Sample Of School Children Research Articles

The Impact of Wellbeing Interventions on the Anxiety Levels of Children Attending Low-Income Schools: A Systematic Literature Review

This systematic review examined the impact of wellbeing interventions on the anxiety levels of children attending low-income schools. Studies, published between January 2000 and April 2022, were included if they had samples of school aged children attending low-income schools who were given a universal school-based wellbeing intervention. Ten databases were searched systematically to identify 542 records. After title and abstract screening, 43 records remained for full text screening, and of these studies, 10 met inclusion criteria. Quantitative data were extracted and were analysed narratively. The review found that in 50% of studies, wellbeing interventions were effective for reducing anxiety and that the impacts were maintained longer-term. The effects were stronger for girls when measured using self-report and were stronger for boys when measured using parental report.

Kako mjeriti „povezanost s prirodom“? Provjera valjanosti i pouzdanosti skale Povezanost s prirodom na uzorcima učenika, roditelja i učitelja

Previous research has confirmed the importance of measuring the level of connectedness to nature and its relationship to the development of positive emotions, pro-environmental attitudes, and behaviors towards nature. Research also suggests that connectedness to nature declines in adolescence and that family, teachers, and educational practice may be important factors in promoting significant development of connectedness to nature in school children. This paper presents research whose first objective was to examine the measurement indicators of validity and reliability of Mayer and Frantz’s (2004) “Connectedness to Nature Scale” in samples of Croatian and Slovenian schoolchildren, parents, and teachers, as well as the “Attitudes Toward the Environment Scale” in samples of schoolchildren. The second objective of the research was to examine the relationship between the level of connectedness to nature of pupils, teachers, and parents, pupils’ attitudes towards the environment, and their socio-demographic variables. The research sample consisted of a total of 1345 participants, pupils (N=762), their parents (N=568), and teachers (N=115) in primary schools in Croatia and Slovenia. The measurement indicators were determined for both scales in all three participant samples. Bivariate correlation analysis, non-parametric tests to determine differences between groups of participants, and multiple regression analysis were performed. Both scales yielded satisfactory measures of content validity and reliability. High arithmetic estimates for the degree of connectedness to nature were determined for all three samples. The results of the regression analysis indicate that the level of connectedness to nature of parents and teachers, as well as pupils’ attitudes towards the environment, help to explain pupils’ connectedness to nature, but also that the level of connectedness to nature “decreases” in relation to male gender and classroom teaching. The results of this study confirm previous research and have important implications, not only as a stimulus for future research, but also for future educational efforts in schools.

The Impact of Consanguineous Marriage on Children’s Human Capital in Pakistan

Cousin marriage is an important social institution in many parts of Asia and Africa; yet few studies have looked beyond the health consequences to its role in shaping intrahousehold dynamics. We use a unique survey of households in Pakistan to examine the role of parental consanguinity on education, child work and vaccination, and how those effects differ by gender. We apply ordinary least squares, Tobit, inverse probability weighting with regression adjustment treatment effects and intent-to-treat estimation techniques to a dataset of 1,020 households from 9 districts and control for a rich set of covariates. We model selection into consanguineous marriage using the availability of opposite-gender marriageable cousins. Our results show that the adult children of parents who are first cousins completed fewer years of education and are less likely to have attended school. Educational attainment was curtailed equally for daughters of both marriage arrangements, but consanguineous daughters faced a double burden of consanguinity and gender discrimination. For school-aged children of consanguineous couples, the number of days of school missed is higher in some specifications, but enrolment and educational expenditures are roughly the same as children of parents who are not related or are related more distantly. In contrast, domestic work is somewhat reduced for the offspring of first-cousin parents. Daughters of consanguineous parents are less likely to have received vaccinations, although this effect is weaker in the sample of school-aged children than adult children.

