Physical Activity of Young Children in Hong Kong Preschools

LANGUAGE NOTE | Document text in English; abstract also in Chinese. Are preschool children physically active? A bulk of research evidence indicates that most preschool children engage mainly in sedentary behavior and have little physical activity (PA) time. Recent reviews show that physical environment such as outdoor play, equipment, and toys as well as the type of preschool can affect children’s PA. In Hong Kong, most children ages 3 to 6 years attend preschools of half-day or whole-day sessions. The purpose of this paper was to present summarized results showing the amount of daily step counts taken by a sample of 240 preschool children (137 boys, 103 girls) in Hong Kong. The study participants came from five preschools. The data included four consecutive days of two weekdays and two weekend days. Findings showed that boys had significantly higher mean daily step counts (15,221 steps) than girls (12,208 steps) and children were significant more active during weekends compared with weekdays. 近期愈來愈多文獻指出，幼兒整體的體能活動，逐漸下降，不利健康成長。本文以步行計儀器量度香港幼兒的體能活動情況，資料顯示：以一連四天計算，男童和女童的整天活動量分別為15,221步及12,208步，而且周末的活動量明顯較平日為多。

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Daily Physical Activity in Japanese Preschool Children Evaluated by Triaxial Accelerometry: The Relationship between Period of Engagement in Moderate-to-Vigorous Physical Activity and Daily Step Counts

Journal of PHYSIOLOGICAL ANTHROPOLOGY ◽

10.2114/jpa2.28.283 ◽

2009 ◽

Vol 28 (6) ◽

pp. 283-288 ◽

Cited By ~ 30

Author(s):

Chiaki Tanaka ◽

Shigeho Tanaka

Keyword(s):

Physical Activity ◽

Preschool Children ◽

Vigorous Physical Activity ◽

Daily Physical Activity ◽

Daily Step ◽

Step Counts ◽

The Relationship

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Comparison of Pedometer and Accelerometer Measures of Physical Activity in Preschool Children

Pediatric Exercise Science ◽

10.1123/pes.19.2.205 ◽

2007 ◽

Vol 19 (2) ◽

pp. 205-214 ◽

Cited By ~ 53

Author(s):

Greet Cardon ◽

Ilse De Bourdeaudhuij

Keyword(s):

Physical Activity ◽

Preschool Children ◽

Vigorous Physical Activity ◽

Step Count ◽

Activity Levels ◽

Accelerometer Data ◽

Strongly Correlated ◽

Daily Step ◽

Step Counts ◽

Daily Step Count

In this study, daily step counts were recorded for 4 consecutive days in 129 four- and five-year-old children. To compare daily Yamax Digiwalker step counts with minutes of engagement in moderate to vigorous physical activity (MVPA), concurrent accelerometer data were collected in a random subsample (n = 76). The average daily step count was 9,980 (± 2,605). Step counts and MVPA minutes were strongly correlated (r = .73, p < .001). The daily step count of 13,874, equating to 1-hr MVPA engagement, was reached by 8% of the children. Daily step counts in preschool children give valid information on physical activity levels—daily step counts in preschoolers are low.

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Profiles of Loneliness and Social Isolation in Physically Active and Inactive Older Adults in Rural England

International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health ◽

10.3390/ijerph18083971 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 18 (8) ◽

pp. 3971

Author(s):

Jolanthe de Koning ◽

Suzanne H. Richards ◽

Grace E. R. Wood ◽

Afroditi Stathi

Keyword(s):

Physical Activity ◽

Older Adults ◽

Social Isolation ◽

Physical Environment ◽

Vigorous Physical Activity ◽

Social Contact ◽

Physical Activity Behaviour ◽

Rural Setting ◽

Structured Interviews ◽

Physically Active

Objective: Loneliness and social isolation are associated with higher risk of morbidity and mortality and physical inactivity in older age. This study explored the socioecological context in which both physically active and inactive older adults experience loneliness and/or social isolation in a UK rural setting. Design: A mixed-methods design employed semi structured interviews and accelerometer-measured moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA). Interviews explored the personal, social and environmental factors influencing engagement with physical activities, guided by an adapted-socioecological model of physical activity behaviour. Findings: Twenty-four older adults (MeanAge = 73 (5.8 SD); 12 women) were interviewed. Transcripts were thematically analysed and seven profiles of physical activity, social isolation and loneliness were identified. The high-MVPA group had established PA habits, reported several sources of social contact and evaluated their physical environment as activity friendly. The low MVPA group had diverse experiences of past engagement in social activities. Similar to the high MVPA, they reported a range of sources of social contact but they did not perceive the physical environment as activity friendly. Conclusions: Loneliness and/or social isolation was reported by both physically active and inactive older adults. There is wide diversity and complexity in types and intensity of PA, loneliness and social isolation profiles and personal, social and environmental contexts.

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How COVID-19 lockdown and reopening affected daily steps: evidence based on 164,630 person-days of prospectively collected data from Shanghai, China

International Journal of Behavioral Nutrition and Physical Activity ◽

10.1186/s12966-021-01106-x ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 18 (1) ◽

Author(s):

Ding Ding ◽

Minna Cheng ◽

Borja del Pozo Cruz ◽

Tao Lin ◽

Shuangyuan Sun ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Physical Activity ◽

At Risk ◽

Body Composition ◽

Mixed Model ◽

Linear Mixed Model ◽

University Education ◽

Control Group ◽

Daily Step ◽

Step Counts ◽

Reduced Physical Activity

Abstract Background COVID-19 lockdowns may lead to physical inactivity, a major risk factor for non-communicable diseases. This study aims to determine: 1) the trajectory in daily step counts before, during and after the lockdown in China, and 2) the characteristics associated with the trajectories. Methods From December 2019 to July 2020, smartphone-based step counts were continuously collected in 815 Chinese adults residing in Shanghai over 202 days across three phases: before, during, and after the lockdown. Participant characteristics were reported, and height, weight and body composition measured before the lockdown. A ‘sharp’ regression discontinuity design with cluster robust standard errors was used to test the effect of the lockdown and reopening on daily steps and a linear mixed model was used to examine the characteristics associated with trajectories during the observed period. Results Based on 164,630 person-days of data, we found a sharp decline in daily step counts upon the lockdown (24/01/2020) by an average of 3796 (SE = 88) steps, followed by a significant trend of increase by 34 steps/day (SE = 2.5; p < .001) until the end of the lockdown (22/03/2020). This increasing trend continued into the reopening phase at a slower rate of 5 steps per day (SE = 2.3; p = 0.029). Those who were older, married, university educated, insufficiently active, had an ‘at risk’ body composition, and those in the control group, were slower at recovering step counts during the lockdown, and those who were older, married, without university education and with an ‘at risk’ body composition recovered step counts at a slower pace after the reopening. Conclusions Despite later increases in step counts, COVID-19 lockdown led to a sustained period of reduced physical activity, which may have adverse health implications. Governments and health professionals around the world should continue to encourage and facilitate physical activity during the pandemic.

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Leisure Activities of Healthy Children and Adolescents

International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health ◽

10.3390/ijerph16122078 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 16 (12) ◽

pp. 2078 ◽

Cited By ~ 7

Author(s):

Lea Auhuber ◽

Mandy Vogel ◽

Nico Grafe ◽

Wieland Kiess ◽

Tanja Poulain

Keyword(s):

Physical Activity ◽

Social Life ◽

Economic Status ◽

Leisure Activities ◽

Age Groups ◽

Healthy Children ◽

Older Children ◽

Physically Active ◽

Mobile Phone Use ◽

Study Participants

The objective of the present study was to give a detailed overview on the leisure behavior of adolescents (frequency, differences between gender, age groups and social class, time trends, and inter-relations). In total, 1449 10- to 18-year-old German adolescents were included in the study. Participants answered questionnaires about their media use, physical activity, outdoor time, engagement in choir/orchestra and theater/dancing, social life and socio-economic status (SES). The results revealed that girls, children with lower SES as well as older children reported to use screen-based media more often and that girls, older children and children with lower SES were less physically active. In addition, boys and children with lower SES engaged less frequently in choir/orchestra and theater/dancing, while children with higher SES met their friends more often. The time trend analysis showed that mobile phone use increased drastically from 2011 to 2017, while engagement in choir/orchestra and theater/dancing decreased. Regarding the inter-relation between leisure activities, high screen times were significantly associated with less physical activity and less outdoor time. Physical activity, in contrast, was significantly related to better social life and more outdoor time. These findings highlight the growing importance of electronic media in adolescents’ lives and their tendency to displace other leisure activities.

