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The COVID-19 pandemic and associated public health measures have interrupted the daily routines of parents and children. The purpose of this study was to explore parents' attitudes regarding their children's play/sport during COVID-19. A secondary objective was to explore the influence of parent demographics and parent-reported physical activity levels and risk tolerance on these attitudes. Ontario parents of children aged 12 and younger completed an online survey (August-December 2020) that assessed their attitudes (grouped by support, safety and socialization-related attitudes; n = 14 items) regarding their child(ren)'s play/sport, their physical activity levels (n = 2 items), and demographic details (n = 16 items). Two open-ended items were used to gather a deeper understanding of attitudes. Parents' tolerance for risk was measured via the validated Tolerance of Risk in Play Scale. Descriptive statistics were calculated to describe attitudes and risk tolerance. Least Absolute Shrinkage and Selection Operator regressions were conducted to examine factors influencing parents' attitudes. Multiple linear models were computed using the identified predictors for each attitude category. Deductive content analysis was undertaken on open-ended responses. Participants (n = 819) reported the highest scores for safety-related attitude items (M = 3.54, SD = 0.63) followed by socialization and support, which all influenced attitudes regarding children's play/sport (p < 0.05). Demographics and parents' physical activity levels were identified as important predictors of parents' attitudes. Qualitative data revealed that parents had mixed levels of comfort with respect to their children's return to play/sport. Findings from this study reveal that increased support is needed to guide future play/sport decision-making.

The Childcare PhysicaL ActivitY (PLAY) policy was an evidence-informed, eight-item institutional-level policy document targeting children's physical activity, outdoor play, and sedentary time. Nine childcare centers in London, Ontario, participated in this cluster, randomized controlled trial. Early Childhood Educators allocated to the experimental group, from five childcare centers in London, Ontario, implemented the policy for young children (18 months to 4 years) for 8 weeks and documented adherence to each policy item (i.e., dose) in daily logs. Program evaluation surveys (n = 21) and interviews (n = 10) were completed postintervention to assess Early Childhood Educators' perspectives of feasibility, context, enjoyment, communication between researchers and childcare staff, and likelihood of future implementation. Descriptive statistics were calculated, and thematic analysis was conducted. Adherence to policy items ranged from 16.5% (for delivery of shorter, more frequent outdoor periods) to 85.9% (for delivery of unstructured/child-directed play). Participants reported effective communication between the research team and childcare centers (0 = "not at all effective" to 5 = "very effective"; M = 4.20; SD = 0.83) but noted that they were unlikely to continue the implementation of more frequent outdoor periods (0 = "not at all likely" to 5 = "extremely likely"; M = 2.19; SD = 1.21). Interview themes included weather as a prominent barrier and the use of verbal prompts as a solution for implementing the policy. As this was a small and short-term intervention, this pilot study offers important insight on larger scale policy interventions aimed at increasing physical activity and minimizing sedentary time among children enrolled in childcare.

Objective: To explore the prevalence and severity of smartphone addiction among a sample of Canadian university students. Participants: A sample of 925 full-time university students enrolled at the host institution were recruited. Participants were primarily undergraduates (70.2%), women (77.1%), and owned an Apple smartphone (70.3%). Methods: Participants completed an online questionnaire including a modified version of the Smartphone Addiction Scale (SAS) and demographics (i.e., degree pursing, gender, type of phone, faculty). Descriptive statistics for SAS sum score were calculated. Univariate ANOVAs were performed to explore differences in smartphone addiction among demographics. Results: Mean SAS sum score was 92.00 (i.e., "moderate" addiction level), 95% CI [90.52, 93.49]. Significant ANOVAs were found for degree, phone type, and faculty. Post-hoc tests revealed undergraduates and Apple users reported significantly higher smartphone addiction. Conclusions: The prevalence and severity of smartphone addiction among Canadian university students represents a budding health concern for postsecondary students.

