An Exploratory Study of Seasonality and Preschoolers’ Physical Activity Engagement

2013 ◽  
Vol 10 (7) ◽  
pp. 993-999 ◽  
Author(s):  
Bo Shen ◽  
Gwen Alexander ◽  
Sharon Milberger ◽  
Kai-Lin C. Jen
Keyword(s):  
Physical Activity ◽  
Exploratory Study ◽  
Physical Inactivity ◽  
Preschool Age ◽  
Activity Level ◽  
Habitual Physical Activity ◽  
After School ◽  
School Time ◽  
Preschool Age Children ◽  
Activity Measures

Background:While there is an emerging body of literature showing variations in physical activity between seasons, further investigation is needed to better understand this association in preschool-age children. This study was designed to examine seasonal variation from fall to winter in physical activity among preschoolers.Methods:Forty-six preschool children from 2 preschools in a large Midwestern Metropolitan area completed weekly habitual physical activity measures in both fall and following winter. The habitual physical activity was quantified with the GT1M Actigraph uniaxial accelerometer. To determine seasonal differences in physical activity, a series of paired sample t tests were conducted.Results:Although overall physical activity level declined in winter, the magnitude of seasonality effects seem varied in terms of contexts. Compared with the decline during after-school time and during weekends, the differences in physical activity across the 2 seasons were much less evident during the time attending preschool and during weekdays.Conclusion:Seasonality in physical activity can be moderated by other contextual factors, such as preschool policies and curriculum. Preschools may serve as a major battlefield for fighting against physical inactivity and obesity during childhood due to their practical controllability.

Measuring Physical Activity in Children: A Comparison of Four Different Methods

2003 ◽  
Vol 15 (2) ◽  
pp. 202-215 ◽  
Author(s):  
Janice O’Connor ◽  
Elizabeth J. Ball ◽  
Kate S. Steinbeck ◽  
Peter S.W. Davies ◽  
Connie Wishart ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Physical Activity ◽  
Population Studies ◽  
Activity Level ◽  
School Age Children ◽  
After School ◽  
Activity Measures ◽  
Average Activity ◽  
School Period ◽  
Future Population ◽  
Activity Questionnaire

The aim of this study of 56 children aged 6-9 years was to identify measures of physical activity that could be used in either clinical or population studies. Comparisons were made between four measures of physical activity: a three day parent-reported activity diary, a parent-reported physical activity questionnaire, the Tritrac-R3D™ accelerometer (worn three days) and physical activity energy expenditure calculated over 10 days by the doubly labeled water (DLW) technique. The strongest correlation between methods was for the diary and Tritrac-R3D™ during the two hour after-school period (1530-1730 hours) (r = 0.75, P < 0.0001). Activity level in this after-school period was positively correlated with average activity level over three days for both Tritrac-R3D™ (r = 0.53, P < 0.01) and diary (r = 0.54, P < 0.0001). No associations were found between measures of activity from DLW and activity measures from the Tritrac-R3D™, diary or questionnaire. These results suggest that the two hour after-school period is of high interest for future population studies of physical activity in school-age children.

scholarly journals School Playground Facilities as a Determinant of Children’s Daily Activity: A Cross-Sectional Study of Danish Primary School Children

2012 ◽  
Vol 9 (1) ◽  
pp. 104-114 ◽  
Author(s):  
Glen Nielsen ◽  
Anna Bugge ◽  
Bianca Hermansen ◽  
Jesper Svensson ◽  
Lars Bo Andersen
Keyword(s):  
Physical Activity ◽  
Primary School ◽  
School Children ◽  
Daily Physical Activity ◽  
Preschool Age ◽  
Activity Level ◽  
Primary School Children ◽  
Third Grade ◽  
Time Activity ◽  
School Time

