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ABSTRACT: Issue addressed Studies examining children's after-school physical activity (PA) and sedentary behaviours (SB) often use arbitrary times to signify the period start and end. A standardised time is required for future research examining this period. The aim of the present study was to compare children's after-school behaviour using three definitions of the after-school period, namely (1) end of school to 6 pm; (2) end of school to dinner time; and (3) end of school to sunset, to determine the extent of variability in PA and SB during the after-school period depending on the definition used. Methods Children (n=308; aged 8 years) from the Melbourne Transform-Us! intervention wore an accelerometer and a subsample (n=112) wore an activPAL inclinometer in 2010. The end of school bell time was obtained from the child's school, parents completed a 2-day log reporting their child's dinner time and sunset times were obtained from Geoscience Australia. ActiGraph accelerometers assessed the proportion of time spent sedentary (SED) and that spent in light (LPA), moderate (MPA) and moderate-to-vigorous (MVPA) PA during the three time periods; activPAL inclinometers assessed the proportion of time spent sitting (SIT). Results Apart from the end of school time (3:30 pm), dinner (range 3:30 pm-8:40 pm) and sunset (range 5:07 pm-7:34 pm) times varied. Despite this, there were no significant differences in estimates of the proportions of time children spent in SED, LPA, MPA, MVPA or SIT between the three after-school periods examined. Conclusion Given the small differences in SED, PA and SIT during the after-school period regardless of the definition (6 pm, sunset or dinner time), it appears that applying a standardised definition of end of school to 6 pm is acceptable for defining children's PA and SB during the after-school period. So what? The use of a standardised after-school definition (end of school to 6 pm), will enable future studies exploring children's after-school PA and SB to be more comparable.
Health promotion journal of Australia: official journal of Australian Association of Health Promotion Professionals 04/2013; 24(1):65-7. · 0.59 Impact Factor
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Karen J Campbell,
Sandrine Lioret,
Sarah A McNaughton,
David A Crawford, Jo Salmon,
Kylie Ball,
Zoe McCallum,
Bibi E Gerner,
Alison C Spence,
Adrian J Cameron,
Jill A Hnatiuk,
Obioha C Ukoumunne,
Lisa Gold,
Gavin Abbott,
Kylie D Hesketh
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ABSTRACT: OBJECTIVE:To assess the effectiveness of a parent-focused intervention on infants' obesity-risk behaviors and BMI.METHODS:This cluster randomized controlled trial recruited 542 parents and their infants (mean age 3.8 months at baseline) from 62 first-time parent groups. Parents were offered six 2-hour dietitian-delivered sessions over 15 months focusing on parental knowledge, skills, and social support around infant feeding, diet, physical activity, and television viewing. Control group parents received 6 newsletters on nonobesity-focused themes; all parents received usual care from child health nurses. The primary outcomes of interest were child diet (3 × 24-hour diet recalls), child physical activity (accelerometry), and child TV viewing (parent report). Secondary outcomes included BMI z-scores (measured). Data were collected when children were 4, 9, and 20 months of age.RESULTS:Unadjusted analyses showed that, compared with controls, intervention group children consumed fewer grams of noncore drinks (mean difference = -4.45; 95% confidence interval [CI]: -7.92 to -0.99; P = .01) and were less likely to consume any noncore drinks (odds ratio = 0.48; 95% CI: 0.24 to 0.95; P = .034) midintervention (mean age 9 months). At intervention conclusion (mean age 19.8 months), intervention group children consumed fewer grams of sweet snacks (mean difference = -3.69; 95% CI: -6.41 to -0.96; P = .008) and viewed fewer daily minutes of television (mean difference = -15.97: 95% CI: -25.97 to -5.96; P = .002). There was little statistical evidence of differences in fruit, vegetable, savory snack, or water consumption or in BMI z-scores or physical activity.CONCLUSIONS:This intervention resulted in reductions in sweet snack consumption and television viewing in 20-month-old children.