Effect of an Educational Intervention Program on Improving Self Care Practices of Asthmatic Children

Background: Asthma is the most common chronic disease of childhood, it is a chronic inflammatory disorder of the airways characterized by recurrent reversible airway obstruction leads to airway hyper reactivity, which causes the airways to narrow. The present study aimed to evaluate the effect of an educational intervention program on improving self-care practices of asthmatic children. A quasi experimental study was utilized. The study was conducted at pediatric Emergency Department and pediatric Outpatient Clinic at Suez Canal University Hospitals. The study subject included purposive sample of school aged children (40) with their accompanying mothers. Two tools were used; A structured interview questionnaire sheet, and observational checklists to assess children's knowledge and self-care practices regarding bronchial asthma. Results: Regarding knowledge and self-care practices of the studied children about bronchial asthma, the results showed that all children had unsatisfied knowledge and self-care practices pre-test that improved at post and follow up intervention phase where most of them had either satisfied level or partial satisfied level. The study concluded that implementation of the educational intervention program improved knowledge of the studied children about bronchial asthma, enhanced self-care practices, reduced frequency of asthmatic attack and reduced school absence days. The study recommended continuous educational intervention program based on actual need assessment for improving self-care practices of asthmatic children.

What Determines Professional Plans in High School Students

Sustainable professional development of the young generation is a foundation for the present, a resource for the future, and it makes a significant contribution to the economic, environmental, and social stability of our society. As never before, professional self-identity and realistic professional plans become relevant for the persistent career development of modern schoolchildren and students. The present article theoretically substantiated three factors that are fundamental for studying the psychological characteristics of the high school students’ professional plans: personality traits, conscious self-regulation, and career adaptability. The empirical study had its purpose to examine carefully the relationship between personality traits, conscious self-regulation, career adaptability, and professional plans of high school students in the Russian schools. To this end, a conceptual model of intrapersonal and regulatory predictors of the certainty and sustainability of the young people's professional plans was proposed and tested on a sample of schoolchildren in grades 9, 10, and 11 (N = 675). Methods: “Self-Regulation Profile Questionnaire, SRPQM-2020” by V.I. Morosanova, the Russian adaptation of “Career Adapt-Abilities Scale, CAAS” by M. Saviсkas and E. Porfeli, the Russian adaptation of the “The Big Five Inventory2 (BFI-2)” by K. Soto and O. John, as well as the ad hoc questionnaire on the students' professional plans. The structural modeling analysis of the obtained data demonstrated that certainty and stability of the professional plans in the high school students depend on the developmental level of their career adaptability, including all career-oriented resources: concern, control, curiosity, confidence. At the same time, the conscious self-regulation of achieving goals also contributes to the certainty and sustainability of students' professional / academic plans through their career adaptability, which acts as a mediator of this influence. As for personality traits, they make an indirect contribution to the professional plans of young people, determining the development of conscious self-regulation and career adaptability. The results obtained reveal the importance of general psychological (conscious self-regulation) and professionally oriented (career adaptability) resources of students in their professional development.

O.6.3-4 Children’s Sport Participation and Physical Activity in the Island of Ireland: a cross-sectional study comparing differences in participation between 2018 and 2022

Abstract Purpose Given the many policies and interventions aimed at increasing physical activity (PA), it is important to understand how levels of PA, sport participation and active travel change over time. The purpose of this study is to assess the participation levels of children and adolescents in sport, PA and active travel in Northern Ireland (NI) and the Republic of Ireland (RoI) and compare differences in participation between 2018 and 2022. Methods A cross-sectional survey was completed by a sample of schoolchildren in 2018 and in 2022 through the Children’s Sport Participation and Physical Activity (CSPPA) study. A representative sample of primary (n = 1549 in 2018, n = 1758 in 2022) and post-primary (n = 5102 in 2018, n = 7123 in 2022) pupils were surveyed in school using standardised self-report PA and sport participation measures. Descriptive statistics, chi-square analyses, linear regression and logistic regression were run for outcome variables. Results Reported participation in daily PA increased at both school levels in NI and RoI between 2018 and 2022 with an increased proportion of pupils meeting the recommended levels of PA (NI: 13% in 2018 and 17% in 2022, RoI: 13% in 2018 and 15% in 2022). The proportion of children taking part in sport at least once a week increased over the last four years at both school levels in NI and RoI. Active travel to or from primary school increased from 36% in 2018 to 40% in 2022 in NI and from 42% in 2018 to 43% in 2022 in RoI. There was no change in the level of self-reported active travel for post-primary pupils in NI. However, reported engagement in active travel decreased from 40% to 35% in RoI. Conclusions The findings from this study suggest small increases in participation in self-reported daily PA, school sport, and community sport between 2018 and 2022. Despite this, participation rates and engagement with active travel remain low. These findings are important for policymakers seeking to address inactivity in children and adolescents in Ireland. Support/Funding Source This study is funded by Sport Ireland, Healthy Ireland and Sport NI, with support from the Departments of Health and Education in ROI.