Background:This study investigates the influence of school playground facilities on children’s daily physical activity.Methods:Participants were 594 school children measured at preschool (age 6 to 7 years) and 3 years later in third grade (518 children age 9 to 10 years) from 18 schools in 2 suburban municipalities in Denmark. Physical activity data were obtained using accelerometers. These were related to the number of permanent play facilities in school grounds and the school playground area (m2).Results:The number of play facilities in the school grounds was positively associated with all measures of children’s activity. In preschool every 10 additional play facilities the children had access to was associated with an increase in the average accelerometer counts of 14% (r = .273, P < .001) in school time and 6.9% (r = .195, P < .001) overall. For the children in third grade, access to 10 additional play facilities was associated with an increase in school time activity level of 26% (r = .364, P < .001) and an increase in overall activity level of 9.4% (r = .211, P < .001). School playground area did not affect activity levels independently of the number of permanent play facilities.Conclusion:Increasing the number of play facilities in primary school playgrounds may increase the level of children’s daily physical activity.

scholarly journals Association of physical activity and sedentary behavior at school with cardiovascular risk factors in adolescents

2020 ◽  
Vol 22 ◽  
Author(s):  
Priscila Cristina dos Santos ◽  
Luiz Rodrigo Augustemak de Lima ◽  
Bruno Gonçalves Galdino da Costa ◽  
Cilene Rebolho Martins ◽  
Giseli Minatto ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Physical Activity ◽  
Risk Factors ◽  
Blood Pressure ◽  
Cardiovascular Risk ◽  
Cardiovascular Risk Factors ◽  
Sedentary Behavior ◽  
Activity Level ◽  
Habitual Physical Activity ◽  
School Time ◽  
Cell Counts

Abstract The association of moderate to vigorous physical activity and sedentary behavior performed in the school context with cardiovascular risk factors is unclear. Thus, the purpose of this study was to evaluate whether MVPA and SB during school time are associated with single and clustered cardiovascular risk factors in 10- to 16-year-old school students. This study used the baseline data from a non-randomized controlled clinical trial (“MEXA-SE”) conducted on 6th to 9th-grade students from schools in Florianopolis, Brazil. Skinfolds, resting blood pressure, 20-m shuttle-run test, fasting glucose, triglycerides, total cholesterol, high-density lipoprotein cholesterol, and white blood cell counts were obtained. MVPA and SB were objectively measured with accelerometers. A minimum of 180 minutes was considered valid school-time for analysis. Multiple linear regression adjusted for age, sex and habitual physical activity was used. School-time MVPA was positively associated with the peak VO2 (β = 0.17 ml.kg.min-1), and inversely associated with sum of four skinfolds (β = -0.96 mm), diastolic blood pressure (β = -0.36 mmHg), systolic blood pressure (β = -0.301 mmHg); triglycerides (β = -1.49 mg.dL-1), and clustered cardiovascular risk factors (β = -0.123). School-time SB was positively associated with clustered cardiovascular risk factors (β = 0.033). In conclusion, independently of habitual physical activity level, school-time MVPA and a lower time in SB were associated to single and clustered cardiovascular risk factors. Thus, the promotion of strategies aimed increase MVPA and reduce SB at school may prevent the onset and early accumulation of cardiovascular risk factors in adolescence.

scholarly journals Physical inactivity as a determinant of the physical activity level in the elderly

2001 ◽  
Vol 25 (7) ◽  
pp. 935-939 ◽  
Author(s):  
EP Meijer ◽  
AHC Goris ◽  
L Wouters ◽  
KR Westerterp
Keyword(s):  
Physical Activity ◽  
Physical Activity Level ◽  
Physical Inactivity ◽  
The Elderly ◽  
Activity Level

scholarly journals Intrapersonal, Behavioral and Environmental Factors Associated With Meeting Recommended Physical Activity Among Rural Latino Youth

2011 ◽  
Vol 23 (4) ◽  
pp. 521-536 ◽  
Author(s):  
Cynthia K. Perry ◽  
Brian E. Saelens ◽  
Beti Thompson
Keyword(s):  
Physical Activity ◽  
Environmental Factors ◽  
Physical Activity Level ◽  
Latino Youth ◽  
Activity Level ◽  
After School ◽  
Factors Associated ◽  
Middle School Youth ◽  
Recommended Physical Activity ◽  
School Youth

