Physical Activity In Schoolchildren Research Articles

E-Gibalec: Mobile application to monitor and encourage physical activity in schoolchildren

e-Gibalec: Mobile application to monitor and encourage physical activity in schoolchildren

El auto-reporte de actividad física y comportamientos sedentarios no concuerda con la acelerometría en escolares mexicanos

BackgroundAn accurate assessment of physical activity in schoolchildren is necessary to implement strategies that promote active lifestyles. The objective of this study was to validate a self-administered questionnaire to assess physical activity and sedentary behaviors and to analyze differences in the validity according to nutritional status in Mexican schoolchildren. MethodsSchoolchildren of 8-12 years of age answered a self-report physical activity and sedentary behaviors questionnaire to evaluate sedentary and light physical activity (SLPA) and moderate to vigorous physical activity (MVPA). The data of children who wore a triaxial accelerometer days was analyzed. Concordance between both methods to determine the time schoolchildren spend watching television was assessed using intraclass correlation coefficients and Bland-Altman method. ResultsThe estimation of MVPA by questionnaires was higher than that of accelerometers by 117.6minutes per week, and the estimation of SLPA was lower by 1,924.7minutes per week. No correlation between the time assessed by accelerometers and the time reported in the questionnaires for SLPA and MVPA was detected. In normal-weighted children, a low correlation between the time dedicated to play videogames with sedentary activities (ric=0.29, p=0.031) assessed by accelerometers was observed. ConclusionsSchoolchildren over-estimate MVPA and under-estimate SLPA. Body weight can be a factor influencing such bias.

Accelerometry does not match with self-reported physical activity and sedentary behaviors in Mexican children

Abstract Background An accurate assessment of physical activity in schoolchildren is necessary to implement strategies that promote active lifestyles. The objective of this study was to validate a self-administered questionnaire to assess physical activity and sedentary behaviors and to analyze differences in the validity according to nutritional status in Mexican schoolchildren. Methods Schoolchildren of 8-12 years of age answered a self-report physical activity and sedentary behaviors questionnaire to evaluate sedentary and light physical activity (SLPA) and moderate to vigorous physical activity (MVPA). The data of children who wore a triaxial accelerometer days were analyzed. Concordance between both methods to determine the time schoolchildren spend watching television was assessed using intraclass correlation coefficients and Bland-Altman method. Results The estimation of MVPA by questionnaires was higher than that of accelerometers by 117.6 minutes per week, and the estimation of SLPA was lower by 1,924.7 minutes per week. No correlation between the time assessed by accelerometers and the time reported in the questionnaires for SLPA and MVPA was detected. In normal-weighted children, a low correlation was observed between the time dedicated to playing video games with sedentary activities (ric=0.29, p=0.031) assessed by accelerometers. Conclusions Schoolchildren over-estimate MVPA and under-estimate SLPA. Body weight can be a factor influencing such bias.