Digital applications as a means for promotion of healthy behaviours among Albanian children.

Digital applications can be effective tools for strengthening school-based health education programs as they can provide valuable health information to children through interactive videos, quizzes and games. We aimed at assessing the change in the prevalence of healthy behaviours among children exposed to digital applications (intervention) employed for promoting healthy behaviours. We conducted a cross-sectional study before the intervention in March 2022 including a representative sample of 1500 Albanian schoolchildren (≈54% girls) aged 12-15 years. In June 2022, after 4-month exposure to digital applications aimed at promoting healthy behaviours (intervention), we carried out a second cross-sectional study in the same sample of schoolchildren. In both survey rounds, an anonymous and structured self-administered questionnaire inquired children about a range of behavioural practices including nutrition, oral health, physical activity and hygiene practices. After the intervention, overall, there was evidence of a significant increase in the prevalence of all healthy behavioural practices measured: ~9% for breakfast consumption and/or environmental protection, 12% for toothbrushing, 14% for handwashing, 15% for leisure time physical exercise and 24% for adequate fruit and vegetable intake (all p < 0.001). Engagement in healthy behaviours only after the intervention was higher among rural children (from 18% for breakfast consumption to 37% for handwashing and/or adequate fruit and vegetable intake) and especially those pertinent to Roma/Egyptian communities (from 18% for breakfast consumption to 46% for adequate fruit and vegetable intake), except for engagement in safe environmental protection which was more prevalent among urban residents (28% vs. 15% among rural children) and ethnic Albanian children (24% vs. 13% among Roma/Egyptian children). Our findings from Albania indicate that digital applications can be useful for strengthening school-based health promotion programs.

Efficacy of Chewable Brush Compared to Manual Brush in School Going Children of Age Group 10-12 Years.

Chewable toothbrushes were compared to traditional manual toothbrushes in terms of their ability to remove plaque and their impact on salivary pH in a sample of school-aged children. The sample size for this research was 200 youngsters aged 10-12. Saliva was collected by spitting into a clean container, and the pH levels were measured using color-coded pH strips to determine where the person was starting from. The plaque score was measured using the OHI-S index after the application of the disclosing agent. The pH and plaque scores were also recalculated after brushing to see how they had changed after surgery. Results indicated that both manual and chewable brushes significantly improved post-brushing pH ratings (P = 0.001), and that plaque scores decreased (P = 0.001). When compared to conventional manual toothbrushes, the chewable brush was much more successful in reducing plaque and elevating salivary pH (P = 0.001). As a result, parents may offer their kids a chewable toothbrush to help them maintain good oral hygiene after lunch and on lengthy car trips, when they would not have time to wash their teeth properly.

Efecto de una intervención psicoeducativa en el desarrollo motor y perceptivo-visual a través de la inhibición de los reflejos primitivos en escolares de 4 a 7 años

The efficacy of the Assessing Neuromotor Readiness for Learning program (Blythe, 2012) on inhibition of primitive reflexes is presented. The sample is made up of 25 girls and 21 boys aged four to seven years old (M=4.84, SD=1.10). The Developmental Screening of the Institute of Neurophysiological Psychology of Chester, INPP (Blythe, 2012) has been used to evaluate the efficacy of the intervention through a pretest-postest design with control group. ANCOVA and Factorial ANOVA have been used for statistical analysis, depending on the fulfillment of assumptions. The main findings of this study refers to the existence of active primitive reflexes in a sample of schoolchildren and how these primitive reflexes are sensitive to psychoeducational intervention on reflex inhibition through a movement program. In addition, the involvement of inhibition of primitive reflexes in improving motor development has been highlighted but except for visual perception skills.

