Children’s Cortisol and Cell-Free DNA Trajectories in Relation to Sedentary Behavior and Physical Activity in School: A Longitudinal Analysis

Education outside the classroom (EOtC) can be beneficial for students. The relationship between biological stress markers and sedentary behavior (SB) plus physical activity (PA) is insufficiently evaluated in school settings. This exploratory study aims to evaluate the association between students’ cortisol, plus circulating cell-free deoxyribonucleic acid (cfDNA) levels, and their SB, light PA (LPA) and moderate-to-vigorous PA (MVPA) during outdoor and indoor classes in different seasons. We assessed data from an education outside the classroom (EOtC) program (n = 48; intervention group [IG], n = 37; control group [CG], n = 11). We sampled data on 3 school-days in three seasons (fall, spring, and summer) in normal teaching indoors (CG) and outdoor lessons (IG) in the forest. SB and PA were evaluated by accelerometry, and cortisol and cfDNA levels by saliva samples. The compositional data analysis approach analyzed SB and PA. Fitted Bayesian hierarchical linear models evaluated the association between cortisol and cfDNA, and SB/LPA/MVPA. A steady decline of cortisol in the outdoor setting is associated with relatively high levels of LPA. SB and MVPA tended to exhibit a similar effect in the indoor setting. CfDNA is positively associated with a relatively high amount of SB in the IG, the same association is likely for LPA and MVPA in both groups. LPA seems to support a healthy cortisol decrease in children during outdoor lessons. The relevance of SB/PA as a composition in relation to students stress response in school should be emphasized. This study facilitates the formulation of straightforward and directed hypotheses for further research.

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Associations Among School Day Sedentary Behavior, Physical Activity, and Motor Skills: A Compositional Data Analysis

Medicine & Science in Sports & Exercise ◽

10.1249/01.mss.0000561598.17361.25 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 51 (Supplement) ◽

pp. 365

Author(s):

Ryan D. Burns ◽

Youngwon Kim ◽

Wonwoo Byun ◽

Timothy A. Brusseau

Keyword(s):

Physical Activity ◽

Data Analysis ◽

Sedentary Behavior ◽

Motor Skills ◽

Compositional Data ◽

Compositional Data Analysis ◽

School Day

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Physical Activity Intervention Effects on Sedentary Time in Spanish-Speaking Latinas

Journal of Physical Activity and Health ◽

10.1123/jpah.2019-0112 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 17 (3) ◽

pp. 343-348

Author(s):

Sheri J. Hartman ◽

Dori Pekmezi ◽

Shira I. Dunsiger ◽

Bess H. Marcus

Keyword(s):

Physical Activity ◽

Sedentary Behavior ◽

Sedentary Time ◽

Physical Activity Intervention ◽

Controlled Trial ◽

Vigorous Physical Activity ◽

Intervention Group ◽

Control Group ◽

Spanish Speaking ◽

Objectively Measured

Background: Latinas have high rates of sedentary behavior and related health disparities, but it is unknown if interventions to increase physical activity will also reduce sedentary time. The current study examined changes in objectively measured sedentary time among Latinas in a randomized controlled trial of a physical activity intervention. Methods: Spanish-speaking Latinas (N = 202) were randomized to an exercise or wellness group and wore an accelerometer at baseline, 6 months, and 12 months. Results: Participants were sedentary on an average of 8.86 hours per day (SD = 2.60) at baseline. The intervention group had significantly greater increases in sedentary time compared with the control group, with the intervention group engaging in 146 more minutes per week of sedentary time at 6 months and 254 minutes per week of sedentary time at 12 months than the control group (P = .02). The intervention effect on sedentary behavior remained after controlling for moderate to vigorous physical activity. Additionally, time spent in moderate to vigorous physical activity was positively associated with more sedentary time (P = .04). Conclusion: An intervention to increase moderate to vigorous physical activity resulted in greater sedentary time, raising concerns regarding compensation and highlighting the need for interventions to address both physical activity and sedentary behavior to improve public health.

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Reallocating Time From Sedentary Behavior to Physical Activity in Patients With Peripheral Artery Disease: Analyzing the Effects on Walking Capacity Using Compositional Data Analysis

Journal of Physical Activity and Health ◽

10.1123/jpah.2020-0487 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 18 (4) ◽

pp. 426-432

Author(s):

Antonio Henrique Germano-Soares ◽

Rafael M. Tassitano ◽

Breno Quintela Farah ◽

Aluísio Andrade-Lima ◽

Marília de Almeida Correia ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Physical Activity ◽

