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BACKGROUND: Unhealthy eating habits and insuffi cient physical activity are common among children and adolescents and are associated with overweight/ obesity which is one of the risk factors of chronic diseases. Recent evidence shows that many children skip breakfast, do not eat recommended amount of fruit and vegetables and consume high amounts of sweets and soft drinks. There is not a good understanding of the changes in eating behaviours of Czech schoolchildren in relation to their age and gender.OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to analyze the trends in eating behaviours (regular consumption of fruit, vegetables, sweets, soft drinks and breakfast during weekdays and at the weekend) of 11, 13 and 15 year old boys and girls between 2002 and 2014.METHODS: The data was used from a Czech survey of the International HBSC Study collected in 2002, 2006, 2010 and 2014. Participants were randomly selected from all regions and districts of the Czech Republic. The eating behaviours were measured by a standardized questionnaire that was completed by children attending 5th, 7th and 9th grades of primary schools between April and June. Trends in eating behaviours were analyzed by logistic regression analyses for each eating behaviour and gender (boys, girls) and age (11, 13, 15 years).RESULTS: Between 2002 and 2014, the fi ndings showed a decrease in number of children and adolescents that reported regular consumption of sweets (p < .01), soft drinks (p < .001) and fruit (p < .01). An increase of daily breakfast consumption during weekdays was also documented, however, signifi cent changes in consumption were indicated only in girls (p < .001). No signifi cant change was monitored in daily vegetable consumption and breakfast at weekends. More frequent daily fruit, vegetable and breakfast (at weekend) consumption was reported by girls and younger children whereas daily soft drink and breakfast (during weekdays) intake was more prevalent in boys.CONCLUSIONS: The results of this study provided an insight into current food habits of the Czech children and adolescents as well as described the changes of these behaviours from 2002–2014. These fi ndings indicated the need for re-evaluation of current national policies, nutrition requirements and regula tions and new intervention programs to improve eating habits of Czech children.

BACKGROUND: A preference of sedentary leisure time and an inappropriate environment for physical activity (PA) are some of the main reasons for the decline of PA, decreasing level of physical fitness and an unfavorable balance between energy intake and expenditure. These determinants are closely related with the increase in overweight and obesity within primary school age children. AIM: The aim of this study was to determine the relationship between gender and total daily PA of primary school children on school days. METHODOLOGY: Six primary schools, which were characterized by the same focus and comparable educational environment and conditions for PA, were included in the research. A total of 85 girls and 84 boys participated in PA monitoring. The PA was monitored by the multifunction accelerometer ActiTrainer. The data was processed using the ActiTrainer09, the special software of the Center for Kinanthropology Research. The data was analyzed using basic statistical concepts, single-factor ANOVA and ω2 effect size coefficient. RESULTS: The results showed that boys are more physically active than girls during their stay at school, both in terms of the step count, and duration of moderate-to-vigorous PA. There were no significant differences between boys and girls in total daily PA. CONCLUSIONS: This study confirms a higher PA of boys compared to girls during school. A knowledge of the patterns in the daily physical activity of boys and girls requires a deeper study of the various segments of the school day.

BACKGROUND: It is documented that parents have an essential influence on the physical activity (PA) of their children. More physically active parents bring up more physically active children in comparison with children of less physically active parents. However, the relationship between parents-child PA is not exactly quantified and little is known about whether the parents' PA helps their children achieve the currently recommended daily step count (SC) on weekdays and at weekends. PURPOSE: This study aimed to determine and quantify the relationship between parents' behaviour (SC and screen time [ST]) and children's SC on weekdays and at weekends. This study also investigates whether parents' level of SC helps children achieve the step count recommendations. METHODS: The participants (388 parents aged 35-45 and their 485 children aged 9-12) were randomly recruited from 21 Czech government-funded primary schools. The participants recorded their SC (The Yamax Digiwalker SW-200) and their ST duration for seven consecutive days (≥ 10 hours/day) during April-May and September-October of 2013. The associations between the parents' behaviour (SC and ST) and children's SC were estimated using general linear regression. Logistic regression (enter method) was used to examine the odds of achievement of the recommendations of 11,000 SC/day for girls and 13,000 SC/day for boys. RESULTS: Each 1,000 SC increase in the mothers' (fathers') SC/weekday was significantly (p < .05) associated with an extra 261 SC/day in their daughters and 413 (244) SC/day in their sons. Each 1,000 SC increase in mothers' (fathers') SC/weekend day was significantly (p < .05) associated with an extra 523 (386) SC/day in their daughters and 508 (435) SC/day in their sons. A reduction in the mothers' ST by 30 minutes per weekend day was significantly (p < .05) associated with an extra 494 SC/day in their daughters and 467 SC/day in their sons. The children of the mothers and fathers who met the weekend recommendation of 10,000 steps were 5.48 (95% CI: 1.65-18.19; p < .01) and 3.60 times, respectively (95% CI: 1.21-10.74; p < .05) more likely to achieve the weekend recommendation than the children of less active parents. The children of the mothers who reached the weekday recommendation of 10,000 steps were 4.94 times (95% CI: 1.45-16.82; p < .05) more likely to fulfil the SC recommendation on weekdays than the children of less active mothers. CONCLUSIONS: This study revealed a quantifiable relationship between the parent-child SC/day and mothers' ST and children's SC on the weekends. A replacement of at least 30 minutes of time that parents (especially mothers) and children spend together in sedentary pursuits with joint physical activity may result in increased weekend physical activity by a perceptible 500 steps/day.