Objectives: To understand experiences with and measure the effect of mobile standing desks (MSD) on undergraduates' sedentary time (ST). Participants: Two samples of full-time undergraduates in Fall 2018. Methods: Study 1 (n = 21): baseline average daily ST was measured via activPAL4[superscript TM] inclinometers and the NIGHTLY-WEEK-U questionnaire for 7 days. Participants received a MSD for one week then intervention ST was calculated. Study 2 (n = 28): baseline ST was measured with an online NIGHTLY-WEEK-U questionnaire, participants received a MSD for one month, then intervention ST was calculated. Paired-sample t-tests assessed differences. Interviews/online questions explored experiences. Results: Study 1: objectively measured (p = 0.0045, d = 0.71) and self-report (p = 0.0005, d = 0.92) ST reduced significantly post-intervention. Study 2: ST reduced significantly post-intervention (p = < 0.0001, d = 0.98). Facilitators and barriers to desk usage were described. p d p d p d Conclusions MSD were effective for reducing undergraduates' ST across one-week and one-month.

Objectives: The objectives were to--determine undergraduate students' "awareness" of active transportation-promoting point-of-choice prompts; explore perceptions of the "impact" of the prompts on students' transportation choices; and obtain "feedback" regarding the suitability of the prompts. Participants: This cross-sectional study included a convenience sample of 346 undergraduate students. Methods: Prompts were displayed in March 2018 on one Canadian university campus. Thereafter, students completed a 20-question and study-specific online questionnaire containing a mix of closed- and open-ended questions. Results: Approximately 41% of respondents were aware of the prompts, with awareness levels being associated with the distribution and the design of the displays. Although students assessed them as suitable, the prompts did not impact the transportation choices of the majority of respondents who saw them. Conclusions: Findings contribute to the understanding of students' awareness levels of tailored and strategically-placed prompts, and the impact of this intervention on decisions to engage in active transportation.

Educators strongly influence young children's behaviors, and their perspectives regarding physical activity (PA) and screen-viewing (SV) may influence their provision in childcare. This study gathered early childhood education (ECE) candidates' perspectives regarding: (1) the importance of their role(s) in promoting PA/reducing SV; (2) how their ECE program and personal PA may influence these perspectives; and (3) their interest in PA/SV training. An online survey was completed by 1,292 ECE candidates from 61 programs. Descriptive statistics and chi-square tests explored these perspectives by PA/SV courses taken and by meeting the Canadian adult PA guideline. ECE candidates with PA-related training reported higher perceived importance (n=2 items; p<0.05*) and personal responsibility (n=4 items; p<0.05) for items related to teaching PA, compared to those without training. SV training was not reported to influence their perspectives. Candidates who reported meeting the PA guideline reported higher importance (n=3 items; p<0.05) and personal responsibility (n=3 items; p<0.05) for items related to promoting PA, than those not meeting the guidelines. Most candidates (77.5%-93.3%) showed interest in further PA/SV training. Findings underscore the benefit of PA-related training, and personal PA habits, with regard to positively influencing ECE candidates' values and perceptions of their role in promoting PA in childcare.

Objective/Participants: The American College Health Association (ACHA) found that 65.4% of Ontario (Canada) students feel overwhelming anxiety and 89.5% of students feel overwhelmed by all of their obligations. Thus, this study assessed the current state of full-time undergraduate (UGS) and graduate students' (GS) mental health and resilience. Methods: A total of 598-796 UGS and GS completed three questionnaires (BRS, MHI, and SF-36) and a demographic questionnaire, which were distributed campus-wide. Focus groups/individual interviews (n = 30) explored students' mental health- and resilience-related experiences. Results/Conclusions: Quantitatively, participants produced normal levels of resilience on the BRS, below-the-norm levels of anxiety on the MHI, and above-the-norm levels of physical functioning, but below-the-norm levels of six mental-health-related constructs on the SF-36. Qualitatively, GS and UGS felt physical activity (PA) benefited their mental health and resilience, and voiced the need for more counselors. Overall, participants' mental health and resilience were similar to the population.

