Finnish late adolescents’ physical activity during COVID-19 spring 2020 lockdown

Abstract Background Physical activity (PA) is recognised as one of the leading and effective strategies to prevent non-communicable diseases that boosts the immune system to fight against diseases. Closures of schools, sport clubs and facilities because of COVID-19 reduced the opportunities to participate in PA. We aimed to examine physical activity levels of late adolescents, the contexts to be physical active and its changes during the spring 2020 lockdown. Methods A national representative sample of late adolescents in general upper secondary school (n = 2408, females = 64%, mean age = 17.2y, SD = 0.63) completed self-report online surveys on PA behaviours between March and June 2020. Multinominal logistic regression analyses were performed to identify correlates with PA, and decision tree analyses to ascertain the perceived changes on PA during lockdown based on sport club aspirations and levels of PA. Results Among the late adolescents, the distribution of PA frequency was 23% (0-2 days/week), 35% (3-4 days/week), 30% (5–6 days/week) and 12% (7 days/week), and differences between males and females were not statistically significant. Participation in both indoor and outdoor PA were 50 times more likely to report daily PA (OR = 54.28, CI = 15.16–194.37) than non-participation. A quarter of late adolescents were not part of a sports club, yet their PA levels increased. Although sports club members generally perceived they did less PA during lockdown, over a third of sport club members with competitive aspirations reported daily PA. Conclusions Overall, most late adolescents reported their PA levels decreased during lockdown. Findings from this study continue to demonstrate factors associated with PA in the context of the COVID-19 lockdown.

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Finnish Late Adolescents' Physical Activity During COVID-19 Spring 2020 Lockdown

10.21203/rs.3.rs-708384/v1 ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

Kwok Ng ◽

Pasi Koski ◽

Nelli Lyyra ◽

Sanna Palomaki ◽

Kaisu Mononen ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Physical Activity ◽

Activity Levels ◽

Late Adolescents ◽

Sport Club ◽

Effective Strategies ◽

Sports Club ◽

Upper Secondary ◽

Sport Clubs ◽

Males And Females ◽

Indoor And Outdoor

Abstract BackgroundPhysical activity (PA) is recognised as one of the leading and effective strategies to prevent non-communicable diseases that boosts the immune system to fight against diseases. Closures of schools, sport clubs and facilities because of COVID-19 reduced the opportunities to participate in PA. We aimed to examine physical activity levels of late adolescents, the contexts to be physical active and its changes during the spring 2020 lockdown. MethodsA nationally represented sample of late adolescents in general upper secondary school (n=2408, females = 64%, mean age = 17.2y, SD=0.63) completed online surveys on PA between March and May 2020. Multinominal logistic regression analyses were performed to identify correlates with PA, and decision tree analyses to ascertain the perceived changes on PA during lockdown based on sport club aspirations and levels of PA. ResultsAmong the late adolescents, the distribution of PA frequency was 23% (0-2days/week), 35% (3-4days/week), 30% (5-6 days/week) and 12% (7 days/week), and differences between males and females were not statistically significant. Participation in PA both indoor and outdoor were 50 times more likely to report daily PA (OR=54.28, CI=15.16-194.37). A quarter of late adolescents not part of a sports club yet their PA levels increased. Although sports club members generally perceived they did less PA during lockdown, over a third of sport club members with competitive aspirations reported daily PA. ConclusionsOverall, late adolescents reported their PA levels decreased during lockdown. Findings from this study continue to demonstrate factors associated with PA in the context of the COVID-19 lockdown.

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Mode of Commuting to School and Its Association with Physical Activity and Sedentary Habits in Young Ecuadorian Students

International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health ◽

10.3390/ijerph15122704 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 15 (12) ◽

pp. 2704 ◽

Cited By ~ 6

Author(s):

Yaira Barranco-Ruiz ◽

Alfredo Guevara-Paz ◽

Robinson Ramírez-Vélez ◽

Palma Chillón ◽

Emilio Villa-González

Keyword(s):