BMI and recommended levels of physical activity in school children

BackgroundPhysical activity (PA) and its health benefits are a continuous point of discussion. Recommendations for children’s daily PA vary between guidelines. To better define the amount of PA necessary to prevent overweight and obesity in children, further research is needed. The present study investigates children’s compliance to physical activity guidelines (PAGs) and the association between objectively measured PA and body mass index (BMI).MethodsParticipating children were 11 years old (n = 419) and part of the European CHOP trial, which was conducted in Germany, Belgium, Poland, Spain, Italy. At least 2 days of PA measurements were collected from each child using a SenseWear™ armband. BMI was calculated from children’s height and weight. Thresholds of min·day−1 in PA needed to differentiate between normal and excess weight (overweight/obesity) were determined with Receiver Operator Characteristics (ROC) analysis. Additionally, adjusted linear and logistic regressions models were calculated for group differences and effects of a 5, 15 and 60 min·day−1 increases in PA on BMI.ResultsMedian time spent in total PA was 462 min·day−1 (25th percentile; 75th percentile: 389; 534) and 75 min·day−1 (41; 115) in moderate to vigorous PA (MVPA). Girls spent 36 min·day−1 less in MVPA than boys and overweight/obese children 24 min·day−1 less than normal weight children (linear regression, p < 0.001). 63.2% of the children met PAGs of 60 min·day−1 in MVPA. The optimal threshold for min·day−1 in MVPA determined with ROC analysis was 46 min·day−1. Comparing 5, 15 and 60 min·day−1 increases in PA revealed that an additional 15 min·day−1 of vigorous PA had the same effect as 60 min·day−1 of MVPA. Sedentary time and light PA showed contrary associations to one another, with light PA being negatively and sedentary time being positively associated with excessive weight.ConclusionsCurrent PAGs are met by 2/3 of children and seem appropriate to prevent excess weight in children. An official recommendation of daily 15–20 min of vigorous PA and further reduction of sedentary time could help to fight youth overweight and thus be of potential public health importance.Trial registrationClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT00338689. Registered: June 19, 2006 (retrospectively registered).

Physiotherapists enabling school children's physical activity using social cognitive theory, empowerment and technology

Aim: To contribute knowledge concerning how physiotherapists using social cognitive theory, empowerment and information and communication technology can promote children’s physical activity in a school context.Methodology: Four studies were conducted in the northern part of Sweden and a qualitative discourse analysis of the results from all four studies was performed to enable a more comprehensive understanding. Three of the studies involved children, and one study involved parents.Major findings: The findings formed three themes: A, Acknowledging empowerment; B, Bonded forces overcame barriers; and C, Competence and motivation enable change. The first theme includes the act of creating the intervention using an empowerment approach. The second theme concerns barriers to being physically active and social support from parents and peers regarding physical activity promotion. The third theme concerns motivation and associated personal factors, such as self-efficacy.Principal conclusion: This course of action might be a way for physiotherapists to promote children’s physical activity using social cognitive theory, empowerment and information and communication technology in a school context. An empowerment approach that includes the formation of partnerships with children is a promising avenue for developing physical activity interventions in schools. In addition, physical activity interventions should attempt to build on children’s self-efficacy and make physical activity opportunities fun and enjoyable.

Validity and reproducibility of an Internet-based questionnaire (Web-CAAFE) to evaluate the food consumption of students aged 7 to 15 years

The study evaluated the validity and reproducibility of the food consumption section of the questionnaire Food Intake and Physical Activity of School Children (Web-CAAFE), an Internet-based software for the qualitative measurement of food consumption by recalling the previous day. A total of 390 students in grades 2 to 5 (7 to 15 years) of a semi-integral public school participated in the study. The validity was tested by comparing the report in the Web-CAAFE and the direct observation of food consumed in the school in the previous day. The reproducibility was evaluated in a sub-sample of 92 schoolchildren, by comparing repeated reports in the Web-CAAFE on the same day. Probabilities of accuracy in the Web-CAAFE report in relation to the observation (matches, omissions and intrusions and respective 95% confidence intervals) among seven food groups were estimated through multinomial logistic regression. The average for the match rate was 81.4% (variation: 62% sweets and 98% beans); for the omission rate was 16.2% (variation between 2.1% dairy products and 28.5% sweets); for the intrusion rate was 7.1% (variation between 1.3% beans and 13.8% cereals). Sweets, cereals and processed foods, snack foods and fried foods simultaneously exhibited higher rates of omission and intrusion. Students 10 years of age or older had lower probabilities of intruding food items. There were no significant variations in the accuracy of the report between repeated measures. The Web-CAAFE was a valid and reliable instrument for the evaluation of food consumption, when applied to students in grades 2 to 5 of public schools.

