Search

BackgroundDespite public health guidelines to limit sedentary behavior, many young children spend large amounts of time sedentary (eg, screen and sitting time) during waking hours. ObjectiveThe objective of this study was to test the feasibility and efficacy of a parent-focused, predominantly text message–delivered intervention to support parents to reduce the amount of time their children spend in sedentary behavior. MethodsMini Movers was a pilot randomized controlled trial delivered to parents of 2- to 4-year-old children in Melbourne, Australia. Participants were recruited through playgroups, social media, and snowball sampling. Eligibility criteria were having an ambulatory child (2-4 years), English literacy, and smartphone ownership. Participants were randomized to intervention or wait-list control on a 1:1 ratio after baseline data collection. The 6-week intervention was predominantly delivered via text messages, using a Web-based bulk text message platform managed by the interventionist. Intervention strategies focused on increasing parental knowledge, building self-efficacy, setting goals, and providing reinforcement, and were underpinned by the Coventry, Aberdeen & London-Refined taxonomy of behavior change techniques and social cognitive theory. The primary outcome was intervention feasibility, measured by recruitment, retention, intervention delivery, and fidelity; process evaluation questionnaires; and qualitative interviews with a subsample of participants. Secondary outcomes were children’s screen and restraint time (parent report), sitting time (parent report, activPAL), and potential mediators (parent report). Linear regression models were used to determine intervention effects on secondary outcomes, controlling for the child’s sex and age and clustering by playgroup; effect sizes (Cohen's d) were calculated. ResultsA total of 57 participants (30 intervention; 27 wait-list control) were recruited, and retention was high (93%). Process evaluation results showed that the intervention was highly acceptable to parents. The majority of intervention components were reported to be useful and relevant. Compared with children in the control group, children in the intervention group had significantly less screen time postintervention (adjusted difference [95% CI]=−35.0 [−64.1 to −5.9] min/day; Cohen's d=0.82). All other measures of sedentary behavior were in the expected direction, with small to moderate effect sizes. ConclusionsMini Movers was shown to be a feasible, acceptable, and efficacious pilot intervention for parents of young children, warranting a larger-scale randomized control trial. Trial RegistrationAustralian New Zealand Clinical Trials registry: ACTRN12616000628448; https://www.anzctr.org.au/ Trial/Registration/TrialReview.aspx?ACTRN=12616000628448p (Archived by WebCite at http://www.webcitation.org/ 6wZcA3cYM)

Background: Understanding how or whether sedentary behavior affects motor competence in young children is important considering that children spend a lot of time sedentary. The aim of this study was to examine whether sedentary behavior predicts motor competence in young children. Methods: A longitudinal study with a total of 372 children aged 3.5 years at baseline and 5 years at follow-up was conducted. Objectively measured activity patterns (i.e., using accelerometers) were conducted in a subsample with 188 children. Sedentary behavior was assessed both objectively and subjectively (parent-reported screen time). Locomotor and object control skill scores were determined using the Test of Gross Motor Development--Second Edition. A multivariable analysis was executed adjusting for potential confounders (such as age, sex, time spent in moderate- to vigorous-intensity physical activity, monitor wear time, body mass index z scores, and maternal education). Results: Sedentary behavior at either time point was not significantly associated with either locomotor or object control skills after adjusting for potential confounders. Discussion: Our results did not support the assumption that sedentary behavior affects motor competence in young children. Regardless, given the lack of consistency in the evidence base, we recommend to parents, educators, and health professionals that sedentary activities should be kept within government recommendations due to potential negative effects on child development.

