Search

Gender differences in cross-sectional relationships between fundamental movement skill (FMS) subdomains (locomotor skills, object-control skills) and physical activity were examined in preschool children. Forty-six 3-to 5-year-olds (25 boys) had their FMS video assessed (Test of Gross Motor Development 11) and their physical activity objectively monitored (Actigraph 7 164 accelerometers). Among boys, object-control skills were associated with physical activity and explained 16.9% (p = .024) and 13.7% (p = .049) of the variance in percent of time in moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA) and total physical activity, respectively, after controlling for age, SES and z-BMI. Locomotor skills were inversely associated with physical activity among girls, and explained 19.2% (p = .023) of the variance in percent of time in MVPA after controlling for confounders. Gender and FMS subdomain may influence the relationship between FMS and physical activity in preschool children. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Few studies have compared physical activity (PA) and sedentary activity (SA) by grade and ethnicity, specifically including elementary school students. A cross-sectional probability-based design was used to provide data by ethnicity (African American, Hispanic, and White/Other), gender, and grade (4th, 8th, and 11th) from 2000 to 2002. Methods: Two validated questionnaires (elementary and secondary) assessed self-reported PA and SA. Point-prevalence estimates and 95% confi- dence intervals were computed. Results: Over 70% of students reported vigorous PA on ≥3 days/week, but <50% participated in daily physical education. A significant percentage (30% to 50%) of students reported ≥3 hours per day in SA. Fourth-grade boys and girls reported equal PA; however, 8th and 11th grade girls reported lowered vigorous PA. African American 8th- and 11th-grade boys reported the highest PA, but African American children also reported the highest prevalence of SA. Conclusions: Findings from this study highlight the disparities in physical and sedentary activities by gender, grade, and race/ethnicity, and the need to address these differences with programs and policy. In general, grade level and gender differences were more striking and consistent than raciallethnic differences. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study sought to quantify the energy expenditure and physical activity associated with playing the "new generation" active and nonactive console-based video games in 21 children ages 10-14 years. Energy expenditure (kcal) derived from oxygen consumption (VO2) was continuously assessed while children played nonactive and active console video games. Physical activity was assessed continuously using the Actigraph accelerometer. Significant (p < .001) increases from baseline were found for energy expenditure (129-400%), heart rate (43-84%), and activity counts (122-1,288 versus 0-23) when playing the active console video games. Playing active console video games over short periods of time is similar in intensity to light to moderate traditional physical activities such as walking, skipping, and jogging. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article presents abstracts on exercise science which include the effect of exercise on the cardiovascular system in obese youth, how television viewing affects physical activity levels in children, and how the physical activity levels of children are influenced by the physical activity levels of their parents.

Accelerometry is frequently used to assess physical activity in children. The number of articles in this area has increased dramatically in the last 10 years. The aim of this article is to provide a contemporary overview of accelerometry research in children. Specifically, the review addresses the choice of monitor, choice of epoch, when and for how long activity should be measured, the lack of consensus over how to define a complete day of activity data, issues of compliance, methods for the calibration of activity output, and the richness of data available from accelerometry. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of this study was to measure physical fitness of deaf Dutch elementary school children compared with hearing children and to investigate the influence of age on physical fitness. Deaf children were physically less fit than hearing children. Overall, physical fitness increased with age in deaf children, but no significant differences were found between the age groups of 9-10 years and 11-12 years on most of the Eurofit items. The difference in performance between deaf and hearing children, favoring the latter, increased with age in handgrip strength and the 20-m endurance shuttle run. More attention should be paid to developing and maintaining an adequate level of physical fitness in deaf children. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The study aim was to evaluate the effectiveness of a 2-year health-related physical education intervention in a pretest-posttest design. Sixteen elementary schools (764 pupils, mean age: 11.2 ± 0.7) participated in the study. Schools were randomly assigned to the intervention condition (n = 8) and the control condition (n = 8). Making use of direct observation data gathered according to SOFIT (System for Observing Fitness Instruction Time), the moderate-to-vigorous physical activity engagement during physical education classes was significantly higher in the intervention condition than in the control condition. Children's moderate-to-vigorous physical activity engagement during physical education lessons increased with 14% in the intervention condition (from 42 to 56%). No significant effects were found on the accelerometer data. The health-related physical education intervention was found to be promising in promoting physical activity during physical education classes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Child-parent pairs (n = 109) completed a questionnaire assessing whether changes in normal physical activity levels occurred (child) or were observed (parent) when the children wore a pedometer for 7 days. Over two-thirds of the children (78.5%) and almost half of the parents (47.3%) indicated an increase in the child's normal physical activity. Reduced television viewing (75.2%) and increased outdoor play on the weekend (35.8%) were the most frequently reported means of behavior change as reported by the children and parents, respectively. Results indicate that both children and parents perceive a reactive effect to wearing an unsealed pedometer. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

There is limited evidence on how much and on which days accelerometry monitoring should be performed to obtain a representative measurement of physical activity (PA) in young children. We measured 76 children (40 M and 36 F, mean age 5.6 years ([SD ± 0.4]) on 7 days using Actigraph accelerometers. Mean daily PA was expressed in counts per min (cpm). Reliability increased as the number of days and hours of monitoring increased, but only to 10 hr per day. At 7 days of monitoring for 10 hr per day, reliability was 80% (95% CI [70%, 86%]). The number of days was more important to reliability than the number of hours. The inclusion or exclusion of weekend days made relatively little difference. A monitoring period of 7 days for 10 hr per day produced the highest reliability. Surprisingly short monitoring periods may provide adequate reliability in young children. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The main purpose of this study was to examine the relationships among perceived competence, perceived motivational climate, and participation behaviors of children with movement difficulties (MD) in physical education. Behaviors of 65 children with MD and 65 matched peers without MD from Grades 4-6 were observed and coded. A MANOVA revealed significant differences between the two groups in the proportions of adaptive and maladaptive behaviors. Hierarchical regression analyses indicated a tendency for participants with MD with higher self-reported perceptions of competence to spend proportionally more time engaged in adaptive behaviors and less time engaged in maladaptive behaviors. Significant interactions revealed that the effect of self-reported perceptions of a performance climate on participation was conditional upon perceived competence levels. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

An introduction to the journal is presented in which the editor discusses the various topics within the issue, including dietary intakes of infants, childhood nutrition, and the lunchboxes of Australian children attending childcare.

