Associations between Aspects of Friendship Networks, Physical Activity, and Sedentary Behaviour among Adolescents

Background.Adolescent friendships have been linked to physical activity levels; however, network characteristics have not been broadly examined.Method.In a cross-sectional analysis of 1061 adolescents (11–15 years), achieving 60 minutes/day of moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA) and participating in over 2 hours/day of sedentary behaviour were determined based on friendship network characteristics (density; proportion of active/sedentary friends; betweenness centrality; popularity; clique membership) and perceived social support.Results.Adolescents with no friendship nominations participated in less MVPA. For boys and girls, a ten percent point increase in active friends was positively associated with achievement of 60 minutes/day of MVPA (OR 1.11; 95% CI 1.02–1.21, OR 1.14; 95% CI 1.02–1.27, resp.). For boys, higher social support from friends was negatively associated with achieving 60 minutes/day of MVPA (OR 0.63; 95% CI 0.42–0.96). Compared with low density networks, boys in higher density networks were more likely to participate in over 2 hours/day of sedentary behaviour (OR 2.93; 95% CI 1.32–6.49). Social support from friends also modified associations between network characteristics and MVPA and sedentary behaviour.Conclusion.Different network characteristics appeared to have different consequences. The proportion of active close friends was associated with MVPA, while network density was associated with sedentary behaviour. This poses challenges for intervention design.

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Exploring Preschoolers’ Physical Activity and Sedentary Time During Outdoor Play at Childcare: A Cross-Sectional Analysis of the Supporting Physical Activity in the Childcare Environment Study

Journal of Physical Activity and Health ◽

10.1123/jpah.2020-0849 ◽

2021 ◽

pp. 1-8

Author(s):

Brianne A. Bruijns ◽

Leigh M. Vanderloo ◽

Brian W. Timmons ◽

Patricia Tucker

Keyword(s):

Physical Activity ◽

Sedentary Time ◽

Vigorous Physical Activity ◽

Outdoor Play ◽

Control Group ◽

Activity Levels ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Environment Study ◽

Sectional Analysis ◽

Experimental Group

Background: Moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA) offers many health benefits for preschoolers (2.5–5 y). In childcare, MVPA is predominantly accumulated outdoors, with higher rates purported among children within the first few minutes outside. The Supporting Physical Activity in the Childcare Environment intervention included shorter, more frequent outdoor play sessions; this study sought to explore children’s activity levels during various outdoor play schedules. Methods: During the final week of the Supporting Physical Activity in the Childcare Environment intervention, preschoolers wore an Actical™ accelerometer for 5 days during childcare and staff logged outdoor times. Separate linear mixed effects models were run to explore the effect of the intervention on preschoolers’ physical activity (total and MVPA) and sedentary time during outdoor play. Sex was entered as an interaction effect. Results: Preschoolers (n = 292) were significantly more active in the first 10 minutes outdoors compared with remaining time (P < .0083). For total outdoor time, children in the experimental group engaged in significantly less sedentary time than those in the control group (P < .017), and experimental group boys and girls engaged in higher MVPA than boys and girls in the control group (P < .017). Conclusions: Findings support scheduling more frequent outdoor play sessions in childcare to increase physical activity participation among young children.

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Environmental Influences on Physical Activity in Rural Adults: The Relative Contributions of Home, Church, and Work Settings

Journal of Physical Activity and Health ◽

10.1123/jpah.9.7.996 ◽

2012 ◽

Vol 9 (7) ◽

pp. 996-1003 ◽

Cited By ~ 18

Author(s):

Michelle C. Kegler ◽

Deanne W. Swan ◽

Iris Alcantara ◽

Louise Wrensford ◽

Karen Glanz

Keyword(s):

Physical Activity ◽

Social Support ◽

Rural Communities ◽

Vigorous Physical Activity ◽

Moderate Physical Activity ◽

Activity Levels ◽

Cross Sectional Survey ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Home Setting ◽

