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Background: The increasing prevalence of childhood obesity is a global concern. Although childhood obesity has grown as a result of a complex array of interactions among multiple behavioural, biological, and environmental factors, excessive screen time (ST) and low levels of physical activity (PA) are often discussed as causal factors. Therefore, it is beneficial to identify risky family behavioural patterns contributing to the increasing prevalence of obesity even in pre-schoolers. Objective: The main aim of the study was to assess whether parental obesity and parent-child behavioural patterns (PA and ST) affect the odds of overweight/obesity in 4-to-7-year-old preschool children. Methods: We analysed seven-day PA and ST behaviour among families with pre-schoolers that included 194 preschool children (88 girls and 106 boys) and their parents (165 mothers and 111 fathers). PA was monitored by means of unsealed Yamax pedometers for at least eight hours a day over seven consecutive days during spring (April/May) and autumn (September/October) of 2015. ST was recorded by parents on family log book sheets. To assess the odds of parents' obesity and PA/ST variables in relation to child overweight/obesity, a logistic regression (backward method) was used. Results: Most children (n = 157) reported normal weight (87 boys, 70 girls), 37 children were overweight or obese (19 boys, 18 girls). Children's excessive ST (> 1 hour/day) (OR: 5.65/33.19 on weekdays/weekends), mothers' obesity (OR: 13.80/28.84 on weekdays/weekends), mothers' excessive ST (> 2 hours/ day) (OR: 32.46 at weekends), and children's male gender (OR: 38.69 at weekends) were significantly (p < .05) associated with higher odds of overweight/obesity in the preschool children. Conclusions: Uncovering parent-child behavioural patterns provides insight into the lifestyle of families with pre-schoolers and is a source of valuable information for designing and implementing family-based intervention programmes aimed at reducing obesity. Especially, weekends provide a suitable space for the implementation of joint family programmes aimed at reducing sedentary behaviour.

This study assessed the associations between these factors in a random sample of Czech families with preschool and school-aged children. A nationally representative sample comprised 185 families with preschool children and 649 families with school-aged children (dyads; both parents and child n = 365, mother and child n = 730, and father and child n = 469). The participants wore Yamax Digiwalker SW-200 pedometers at least four weekdays and both weekend days and completed family logbooks (anthropometric parameters, daily step counts (SC), and screen time (ST)). When a parent (fathers at weekends and mothers both on weekdays and at weekends) achieved 10,000 SC per day, their children were also significantly (OR = 2.93-6.06, 95% CI = 2.02-9.26) more likely to meet the daily SC recommendation. On the contrary, the involvement of fathers in organized leisure-time PA reduced their children's odds of meeting the SC recommendation on weekdays (OR = 0.53, 95% CI = 0.31-0.89) and at weekends (OR = 0.41, 95% CI = 0.24-0.72). The excessive ST of parents at weekends reduced the odds of their children meeting the SC recommendation (mother-child dyads: OR = 0.44, 95% CI = 0.26-0.72; father-child dyads: OR = 0.63, 95% CI = 0.37-1.06). High levels of parents’ PA contribute to the achievement of the recommended daily PA in children on weekdays and at weekends. Excessive weekend ST of parents reduces their odds of their children achieving the recommended daily PA; however, the influence of parents’ PA on their children’s achieving the recommended daily PA is stronger than the inhibitory effect of ST.  [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The increasing prevalence of childhood obesity is a global concern. Although childhood obesity has grown as a result of a complex array of interactions among multiple behavioural, biological, and environmental factors, excessive screen time (ST) and low levels of physical activity (PA) are often discussed as causal factors. Therefore, it is beneficial to identify risky family behavioural patterns contributing to the increasing prevalence of obesity even in pre-schoolers. Objective: The main aim of the study was to assess whether parental obesity and parent-child behavioural patterns (PA and ST) affect the odds of overweight/obesity in 4-to-7-year-old preschool children. Methods: We analysed seven-day PA and ST behaviour among families with pre-schoolers that included 194 preschool children (88 girls and 106 boys) and their parents (165 mothers and 111 fathers). PA was monitored by means of unsealed Yamax pedometers for at least eight hours a day over seven consecutive days during spring (April/May) and autumn (September/October) of 2015. ST was recorded by parents on family log book sheets. To assess the odds of parents' obesity and PA/ST variables in relation to child overweight/obesity, a logistic regression (backward method) was used. Results: Most children (n = 157) reported normal weight (87 boys, 70 girls), 37 children were overweight or obese (19 boys, 18 girls). Children's excessive ST (> 1 hour/day) (OR: 5.65/33.19 on weekdays/weekends), mothers' obesity (OR: 13.80/28.84 on weekdays/weekends), mothers' excessive ST (> 2 hours/ day) (OR: 32.46 at weekends), and children's male gender (OR: 38.69 at weekends) were significantly (p < .05) associated with higher odds of overweight/obesity in the preschool children. Conclusions: Uncovering parent-child behavioural patterns provides insight into the lifestyle of families with pre-schoolers and is a source of valuable information for designing and implementing family-based intervention programmes aimed at reducing obesity. Especially, weekends provide a suitable space for the implementation of joint family programmes aimed at reducing sedentary behaviour. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: The main aim of study was to determine the family variables increasing odds for overweight/obesity in 4-7-years old preschool children on weekdays and at weekends during a seven-day monitoring of physical activity (PA) and screen time (ST) in families with pre-schoolers. Methods: The cross-sectional study analysing seven-day PA and sedentary behaviours among families with pre-schoolers was conducted in 10 kindergartens in 194 preschool children (88 girls and 107 boys) and their parents (164 mothers and 110 fathers) during spring and autumn 2015. PA was monitored by unsealed pedometer (Yamax Digiwalker SW-200) for at least 8 hours a day over 7 consecutive days. ST was recorded by parents on the family record sheet with accuracy of 10 minutes. For assessing the odds of parent's obesity, PA/ST variables in relation to child overweight/ obesity, we used logistic regression (backward method). Results: Significantly higher ST (p < 0.01) at weekends than on weekdays was recorded in normal weight and overweight/ obese pre-schoolers, as well as in non-obese and obese mothers, and non-obese fathers. Children's excessive ST (> 1 hour/day) (OR: 5.65/33.19 on weekdays/weekend days, p < 0.05), mothers' obesity (OR: 13.80/28.84 on weekdays/weekend days, p < 0.05), mothers' excessive ST (2 hours/day) (OR: 32.46 on weekend days, p < 0.05) and male gender in children (OR: 38.69 on weekend days, p < 0.05) was significantly associated with higher odds for being overweight/obese in preschool children. Conclusions: Mother's obesity and excessive screen time in pre-schoolers significantly increase the odds of their overweight/ obesity. At the weekends, excessive mother's ST and male gender in children are also associated with higher odds of being overweight/obese in pre-schoolers. Weekends provide a suitable space for the implementation of joint family programs aimed at reducing sedentary behaviour, which is a significant factor associated with incidence of overweight/ obesity in pre-schoolers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: This study focuses on the comparison of weekday/weekend parent-child behavioural patterns (step count (SC) and screen time (ST)) and answers the question of whether achieving the recommendations for daily SC (10,000) in parents also helps their preschool children achieve the recommended daily SC (11,500).Methods: The participants (278 parents aged 30-45 and their 194 children aged 4-7) were randomly recruited from 10 Czech public kindergartens. The participants recorded SC (pedometer Yamax Digiwalker SW-200) and ST duration (proxy-report) for seven consecutive days (≥8 h/day) during September-October 2014 and April-May 2015. Differences between weekdays/weekends SC or ST were tested using a paired t-test. The odds of achieving the recommended daily SC for children were estimated using general logistic regression