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Pedometer-determined physical activity among primary schoolchildren in Kuala Lumpur

Proceedings of Singapore Healthcare ◽

10.1177/2010105818823784 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 28 (2) ◽

pp. 115-123

Author(s):

Bee Suan Wee ◽

Awang Bulgiba ◽

Abd. Talib Ruzita ◽

Mohd. Noor Ismail ◽

Bee Koon Poh

Keyword(s):

Physical Activity ◽

Primary School ◽

Sociodemographic Factors ◽

Activity Level ◽

Activity Levels ◽

Kuala Lumpur ◽

Daily Step ◽

Step Counts ◽

Primary Schoolchildren ◽

Physical Activity Levels

Objective: The aim of this study was to objectively measure physical activity and its association with sociodemographic factors among Malaysian primary school-age children. Methods: A total of 111 primary school children in Kuala Lumpur were selected through random sampling. Activity pattern was determined using pedometers and differences by sex, ethnicity and body mass index categories were analysed. The relationship between pedometer-determined physical activity and sociodemographic factors were also studied. Results: Overall, boys attained significantly higher daily step counts than girls (9573 ± 4145 vs 7313 ± 2697). Significant difference in daily step counts between boys and girls were observed during weekdays ( p<0.01), weekends ( p<0.05) and total mean step counts ( p<0.01). Malay ethnicity showed higher daily step counts during weekdays than weekends ( p<0.05). Compared with boys, girls had higher odds (OR=5.58; 95% CI 1.12, 27.77) of not meeting the recommended daily step counts. Those who had low physical activity levels had higher odds (OR=15.75; 95% CI 1.78, 139.33) of not meeting recommended daily step counts than children who had moderate physical activity level. Conclusion: Boys were significantly more active than girls and physical activity was greater during weekdays than on weekends. The primary schoolchildren in Kuala Lumpur were sedentary, with minimum physical activity being observed. Differences in sexes and physical activity levels influenced pedometer step counts in children.

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Physical Activity in Preschool Children With the Transition to Outdoors

Journal of Physical Activity and Health ◽

10.1123/jpah.10.2.170 ◽

2013 ◽

Vol 10 (2) ◽

pp. 170-175 ◽

Cited By ~ 22

Author(s):

Russell R. Pate ◽

Marsha Dowda ◽

William H. Brown ◽

Jonathan Mitchell ◽

Cheryl Addy

Keyword(s):

Physical Activity ◽

Time Course ◽

Outdoor Play ◽

Activity Levels ◽

Physically Active ◽

Minute Period ◽

Physical Activity Levels ◽

Trained Observers ◽

Children’S Physical Activity ◽

Observation Period

Background:It is known that children are more physically active outdoors than indoors. However, few previous studies have observed the time course for physical activity as young children transition from indoor to outdoor activities.Methods:Participants were 3- to 5-year-old children enrolled in the Children’s Activity and Movement in Preschool Study (CHAMPS). Trained observers used the Observational System for Recording Physical Activity in Children-Preschool Version (OSRAC-P) to record children’s physical activity levels over 20 minutes in outdoor settings. The 20-minute outdoor observational period began immediately following the transition from indoors to outdoors.Results:Children’s activity levels were moderately high at the time of transition and declined over the 20-minute observation period. Different patterns, however, were observed for boys and girls. Overall, boys were more active than girls. Boys’ activity levels declined in a linear fashion over the 20-minute period, while girls’ activity levels increased slightly, decreased, and then increased slightly again.Conclusions:These data indicate that physical activity levels decline with increased duration of outdoor play. The frequency and duration of outdoor play should be investigated for the purpose of optimizing physical activity levels.

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Laboratory-Assessed Markers of Cardiometabolic Health and Associations with GIS-Based Measures of Active-Living Environments

International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health ◽

10.3390/ijerph15102079 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 15 (10) ◽

pp. 2079 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Samantha Hajna ◽

Kaberi Dasgupta ◽

Nancy Ross

Keyword(s):

Physical Activity ◽

Sociodemographic Factors ◽

Living Environment ◽

Cardiometabolic Health ◽

Active Living ◽

Daily Step ◽

Step Counts ◽

Mediating Role ◽

Intensity Physical Activity ◽

Living Environments

Active-living-friendly environments have been linked to physical activity, but their relationships with specific markers of cardiometabolic health remain unclear. We estimated the associations between active-living environments and markers of cardiometabolic health, and explored the potential mediating role of physical activity in these associations. We used data collected on 2809 middle-aged adults who participated in the Canadian Health Measures Survey (2007–2009; 41.5 years, SD = 15.1). Environments were assessed using an index that combined GIS-derived measures of street connectivity, land use mix, and population density. Body mass index (BMI), systolic blood pressure (SBP), hemoglobin A1c, and cholesterol were assessed in a laboratory setting. Daily step counts and moderate-to-vigorous intensity physical activity (MVPA) were assessed for seven days using accelerometers. Associations were estimated using robust multivariable linear regressions adjusted for sociodemographic factors that were assessed via questionnaire. BMI was 0.79 kg/m2 lower (95% confidence interval (CI) −1.31, −0.27) and SBP was 1.65 mmHg lower (95% CI −3.10, −0.20) in participants living in the most active-living-friendly environments compared to the least, independent of daily step counts or MVPA. A 35.4 min/week difference in MPVA (95% CI 24.2, 46.6) was observed between residents of neighborhoods in the highest compared to the lowest active-living-environment quartiles. Cycling to work rates were also the highest in participants living in the highest living-environment quartiles (e.g., Q4 vs. Q1: 10.4% vs. 4.9%). Although active-living environments are associated with lower BMI and SBP, and higher MVPA and cycling rates, neither daily step counts nor MVPA appear to account for environment–BMI/SBP relationships. This suggests that other factors not assessed in this study (e.g., food environment or unmeasured features of the social environment) may explain this relationship.