Relative Contribution

Background:This study examines the relative contribution of social (eg, social support) and physical (eg, programs and facilities) aspects of worksite, church, and home settings to physical activity levels among adults in rural communities.Methods:Data are from a cross-sectional survey of 268 African American and Caucasian adults, ages 40–70, living in southwest Georgia. Separate regression models were developed for walking, moderate, vigorous, and total physical activity as measured in METs-minutes-per-week.Results:Social support for physical activity was modest in all 3 settings (mean scores 1.5–1.9 on a 4-point scale). Participants reported limited (<1) programs and facilities for physical activity at their worksites and churches. An interaction of physical and social aspects of the home setting was observed for vigorous and moderate physical activity and total METs. There were also interactions between gender and social support at church for vigorous activity among women, and between race and the physical environment at church for moderate physical activity. A cross-over interaction was found between home and church settings for vigorous physical activity. Social support at church was associated with walking and total METs.Conclusions:Homes and churches may be important behavioral settings for physical activity among adults in rural communities.

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Physical activity levels in 10- to 11-year-olds: clustering of psychosocial correlates

Public Health Nutrition ◽

10.1079/phn2005738 ◽

2005 ◽

Vol 8 (7) ◽

pp. 896-903 ◽

Cited By ~ 28

Author(s):

Greet Cardon ◽

Renaat Philippaerts ◽

Johan Lefevre ◽

Lynn Matton ◽

Katrien Wijndaele ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Physical Activity ◽

Social Support ◽

Sedentary Behaviour ◽

Self Efficacy ◽

Cross Sectional Study ◽

Perceived Barriers ◽

Activity Levels ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Psychosocial Correlates ◽

Physical Activity Levels

AbstractObjectivesTo evaluate gender differences for levels of physical activity, for sedentary behaviour and for psychosocial correlates in children, to evaluate whether psychosocial correlates cluster in meaningful ways and to examine whether physical activity and sedentary behaviour differ between children of clusters, differentiated by the level of perceived barriers and benefits, attitudes, social support and self-efficacy.DesignCross-sectional study using the Flemish Physical Activity Questionnaire.SettingQuestionnaires to be filled out by the children and one of their parents, contacted through the school system.SubjectsA sample of 1124 10- to 11-year-olds (579 boys and 545 girls).ResultsGirls were found to be less active than boys, with boys scoring better for social support, perceived benefits and self-efficacy compared with girls. The way of clustering differed between boys and girls. Boys were allocated to three clusters: one cluster with positive correlates towards physical activity, labelled ‘positives’; one with negative correlates, labelled ‘negatives’; and one characterised mainly by high perceived barriers, labelled ‘hindered’;. In both genders the highest levels of physical activity were found in the ‘positives’;, the lowest in the ‘negatives’;. In girls a fourth cluster was identified, characterised mainly by low perceived barriers and low social support. Physical activity levels in the girls of this cluster, labelled ‘indifferents’;, were the second highest.ConclusionsMore research is needed to further characterise these clusters. To prevent the physical activity decline during the transition from childhood to adulthood, novel interventions need to be explored that focus on children of the clusters with the most negative correlates.

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Do Alcohol Consumers Exercise More? Findings from a National Survey

American Journal of Health Promotion ◽

10.4278/ajhp.0801104 ◽

2009 ◽

Vol 24 (1) ◽

pp. 2-10 ◽

Cited By ~ 81

Author(s):

Michael T. French ◽

Ioana Popovici ◽

Johanna Catherine Maclean

Keyword(s):

Physical Activity ◽

Alcohol Consumption ◽

Vigorous Physical Activity ◽

Heavy Drinking ◽

Behavioral Risk ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Percentage Point Increase ◽

Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance ◽

Point Increase ◽

Sectional Analysis

Purpose. Investigate the relationship between alcohol consumption and physical activity because understanding whether there are common determinants of health behaviors is critical in designing programs to change risky activities. Design. Cross-sectional analysis. Setting. United States. Subjects. A sample of adults representative of the U.S. population (N = 230,856) from the 2005 Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System. Measures. Several measures of drinking and exercise were analyzed. Specifications included numerous health, health behavior, socioeconomic, and demographic control variables. Results. For women, current drinkers exercise 7.2 more minutes per week than abstainers. Ten extra drinks per month are associated with 2.2 extra minutes per week of physical activity. When compared with current abstainers, light, moderate, and heavy drinkers exercise 5.7, 10.1, and 19.9 more minutes per week. Drinking is associated with a 10.1 percentage point increase in the probability of exercising vigorously. Ten extra drinks per month are associated with a 2.0 percentage point increase in the probability of engaging in vigorous physical activity. Light, moderate, and heavy drinking are associated with 9.0, 14.3, and 13.7 percentage point increases in the probability of exercising vigorously. The estimation results for men are similar to those for women. Conclusions. Our results strongly suggest that alcohol consumption and physical activity are positively correlated. The association persists at heavy drinking levels.

