scholarly journals Using Novel Technology within a School-Based Setting to Increase Physical Activity: A Pilot Study in School-Age Children from a Low-Income, Urban Community

2017 ◽  
Vol 2017 ◽  
pp. 1-7 ◽  
Author(s):  
E. Whitney Evans ◽  
Ana M. Abrantes ◽  
Eva Chen ◽  
Elissa Jelalian
Keyword(s):  
Physical Activity ◽  
Low Income ◽  
Weight Status ◽  
Phase 1 ◽  
School Age Children ◽  
School Age ◽  
Phase 2 ◽  
Significant Group ◽  
School Based ◽  
American Children

Background. Less than half of American children meet national physical activity (PA) recommendations. This study tested the feasibility, acceptability, and preliminary effectiveness of using wearable PA monitors to increase PA in school-age children. Methods. In Phase 1 of this study, conducted in 2014, 32 fifth-grade students enrolled in a low-resource middle school were given a waist-worn Fitbit Zip monitor for 4 weeks to test its feasibility (adherence) and acceptability. Adherence, wear time of ≥8 hours per day, was examined. Feedback was solicited from parents through structured interviews. In Phase 2, conducted in 2015, 42 sixth-grade students were assigned, by classroom, to one of three conditions (Fitbit + goal and incentive-based intervention, Fitbit only, or control) to test the feasibility of the wrist-worn Fitbit Charge and its preliminary effectiveness in increasing PA over 6 weeks. Results. In Phase 1, average adherence was 64.1%. In Phase 2, it was 73.4% and 80.2% for participants in the Fitbit + intervention and Fitbit only groups, respectively (p=.07). After controlling for baseline values, weight status, and sex, there were no significant group differences in changes in MVPA or steps from baseline to follow-up. Conclusions. While moderately acceptable, wearable PA monitors did not increase PA levels in this sample. They may be more effective within a coordinated school-based physical activity program.

Affective Responses to Intermittent Physical Activity in Healthy Weight and Overweight/Obese Elementary School-Age Children

2017 ◽  
Vol 14 (11) ◽  
pp. 845-851 ◽  
Author(s):  
Matthew R. Nagy ◽  
Molly P. O’Sullivan ◽  
Shannon S. Block ◽  
Trevor R. Tooley ◽  
Leah E. Robinson ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Physical Activity ◽  
Elementary School ◽  
High Intensity ◽  
Screen Time ◽  
Weight Status ◽  
School Age Children ◽  
School Age ◽  
Healthy Weight ◽  
Obese Children ◽  
Elementary School Age

Background: The purpose of this study was to examine the acute effects of intermittent physical activity (2-min bouts of varying intensities) on psychological mood and enjoyment in elementary school-age children and to examine the effect of weight status on these psychological outcomes. Methods: A total of 39 children (healthy weight, n = 26; overweight/obese, n = 13) completed 4 experimental conditions in random order, which consisted of 8 hours of sitting interrupted with 20 two-minute low­-, moderate-, or high-intensity activity breaks or 20 two-minute screen-time breaks. Mood was assessed using the Feeling Scale immediately following each break. Enjoyment was assessed using the Physical Activity Enjoyment Scale immediately following 10 and 20 breaks. Results: Mood was significantly higher during the sedentary versus active conditions (P < .01). Overweight/obese children reported lower mood scores compared with healthy weight children at the initiation of the low- (P < .05) and high-intensity conditions (P < .001) but experienced improvements in mood throughout the day in all 3 active conditions (P = .02). Enjoyment was significantly higher after completing the active versus sedentary conditions (P = .02). Conclusion: These findings suggest that both healthy weight and overweight/obese children felt better immediately after engaging in screen-time breaks but subsequently rated the activity breaks as more enjoyable compared with screen-time breaks.

scholarly journals How is the COVID-19 lockdown impacting the mental health of parents of school-age children in the UK? A cross-sectional online survey

BMJ Open ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (5) ◽  
pp. e043397
Author(s):  
Austen El-Osta ◽  
Aos Alaa ◽  
Iman Webber ◽  
Eva Riboli Sasco ◽  
Emmanouil Bagkeris ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Physical Activity ◽  
Social Isolation ◽  
Online Survey ◽  
Female Gender ◽  
School Age Children ◽  
School Age ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
The Uk ◽  
The Impact