The subcortical correlates of autistic traits in school-age children: a population-based neuroimaging study

BackgroundThere is emerging evidence that the neuroanatomy of autism forms a spectrum which extends into the general population. However, whilst several studies have identified cortical morphology correlates of autistic traits, it is not established whether morphological differences are present in the subcortical structures of the brain. Additionally, it is not clear to what extent previously reported structural associations may be confounded by co-occurring psychopathology. To address these questions, we utilised neuroimaging data from the Adolescent Brain Cognitive Development Study to assess whether a measure of autistic traits was associated with differences in child subcortical morphology, and if any observed differences persisted after adjustment for child internalising and externalising symptoms.MethodsOur analyses included data from 7005 children aged 9–10 years (female: 47.19%) participating in the Adolescent Brain Cognitive Development Study. Autistic traits were assessed using scores from the Social Responsiveness Scale (SRS). Volumes of subcortical regions of interest were derived from structural magnetic resonance imaging data.ResultsOverall, we did not find strong evidence for an association of autistic traits with differences in subcortical morphology in this sample of school-aged children. Whilst lower absolute volumes of the nucleus accumbens and putamen were associated with higher scores of autistic traits, these differences did not persist once a global measure of brain size was accounted for.LimitationsIt is important to note that autistic traits were assessed using the SRS, of which higher scores are associated with general behavioural problems, and therefore may not be wholly indicative of autism-specific symptoms. In addition, individuals with a moderate or severe autism diagnosis were excluded from the ABCD study, and thus, the average level of autistic traits will be lower than in the general population which may bias findings towards the null.ConclusionsThese findings from our well-powered study suggest that other metrics of brain morphology, such as cortical morphology or shape-based phenotypes, may be stronger candidates to prioritise when attempting to identify robust neuromarkers of autistic traits.

Diet Quality and Exhaled Breath Condensate Markers in a Sample of School-Aged Children.

Exhaled breath condensate (EBC) analysis is a recently developed, non-invasive method used to identify and quantify biomarkers, mainly those coming from the lower respiratory tract. It seems that diet can influence the airway's inflammation and change the exhaled breath composition. This study aimed to assess the association between diet quality intake and markers in EBC among school-aged children. A cross-sectional analysis included 150 children (48.3% females, aged 7-12 years, mean age: 8.7 ± 0.8 years) from 20 schools across Porto, Portugal. We assessed diet quality through the Healthy Eating Index (HEI)-2015, which was estimated based on a single 24 h food recall questionnaire. EBC samples were collected, and we assessed their ionic content (Na+, K+) and conductivity. The association between diet quality and Na+, K+, Na+/K+ ratio and conductivity was estimated using logistic regression models adjusted for potential confounders. After adjustment, a higher quality diet score increases the odds of higher conductivity values of the EBC (aOR = 1.04, 95%CI 1.00; 1.08). Our findings suggest that a higher diet quality in school-aged children is associated with higher conductivity levels of the EBC.

Cross-sectional association between physical fitness and cardiometabolic risk in Chilean schoolchildren: the fat but fit paradox.