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Daily Sitting for Long Periods Increases the Odds for Subclinical Atheroma Plaques

Journal of Clinical Medicine ◽

10.3390/jcm10061229 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 10 (6) ◽

pp. 1229

Author(s):

Jose Luis Perez-Lasierra ◽

Martin Laclaustra ◽

Pilar Guallar-Castillón ◽

Jose Antonio Casasnovas ◽

Jose Antonio Casajús ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Physical Activity ◽

Subclinical Atherosclerosis ◽

Sitting Time ◽

Health Study ◽

Activity Levels ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Trained Personnel ◽

Atherosclerosis Development ◽

Sectional Analysis ◽

The Relationship

Sedentarism is a risk factor for cardiovascular disease (CVD), but currently it is not clear how a sedentary behavior such as long sitting time can affect atherosclerosis development. This study examined the relationship between sitting time and the prevalence of carotid and femoral subclinical atherosclerosis. A cross-sectional analysis based on a subsample of 2082 participants belonging to the Aragon Workers’ Health Study was carried out. Ultrasonography was used to assess the presence of plaques in carotid and femoral territories; the validated Spanish version of the questionnaire on the frequency of engaging in physical activity used in the Nurses’ Health Study and the Health Professionals’ was used to assess physical activity and sitting time; and demographic, anthropometric, and clinical data were obtained by trained personnel during the annual medical examination. Participants were categorized into <9 h/day and ≥9 h/day sitting time groups. After adjusting for several confounders, compared with participants that remain seated <9 h/day, those participants who remain seated ≥9 h/day had, respectively, OR = 1.25 (95%CI: 1.01, 1.55, p < 0.05) and OR = 1.38 (95%CI: 1.09, 1.74, p < 0.05) for carotid and any-territory plaque presence. Remaining seated ≥9 h/day is associated with higher odds for carotid and any-territory plaque presence independently of physical activity levels and other cardiovascular risk factors.

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Objectively Measured Physical Activity and Sedentary Time among Children and Adolescents in Morocco: A Cross-Sectional Study

BioMed Research International ◽

10.1155/2018/8949757 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 2018 ◽

pp. 1-7 ◽

Cited By ~ 6

Author(s):

Issad Baddou ◽

Asmaa El Hamdouchi ◽

Imane El Harchaoui ◽

Kaoutar Benjeddou ◽

Naima Saeid ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Physical Activity ◽

Children And Adolescents ◽

Cardiovascular Health ◽

Sedentary Time ◽

Vigorous Physical Activity ◽

Physical Activity Guideline ◽

Activity Levels ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Physical Activity Levels ◽

Objectively Measured

Background. Regular physical activity in childhood and adolescent plays an important role in reducing the risk of cardiovascular health diseases, diabetes, and obesity in adulthood. However, little is known about physical activity levels (PA) and sedentary time among children and adolescents in Morocco. Objective. To examine gender, type of day, and age grade differences in objectively measured sedentary time, physical activity levels, and physical activity guideline attainment among children and adolescents in Morocco. Method. 172 children/adolescents (mean age = 10.92 ± 1.55 years, 49.4% are boys) were recruited for this study and wore a tri-axial accelerometer (GT3X+) for 7 consecutive days. Time spent in sedentary, PA levels, and daily steps were measured and compared according to gender, age grade, and the type of day (weekdays/weekends). Results. In weekdays children/adolescents spent more time in sedentary than weekends (p < 0.001). Boys were eight times more likely to meet the recommendation for at least 60 min of moderate to vigorous physical activity per day than girls (OR: 8.569; 95% [CI]: 4.23–17.32), p < 0.001. Conclusion. These findings highlight the need for effective and sustainable strategies and programs aiming to promote physical activity and to reduce sedentary behavior among children and adolescents in Morocco.