BACKGROUND: The school environment is considered suitable for promoting physical activity in children, which influences their attitude not only to physical activity but also to themselves, classmates, and teachers. Besides the family, the school environment is a significant scene for the development of life values, which includes a positive children's attitude to regular physical activity. AIMS: The objective of the study is to use a school-level questionnaire to analyse spatial and organizational conditions for physical activity and schoolbased physical education in primary and secondary schools in the Czech Republic (CR). METHODS: To investigate the conditions for physical activity and physical education in schools in the CR, a selection sample of 92 educational institutions (84 primary schools and 8 multi-year grammar schools) were used. Research data were collected in the first half of 2012. Statistical data processing was performed by means of descriptive statistics and graphic illustration from the questionnaire. RESULTS: Apart from physical education lessons, schools provide additional forms of after-school physical activity. As much as 29.4% of schools provide afterschool physical activity, while physically active breaks are promoted by 26.8% of schools. More than 80% of schools have sufficient equipment for the delivery of physical activity and use it on a daily basis. Only in 17% of schools students have free access to this equipment during breaks and free lessons. CONCLUSIONS: Most schools in the CR have sufficient space for the delivery of children's physical activity. The most frequent physical activity during school lessons is physical education, which is delivered in two lessons a week. Promotion of physical activity during breaks and free lessons appears significant in terms of overall physical activity levels in children.

BACKGROUND: Sedentary behaviour and an insufficient level of physical activity in children are the key factors leading to physically inactive behaviour in adulthood associated with the growing prevalence of mass non-communicable diseases in the population of the Czech Republic. OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to analyze sedentary lifestyle, focusing on passive leisure (time spent watching television and using computer) in school-aged children in the Czech Republic. METHODS: To determine the time spent watching television and using computer, data of a randomly selected set of 11 to 15 year old elementary school children in the Czech Republic (n = 4425) was used. Research data collection was conducted within an international research project Health Behaviour in School Aged Children in June 2010. For statistical processing of results and identification of differences between various age groups of girls and boys, logistic regression analysis in SPSS Statistics 20 programme was used. RESULTS: More than 55% of girls and 60% of boys spend over 2 hours a day in a working week in front of the TV, DVD, video; most of the time was recorded for 13 year old respondents. While playing games on the PC or Playstation occupies more than 2 hours per day for more than a half of boys, for girls more typical is "chatting", "surfing the Internet" or "e-mailing". With age, the proportion of children who spend 2 or more hours a day using computer increases. CONCLUSIONS: The problem of an increasing level of sedentary behaviour in children in their leisure should be addressed together with interventions aimed at increasing the levels of physical activity in children in the national, regional and local policies to encourage physical activity and health in the Czech Republic.

BACKGROUND: An optimal level of physical activity (PA), in addition to a well balanced diet and medical care, is a fundamental determinant of obesity and overweight prevention. Despite worldwide efforts being brought, we hardly get on well with an effective reduction of the obese population nationwide, as well as with their increase of PA on the health recommended level. OBJECTIVE: The main aim of this study was to propose school related PA recommendations to support an active life style of Czech children using review of foreign studies compared to the results of our own monitoring of field PA. METHODS: The base for a formulation of the school related PA recommendations consists of the results of the 81 foreign and Czech studies and the data of long-term and short-term monitorings of field PA of the Czech pre-school and young school aged children (n = 805) and adolescents (n = 4519) from 2000 to 2010. Examples of concrete types of PA are numerically expressed by the number of steps. RESULTS: The physical activity recommendations to support an active life style are formulated separately for kindergarten children, and young school aged children. Apart from daily number of steps and time of duration of PA, the suggested recommendations emphasize versatile motor development and further involvement in organized and structured forms of PA. CONCLUSIONS: Combination of FITT (Frequency, Intensity, Time and Type) characteristics of physical activity, daily number of steps and additional recommendations contributes to common comprehensibility and practical feasibility of the suggested school related PA recommendations.