Childhood obesity is a growing problem in the United States. This study used the theory of normative social behavior (TNSB) to better understand how social norms affect the eating behavior of children. Past studies have applied TNSB to adolescents, but not to younger children and not in the context of eating behavior. Participants were 166 children between the ages of 8 and 11 years. They completed questionnaires with TNSB measures (descriptive norms, injunctive norms, outcome expectations, peer communication, group identity, and ego involvement). Results showed that only injunctive norms served as a moderator of the relationship between descriptive norms and food consumption and intentions. Reasons for the lack of significant results, theoretical and practical implications, and directions for future research are explored further. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We have previously demonstrated significant improvements in sun protection regimens and significantly fewer common melanocytic nevi (CMN) among 7-year-old children in southern Sweden when comparing year 2007 with 2002. The aim of this study was to investigate whether the observed decreasing trend also can be observed at age 10 and, in addition, to compare the CMN density change between 7 and 10 years of age during two periods of time. Two open cohorts were used, cohort I with schoolchildren investigated in 2002 at age 7 and in 2005 at age 10 and cohort II with schoolchildren investigated in 2009 at age 7 and in 2012 at age 10. A significant decrease in CMN density (number/m2 BSA) at age 10 from 2005 to 2012 was observed: 15.9 (14.7–17.2) and 11.4 (10.1–12.7), respectively. The density growth rate from 7 to 10 years was 2.8 (2.1–3.5) between 2002 and 2005 and decreased significantly to 0.9 (0.2–1.5) between 2009 and 2012. Significant increases were observed for 'often use of sunscreen', 'often staying in shade' and 'often staying indoors' from cohort I to cohort II: 65 vs 80%, 7.6 vs 13% and 7.3 vs 19%, respectively. The decrease in number of CMN among 10-year-old children confirms a current trend in Sweden. If this persists, a future reduction of cutaneous malignant melanoma incidence in Sweden might be anticipated. The results also indicate that CMN count could be used as an indicator of ultraviolet exposure. • Significantly improved sun protection among Swedish children between 2002 and 2012. • The trend of decreased common melanocytic nevus density remains. • Count of common melanocytic nevi can be used as indicator of past ultraviolet exposure. • Reduced UV exposure among children is probably effective as melanoma prevention. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Sedentarism is uniquely associated with numerous health problems (e.g., obesity). School-age youth spend a considerable portion of their time being sedentary, although relatively little attention has been given to examining youth sedentary time or behaviors during school. Purpose: This systematic review and meta-analysis examined sedentarism (time, behaviors) in children and adolescents during school hours. Methods: Two separate electronic-databases searches were conducted. The first focused on sedentary time and looked for studies that: (1) were conducted in the U.S., (2) targeted the K-12 setting during school-day hours, (3) were an intervention, (4) included objective measures, and (5) reported sedentary outcomes as a time-based metric. The second search focused on sedentary behavior and looked for studies that: (1) were conducted in the U.S., (2) targeted the K-12 setting during school-day hours, and (3) included reporting of sedentary behaviors. A pooled estimate of percent-time spent sedentary was calculated. Results: On average, youth spent 63% of their time in school sedentary. There were no studies that met the inclusion criteria for the sedentary behavior portion of the review. Discussion: The limited number of studies found that report sedentary-time, coupled with the absence of studies describing sedentary behaviors, suggests that further descriptive research is needed to understand school-based sedentarism in youth. Translation to Health Education Practice: Professional development for school staff and intervention work should encompass sedentary time and behaviors across the school day. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: The purpose of this pilot study was to evaluate changes in toothbrushing behaviors associated with a mobile game app. Methods: Thirty-four five- to six-year-olds were taught to use the Brush Up™ game opp and played it once per day at home for seven days. The primary outcome was toothbrushing quality measured as duration and distribution. The paired t test was used to assess pre/post changes and Holm's method adjusted for multiple testing (α equals 0.05). Results: The mean age was 73.7±6.6 months; 29.4 percent were female, and 47.7 percent were Caucasian. After seven days, toothbrushing duration increased significantly (P<0.007). Toothbrushing distribution improved with increased brushing of the lingual, maxillary occlusal, and posterior buccal surfaces. For 75 children who played the game for 74 days, even greater improvements in quality and distribution were observed. Improvements in toothbrushing did not persist one year later without further opp use but there were noted changes that could be clinically meaningful. Conclusions: Mobile health game apps can potentially improve toothbrushing quality in children. Additional trials are needed to assess mobile toothbrushing game apps. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Responsive feeding and frequency of family mealtimes are related to healthier eating behaviors and weight outcomes in children and adolescents. Distractions at mealtimes are related to greater intake of unhealthy food and a less positive mealtime emotional climate. However, there is little understanding of the effects of routines and father availability on distractions at family meals, and there is limited research investigating the effects of distractions among all family members on maternal feeding practices in toddlerhood. This study aims to characterize distractions at family mealtimes and examine associations between father availability, distractions, and observed responsive feeding. Descriptive analyses, nonlinear mixed models, and path analyses were conducted using observational (home-based family mealtimes) and self-report data collected from a subsample of families (n = 109) of 18- to 24-month-old children in the larger STRONG Kids 2 Study (N = 468). Between fathers, mothers, and children, families spent almost half of the mealtime distracted. Fathers and mothers engaged in about equal amounts of distractions, and children engaged in more technology-related distractions than parents. Fathers' absence at the mealtime was associated with more child distractions and less maternal feeding responsiveness. Lower paternal total distractions, maternal non-technology-object-related distractions, and higher household income were significantly associated with more observed maternal feeding responsiveness. Future research should investigate how father availability and family mealtime distractions may be associated directly and indirectly with children's eating behaviors and weight outcomes. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2019 APA, all rights reserved). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Supplemental digital content is available in the text. Purpose: Physical activity and sedentary behavior among diverse Hispanic/Latino youth in the United States is not well documented. The aim of this study was to describe physical activity and sedentary behavior among a representative sample of Hispanic/Latino youth from four US communities using accelerometry and self-reported measures. Methods: From 2012 to 2014, 1466 Hispanic/Latino youth ages 8 to 16 yr, children of participants in the Hispanic Community Health Study/Study of Latinos, enrolled in the SOL youth. Physical activity and sedentary behavior were assessed by interview. After this, youth wore an Actical accelerometer for 1 wk. All statistical analyses accounted for the complex survey design and used sampling weights. Results: The accelerometer wear time adjusted mean minutes per day was: 604.6, sedentary; 178.9, light; 25.4, moderate; and 10.2, vigorous. Generally, higher levels of moderate and vigorous activity occurred among males, Mexican backgrounds, and youth age 8 to 10 yr compared with older age groups. Higher levels of sedentary behavior occurred among youth age 15 to 16 yr compared with younger age groups. The most common activities (reported, ≥1 per month) were of lower intensity, including listening to music (91.9%), homework (87.0%), riding in car/bus (84.3%), and hanging out with friends (83.4%). Common active pursuits included travel by walking (74.6%), physical education class (71.7%), running (71.4%), and recess (71.3%). Conclusions: Time, intensity, and type of physical activity and sedentary behavior varied among Hispanic/Latino youth. These findings can inform efforts to increase physical activity and reduce sedentary behavior among US Hispanic/Latino youth. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Greater consumption of and access to screen media are known correlates of unhealthy sleep behavior in preschoolers. What remains unknown, however, is the role a child's media use plays in this association. Parents and guardians of U.S. preschoolers (N = 278, average child age 56 months) provided information about their child's nightly duration of sleep, daily duration of nap, quantity of screen media use, sneaky media use, and the presence of a screen media device in the bedroom. We assessed four media: television, DVD/VCRs, video games, and computer/Internet. Based on rationales of sleep displacement, the forbidden fruit hypothesis, and social cognitive theory, we predicted that increased consumption of and access to media, along with sneaky media use, would predict a shorter duration of nightly sleep and longer duration of daily nap across the four screen media. In correlational analyses, a clear pattern emerged with quantity of media use, screen media in the bedroom, and sneaky media use associated with shorter nightly duration of sleep and longer duration of daily nap. In regression analyses, only weekday evening television viewing and sneaky media use predicted shorter nightly sleep duration; weekend morning and evening DVD use predicted longer naps. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: To identify factors that influence oral health behaviors in the pediatric population treated for caries under general anesthesia (GA). Methods: Nineteen semi-structured key informant interviews were conducted with caregivers while their children received comprehensive dental care under GA. Interviews were recorded on audio and professionally transcribed. Transcripts were coded using an inductive approach, with codes categorized and themes identified in an iterative process among four investigators. Results: Data from 14 English and five Spanish interviews were reported. Factors that impacted accessing dental services, toothbrushing, and sugar intake were related to experiences living with severe caries and family dynamics. Many caregivers found the process of accessing care challenging, with barriers ranging from a caregiver's denial of disease severity to insurance status and provider availability. Discordant dynamics between parents and their children hindered efforts to change oral health behaviors. Stress of daily life impacted the ability for some caregivers to prioritize oral health. Conclusion: Our findings provide a better understanding of how a family's experiences and dynamics prior to dental care under GA can serve as barriers to changing oral health behaviors within an urban, Medicaid-enrolled population. Future work should address the complexity and context of familial interactions in efforts to improve surgical outcomes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Parents play an important role in their children's oral health behaviors, provide oral health access, initiate prevention, and coping strategies for health care. Aim: This paper develops a short form (SF) to assist parents to evaluate their children's oral health status using Patient‐Reported Outcome Measurement Information System (PROMIS) framework that conceptualized health as physical, mental, and social components. Design: Surveys of parents were conducted at dental clinics in Los Angeles County, together with an on‐site clinical examination by dentists to determine clinical outcomes, Children's Oral Health Status Index (COHSI), and referral recommendations (RRs). Graded response models in item response theory were used to create the SF. A toolkit including SF, demographic information, and algorithms was developed to predict the COHSI and RRs. Results: The final SF questionnaire consists of eight items. The square root mean squared error for the prediction of COHSI is 7.6. The sensitivity and specificity of using SF to predict immediate treatment needs (binary RRs) are 85% and 31%. Conclusions: The parent SF is an additional component of the oral health evaluation toolkit that can be used for oral health screening, surveillance program, policy planning, and research of school‐aged children and adolescents from guardian perspectives. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study examined the effect of a physical activity program on student activity during recess and on disruptive classroom behavior. The program was implemented during recess for 5 weeks in a rural elementary school. Prior to and during the program, teachers recorded observations of sedentary students during recess and of disruptive classroom behavior before and after recess. The number of sedentary students during recess decreased significantly during the program (p < .05) and classroom behavior significantly improved after recess (p < .001), differences that were not seen prior to the start of the program. Physical activity initiatives can improve student participation in physical activity during recess while costing little and maintaining student choice. Increased physical activity during recess improves children's ability to meet daily activity recommendations and may improve the classroom environment by decreasing disruptive behaviors. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Healthy and clean living behaviors among school-aged children are still relatively low in Indonesia, exposing them to the risk of experiencing health problems in the future, such as diarrhea. This school-age period is actually the earliest phase in which children can develop healthy behaviors, hence making this phase a strategic target for health improvements. School-aged children are in a period of concrete operational development and they require specific health education methods that can reflect real and interactive experiences. The aim of the study was to determine the most influential factors to effectiveness therapeutic sociodramatic play on diarrheal preventive behaviors among school-aged children (6–12 years). The study design was quasi-experimental with pre- and post-tests, involving 102 school-age children who were divided into an intervention group and control group. Multistage random sampling was used to determine the research area and school where the research was conducted, while the research subject was selected using simple random sampling. The results showed that parental knowledge had a significant effect on therapeutic sociodramatic play improving students' knowledge (p = 0.001), attitudes (p = 0.004), and diarrheal prevention skills (p = 0.003). Therapeutic sociodramatic play will be more effective when followed by good parental knowledge. The study recommends that therapeutic sociodramatic play could be applied in an effort to enhance healthy and clean living behaviors and to prevent diarrhea among school-aged children, and it could be integrated into school nursing services. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Introduction: the dietary intake patterns of children should be monitored because of their influence on health in adulthood. It is now widely accepted that childhood nutrition is linked to specific diseases such as obesity and to risk factors for cardiovascular disease in adulthood. Therefore, knowledge of dietary intake during childhood may be useful to identify possible risk factors for disease in adulthood. The main focus of research into children's diets has been the contribution of macronutrients and micronutrients. Objective: several indices have been developed for assessing the diet quality of previously defined population groups. The aim of the present study was to compare the nutritional status of Andalusian children and adolescents and examine the relationship between their diet quality and socio-demographic or lifestyle factors. Results and conclusions: the food intake of the younger children in this study was closer to RDIs compared with the adolescents, who generally reported a lower energy supply in their diet than the recommended. The mean (SD) diet quality score was 12.1 (1.9) for the younger children (6-9 years) and 9.4 (3.2) for the older group (10-17 years), a statistically significant difference. A good correlation was found between energy intake (MJ/kg body weight) and estimated energy (MET MJ/kg body weight). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Context: Motivation serves to be an integral part of health promotion to children at the learning phase of their life.Aim: Evaluation of the effectiveness of musical toothbrush over regular toothbrush in the debris and gingival bleeding scores among children.Settings and Design: This was a single-blinded parallel, randomized controlled trial conducted among 6-10-year-old schoolchildren in Chennai.Methods: One hundred participants with allocation ratio of 1:1 were assigned to musical and regular toothbrush group by simple randomization. After baseline evaluation (T0) of Debris Index-Simplified (DI-S) and Gingival Bleeding Index (GBI), outcome variables were assessed for a period of 3 months (T1, T2, and T3).Statistical Analysis Used: Friedman test and Mann-Whitney statistical test were used to compare the outcome variables within and across the two groups.Results: Thirty-two boys and 68 girls (mean age: 8.53 years) participated in the study. Statistically significant difference was seen in DI-S score among musical toothbrush group (mean: 0.50 [T3] and GBI score: 8.18% [T3]) when compared to regular toothbrush group (mean: 1.59 [T3] and GBI score: 23.54 [T3]) at the end of the 3rd month.Conclusion: Although both the musical and regular toothbrushes effectively reduced the DI-S and GBI scores, former showed effective change among children when compared to the latter. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the context of rising screen time, only a third of Canadian children are achieving adequate amounts of active play, an important source of physical activity. ParticipACTION, a national not-for-profit organization, created the "Make Room for Play" campaign targeting parents with television advertisements depicting how screen time takes away from active play. The advertisements featured children engaging in active play (e.g., jump rope) while a black screen progressively sequesters the room for them to play. This study's purpose was to evaluate the campaign using the hierarchy of effects model, a framework for conceptualizing the impact of mass media campaigns. It was hypothesized that recall would relate to intermediate (e.g., cognitions, self-efficacy) and distal (e.g., parental support) factors. Twenty-six percent of the general population and caregiver samples surveyed (N = 1576) recalled (unaided) the advertisement and 45.9% recalled when prompted. Parental support was significantly higher in those recalling the campaign, p = .009. Twenty-four percent of parents reporting unaided recall (versus 14.0% of those not) tried to engage in active play with their children and 21.2% (versus 12.0%) tried to create opportunities for children to engage in play. Strengths and limitations of mass media approaches targeting active play and screen time are discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Objective: to investigate the association between intestinal constipation, lifestyle and eating habits in four to seven year old children. Methods: a cross-sectional study with a sample of 152 children aged four to seven years old. Intestinal constipation was characterized according to the Rome IV criteria. Excess weight was classified by the body mass index. Variables that could be associated with constipation, such as maternal constipation, lifestyle, food and water intake, were selected. In the analysis, the prevalence ratio using Poisson regression, with a robust variance and statistical significance was set at p < 0.05. Results: the prevalence of intestinal constipation was 32.2% (n = 49), of which 34.7% (n = 17) of the children were overweight. As for lifestyle, 73% of the children did not practice any regular physical activities and approximately 60% spent more than two hours a day in sedentary activities, such as watching television or playing electronic games. A statistically significant association was found between constipation and daily school time equal to or greater than 4.5 hours (p = 0.007), non-consumption of fruits (p = 0.003) and greens (p = 0.007) and regular intake of fried food (p = 0.003). Conclusion: an association between intestinal constipation and unhealthy habits, such as non-consumption of fruits and vegetables, and regular consumption of fried food was observed. Preventing intestinal constipation requires changes in the lifestyle and eating habits of the children and family. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Sexual orientation is a multidimensional phenomenon, which includes identity, behavior, and attraction. The attraction component, however, is less studied than the other two. In this article, we present the development of a two‐item measure to identify adolescents who prefer same‐ and both‐gender partners for love and dating. The questions were administered to nationally representative samples of 15‐year‐old adolescents in eight European countries and regions participating in the Health Behaviour in School‐aged Children (HBSC) cross‐national study. The distribution of attraction, as operationalized by preference for the gender of love and dating partners, was similar across countries. These questions offer an alternative or supplementary approach to identify same‐ and both‐gender attracted youth, without administering questions related to sexual identity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The purpose of this pilot quasi-experimental study was to examine the feasibility and preliminary efficacy of using Facebook in a 10-week lifestyle intervention with Head Start caregiver–preschooler dyads to improve healthy behaviors and reduce body mass index. Sixty-nine dyads participated with 39 in the intervention group. Average preschooler attendance rate for the Head Start center-based program was 77%, and caregiver participation rate was 87%. About 94% of the caregivers were satisfied with the program, and 97% would recommend the program to others and/or participate again. The intervention decreased preschoolers’ body mass index z score (Cohen’s d = –.30) and screen time (d = –.21), and increased their fruit and vegetable intake (d = .40) and moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (d = .42). The intervention increased caregivers’ fruit and vegetable intake (d = .40). The intervention is feasible, and preliminary efficacy is encouraging, but further investigation using a rigorous study design is warranted. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Childhood obesity has become a global health issue, yet little is known about the influence of maternal factors on children’s weight-related health behaviors (dietary habits and physical activity), especially in China. The purpose of this study was to examine the influence of maternal factors on children’s eating behaviors and physical activity in Chinese preschool-age children. Method: A cross-sectional study was utilized to describe weight-related health behaviors among preschool-aged children and identify maternal factors that are associated with children’s weight-related health behaviors in China. Mothers completed questionnaires regarding family eating and activity habits, child feeding practices, and maternal self-efficacy regarding their child’s health-related health behaviors. Results: A total of 222 mother–child dyads participated in this study. Maternal health-related behavior and attitudes regarding feeding practices and self-efficacy were associated with children’s health-related behaviors, including eating behaviors and physical and sedentary activities. The influence of maternal behaviors and attitudes were domain specific. Discussion: Improvement of children’s health behaviors, promoting a healthy lifestyle of the mother and self-efficacy, and providing health home environment for the child are critical in obesity prevention. Implications for Practice: Because children’s health is critical to the health of the nation and to global development, understanding the factors related to children’s health-related behaviors is an important first step toward development of tailored, culturally sensitive interventions for promoting a healthy lifestyle and preventing obesity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Background: Childhood nutrition is important in optimising growth, development and future health. The present study compared dietary intakes of Australian children aged 4–8 years with (i) Australian Guide to Healthy Eating (AGHE) food group recommendations and (ii) age‐specific Nutrient Reference Values (NRVs), in addition to (iii) describing food group intakes of children meeting key NRVs. Methods: Data were obtained from a representative sample of children (n = 789) from the National Nutrition and Physical Activity Survey between May 2011 and June 2012. Parent‐reported 24‐h recall dietary data were disaggregated into five core food groups, along with energy‐dense, nutrient‐poor (EDNP) foods, with intakes being compared with AGHE recommendations. Food group intakes were compared