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Impact of parents’ physical activity on preschool children’s physical activity: a cross-sectional study

PeerJ ◽

10.7717/peerj.4405 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 6 ◽

pp. e4405 ◽

Cited By ~ 8

Author(s):

Chang Xu ◽

Minghui Quan ◽

Hanbin Zhang ◽

Chenglin Zhou ◽

PeiJie Chen

Keyword(s):

Physical Activity ◽

Sedentary Behavior ◽

Vigorous Physical Activity ◽

Cross Sectional Study ◽

Maternal Influence ◽

Activity Levels ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Physical Activity Levels ◽

Paternal Influence ◽

Children’S Physical Activity

Purpose This study examined the associations of physical activity levels between parents and their pre-school children based on gender and weekday/weekend. Method A total of 247 parent-preschool child triads from Shanghai, China were analyzed. The children had a mean age of 57.5 ± 5.2 months. Both sedentary behavior and physical activity were measured in all participants using an ActiGraph GT3X+ accelerometer over seven consecutive days from Monday through the following Sunday. A multivariate regression model was derived to identify significant relationships between parental and child physical activity according to gender and weekday/weekend. Results There was a significant correlation between mothers’ and girls’ moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA) and total physical activity (TPA) on weekdays. Fathers’ MPVA levels correlated significantly with those of boys and girls, with paternal influence appearing to be stronger than maternal influence. However, there was not a significant correlation between fathers’ and children’s TPA. TPA levels of both mothers and fathers correlated with those of girls, but not with those of boys. Parental sedentary levels on the weekend correlated significantly with girls’ levels, but not with boys’ levels. Children’s physical activity levels on weekends were influenced more by fathers’ activity levels than by mothers’, while the opposite was observed on weekdays. Conclusion Sedentary behavior and physical activity levels of parents can strongly influence those of their preschool children, with maternal influence stronger during the weekdays and paternal influence stronger on the weekends. Parents’ activity levels influence girls’ levels more strongly than they influence boys’ levels.

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Cross-sectional and prospective relationships of passive and mentally active sedentary behaviours and physical activity with depression

The British Journal of Psychiatry ◽

10.1192/bjp.2019.60 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 217 (2) ◽

pp. 413-419 ◽

Cited By ~ 8

Author(s):

Mats Hallgren ◽

Thi-Thuy-Dung Nguyen ◽

Neville Owen ◽

Brendon Stubbs ◽

Davy Vancampfort ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Physical Activity ◽

Sedentary Behaviour ◽

Odds Ratio ◽

Vigorous Physical Activity ◽

Depression Symptoms ◽

Vigorous Activity ◽

Light Physical Activity ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Sedentary Behaviours ◽

Potential Impact

BackgroundSedentary behaviour can be associated with poor mental health, but it remains unclear whether all types of sedentary behaviour have equivalent detrimental effects.AimsTo model the potential impact on depression of replacing passive with mentally active sedentary behaviours and with light and moderate-to-vigorous physical activity. An additional aim was to explore these relationships by self-report data and clinician diagnoses of depression.MethodIn 1997, 43 863 Swedish adults were initially surveyed and their responses linked to patient registers until 2010. The isotemporal substitution method was used to model the potential impact on depression of replacing 30 min of passive sedentary behaviour with equivalent durations of mentally active sedentary behaviour, light physical activity or moderate-to-vigorous physical activity. Outcomes were self-reported depression symptoms (cross-sectional analyses) and clinician-diagnosed incident major depressive disorder (MDD) (prospective analyses).ResultsOf 24 060 participants with complete data (mean age 49.2 years, s.d. 15.8, 66% female), 1526 (6.3%) reported depression symptoms at baseline. There were 416 (1.7%) incident cases of MDD during the 13-year follow-up. Modelled cross-sectionally, replacing 30 min/day of passive sedentary behaviour with 30 min/day of mentally active sedentary behaviour, light physical activity and moderate-to-vigorous activity reduced the odds of depression symptoms by 5% (odds ratio 0.95, 95% CI 0.94–0.97), 13% (odds ratio 0.87, 95% CI 0.76–1.00) and 19% (odds ratio 0.81, 95% CI 0.93–0.90), respectively. Modelled prospectively, substituting 30 min/day of passive with 30 min/day of mentally active sedentary behaviour reduced MDD risk by 5% (hazard ratio 0.95, 95% CI 0.91–0.99); no other prospective associations were statistically significant.ConclusionsSubstituting passive with mentally active sedentary behaviours, light activity or moderate-to-vigorous activity may reduce depression risk in adults.