PEDIATRICS 03/2013; · 4.47 Impact Factor
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ABSTRACT: BACKGROUND: The objective of this study was to develop a multi-domain model to identify key characteristics of the primary school environment associated with children's physical activity (PA) during class-time. METHODS: Accelerometers were used to calculate time spent in moderate to vigorous physical activity during class-time (CMVPA) of 408 sixth-grade children (mean±SD age 11.1±0.43 years) attending 27 metropolitan primary schools in Perth Western Australia. Child and staff self-report instruments and a school physical environment scan administered by the research team were used to collect data about children and the class and school environments. Hierarchical modeling identified key variables associated with CMVPA. RESULTS: The final multilevel model explained 49% of CMVPA. A physically active physical education (PE) coordinator, fitness sessions incorporated into PE sessions and either a trained PE specialist, classroom teacher or nobody coordinating PE in the school, rather than the deputy principal, were associated with higher CMVPA. The amount of grassed area per student and sporting apparatus on grass were also associated with higher CMVPA. CONCLUSION: These results highlight the relevance of the school's socio-cultural, policy and physical environments in supporting class-based PA. Interventions testing optimization of the school physical, socio-cultural and policy environments to support physical activity are warranted.
Journal of Physical Activity and Health 02/2013;
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Anna F Timperio,
Maartje M van Stralen,
Johannes Brug,
Elling Bere,
Mai Jm Chinapaw,
Ilse De Bourdeaudhuij,
Nata A Jan,
Lea Maes,
Yannis Manios,
Luis A Moreno, Jo Salmon,
Saskia J Te Velde
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ABSTRACT: BACKGROUND: Sport participation makes an important contribution to children's overall physical activity. Understanding influences on sports participation is important and the family environment is considered key, however few studies have explored the mechanisms by which the family environment influences children's sport participation. The purpose of this study was to examine whether attitude, perceive behavioural control, health belief and enjoyment mediate associations between the family environment and 10--12 year-old children's sports participation. METHODS: Children aged 10--12 years (n=7234) and one of their parents (n=6002) were recruited from 175 schools in seven European countries in 2010. Children self-reported their weekly duration of sports participation, physical activity equipment items at home and the four potential mediator variables. Parents responded to items on financial, logistic and emotional support, reinforcement, modelling and co-participation in physical activity. Cross-sectional single and multiple mediation analyses were performed for 4952 children with complete data using multi-level regression analyses. RESULTS: Availability of equipment (OR=1.16), financial (OR=1.53), logistic (OR=1.47) and emotional (OR=1.51) support, and parental modelling (OR=1.07) were positively associated with participation in >=30mins/wk of sport. Attitude, beliefs, perceived behavioural control and enjoyment mediated and explained between 21-34% of these associations. Perceived behavioural control contributed the most to the mediated effect for each aspect of the family environment. CONCLUSIONS: Both direct (unmediated) and indirect (mediated) associations were found between most family environment variables and children's sports participation. Thus, family-based physical activity interventions that focus on enhancing the family environment to support children's sport participation are warranted.
International Journal of Behavioral Nutrition and Physical Activity 02/2013; 10(1):15. · 3.83 Impact Factor
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ABSTRACT: BACKGROUND: We investigated associations of total sedentary behavior (SB) and objectively-measured and self-reported physical activity (PA) with obesity. METHODS: Data from 1662 adults (26-36 years) included daily steps, self-reported PA, sitting, and waist circumference. SB and PA were dichotomised at the median, then two variables created (SB/self-reported PA; SB/objectively-measured PA) each with four categories: low SB/high PA (reference group), high SB/high PA, low SB/low PA, high SB/low PA. RESULTS: Overall, high SB/low PA was associated with 95-168% increased obesity odds. Associations were stronger and more consistent for steps than self-reported PA for men (OR 2. 68, 95% CI 1.36-5.32 and OR 1.95, 95% CI 1.01-3.79, respectively) and women (OR 2.66, 95% CI 1.58-4.49 and OR 2.00, 95% CI 1.21-3.31, respectively). Among men, obesity was higher when daily steps were low, irrespective of sitting (low SB/low steps OR 2.07, 95% CI 1.03-4.17; high SB/low steps OR 2.68, 95% CI 1.36-5.32). CONCLUSIONS: High sitting and low activity increased obesity odds among adults. Irrespective of sitting, men with low step counts had increased odds of obesity. The findings highlight the importance of engaging in physical activity and limiting sitting.
Journal of Physical Activity and Health 01/2013;
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ABSTRACT: Adolescents' physical activity levels during school break time are low and understanding correlates of physical activity and sedentary time in this context is important. This study investigated cross-sectional and longitudinal associations between a range of individual, behavioural, social and policy/organisational correlates and objectively measured school break time physical activity and sedentary time.
