scholarly journals Sociocultural Dimensions of Children’s Physical Activity in Contemporary Pastoralist Maasai Society

2021 ◽  
Vol 18 (16) ◽  
pp. 8337
Author(s):  
Xiaojie Tian ◽  
Tetsuhiro Kidokoro ◽  
Francis Mundia Mwangi
Keyword(s):  
Physical Activity ◽  
Vigorous Physical Activity ◽  
Active Role ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Middle Income ◽  
Rural Kenya ◽  
Ethnographic Data ◽  
High Level ◽  
Children’S Physical Activity

Children’s physical activity (CPA) in low- and middle-income regions has received increasing attention, but research is still very limited. This study explores the CPA in contemporary pastoralist Maasai society in rural Kenya by considering its sociocultural dimensions. The physical activity of 25 children (15 girls and 10 boys) was documented with mixed methods, including an epidemiological assessment of the CPA and semi-structured interviews with the targeted children regarding their daily activities. These methods were integrated with the ethnographic data on children’s socialization in the same area. Results showed a very high level of moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA) of these children with significant gender differences especially outside school. Children reported their continued social participation in local gender–age labor divisions outside of school. As their activities outside school strongly contributed to their empirical learning of local knowledge and skills, a high MVPA plays an active role in enhancing the children’s ability to access and manage livestock and different natural resources. Findings from this study first show that the CPA is not merely physical, but also has significant sociocultural meanings in the process of in situ learning of local wisdom. We call more attention to children’s social roles in future investigations of CPA among less examined populations.

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

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.

Convergent Validity of a Piezoelectric Pedometer and an Omnidirectional Accelerometer for Measuring Children’s Physical Activity

2011 ◽  
Vol 23 (3) ◽  
pp. 399-410 ◽  
Author(s):  
Scott Duncan ◽  
Kate White ◽  
Losi Sa’ulilo ◽  
Grant Schofield
Keyword(s):  
Physical Activity ◽  
Convergent Validity ◽  
Vigorous Physical Activity ◽  
Limits Of Agreement ◽  
Metabolic Equivalent ◽  
Low Level ◽  
School Day ◽  
Level 3 ◽  
Equivalent Test ◽  
Children’S Physical Activity

The aim of this study was to assess the convergent validity of a new piezoelectric pedometer and an omnidirectional accelerometer for assessing children’s time spent in moderate to vigorous physical activity (MVPA). A total of 114 children (51 boys, 63 girls) aged 5–11 years wore a sealed NL-1000 piezoelectric pedometer (New Lifestyles Inc, Lee’s Summit, MO) and an Actical accelerometer (Mini Mitter, Bend, OR) over one school day. The NL-1000 pedometers were randomized to one of two manual intensity thresholds used to define MVPA (1): Level 3 = 2.9 metabolic equivalent test (MET) and (2) Level 4 = 3.6 MET. Compared with the Actical, the NL-1000 underestimated the time spent in MVPA by 37% and 45% at intensity levels 3 and 4, respectively. In addition, the 95% limits of agreement were wide at both intensity levels (level 3 = -144%, 70%; level 4 = -135%, 45%), indicating a low level of precision.

scholarly journals Evaluation of a Walking-Track Intervention to Increase Children’s Physical Activity during Primary School Break Times

Children ◽  
2018 ◽  
Vol 5 (10) ◽  
pp. 135
Author(s):  
Emma Powell ◽  
Lorayne Woodfield ◽  
Alexander Powell ◽  
Alan Nevill ◽  
Tony Myers
Keyword(s):  
Physical Activity ◽  
Vigorous Physical Activity ◽  
Structured Interview ◽  
Systematic Observation ◽  
Daily Routines ◽  
Mixed Method Design ◽  
School Playgrounds ◽  
Recommended Guidelines ◽  
Children’S Physical Activity

Despite the known benefits of engaging in daily moderate to vigorous physical activity (MVPA), only 22% of children in England are meeting the recommended guidelines. School break times have been advocated as a key part of children’s daily routines in which their MVPA can be increased. The main aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of installing a walking-track on children’s MVPA during school break times. A mixed method design was employed which allowed for the quantitative measurement of children’s PA at three time points (baseline, mid-intervention (1–5 weeks) and follow-up (6–9 weeks)), using pedometers (n = 81, 5–9 years) and systematic observation (n = 23, 7–9 years). A semi-structured interview (n = 1) was also conducted at 10 weeks’ follow-up. The installation of the walking-track was grounded in a unique set of theoretical constructs to aid the behaviour change of the teachers. Short term positive increases in girls’ and boys’ MVPA and longer term increases in boys’ vigorous PA (VPA) were found. Qualitative data highlighted that boys dominated the walking-track and the inconsistent behaviour of school staff negatively impacted upon children’s MVPA. A set of principles to guide the installment of walking-tracks in school playgrounds are recommended.