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An Examination of Multilevel Factors That May Explain Gender Differences in Children’s Physical Activity

Journal of Physical Activity and Health ◽

10.1123/jpah.10.7.982 ◽

2013 ◽

Vol 10 (7) ◽

pp. 982-992 ◽

Cited By ~ 23

Author(s):

Noe C. Crespo ◽

Kirsten Corder ◽

Simon Marshall ◽

Gregory J. Norman ◽

Kevin Patrick ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Physical Activity ◽

Gender Differences ◽

Linear Regression ◽

Vigorous Physical Activity ◽

Parent Support ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Physically Active ◽

Several Variables ◽

Sectional Analysis ◽

Children’S Physical Activity

Background:Girls are less physically active than boys, yet no single study has examined the factors that may explain gender differences in children’s physical activity (PA).Methods:This study was a cross-sectional analysis of data from 116 caregivers and their children aged 5–8 years who participated in the MOVE study. Caregivers reported various factors that may relate to children’s PA (eg, encouragement for child PA and PA equipment at home). Child PA was measured by 7-day accelerometry. Linear regression tested for the variance in moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA) explained by gender and several variables. Gender and ethnicity interactions were examined.Results:Caregivers were mostly female (97%), mean age 38 ± 6 years, mean BMI 28 ± 6 (kg/m2). Child’s mean age was 8.1 ± 0.7, 54% were female and 40% were overweight/obese. Girls were less physically active than boys (54.1 ± 19.7 vs. 65.2 ± 28.0 daily minutes of MVPA, respectively). Among girls, more days of PE/week was associated with greater MVPA. Among boys, greater parent support for PA, greater parent modeling for PA, and greater number of PA equipment in the home were associated with greater MVPA.Conclusions:This study supports that boys and girls have different correlates for MVPA, which may partly explain gender differences in PA.

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Breakfast consumption and daily physical activity in 9–10-year-old British children

Public Health Nutrition ◽

10.1017/s1368980011002175 ◽

2011 ◽

Vol 16 (7) ◽

pp. 1281-1290 ◽

Cited By ~ 19

Author(s):

Pauline AJ Vissers ◽

Andy P Jones ◽

Kirsten Corder ◽

Amy Jennings ◽

Esther MF van Sluijs ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Physical Activity ◽

Vigorous Physical Activity ◽

Dairy Product ◽

Eating Behaviour ◽

Cross Sectional Study ◽

Poor Quality ◽

Activity Levels ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Breakfast Consumption ◽

Food Diaries

AbstractObjectiveTo examine the association between breakfast consumption and physical activity in a well-characterised sample of English children.DesignCross-sectional study using food diaries to record breakfast consumption and accelerometry to assess physical activity.SettingNorfolk county, England.SubjectsChildren (n 1697) aged 9–10 years from the SPEEDY (Sport, Physical Activity and Eating behaviour: Environmental Determinants in Young people) study.ResultsBoys who consumed a poor-quality breakfast based on dairy product, cereal and fruit intakes spent approximately 7 min more time in moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA) during weekday afternoons and evenings compared with those who did not consume breakfast (P < 0·05). On weekend days, boys who consumed a poor- or good-quality breakfast spent approximately 6 and 5 min less time respectively being sedentary during the mornings compared with breakfast non-consumers (P < 0·05). Boys who consumed a good-quality breakfast spent almost 3 min more in MVPA during the morning on weekend days compared with non-consumers, and boys who consumed a poor- or good-quality breakfast were 22 % and 16 % more active overall respectively than breakfast non-consumers (P < 0·05). During the rest of the day, boys who consumed a good-quality breakfast spent about 11 min less time being sedentary (P < 0·05) and 7 min more time in MVPA (P < 0·01).ConclusionsAlthough some associations between breakfast consumption and physical activity were detected for boys, the present study does not provide strong evidence that failing to consume breakfast, or having a low energy intake at breakfast time, is detrimental to children's physical activity levels.

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