Background: Little evidence is available from culturally and linguistically diverse (CALD) communities on the association between motherhood and physical activity (PA). This study aimed to examine independent and joint associations of cultural background and motherhood with meeting PA guidelines, participation in organized sports, and high sitting time (>8 h/d). Methods: We used self-reported cross-sectional data from survey 8 of the 1973–1978 cohort of the Australian Longitudinal Study on Women's Health. PA was measured using the Active Australia Survey while organized sport and sitting time were measured using single items. CALD was defined as being born in a non-English speaking country or primarily speaking a non-English language at home. Multivariable-adjusted logistic regression analyses were used to examine independent and joint associations. Results: Data from 5967 women (mean age 42.4 [SD 1.5] y, 6.9% CALD, 81.2% mothers) were analyzed. Women of CALD background had lower odds of meeting PA guidelines (odds ratio; 95% confidence interval: 0.80; 0.64–0.98) and participation in organized sports (0.68; 0.54–0.86), but no statistically significant association with sitting time (0.90; 0.72–1.14). Mothers had lower odds of meeting PA guidelines (0.75; 0.64–0.87) and high sitting time (0.42; 0.36–0.49). Compared with non-CALD women without children, mothers (irrespective of cultural background) were less likely to meet PA guidelines and have high sitting time. The association of "cultural background and motherhood" with organized sports participation was only significant for CALD mothers. Conclusions: Increased efforts and investments are needed to ensure that sports and other PA promotion interventions are culturally sensitive and engaging for CALD women and those with children. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study examined the concurrent validity of a tummy time questionnaire and time-use diary against an accelerometer measure. Participants were 29 parents and their 6-month-old infants from the Early Movers project in Edmonton, Canada. Tummy time was concurrently measured using a parental questionnaire, a time-use diary, and a validated GENEActiv accelerometer. In participants with data on all measures (n = 26), relative (Spearman's rank correlations) and absolute (Wilcoxon signed-rank tests and Bland-Altman plots) concurrent validity were examined. The questionnaire (r[subscript s] = 0.60) and time-use diary (r[subscript s] = 0.80) tummy time measures were significantly correlated with the accelerometer measure, with large effect sizes (r > 0.50). Compared to the accelerometer measure of tummy time, a significant difference in mean rank was observed for the questionnaire measure but not for the time-use diary measure. Bland--Altman plots showed a significant mean difference in tummy time between the accelerometer and questionnaire measures (42 min/d; 95% limits of agreement: -73,157 min/d) but not between the accelerometer and time-use diary measures (2 min/d; 95% limits of agreement: -47,51 min/d). These preliminary findings indicate both subjective measures may be appropriate for infant studies examining associations with tummy time and/or comparing tummy time between samples. The time-use diary may also provide a relatively precise estimate of tummy time in prevalence studies.

Background: Limited evidence suggests inequality in the prevalence of physical activity and screen time for children of non‐English‐speaking backgrounds (NESB). However, factors associated with these behaviours are understudied. This study identified the prevalence and correlates of meeting guidelines (physical activity, screen time and combined) among children of English‐speaking backgrounds (ESB) and NESB. Methods: Participants were from the Mothers and their Children's Health Study, a sub‐study of the Australian Longitudinal Study on Women's Health (1973–1978 cohort). Mothers provided information on physical activity and screen time behaviours of up to three children (aged 2–12 years). Age‐specific Australian guidelines were used to classify children as meeting or not meeting physical activity and screen time guidelines. Those born in a non‐English‐speaking country or primarily speaking a non‐English language at home were classified as 'NESB'. Multivariable‐adjusted logistic regression analyses accounting for family‐level clustering were used for analysis. Results: Data were from 4143 children (mean age 7.3 ± 2.9 years, 6.7% NESB). Around 17% children of NESB met physical activity guidelines (vs. 25% ESB, p = 0.002), 63% met screen time guidelines (vs. 58% ESB, p = 0.150), and 9% met combined physical activity and screen time guidelines (vs. 15% ESB, p = 0.011). Increasing age was inversely associated with meeting physical activity guidelines among children of both backgrounds (OR [95%CI]: NESB 0.81 [0.69–0.95], ESB 0.85 [0.82–0.87]). Family‐level correlates (maternal education and physical activity level) were associated with meeting physical activity, screen time or combined guidelines among children of ESB only. A screen device in the child's bedroom was inversely associated with all outcomes among children of ESB. Children of NESB with a large yard at home had higher odds of meeting physical activity (4.14 [1.72–10.00]) and combined guidelines (4.48 [1.61–12.41]). Conclusions: Children of NESB were less likely to meet physical activity and combined guidelines. Interventions may need to be tailored based on ESB background, with children of NESB (particularly older children and those with limited outdoor space at home) being a higher priority for intervention. Future large‐scale studies examining a broader range of potential correlates, including cultural factors, are warranted. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Physical activity (PA) during pregnancy has numerous benefits, which may be mediated via effects on the immune system. However, supportive evidence is inconsistent and is mainly from studies in high‐risk groups. We estimated the effect of PA during pregnancy on systemic inflammatory markers and cytokines in mothers recruited in the Barwon infant study. Material and Methods: The Barwon infant study is a prebirth cohort of 1064 mothers recruited in the Barwon Region of Victoria, Australia. Participants reported their previous week's PA at their 28‐week antenatal appointment using the International PA Questionnaire. Women were grouped into low, moderate, and high PA categories based on daily duration and weekly frequency of walking, moderate‐ or vigorous‐intensity PA. Women reporting moderate levels of PA, consistent with current recommendations, served as the comparison group. Markers of systemic inflammation, high‐sensitivity C‐reactive protein (hsCRP), glycoprotein acetyls (GlycA), and 17 cytokines were measured at 28 weeks gestation and log transformed as appropriate. Regression analyses adjusted for maternal smoking, gestational diabetes mellitus, prepregnancy BMI, and household size were performed. Results: Compared to women in the moderate group (n = 371, 42%), women reporting low PA (n = 436, 50%) had 10.1% higher hsCRP (95% CI (3.7% to 16.6%), p < 0.01) while women in high PA (n = 76, 9%) had a 14% higher hsCRP (95% CI (3.1% to 24.8%), p = 0.01). Women in the high PA category had higher interleukin (IL)‐4 (q = 0.03) and IL‐9 (q = 0.03) levels compared to those in moderate category. Each vigorous MET minute/week was associated with lower GlycA (β = −0.004, 95% CI (−0.044 to 0.035); p = 0.03). Conclusions: Low and high PA are each associated with higher hsCRP than moderate PA, suggesting that undertaking the recommended moderate PA during pregnancy decreases systemic inflammation. High PA affects T cell‐associated cytokines during pregnancy. Evidence from our study suggests that PA can modulate the immune responses during pregnancy. Studies are now required to assess whether PA during pregnancy impacts maternal and infant clinical outcomes by modifying inflammatory responses. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study examined the psychometric properties of a questionnaire developed with the guidance of the socialization model of child behaviour to understand modifiable correlates of toddlers' physical activity and sedentary behaviour. Findings are based on 118 parents (33.7 ± 4.9 years; 86% female) of toddlers (19.3 ± 2.7 months; 48% female) from Edmonton, Canada in The Parents' Role in Establishing healthy Physical activity and Sedentary behaviour habits study (PREPS). The PREPS questionnaire encompassed 21 variables across the constructs of the socialization model of child behaviour. Of the nine variables assessed for internal consistency reliability, eight had good (a = 0.70) reliability. Of the 15 continuous variables assessed for 1-week test-retest reliability, 10 had moderate (intra-class correlation = 0.50-0.74) and 5 had good (intra-class correlation = 0.75) reliability. Of the six categorical variables assessed for 1-week test-retest reliability, two had fair (? = 0.21-0.40), one had moderate (? = 0.41-0.60), one had substantial (? = 0.61-0.80), and two had almost perfect (? = 0.81-1.00) reliability. Of the 12 sedentary behaviour variables assessed for convergent validity, 7 were significantly correlated with children's screen time, of which three were small (r = 0.29), two were medium (r = 0.30-0.49), and two were large (r = 0.50) effect sizes.