for children meeting the NRVs for 10 nutrients used for the development of AGHE food groups. Chi‐squared and t‐tests were performed to determine differences in food group intakes with P < 0.05 considered statistically significant. Results: Only one child met the recommended daily servings for all AGHE core food groups and none met both core and energy‐dense, nutrient‐poor (EDNP) food group recommendations. The lowest level of alignment (percentage meeting recommendations) was for vegetables (4.6%) and the highest was for fruit (47.7%). Mean (SD) daily intake of EDNP foods [4.7 (3.2) serves day−1] accounted for 38.4% of total energy intakes. Children meeting key NRVs (n = 395) consumed greater daily servings of fruit [2.2 (1.7)], dairy [2.2 (1.2)] and EDNP foods [5.0 (3.4)] compared to the total sample (n = 789). Conclusions: Significant discrepancies exist between contemporary dietary patterns of Australian children and national recommendations. Future AGHE revisions should incorporate greater diversity of consumption patterns, including sub‐categories of EDNP foods. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Background: The eating patterns of school‐aged children rarely meet recommendations: meal frequency is irregular and the consumption of vegetables is lower and sugar‐sweetened products higher than recommended. Although school is an excellent arena for nutrition education to support pupils eating patterns, teachers usually lack efficient tools. The present study aimed to develop a curriculum for nutrition education to be used by teachers and to examine its efficacy in the school environment with respect to the eating patterns of pupils. Methods: The curriculum was developed in collaboration with school teachers using self‐determination theory as a theoretical standpoint. The Health at Every Size concept and sensory‐based food education were utilised in the curriculum. Self‐reported questionnaires were used to assess the feasibility and impact of the curriculum. Fourteen teachers implemented the curriculum during 2012–2013 with 194 pupils aged 10–13 years (fifth and sixth grades). The control schools included 140 pupils of the same age not following the curriculum. Results: The teachers reported that the curriculum was easy to integrate in the school environment. The fifth graders improved their breakfast frequency, increased their consumption of vegetables and reduced their consumption of ice cream, sweets and sugar‐sweetened drinks. No improvement was found in the fifth graders at the control schools. In the sixth graders, no dietary changes were detected in the intervention or control schools. Conclusions: The pupils in the fifth grade appeared to comprise a responsive target group for nutrition education at schools. The curriculum offers a promising approach for developing healthy eating patterns among fifth graders. Collaboration with teachers in developing the curriculum likely enhanced its feasibility and teacher commitment for implementation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Summary: Background: The influence of community characteristics on the effectiveness of childhood obesity prevention efforts is not well understood. Objective: Examine the interaction of community characteristics with the relationship between community programmes and policies (CPPs) and dietary intake. Methods: An observational study of 5138 children in grades K‐8 in 130 US communities was conducted in 2013–2015. Key informant interviews identified and characterized CPPs. CPP scores were generated for the number of target behaviours (CPP‐Behav) and the number of behaviour change strategies (CPP‐Strat) addressed by all CPPs and CPPs with nutrition goals over the prior 6 years in each community. Dietary intake was assessed by dietary screener and included intake of sugar from sugar‐sweetened beverages; energy‐dense foods; fruits and vegetables; whole grains; and fibre. Multivariate statistical models assessed the interactions between US region, urbanicity, community‐level income, and community‐level race/ethnicity and CPP scores in relation to dietary intake. Results: CPP‐Strat was positively associated with healthier dietary intakes in the Northeast and West, and in high Hispanic communities; the reverse was true in the South, and in high African–American and low‐income communities. The CPP‐Behav was positively associated with healthier dietary intakes in the South and rural areas, and the reverse was true in the West. Conclusion: The relationships between CPP index scores and dietary intake were most strongly influenced by region and urbanicity and to a lesser extent by community‐level race/ethnicity and income. Findings suggest that different considerations may be needed for childhood obesity prevention efforts in communities with different characteristics. What is already known about this subject: There are disparities in obesity, dietary intake and physical activity levels by race/ethnicity, socioeconomic status and region in the US.Similar multi-component and multisector approaches to prevention of obesity are implemented across the country in communities with diverse characteristics.Little is known about the relative effectiveness of obesity prevention efforts in communities with different characteristics. What this study adds: We found that region, urbanicity, community-level income, and community level race/ethnicity modify the association between childhood obesity prevention efforts and dietary intake.We identified which aspects of obesity prevention efforts appear to influence the association between childhood obesity prevention efforts and dietary intake in communities with different characteristics.Our findings suggest that different approaches to childhood obesity prevention and promotion of healthy eating may be needed depending on region and urbanicity, and to a more limited extent, community income and race/ethnicity. This article is part of the supplement: The Healthy Communities Study: Examining Community Programs, Policies and Other Characteristics in Relation to Child Weight, Diet, and Physical Activity [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Summary: Background: No study has examined how the pattern of income dynamics influences both of children's body mass index (BMI) trajectory and health behaviours. Objectives: To examine the association between household poverty dynamics and childhood overweight risk in the USA. Methods: Using the longitudinal data of 16 800 children (from kindergarten to the 8th grade) in the nationally representative US cohort‐Early Childhood Longitudinal Study, Kindergarten Class 1998–1999, we examined the differences in BMI trajectory, weight‐related health behaviours and risk of overweight in association with household poverty dynamics during follow‐up (never [no experience of poverty], transient [once], recurrent [≥2 times] and persistent poor [remained]) using mixed models with fractional polynomial functions and estimating equation models. Results: Overall, children experiencing poverty were more likely to have adverse BMI growth trajectory and eating and sedentary behaviours compared with the never poor. The recurrently poor children (12.8%) had the fastest BMI trajectory, highest overweight/obesity prevalence from 5 to 16 years old and highest proportion of excessive soda/fast food consumption and irregular exercise at 8th grade than did others (p < 0.05). The persistently poor (8.4%) were the lowest in BMI growth trajectory but became the second highest in childhood obesity through a steady increase in BMI over time. Children in the recurrently poor group had a 1.5 times (95% CI = 1.0–2.2) higher risk of overweight than those having never experienced poverty during follow‐up. Conclusions: The experience of recurrent household poverty had a significant association with children's adverse eating behaviours and increased obesity risk subsequently. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract Objective Evaluate whether participation in Choose Health: Food, Fun, and Fitness (CHFFF), a hands-on, experiential curriculum aimed at third- to sixth-graders, resulted in improvements in the targeted obesity and chronic disease prevention behaviors. Methods The researchers evaluated CHFFF in low-income youth participating in 2 federal programs in New York State during 2013–2015. Food and activity behaviors were assessed using the Expanded Food and Nutrition Education Program third- through fifth- and sixth- through eighth-grade pre-post surveys, along with 2 sets of added CHFFF-specific items completed by subsamples. Educators trained in CHFFF had youth complete the surveys as they delivered the curriculum, primarily in schools and after-school programs. Results Paired t tests showed significant (P <.01) positive changes before to after CHFFF education for consumption of vegetables, fruits, sweetened drinks, nutrition label reading, and other food and activity behaviors. Conclusions and Implications Results provide practice-based evidence that CHFFF promotes positive behavior change in participating youth. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the United States 80% of obese adolescents, 50% of obese preschool-aged children, and 50% of school-aged children are prone to develop adult obesity. Health education and physical activity for children at risk for obesity are key to mitigating the risk of developing obesity as an adult. Health education and physical activity complement each other, improving children's behaviors and attitudes towards health. This study builds upon an existing body of knowledge about the prevention of obesity and long-term morbidity among rural youth from disadvantage backgrounds. The purpose of this study was to improve the attitudes and behaviors towards healthy eating through combining health education and physical activity among children of Macon County, Alabama. We conducted a mixed method design with a cluster sample of 11 participants. We used a pre/posttest lifestyle student created questionnaire guided by the Institut de Recherches Cliniques de Montréal (IRCM) lifestyle questionnaire and the Simple Lifestyle Indicator Questionnaire to characterize health behaviors (i.e., consumed vegetables, fruits, sweet drinks and water) and attitudes (i.e., enjoyment of exercise, emotional eating, ways of staying active when the weather is bad). Our study concluded that an interactive health education and physical activity interventions positively influenced healthy eating behaviors and attitudes in nine out of eleven participants for attitudes and six out of eleven participants for behaviors on healthy eating. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

It is clear that physical activity, holistically, is linked with several positive factors through the life course. There exists a large evidence base for physical activity quantity, yet there has been little integration of physical activity qualities, and whilst quality is a nebulous term, recent developments in literature suggest it may be a viable measure in the characterisation of physical activity. The purpose of the study was to comprehensively review the development towards a measure of physical activity quality. A review of literature was conducted using online databases: Web of Science, PubMed and Google Scholar. A narrative review was subsequently prepared on the topic and development of physical activity quality. Quantitative assessment of movement quality shows promise in the evaluation and measurement of physical activity, particularly in relation to motor development, fundamental movement skills and body mass indices. Whilst measures of movement quality display promise, this is a burgeoning field of research contributing to physical activity literature, and as such, these measures must be refined, developed and investigated further. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Nonobese, preadolescent girls self-reported, and their parents provided proxy reports of daughters' daily activities using questionnaires. Responses were evaluated for test-retest reliability, and for validity using one-week diaries. Results indicated all three respondents provided reproducible estimates of time daughters spent watching TV; daughters and mothers, of time daughters spent sleeping; and parents, of time daughters spent in vigorous activities. However, only daughters >10 years of age could provide valid reports for time spent in moderate activities and in sedentary and light activities on school days. Study results suggest that daughters and parents have difficulty providing reliable and valid estimates of activity level. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article presents a response to the editorial "The Horse Is Dead; Let's Dismount," by T. W. Rowland in the May 1995 issue. The examines how to encourage children to be physically active daily and to continue their physical activity throughout their lifetime. The article also discusses physical fitness testing, getting children to participate in enjoyable physical activities, the negative affects of forcing high-intensity activities on children, and the negative affects of making high-level performance the primary focus of youth sports.

This review examines the evidence that the level of physical activity (PA) or total energy expenditure during adolescence affects body adiposity in the obese and nonobese adolescent population. Several cross-sectional studies suggested that obese children were less physically active than their nonobese peers, but there was no consistent difference in the total energy expenditure.The likelihood that infants of obese mothers become obese at age 1 year is greater if their total energy expenditure (using the doubly labeled water technique) is lower at age 3 months. Many interventional studies in the general adolescent population show a small (1-3% body fat) reduction in adiposity as a result of physical training. It appears, though, that programs longer than one year are more efficacious than shorter programs. Lifestyle activities (e.g., walking to and from school) appear to have a more lasting effect than regimented activities (e.g., calisthenics or jogging). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The present study examined the relationship between maximal oxygen uptake (VO2max) and daily physical activity in a group of 7- to 12-year-old boys. VO2max was assessed through the incremental treadmill test using an open circuit system. Physical activity level was obtained from heart rate telemetry outside of school time for 8 hrs during weekdays and during 40 min of physical education classes. The findings indicated that the absolute value of VO2max increased with age, while relative to body weight it remained almost the same across age, with a mean of 48.4 ml · kg-1 · min-1. Moreover, heart rate telemetry showed that the boys spent a limited amount of time on activities that raise the heart rate to a level above 160 bpm (an average of 1.9%). In addition, VO2max was found to be significantly related to the percentage of time spent at activity levels at or above a heart rate of 140 bpm, but not with activity levels at or above a heart rate of 160 bpm. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Identifying social and psychological influences affecting children's attitudes about physical activity is an important step in understanding individual differences in children's activity involvement. This study examined the influence of parental socialization and children's psychological characteristics upon attraction to physical activity. Fourth-grade children (N=81) completed questionnaires assessing perceived physical competence and attraction to physical activity. Parents also completed questionnaires assessing their physical activity orientations and level of encouragement of their child's physical activity. A proposed model linking four sets of social and psychological variables was tested through path analysis. The results generally supported the hypothesized model and suggested that parental physical activity orientations, parental encouragement levels, children's gender, and children's perceived physical competence are important influences upon children's attraction to physical activity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article looks at children's enjoyment of and attitude toward physical activity. The article discusses children's motivation for physical activity, health behavior in children, psychological stress in sports, physical fitness testing for children, exercise for children, and pediatric sport psychology literature. According to the article, social support, skill level, self-perception, and positive affect all contribute to children's motivation to start and continue in sports and other physical activities.

Monitoring of physical activity among 3- to 7-year-old children was achieved with an electronic motion sensor, the Caltrac accelerometer, for 1,666 days (of 2,030 scheduled) over a 2-year period. Failure of the monitor averaged once for each 45 days of successful monitoring. The total cost of devices, repairs, and batteries over the 2 years averaged $1.31 per day of successful monitoring. It is concluded that use of the Caltrac accelerometer is a feasible and relatively inexpensive approach for monitoring physical activity in young children in epidemiologic studies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article presents abstracts of various studies from different pediatric and sports medicine journals. P. S. Freedson and S. Evenson looked at the familial association between parents and their children's physical activity and health behavior. E. Esquivel and colleagues compared the effects of hyperpnea induced by physical exercise with those created by voluntary hyperventilation in children with absence epilepsy. Other studies researched exercise responses following tetralogy of Fallot surgery and exercise responses to treatment of anemia in patients with chronic renal disease.

This study examined the validity of the Caltrac motion sensor for measuring physical activity in young children and described change over time in physical activity among 47 preschool children from obese and nonobese families. Children were videotaped in a controlled setting while wearing Caltrac motion sensors and also wore Caltracs at home. Caltrac readings and an observational measure of physical activity were significantly related in both Year 1 (r =.86) and Year 2 (r =.83), and outside play was associated with higher Caltrac scores (r =.43). In addition, physical activity among young girls with obese parents decreased significantly from Year 1 to Year 2. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]