scholarly journals Synergising Research and Service Activities at Swiss Research Institutions to Accelerate Sustainable Development

2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (17) ◽  
pp. 9626
Author(s):  
Jasmina Saric ◽  
Fabian Käser ◽  
Jon-Andri Lys ◽  
Jürg Utzinger ◽  
Thomas Breu
Keyword(s):  
Sustainable Development ◽  
Academic Research ◽  
Active Role ◽  
Scientific Quality ◽  
Research Institutions ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Middle Income ◽  
The Sustainable Development ◽  
Four Levels ◽  
The Individual

Research that takes a pro-active role in bridging science and practice holds promise to accelerate progress towards the Sustainable Development Goals. While passing on best practices outside of academia, inspiration can be drawn from pressing global challenges. Using Swiss research institutions that maintain partnerships with low- and middle-income countries as a case study, the purpose of this study was to identify synergies between research and services for development (R&S4D). We mapped Swiss research institutions that host both types of activities and identified the strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats (SWOT) linked to their hybrid models. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with representatives from the identified institutions, and data were analysed using the Framework Method. Strengths of combining R&S4D were observed on four levels: (i) individual (i.e., high employability outside academia); (ii) project (i.e., higher quality and practical relevance); (iii) entity (i.e., flexibility regarding funders, resources, and partners); and (iv) sustainable development (i.e., more impactful work). The main weaknesses were named as a decrease in the scientific quality of research projects specifically and inefficiency/lack of feasibility of implementation services. A lack of career paths and positions for individuals who wish to pursue academic research alongside services was identified as a threat. The Universities of Applied Sciences account for the largest share of hybrid positions in Switzerland; increasing their currently limited funding for research and international activities represents an opportunity. Our reserch adds a unique viewpoint to the discussion on the role of academia in supporting society to move towards sustainable development. It does so by exploring whether and how the concept of multisectoriality can work as an integral part of academia at the individual and the institutional level.

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

PeerJ ◽  
2018 ◽  
Vol 6 ◽  
pp. e4405 ◽  
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.

scholarly journals Preliminary effects and acceptability of a co-produced physical activity referral intervention

2019 ◽  
Vol 78 (8) ◽  
pp. 869-884 ◽  
Author(s):  
Benjamin JR Buckley ◽  
Dick HJ Thijssen ◽  
Rebecca C Murphy ◽  
Lee EF Graves ◽  
Greg Whyte ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Physical Activity ◽  
Confidence Interval ◽  
Longitudinal Design ◽  
Vigorous Physical Activity ◽  
Cardiometabolic Health ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Complete Case ◽  
Definitive Trial ◽  
Psychological Measures ◽  
Exercise Referral

Objectives: To explore the preliminary effects and acceptability of a co-produced physical activity referral intervention. Study Design: Longitudinal design with data collected at baseline and post a 12-week physical activity referral intervention. Setting: Community leisure centre. Methods: In all, 32 adults with controlled lifestyle-related health conditions took part in a physical activity referral intervention (co-produced by a multidisciplinary stakeholder group) comprising 12 weeks subsidised fitness centre access plus four behaviour change consultations. A complete case analysis ( t-tests and magnitude-based inferences) was conducted to assess baseline-to-12-week change in physical activity, cardiometabolic, and psychological measures. Semi-structured interviews were conducted ( n = 12) to explore experiences of the intervention. Results: Mean improvements were observed in cardiorespiratory fitness (3.6 mL kg-1 min-1 [95% confidence interval: 1.9–5.4], p < .001) and moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (12.6 minutes per day [95% confidence interval: 4.3–29.6], p = .013). Participants were positive about the support received from exercise referral practitioners, but experienced some challenges in a busy and under staffed gym environment. Conclusions: A co-produced physical activity referral intervention elicited short-term improvements in physical activity and cardiometabolic health. Further refinements may be required, via ongoing feedback between stakeholders, researchers and service users, to achieve the intended holistic physical activity focus of the intervention, prior to a definitive trial.

scholarly journals A Multilevel Analysis of Neighbourhood, School, Friend and Individual-Level Variation in Primary School Children’s Physical Activity

2019 ◽  
Vol 16 (24) ◽  
pp. 4889
Author(s):  
Ruth Salway ◽  
Lydia Emm-Collison ◽  
Simon J. Sebire ◽  
Janice L. Thompson ◽  
Deborah A. Lawlor ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Physical Activity ◽  
Vigorous Physical Activity ◽  
Classification Model ◽  
Accelerometer Data ◽  
Individual Level ◽  
Friendship Groups ◽  
Multiple Classification ◽  
Multiple Membership ◽  
Children’S Physical Activity ◽  
Different Levels