Physical Activity ◽

Central Region ◽

School Setting ◽

Daily Physical Activity ◽

Self Report ◽

Activity Levels ◽

Active Commuting ◽

Physical Activity Levels ◽

Older Adolescents ◽

Commuting Distance

Active commuting to and from school (ACS) could help to increase daily physical activity levels in youth; however, this association remains unknown in Ecuadorian youth. Thus, the aims of this study were (1) to determine the patterns of commuting to and from school and (2) to analyze the associations between ACS, physical activity (PA), and sedentary habits in Ecuadorian youth. A total of 732 students (65.3% males), aged 10–18 years (children = 246, young adolescents = 310, older adolescents = 162) from the central region of Ecuador participated in this study. A self-report questionnaire, including the usual mode and frequency of commuting, distance from home to school (PACO-Questionnaire), and PA and sedentary habits (YAP-Questionnaire), was used. Most of the sample lived ≤2 km from school; however, they were mainly passive commuters (96%). The most common mode of commuting was by car (to school = 43.4%, from school = 31.6%; p < 0.001). Children presented significantly higher scores (0–4) in PA outside school and total PA compared with older adolescents (2.20 ± 0.97 vs. 1.97 ± 0.96; p = 0.013 and 2.30 ± 0.76 vs. 2.09 ± 0.74, p = 0.019, respectively), as well as the lowest scores in sedentary habits (1.51 ± 0.65, p < 0.001). PA at school and total PA were positively associated with ACS (OR 3.137; 95% CI, 1.918 to 5.131; p < 0.001, and OR 2.543; 95% CI, 1.428 to 4.527; p = 0.002, respectively). In conclusion, passive modes of transportation were the most frequently used to commute to and from school in young Ecuadorians. PA at school and total PA were positively associated with ACS. Thus, interventions at school setting could be an opportunity to improve PA levels and additionally ACS in youth from the central region of Ecuador.

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eHealth-based intervention to increase physical activity levels in people with cancer: protocol of a feasibility trial in an Irish acute hospital setting

BMJ Open ◽

10.1136/bmjopen-2018-024999 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 9 (3) ◽

pp. e024999

Author(s):

Ciarán Haberlin ◽

Julie Broderick ◽

Emer M Guinan ◽

Catherine Darker ◽

Juliette Hussey ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Physical Activity ◽

Treatment Options ◽

Hospital Setting ◽

Self Report ◽

Feasibility Trial ◽

Activity Levels ◽

Eligibility Criteria ◽

Curative Intent ◽

Report Quality ◽

Ethical Approval

IntroductionExercise and physical activity (PA) are established and effective treatment options for various side effects of cancer treatments such as surgery, chemotherapy and radiotherapy. The advent of eHealth brings new opportunities to influence healthy behaviours, using interactive and novel approaches. Influencing PA behaviours in people with cancer presents a potential application of this. The aim of this study is to evaluate the feasibility and preliminary efficacy of an intervention, using eHealth, for increasing PA in cancer survivors.Methods and analysisThis will be a single-arm pre–post feasibility study. We aim to recruit a heterogeneous sample of 60 participants from cancer clinics in St. James’s Hospital, Dublin, Ireland. Eligibility criteria will include patients who have completed chemotherapy and/or radiotherapy with curative intent between 3 and 36 months prior to enrolment. The intervention will include the delivery of a 12-week PA programme. The eHealth aspect of the intervention will involve the provision of a Fitbit activity tracker, which will be used in conjunction with specific PA goals remotely prescribed and monitored by a physiotherapist. Primary outcomes will be feasibility measures related to the study (recruitment capability, data collection procedures, adherence and compliance, evaluation of the resources to implement the study and evaluation of participant responses to the intervention). Secondary measures will evaluate preliminary efficacy of the intervention in terms of clinical outcomes (body composition, PA (objective and self-report), quality of life and aerobic capacity). Primary and secondary outcomes will be assessed at baseline (as appropriate), at conclusion of the intervention and at a 6-month follow-up.Ethics and disseminationEthical approval has been granted by the St. James’s Hospital/AMNCH Joint Ethics Committee (2016/05/02). Results from this study will be submitted for publication in peer-reviewed journals, as well as for presentation and dissemination at conferences in the field of oncology and survivorship.Trial registrationNCT03036436; Pre-results.

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Effects of peer influence on dietary intake and physical activity in schoolchildren

Public Health Nutrition ◽

10.1017/s1368980009991315 ◽

2009 ◽

Vol 13 (3) ◽

pp. 376-383 ◽

Cited By ~ 34

Author(s):

Tara Finnerty ◽

Sue Reeves ◽

Jaqueline Dabinett ◽

Yvonne M Jeanes ◽

Claus Vögele

Keyword(s):

Physical Activity ◽

Dietary Intake ◽

Peer Influence ◽

Age Groups ◽

Saturated Fat ◽

Self Report ◽

Activity Levels ◽

Anthropometric Measures ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Physical Activity Levels

