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BackgroundExergaming is associated with positive health benefits; however, little is known about what motivates young people to exergame. ObjectiveThis study aimed to develop a new Reasons to Exergame (RTEX) scale and describe its psychometric properties (Study 1) including test-retest reliability (Study 2). We also examined the test-retest reliability of self-report exergaming behavior measures (Study 2). MethodsWe identified scale items in consultation with experts. In Study 1, we conducted an Exploratory Factor Analysis of RTEX and examined how the factors identified relate to exergaming frequency and intensity in a population-based sample of 272 young adults. In Study 2, we examined the test-retest reliability of RTEX factors and self-report measures of past-week exergaming frequency and intensity among 147 college students. ResultsWe identified four factors in RTEX: exergaming for fitness, exergaming for enjoyment, preferring exergaming over other gaming options, and choosing exergaming over competing interests (eg, sports). Test-retest reliability of RTEX factors (ICC 0.7-0.8) and self-report exergaming frequency (ICC 0.4-0.9) was adequate. Exergaming for fitness and enjoyment were positively associated with the frequency of exergaming with friends and family, and with exergaming intensity. Preferring exergaming over other gaming options and choosing exergaming over competing interests (eg, sports) were not related to exergaming behavior. ConclusionsRTEX is a psychometrically sound scale with four factors that measure reasons to exergame. Replication of these findings is needed in larger, more diverse samples.

Background and aim: Globally, harmful substance use is among the leading causes of premature deaths in the general population, and most of these behaviours are initiated during pre‐adolescence to young adulthood. Preventing the onset or reducing the prevalence of substance use among young people is thus a global health priority. Diverse school‐based interventions have been implemented in low‐and‐middle‐income countries (LMICs); however, evidence regarding their theoretical underpinnings and core components is lacking. The aim of this scoping review was to identify the underlying (social/behavioural) theories, models or frameworks (TMF) and core (practical) components of school‐based interventions in LMICs aimed at preventing the onset or reducing the prevalence of substance use among young people. Methods: Using the Joanna Briggs Institute (JBI) guidance for conducting scoping reviews, we searched scientific literature databases for articles published from 1995 to 2022. A further search was conducted using the reference lists of included articles. We selected randomized and non‐randomized trials of school‐based interventions in LMICs that aimed at preventing the onset or reducing the prevalence of substance use among young people. We used Covidence software to screen titles and abstracts, as well as full texts. We then extracted the data and analysed it using a descriptive content analysis approach. Two reviewers conducted the screening, extraction and data analysis and discussed discrepancies, and clarified doubts and uncertainties through consultation with the other team members. Findings: A total of 58 articles were included in the review. Most articles (63.8%) used either a single or combination of two or more TMFs to inform their interventions. The most widely used TMF was social learning theory followed by theory of planned behaviour. We identified six core components of substance use prevention interventions: education, school environment, school policy, parental involvement, peer engagement and counselling. Conclusion: This scoping review outlines the core components of school‐based substance use prevention interventions used in low‐and‐middle‐income countries and the common theories, models or frameworks that underpin the design of those interventions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Physical characteristics and perceptions of an environment can have enduring effects on one's mental health. The present study aimed to determine whether a set of measures of neighborhood safety – independent built environment features, parents' perception of neighborhood safety and community cohesion, and children's perception of neighborhood safety – best related to symptoms of depression in young boys and girls from Montréal, Québec. Methods: Data were from the Quebec Adipose and Lifestyle Investigation in Youth (QUALITY) cohort. Participants were aged 8 to 10 years (M = 9.5) at baseline (2005). Measures included: child symptoms of depression, neighborhood perception (child and parentally reported), and independent rater assessed visible disorder/neighborhood safety issues and road safety features. Multiple linear regressions were used to examine the relation between neighborhood safety measures and symptoms of depression for boys (n = 262) and girls (n = 212) at baseline and at follow-up time approximately 2 years later in 2008 after adjusting for baseline sex, age, body mass index, pubertal status, physical activity, family income, parent education, population density, and land-use mix. Analyses were sex stratified. Results: Greater child perceived safety was associated with lower symptoms of depression in boys at both baseline and follow-up, and greater community cohesion was associated with lower symptoms of depression in girls at baseline. These results were not maintained after adjusting for multiple testing. Conclusion: Future research should elucidate the more precise pathways linking neighborhood safety to symptoms of depression among children and consider differences across sexes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Recommendations for physical activity (PA) typically focus on frequency, intensity, duration, and type, but timing (chrono-exercise) is also important. The objective of this study is to describe when children are active on school and weekend days and explore PA timing across sex and body mass index (BMI) categories. 359 children (53% male), aged 9.6 (0.9) y, were categorized as normal weight (≥-1 standard deviations (SD) and <1SD; n = 193), overweight (≥1SD and <2SD; n = 80), or obese (≥2SD; n = 86) using WHO BMIz. Moderate-to-vigorous PA (MVPA) was assessed using ActiGraph LS-7164. The results are described as Mean(SD). ANOVA evaluated MVPA across sexes and BMI categories. Normal weight boys were more active than boys with obesity on school (Δ20.33 min; p < 0.001) and weekend days (Δ15.04 min; p < 0.05). On school days, significant differences existed between 9:00 h-11:00 h and 12:00 h-14:00 h (p < 0.017), while on weekends, smaller differences existed throughout the day. Girls' MVPA was similar across BMI categories, on all days (p > 0.05). On school days, 12:00 h-13:00 h represented the most active hour for all participants (~14% total daily MVPA). Peak weekend MVPA was distributed across multiple hours. Differences in MVPA timing emerged on school-days and weekends. Timing may be important when examining the nuances of MVPA in relation to sex and bodyweight in children. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Behavioral trajectories from childhood to adolescence may differ and are poorly understood. The authors estimated the trajectories of moderate to vigorous physical activity (MVPA), screen time, and sleep duration during this period, by sex and initial weight status. Methods: Data from Quebec Adiposity and Lifestyle Investigation in Youth, an ongoing cohort study in Canada on the natural history of obesity, were used. Participants predisposed to obesity attended baseline (8–10 y old, n = 630) and follow-up visits 2 years (n = 564) and 7 years (n = 359) after baseline. Participants with completed self-reported and accelerometer-based data were included in the analyses (n = 191, 353, and 240 for MVPA, screen time, and sleep, respectively). The authors performed group-based trajectory analyses and multinomial logistic regression models. Results: Two MVPA, 3 screen time, and 2 sleep trajectories were identified. Girls were more likely than boys to belong to trajectory with lower MVPA means (odds ratio [OR] = 6.45; 95% confidence interval [CI], 3.08 to 13.49), yet less likely to belong to the trajectory with higher screen time (OR = 0.47; 95% CI, 0.23 to 0.97) and lower sleep duration (OR = 0.46; 95% CI, 0.27 to 0.78). Overweight or obesity at baseline was associated with a greater likelihood of belonging to the trajectory with lower MVPA (OR = 10.99; 95% CI, 1.31 to 91.14) and higher screen time (OR = 2.01; 95% CI, 1.04 to 4.06), respectively. Conclusions: It appears to be gender- and weight-based determinants of behavioral trajectories in this sample. These results may provide guidance for interventions in similar populations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]