BACKGROUND: An adequate statistical analysis of obtained data is a necessary condition for the right interpretation of results followed by correct formulation of conclusions. The use of appropriate statistical procedures is repeatedly a subject of justified criticism and recommendations in our and other international publications. For example, during the interpretation of results we often "blindly" rely on the statistical significance, and the practical significance of the research is ignored. OBJECTIVE: The main aim of this study is to highlight the formulation of the practical significance of the results and its correct interpretation. We used an analysis of the international studies and own findings from physical activity monitoring. Another aim is to introduce an applicable effect size coefficient as a guide for assessing the practical significance. METHODS: Materials for formulating rules to assess the practical significance and introduction of effect size coefficients was comprised of the 29 international and Czech studies about the level of week and short time (PE lesson, training, exercise lesson) physical activity of Czech children and adolescents (1,129 girls and 938 boys), and adults (5,727 females and 5,426 males) with use of accelerometers, pedometers and IPAQ questionnaires during 2000-2010. RESULTS: Rules for assessing the practical significance consider measurement error, data variability and the size of position from the beginning on the measurement scale. The formulation of the practical significance should include - a) a determination of the minimal values of certain measurement unit that will be limiting for assessing the significancy of the difference; b) the determination of a minimal size of mutual relationship between the expected results and findings. The presentation of the "effect size" coefficients (d, r, r2, K2, ω2) comprises of their definition, the conditions for use as well as the calculation and interpretation of the result. CONCLUSIONS: The presented information about formulating the practical significance and introduction of effect size coefficients should contribute to the improvement of statistical evaluation of data and its consequent correct interpretation of the results.

BACKGROUND: Optimal physical activity (PA) is next to balanced healthy diet and medical care one of the key determinants of prevention of overweight and obesity. Although the Czech Republic is still considered "walkable" society, the increase of obesity initiated the search for bio-psycho-social determinants and correlates of health enhancing PA not only on the national but also on the regional level. Environmental and economical conditions in individual regions in the Czech Republic can stimulate or inhibit regular PA in their inhabitants. AIM: The aim of the study was to identify bio, psycho, social and environmental correlates of health enhancing physical activity in adults in Ostrava region using the analysis of data from the ANEWS questionnaire applied in 2005-2009. METHODS: In order to estimate the level of weekly PA, data of a random sample of 820 inhabitants of Ostrava region were used (448 women and 372 men) aged 40.65 ± 8.75. The ANEWS questionnaire was applied in 2005-2009. Health enhancing PA means minimum of 30 minutes of moderate PA 5 times a week, or 20 minutes of intense PA 3 times a week. The statistical evaluation was supported by Formal concept analysis. RESULTS: Men and women with a paid job and active transport, or low sitting (≤ 4 hours daily) or highly intensive PA (≥ 6 METs) are more likely (≥ 10 %) to carry out health enhancing PA than women and men without a paid job or passive transport, or with high sitting (> 4 hours a day) or without intensive PA. Age, weight, smoking, participation in organized forms of PA, season, and the size of location are not significant correlates of health enhancing PA in the inhabitants of Ostrava region. CONCLUSION: The support of employment, active transport and maintenance of "walking" and "cycling" environment in Ostrava region supports also health enhancing PA.

Education in the Czech Republic in accordance with the current legislation enables the children, pupils and students with disabilities to have equal access to education, where content, forms and methods meet the educational requirements of those individuals. From the point of view of the health aspect in their adulthood, especially the educational fields of health and physical education are crucial for pupils. The purpose of this study was to compare the dimensions of emotional reactions of pupils who are deaf or hard of hearing in schools for the deaf and those compare with integrated pupils who are deaf or hard of hearing at basic school (grades 6th-9th) enrolled in physical education classes. It was also compared preferences in leisure time activities and the knowledge of pupils who are deaf or hard of hearing in both schools settings with regard to sport and sports activities related to this community. Participants in this study were integrated pupils who are deaf or hard of hearing (n = 7), whose average age was 14.43 ± 1.27 years. These pupils were compared with pupils from schools for the deaf (n = 32; age 15.19 ± 1.24 years). At school for the deaf who was evaluated separately, were included 27 pupils who are deaf or hard of hearing (n = 27, age 15.41 ± 1.28 years). The standardized questionnaire DEMOR (dimensions of emotional reactions) was used in data collection. This questionnaire was adapted with regards to conditions of pupils who are deaf or hard of hearing. In presented study positive relationships to physical education in pupils who are deaf or hard of hearing were found. Only at schools for the deaf (not counting school for the deaf, which was evaluated separately) strongly lower negative relationships than in pupils from general schools were found. Those negative attitudes of pupils to physical education could be related to the followings: lower physically fitness and the impact of teachers (these variables were not tested in this study) and the kind of school and curricular orientation. As regard sport initiation, logically pupils who studied at residential school for the deaf initiated into sport by their teacher of physical education. In pupils who are deaf or hard of hearing from general schools their parents had a significant impact in their initiation to sport. Differences found in sport initiation and the organizing of leisure time for pupils who are deaf or hard of hearing from both kinds of schools follow from the different functioning of schools for the deaf. These differences result from historical developments.

