Environmental Determinants of Children’s Physical Activity in Residential Children’s Homes

Background:Children in residential children’s homes (RCH) may be at increased risk for physical inactivity due to decreased access to opportunities for activity. Little is known about environmental determinants of physical activity for children in RCH.Methods:Thirty-minute blocks of MVPA and Total METs were measured using the 3-Day Physical Activity Recall (3DPAR). A staff interview, based on the Structural Ecologic Model of Health Behavior, assessed physical activity opportunities, structures, characteristics, policies, and social environment. Wilcoxon 2-sample tests were used to examine differences in environment by location and presence of a recreation director. Mixed model ANOVAs assessed the differences in child level activity by environmental variables.Results:There were significant correlations between opportunities and characteristics of physical activity, facilities, and equipment with total METS for children. Children in homes with a recreation director and homes in rural locations reported more physical activity. Only rural location had a significant effect on physical activity. Presence of a recreation director was significant in several models.Conclusions:Rural location may be conducive for increased physical activity in children at RCH. Employing a recreation director or other trained personnel may be an important policy determinant of physical activity for children.

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Low socio-economic environmental determinants of children's physical activity in Coventry, UK: A Qualitative study in parents

Preventive Medicine Reports ◽

10.1016/j.pmedr.2014.09.002 ◽

2014 ◽

Vol 1 ◽

pp. 32-42 ◽

Cited By ~ 13

Author(s):

E.L.J. Eyre ◽

M.J. Duncan ◽

S.L. Birch ◽

V.M. Cox

Keyword(s):

Physical Activity ◽

Qualitative Study ◽

Environmental Determinants ◽

Children’S Physical Activity

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A Qualitative Investigation of Australian Youth Perceptions to Enhance School Physical Activity: The Environmental Perceptions Investigation of Children’s Physical Activity (EPIC-PA) Study

Journal of Physical Activity and Health ◽

10.1123/jpah.2015-0165 ◽

2016 ◽

Vol 13 (5) ◽

pp. 543-550 ◽

Cited By ~ 12

Author(s):

Brendon Hyndman

Keyword(s):

Physical Activity ◽

Environmental Perceptions ◽

Recreational Physical Activity ◽

Group Discussions ◽

Government Schools ◽

Physically Active ◽

Animal Activity ◽

Children’S Physical Activity ◽

Insight Into ◽

Physical Activity Facilities

Background:There is more demand than ever for schools to equip children with the necessary skills to be physically active. The purpose of the Environmental Perceptions Investigation of Children’s Physical Activity (EPIC-PA) study was to investigate elementary and secondary school children’s perceptions to enhance the school physical activity environment.Methods:Four Australian government schools (2 elementary and 2 secondary) were recruited for the EPIC-PA study. During the study, 78 children were recruited aged 10 to 13 years. The focus group discussions consisted of 54 children (32 elementary and 22 secondary) and the map drawing sessions included 24 children (17 elementary and 7 secondary).Results:The findings from the EPIC-PA study revealed insight into uniquely desired features to encourage physical activity such as adventure physical activity facilities (eg, rock climbing walls), recreational physical activity facilities (eg, jumping pillows), physical activity excursions, animal activity programs and teacher-directed activities. In addition to specific features, childrens revealed a host of policies for equipment borrowing, access to sports equipment/areas, music during physical activity time and external physical education lessons.Conclusions:Understanding the multiple suggestions from children of features to enhance physical activity can be used by schools and researchers to create environments conducive to physical activity participation.