separately for weekdays and weekends.Results: Only the mothers were found to have a significantly lower SC at weekends than on weekdays. All of the participants showed significantly more ST at weekends than on weekdays (daughters: 78.6 vs. 45.7 min/day, p < 0.001; sons: 78.8 vs. 55.8 min/day; mothers: 93.0 vs. 68.3 min/day; and fathers: 116.6 vs. 87.5 min/day). Daughters and sons were significantly more likely to achieve daily SC recommendation if a) the SC on weekdays during the daily routine in kindergarten exceeded the median of kindergarten SC or b) at weekends if their mother (OR: 9.67, 95 % CI: 3.57-26.23) exceeded 10,000 steps a day.Conclusions: Especially at weekends, preschoolers have higher odds of meeting the recommended 11,500 steps per day when their mother reaches 10,000 steps per day and this is independent of the amount of parents' ST. Moreover, physical activity in kindergarten helps preschool children meet the 11,500 recommended steps per day on weekdays. Therefore, interventions to promote physical activity in preschoolers should focus on kindergartens and encourage involvement of their families. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: To explore the time trends (2005-2015) of pedometer-determined weekday and weekend physical activity (PA) and obesity prevalence in 4-7-year-old Czech preschool children and changes in proportion of kindergarten vs. leisure-time PA.Methods: The study compared data of two cross-sectional cohorts of preschool children (2005: 92 boys and 84 girls; 2015: 105 boys and 87 girls) in the Czech Republic, using the same measurements and procedures in both cases. PA was monitored by the Yamax Digiwalker SW-200 pedometer for at least eight continuous hours a day over seven consecutive days. Body weight and height were measured using calibrated Tanita scales and anthropometry. The analysis of variance was conducted to examine the gender and cohort effect on step counts. The t-test was used to examine the difference in step counts in kindergarten (or leisure-time) between non-obese and obese children, and the chi-square test compared the prevalence of obesity between 2005 and 2015.Results: The steps/day (mean ± standard deviation) of preschoolers was significantly higher (p < 0.05) in 2015 (11,739 ± 4,229 steps/day) than in 2005 (10,922 ± 3,181 steps/day); and (p < 0.001) in boys (11,939 ± 3,855 steps/day) than in girls (10,668 ± 3,587 steps/day). In 2015, girls, but not boys, had a significantly (p < 0.01) greater step count on weekdays than in 2005, but not at weekends. A decline of leisure-time step counts on weekdays between 2005 and 2015 in girls (6,8652005 vs. 6,0592015, p < 0.01) and boys (7,8612005 vs. 6,4362015, p < 0.001) is compensated for by the increase of step counts in kindergarten (girls: 3,0582005 vs. 5,3302015, and boys: 4,0032005 vs. 5,9992015, p < 0.001). The prevalence of obesity was not significantly different either in 2005 or 2015 among preschool girls (7.14 % 2005 vs. 9.20 % 2015) or boys (6.52 % 2005 vs. 9.52 % 2015).Conclusion: The steps/day of preschoolers was higher in 2015 than in 2005; this higher level of PA was the result of increased PA in kindergartens over the last ten years, particularly among girls. Thus, the current PA program in kindergartens effectively compensates for the decline in PA in leisure-time of weekdays of non-obese and obese preschoolers compared to 2005 and 2015. Prevalence of obesity among Czech preschool children remains relatively stable between 2005 and 2015. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: One of the main reasons for recent scientific interest in screen-based behaviour (SB) is the relationship between SB and risk of being overweight or obese. The primary mechanism for overweight and obesity is an imbalance of energy intake versus energy expenditure and one reason for the interest in SB is its association with reduced energy expenditure relative to other activities. Objective: The aim of this study is to provide a basic overview of the level and structure of SB in Czech adolescents on the basis of age and gender while taking into account the differences between weekday and weekend screen based activities. Methods: Data from the Health Behaviour in School-aged Children (HBSC) study conducted in May-June 2010 in the Czech Republic were used. The sample consisted of 4365 Czech pupils (48.5% boys; age 11, n = 1406; age 13, n = 1446; age 15, n = 1513). Binomial logistic