AbstractObjectiveTo investigate the dietary intake and physical activity of boys and girls aged 9–13 years, and the influence of peers on these behaviours.DesignCross-sectional study.SettingNine primary and secondary schools in south-west London.SubjectsA total of 315 children wore sealed pedometers, provided self-report measures of dietary intake and answered a questionnaire relating to peer influence. Anthropometric measures of height and weight were also obtained.ResultsObese children had the lowest reported energy intakes and the lowest step counts per day. Boys took significantly more steps per day than girls, however girls were closer to achieving their recommended cut-offs for physical activity. Girls had lower energy intakes per day and lower BMI Z-scores than boys, however both genders, across all age groups, had higher than recommended intakes of saturated fat. There were significant associations between peer influence and physical activity levels but not between peer influence and dietary intake.ConclusionsLow energy intake and physical activity levels but high saturated fat intakes among boys and girls across all age groups highlight the importance of promoting both physical activity and healthy food choices. The finding that peers have a significant effect on physical activity levels but not on dietary intake offers an important approach for the design of health promotion interventions and obesity prevention programmes. Such designs may be particularly beneficial for obese youth, since the low physical activity levels found could be a major contributing factor to the maintenance of the condition.

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The development and evaluation of a novel computer program to assess previous-day dietary and physical activity behaviours in school children: The Synchronised Nutrition and Activity ProgramTM (SNAPTM)

British Journal Of Nutrition ◽

10.1017/s0007114507862428 ◽

2008 ◽

Vol 99 (6) ◽

pp. 1266-1274 ◽

Cited By ~ 55

Author(s):

Helen J. Moore ◽

Louisa J. Ells ◽

Sally A. McLure ◽

Sean Crooks ◽

David Cumbor ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Physical Activity ◽

Energy Balance ◽

Dietary Intake ◽

Vigorous Physical Activity ◽

Population Level ◽

Mean Difference ◽

Self Report ◽

Substantial Contribution ◽

Activity Levels ◽

Food Groups

Self-report recall questionnaires used to measure physical activity and dietary intake in children can be labour intensive and monotonous and tend to focus on either dietary intake or physical activity. The web-based software, Synchronised Nutrition and Activity ProgramTM (SNAPTM), was developed to produce a novel, simple, quick and engaging method of assessing energy balance-related behaviours at a population level, combining principles from new and existing 24 h recall methodologies, set within a user-friendly interface. Dietary intake was measured using counts for twenty-one food groups and physical activity levels were measured in min of moderate to vigorous physical activity (MVPA). A combination of the mean difference between methods, type II regression and non-parametric limits of agreement techniques were used to examine the accuracy and precision of SNAPTM. Method comparison analyses demonstrated a good agreement for both dietary intake and physical activity behaviours. For dietary variables, accuracy of SNAPTM (mean difference) was within ± 1 count for the majority of food groups. The proportion of the sample with between-method agreement within ± 1 count ranged from 0·40 to 0·99. For min of MVPA, there was no substantial fixed or proportional bias, and a mean difference between methods (SNAPTM – accelerometry) of − 9 min. SNAPTM provides a quick, accurate, low-burden, cost-effective and engaging method of assessing energy balance behaviours at a population level. Tools such as SNAPTM, which exploit the popularity, privacy and engagement of the computer interface, and linkages with other datasets, could make a substantial contribution to future public health monitoring and research.

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Physical Activity Trends of Finnish Adolescents With Long-Term Illnesses or Disabilities From 2002–2014

Journal of Physical Activity and Health ◽

10.1123/jpah.2015-0539 ◽

2016 ◽

Vol 13 (8) ◽

pp. 816-821 ◽

Cited By ~ 11

Author(s):

Kwok Ng ◽

Pauli Rintala ◽

Jorma Tynjälä ◽

Raili Välimaa ◽

Jari Villberg ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Physical Activity ◽