ObjectiveInvestigate the impact of the COVID-19 lockdown on feelings of loneliness and social isolation in parents of school-age children.DesignCross-sectional online survey of parents of primary and secondary school-age children.SettingCommunity setting.Participants1214 parents of school-age children in the UK.MethodsAn online survey explored the impact of lockdown on the mental health of parents with school-age children, and in particular about feelings of social isolation and loneliness. Associations between the UCLA Three-Item Loneliness Scale (UCLATILS), the Direct Measure of Loneliness (DMOL) and the characteristics of the study participants were assessed using ordinal logistic regression models.Main outcome measuresSelf-reported measures of social isolation and loneliness using UCLATILS and DMOL.ResultsHalf of respondents felt they lacked companionship, 45% had feelings of being left out, 58% felt isolated and 46% felt lonely during the first 100 days of lockdown. The factors that were associated with higher levels of loneliness on UCLATILS were female gender, parenting a child with special needs, lack of a dedicated space for distance learning, disruption of sleep patterns and low levels of physical activity during the lockdown. Factors associated with a higher DMOL were female gender, single parenting, parenting a child with special needs, unemployment, low physical activity, lack of a dedicated study space and disruption of sleep patterns during the lockdown.ConclusionsThe COVID-19 lockdown has increased feelings of social isolation and loneliness among parents of school-age children. The sustained adoption of two modifiable health-seeking lifestyle behaviours (increased levels of physical activity and the maintenance of good sleep hygiene practices) wmay help reduce feelings of social isolation and loneliness during lockdown.

The Arkansas Active Kids Study: Identifying contributing factors to metabolic health and obesity status in prepubertal school-age children

2020 ◽  
pp. 026010602097557
Author(s):  
Shasha Bai ◽  
Anthony Goudie ◽  
Elisabet Børsheim ◽  
Judith L Weber
Keyword(s):  
Physical Activity ◽  
Vital Signs ◽  
Statistical Analysis Plan ◽  
Metabolic Health ◽  
Environmental Data ◽  
School Age Children ◽  
School Age ◽  
Contributing Factors ◽  
Activity Data ◽  
Obesity Status

Background: We report the design, protocol and statistical analysis plan for the Arkansas Active Kids (AAK) Study. The study investigates the complex relationships between factors that contribute to metabolic health and obesity status in prepubertal school-age children in the state of Arkansas. Aim: We aim to identify modifiable behavioral and environmental factors and phenotypes related to metabolic health that are associated with obesity status that, if addressed effectively, can aid in designing effective intervention strategies to improve fitness and reduce obesity in children. Methods: We analyzed dietary and physical activity data from two national surveys (National Survey of Children’s Health and Youth Risk Behavior Surveillance System). We then conducted detailed surveys to collect dietary, physical activity, socio-demographic, and environmental data from a sample of 226 prepubertal Arkansas children. In the same sample of prepubertal children, we also collected extensive physiologic data to further study associations between physical activity and metabolic health. Results: All study visits included detailed measures of vital signs, energy expenditure, components of physical fitness, body composition and the collection of biological samples for determination of metabolic analytes. Conclusion: The observational, environmental and physiological results will be used to craft multivariate statistical models to identify which variables define ‘phenotype signatures’ that associate with fitness level and obesity status.

Accelerometer Response to Physical Activity Intensity in Normal-Weight Versus Overweight African American Children

2011 ◽  
Vol 8 (5) ◽  
pp. 682-692 ◽  
Author(s):  
Daniel Arvidsson ◽  
Mark Fitch ◽  
Mark L. Hudes ◽  
Catrine Tudor-Locke ◽  
Sharon E. Fleming
Keyword(s):  
Physical Activity ◽  
African American ◽  
Weight Status ◽  
Normal Weight ◽  
Fat Free Mass ◽  
African American Children ◽  
Overweight Children ◽  
Physical Activity Intensity ◽  
Activity Intensity ◽  
American Children

Background:Different movement efficiency in overweight children may affect accelerometer output data. The purpose was to investigate the ability of accelerometers to assess physical activity intensity and number of steps in normal-weight compared with overweight children.Methods:Eleven normal-weight and 14 overweight African American children walked at 2, 4, 5, and 6 km/h on a treadmill wearing Lifecorder, ActiGraph, RT3, and Biotrainer. Oxygen uptake was measured and steps manually counted. Fat free mass (FFM) was assessed from bioelectrical impedance analysis. Accelerometer counts and the individual linear regression lines of accelerometer counts versus VO2/FFM were evaluated, together with steps recorded by Lifecorder and Actigraph.Results:Correlations between accelerometer counts and VO2/FFM for all monitors were r ≥ .95 (P < .01). The accelerometer counts and their relationship to VO2/FFM did not generally differ significantly by body weight status. Lifecorder and Actigraph underestimated steps at 4, 5, and 6 km/h by less than 9%, but the error was up to −95% at 2 km/h.Conclusions:All 4 accelerometers show high ability to assess physical activity intensity, and can be used to compare physical activity between normal-weight and overweight children. The Lifecorder and the ActiGraph showed high accuracy in assessing steps, providing speed of movement exceeded 2 km/h.

scholarly journals Analiza częstości występowania oraz czynników wpływających na powstanie wad postawy u dzieci w wieku szkolnym

2020 ◽  
Vol 5 (3) ◽  
pp. 69-95
Author(s):  
Dorota Kochman ◽  
◽  
Aneta Studzińska ◽  
Keyword(s):  
Physical Activity ◽  
Negative Impact ◽  
School Age Children ◽  
Survey Method ◽  
Knee Valgus ◽  
School Age ◽  
Anthropometric Parameters ◽  
Questionnaire Surveys ◽  
Method Of Evaluation ◽  
Wrong Place