regression and Chi-square test of independence were used to provide basic comparison on the basis of gender and age groups. Results: The prevalence of SB rise with growing age with the most visible increase in prevalence is between ages 11 and age 13. SB is significantly more prevalent among adolescent boys compared with adolescent girls. Czech adolescents are more likely to not meet the recommendation of 2 hours for watching TV at weekends compared to weekdays. Playing computer games is more common among boys contrary to chatting online, which is more common among girls. The overall patterns of playing computer games and chatting online during weekends were similar to those at weekdays but increased. Conclusions: Most children in the Czech Republic do not meet the limit for total SB time of 4 or fewer hours while the prevalence of SB rises with growing age and at weekends. Interventions and strategies aiming at reducing SB in children focusing on the family and school environment in the Czech Republic are required. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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Objective. To determine whether eating, sedentary, and physical activity behaviors differ on weekdays and weekends in a sample of children who are overweight and obese. Methods. Eighty-one children aged 6-9 years old who were overweight or obese and enrolled in a weight management program completed three-day food diaries and three-day Previous Day Physical Activity Recalls (PDPARs) for two weekdays and one weekend day. All data were obtained at baseline prior to intervention delivery. Results. Children consumed a greater percentage of calories from fat ( t == 2.15, p == 0.04) and fewer fruits ( t == 6.83, p < 0.001), vegetables ( t == 2.91, p == 0.002), non-nutrient dense (NND) snack foods ( t == 5.58, p < 0.001), and sweetened drinks ( t == 2.91, p == 0.005) on weekends. Children watched more television ( t == 5.25, p < 0.001), expended more energy ( t == 4.37, p < 0.001), and spent a greater percentage of time in moderate-to-vigorous physical activity ( p < 0.001) on weekends compared to weekdays. Conclusions. Findings demonstrate a number of differences in children's eating and activity habits on weekends and weekdays. They also suggest that attending to differences in food intake and activity habits on weekdays and weekends separately may help to identify periods of high risk, which could be modified with effective intervention approaches. Trial Registration Numbers: NCT00259324, NCT00200265. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Day-to-day variability of non-walking parameters is low in persons with dementia. • Two consecutive days are adequate to reliably assess non-walking parameters. • Specific days of the week can affect the day-to-day variability of walking parameters. • Sub-analyses of concomitant factors confirm total group analysis for most criteria. To investigate the day-to-day variability of various sensor-based physical activity (PA) parameters and to analyze effects of weekdays vs. weekend days as well as the influence of concomitant factors (gender, living conditions, cognitive status, physical performance, and level of PA) in multi-morbid, older persons with mild-to-moderate stage dementia. In 53 participants, PA was recorded on three consecutive days. Day-to-day variability was estimated by calculating intraclass correlation coefficients (ICCs) for two consecutive days each (Friday-Saturday, Saturday-Sunday). Almost all non-walking parameters (lying time, sitting time, standing time, active time, inactive time, and sit-to-stand transitions) showed a consistently low day-to-day variability for Friday-Saturday as well as Saturday-Sunday (ICCs:.60–.96) and hence remained almost unaffected by specific days of the week and concomitant factors. Only the sub-analysis by level of PA revealed slightly deviating results (ICCs:.38–.89). The walking parameters (walking time, walking episodes, and steps) revealed a higher day-to-day variability for Friday-Saturday (ICCs:.01–.40) and a generally lower variability for Saturday-Sunday (ICCs: −.08 −.88), also depending on the respective concomitant factors. Two consecutive days are adequate to reliably assess non-walking parameters, whereas walking parameters showed higher day-to-day variability with a relevant influence of type of days and concomitant factors. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]