Data Analysis ◽

Light Intensity ◽

Confidence Interval ◽

Sedentary Behavior ◽

Compositional Data ◽

Compositional Data Analysis ◽

Peripheral Artery ◽

Walking Capacity ◽

Artery Disease

Background: To examine the associations between physical activity (PA) and sedentary behavior (SB) with walking capacity and the effects of reallocating time from SB to PA in patients with symptomatic peripheral artery disease (PAD) using compositional data analysis. Methods: This cross-sectional study included 178 patients (34% females, mean age = 66 [9] y, body mass index = 27.8 [5.0] kg/m2, and ankle-brachial index = 0.60 [0.18]). Walking capacity was assessed as the total walking distance (TWD) achieved in a 6-minute walk test, while SB, light-intensity PA, and moderate to vigorous-intensity PA (MVPA) were measured by a triaxial accelerometer and conceptualized as a time-use composition. Associations between time reallocation among wake-time behaviors and TWD were determined using compositional isotemporal substitution models. Results: A positive association of MVPA with TWD (relative to remaining behaviors) was found in men (βilr = 66.9, SE = 21.4, P = .003) and women (βilr = 56.5, SE = 19.8; P = .005). Reallocating 30 minutes per week from SB to MVPA was associated with higher TWD in men (6.7 m; 95% confidence interval, 2.6–10.9 m) and women (4.5 m; 95% confidence interval, 1.5–7.5 m). Conclusions: The findings highlight, using a compositional approach, the beneficial and independent association of MVPA with walking capacity in patients with symptomatic PAD, whereas SB and light-intensity PA were not associated.

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Compositional Data Analysis in Time-Use Epidemiology: What, Why, How

International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health ◽

10.3390/ijerph17072220 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 17 (7) ◽

pp. 2220 ◽

Cited By ~ 9

Author(s):

Dorothea Dumuid ◽

Željko Pedišić ◽

Javier Palarea-Albaladejo ◽

Josep Antoni Martín-Fernández ◽

Karel Hron ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Physical Activity ◽

Data Analysis ◽

Sedentary Behavior ◽

Time Use ◽

Compositional Data ◽

Compositional Data Analysis ◽

Health It ◽

Future Directions ◽

The Relationship ◽

Daily Time

In recent years, the focus of activity behavior research has shifted away from univariate paradigms (e.g., physical activity, sedentary behavior and sleep) to a 24-h time-use paradigm that integrates all daily activity behaviors. Behaviors are analyzed relative to each other, rather than as individual entities. Compositional data analysis (CoDA) is increasingly used for the analysis of time-use data because it is intended for data that convey relative information. While CoDA has brought new understanding of how time use is associated with health, it has also raised challenges in how this methodology is applied, and how the findings are interpreted. In this paper we provide a brief overview of CoDA for time-use data, summarize current CoDA research in time-use epidemiology and discuss challenges and future directions. We use 24-h time-use diary data from Wave 6 of the Longitudinal Study of Australian Children (birth cohort, n = 3228, aged 10.9 ± 0.3 years) to demonstrate descriptive analyses of time-use compositions and how to explore the relationship between daily time use (sleep, sedentary behavior and physical activity) and a health outcome (in this example, adiposity). We illustrate how to comprehensively interpret the CoDA findings in a meaningful way.

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Classroom Active Breaks to Increase Children’s Physical Activity: A Cross-Sectional Study in the Province of Naples, Italy

International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health ◽

10.3390/ijerph17186599 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 17 (18) ◽

pp. 6599

Author(s):

Francesca Gallè ◽

Pierluigi Pecoraro ◽

Patrizia Calella ◽

Giuseppe Cerullo ◽

Maria Imoletti ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Physical Activity ◽

Sedentary Behavior ◽

Primary Schools ◽

Weight Status ◽

Sedentary Time ◽

Intervention Group ◽

Third Grade ◽

Control Group ◽

School Day ◽

Active Breaks

Background: Classroom Active Breaks (CABs), short active sessions integrated in the school time, have been recognized as a promising tool to reduce sedentary behavior and increase Physical Activity (PA) levels in children. “AulAttiva” is a six-month CABs-based program implemented in primary schools of the province of Naples. The aim of this study was to evaluate its effectiveness by comparing PA and sedentary time of participating pupils respect to a control group, considering also their weight status. Methods: Four third-grade classes, each from 4 schools out of 32 participating in AulAttiva, and 4 third-grade classes, each from 4 schools out of 74 that did not take part, were randomly selected. Finally, 58 children composed the intervention group and 57 the control group. Age, gender, weight and height were registered for each participant. Weight status was classified as non-overweight and overweight/obesity. Sedentary time and PA were assessed through accelerometers along a school day. Results: Light PA was 4 min higher in the AulAttiva group with respect to controls (p = 0.046). Within the non-overweight children, the AulAttiva group spent less time in sedentary behavior and more time in light and total PA than controls. No significant differences were found between the overweight/obese subgroups. Conclusions: The results support the effectiveness of CABs in increasing PA during the school day. Greater effects were registered among normal weight pupils, suggesting the possible influence of weight status on children’s participation to the intervention. Further studies are needed to improve the compliance of overweight/obese children to this intervention.