Physical activity is influenced by individual, inter-personal and environmental factors. In this paper, we explore the variability in children’s moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA) at different individual, parent, friend, school and neighbourhood levels. Valid accelerometer data were collected for 1077 children aged 9, and 1129 at age 11, and the average minutes of MVPA were derived for weekdays and weekends. We used a multiple-membership, multiple-classification model (MMMC) multilevel model to compare the variation in physical activity outcomes at each of the different levels. There were differences in the proportion of variance attributable to the different levels between genders, for weekdays and weekends, at ages 9 and 11. The largest proportion of variability in MVPA was attributable to individual variation, accounting for half of the total residual variability for boys, and two thirds of the variability for girls. MVPA clustered within friendship groups, with friends influencing peer MVPA. Including covariates at the different levels explained only small amounts (3%–13%) of variability. There is a need to enhance our understanding of individual level influences on children’s physical activity.

Can a Multicomponent-Overnight Camp Increase Physical Activity Among Danish Children? A Retrospective Cross-Sectional Study

2020 ◽  
pp. 1-7
Author(s):  
Dorthe Dalstrup Jakobsen ◽  
Jasper Schipperijn ◽  
Jens Meldgaard Bruun
Keyword(s):  
Physical Activity ◽  
Physical Activity Level ◽  
Vigorous Physical Activity ◽  
Cross Sectional Study ◽  
Activity Level ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Physically Active ◽  
And Behavior ◽  
Children’S Physical Activity

Background: In Denmark, most children are not sufficiently physically active and only a few interventions have been found to increase long-term physical activity among overweight and obese children. The aim of our study was to investigate if children are physically active in correspondence to Danish recommendations after attending a multicomponent-overnight camp. Methods: A questionnaire was developed to estimate children’s physical activity level and behavior and investigate how transport, economy, availability, time, motivation, and knowledge about physical activity affect children’s physical activity level and behavior. Results: In this study, 60.9% of the children did vigorous physical activity (VPA) minimum 30 minutes 3 times per week up to 3 years after camp. Most children were physically active at a sports club (44.3%) and only 5.7% of the children did not participate in physical activity. Parental physical activity and child motivation toward physical activity were significantly (P < .05) associated with children doing VPA. Conclusion: Our findings suggest that 60.9% of children who attended camp engage in VPA after camp, which compared with a recent Danish study, is more frequent than children who did not attend camp. Further investigations are needed to determine the long-term health effects in children attending interventions such as multicomponent-overnight camps.

scholarly journals A Coordinated Comprehensive Professional Development Training’s Effect on Summer Day Camp Staff Healthy Eating and Physical Activity Promoting Behaviors

2014 ◽  
Vol 11 (6) ◽  
pp. 1170-1178 ◽  
Author(s):  
R. Glenn Weaver ◽  
Michael W. Beets ◽  
Ruth P. Saunders ◽  
Aaron Beighle
Keyword(s):  
Physical Activity ◽  
Professional Development ◽  
Healthy Eating ◽  
Vigorous Physical Activity ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Systematic Observation ◽  
Type Method ◽  
Observation Instruments ◽  
Professional Development Training ◽  
Children’S Physical Activity

Background:The YMCA of USA recently adopted Healthy Eating and Physical Activity (HEPA) Standards for their summerday- camps (SDCs). Standards call for staff to exhibit HEPA promoting behaviors while eliminating HEPA discouraging behaviors. No studies have evaluated training programs to influence policy specified staff behaviors and related changes in child activity in SDCs.Method:Four YMCA SDCs serving approximately 800 children/week participated in this no control group pre/post pilot study. Professional development training founded in the 5 Ms (Mission, Model, Manage, Monitor, Maximize) and LET US Play principles (lines; elimination; team size; uninvolved staff/kids; and space, equipment, and rules) was delivered to staff. Outcomes were staff promotion behaviors and child activity assessed via systematic observation instruments.Results:Twelve of 17 HEPA staff behaviors changed in the appropriate direction from baseline to postassessment with 5 behaviors reaching statistically significant changes. The percentage of girls and boys observed in moderate-to-vigorous physical activity increased from 15.3% to 18.3% (P > .05) and 17.9% to 21.2%, whereas sedentary behavior decreased from 66.8% to 59.8% and 62.3% to 53.6%, respectively.Conclusion:Evidence suggests that the professional development training designed to assist SDCs to meet the HEPA Standards can lead to important changes in staff behaviors and children’s physical activity.

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

2013 ◽  
Vol 10 (7) ◽  
pp. 982-992 ◽  
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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