Turkish version of the SPAN questionnaire for high-school students: reproducibility and validity

This study aimed to generate a Turkish version of the School Physical Activity and Nutrition (SPAN) (2009) questionnaire for high-school students and to test its validity and reproducibility. The questionnaire was translated and back translated and the language validity was assessed. It was tested and re-tested on 318 highschool students to evaluate its validity and reproducibility. Validity was determined by comparing the parts of the questionnaire about what was eaten in the previous day with that of 24-hour food consumption lists. Statistical analysis was performed by using Spearman correlation analysis, kappa statistics and percentage of agreement. The highest test-re-test results were on foods consumed the day before, with an agreement percentage range of 56%-96% and a kappa range of 0.43-0.95. The items related to physical activity had an agreement range of 38%-88% and a kappa range of 0.24-0.82. The reproducibility and validity of the Turkish version of SPAN questionnaire is acceptable and it is a rapid, easily used tool for the assessment of nutrition and physical activity in schoolchildren.

Eficacia de las modalidades deportivas del programa 40X40 en escolares con sobrepeso y obesidad

Introducción. En Bogotá, hay una prevalencia de sobrepeso y obesidad del 16% y del 6%, respectivamente, tanto en niños como adolescentes escolares (1). En 2013, se implementó el Programa 40X40 (P40X40) en instituciones educativas distritales (IED) con el objetivo de incrementar los niveles de actividad física de los escolares. Objetivo. El presente estudio busca determinar el efecto del P40x40 en la composición corporal de escolares con sobrepeso y obesidad de las IED de Bogotá. Materiales y métodos. Estudio controlado no aleatorizado en el que participaron 1003 escolares (6 a 17 años) asignados a un grupo de intervención (GI) (P40X40) (n=497) y a un grupo control (GC) (n=506). Se evaluó el efecto de dos meses de intervención del P40X40 sobre las variables porcentaje de grasa corporal (PGC), índice de masa corporal (IMC) e índice de masa corporal Zscore (IMCZscore). Resultados. Se presentaron cambios significativos en el GI para todas las variables (p=0.00), con mayor reducción en el PGC para los deportes de tiempo y marca por diferencia de medias (DaMs) (DaMs=1.36). Conclusiones. Al observarse cambios significativos en el GI para todas las variables (p=0.00) sin relevancia clínica, se determinó que el P40X40 requiere modificaciones en cuanto a intensidad, frecuencia y duración si su objetivo es disminuir los niveles de sobrepeso y obesidad en escolares.

Growth, lung function, and physical activity in schoolchildren who were very-low-birth-weight preterm infants.

ABSTRACTObjective: To compare somatic growth, lung function, and level of physical activity in schoolchildren who had been very-low-birth-weight preterm infants (VLBWPIs) or normal-birth-weight full-term infants. Methods: We recruited two groups of schoolchildren between 8 and 11 years of age residing in the study catchment area: those who had been VLBWPIs (birth weight < 1,500 g); and those who had been normal-birth-weight full-term infants (controls, birth weight ≥ 2,500 g). Anthropometric and spirometric data were collected from the schoolchildren, who also completed a questionnaire regarding their physical activity. In addition, data regarding the perinatal and neonatal period were collected from the medical records of the VLBWPIs. Results: Of the 93 schoolchildren screened, 48 and 45 were in the VLBWPI and control groups, respectively. No significant differences were found between the groups regarding anthropometric characteristics, nutritional status, or pulmonary function. No associations were found between perinatal/neonatal variables and lung function parameters in the VLBWPI group. Although the difference was not significant, the level of physical activity was slightly higher in the VLBWPI group than in the control group. Conclusions: Among the schoolchildren evaluated here, neither growth nor lung function appear to have been affected by prematurity birth weight, or level of physical activity.

The Association Between Perceived Peer and Teacher Social Support and Physical Activity In Schoolchildren

The Association Between Perceived Peer and Teacher Social Support and Physical Activity In Schoolchildren

'Project Spraoi': A randomized control trial to improve nutrition and physical activity in school children.

