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Background Long outdoor stay may cause hazardous exposure to ultraviolet radiation (UVR) from the sun even at high latitudes as in Sweden (Spring to Autumn). On the other hand, long outdoor stay is a strong predictor of primary school children ' s free mobility involving moderate to vigorous physical activity (MVPA). UV-protective outdoor environments enable long outdoor stay. We investigated the concurrent impact of different school outdoor play settings upon pupils ' sun exposure and levels of physical activity across different ages, genders, and seasons. Method During 1 week each in September, March, and May, UVR exposure and MVPA were measured in pupils aged 7-11 years. Erythemally effective UVR exposure was measured by polysulphone film dosimeters and MVPA by accelerometers. Schoolyard play was recorded on maps, and used areas defined as four play settings (fixed play equipment, paved surfaces, sport fields, and green settings), categorized by season and gender. Results During the academic year, sport fields yielded the highest UVR exposures and generated most time in MVPA. In March, time outdoors and minutes in MVPA dropped and UVR exposures were suberythemal at all play settings. In May, green settings and fixed play equipment close to greenery promoted MVPA and protected from solar overexposure during long outdoor stays. Conclusion More outdoor activities in early spring are recommended. In May, greenery attractive for play could protect against overexposure to UVR and stimulate both girls and boys to vigorous play., Epub 2020

Ingress: I tidigare skoldebatt har det ofta handlat om läraren i klassrummet, men numera behövs också läraren i uterummet. Det är dags för ett utomhusbaserat lyft, skriver akademiker vid Jönköping University, Linköpings universitet och Karolinska institutet., Debattartikel.

Debatt.

Potentials and limitations of sky view fish-eye photography and calculation of the percentage of free sky (sky view factor, SVF) as a proxy to estimate solar ultraviolet radiation (UVR) exposure in shade settings are investigated using controlled situations. SVF and measured solar UVR exposure correlated at high mid-latitude (56.65 degrees N) near autumnal equinox in September. The correlation was enhanced by splitting the sky view images into a south- and a north-half and weighting the south-half higher to account for the direct sun. Sky view images from eight different settings with SVF-values 98.3% - 14.9% were compared to exposure measurements by polysulphone film dosimeter badges in the horizontal zenith-, vertical-south-, east-, west- and north-directions and their combinations. The sky view images were un-split and un-weighted or split and the semi-skies given south/north weights (3.0/1.0) or a higher weight ratio (3.5/0.5). Of all tested combinations split sky view SVFs weighted 3.0/1.0 and compared to horizontal (zenith-oriented) dosimeters yielded the highest correlation (R-2 = 0.96). The weight ratio (3.5/0.5) yielded the 2(nd) highest correlation (R-2 = 0.90) both compared to measured horizontal exposure and compared to the horizontal exposure averaged with the vertical-south-oriented exposure. SVF from sky view fish-eye photography may estimate solar UVR exposure in shade settings.

Regulated school days entail less free-living physical activity (PA) and outdoor stay, which may jeopardize the opportunities for cohesive moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA) and, by extension, children’s health. The role of outdoor stay during school time for pupils’ free-living PA vs. physical education (PE) and indoor stay was studied during one academic year in 196 pupils aged 7–14 years at four schools in mid-southern Sweden during five consecutive days each in September, March, and May. Actigraph GT3X+ Activity monitors were used. Predictors for PA during school stay were expressed as mean daily accelerometer counts and were measured per season, day, grade, gender, weather, and time outdoors. Overall, free-living PA outdoors generated the highest mean accelerometer counts for moderate and vigorous PA. Outdoor PA and PE, representing 23.7% of the total school time contributed to 50.4% of total mean accelerometer counts, and were the greatest contributors to moderate and vigorous PA. Age and weather impacted PA, with less PA in inclement weather and among older pupils. More time outdoors, at all seasons, would favorably increase school children’s chances of reaching recommended levels of PA.