This study aimed to identify intrapersonal, behavioral, and environmental factors associated with engaging in recommended levels of physical activity among rural Latino middle school youth. Data were from an anonymous survey of 773 Latino youth (51% female) about level of and barriers and motivators to physical activity, risk behaviors, and park use. Logistic regression models identified factors correlated with meeting recommended levels of physical activity (5 days or more 360 min/day). Thirty-four percent of girls and 41% of boys reported meeting this physical activity recommendation. Participation in an organized after school activity (p < .001) and in physical education (PE) classes 5 days a week (p < .001) were strongly associated with meeting recommended physical activity level. Making PE available 5 days a week and creating opportunities for organized after school physical activity programs may increase the number of rural Latino middle school youth who meet recommended physical activity level.

Maximal Oxygen Uptake and Daily Physical Activity in 7- to 12-Year-Old Boys

1993 ◽  
Vol 5 (4) ◽  
pp. 357-366 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hazzaa M. Al-Hazzaa ◽  
Mohammed A. Sulaiman
Keyword(s):  
Physical Activity ◽  
Heart Rate ◽  
Oxygen Uptake ◽  
Maximal Oxygen Uptake ◽  
Open Circuit ◽  
Daily Physical Activity ◽  
Activity Level ◽  
Activity Levels ◽  
School Time ◽  
The Relationship

The present study examined the relationship between maximal oxygen uptake (V̇O2max) and daily physical activity in a group of 7- to 12-year-old boys. V̇O2max was assessed through the incremental treadmill test using an open circuit system. Physical activity level was obtained from heart rate telemetry outside of school time for 8 hrs during weekdays and during 40 min of physical education classes. The findings indicated that the absolute value of V̇O2max increased with age, while relative to body weight it remained almost the same across age, with a mean of 48.4 ml · kg−1 · min−1. Moreover, heart rate telemetry showed that the boys spent a limited amount of time on activities that raise the heart rate to a level above 160 bpm (an average of 1.9%). In addition, V̇O2max was found to be significantly related to the percentage of time spent at activity levels at or above a heart rate of 140 bpm, but not with activity levels at or above a heart rate of 160 bpm.

scholarly journals Level of physical activity in undergraduate students in Peshawar, Pakistan

2021 ◽  
Vol 7 (1) ◽  
pp. ID20
Author(s):  
Shahid Alam ◽  
Sardar Bakht Khan ◽  
Qamar Wahid Khattak ◽  
Syed Zain Ul Abidin ◽  
Salman Farooqi ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Physical Activity ◽  
Undergraduate Students ◽  
Physical Inactivity ◽  
Short Form ◽  
Demographic Data ◽  
Activity Level ◽  
P Value ◽  
Moderate Physical Activity ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
The University

Background: Physical activity is one of the leading health indicators, considered an essential factor in the population's health and quality of life promotion. Physical inactivity is the fourth leading risk factor for global mortality. Physical inactivity has been linked with chronic disease and obesity in most populations. This study aims to compare the prevalence of physical activity and overweight/obesity among students of the university. Methods: A cross-sectional survey was conducted from March to September 2019 on undergraduate students from different departments of Peshawar University. A sample of 377 (male n = 243, female n = 134) was taken through convenience sampling. Those individuals who were physically disabled and not willing to participate were excluded from the study. Those meeting the inclusion criteria were given the International Physical Activity Questionnaire (IPAQ short form). Demographic data included age, weight, and height was self-stated by the participants. The levels of physical activity in each of three domains (leisure, transport, and domestic) were calculated and presented as metabolic equivalent (M.E.T.) hour per week in the form of means, percentage, and frequency in different physical activity domains. Results: The overall sample showed that 13.70% of participants were inactive, 27.76% showed a low level of physical activity, 41.29% showed moderate physical activity level, and 17.24% showed a high level of physical activity. A total of 90.98% of participants were involved in leisure physical activities, 93.10% presented transport-related physical activity, and 74.80% were involved in domestic-related physical activity. Average time spent during sitting was found to be 53.32 hrs/week and 7.61 hrs/ day, with females being more involved in sitting activities as compared to males. A significant difference was found between B.M.I. and sitting domain (p-value 0.002) with a Pearson value of -0.12 showing a negative correlation. Conclusion: The B.M.I. and Physical Activity are found negatively associated with each other. Male students were more physically active than females as females spend their majority of time sitting. It is concluded that students are moderately active, while a minimal percent of students are highly active. There were a few numbers of respondents too who were physically inactive, which shows that there is still unawareness of physical activity on the university level.