BackgroundRecent evidence predicts that by 2030, Ireland will have the highest rate of obesity in Europe. Consequently, there are concerns that health problems associated with this condition will present in childhood. Studies have shown that interventions based on increasing physical activity (PA) levels, reducing sedentary lifestyles and improving nutritional habits all pose protective mechanisms against obesity and its related disorders in youth. Yet, to date, there are no interventions being delivered in Ireland that concurrently target PA, nutritional habits and sedentary time amongst school children.PurposeThe purpose of this study is to implement and evaluate an intervention that targets PA, nutritional habits and sedentary time in primary school children.Methods‘Project Spraoi’ is a school based health promotion intervention, based on ‘Project Energize,’ which has been in operation in New Zealand since 2004. Measures of PA, nutritional knowledge/behaviours and health parameters including body composition, blood pressure (BP) and fitness will be gathered before and after the programme completion (24 months). For comparative purposes, we will compare these scores to a separate group who will not participate in the intervention and to counterparts partaking in Project Energize, NZ.ConclusionsThere is strong evidence that quality multi-component school-based programmes can increase PA, improve weight status and promote healthier dietary habits. Due to the increasing obesity levels, the implementation of such a programme that is rigorously evaluated is warranted in Ireland.

Validity of WebCAAFE questionnaire for assessment of schoolchildren's dietary compliance with Brazilian Food Guidelines.

To estimate reporting bias of WebCAAFE, a web-based questionnaire for the assessment of food intake (recall of frequency of intake of thirty-two food items the day before) and physical activity in schoolchildren. Cross-sectional study. Self-reported food intake on WebCAAFE was compared with direct observation of school meals in five public schools. Additional data included school grade, sex, BMI, socio-economic status and access to Internet at home. Poisson regression was used to calculate the reporting bias (WebCAAFE v. direct observation) and the sample size necessary to detect a statistically significant difference between WebCAAFE reports and at least 75 % compliance with the recommendations for a healthy diet. Intentional sample of five elementary public schools in Florianopolis, Brazil. Schoolchildren (n 629) from 2nd to 5th grades. Moderate bias magnitude was found for most food groups of interest. Frequency of consumption was not related to the bias. Sample sizes necessary to detect the compliance with dietary recommendations varied between four and seventy-four individuals for the different groups investigated. After adjusting for moderate bias, WebCAAFE may be used as a food questionnaire for evaluation of schoolchildren's food compliance on a group level, even with a relatively small sample size.

Student and parental perception about physical activity in children and adolescents

IntroductionThis study aimed to investigate the association between physical activity levels of children and adolescents and the perception of their parents or guardians regarding physical activity of their children. MethodA total of 306 subjects, aged eight to eighteen years, living in a city in southern Brazil, participated in the study. The physical activity of schoolchildren was measured using the Physical Activity Questionnaire for Children. The Chi-squared test examined possible associations between the independent and dependent variables. Poisson regression was used to calculate the prevalence ratio and confidence intervals of 95%. ResultsThe prevalence of schoolchildren who were insufficiently physically active was 86.6%. The incidence of physically active schoolchildren was lower in females. Both the children who perceived themselves as more physically active than their peers and those with guardians who perceived them as active, were more active. ConclusionsIntervention programs to promote physical activity in schoolchildren should consider the perception of the schoolchildren and their parents.

Measuring Obesity and Lack of Physical Activity in School Children Due to Excess Television Viewing: A Case-Control Study

Measuring Obesity and Lack of Physical Activity in School Children Due to Excess Television Viewing: A Case-Control Study

Bullying, overweight and physical activity in school children of Karachi

The pessimistic community and emotional consequence of childhood obesity together with being liked to a less significant extent by peers, being rejected by peers, and being the victims of various structure of peer violence such as bullying are a major teenage dilemma. Bullying comprises of a variety of actions that result in a disparity of supremacy involving the assailant and the sufferer. Bullying was evaluated by Olweus Bullying Questionnaire (OBQ) and BMI was estimated by Childhood Obesity Working Group of the International Obesity Task Force. In response to the question how often you bullied at school in past couple of months 38.81% students replied once or twice, 9% students replied several times a week, 6.2% students replied once a week. BMI categories (Normal Weight/Overweight and Obese) was compared with the Olweus Bullying Questionnaire, I as hit, kicked, punched, thrown around the door on chi square test which showed statistically significant results (p=0.036). Bullying was significantly associated with obese school children. There should be proper knowledge and understanding of students regarding what bully actually is and report to their teachers and parents.

The effects of providing equipment for promoting physical activity in recess among Japanese elementary school children

OBJECTIVE: The present study was conducted to examine the effects of providing equipment for use during school recess on elementary school children's physical activity. Methods: In this cross-sectional study, 98 fifth-grade children (63 boys) from two elementary schools were assigned to an intervention group (n = 39) or a control group (n = 59). The intervention group received equipment such as volleyballs and oval balls. The children's physical activity was measured using accelerometry before and three months after receiving the equipment. Evaluated indicators were time spent engaging in sedentary, light, moderate, and vigorous physical activity during break, lunch recess, and the entire school day. Analysis of covariance--with sex, body mass index, and physical activity level prior to receipt of the equipment as covariates--was performed to examine the differences between two groups with respect to physical activity after receiving the equipment. Results: During break, lunch recess, and the entire school day, data were collected from 23, 25, and 18 children in the intervention group. In the control group, it was done from 41, 42, and 37 children, respectively. During break and lunch recess, the intervention group was less likely to engage in sedentary behavior (p = 0.01, p Conclusion: The availability of equipment for use during recess was associated with high levels of physical activity.

Objective measures of the built environment and physical activity in children: from walkability to moveability.

Features of the built environment that may influence physical activity (PA) levels are commonly captured using a so-called walkability index. Since such indices typically describe opportunities for walking in everyday life of adults, they might not be applicable to assess urban opportunities for PA in children. Particularly, the spatial availability of recreational facilities may have an impact on PA in children and should be additionally considered. We linked individual data of 400 2- to 9-year-old children recruited in the European IDEFICS study to geographic data of one German study region, based on individual network-dependent neighborhoods. Environmental features of the walkability concept and the availability of recreational facilities, i.e. playgrounds, green spaces, and parks, were measured. Relevant features were combined to a moveability index that should capture urban opportunities for PA in children. A gamma log-regression model was used to model linear and non-linear effects of individual variables on accelerometer-based moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA) stratified by pre-school children (<6 years) and school children (≥6 years). Single environmental features and the resulting indices were separately included into the model to investigate the effect of each variable on MVPA. In school children, commonly used features such as residential density [Formula: see text], intersection density [Formula: see text], and public transit density [Formula: see text] showed a positive effect on MVPA, while land use mix revealed a negative effect on MVPA [Formula: see text]. In particular, playground density [Formula: see text] and density of public open spaces, i.e., playgrounds and parks combined [Formula: see text], showed positive effects on MVPA. However, availability of green spaces showed no effect on MVPA. Different moveability indices were constructed based on the walkability index accounting for the negative impact of land use mix. Moveability indices showed also strong effects on MVPA in school children for both components, expanded by playground density [Formula: see text] or by public open space density [Formula: see text], but no effects of urban measures and moveability indices were found in pre-school children. The final moveability indices capture relevant opportunities for PA in school children. Particularly, availability of public open spaces seems to be a strong predictor of MVPA. Future studies involving children should consider quantitative assessment of public recreational facilities in larger cities or urban sprawls in order to investigate the influence of the moveability on childhood PA in a broader sample.

¿Influye la promoción de la salud escolar en los hábitos de los alumnos?