Background: COVID-19 caused closures of movement supporting environments such as gyms and schools in Canada. This study evaluated the association between Ontario parents' and children's physical activity levels across time during COVID-19, controlling for variables that were identified as significant predictors of children's and parents' physical activity (e.g., children's age, parents' employment status). Methods: Parents (n = 243; mean age = 38.8 y) of children aged 12 and under (n = 408; mean age = 6.3 y) living in Ontario, Canada completed 2 online surveys, the first between August and December 2020 and the second between August and December 2021. At baseline, parents were asked to recall prepandemic physical activity levels. To determine the association between parent and child physical activity during COVID-19, a cross-lagged model was estimated to determine the cross-sectional and longitudinal associations between parents' and children's physical activity across time. Results: Bivariate associations revealed that parents' and children's physical activity levels were significantly related during lockdown and postlockdown but not prelockdown. The autoregressive paths from prelockdown to during lockdown were significant for children (β = 0.53, P <.001) and parents (β = 1.058, P <.001) as were the autoregressive paths from during lockdown to postlockdown for children (β = 0.61, P <.001) and parents (β = 0.48, P <.001). In fully adjusted models, the cross-lagged association between parents' physical activity prelockdowns was significantly positively associated with their children's physical activity during lockdowns (β = 0.19, P =.013). Conclusions: Resources are needed to ensure that children and parents are obtaining sufficient levels of physical activity, particularly during a pandemic. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: To study the influence of a multi-component poster-based intervention to promote stair climbing in a library on a Canadian university campus. Participants: Adults who ascended to upper levels via staircase/elevator. Methods: Individuals who used the staircase/elevators were counted by observers for 28 days, while either in the absence/presence of a poster-based intervention. Chi-square tests were used to compare staircase versus elevator use before, during and after the poster-based intervention. Data from weekdays and weekends were analysed separately. Results: A total of 7,663 stair climbers and elevator users were observed. Compared to the baseline period, the frequency of staircase use on weekdays was significantly higher during the intervention and follow-up periods. This effect was not found at weekends. Conclusion: This study provides evidence that a multi-component poster-based intervention can result in increased staircase use. The increase observed in this study is similar to that in previous research using point-of-choice prompts only.

Objective: To systematically review and synthesize all relevant literature to assess the range of average daily sedentary time (ST) of undergraduate students enrolled in university and college programs across the world. Methods: Published, peer-reviewed articles were included if they: (1) were in English; (2) had a study population that consisted entirely of undergraduate students; (3) reported a daily or weekly ST for undergraduate students; and (4) included a measure of ST using a valid sedentary behavior questionnaire or accelerometers. Results: Twenty-three studies were included in the review. A wide range of ST (0.75 to 14.35 hours per day) was reported. Mean ST as measured by domain-specific questionnaires and accelerometers was 11.10 hours per day and 10.69 hours per day, respectively. Conclusion: Findings suggest that some undergraduate students participate in high levels of ST. Additional research, as well as interventions focused on reducing ST among postsecondary students, are needed.

Positive academic climates are critical to helping students thrive, and kindness innovations might enhance these climates. This conceptual paper's purpose is to share insights from a consensus building event focused on fostering relationships and knowledge-sharing among an international group of multidisciplinary students, faculty, and staff who explored ways to bring a kindness framework into post-secondary education. Participants underscored kindness as critical for students' experiences and university culture, and identified several levels of influence requiring intervention focus. Ideas and strategies emerging from the event might serve to encourage student-led kindness initiatives and prompt university personnel to integrate kindness into post-secondary institutions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

For university students, shifts to online models of learning, due to the COVID-19 pandemic, have emphasized the importance of digital devices, such as smartphones, for university learning. Excessive smartphone use has been linked to symptoms of smartphone-related anxiety, or Nomophobia. The purpose of this study was to explore the levels of trait anxiety, nomophobia, and screen time of Canadian university students during the Winter 2021 semester (i.e. while COVID-19 was a prominent concern, and university courses across Canada were primarily online). An online survey was completed by 1,221 Canadian university students. Counter to what we hypothesized, both trait anxiety scores (STAI-T = 40.23 ± 11.04) and nomophobia sum scores (NMP-Q = 83.30 ± 23.17) were comparable to normative data pre-COVID-19 pandemic. Nomophobia, perceived screen time, non-binary gender, and weekday phone time significantly predicted greater trait anxiety (R2 = 0.178), while using social media apps less, using an iPhone or Android, being male, weekday laptop time, weekday tablet time, and enrollment at the host institution predicted lower nomophobia (R2 = 0.248). Overall, our findings suggest a relative stability in trait anxiety and nomophobia among Canadian university students during COVID-19, when compared with pre-pandemic work. Future work should seek to replicate these variables through longitudinal designs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: The purpose of this study was to determine the most suitable health messages and designs to create point-of-choice prompts for promoting active transportation and staircase use that would appeal to undergraduate students. Participants: Undergraduate students (N = 21; 71% women) were recruited during Fall (2016) and Winter (2017) semesters. Methods: Focus groups (50-80 minutes each) were organized to obtain students' feedback on the kind of messages and poster designs they found motivational. Inductive content analysis was performed on verbatim transcripts. Descriptive statistics were calculated to summarize demographic characteristics of participants. Results: The major themes revealed that participants: preferred simple designs with tailored messages; had diverse lifestyle-based values associated with physical activity; and participation in activities were affected by uncontrollable factors (eg, time, built environment, and weather). Conclusions: This study provides insights for designing suitable point-of-choice prompts that are tailored for university students in terms of future interventions that aim to improve their activity levels.