scholarly journals Exploring how Brazilian immigrant mothers living in the USA obtain information about physical activity and screen time for their preschool-aged children: a qualitative study

BMJ Open ◽  
2018 ◽  
Vol 8 (8) ◽  
pp. e021844 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ana Cristina Lindsay ◽  
Carlos André Moura Arruda ◽  
Márcia Maria Tavares Machado ◽  
Gabriela Pereira De Andrade ◽  
Mary L Greaney
Keyword(s):  
Physical Activity ◽  
Interpersonal Communication ◽  
Web Sites ◽  
Screen Time ◽  
Preschool Age ◽  
Multiple Sources ◽  
Immigrant Mothers ◽  
Preschool Age Children ◽  
The Usa ◽  
Preschool Aged Children

ObjectiveTo explore how Brazilian-born immigrant mothers living in the USA obtain information about physical activity (PA) and screen time (ST) behaviours for their preschool-aged children.Research designFocus group discussions (FGDs) were used to gain an in-depth understanding of research topics. All FGDs were audio-recorded and professionally transcribed verbatim. The Portuguese transcripts were analysed using thematic analysis, an iterative process of coding the data in phases to create meaningful patterns.ParticipantsThirty-seven Brazilian-born immigrant mothers of preschool-age children.SettingThis study was conducted in two cities in Massachusetts (MA). Participants were recruited from two predominantly Brazilian churches, local Brazilian businesses and community-based social and health services organisations in the Greater Boston area in MA.ResultsAnalyses revealed that the mothers participating in this study did not initially actively seek out information about PA and ST for their preschool-age children, but that they received unsolicited information about these behaviours from multiple sources including their child’s paediatrician, Women, Infant and Children (WIC) programme staff, members of their social network of Brazilian friends and the Brazilian media. Mothers reported that this unsolicited information increased their knowledge about the importance of making sure their children were physically active and not participating in excessive ST. This increased awareness led mothers to actively seek information about PA and ST behaviours via the internet and through interpersonal communication with fellow Brazilian friends and family.ConclusionsGiven the value Brazilian immigrant mothers placed on the advice of their paediatricians and WIC staff, interventions should consider involving these healthcare professionals, possibly through including endorsement (eg, prescription for PA and maximum ST). More research is needed to ensure Brazilian immigrant mothers’ health and media literacy including their ability to navigate the online environment and to discern the accuracy and quality of information from various web sites.

Assessment of Physical Activity and Sedentary Behavior in Preschool-Age Children: Priorities for Research

2001 ◽  
Vol 13 (2) ◽  
pp. 113-126 ◽  
Author(s):  
Janet E. Fulton ◽  
Charlene R. Burgeson ◽  
Geraldine R. Perry ◽  
Bettylou Sherry ◽  
Deborah A. Galuska ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Physical Activity ◽  
Sedentary Behavior ◽  
Expert Panel ◽  
Research Priorities ◽  
Public Health Research ◽  
Preschool Age ◽  
Current State ◽  
Preschool Age Children ◽  
Public Health Functions

An expert panel workshop had two specific aims: (a) to review the current state of knowledge of existing methods for assessing physical activity and sedentary behavior in order to determine their reliability, validity, feasibility, strengths, and limitations and (b) to set research priorities and recommendations to enable the use of reliable and valid instruments for assessing physical activity and sedentary behavior within the context of three public health functions for children ages 2–5 years. Experts presented four major recommendations for research priorities at the conclusion of the 2-day workshop. The need to develop valid methods for measuring physical activity and sedentary behavior was considered the necessary first step to accomplish meaningful physical activity surveillance, public health research, and intervention research for children ages 2–5 years.

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