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Intervention Strategies to Elicit MVPA in Preschoolers during Outdoor Play

International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health ◽

10.3390/ijerph17020650 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 17 (2) ◽

pp. 650 ◽

Cited By ~ 2

Author(s):

Danielle D. Wadsworth ◽

Jerraco L. Johnson ◽

Alexandra V. Carroll ◽

Melissa M. Pangelinan ◽

Mary E. Rudisill ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Physical Activity ◽

Preschool Children ◽

Rural Communities ◽

Low Income ◽

Motor Skill ◽

Vigorous Physical Activity ◽

Outdoor Play ◽

Play Intervention ◽

Group Assignment ◽

Head Start Center

Approximately 50% of preschoolers do not meet physical activity recommendations and children who reside in low-income rural communities may be further at risk for higher levels of sedentary behavior. Outdoor play is essential for preschool children; however, literature is unclear as to which types of interventions elicit moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA) for all preschoolers. The aim of this study was to determine which type of intervention, physical activity or fundamental motor skill focus, elicits MVPA during outdoor play. Ninety-eight preschool children (M age = 4.48 years) from one Head Start center participated in an outdoor play intervention two days per week for 7 weeks. Classes were randomly assigned to one of four groups: fundamental motor skill focus (FMS), physical activity focus (PA), FMS and PA (FMS + PA), and control. An accelerometer worn on the hip measured MVPA. Results showed that age, sex and group assignment contributed to MVPA at the beginning of the intervention and age, sex, group assignment and MVPA during the beginning of the intervention contributed to MVPA at the end of the intervention. Overall, the FMS + PA group elicited MVPA from males and females of all ages. Interventions that combine both FMS and PA may reduce physical activity disparities in preschool children.

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Objectively assessed physical activity patterns and physical function in community-dwelling older adults: a cross-sectional study in Taiwan

BMJ Open ◽

10.1136/bmjopen-2019-034645 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 10 (8) ◽

pp. e034645

Author(s):

Ming-Chun Hsueh ◽

Ru Rutherford ◽

Chien-Chih Chou ◽

Jong-Hwan Park ◽

Hyun-Tae Park ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Physical Activity ◽

Older Adults ◽

Physical Function ◽

Older Women ◽

Handgrip Strength ◽

Older Men ◽

Daily Step ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Step Counts ◽

Single Leg Stance

ObjectivesTo objectively assess light physical activity (PA), moderate-to-vigorous PA (MVPA), step counts and number of 10 min MVPA bouts and their association with physical function among older adults.DesignCross-sectional design.SettingUrban community setting in Taiwan.Participants127 Taiwanese older adults aged over 65 years (mean age=70.8±5.3 years; 72% women).Primary and secondary outcome measuresTriaxial accelerometers were used to measure PA variables for 10 hours/day for seven consecutive days. Then, five physical function components (handgrip strength, single-leg stance, 5-metre walk speed, timed up and go and sit-to-stand test) were measured. Multiple linear regressions were used to perform separate analyses for older men and women.ResultsFor older women, daily MVPA time (β: 0.39, 95% CI: 0.12, 0.64; p=0.004), daily step counts (β: 0.46, 95% CI: 0.12, 0.78; p=0.009) and number of 10 min MVPA bouts (β: 0.27, 95% CI: 0.001, 0.53; p=0.049) were positively associated with handgrip strength after adjusting for accelerometer wear time, sedentary time and other confounders. Furthermore, daily MVPA time was positively associated with a single-leg stance (β: 0.25, 95% CI: 0.02, 0.49; p=0.036) and higher daily step counts were associated with shorter walking speed performance (β: −0.31, 95% CI: −0.57, −0.001; p=0.049). None of the variables of the objectively assessed PA patterns was associated with physical function outcomes among older men due to their small sample size.ConclusionsDaily MVPA, MVPA bouts of at least 10 min and accumulated daily steps are important for improving physical function among older women. Future prospective research should establish causal associations between PA patterns and functional ability among older adults.

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