More scheduled outdoor stay is increasingly advocated for school children. This study measured 2nd, 5th and 8th graders’ erythemal UV-exposure in September, March and May at four Swedish schools. We related those exposures, as fractions of total available ambient radiation, to the schools outdoor environments differing in amount of shade, vegetation, and peripheral city-scape quantified as percentage of free sky view calculated from fish-eye photographs. Exposures correlated with the sky views (with exceptions in May) and were suberythemal. The exposures were also below the threshold limit of the International Commission on Non-Ionizing Radiation Protection (ICNIRP) for hazard evaluation of UVR but were potentially enough for adequate vitamin D formation according to a cited model calculation – as illustrated in the results and discussed. The school environments, typical in southern and middle Sweden, offer enough shade to protect children from overexposure during seasons with potentially harmful solar UV radiation. Pupils’ outdoor stay may be extended during September and March. In May extended outdoor stay of the youngest pupils requires a more UVR-protective environment., More scheduled outdoor stay is increasingly advocated for school children. This study measured 2nd, 5th and 8th graders' erythemal UV-exposure in September, March and May at four Swedish schools. We related those exposures, as fractions of total available ambient radiation, to the schools outdoor environments differing in amount of shade, vegetation, and peripheral city-scape quantified as percentage of free sky view calculated from fish-eye photographs. Exposures correlated with the sky views (with exceptions in May) and were suberythemal. The exposures were also below the threshold limit of the International Commission on Non-Ionizing Radiation Protection (ICNIRP) for hazard evaluation of UVR but were potentially enough for adequate Vitamin D formation according to a cited model calculation - as illustrated in the results and discussed. The school environments, typical in southern and middle Sweden, offer enough shade to protect children from overexposure during seasons with potentially harmful solar UV radiation. Pupils' outdoor stay may be extended during September and March. In May extended outdoor stay of the youngest pupils requires a more UVR-protective environment.

¨AimThis study explored physical activity, body mass index (BMI) and overweight and obesity from 2000 to 2013 using a convenience sample of second- and fifth-grade Swedish schoolchildren aged 8-9years and 11-12years, respectively. MethodsWe examined cross-sectional cohorts of 126 second-grade children in 2000, 84 in 2006 and 44 in 2013 and 105 fifth-grade children in 2000 and 38 in 2013. No fifth graders were available in 2006. Physical activity data were collected based on pedometer readings over four consecutive weekdays, and height and weight were measured. Identical instruments and procedures were used in all three years. ResultsThere was an increase in physical activity in second-grade girls from 2000 to 2006 (p<0.01), which then stabilised between 2006 and 2013, but second-grade boys and fifth-grade girls were stable throughout the study period. Fifth-grade boys decreased significantly (24%) from 16670 to 12704 steps per day (p<0.01) from 2000 to 2013. Mean BMI scores remained stable over time. ConclusionTime trends in physical activity differed between boys and girls. Second-grade boys and fifth-grade girls were stable throughout, whereas second-grade girls increased from 2000 to 2006 before stabilising. Fifth-grade boys showed a significant 24% reduction from 2000 to 2013. Changes in recess and leisure time habits, such as smartphone use, may have influenced the result., Kidscape II

Background: School children are confined to and exposed to outdoor environment that happens to be at their disposal during compulsory school time. The health-promoting potential of outdoor environment, and the use of it, is therefore important. We have studied the impact of school outdoor environment in terms of playground features, space, topography and vegetation upon the patterns of moderate to vigorous physical activity (MVPA) across ages and seasons in Swedish pupils at compulsory school. Methods: Four schools in the Middle and Southern parts of Sweden, with outdoor environments differing in playground features, space, topography and vegetation were analyzed during one school year. A sample of 196 children was drawn from eligible pupils in grades 2, 5 and 8, aged 7-14 years. PA was monitored with time-stamped Actigraph accelerometers GT3X+, measuring different intensity levels during outdoor time. Maps were used to mark places where the children stayed and what they did during outdoor time. Results: Mean MVPA during outdoor stay was 39 minutes for the entire school year, time in MVPA correlated positively with outdoor time, as did MVPA with used outdoor play area (p < 0.001). Outdoor MVPA declined with age, boys accumulated more MVPA than girls at all ages (p < 0.001). Ball play areas increased MVPA in 5th graders in September and May (p < 0.001). Overall, ball play areas increased 5th graders' relative MVPA, and helped maintaining it with increasing age in boys but not in girls, whereas woodland stimulated and contributed to maintaining girls' MVPA with increasing age. Outdoor temperature significantly impacted (p < 0.01) MVPA throughout all seasons. Conclusion: We conclude that school outdoor environment design and outdoor play time impact physical activity on a daily basis and may contribute to increasing girls' physical activity and moderate the sharp decline in physical activity by age. The school outdoor environment may thus be a potential hea