Background: Demographic correlates of movement behaviors in infants are unclear. This study examined the longitudinal associations between demographic correlates and movement behaviors in infants. Methods: Participants were 411 parents of infants from the Early Movers project in Edmonton, Canada. Movement behaviors, infant and parental age, and nonparental care time were assessed using a parental questionnaire at 2, 4, and 6 months of age. Other infant and parental demographic variables were assessed at 2 months of age. Linear and generalized linear mixed models were conducted. Results: Infant age was associated with all movement behaviors except for restrained time. White infants and those with older parents had less tummy time but increased odds of having reading time. Infants of the most educated parents also had lower tummy time. Higher parental education and more siblings were associated with no screen time and longer infant sleep time. Infants with immigrant parent(s) were less likely to have reading time. No associations were found for infant sex, time spent in nonparental care, and parental marital status. Conclusion: Since no single demographic group demonstrated healthy patterns for all movement behaviors, promotion of a healthy balance of movement behaviors may be needed universally for all infants. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Summary: Physical activity and self‐regulation are important predictors of pediatric overweight and obesity. Young children (0–5 years) with lower physical activity levels and poorer self‐regulation skills are at greater risk for overweight. Despite growing evidence that the two constructs are interrelated, their association remains unclear in young children. This review systematically summarized associations between physical activity and self‐regulation in early childhood and explored the directionality of associations. Searches were run in six electronic databases. Forty‐seven papers met inclusion criteria. Only three studies investigated all three domains of self‐regulation (behavioral, cognitive, and emotional). Overall, findings were inconclusive; studies reported weak to moderate positive associations (n = 17), inverse associations (n = 5), mixed associations (n = 15), null association (n = 2), and negative (n = 1) between physical activity and self‐regulation. Compared with the emotional and cognitive domains, physical activity was most consistently positively associated with behavioral self‐regulation. Only one study assessed bidirectional associations, reporting a positive association. The three studies that included global self‐regulation showed contradicting findings. There is some evidence that physical activity dose and sex potentially confound these associations; however, further research is needed given the paucity of studies. This review highlights the need for more in‐depth investigation of the complex association between physical activity and global self‐regulation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Toddlerhood (2–3 years) is a crucial period for the development of physical activity, sleep, and emotional self-regulation skills. Although there is growing evidence of positive associations between physical activity, sleep, and emotional self-regulation in school-aged children, the associations in toddlers remain unclear. Thus, this study aimed to examine the association between physical activity, sleep, and emotional self-regulation in toddlers. Methods: Baseline data from 1350 toddlers (2.2 ± 0.33 year) from the Let's Grow randomised controlled trial were used. Toddlers' total physical activity (TPA) and moderate- to vigorous-intensity physical activity (MVPA) were assessed via 4 + days of accelerometry and a 3-item parent-report scale. Parent-reported total sleep quantity was calculated using the sum of average night-time sleep and daytime nap durations. Sleep behaviour data including bedtime routine, bedtime resistance, sleep onset-delay, sleep duration, and night waking were collected using relevant subsections from the Child Sleep Habits Questionnaire (CSHQ) and Brief Infant Sleep Questionnaire revised (BISQ-R). A 4-item parent-report scale adapted from the Fast Track Project Child Behaviour Questionnaire was used to assess toddlers' emotional self-regulation. Linear regression models were used, adjusting for child age, sex, and parental education. Results: Accelerometer-derived TPA, MVPA and parent-reported TPA were not associated with emotional self-regulation. Higher parent-reported MVPA (B = -0.01 CI95 -0.03, -0.003) was associated with poorer emotional self-regulation. Higher sleep duration was associated with better emotional self-regulation (B = 0.06 CI95 0.04, 0.08). The five sleep behaviours assessed were also positively associated with emotional self-regulation (all p < 0.01), with fewer problem sleep behaviours being associated with better emotional self-regulation. Conclusions: This cross-sectional study suggests that sleep may be important for emotional self-regulation in toddlers, but the role of physical activity remains unclear. These findings suggest that interventions targeting sleep duration and sleep behaviours during the early toddler years may benefit the positive development of emotional self-regulation skills in this population. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]