Czech Schoolchildren Research Articles

P05-11 Motor Competence Assessment of Czech School-Age Children: Lack of Movement or Developmental Coordination Disorder?

BackgroundPhysical activity (PA) in Czech children is insufficient. In the last two decades, the prevalence of physical inactivity and excessive time spent in sedentary activities has increased (Gába et al. 2019). The determinants of PA are complex and wide-ranging: individual, socio-demographic, interpersonal, environmental. Motor skill acquisition in early childhood may be an important prerequisite for child PA participation and engagement in PA later in life (Loprinzi et al. 2012).The aim of this study was to estimate motor competence (MC) level in a Czech school children, identify children with motor impairments and analyze the possible causes.MethodsThe research sample was made from Czech school children (n = 195, 110 girls, and 85 boys) of average age 11.96±1.96 years. To estimate an MC, we used the Bruininks-Oseretsky Test of Motor Proficiency, Second Edition, a complete form. We evaluated total motor composite (TMC) and four subcategories: fine manual control, manual coordination, body coordination, and strength and agility.ResultsOur TMC results correspond to a secular reduction in MC. The results show that the group's MC is in the lower part of the average level (TMC standard score 45.4±11.7). The overall percentage of children whose TMC is above the 15th percentile is 64.6%. Conversely, 35.4% of children do not meet the criterion in TMC.On average, the weakest performance was recorded in the area of fine manual control (standard score 38.2±11.6). More in-depth analysis showed that the weakest subcomponent of fine manual control was fine motor precision (scale score 9.3±5.8) and fine motor integration (scale score 10.7±6.1).Conclusion24 children (12.3%) had well-below average results (TMC<5th percentile). These children are highly likely to develop a developmental coordination disorder. It is a significantly higher result than in the literature reported around 5 - 6% in school-age children.69 children (35.4%) had below-average result of TMC (TMC<15th percentile). The poor results in the fine manual control without the accompanying other motor components point to a low exercise experience rather than a neurodevelopmental disorder.

The Assessment of Movement Competence in Czech School Age Children Using BOT-2 Test

Introduction: A sufficient level of movement competence (MC) is a significant health and psychosocial factor. Overall, there is a strong consensus that movement competence is positively associated with all health-related variables. A lower level of movement competence in childhood is reflected in physical activity participation and engagement in physical activity later in life. The Bruininks-Oseretsky test of motor proficiency, 2nd version (BOT-2), is considered the most comprehensive diagnostic tool. There are no normative criteria of this test in the Czech Republic. The aim of this pilot study was to estimate a cross-cultural validity of the BOT-2 in a sample of Czech school children. Methods: The research sample was comprised of 83 school children (43 girls and 40 boys) of average age 10.15 ± 1.66 years. For the estimation of a MC we used the BOT-2, 2nd version - complete form. Results: The results of our tested group show that the group’s MC is in the lower part of the average level in the area of total motor composite (standard score 46.4±11.8). On average, the weakest performance was recorded in the area of fine manual control. More in-depth analysis showed that the weakest subcomponent of the area of fine manual control was fine motor precision (scale score 10.1±5.5). The group’s most successful area was the component concerning strength and agility. Conclusion: As a pilot study the project indicated that the BOT-2 can be valid for the Czech school children in 4 motor area composites regarding the manual coordination, coordination, strength and agility assessment only. It is not valid for the assessment of fine manual control. In a more detailed analysis of 8 subcategories we observe significantly worse results of Czech children in the area of fine motor precision.

Trends in Screen Time Behaviours in Czech Schoolchildren between 2002 and 2014: HBSC Study.

Screen-based behaviours such as watching television or computer use are among the most prevalent sedentary behaviours adolescents spend time on. There is a lack of recent estimates on prevalence and changes in the amount of time spent on screen-based behaviour across Central and Eastern Europe. The main aim is to assess the trends in the prevalence of current recommendations for the screen time (≤2 hours per day) of school-aged children in the Czech Republic between 2002 and 2014. We used an internationally established methodology based on the Health Behaviour in School-aged Children (HSBC) study. Data was derived from Czech national representative samples of 11-, 13- and 15-year-olds collected in the years 2002 (N=4,065), 2006 (N=4,170), 2010 (N=3,962) and 2014 (N=4,338). The results indicated that the boys and girl surveyed in 2014 are up to two times more likely to meet the current recommendations for watching television in comparison with groups of schoolchildren of the same age surveyed in 2002. In contrast, computer use by adolescents increased markedly between 2006 and 2014. Taking total screen time into account, spending two hours per day or less on it decreased significantly among boys (OR=0.74, 95% CI=0.62-0.89) and girls (OR=0.80, 95% CI=0.70-0.92) between 2006 and 2014. As screen time is an important indicator of time spent in a sedentary way, our findings call for more interventions to reduce the time that school-aged children spend in front of screens.