Introduction. Faulty posture is define as the syndrome of bad posture that we characterize as minimal, individual anomalies upon proper poise which are potentially curable with professional passive and active exercises. An im-portant function at develop posture anomalies has factors which induce to take improper silhouette. To the above factors mainly belong: bad posture while relaxation, wrong place to study or hefting overloaded packs. Aim. Depiction of common problem among children at school age which is exposure of faulty posture and specification of factors which produce faulty posture. Material and methods. In the thesis was used method of evaluation and diag-nostic survey method. With the object of execution the questionnaire surveys applied an anonymous and authorial questionnaire at the same time. A hundred of children at 11-14 age entered the survey. Based on data, computed BMI rate and the anthropometric parameters were evaluated according to centile grid. Results. A hundred of children entered the research (49% boys, 51% girls). 24% of children had diagnose of faulty posture namely 16 girls and 8 boys. Fallen arches was detected at 11 children, it is about 46% of people with bad posture, whereas none of children had knees valgus (0%). 38% of children who are active less than hour per day were diagnosed with faulty posture, whereas group of people with 1-2 hours daily physical activity had only 16,1% of chil-dren with faulty posture. On the other hand with students who spare over two hours on activity daily were not any fault. 87,5% of respondents with wrong BMI rate level suffer from bad posture. Children (66%), who do not respect right rules of carrying pack have diagnosed faulty posture. Conclusion. Every fourth child at research group has bad posture. The com-mon type of faulty posture is fallen arches, but the rarest is knee valgus. Low level of physical activity and wrong way of carrying pack significantly contrib-ute to develop faulty posture among school age children. Furthermore inade-quate result of BMI also has negative impact on body posture of child.

scholarly journals Relación entre el nivel de actividad física y sedentarismo, sobrepeso y calidad de vida relacionada con la salud en niños asmáticos en edad escolar: un estudio exploratorio en Sevilla (Relationship between the level of physical activity and sedentary, ove

Retos ◽  
2015 ◽  
pp. 53-56
Author(s):  
Borja Del Pozo-Cruz ◽  
Jesús Del Pozo-Cruz ◽  
Francisco Javier González Limones ◽  
Rosa María Alfonso Rosa
Keyword(s):  
Physical Activity ◽  
Sedentary Lifestyle ◽  
Persistent Asthma ◽  
Normal Weight ◽  
School Age Children ◽  
School Age ◽  
Asthmatic Children ◽  
Calidad De Vida ◽  
Palabras Clave ◽  
Positive Correlations

Objetivo. En este estudió se pretendió un objetivo doble; 1) Constatar las diferencias entre niños asmáticos con sobrepeso y normopeso en cuanto a CVRS y cantidad de actividad física y sedentarismo y 2) Determinar la relación existente entre cantidad de actividad física, sedentarismo e IMC y su influencia en la CVRS de esta población en Sevilla. Método. Se usó un diseño de cohorte que incluyó a 69 niños en edad escolar con asma persistente controlado. Las medidas incluidas en el estudio fueron: el cuestionario PAQL(S), para evaluar la CVRS de los niños y el cuestionario IPAQ-A, para evaluar la cantidad de actividad física y sedentarismo de los niños. También se calculó el IMC y se determinó si el participante estaba en normopeso o sobrepeso. Resultados. Los niños con sobrepeso obtuvieron peores valores en CVRS e IPAQ-A que sus pares con normopeso. Además se observaron correlaciones positivas entre el IMC y la cantidad de sedentarismo y negativas entre el IMC y también entre éste y el valor en las escalas de valoración de la CVRS. Conclusión. El IMC afecta negativamente a la CVRS a los niños asmáticos en edad escolar. Palabras clave: niños asmáticos, enfermedad crónica, hábitos de vida, ejercicio físico.Abstract: Objective. The aim of this study was: 1) To determine the differences between normal-weight asthmatic children and overweight asthmatic children in terms of HRQoL and amount of physical activity and sedentary and 2) To determine the relationship between amount of physical activity, sedentary and BMI and their influence on the HRQoL of this population in Seville. Method. We used a cohort design study that included 69 school-age children with controlled persistent asthma. The measures included in the study were: the questionnaire PAQL (S), to assess the HRQoL of children and the IPAQ-A questionnaire to assess the amount of physical activity and sedentary lifestyle of children. BMI was also calculated and determined if the participant was of normal-weight or overweight. Results. Overweight children scored worse on HRQoL and IPAQ-A values   than their peers with normal-weight. Positive correlations were also observed between BMI and the amount of sedentary lifestyle. Negative correlations were observed between BMI and the amount of physical activity and also negative correlations were observed between BMI and HRQoL. Conclusion. BMI negatively affect HRQoL in school- age asthmatic children. Key words: asthmatic children, chronic disease, lifestyles, physical exercise.

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