In 2006, 146 adolescents (50% males; mean age = 14.1±0.6 years) completed a questionnaire and wore an accelerometer for ≥3 school days. Time spent engaged in sedentary, light (LPA) and moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA) during school break times (recess and lunchtime) were calculated using existing cut-points. Measures were repeated in 2008 among 111 adolescents. Multilevel models examined cross-sectional and longitudinal associations.
Bringing in equipment was cross-sectionally associated with 3.2% more MVPA during break times. Females engaged in 5.1% more sedentary time than males, whilst older adolescents engaged in less MVPA than younger adolescents. Few longitudinal associations were observed. Adolescents who brought sports equipment to school engaged in 7.2% less LPA during break times two years later compared to those who did not bring equipment to school.
These data suggest that providing equipment and reducing restrictions on bringing in sports equipment to school may promote physical activity during school recess. Strategies targeting females' and older adolescents', in particular, are warranted.
PLoS ONE 01/2013; 8(2):e56838. · 4.09 Impact Factor
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ABSTRACT: Many interventions aiming to increase children's physical activity have been developed and implemented in a variety of settings, and these interventions have previously been reviewed; however the focus of these reviews tends to be on the intervention effects on physical activity outcomes without consideration of the reasons and pathways leading to intervention success or otherwise.To systematically review the efficacy of physical activity interventions targeting 5-12 year old children on potential mediators and, where possible, to calculate the size of the intervention effect on the potential mediator.
A systematic search identified intervention studies that reported outcomes on potential mediators of physical activity among 5-12 year old children. Original research articles published between 1985 and April 2012 were reviewed.
Eighteen potential mediators were identified from 31 studies. Positive effects on cognitive/psychological potential mediators were reported in 15 out of 31 studies. Positive effects on social environmental potential mediators were reported in three out of seven studies, and no effects on the physical environment were reported. Although no studies were identified that performed a mediating analysis, 33 positive intervention effects were found on targeted potential mediators (with effect sizes ranging from small to large) and 73% of the time a positive effect on the physical activity outcome was reported.
Many studies have reported null intervention effects on potential mediators of children's physical activity; however, it is important that intervention studies statistically examine the mediating effects of interventions so the most effective strategies can be implemented in future programs.
BMC Public Health 01/2013; 13:165. · 2.00 Impact Factor
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Kylie Ball,
Verity Cleland, Jo Salmon,
Anna F Timperio,
Sarah McNaughton,
Lukar Thornton,
Karen Campbell,
Michelle Jackson,
Louise A Baur,
Gita Mishra,
Johannes Brug,
Robert W Jeffery,
Abby King,
Ichiro Kawachi,
David A Crawford
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ABSTRACT: The Resilience for Eating and Activity Despite Inequality (READI) cohort was established to address the following two key aims: to investigate the pathways (personal, social and structural) by which socio-economic disadvantage influences lifestyle choices associated with obesity risk (physical inactivity, poor dietary choices) and to explore mechanisms underlying 'resilience' to obesity risk in socio-economically disadvantaged women and children. A total of 4349 women aged 18-46 years and 685 children aged 5-12 years were recruited from 80 socio-economically disadvantaged urban and rural neighbourhoods of Victoria, Australia, and provided baseline (T1: 2007-08) measures of adiposity, physical activity, sedentary and dietary behaviours; socio-economic and demographic factors; and psychological, social and perceived environmental factors that might impact on obesity risk. Audits of the 80 neighbourhoods were undertaken at baseline to provide objective neighbourhood environmental data. Three-year follow-up data (2010-11) have recently been collected from 1912 women and 382 children. Investigators welcome enquiries regarding data access and collaboration.