Background: Active travel has a potential to increase children’s physical activity (PA). Pedometers offer a valid option to measure PA, but do not capture cycling activity. Children’s self-reported cycling distances can be analyzed by the Geografic Information System (GIS). Aim: To combine pedometry and GIS mapping to identify the relative amount of cycling in children’s PA. Study group: Of all children in 4th grade (n=187) in Staffanstorp Sweden, 144 had valid pedometer data. Fifty-six children were non-cyclists while 88 children (32 boys, 47 girls, 9 gender unknown) reported at least one cycle journey. Methods: Cycle trips were entered into GIS and calculated to total cycling distance. Average length of the single distances cycled per day was 676 m (SD=534 m). A previously reported cycling speed (13.5 km/h) was used to calculate time spent cycling. Consequently distance=676 m, speed=13.5 km/h=13,500 m/3600 s=3.75 m/s and time=676m/3.75m/s=180.26 s=3 min. Expenditure of 4 and 5 metabolic equivalents (METs) has in children been reported equivalent to 122 and 127 steps/min, respectively. We estimated 4.7 METs (13.5 km/h) as 126 steps for every min of cycling (127–122=5×0.7=125.5). Results: The daily mean cycle distance was 676 m, on average 379 additional steps/day for cycling children (min. 21, max. 1385, SD=299) with no gender difference. Additional “steps” obtained by cycling corresponded to on average 3% of their PA. Conclusion: The relative contribution of cycling in 10-year-old children’s PA level is quite small and stable between children across different levels of activity levels, regardless of gender., Child on Foot

Aim To test how the quality of the outdoor environment of child day care centres (DCCs) influences children's health. Methods The environment was assessed using the Outdoor Play Environmental Categories (OPEC) tool, time spent outdoors and physical activity as measured by pedometer. 172/253 (68%) of children aged 3.05.9 from nine DCCs participated in Southern Sweden. Health data collected were body mass index, waist circumference, saliva cortisol, length of night sleep during study, and symptoms and well-being which were scored (1-week diary 121 parent responders). Also, parent-rated well-being and health of their child were scored (questionnaire, 132 parent responders). MANOVA, ANOVA and principal component analyses were performed to identify impacts of the outdoor environment on health. Results High-quality outdoor environment at DCCs is associated with several health aspects in children such as leaner body, longer night sleep, better well-being and higher mid-morning saliva cortisol levels. Conclusion The quality of the outdoor environment at DCCs influenced the health and well-being of preschool children and should be given more attention among health care professionals and community planners., Kidscape

Objective.—To study the impact of preschool outdoor environments on children’s physical activity and solar ultraviolet (UV) exposure at different latitudes and countries. Methods. Outdoor environments of 11 preschools (two in Raleigh NC, USA, Lat.36¿N, nine in Malmö, Sweden, Lat.55¿N) were scored (OPEC) regarding space, vegetation, hilly terrain and level of integration between open spaces, vegetation and play structures. Free sky (%) was determined by imaging. Physical activity was measured by pedometers and solar UV-exposure by polysulphone dosimeters during 5 days in spring 2009, and individual background data gathered by questionnaires and anthropometric measurements. Global UV radiation was measured and available individual UV radiation (%) computed. Results.—In Malmö, mean step count/minute was 21.2 in preschools with high-scored environment vs. 17.6 in low-scored environments, and UV-exposure lower, 26% vs. 43% of available UV during outdoor stay. In Raleigh, step count/minute was 12.3 and UV-exposure of available UV 27% during outdoor stay. Conclusions.—Step count/minute was lower in Raleigh than in Malmö, but in Malmö children at low-scored environments ran a higher risk of sunburn than in Raleigh. Trees and shrubbery integrated in children’s playscape trigger both physical activity and sun-protective behaviour in Sweden, and previous measurements in Stockholm were confirmed. Such outdoor environment should be recommended, but the role of season and climate needs to be further explored.

Preschool children´s sun exposure was measured 2009 with UV-dosimeters at nine preschools in Malmö 55°N, in southern Sweden and at two in Raleigh 36°N, North Carolina, USA at comparable seasons. Outdoor playground environment was explored how play facilities, available space and vegetation influenced UV-exposure and also children´s physical activity measured with step-counters. In Malmö access to spacious outdoor play settings with vegetation decreased sunburn risk and increased physical activity during children´s free play in May - also during long stay outdoor. Results from Raleigh in April also indicate that vegetation is sunprotective when children play. Favourable outdoor environment may promote both sun protection and physical activity in a Nordic spring or summer climate, while for physical activity, this might not be so pronounced at a southern mid-latitude due to the role of climate and associated factors.

Kidscape

Child on Foot

Child on foot

Udgivelsesdato: Dec