Sedentary Behavior In Children Research Articles

Active Commuting, Physical Activity, and Sedentary Behaviors in Children and Adolescents from Spain: Findings from the ANIBES Study

Active commuting (AC) has been proposed as a great opportunity to increase physical activity level (PA) in children and adolescents. The aim of the present study is to determine the associations between AC (walk and cycle commuting) and non-AC (motor vehicle commuting) with PA levels, and with AC and sedentarism in Spanish children and adolescents. A representative Spanish sample of 424 children and adolescents (38% females) was involved in the ANIBES (Anthropometry, Dietary Intake and Lifestyle in Spain) Study in 2013. Data on the levels of AC, non-AC, PA, and sedentarism were obtained using the International Physical Activity Questionnaire for adolescents. Stepwise backward univariate generalized linear and linear regression models were performed. In girls, walking was associated with playground PA, moderate PA, and moderate to vigorous PA (MVPA) (β = 0.007, p < 0.05; both β = 0.007, p < 0.01), respectively. In boys, walking was associated with all PA levels (p < 0.05); while cycling was related to moderate PA and MVPA (both β = 0.007, p < 0.05). A negative significant association was observed between AC and time spent studying without Internet use in boys (β = −0.184, p < 0.05). Commuting by walking contributes to increased daily PA in both sexes, whereas cycling was only related to moderate PA and MVPA in boys. Sedentary behaviors are not related to AC, but studying without Internet use was negatively associated with AC in boys.

Prospective associations between combined physical activity and sedentary behaviours and milk and yogurt consumption. Results from the IDEFICS study

AbstractBackgroundThe knowledge about the association of physical activity (PA) and sedentary behaviours (SB) with the most considered healthy dairy products consumption, as milk and yogurt, in childhood is scared.AimTo assess the longitudinal relationship between specific lifestyle behaviours (PA and SB) and combined dairy consumption (milk + yogurt) in a sample of European children.MethodsTwo measurements, with 2 years’ interval (T0 and T1), were conducted in 1 688 (50.8% boys) childrenfrom the IDEFICS study. Dietary information was parental-registered by a 24-hour dietary recall. At both time points, sedentary behaviour and objective estimation of PA was obtained by accelerometers. Different groups were defined according to the international children's PA and SB behaviours recommendations over time. The cut-offs for the SB and PA recommendations were established on 2hour/day of SB and 2 hour/day of moderate to vigorous PA. Multilevel ordinal logistic regression models were used to assess the group's association with the combined dairy consumption (milk + yogurt), adjusted for potential confounders (sex, body mass index zscore, intervention versus control region, parental education level, dietary quality index, energy intake and the consumption by each dairy group at T0).ResultsNine groups of meeting or not both recommendations (SB and PA) were obtained. Those children who meeting both lifestyle recommendations at both measurement points, had higher probability to consume more milk and yogurt (p &lt; 0.05), in comparison to the rest of combinations.Those children who did not meet any recommendations at both time points were less likely to consume milk + yogurt (OR: 0.47, 95%CI:0.26–0.83) than those who met both recommendations at both time points. Those children which improved one behaviours (PA or SB) between both measurement point were associated with low consumption of milk + yogurt (OR:0.41, 95%CI 0.22;0.74; OR:0.40, 95%CI 0.22,0.72), compared with those who meet both lifestyle recommendations at both periods (T0 and T1). Also, those which improved both behaviours (PA and SB) were less likely to consume milk + yogurt (OR:0.34, 95%CI 0.15–0.80) than those who were physically active and low sedentary at both time points.ConclusionsThese results suggest that European children with a healthy lifestyle regarding PA and SB over time, had the highest milk and yogurt consumption in comparison with other children.

Factors associated with overweight status, obesity, and sedentary behavior in elementary and junior high school students.