International Journal of Epidemiology 12/2012; · 6.41 Impact Factor
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ABSTRACT: BACKGROUND: Understanding the influences on physical activity is crucial, particularly among important target groups such as adolescent girls. This study describes cross-sectional and longitudinal associations between parenting style and girls' participation in organized sport, walking/cycling trips and objectively assessed moderate to vigorous physical activity (MVPA). METHODS: Data were collected from adolescent girls (n=222) and their parents in 2004 and again in 2006. Parents self-reported their demographic characteristics and parenting style. Girls self-reported their organized sport participation and weekly walking/cycling trips, while MVPA was assessed using accelerometers. Linear regression and interaction analyses were performed. Interactions between socio-demographic factors and parenting style with organized sport, walking/cycling trips and MVPA are presented. RESULTS: There were cross-sectional associations between authoritative (B=-0.45, p=0.042) and indulgent (B=-0.56, p=0.002) parenting and the number of walking/cycling trips, and authoritarian (B=0.27, p=0.033) parenting and frequency of organized sport. Significant interactions included those between: family status, authoritative parenting and daily (p=0.048) and week day (p=0.013) MVPA; education, indulgent parenting and MVPA on weekend days (p=0.006); and, employment, authoritarian parenting and duration and frequency of organized sport (p=0.004), highlighting the complexity of these relationships. Longitudinal analyses revealed significant decreases in organized sport and MVPA, significant increases in walking/cycling trips and no significant associations between parenting and physical activity. CONCLUSION: Parenting styles appear to influence walking and cycling trips among adolescent girls, though not physical activity within other domains. Socio-demographic characteristics interact with the relationships between parenting and physical activity. While these findings can inform the development of family-based interventions to improve child and adolescent health, the direction of the observed associations and the number of associations approaching significance suggest the need to further explore this area.
International Journal of Behavioral Nutrition and Physical Activity 12/2012; 9(1):141. · 3.83 Impact Factor
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ABSTRACT: Socio-economically disadvantaged (e.g., less educated) women are at a greater risk of depression compared to less disadvantaged women. However, little is known regarding the factors that may explain socioeconomic inequalities in risk of depression. This study aimed to investigate the contribution of perceived neighbourhood factors in mediating the relationship between education and women's risk of depression. Cross-sectional data were provided by 4,065 women (aged 18-45). Women self-reported their education level, depressive symptoms (CES-D 10), as well as four neighbourhood factors (i.e., interpersonal trust, social cohesion, neighbourhood safety, and aesthetics). Single and multiple mediating analyses were conducted. Clustering by neighbourhood of residence was adjusted by using a robust estimator of variance. Multiple mediating analyses revealed that interpersonal trust was the only neighbourhood characteristic found to partly explain the educational inequalities in women's depressive symptoms. Social cohesion, neighbourhood aesthetics and safety were not found to mediate this relationship. Acknowledging the cross-sectional nature of this study, findings suggest that strategies to promote interpersonal trust within socioeconomically disadvantaged neighbourhoods may help to reduce the educational inequalities in risk of depression amongst women. Further longitudinal and intervention studies are needed to confirm these findings.
International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health 12/2012; 9(12):4241-53. · 1.61 Impact Factor
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ABSTRACT: Issue addressed: To examine the prevalence and socio-demographic distribution of adherence to national dietary and physical activity recommendations among Australian secondary school students. Methods: Cross-sectional survey of 12,188 students in Years 8 to 11 (aged 12-17 years). Students' self-reported eating, physical activity and sedentary behaviours were assessed using validated instruments administered via an online questionnaire. Results: Less than one-quarter of students (24%) reported meeting the daily requirement of at least four serves of vegetables, while 41% reported consuming the recommended three or more daily serves of fruit. Just 15% of students reported engaging in at least 60 minutes of moderate-to-vigorous activity every day, and only one in five students met the recommendation of spending no more than two hours per day in small screen recreation. Males were performing better than females in terms of fruit intake and physical activity, but worse in relation to frequency of consumption of sugary drinks and fast food, and time spent using electronic media. The proportion of students meeting fruit and vegetable recommendations declined with advancing year level, while lower socio-economic position (SEP) students were faring less well than those from high SEP neighbourhoods, particularly with regards to healthy eating. Conclusions: There is considerable scope for improving young people's health behaviours in line with national dietary and physical activity recommendations.