Abstract Background Globally, efforts aimed at the prevention of childhood obesity have led to the implementation of a range of school-based interventions. This study assessed whether augmenting physical activity (PA) within the school setting resulted in increased daily PA and decreased overweight/obesity levels in 6-9-year-old children. Methods Across the first to third primary school years, PA of 84 girls and 92 boys was objectively monitored five times (each for seven successive days) using Yamax pedometer (step counts) and Caltrac accelerometer (activity energy expenditure AEE - kcal/kg per day). Four schools were selected to participate in the research (2 intervention, 2 controls), comprising intervention (43 girls, 45 boys) and control children (41 girls, 47 boys). The study was non-randomized and the intervention schools were selected on the basis of existing PA-conducive environment. Analyses of variance (ANOVA) for repeated measures examined the PA programme and gender effects on the step counts and AEE. Logistic regression (Enter method) determined the obesity and overweight occurrence prospect over the course of implementation of the PA intervention. Results There was a significant increase of school-based PA during schooldays in intervention children (from ≈ 1718 to ≈ 3247 steps per day; and from 2.1 to ≈ 3.6 Kcal/Kg per day) in comparison with the control children. Increased school-based PA of intervention children during schooldays contributed to them achieving >10,500 steps and >10.5 Kcal/Kg per school day across the 2 years of the study, and resulted in a stop of the decline in PA levels that is known to be associated with the increasing age of children. Increased school-based PA had also positive impact on leisure time PA of schooldays and on PA at weekends of intervention children. One year after the start of the PA intervention, the odds of being overweight or obese in the intervention children was almost three times lower than that of control children (p Conclusions The findings suggest that school-based PA (Physical Education lessons, PA during short breaks and longer recesses, PA at after-school nursery) in compatible active environments (child-friendly gym and school playground, corridors with movement and playing around corners and for games) has a vital role in obesity and overweight reduction among younger pupils.

Abstract Background An optimal level of physical activity (PA) in adolescence influences the level of PA in adulthood. Although PA declines with age have been demonstrated repeatedly, few studies have been carried out on secular trends. The present study assessed levels, types and secular trends of PA and sedentary behaviour of a sample of adolescents in the Czech Republic. Methods The study comprised two cross-sectional cohorts of adolescents ten years apart. The analysis compared data collected through a week-long monitoring of adolescents' PA in 1998-2000 and 2008-2010. Adolescents wore either Yamax SW-701 or Omron HJ-105 pedometer continuously for 7 days (at least 10 hours per day) excluding sleeping, hygiene and bathing. They also recorded their number of steps per day, the type and duration of PA and sedentary behaviour (in minutes) on record sheets. In total, 902 adolescents (410 boys; 492 girls) aged 14-18 were eligible for analysis. Results Overweight and obesity in Czech adolescents participating in this study increased from 5.5% (older cohort, 1998-2000) to 10.4% (younger cohort, 2008-2010). There were no inter-cohort significant changes in the total amount of sedentary behaviour in boys. However in girls, on weekdays, there was a significant increase in the total duration of sedentary behaviour of the younger cohort (2008-2010) compared with the older one (1998-2000). Studying and screen time (television and computer) were among the main sedentary behaviours in Czech adolescents. The types of sedentary behaviour also changed: watching TV (1998-2000) was replaced by time spent on computers (2008-2010). The Czech health-related criterion (achieving 11,000 steps per day) decreased only in boys from 68% (1998-2000) to 55% (2008-2010). Across both genders, 55%-75% of Czech adolescents met the health-related criterion of recommended steps per day, however less participants in the younger cohort (2008-2010) met this criterion than in the older cohort (1998-2000) ten years ago. Adolescents' PA levels for the monitored periods of 1998-2000 and 2008-2010 suggest a secular decrease in the weekly number of steps achieved by adolescent boys and girls. Conclusion In the younger cohort (2008-2010), every tenth adolescent was either overweight or obese; roughly twice the rate when compared to the older cohort (1998-2000). Sedentary behaviour seems relatively stable across the two cohorts as the increased time that the younger cohort (2008-2010) spent on computers is compensated with an equally decreased time spent watching TV or studying. Across both cohorts about half to three quarters of the adolescents met the health-related criterion for achieved number of steps. The findings show a secular decrease in PA amongst adolescents. The significant interaction effects (cohort × age; and cohort × gender) that this study found suggested that secular trends in PA differ by age and gender.