Vigorous Physical Activity ◽

Binary Logistic Regression ◽

Activity Level ◽

Binary Logistic Regression Analysis ◽

Activity Levels ◽

Physically Active ◽

Sports Club ◽

Club Membership

Background:Adolescents’ physical activity level is a major source of concern. For adolescents with long-term illnesses or disabilities (LTID), being physically active can prevent secondary conditions. This is one of the first studies reporting trends in physical activity of adolescents with LTID in relation to gender, age, and sports club membership.Methods:Data were collected from the Health Behavior in School-aged Children study in Finland during 2002, 2006, 2010, and 2014. In 13- and 15-year-olds (N = 2206), 17.1% reported having LTID. Daily physical activity recall was the dependent variable. Binary logistic regression analysis was conducted eparately for sports club members (n = 936) and nonmembers (n = 1270).Results:The proportion of physically active adolescents with LTID in 2014 was higher than in 2002 for girls (15.6% vs 8.7%) and boys (26.6% vs 13.0%). Girl sports club members were 2 times more likely to be physically active in 2014 than in 2002. The largest trend between 2014 and 2002 was among boy nonmembers (odds ratio: 4.62, 95% confidence interval, 2.02–10.58).Conclusions:More adolescents with LTID took part in daily moderate-to-vigorous physical activity in 2014 than in 2002; however, physical activity levels still remain low. Sports club membership was similar to that of the general population.

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Individual and Co-occurring SNAP Risk Factors

International Journal of MS Care ◽

10.7224/1537-2073.2016-040 ◽

2016 ◽

Vol 18 (6) ◽

pp. 298-304 ◽

Cited By ~ 12

Author(s):

Julia M. Balto ◽

Ipek Ensari ◽

Elizabeth A. Hubbard ◽

Naiman Khan ◽

Jennifer L. Barnes ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Physical Activity ◽

Risk Factors ◽

Smoking Status ◽

Dietary Guidelines ◽

Self Report ◽

Activity Levels ◽

Physical Activity Guidelines ◽

Poor Diet ◽

Physical Activity Levels ◽

Insufficient Physical Activity

Background: Smoking, poor nutrition, excess alcohol consumption, and insufficient physical activity underlie most preventable causes of morbidity in the general population and may be associated with comorbidities and health outcomes in multiple sclerosis (MS). However, the frequency of co-occurrence of these risk factors in people with MS remains unclear. Methods: Sixty-nine individuals with MS completed self-report measures of smoking status, nutrition, alcohol use, physical activity levels, and sociodemographic and clinical characteristics. The data were analyzed using t tests and χ2 analyses. Results: Poor diet was the most common risk factor, with 85.5% of the sample not meeting dietary guidelines. Of participants with two risk factors, 90.3% were not meeting dietary and physical activity guidelines. Seventy-three percent of women were not meeting physical activity guidelines, compared with 38% of men (χ2 = 7.5, P < .01). There were also differential rates by sex of the most commonly co-occurring risk factors: 65% of women reported the co-occurrence of insufficient physical activity and poor diet, compared with 38% of men (χ2 = 4.2, P = .05). Conclusions: These results indicate that 85.5% of the sample was not meeting nutrition guidelines, 90.3% of participants with two risk factors reported the co-occurrence of poor diet and insufficient levels of physical activity, and physical activity levels and the total number of risk factors varied across sex.

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Preschool environment and preschool teacher’s physical activity and their association with children’s activity levels at preschool

10.21203/rs.2.12692/v1 ◽

2019 ◽

Author(s):

Chu Chen ◽

Viktor H. Ahlqvist ◽

Pontus Henriksson ◽

Cecilia Magnusson ◽

Daniel Berglind

Keyword(s):

Physical Activity ◽

Environmental Factors ◽

Policy Evaluation ◽

Sedentary Time ◽

Preschool Teachers ◽

Structural Characteristics ◽

Self Report ◽

Activity Levels ◽

The Mean ◽

Child Age

Abstract Background The preschool environment presents an ideal opportunity to promote early development of healthy physical activity (PA) and sedentary time (ST) habits in young children. However, less is known about how environmental and structural characteristics of preschools are associated with preschool children’s objectively assessed levels of PA and ST during preschool hours. The aim of the current study was to investigate to what extent preschool playground size, formalized PA policies, time spent outdoors and preschool teacher’s levels of PA were associated with children’s objectively assessed levels of PA and ST during preschool hours. Methods In total, 369 children and 84 preschool teachers from 27 preschools in Södermalm municipally, Stockholm Sweden wore an Actigraph GT3X+ accelerometer during 7 consecutive days. Preschool environmental and structural characteristics were measured via the Environment and Policy Evaluation Self-Report (EPAO-SR). Instrument and time in- and outdoors was recorded by preschool teachers on all days during the PA measurements. Weight and height of participating children were measured via validated scales and parents filled out a questionnaire on demographical and descriptive variables. Analyses were adjusted for age of the child, sex and BMI. Results The mean child age was 4.7 years (SD 0.8) and 45% were girls. We found that children were more active in preschools with a formalized PA policy, compared to schools without such a policy, but not less sedentary. The association between policy and activity seemed to be more pronounced when accounting for other environmental factors. Preschool teachers light PA (LPA) (ß=0.25, P=0.004) and steps (ß=0.52, P<0.001) were associated with children’s LPA and steps while the preschool playground size showed no association with PA in children. Conclusion The current study showed that preschool structural characteristics such as formalized PA policies and more time spent outdoors were positively associated with children’s PA. These findings suggest that formalized PA policies and time outdoors may be of importance for promoting children’s PA during preschool hours.