Health promotion journal of Australia: official journal of Australian Association of Health Promotion Professionals 12/2012; 23(3):213-8. · 0.59 Impact Factor
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ABSTRACT: OBJECTIVE: Parks are an important setting for physical activity and specific park features have been shown to be associated with park visitation and physical activity. Most park-based research has been conducted in urban settings with few studies examining rural parks. This study examined differences in features of parks in urban compared with rural areas. METHODS: In 2009/10 a tool was developed to audit 433 urban and 195 rural parks located in disadvantaged areas of Victoria, Australia. Features assessed included: access; lighting/safety; aesthetics; amenities; paths; outdoor courts/ovals; informal play spaces; and playgrounds (number, diversity, age appropriateness and safety of play equipment). RESULTS: Rural parks scored higher for aesthetics compared with urban parks (5.08 vs 4.44). Urban parks scored higher for access (4.64 vs 3.89), lighting/safety (2.01 vs 1.76), and diversity of play equipment (7.37 vs 6.24), and were more likely to have paths suitable for walking/cycling (58.8% vs 40.9%) and play equipment for older children (68.2% vs 17.1%). CONCLUSION: Although the findings cannot be generalized to all urban and rural parks, the results may be used to inform advocacy for park development in rural areas to create parks that are more supportive of physical activity for children and adults.
Preventive Medicine 11/2012; · 3.22 Impact Factor
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ABSTRACT: BACKGROUND: The Melbourne Infant Feeding, Activity and Nutrition Trial (InFANT) Program, is a community-based, cluster-randomised controlled trial of an obesity prevention intervention delivered to first-time parents of infants from age 3- to 18-months. Conducted from 2008 to 2010, the program had high uptake and retention and showed positive impacts on some dietary outcomes and television viewing. Funding was secured for a follow-up study of participants two and 3.5years post intervention (at child ages ~3.5 and 5years). The follow-up study aims to assess intervention effects, mediators and moderators of effects, and program cost-effectiveness over the longer term. METHODS/DESIGN: The 492 families still enrolled in the Melbourne InFANT Program at intervention conclusion will be recontacted and renewed consent sought to participate in this follow-up study. No further intervention will occur. Home visit data collections will occur approximately two and 3.5years post intervention. Main outcomes to be assessed include child body mass index, waist circumference, diet (3 x 24-hour recalls; food frequency questionnaire), physical activity (8days ActiGraph accelerometer data; parent reported active play) and sedentary time (8days ActiGraph accelerometer and ActivPAL inclinometer data; parent reported screen time). DISCUSSION: Follow-up of participants of the Melbourne InFANT Program, at two and 3.5years post intervention will allow assessment of longer term intervention effects, investigation of potential mediators and moderators of such effects, and economic evaluation of the longer term outcomes. This information will be valuable to researchers and policy makers in progressing the field of early childhood obesity prevention.
Contemporary clinical trials 10/2012; · 1.51 Impact Factor
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ABSTRACT: Objective: The objective of this study was to identify school environmental characteristics associated with moderate to vigorous physical activity during school recess, including morning and lunch breaks. Methods: Accelerometry data, child-level characteristics and school physical activity, policy and socio-cultural data were collected from 408 sixth grade children (mean age 11 years) attending 27 metropolitan primary schools in Perth, Western Australia. Hierarchical modelling identified key characteristics associated with children's recess moderate to vigorous physical activity (RMVPA). Results: Nearly 40% of variability in children's RMVPA was explained by school environment and individual characteristics identified in this study. Children's higher daily RMVPA was associated with newer schools, schools with a higher number of grassed surfaces per child and fewer shaded grassed surfaces, and the physical education coordinator meeting Australian physical activity guidelines. Conclusions: Characteristics of the school physical and social environments are strongly correlated with children's MPVA during recess. Implications: The school environment is an ideal target for maximising children's physical activity during recess. Future research could examine the impact of modifying these environmental characteristics on children's school physical activity.
Australian and New Zealand Journal of Public Health 10/2012; 36(5):469-77. · 1.20 Impact Factor
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ABSTRACT: BACKGROUND: Research examining sedentary behaviour as a potentially independent risk factor for chronic disease morbidity and mortality has expanded rapidly in recent years. METHODS: We present a narrative overview of the sedentary behaviour measurement literature. Subjective and objective methods of measuring sedentary behaviour suitable for use in population-based research with children and adults are examined. The validity and reliability of each method is considered, gaps in the literature specific to each method identified and potential future directions discussed. RESULTS: To date, subjective approaches to sedentary behaviour measurement, e.g. questionnaires, have focused predominantly on TV viewing or other screen-based behaviours. Typically, such measures demonstrate moderate reliability but slight to moderate validity. Accelerometry is increasingly being used for sedentary behaviour assessments; this approach overcomes some of the limitations of subjective methods, but detection of specific postures and postural changes by this method is somewhat limited. Instruments developed specifically for the assessment of body posture have demonstrated good reliability and validity in the limited research conducted to date. Miniaturization of monitoring devices, interoperability between measurement and communication technologies and advanced analytical approaches are potential avenues for future developments in this field. CONCLUSIONS: High-quality measurement is essential in all elements of sedentary behaviour epidemiology, from determining associations with health outcomes to the development and evaluation of behaviour change interventions. Sedentary behaviour measurement remains relatively under-developed, although new instruments, both objective and subjective, show considerable promise and warrant further testing.