IntroductionIn recent decades, attention has been directed at global theories that attempt to prevent childhood obesity by exposing them to healthy environments. The aim of this study was to analyze the influence of health-promoting environments in primary schools in Logroño (La Rioja, Spain) on the habits of school children. MethodsThe directors of the 31 primary schools in the city completed a questionnaire which examined the health promotion activities of their schools. In addition, anthropometric measurements, adherence to the Mediterranean diet, and sedentary and physical activity habits were recorded from a representative sample of 329 schoolchildren in the sixth year of primary education (11-12 year-olds). ResultsThe majority of schools had developed nutritional and/or physical activity programs (77.4% and 61.3%, respectively); however, teachers had generally not received specific training in that area. Guidelines regarding healthy habits were not formally included in the School Educational Project. Physical activity, which was greater amongst boys (P<.001), was mostly promoted after school hours. The major influences on school children's physical activity and dietary habits of the children were training of teachers, existence of guidelines, and access to sports grounds (P<.05). ConclusionsAlthough further research is required, this study shows that certain modifiable aspects in the organizational or school environment can influence the habits of school children at a fundamental stage of their development.

School gardens and physical activity: A randomized controlled trial of low-income elementary schools

ObjectiveThis study examines effects of a school garden intervention on elementary school children's physical activity (PA). MethodTwelve schools in New York were randomly assigned to receive the school garden intervention (n=6) or to the waitlist control group that later received gardens (n=6). PA was measured by self-report survey (Girls Health Enrichment Multi-site Study Activity Questionnaire) (N=227) and accelerometry (N=124, 8 schools) at baseline (Fall 2011) and follow-up (Spring 2012, Fall 2012, Spring 2013). Direct observation (N=117, 4 schools) was employed to compare indoor (classroom) and outdoor (garden) PA. Analysis was by general linear mixed models. ResultsSurvey data indicate garden intervention children's reports of usual sedentary activity decreased from pre-garden baseline to post-garden more than the control group children's (Δ=−.19, p=.001). Accelerometry data reveal that during the school day, children in the garden intervention showed a greater increase in percent of time spent in moderate and moderate-to-vigorous PA from baseline to follow-up than the control group children (Δ=+.58, p=.010; Δ=+1.0, p=.044). Direct observation within-group comparison of children at schools with gardens revealed that children move more and sit less during an outdoor garden-based lesson than during an indoor, classroom-based lesson. ConclusionSchool gardens show some promise to promote children's PA.Clinical Trials Registration: clinicaltrials.gov # NCT02148315.

Validation of a web-based questionnaire to assess the dietary intake of Brazilian children aged 7-10 years.

The Food Intake and Physical Activity of School Children (CAAFE) comprises an online questionnaire to self-report diet and physical activity of Brazilian schoolchildren. The present study aimed to assess the validity (matches, omissions and intrusions) and moderating factors of the CAAFE. Direct observation was made of foods consumed (five public schools) and child self-reporting on the CAAFE. Additional data included school grade, gender, body mass index, completion of food diary, socioeconomic status and access to computer. Data were analysed using regression. In total, 602 children participated in the study [mean (SD) age 9.5 (1.24) years; 53.6% boys]. On average, there were 43% matches, 29% intrusions and 28% omissions. Matches doubled in third grade compared to the second grade (P = 0.004); matches almost tripled for afternoon snack compared to morning snack (P < 0.001); and matches were 69% higher for children with access to a computer at home (P < 0.01). Intrusions decreased by almost one-half in fifth compared to fourth grades (P = 0.004). Omissions declined significantly in the third and fourth grades but increased in the fifth grade. Omissions were 47% lower for children in the highest income and lower among children who completed the food diary. No differences were found for gender or body mass index. Children older than 8 years old, who owned a computer and completed a food diary, performed better in the CAAFE. A high incidence of disagreement was found in relation to the schools and the type of meal. Overall matches (43%), intrusions (29%) and omissions (28%) indicate that further studies are required to improve the validity of the CAAFE.