Sedentary behavior increases the risks of obesity and cardiovascular disease in adults, but these relationships are uncertain in elementary and junior high school students. We investigated whether sedentary behavior is related to overweight status and obesity in high-risk children with lifestyle diseases. A cross-sectional study was performed in 115 children and primary caregivers who attended a lecture for preventing child lifestyle diseases in Ibaraki prefecture, Japan. The main outcome measure was excess weight (percent overweight). Factors associated with excess weight in children were evaluated using multiple regression analysis. Basic physical and demographic characteristics, biochemical data (total cholesterol [TC], low and high density lipoprotein cholesterol [LDL-C and HDL-C], alanine aminotransferase [ALT]), blood pressure, child and parental sedentary time, parental BMI, and family environment were evaluated. In total, 107 children were eligible for participation in the study. Excess weight in these children was 28.6 ± 18.4. Sedentary time was 337.2 ± 122.5 min/day in children and 347.0 ± 196.2 min/day in parents. Multiple regression analysis revealed that children's sedentary behavior (β = 0.02, (95%CI: 0.00 to 0.04)) and HDL-C (β = -0.59, (95%CI: -0.81 to -0.38)) as independent predictors of children's excess weight. Study findings suggest that decreasing children's sedentary behavior in addition to greater physical activity is important for the prevention of overweight status and obesity in high-risk children with lifestyle diseases. Reduction of sedentary time, and engaging in regular exercise are all important for proper weight maintenance in children.

Association of Television Watching on Physical Activity and Obesity among Children in Pokhara, Nepal

Sedentary behavior of children is increasing day by day due to use of modernized technologies like electronic medias and devices. Many studies are exploring the effects of prolonged television viewing on physical activity and obesity throughout the childhood. This study aims to assess the television viewing habits, leisure time physical activity and prevalence of obesity among children in Pokhara sub metropolitan, Nepal. A cross-sectional study was performed based upon six wards of Pokhara sub-metropolitan. Self developed questionnaire was used to evaluate the different parameters like socio-demographic, lifestyle characteristics and anthropometric characteristics. Anthropometric measurement was done using stadiometer and bathroom weighing machine. Data was entered in the Epi-Data software. Data were transferred into Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) software for analysis. Total 306 children aged 8-12 years included in the study, there was higher prevalence of television watching where 69.6 percent exceeded for more than 2 hours per day with mean TV viewing time to be 154.97±60.66 minutes per day. The daily time spent watching television was positively associated with obese children (p=0.005, OR=2.863, 95% CI= 1.343-6.103). More than 65 percent of children had low physical activity. Similarly, normal body mass category also showed positive association with physical activity level (p=0.04, OR=0.367, 95% CI=0.181-0.741) and leisure time physical activity level (p&lt;0.001, OR=0.230, 95% CI=0.125-0.425). The current finding reveals that almost one third of children population exceeded the limit of 2 hours/day of TV viewing. Monitoring and limitation of children’s TV viewing time along with encouragement in alternative entertainments like reading, walking and athletics and healthy eating habits should be done in order to reduce epidemic of obesity.&#x0D; Keywords: Television watching, Obesity, Physical activity, Children

Patterns of Objectively and Self-Reported Sedentary Behavior in Children and Adolescents Living With Human Immunodeficiency Virus: The PositHIVe Health Study.

Sedentary behavior (SB) has been shown to be associated with unhealthy outcomes in children, and it is not clear whether children living with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) engage in different patterns of SB compared with healthy children. This cross-sectional study aimed to compare patterns of SB between children living with HIV and a healthy control group. A group of children with HIV and a paired control group wore accelerometers for 1 week and answered a questionnaire with items related to television viewing habits and computer usage. Accelerometer-derived and self-reported SB were compared between children living with HIV and controls and between treatment-based and viral load subgroups. A total of 130 children (of which 53% are girls with a mean age of 12.1y) participated in the study with 65 in each group. Children in the control group exhibited significantly more objectively measured SB daily when compared with the HIV group (515 vs 490min/d, respectively), but no differences were found between the treatment-based and viral load subgroups. Children with HIV watched more television on weekdays, compared with the control group (P < .05). No other differences were found in comparisons of self-reported SB between the control and HIV and the treatment-based or viral load subgroups. Children living with HIV spend less time being sedentary than those in the healthy control group. Future studies are important for clarifying the causes and consequences of these differences.

Physical activity and sedentary behaviour in children with spina bifida.

To describe active and sedentary time in children with spina bifida and to compare their physical activity on weekdays versus weekends. In this exploratory cross-sectional study, data from 13 Canadian and 22 Dutch children with spina bifida (14 females, 21 males; mean age 10y 11mo, standard deviation [SD] 3y 6mo, range 5y 6mo-18y; Hoffer classification distribution: community [n=28], household [n=3], non-functional [n=3], and non-ambulator [n=1]) were analysed. Objective measures of physical activity and sedentary behaviour were obtained by using ActiGraph or Actiheart activity monitors. Data for the participants wearing the ActiGraph were compared with age- and sex-matched controls that were developing typically using independent-samples t-tests. Activity data collected on weekdays was compared to those on weekends. ActiGraph data demonstrated children with spina bifida spent more time sedentary (mean [SD] 49.5min/h [5.78]) and less time in moderate to vigorous physical activity (mean [SD] 2.33min/h [1.61]) compared with the typically developing group (mean [SD] 41.0min/h [5.76] and 5.46min/h [2.13], p=0.001 and p<0.001 respectively). For both ActiGraph- and Actiheart-derived data, physical activity and sedentary time were not significantly different between weekdays and weekends. Children with spina bifida have reduced levels of physical activity and increased sedentary behaviour, with no statistical differences seen between weekdays and weekends. Several methodological issues related to activity monitoring warrant consideration when choosing the appropriate method to quantify physical activity and sedentary behaviour. Reduced levels of physical activity and sedentary time were quantified in children with spina bifida. Objective quantification of physical behaviour in ambulatory and non-ambulatory school-aged children with spina bifida is possible.

Determinants of change in accelerometer-assessed sedentary behaviour in children 0 to 6years of age: A systematic review.

SummarySedentary behaviour tracks from early to middle childhood, suggesting the need to intervene early. The aim of this systematic review was to identify determinants of change in accelerometer‐assessed sedentary behaviour in young children, with a view to informing interventions. Ten electronic databases were searched. Longitudinal and intervention studies were included if they (a) targeted sedentary behaviour in young children (less than of equal to 6 years), (b) assessed change in accelerometer‐assessed sedentary behaviour, and (c) reported on at least one determinant of change in sedentary behaviour. Intervention components were coded according to clusters of behaviour change technique (BCT) (ie, grouping similar BCTs components). Data synthesis was guided by the socioecological model. Sixteen studies (four longitudinal; 12 intervention) met the inclusion criteria. Two (out of five identified determinants) were associated with an increase in sedentary behaviour in longitudinal studies: the after childcare/school period and transition from childcare to school. Three (out of 21 identified determinants) were associated with a decrease in sedentary behaviour in intervention studies: “goals and planning” (ie, “behavioural contract”), “repetition and substitution” (ie, “graded tasks”), and “reward and treat” (ie, “incentives”). The environmental and interpersonal determinants identified in this review may help to inform behavioural strategies, timing, and settings for future interventions.

Thresholds of Sedentary Behavior in Children Based on Various Measures

Thresholds of Sedentary Behavior in Children Based on Various Measures

Objectively measured sedentary behaviour in overweight and obese prepubertal children: challenging the school

ABSTRACT Sedentary lifestyle is associated with unfavourable health outcomes; however, few studies have analysed the daily fluctuations of sedentary behaviour in children. The aim was to characterise sedentary behaviour in low active, overweight/obese prepubertal children and to examine whether there were daily, age- or gender-based differences. In this observational study free-living movement was measured by accelerometry for one week. Eighty-eight low active, overweight/obese children (8- to 12-year-olds) were included. Analysis was conducted for weekends, weekdays, school time and non-school time on weekdays. Participants spent half of their waking hours engaged in sedentary behaviour (48.1%). Short sedentary bouts (1–4 min) accounted for 86% of sedentary time. Sedentary time was similar on weekends and non-school time, while it was highest during school time. Interventions for the management of childhood obesity should include strategies for shifting sedentary time to physical activity on weekends and non-school time and implementing more activity-permissive classroom lessons.

Methodology Used in Ecological Momentary Assessment Studies About Sedentary Behavior in Children, Adolescents, and Adults: Systematic Review Using the Checklist for Reporting Ecological Momentary Assessment Studies.

BackgroundThe use of ecological momentary assessment (EMA) to measure sedentary behavior (SB) in children, adolescents, and adults can increase the understanding of the role of the context of SB in health outcomes.ObjectiveThe aim of this study was to systematically review literature to describe EMA methodology used in studies on SB in youth and adults, verify how many studies adhere to the Methods aspect of the Checklist for Reporting EMA Studies (CREMAS), and detail measures used to assess SB and this associated context.MethodsA systematic literature review was conducted in the PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, PsycINFO, Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature (CINAHL), and SPORTDiscus databases, covering the entire period of existence of the databases until January 2018.ResultsThis review presented information about the characteristics and methodology used in 21 articles that utilized EMA to measure SB in youth and adults. There were more studies conducted among youth compared with adults, and studies of youth included more waves and more participants (n=696) than studies with adults (n=97). Most studies (85.7%) adhered to the Methods aspect of the CREMAS. The main criteria used to measure SB in EMA were self-report (81%) with only 19% measuring SB using objective methods (eg, accelerometer). The main equipment to collect objective SB was the ActiGraph, and the cutoff point to define SB was <100 counts/min. Studies most commonly used a 15-min window to compare EMA and accelerometer data.ConclusionsThe majority of studies in this review met minimum CREMAS criteria for studies conducted with EMA. Most studies measured SB with EMA self-report (n=17; 81.0%), and a few studies also used objective methods (n=4; 19%). The standardization of the 15-min window criteria to compare EMA and accelerometer data would lead to a comparison between these and new studies. New studies using EMA with mobile phones should be conducted as they can be considered an attractive method for capturing information about the specific context of SB activities of young people and adults in real time or very close to it.

Sedentary behaviors in children and adolescents with type 1 diabetes, depending on the insulin therapy used.

Assessment of sedentary behaviors in children and adolescents with type 1 diabetes (T1D), relative to the method of insulin therapy used, and in comparison to healthy controls.The study group consisted of 215 children with T1D, including 109 (50.7%) insulin pen and 106 (49.3%) insulqsain pump users. The control group comprised 115 healthy children. The subjects’ sedentary time was measured with a tri-axial accelerometer ActiGraph GT3X+, used continuously for 7 days.The diabetes group was characterized by a significantly higher “% in sedentary time” score (P = .024) and a lower “mean daily breaks in sedentary time” result (P = .007), which means that they spent much more time on sedentary activities compared to the control group. There were no significant differences between the children using insulin pump and insulin pen in the “% in sedentary time” score (P = .294) and “mean daily breaks in sedentary time” (P = .251).The T1D is a serious encumbrance, leading to longer duration of sedentary time, in comparison to healthy controls. The type of insulin therapy did not significantly affect the percentage of the wear-day spent in sedentary time and mean daily breaks in sedentary time.

Objectively measured physical activity and sedentary behaviour in children with bronchiectasis: a cross-sectional study

BackgroundBronchiectasis is a major contributor to respiratory morbidity and health care utilization in children and youth. Current treatment guidelines for bronchiectasis recommend participation in regular physical activity (PA) to improve aerobic fitness and quality of life (QoL). However, no previous study has assessed physical activity and sedentary behavior in this patient group, and the extent to which children with bronchiectasis meet guidelines for PA is unknown. In the absence of such data, we objectively measured the PA of children with bronchiectasis and compared them to current guidelines.MethodsForty-six children with bronchiectasis between 4 to 14 years (mean age 7.5 ± 2.6 years) were recruited from the Queensland Children’s Hospital, Brisbane. Daily time in sedentary, light, and moderate-to-vigorous PA (MVPA) was measured objectively over 7 days using the ActiGraph GT3X+ accelerometer and compared their values to current guidelines (minimum 60 min of MVPA daily). Compliance with the daily guideline and average daily steps counts were compared to normative data from two population–based health surveys of healthy children.ResultsWe had complete measurements from 36 children. On average, they accumulated 48.6 min of MVPA daily and were sedentary for ~ 7 h/day. There was no statistical difference in these values between sexes or weekdays vs. weekends. Only 2 (5.6%) children met the 60-min daily MVPA recommendation compared to 42.1% of healthy children. Children with bronchiectasis accumulated 8229 steps/day (boys: 8422 ± SD 473, girls: 8037 ± 594), well below the recommended 12,000 steps/day. In comparison, daily step counts in healthy children ranged from 11,500–14,500 steps/day.ConclusionChildren with bronchiectasis are insufficiently active for health benefit and would substantially benefit from programs to promote PA and reduce sedentary behavior.

Accuracy of Accelerometers for Measuring Physical Activity and Levels of Sedentary Behavior in Children: A Systematic Review.

Objectives: This systematic review evaluated the accuracy of triaxial and omnidirectional accelerometers for measuring physical activity and sedentary behavior in children. Design: Systematic review of the literature. Methods: We comprehensively searched several databases for studies published from January 1996 through June 2018 that reported diagnostic accuracy measures in children and adolescents (age 3-18 years) and compared accelerometers with energy expenditure using indirect calorimetry. Results: We included 11 studies that enrolled 570 participants. All studies used indirect calorimetry as the reference standard. Across the studies, median sensitivity ranged from 46% to 96% and median specificity ranged from 71% to 96%. Median area under the curve ranged from 69% to 98%. Conclusions: Accuracy measures were greatest when detecting sedentary behavior and lowest when detecting light physical activity. Accuracy was higher when the accelerometer was placed on the hip compared with the wrist. The current evidence suggests that triaxial and omnidirectional accelerometers are accurate in measuring sedentary behavior and physical activity levels in children.

Prevalence of objectively measured sedentary behavior in early years: Systematic review and meta-analysis.

The early years have been identified as a critical period during which sedentary habits may be established, as this behavior appears to track throughout life. The purpose of this systematic review and meta-analysis is to summarize the current literature on the prevalence of sedentary behavior in children aged 1-5.99 years, reporting differences between boys and girls, weekdays and weekend days, childcare hours and nonchildcare hours, and between time spent indoors and outdoors while children attended childcare. Five databases were searched until 26.10.2017 and meta-analyses were conducted to estimate prevalence and calculate mean differences in prevalence between groups. Fifty studies representing 14598 children (2-5.99 years) were included. Children spent 51.4% of their waking time in sedentary behaviors. Boys spent less time being sedentary than girls (estimate difference=-1.4%; 95%CI=-2.0: -0.7; P<.001). No significant differences were found between weekdays/weekend days (estimate difference=-0.4; 95%CI=-2.0: 1.2; P=.61) nor between childcare hours/nonchildcare hours (estimate difference=%; 95%CI=-0.9: 6.6; P=.136). While attending childcare centers, children were more sedentary indoors than outdoors (estimate difference=14.4%; 95%CI=11.8: 16.9; P<.001). Our results suggest that young children spend a significant portion of their waking hours in sedentary behaviors. While at childcare, young children accumulated more sedentary behavior indoors than outdoors. Girls were more likely to be more sedentary than boys. No significant differences were found between weekdays and weekends, or between childcare and nonchildcare hours. There is a need for higher-quality studies with strong designs, using age and device appropriate cut-off points, to improve evidence-base and to better establish prevalence of sedentary behavior in young children.

A Dual-Accelerometer System for Classifying Physical Activity in Children and Adults.

Accurately monitoring 24-h movement behaviors is a vital step for progressing the time-use epidemiology field. Past accelerometer-based measurement protocols are either hindered by lack of wear time compliance, or the inability to accurately discern activities and postures. Recent work has indicated that skin-attached dual-accelerometers exhibit excellent 24-h uninterrupted wear time compliance. This study extends this work by validating this system for classifying various physical activities and sedentary behaviors in children and adults. Seventy-five participants (42 children) were equipped with two Axivity AX3 accelerometers; one attached to their thigh, and one to their lower back. Ten activity trials (e.g., sitting, standing, lying, walking, running) were performed while under direct observation in a lab setting. Various time- and frequency-domain features were computed from raw accelerometer data, which were then used to train a random forest machine learning classifier. Model performance was evaluated using leave-one-out cross-validation. The efficacy of the dual-sensor protocol (relative to single sensors) was evaluated by repeating the modeling process with each sensor individually. Machine learning models were able to differentiate between six distinct activity classes with exceptionally high accuracy in both adults (99.1%) and children (97.3%). When a single thigh or back accelerometer was used, there was a pronounced drop in accuracy for nonambulatory activities (up to a 26.4% decline). When examining the features used for model training, those that took the orientation of both sensors into account concurrently were more important predictors. When previous wear time compliance results are taken together with our findings, it represents a promising step forward for monitoring and understanding 24-h time-use behaviors. The next step will be to examine the generalizability of these findings in a free-living setting.