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Sit-Stand Desks To Reduce Workplace Sitting Time In Office Workers With Abdominal Obesity: A Randomized Controlled Trial

Journal of Physical Activity and Health ◽

10.1123/jpah.2016-0384 ◽

2017 ◽

Vol 14 (9) ◽

pp. 710-715 ◽

Cited By ~ 15

Author(s):

Brittany T. MacEwen ◽

Travis J. Saunders ◽

Dany J. MacDonald ◽

Jamie F. Burr

Keyword(s):

Physical Activity ◽

Sedentary Behavior ◽

Abdominal Obesity ◽

Cardiometabolic Risk ◽

Intervention Group ◽

Work Hours ◽

Office Workers ◽

Sitting Time ◽

Control Group ◽

Standing Time

Background:Sit-stand desks reduce workplace sitting time among healthy office workers; however, their metabolic and behavioral impact in higher risk populations remains unknown.Methods:25 office workers with abdominal obesity were randomized to an intervention (sit-stand workstation) or control group (seated desk) for 12 weeks. Physical activity, sedentary behavior, and cardiometabolic risk factors were assessed before and after the intervention period in both groups.Results:In comparison with the control group, which did not change, the intervention group experienced significant reductions in workday (344 ± 107 to 186 ± 101 min/day) and total (645 ± 140 to 528 ± 91 min/day) sitting time, as well as increases in workday standing time (154 ± 108 to 301 ± 101 min/day, P < .05). There were no changes in sitting or standing time outside of work hours, steps taken each day, or any marker of cardiometabolic risk in either group (all P > .05).Conclusion:Sit-stand desks were effective in reducing workplace sedentary behavior in an at-risk population, with no change in sedentary behavior or physical activity outside of work hours. However, these changes were not sufficient to improve markers of cardiometabolic risk in this population.

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A comparison of standard and compositional data analysis in studies addressing group differences in sedentary behavior and physical activity

International Journal of Behavioral Nutrition and Physical Activity ◽

10.1186/s12966-018-0685-1 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 15 (1) ◽

Cited By ~ 33

Author(s):

Nidhi Gupta ◽

Svend Erik Mathiassen ◽

Glòria Mateu-Figueras ◽

Marina Heiden ◽

David M. Hallman ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Physical Activity ◽

Data Analysis ◽

Sedentary Behavior ◽

Compositional Data ◽

Group Differences ◽

Compositional Data Analysis

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Associations of physical activity and sedentary behavior with cardiometabolic biomarkers in prediabetes and type 2 diabetes: a compositional data analysis

The Physician and Sportsmedicine ◽

10.1080/00913847.2019.1684811 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 48 (2) ◽

pp. 222-228

Author(s):

Jenny Rossen ◽

Philip Von Rosen ◽

Unn-Britt Johansson ◽

Kerstin Brismar ◽

Maria Hagströmer

Keyword(s):

Physical Activity ◽

Type 2 Diabetes ◽

Data Analysis ◽

Sedentary Behavior ◽

Compositional Data ◽

Compositional Data Analysis

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The Effects of a Comprehensive, Integrated Obesity Prevention Intervention Approach (SuperFIT) on Children’s Physical Activity, Sedentary Behavior, and BMI Z-Score

International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health ◽

10.3390/ijerph16245016 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 16 (24) ◽

pp. 5016 ◽

Cited By ~ 2

Author(s):

Ilona van de Kolk ◽

Sanne M. P. L. Gerards ◽

Lisa S. E. Harms ◽

Stef P. J. Kremers ◽

Jessica S. Gubbels

Keyword(s):

Physical Activity ◽

Sedentary Behavior ◽

Mixed Model ◽

Linear Mixed Model ◽

Intervention Group ◽

Integrated Approach ◽

Control Group ◽

Z Score ◽

Intervention Approach

SuperFIT is a comprehensive, integrated intervention approach aimed at promoting healthy energy balance-related behaviors in 2- to 4-year-old children in the preschool and home settings. A quasi-experimental research design was adopted to evaluate the effects of SuperFIT on physical activity (PA), sedentary behavior (SB) and Body Mass Index (BMI) z-score. Children could participate in the preschool-based and family-based component (full intervention) or only in the preschool-based component (partial intervention). Children’s PA levels and SB were assessed with accelerometers and observations, and height and weight were measured for the BMI z-score. Measurements were performed at baseline and two follow-up time points. Effectiveness was evaluated using linear mixed-model analyses, correcting for relevant covariates. Healthy changes in PA levels occurred within all study groups over time. No significant differences were found in overall PA levels between the intervention groups and control group at both follow-ups. Nevertheless, sedentary behavior decreased more in the full intervention group (effect size (ES): −0.62), and moderate-to-vigorous PA (ES: 0.85) and counts per minute (ES: 0.45) increased more compared to the control group on preschool days at the first follow-up. No effects were found for BMI z-score. The integrated approach of SuperFIT may induce changes in PA of young children, although the effects were small.

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