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Association of physical activity with arterial stiffness among Black adults

Vascular Medicine ◽

10.1177/1358863x211032725 ◽

2021 ◽

pp. 1358863X2110327

Author(s):

Shabatun J Islam ◽

Nour Beydoun ◽

Anurag Mehta ◽

Jeong Hwan Kim ◽

Yi-An Ko ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Physical Activity ◽

Arterial Stiffness ◽

Self Report ◽

Activity Levels ◽

Linear Regression Models ◽

Black Adults ◽

Home Life ◽

Premature Cardiovascular Disease ◽

Physical Activity Levels ◽

Independent Cohort

Arterial stiffness is a precursor for the development of hypertension and premature cardiovascular disease (CVD). Physical activity has been associated with lower arterial stiffness among largely White populations, but the types of activity required and whether these findings apply to Black adults remain unknown. We examined whether physical activity levels were associated with arterial stiffness among Black adults in two independent cohorts. In the Morehouse-Emory Cardiovascular (MECA) Center for Health Equity, 378 Black adults (age 52.8 ± 10.3, 39.7% male) without known CVD living in Atlanta, GA were recruited. Arterial stiffness was measured as pulse wave velocity (PWV). Total and domain-specific physical activity were assessed by self-report. Multiple linear regression models were used to investigate differences across physical activity levels after adjusting for age, sex, CVD risk factors, and socioeconomic status. Findings were validated in an independent cohort of Black adults ( n = 55, age 50.4 ± 9.2, 23.6% male). After adjustment for covariates, lower arterial stiffness was associated with higher self-reported levels of sport/exercise (6.92 ± 1.13 vs 7.75 ± 1.14, p < 0.001, highest vs lowest quartile) and home/life activities (7.34 ± 1.24 vs 7.73 ± 1.07, p = 0.04, highest vs lowest quartile), but not work, active living, or the overall physical activity scores. These findings were replicated in the independent cohort where higher levels of sport/exercise remained associated with lower arterial stiffness (6.66 ± 0.57 vs 8.21 ± 0.66, p < 0.001, highest vs lowest quartile). Higher levels of sport/exercise and home/life-related physical activities (in comparison to occupational physical activity) are associated with lower arterial stiffness in Black adults.

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Footprints in Time: Physical Activity Levels and Sociodemographic and Movement-Related Associations Within the Longitudinal Study of Indigenous Children

Journal of Physical Activity and Health ◽

10.1123/jpah.2020-0460 ◽

2020 ◽

pp. 1-8

Author(s):

Rona Macniven ◽

Rachel Wilson ◽

Tim Olds ◽

John Evans

Keyword(s):

Physical Activity ◽

Longitudinal Study ◽

Parental Education ◽

Self Report ◽

Activity Levels ◽

Related Factors ◽

Indigenous Australian ◽

Indigenous Children ◽

Physical Activity Levels ◽

Sociodemographic Correlates

Background: Emerging evidence suggests that Indigenous children have higher physical activity levels that non-Indigenous children, yet little is known of the factors that influence these levels or how they may be optimized. This study examines correlates of achieving ≥1 hour/day of physical activity among Indigenous Australian children aged 8–13 years. Methods: Data were collected through parental self-report in the Longitudinal Study of Indigenous Children. Proportions of children achieving ≥1 hour/day physical activity, approximating the Australian aerobic physical activity recommendations, were calculated, and associations with sociodemographic, family composition, and movement-related factors were quantified using multiple logistic regression analyses. Results: Half of the 1233 children achieved ≥1 hour/day physical activity. Children from families with low parental education and unemployment, remote residence, low socioeconomic status, and without a father in the household were more likely to meet the recommendations. Achieving ≥1 hour/day of physical activity was also associated with low levels of playing electronic games and total screen time. Conclusions: Sociodemographic correlates of physical activity among Indigenous Australian children run counter to those typically found in non-Indigenous Australian children. Further longitudinal examination of the predictors of these associations would provide a greater understanding of Indigenous physical activity determinants, to inform strategies to facilitate participation.

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