Relationships among affective states, physical activity, and sedentary behavior in children: Moderation by perceived stress.

We examined the acute bidirectional relationships between affective states and moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA) or sedentary behavior (SB) in children, and whether perceived stress moderates these associations. A total of 180 children (mean age = 9.6 years, 51.7% female, 53.9% Hispanic) completed a 7-day ecological momentary assessment (EMA) study, where they received 3-7 random prompts per day asking about their current affective states. MVPA and SB during this period were measured by waist-worn accelerometers. Children's and mothers' perceived stress were measured by paper questionnaires. Multilevel models tested the within-person (WP) and between-person (BP) associations of (a) MVPA and SB 30 and 60 min before an EMA prompt with subsequent affective states at the prompt, and (b) affective states at the prompt with MVPA and SB in the subsequent 30 and 60 min after the prompt. Interaction terms were used to assess whether children's and mothers' perceived stress moderated these associations. Children reported a higher positive affect after engaging in more MVPA than usual (WP; β = 0.04, SE = 0.02, p < .05) and a lower positive affect after spending more SB than usual (WP; β = -0.02, SE = 0.01, p < .05) in the previous 30 min. Children's affective states were unrelated to time in MVPA and SB within the subsequent 30 min. Parent's perceived stress level attenuated the relationship between children's time spent in MVPA 60 min before a prompt and self-reported positive affect at that prompt (β = -0.01, SE = 0.01, p < .05). MVPA and SB acutely impacted children's psychological well-being, with the benefits of MVPA on positive affect across longer intervals attenuated among children whose mothers had higher perceived stress. (PsycINFO Database Record

Association between age at onset of independent walking and objectively measured sedentary behavior is mediated by moderate-to-vigorous physical activity in primary school children

ObjectiveAge at onset of walking has been shown as an early predictor of physical activity in infants and children. However, little is known about whether age at onset of walking may predict sedentary behavior (SB). The aim of the present study was to examine the association between the timing of onset of walking and objectively measured SB, and whether this association is mediated by moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA) in children.MethodsThe subjects were 388 elementary school children aged 6–12 years. Current weight and height data were collected. Birth weight and the age in months the child first walked independently were reported based on the parents’ recall. Children’s SB and physical activity were objectively measured using a triaxial accelerometer (Active style Pro HJA-350IT, OMRON). The following summary outcome variables were derived from accelerometer data: Time (min/day) spent in SB (≤1.5 metabolic equivalents [METs]) and MVPA (≥3.0 METs).ResultsThe mean ± SD time (min/day) spent in sedentary was 376 ± 62 and MVPA was 67.6 ± 20.8. Multiple linear regression analyses revealed that a later age at independent walking was associated with increased time spent in SB (β = 0.15, P < 0.001) and decreased time spent in MVPA (β = -0. 18, P < 0.001) after adjusting for gender, birth weight, current age, body weight, schools, and time spent wearing the accelerometer. When MVPA was introduced as a covariate in the model predicting SB, the association between the age at independent walking and time spent in SB was completely attenuated (β = 0.04, P = 0.215), while MVPA was significantly associated with SB (β = -0.61, P < 0.001).ConclusionsOur results indicate that infants who walked at a later age spent more time in SB in childhood, and this association is mediated by MVPA. Appropriate interventions which focus on increasing MVPA and thereby reducing SB may be beneficial in infants who demonstrate a later age at onset of independent walking.

Systematic review of childhood and adolescence sedentary behavior: analysis of the Report Card Brazil 2018

The aim of this study was to summarize studies examining the prevalence of sedentary behavior among Brazilian children and adolescents. A systematic review conducted on eight databases (PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, LILACS, SPORTDiscus, BIREME, Scielo, and Google Scholar). The criteria applied were: original research; samples including Brazilian children and adolescents; to be a school- or population-based survey; observational studies using different measures of sedentary behavior; studies showing the prevalence of at least one component of sedentary behavior. Of the 205 studies included, 104 were analyzed. There was a greater concentration of studies in the southern (n=41) and northeastern (n=18) regions. The components more frequently investigated were watching TV (n=36) and screen time (n=32). Only three studies included children under seven years, and the age range more investigated was 10 to 19 years. Most of the studies used a self-reported questionnaire and showed variability in the cut-off point applied (from 2 to 4 hours/day). The prevalence of adolescents who met recommendations ranged from 9.4% to 68.0% for sedentary behavior (&lt;2 hours/day) and from 16.8% to 67.2% for TV viewing (&lt;2 hours/day). The prevalence ranged from 39.1% to 97.7% for computer use and from 47.7% to 98.0% for videogame use. Most of the studies reported that less than half of the adolescents met the recommendations of sedentary behavior and TV viewing. On the other hand, more than half of them devoted less than two hours a day to computer and videogame use.