Trends in Active Commuting to School among Czech Schoolchildren from 2006 to 2014.

Active commuting (AC) is an important factor in increasing the total daily physical activity (PA) in children, which is significant for their health and positive physical behaviour in adulthood. The objective of the study was to describe trends in active commuting to school among Czech girls and boys aged 11-15 years from 2006 to 2014, using data from the Health Behaviour in School-aged Children (HBSC) study. To investigate trends in AC among Czech children of school age data obtained from the HBSC surveys carried out in 2006, 2010, and 2014 was used. The study sample comprised 12,273 respondents, out of whom 5,992 (48.8%) were boys and 6,281 (51.2%) girls. The overall trends in AC were evaluated using logistic regression analysis. Compared with 2006, there was an overall decrease in AC among the 13-year-old boys and 13-year-old girls (boys - 1.8% in 2006 to 50.1% in 2014, girls - 69.3% in 2006 to 46.3% in 2014). The proportion of children AC (walking and cycling) to school significantly decreased from 74.3% in 2006 to 53.4% in 2014. This study demonstrated that AC to school decreased sharply among Czech children of school age from 2006 to 2014. However, walking was the most frequently used mode of travel. The boys were significantly more likely to cycle to school compared to the girls. PA interventions for youth should encourage participation in AC to school in the Czech Republic.

Trends in Overweight and Obesity in Czech Schoolchildren from 1998 to 2014.

Overweight and obesity in adolescents is associated with many health risks and considerable direct and indirect healthcare costs. The purpose of this study is to examine trends in the prevalence of overweight and obesity in 11-, 13- and 15-year-old adolescents in the Czech Republic from 1998 to 2014. Data from five self-reported survey rounds (1998, 2002, 2006, 2010, and 2014) of the Health Behaviour in School-aged Children Study (HBSC) were used to assess trends in overweight and obesity among Czech adolescents. The total sample consisted of 19,103 adolescents (51.2% girls). A logistic regression analysis was used to assess trends in different age and gender categories. From 1998 to 2014 a significant increase in the prevalence of overweight and obesity was observed among boys in all age categories (11 years old 22.2%1998- 28.3%2014; 13 years old 17.9%1998- 26.7%2014; 15 years old 9.8%1998- 20.8%2014) and among 15-year-old girls (6.0%1998- 10.9%2014). None of the age and gender categories showed an overall decrease over the 16-year period. In boys, the prevalence of overweight was significantly higher with steeper negative trends compared with girls. However, stabilization in overweight rates was observed between 2010 and 2014 in all age and gender groups. Nationally representative self-reported data show a significant increase in overweight (including obesity) prevalence among children from 1998 to 2014 in the Czech Republic. The results also suggest stabilization in overweight prevalence between 2010 and 2014. Continuing research is needed to determine future trends while interventions aimed at reducing overweight and obesity in children should be implemented on different levels of public policy.

A database of semantic features for chosen concepts (Attested in 8- to 10-year-old Czech pupils)

Abstract In this paper, a database of semantic features is presented. 104 nominal concepts from 13 semantic categories were described by young Czech school children. They were asked to respond to the question “what is it, what does it mean?” by listing different kinds of properties for concepts in writing. Their responses were broken down into semantic features and the database was prepared using a set of pre-established rules. The method of database design, with an emphasis on the way features were recorded, is described in detail within this article. The data were statistically analysed and interpreted and the results along with database usage methodologies are discussed. The goal of this research is to produce a complex database to be used in future research relating to semantic features and therefore it has been published online for use by the wider academic community. At present, databases have been published based on data gathered from adult English and Czech speakers; however participation in this study was limited specifically to young Czech-speaking children. Thus, this database is characteristically unique as it provides important insight into this specific age and language group’s conceptual knowledge. The research is inspired primarily by research papers concerning semantic feature production obtained from adult English speakers (McRae, de Sa, and Seidenberg, 1997; McRae, Cree, Seidenberg, and McNorgan, 2005; Vinson and Vigliocco, 2008).