International Journal of Epidemiology 10/2012; 41(5):1460-1471. · 6.41 Impact Factor
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ABSTRACT: OBJECTIVES: To identify factors associated with children's motor skills. DESIGN: Cross-sectional. METHODS: Australian preschool-aged children were recruited in 2009 as part of a larger study. Parent proxy-report of child factors (age, sex, parent perception of child skill, participation in unstructured and structured activity), self-report of parent factors (confidence in their own skills to support child's activity, parent-child physical activity interaction, parent physical activity) and perceived environmental factors (play space visits, equipment at home) were collected. Moderate to vigorous physical activity (MVPA) (ActiGraph GT1M accelerometer) and motor skills (Test of Gross Motor Development-2) were also assessed. After age adjustment, variables were checked for association with raw object control and locomotor scores. Variables with associations of p<0.20 were entered into two multiple regression models with locomotor/object control as respective outcome variables. RESULTS: Motor skills were assessed for 76 children (42 female), mean [SD] age=4.1 [0.68]; 71 completed parent proxy-report and 53 had valid MVPA data. Child age, swimming lessons, and home equipment were positively associated explaining 20% of locomotor skill variance, but only age was significant (β=0.36, p=0.002). Child age and sex, unstructured activity participation, MVPA%, parent confidence, home equipment (all positively associated), and dance participation (inversely associated) explained 32% object control variance. But only age (β=0.67, p<0.0001), MVPA% (β=0.37, p=0.038) and no dance (β=-0.34, p=0.028) were significant. CONCLUSION: Motor skill correlates differ according to skill category and are context specific with child level correlates appearing more important.
Journal of science and medicine in sport / Sports Medicine Australia. 09/2012;
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ABSTRACT: Nutrition and physical activity are major determinants of health and quality of life; however, there exists little research focusing on determinants of these behaviours in older adults. This is important, since just as these behaviours vary according to subpopulation, it is likely that the determinants also vary. An understanding of the modifiable determinants of nutrition and physical activity behaviours among older adults to take into account the specific life-stage context is required in order to develop effective interventions to promote health and well-being and prevent chronic disease and improve quality of life.
The aim of this work is to identify how intrapersonal, social and environmental factors influence nutrition and physical activity behaviours among older adults living in urban and rural areas. This study is a cohort study of adults aged 55-65 years across urban and rural Victoria, Australia. Participants completed questionnaires at baseline in 2010 and will complete follow-up questionnaires in 2012 and 2014. Self-report questionnaires will be used to assess outcomes such as food intake, physical activity and sedentary behaviours, anthropometry and quality of life. Explanatory variables include socioeconomic position, and measures of the three levels of influence on older adults' nutrition and physical activity behaviours (intrapersonal, social and perceived environmental influences).
Obesity and its determinant behaviours, physical inactivity and poor diet are major public health concerns and are significant determinants of the quality of life among the ageing population. There is a critical need for a better understanding of the determinants of nutrition and physical activity in this important target group. This research will provide evidence for the development of effective policies and programs to promote and support increased physical activity and healthy eating behaviours among older adults.
Health and Quality of Life Outcomes 09/2012; 10:109. · 2.11 Impact Factor
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ABSTRACT: Interest has increased in examining the physical activity levels of young people during school recess. Identifying correlates of their recess physical activity behaviors is timely, and would inform school-based physical activity programming and intervention development. The review examined the correlates of children's and adolescent's physical activity during school recess periods.
A systematic search of six electronic databases, reference lists, and personal archives identified 53 studies (47 focused on children) published between January 1990 and April 2011 that met the inclusion criteria. Data were analyzed in 2011. Correlates were categorized using the social-ecological framework.
Forty-four variables were identified across the four levels of the social-ecological framework, although few correlates were studied repeatedly at each level. