the Children's Physical Self-Perception Profile, respectively. Spearman's correlation coefficient was used to measure associations between variables of parental influence, physical self-perception, and physical activity. Additionally, multiple regressions were used to measure pathway coefficients. FindingsMean age of the children was 10·46 years (SD 0·52), with mean weight 45·18 kg (11·51) and mean height 1·44 m (0·07). Most of the variables were poorly correlated (p>0·05), with certain exceptions. The strongest correlation was between moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA) levels and physical condition, a subcategory of physical self-perception (r=0·752, p=0·002). The weakest correlation was between MVPA and parental involvement (r=0·644, p=0·009). Analysis of correlations between subcategories of parental influence and child's physical self-perception showed that physical condition was strongly correlated with parental involvement (r=0·729, p=0·002). Physical condition was also indirectly associated with physical activity levels (path coefficient association with parental involvement r=0·213, p=0·05). InterpretationThe present study supports the notion that parental influence, in the form of parental involvement, has a direct, statistically significant, and positive effect on a child's levels of physical activity; it also has an indirect positive effect through a child's perception of their own physical condition, which can subsequently increase physical activity levels. Practitioners should encourage parents to become more involved in their child's choice of physical activity; and parents could provide positive appraisal of their child's perceived physical condition. However, further research with a larger sample size is needed. FundingApplied Sports Science Technology and Medicine Research, Swansea University.

Do foot posture, deformity, and footwear fit influence physical activity levels in children with Down syndrome? A prospective cohort study

ABSTRACTBackground Foot problems may limit physical activity in children with Down syndrome. This prospective cohort study investigated the association of foot posture, deformity, and footwear fit with activity.Method Foot posture of 50 children with Down syndrome (22 girls, 28 boys; M age = 10.5 years) was assessed using the arch index and deformities were documented. Footwear fit compared the difference in length and width of shoes with participants’ feet. Physical activity was measured using accelerometers.Results Mean arch index (0.29 ± 0.08) was indicative of flat feet. Footwear fit was too short for five participants, too long for 26 participants, and too narrow for 29 participants. Regression analysis for the 20 participants adherent with wearing an accelerometer found no association of foot posture or deformity with activity. Footwear fit was negatively associated with activity (p = .03).Conclusion Preliminary data suggest poor footwear fit is associated with reduced physical activity in children with Down syndrome.