Trends in prevalence of overweight and obesity in Czech schoolchildren: HBSC study 2002 to 2010

Trends in prevalence of overweight and obesity in Czech schoolchildren: HBSC study 2002 to 2010

ActiTrainer-determined segmented moderate-to-vigorous physical activity patterns among normal-weight and overweight-to-obese Czech schoolchildren

This study uncovered the patterns of moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA) in normal-weight and overweight/obese children before, during, and after school lessons. ActiTrainer-based MVPA was assessed over 2 school days (with and without a physical education lesson [PEL] in a sample of three hundred thirty-eight 9- to 11-year-old children (50.3 % female; 29.6 % overweight/obese), in the Czech Republic, during spring 2012. MVPA was quantified based on the step count (number), MVPA duration, and MVPA heart-rate response (minutes). No differences in the MVPA based on the time during the school day were confirmed in normal-weight versus overweight/obese girls, whereas normal-weight boys significantly exceed their overweight/obese peers in step count and after-school and daylong MVPA. Active participation in PEL contributes to a significantly higher step count, exercise duration, and MVPA heart-rate response in normal-weight and overweight/obese boys (p < 0.001) and normal-weight (p < 0.001) and overweight/obese (p < 0.04) girls during school time. Moreover, active participation in PEL significantly (p < 0.04) increases the overall daily step count, duration, and MVPA heart-rate response in normal-weight boys and overweight/obese girls. Active exercise during PEL accounted for 16.7 % of the total number of steps, 25.1 % of overall MVPA duration, and 24.1 % of the MVPA heart-rate response in 9- to 11-year-old children. During days with a PEL, a significantly (p < 0.02) higher number of overweight/obese girls and a higher number of normal-weight boys achieved the duration of 60 min/day of MVPA compared with days without a PEL. Conclusion: Adding one PEL or an equivalent amount of MVPA to the daily school routine appears to be a promising strategy to effectively increase daily MVPA, particularly among overweight/obese girls.

Trends of overweight and obesity, physical activity and sedentary behaviour in Czech schoolchildren: HBSC study

Background: The decline of physical activity (PA) and the increased prevalence of overweight and obese children have been discussed worldwide. This study assessed the trends in the prevalence of overweight and obesity, PA and sedentary behaviour in Czech school-aged children. Methods: A cross-sectional questionnaire from the Czech Republic was administered in cycles in 2002, 2006 and 2010 under the Health Behaviour in School-Aged Children (HBSC) study. In the study, 14 219 children aged 11–15 years participated. Results: In comparison with 2002, there is a significant increase (P < 0.01) of obese and overweight boys in 2010. The same trend has been recorded in girls, except those in the 13-year-old group. There has been a significant decline (P < 0.05) in meeting PA recommendations in 11-year-old girls and boys and in 13-year-old girls when comparing the 2006 and 2002 data. In 2010, we found a non-significant increase or stagnation of the share of children meeting the PA recommendation compared with 2006. We found an increasing length of sedentary time for children. There were significant associations between>2 h being spent sitting by a TV or PC and consuming fruit and vegetables (negative associations) or sweets and sweetened lemonades (positive associations). Conclusions: An increasing percentage of obese or overweight children, increased sedentary time and a decline or stagnation of the proportion of children meeting recommendations for PA were found among Czech schoolchildren. Future research should evaluate PA recommendations with respect to gender, age and effective intervention approach to reduce the obesity incidence in childhood.

Prevalence of Overweight, Obesity and Risk of Injury in Czech School Children

Background and aims: Czech Republic is one of the countries with increasing prevalence of child overweight and obesity. Current epidemiological data highlight a significant increase in the child injury rate. The aim of this presentation is to determine the prevalence of overweight and obesity and point out the relationship between overweight and obesity, and the increased risk of injury incidences.

Levels of Lead, Cadmium, and Mercury in Blood and Urine of the Czech Schoolchildren

Levels of Lead, Cadmium, and Mercury in Blood and Urine of the Czech Schoolchildren

Social inequality and obesity in Czech school children

This study uses logistic regressions to consider the effect of social factors, physical activity, meal frequency and BMI of parents on children’s body mass index (BMI) values. Three thousand three hundred and sixty-two children aged 7–11 years were examined in 38 schools in the Czech Republic. Six anthropometric characteristics were assessed in 1999–2000. Most important factors influencing children’s BMI values were: obesity of both or at least one of the parents, being an only child, residence in small communities, and irregular breakfasts.