BackgroundPrevious studies have examined the “fat but fit” paradox, revealing that greater levels of physical fitness may diminish the harmful consequences of excess weight on cardiometabolic risk. Despite the above, specific information about the “fat but fit” paradox in prepuberal population is scarce. The aim of this study was to determine the relationship between cardiometabolic risk across (individual and combined) physical fitness and excess weight status and whether the “fat but fit” paradox is met in the sample of schoolchildren analyzed.MethodsA cross-sectional study was conducted including 452 children (59.1% girls), aged 7–9 years from Santiago (Chile). Physical fitness was assessed as cardiorespiratory fitness and muscular fitness. Cardiorespiratory fitness was determined by the 6-minute-walk-test and muscle strength was assessed by the handgrip and standing long jump tests. Excess weight (overweight and obesity) was computed through body mass index (z-score). Cardiometabolic risk was established by summing the z-score of the serum glucose, triglycerides, high-density lipoprotein, insulin and waist-to-height ratio.ResultsSchoolchildren with high physical fitness (individual or combined) showed the lowest cardiometabolic risk mean scores (P for trend <0.001 for all physical fitness groups). Conversely, schoolchildren with low physical fitness (individual or combined) showed the highest cardiometabolic risk mean scores (P for trend <0.001 for all categories). Additionally, schoolchildren without excess weight and with high individual or combined physical fitness status exhibits lower cardiometabolic risk mean scores compared to schoolchildren with excess weight and low physical fitness status (individual or combined) (P for trend <0.001 for all physical fitness groups). A lower odd of having high cardiometabolic risk was found in schoolchildren without excess weight and with both high physical fitness (both cardiorespiratory fitness and muscular fitness) [odds ratio (OR) =0.08; 95% confidence interval (CI): 0.04 to 0.16] in comparison to those with excess weight and low physical fitness.ConclusionsOur results suggest that improvements in both fatness and aerobic fitness could be associated with lower cardiometabolic risk.

Logical Intelligence and Mathematical Competence Are Determined by Physical Fitness in a Sample of School Children.

Previous research has shown positive relationships between fitness level and different cognitive abilities and academic performance. The purpose of this study was to explore the relationships between logical–mathematical intelligence and mathematical competence with physical fitness in a group of pre-adolescents. Sixty-three children (50.79% girls; 49.21% boys) from Castro del Río (Córdoba, Spain), aged between 11 and 12 years (M = 11.44, SD = 0.64), participated in this research. The Superior Logical Intelligence Test (SLIT) and the EVAMAT 1.0–5 battery were used. Physical fitness was evaluated by the horizontal jump test, the 4×10 meter speed–agility test, and the Course Navette test. The analyses showed positive relationships between physical fitness with logical–mathematical intelligence and mathematical competence. Specifically, linear regression analyzes indicated that the 4×10 speed–agility test significantly predicted mathematical competence (R2 = 0.16; β = −0.41) and the horizontal jump test significantly predicted logical–mathematical intelligence (R2 = 0.24; β = 0.50). These results are in agreement with previous research, highlighting the importance of improving physical fitness from an early age due to its benefits for intellectual and academic development.

Heterogeneity in caregiving-related early adversity: Creating stable dimensions and subtypes.

Early psychosocial adversities exist at many levels, including caregiving-related, extrafamilial, and sociodemographic, which despite their high interrelatedness may have unique impacts on development. In this paper, we focus on caregiving-related early adversities (crEAs) and parse the heterogeneity of crEAs via data reduction techniques that identify experiential cooccurrences. Using network science, we characterized crEA cooccurrences to represent the comorbidity of crEA experiences across a sample of school-age children (n = 258; 6-12 years old) with a history of crEAs. crEA dimensions (variable level) and crEA subtypes (subject level) were identified using parallel factor analysis/principal component analysis and graph-based Louvain community detection. Bagging enhancement with cross-validation provided estimates of robustness. These data-driven dimensions/subtypes showed evidence of stability, transcended traditional sociolegally defined groups, were more homogenous than sociolegally defined groups, and reduced statistical correlations with sociodemographic factors. Finally, random forests showed both unique and common predictive importance of the crEA dimensions/subtypes for childhood mental health symptoms and academic skills. These data-driven outcomes provide additional tools and recommendations for crEA data reduction to inform precision medicine efforts in this area.

Agreement Between Caloric and Horizontal Video Head Impulse Testing in School-Aged Children Presenting With Dizziness.