This study describes the process evaluation of the Supporting Physical Activity in the Childcare Environment (SPACE) intervention, consisting of educator physical activity training, provision of portable play equipment, and a modified outdoor schedule (i.e., 4 × 30-minute periods). Educators (N = 49) from 11 childcare centers in London, Ontario, Canada, delivered the 8-week intervention to 200 preschoolers (M[subscript age] = 3.38 years). Workshop attendance was documented while adherence to the outdoor schedule and number and timing of outdoor sessions offered (i.e., dose) were recorded in a daily log. Questionnaire-based program evaluation (n = 41) and in-person group interviews (n = 7) were completed postintervention to assess educator perspectives on the "barriers and facilitators" to implementation (i.e., "context"), the "feasibility" and "perceived effectiveness" of the intervention, educator and preschooler "enjoyment, communication" among researchers and childcare personnel, and the "future implementation" of the intervention. Descriptive statistics were calculated, and responses to open-ended questions were inductively coded. Educator workshop attendance was 96%, and 88% of classrooms adhered to the four daily outdoor periods. Educators delivered 90% of the scheduled outdoor sessions, and 87% of these met the 30-minute criteria. Educators expressed that the increase in number of transitions made the outdoor playtimes challenging to implement, yet rated the feasibility of the training and equipment as high. Educators perceived the intervention to be both enjoyable and effective at increasing preschoolers' physical activity. They indicated effective communication and revealed that they intended to continue to use their physical activity knowledge and to offer the play equipment once the intervention had concluded. These findings demonstrate that the SPACE intervention is viable in center-based childcare.