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Physical Activity and Sedentary Pursuits of Children Living in Residential Children’s Homes

Journal of Physical Activity and Health ◽

10.1123/jpah.6.2.195 ◽

2009 ◽

Vol 6 (2) ◽

pp. 195-202 ◽

Cited By ~ 11

Author(s):

Marsha Dowda ◽

Ruth P. Saunders ◽

Lauren Hastings ◽

Jennifer M. Gay ◽

Alexandra E. Evans

Keyword(s):

Physical Activity ◽

South Carolina ◽

Ethnic Groups ◽

Physical Activities ◽

Older Children ◽

Social Dance ◽

Part Time ◽

Children’S Homes ◽

North And South ◽

Physical Activity Recall

Purpose:Our goal was to describe the types of physical activities and sedentary pursuits reported by children living in residential children’s homes and make comparisons by age, gender, and race/ethnic groups.Methods:Participants were 263 children (52% male, 40% 11 to 14 years old, 53% White, 23% African American, and 24% other race/ethnic groups) in 23 residential children’s homes in North and South Carolina. The median length of stay in the homes was 6 months. Physical activities and sedentary pursuits were reported over a 3-day period using the 3-Day Physical Activity Recall (3DPAR).Results:Boys reported participating in more basketball (P ≤ .001), football (P ≤ .001), and videogames or surfing the net (P ≤ .001) than did girls. Girls reported more cheerleading, social dance, and homework than did boys (P values ≤ .01). There were few race differences. Fewer older children reported participation in physical education classes, and more reported working part-time than younger children (P values ≤ .001).Conclusions:Children in residential homes appear to participate in activities that are similar to children living with their parents, with boys reporting more team activities and girls reporting more individual activities. However, children in residential children’s homes may participate in some physical activities for shorter periods of time than children living with their parents.

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Validation of a Computerized 24-Hour Physical Activity Recall (24PAR) Instrument With Pattern-Recognition Activity Monitors

Journal of Physical Activity and Health ◽

10.1123/jpah.6.2.211 ◽

2009 ◽

Vol 6 (2) ◽

pp. 211-220 ◽

Cited By ~ 23

Author(s):

Miguel A. Calabro ◽

Gregory J. Welk ◽

Alicia L. Carriquiry ◽

Sarah M. Nusser ◽

Nicholas K. Beyler ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Physical Activity ◽

Pattern Recognition ◽

Mixed Model ◽

Vigorous Physical Activity ◽

Self Report ◽

Activity Levels ◽

Activity Monitors ◽

Mixed Model Anova ◽

Significant Difference ◽

Physical Activity Recall

Purpose:The purpose of this study was to examine the validity of a computerized 24-hour physical activity recall instrument (24PAR).Methods:Participants (n = 20) wore 2 pattern-recognition activity monitors (an IDEEA and a SenseWear Pro Armband) for a 24-hour period and then completed the 24PAR the following morning. Participants completed 2 trials, 1 while maintaining a prospective diary of their activities and 1 without a diary. The trials were counterbalanced and completed within a week from each other. Estimates of energy expenditure (EE) and minutes of moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA) were compared with the criterion measures using 3-way (method by gender by trial) mixed-model ANOVA analyses.Results:For EE, pairwise correlations were high (r > .88), and there were no differences in estimates across methods. Estimates of MVPA were more variable, but correlations were still in the moderate to high range (r > .57). Average activity levels were significantly higher on the logging trial, but there was no significant difference in the accuracy of self-report on days with and without logging.Conclusions:The results of this study support the overall utility of the 24PAR for group-level estimates of daily EE and MVPA.

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Examining the Role of Churches in Adolescent Girls’ Physical Activity

Journal of Physical Activity and Health ◽

10.1123/jpah.8.2.227 ◽

2011 ◽

Vol 8 (2) ◽

pp. 227-233 ◽

Cited By ~ 3

Author(s):

Karin Pfeiffer ◽

Natalie Colabianchi ◽

Marsha Dowda ◽

Dwayne Porter ◽

James Hibbert ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Physical Activity ◽