Effects of Intervention “Hopsport Brain Breaks” Program on Physical Fitness and Sedentary Behaviour in Primary School

Background. Sedentary behaviour in children raise concern as the majority of children do not meet the health-related level of physical activity (PA) which is closely related with their physical fitness (PF). Digital facilities may help to solve the problem. Hypothesis. After the intervention “HOPSport Brain Breaks” physical fitness improves and sedentary behaviour decreases. The aim of the study was to assess the effects of “HOPSport Brain Breaks” video exercise intervention program on physical fitness and sedentary behaviour in a primary school.Methods. The study included 113 primary schoolchildren from grades 1–4, among them there were 62 children in the experimental group and 51 in the control group (Mean age = 8.24, SD = 1.10). PF was assessed using the test battery (Fjortoft, Pedersen, Sigmundsson, &amp; Vereijken, 2011) pre- and post-intervention. Also passivity was measured twice using four questions from “Health Behaviour of School Children” questionnaire. The experimental group received Brain Breaks intervention every school day for three months in 5–9 min sessions during the breaks. Results. After three months physical fitness (PF) did not improve, but sedentary behaviour reduced in the experimental group compared to the controls (p &lt; .05).Conclusions. The results have shown that fun and enjoyment, which are the background of Brain Breaks intervention, were important factors in reducing sedentary behaviour. Studies also show that the level of PA is proportionally higher when children are given the opportunity to play active games and experience fun (Wickel et al., 2007). It may be concluded that Brain Breaks intervention program contributes to physical health of primary schoolchildren.Keywords: primary schoolchildren, physical fitness, sedentary behaviour.

Participation In Physical Education Classes And Physical Activity And Sedentary Behavior In Children

PURPOSE: To examine the associations between participation in Physical Education (PE) classes and objective measures of physical activity (PA) and sedentary behavior (SB) in children from 12 countries at different levels of human and socioeconomic development. METHODS: This multinational, cross-sectional study included 5874 children aged 9-11 years from sites in Australia, Brazil, Canada, China, Colombia, Finland, India, Kenya, Portugal, South Africa, the United Kingdom, and the United States. PA and SB were measured over 7 consecutive days using a waist-worn accelerometer. Participation in PE classes was determined by questionnaire. Multilevel modeling analyses were used to account for the hierarchical nature of the data. RESULTS: PE classes were not attended by 6.6% of the total sample, and in low- and middle-income countries this prevalence was higher than in high-income countries (8.4% vs. 4.7%, respectively, p<0.01). After adjusting for age, sex, parental education, and BMI z-score, results showed that children from low- and middle-income countries who participated in PE classes at least once a week were more likely to meet the moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA) recommendations (male - OR: 1.80; 95%CI: 1.17- 2.77; female - OR: 2.17; 95%CI: 1.44-3.27), to spend more time at different PA intensities, and to have shorter SB time (male - OR: 1.61; 95%CI: 1.01-2.60; female - OR: 2.20; 95%CI: 1.38-3.50) than those who did not attend PE classes. In high-income countries, boys that participated in PE classes were more likely to meet the recommendations for PA (OR: 2.20; 95%CI: 1.29-3.76) and to have shorter SB time (OR: 2.42; 95%CI: 1.22-4.81). For girls in high-income countries, attending PE classes increased the likelihood of spending more time in MVPA, especially if they attended three or more classes per week (OR: 2.42; 95%CI: 1.22-4.80). CONCLUSION: Attending PE classes is associated with a higher level of PA and lower level of SB in children from countries at various levels of human and socioeconomic development. PE classes should be compulsory in all countries as an important contributor to healthy movement behaviors of children.