The COVID-19 pandemic has negatively impacted the mental health and wellbeing of post-secondary students. Resilience has been found to serve as a protective factor against mental distress among students during the pandemic. Despite the plethora of research that exists on post-secondary students during this crisis, most studies exploring students' health and resilience are quantitative and lack diversity. To date, the lived experiences of health-related quality of life (HRQOL) and resilience among graduate students representing diversity in age, gender, ethnicity, parental status, university, degree, and faculty during the COVID-19 pandemic remain unknown. As a part of a larger study, the purpose of this qualitative paper was to understand the lived experiences of resilience and HRQOL among a diverse sample of graduate students approximately 18 months into the COVID-19 pandemic in Ontario, Canada. A total of 14 students participated in semi-structured interviews exploring HRQOL domains, factors that supported/undermined participants' resilience, challenges/barriers to being resilient, and participants' inner strength. Thematic analysis revealed 5 themes: (1) cultural influences on resilience; (2) the role of privilege/power in shaping resilience; (3) how life stage and past experiences support resilience; (4) how the COVID-19 pandemic has undermined the resilience of equity-deserving groups; and (5) the role of disability/chronic pain. This work presents a unique dichotomy between how the COVID-19 pandemic has disrupted the lives of some graduate students, while simultaneously creating opportunities for others to thrive. Findings from this work underscore the importance of creating inclusive and accessible educational spaces to support graduate students' resilience and HRQOL currently, and in times of crisis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study aimed to: (a) explore differences in the prevalence of nomophobia and smartphone addiction (SA) from pre- to during COVID-19; (b) identify students' self-reported changes in smartphone reliance and screen time during COVID-19; and (c) examine whether self-perceived changes in smartphone usage predicted nomophobia and SA scores. Scores on the Nomophobia Questionnaire and Smartphone Addiction Scale between two surveys administered at two timepoints were compared: Sample 1 (September 2019–January 2020; N = 878) and Sample 2 (May-June 2020; N = 258). No significant differences were found between samples on nomophobia or SA. Nearly all of Sample 2 reported using some type of app more, using their smartphone a little more, and about the same perceived smartphone reliance during COVID-19. Increased screen time, smartphone reliance, and social media significantly predicted nomophobia and SA. COVID-19 does not appear to have exacerbated the prevalence of nomophobia or SA. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Context Adolescence is a critical stage for improving nutrition. The popularity of smartphones makes them an ideal platform for administering interventions to adolescents. A systematic review has yet to assess the impact of smartphone app–based interventions exclusively on adolescents' dietary intake. Furthermore, despite the impact of equity factors on dietary intake and the claim for mobile health of increased accessibility, there is minimal research on the reporting of equity factors in the evaluation of smartphone app–based nutrition-intervention research. Objectives This systematic review examines the effectiveness of smartphone app–based interventions on adolescents' dietary intake and the frequency with which equity factors and statistical analyses specific to equity factors are reported in these intervention studies. Data Sources Databases (ie, Scopus, CINAHL, EMBASE, MEDLINE, PsycINFO, ERIC, and Cochrane Central Register for Randomized Control Trials) were searched for studies published from January 2008 to October 2022. Smartphone app–based intervention studies that were nutrition focused, evaluated at least 1 dietary intake variable, and included participants with a mean age between 10 and 19 years were included. All geographic locations were included. Data Extraction and Analysis Study characteristics, intervention results, and reported equity factors were extracted. Because of the heterogeneity of dietary outcomes, findings were reported as a narrative synthesis. Conclusion In total, 3087 studies were retrieved, 14 of which met the inclusion criteria. Eleven studies reported a statistically significant improvement in at least 1 dietary outcome because of the intervention. Reporting of at least 1 equity factor across articles' Introduction, Methods, Results, and Discussion sections was minimal (n = 5), and statistical analyses specific to equity factors were rare, occurring in only 4 of the 14 included studies. Future interventions should include a measurement of intervention adherence and report the impact of equity factors on the effectiveness and applicability of interventions for equity-deserving groups. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Physical activity (PA) is often used to support the development of young children (<5 years) with disabilities. The effectiveness of PA as an occupational therapy (OT) treatment approach in this population has not yet been systematically examined. This research aimed to explore the uses and effectiveness of OT PA interventions on developmental indicators in young children with developmental disabilities. A systematic review of peer-reviewed publications (from 2000 onward) across six electronic databases was conducted. The Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development, and Evaluation (GRADE) framework was used to assess study quality. Narrative synthesis (vote counting and structured reporting of effects) was employed to summarize the findings. Eight studies with heterogenous interventions were included. Evidence demonstrated positive trends of participation in the PA interventions on physical, cognitive, and social-emotional indicators, with significance varying. There was no association between interventions and communication indicators or negative effects related to participation in the interventions. Overall, the studies were low-quality when judged by GRADE. PA may be a promising avenue for OT interventions among young children with developmental disabilities. Rigorous research is needed to determine the magnitude of effect PA has on developmental indicators. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: This study aimed to: (a) compare the physical activity (PA) levels (i.e., moderate-to-vigorous PA [MVPA] and total PA [TPA]) of preschoolers in 3 different early-learning environments (center-based childcare, home-based childcare, and full-day kindergarten [FDK]); and (b) assess which characteristics (e.g., play equipment, policies, etc.) of these settings influenced preschoolers' PA. Method: Twenty-seven facilities (9 centers, 10 homes, and 8 FDK) participated in this study. Participants (aged 2.5-5 years; n = 297) were fitted with Actical[superscript TM] accelerometers for 5 consecutive days during childcare/school hours to assess their PA. The Environment and Policy Assessment and Observation (EPAO) tool was used to objectively examine the PA environment of all participating facilities. Finally, demographic questionnaires were administered to preschoolers' parents/guardians. Results: Preschoolers in FDK accumulated significantly more MVPA (p < 0.05; 3.33 min/hr) than those in center- (1.58 min/hr) and home-based (1.75 min/hr) childcare, and they accumulated significantly more TPA (p < 0.05; 20.31 min/hr) than those in center-based childcare (18.36 min/hr). For FDK, the Active Opportunities, Sedentary Opportunities, Sedentary Environment, and Fixed Play Environment subscales of the EPAO significantly impacted both MVPA and TPA. For center-based childcare, only the Sedentary Environment subscale was found to impact MVPA and TPA. No subscales influenced children's MVPA or TPA in home-based childcare. Conclusions: This research underscores the need to encourage/support preschoolers' active behaviors in early-learning settings, particularly for those in center- and home-based childcare. Furthermore, this article highlights environmental and staff characteristics on which future PA programming should focus.