Adolescent Girls ◽

Mixed Model ◽

Church Attendance ◽

Positive Health ◽

Geographical Differences ◽

High School Girls ◽

School Girls ◽

Physical Activity Recall

Background:In adults, associations between church attendance and positive health behaviors exist; however, similar evidence among children and youth is lacking. The purposes of this investigation were to examine the associations between physical activity (PA) and church attendance, PA and use of church as a PA facility, and PA and proximity to churches among those who use church as a PA facility (while addressing racial and geographical differences).Methods:High school girls (N = 915, age = 17.7 ± 0.6 years, 56% African American) completed the 3-Day Physical Activity Recall and surveys including demographics and use of PA facilities. Geographic Information Systems data were used to spatially examine the number of churches within a 0.75-mile street network buffer around girls’ homes. Associations were examined using mixed model analyses controlling for demographic factors.Results:For the overall sample, total METs (56 versus 52) and proportion of girls meeting PA guidelines (62% vs. 52%) were significantly higher in church attendees versus nonattendees. Among participants who used facilities, having more churches close to home was associated with more PA.Conclusions:Church attendance and use are correlates of physical activity that should be further explored and addressed in future intervention research with adolescent girls.

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Play Equipment, Physical Activity Opportunities, and Children's Activity Levels at Childcare

Journal of Environmental and Public Health ◽

10.1155/2012/326520 ◽

2012 ◽

Vol 2012 ◽

pp. 1-8 ◽

Cited By ~ 54

Author(s):

Jessica S. Gubbels ◽

Dave H. H. Van Kann ◽

Maria W. J. Jansen

Keyword(s):

Physical Activity ◽

Physical Environment ◽

Activity Levels ◽

Physical Activity Intensity ◽

Childcare Centers ◽

Activity Intensity ◽

Physical Activity Levels ◽

Multilevel Linear Regression ◽

Children’S Physical Activity ◽

Physical Activity Facilities

This study investigated the association between physical activity facilities at childcare (e.g., play equipment) and physical activity of 2- and 3-year olds. Observations of physical activity intensity were performed among 175 children at 9 childcare centers in The Netherlands, using the OSRAC-P. The physical activity facilities were assessed for indoors and outdoors separately, using the EPAO instrument. Regular (single-level) multivariate and multilevel linear regression analyses examined the association of the facilities and child characteristics (age and sex) with children's activity levels. Various physical activity facilities were available in all childcare centers (e.g., balls). Riding toys and a small playing area were associated with lower indoor physical activity levels. Outdoor physical activity levels were positively associated with the availability of portable jumping equipment and the presence of a structured track on the playground. Portable slides, fixed swinging equipment, and sandboxes were negatively associated with outdoor activity levels. In addition, the 3-year old children were more active outdoors than the 2-year olds. In conclusion, not all physical activity facilities at childcare were indeed positively associated with children's activity levels. The current findings provide concrete leads for childcare providers regarding which factors they can improve in the physical environment to facilitate children's physical activity.

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Children's Anxiety and Physical Activity during COVID-19 in Relation to Prenatal Exposure to Gestational Diabetes

10.1101/2020.08.06.20169565 ◽

2020 ◽

Author(s):

Jasmin Alves ◽

Alexandra G Yunker ◽

Alexis DeFendis ◽

Anny H Xiang ◽

Kathleen A Page

Keyword(s):

Physical Activity ◽

Gestational Diabetes ◽

Vigorous Physical Activity ◽

In Utero ◽

Phone Call ◽

In Utero Exposure ◽

Increased Risk ◽

Research Goal ◽

Anxiety Levels ◽

Physical Activity Recall

Research goal: Assess the relationships between anxiety levels, physical activity and in utero exposure to Gestational Diabetes mellitus (GDM) in children age 9 to 15, during the COVID-19 pandemic. Methods: During the COVID-19 pandemic, participants completed phone call or video calls with study personnel where they were asked to report on their physical activity and anxiety levels using the 24-hour physical activity recall and the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory for Children. GDM-exposure was assessed using electronic medical records. Results: Children who reported higher levels of moderate to vigorous physical activity or vigorous physical activity, reported lower anxiety symptoms. Children exposed to GDM in utero reported higher anxiety scores and lower engagement in vigorous physical activity compared to unexposed children. Moreover, the pathway through which children exposed to GDM in utero, reported higher anxiety was partially explained by reduced engagement in vigorous physical activity (75%, p=0.05). Conclusions: Engaging in physical activity during the COVID-19 pandemic may be beneficial for reducing anxiety, particularly among children exposed to GDM in utero, who are at increased risk for adverse psychological outcomes.

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