The purpose of this investigation was to determine the relationship between the horizontal semicircular canal video head impulse test (hvHIT) and the caloric test in a sample of school-age children evaluated due to complaints of dizziness or imbalance. In adults, these two tests provide different but complementary information regarding vestibular function and/or pathology. However, the most common causes of vestibular loss in children are different than those in adults, and it is not clear how these two tests of horizontal semicircular canal function are related in a pediatric population. This is a retrospective study of electronic records of pediatric patients (< 18 years old) who were referred for vestibular function testing and completed both hvHIT and caloric testing. Agreement between both test results was evaluated by examining measures of sensitivity, specificity, and calculating Cohen's kappa. Results from 117 patients (mean age = 13.7 years, age range: 8-17 years, 37 males) were analyzed. Most patients (97/115 [84.3%]) demonstrated both normal hvHIT and caloric test results. Compared to caloric testing, the hvHIT had poor sensitivity (38.9%) and excellent specificity (98.0%). Cohen's kappa analysis revealed moderate agreement between the methods (coefficient = 0.49 [0.24, 0.73]). Where disagreement between the two tests occurred, the final diagnosis was not contingent on either test result. There is a moderate agreement between the hvHIT and the caloric test in pediatric patients presenting to a tertiary care medical center for a vestibular evaluation. Most patients in this cohort presented with normal findings. The specificity of hvHIT was excellent, although the sensitivity was low. This may be related to the low prevalence of peripheral vestibular system disease in this study cohort, and these results do not generalize to centers that serve populations of children where vestibular disorders are more prevalent (e.g., children with sensorineural hearing loss).

Blood pressure differences between American ethnic schoolchildren and European ascendants groups

To compare the blood pressure levels between Chilean schoolchildren ascendants from Mapuches and European at different blood pressure classification. A second aim was to compare other cardiometabolic (anthropometric/body composition, cardiovascular, and muscle strength) risk factors for HTN between groups. Methods: A cohort study, Public primary school. Participants were ( n =540) Chilean schoolchildren. The sample of schoolchildren was analyzed by categorization of normotension (NT), prehypertension (PreHTN), and hypertensive (HTN) blood pressure state and by Mapuche and European Chilean ascent. The primary outcomes were systolic and diastolic blood pressure. Results: There were significant differences by ethnicity in DBP at the NT state blood pressure classification, but not at PreHTN and HTN states (Mapuche [78.6 (69.5, 84.3) mmHg] vs . European schoolchildren [66.5 (63.6, 68.5) mmHg] at P &lt;0.000). There were no differences between Mapuches and European in body mass and body mass index, but significant differences in height. There were significant differences in resting heart rate and in the handgrip strength of the dominant and non-dominant arm between groups. Conclusion: Under a similar blood pressure state of criteria classification as normotension, Mapuches' schoolchildren's ascendants showed higher diastolic blood pressure levels than European peers. These findings suggest future more complex studies to corroborate ethnic differences.

Prevalence of Urinary Tract Infection and its Related Factors in a Sample of School Age Children from Baghdad Iraq

Background: Urinary tract infection is considered an important risk factor for the development of renal insufficiency or endstage renal disease. Children have a wide variety of clinical presentation, ranging from the asymptomatic presence of bacteria in the urine to potentially life- threatening infection of the kidney. Objective: To measure the prevalence of urinary tract infection, bacteriuria whether symptomatic or not, the type of bacteria detected in urine, and to identify the factors that may be associated with urinary tract infection in primary in school going children. Methodology: A cross-sectional study with analytic elements was conducted within five months in pediatric department of Al Imamain Kadhimain Medical city. A consecutive sample of 300 children of school age (6-12) years old included, data were collected by direct interview with children and/or their caregiver using a questionnaire with measurement of weight and height, general urine examination and urine culture were done. Results: The prevalence of children having positive urine culture was 14.7% of which 1.6% was of children without any symptoms. E.coli being the most frequent detected organisms 65.9%, with significant predisposing behaviors including: intake of carbonated beverages, holding back urine, not washing hands after toilet and using tight clothing. Conclusion: The prevalence of urinary tract infection among school age children in is relatively low and it is significantly related to school dropout, low educational level of parents, rural residence, and low family income.

Effects of Physical Exercise on the Body Composition and Conditional Physical Capacities of School Children During Confinement by COVID-19.