Parent–child patterns in objectively measured movement behaviours were the highlight of this study. A total of 381 families (337 mothers, 256 fathers, 190 daughters, and 191 sons) from 36 randomly selected schools and kindergartens provided valid accelerometer data. Sedentary behaviour and physical activity (PA) were assessed using ActiGraph accelerometers. Spearman's rho was used to evaluate parent–child associations, while logistic regression analysis (the backward LR method) was used to recognize factors related to children's achievement of PA recommendations. Results indicated that girls engaged more in light PA, while boys showed higher levels of moderate and vigorous PA. Mothers spent less time sitting and more time in light PA compared to fathers, resulting in higher total PA levels. Father–son pairs showed a stronger association in total PA than mother–son pairs. Children aged 6–10 years and those with mothers who engaged in more vigorous PA were more likely to meet PA recommendations compared to younger children and those with less active mothers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Summary Assessing parent–child relationship in sleep behaviours is important for facilitating changes in the sleep guideline compliance in preschool age children. The aim of this study was to examine accelerometer‐measured sleep quantity and quality in families with children aged 3–8 years and investigate the parents’ influence on the child's sleep. The data were obtained from the Czech cross‐sectional FAMIly Physical Activity, Sedentary behaviour and Sleep (FAMIPASS) study, with a final sample of 374 families. Families were recruited through the enrolment of their children in kindergartens/primary schools between March 2022 and May 2023. The sleep time window and total sleep time were assessed using a wrist‐worn ActiGraph accelerometer. Participants wore this device continuously for 24 h/day over a period of 7 consecutive days. Demographic data and potential correlates were obtained via questionnaires completed by parents. Statistical analyses were completed using logistic regression and independent‐samples Mann–Whitney U test. In all, 65.5% of children (60% boys, 70.9% girls) and 58.3% of parents (52.4% fathers, 64.3% mothers) achieved the recommended sleep duration. Greater sleep quantity and duration in good‐quality sleep were significantly higher in girls/mothers, compared to boys/fathers. Preschoolers were more likely to comply with sleep guidelines if their mother (but not father) met the sleep recommendation and their mothers did not have a higher education level. Adhering to sleep guidelines in children was also associated with children's female gender, absence of screen device in the bedroom, and being more active. Given the high concurrence in mother–child sleep quantity, it is important to promote healthy sleep behaviours in the whole family. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article presents results from Czech Republic's 2018 Report Card on Physical Activity for Children and Youth. It mentions indicators on the basis of which grades are assigned including organized sport participation, active transportation, and sedentary behavior. The report card reveals that Czech children and youth are insufficiently active, and the prevalence of physical inactivity and excessive screen-time has increased in both sexes during the last two decades.

The main aim of this study is to examine familial aggregation in pedometer-assessed physical activity (PA) and proxy-reported screen time (ST) with estimating which of the parents' lifestyle indicators help their offspring achieve step count (SC) recommendations under daily life conditions. The analysis included 773 parent–child dyads (591 mother–child, 182 father–child) and 511 nuclear family triads (mother-father–child) with data ambulatory PA monitored with a Yamax pedometer during a regular school/working week during the spring and autumn between 2013 and 2019. Based on Logistic regression analysis, an achievement of 10,000 steps a day by the mothers significantly (p < 0.001) increases the odds ratio of their children reaching the recommended daily SC in the parent–child dyads. Obesity/overweight of mothers (fathers) significantly (p < 0.05) increases (reduces) the chance of their children reaching the recommended daily SC in the analysis of the nuclear family triads. For both overweight/obese and non-overweight children, the odds of reaching the recommended daily SC are significantly (p < 0.05) increased by their regular participation (≥ twice per week) in organised leisure-time PA (analysis of the nuclear family triads) and non-excessive entertainment ST (≤2 h per day) in the mother–child and nuclear family triads. Despite the different mother-/father–child behavioural associations, SC of parents are positively associated with SC of their children (Linear regression analysis). The involvement of children in regular participation in organised leisure activities (at least twice a week) and limiting their excessive entertainment ST might be important factors contributing to the achievement of the recommended daily SC by children. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]