As a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, most of the countries announced the temporary closure of schools, opting to continue classes virtually, affecting children’s lifestyles, primarily by reducing the practice of physical activity and sport, which becomes a risk factor for the development of obesity and overweight. The objective of the present study was to determine the effects of physical exercise on body composition in a sample of school-age children during confinement by COVID-19. A quantitative approach study and quasi-experimental design with pre-test and post-test. The sample consisted of 70 school-age children from 8 to 12 years old who were randomly assigned to 2 groups: the experimental group (GE: 35), who received an aerobic and anaerobic physical exercise program 3 times a day. With a duration of 60 minutes for 10 weeks in a virtual way and a control group (CG: 35) that received only the physical education class. Although the pre-test post measurements showed favorable changes in body composition, weight, and conditional capacities (speed and jumping), these were not statistically significant (P < .05). A structured physical exercise program through virtuality for schoolchildren can be a strategy to control overweight and obesity in children during confinement and improve their conditional physical capacities (speed, jumping).

Clusters obesogênicos: condutas do estilo de vida relacionadas ao excesso de peso corporal em escolares

abstract The objective of the study was to identify the existence of clusters in multiple lifestyle behaviors, including fruits/vegetables intake, sweetened products/soft drinks intake, sleep duration, physical activity and sedentary behavior. In sequence, the association between identified clusters and excess body weight in schoolchildren was examined. This was a cross-sectional school-based epidemiological study with approximately 17 thousand schoolchildren aged 4-20 years who participated in the Parana Health Project. Questionnaire was applied with structured questions to collect lifestyle behaviors. Excess body weight was identified through body mass index. Cluster analysis was performed to identify sex-specific clusters of multiple lifestyle behaviors. Analysis of covariance and logistic regression were used to analyze associations between clusters and excess body weight. Five clusters were identified in both sexes. Schoolchildren in the cluster characterized by lower fruits/vegetables intake and greater time spent in sedentary behavior showed close to twice the chance of having excess body weight compared to their peers in the reference cluster (girls: OR=1.98 [1.41-2.93]; boys: OR=1.94 [1.39-3.01]). In the case of schoolchildren in the cluster characterized by high sweetened products/soft drinks intake and shorter sleep duration, the chances of having excess body weight were 69% in girls (OR=1.69 [1.23-2.67]) and 73% in boys (OR=1.73 [1.25-2.91]). In conclusion, high fruits/vegetables intake, low sweetened products/soft drinks intake, longer sleep duration and less sedentary behavior was considered the most effective combination for maintaining a healthy body weight in the sample of schoolchildren.

Lower grip strength values are associated with increased levels of adiposity and excess weight: a cross-sectional study

Objective: physical fitness (particularly the muscular strength component) is one of the most powerful markers of health. However, few studies have described the relationship of the higher adiposity phenotype with muscular strength in Latino schoolchildren. The aim of the present study was to determine the association between levels of handgrip strength (HGS) with different anthropometric markers. The central hypothesis of this study was that lower HGS values are associated with a higher adiposity phenotype in a sample of schoolchildren and adolescents. Research methods and procedures: a descriptive cross-sectional study was carried out in 6 public schools in Bogotá, Colombia, with a final sample of 430 participants (55.8 % women) between 9 and 17.9 years of age. Handgrip strength (HGS) was assessed with a handheld dynamometer, and normalized as HGS per body mass (i.e., [grip strength in kg)/(body mass in kg]). Tertiles of normalized HGS were obtained separately for both sexes and high HGS was defined as higher tertile (T3). Waist-to-height ratio, body mass index, and skinfold thickness were measured as adiposity parameters. Results: the mean (SD) age of participants was 13.2 (1.4) years. Significant inverse correlations were found between normalized HGS, waist-to-height ratio, body mass index, and skinfold thickness (range, r = -0.40 to -0.61; p < 0.001). Regardless of sex, participants with low HGS (below the first tertile) had the highest values of waist-to-height ratio, body mass index, and skinfold thickness after adjusting for age. Conclusion: muscular strength was inversely associated with a higher adiposity phenotype. HGS could have protective potential for increased levels of adiposity excess. The evaluation of muscular fitness at an early age will allow the implementation of future cardiovascular and metabolic risk prevention programs.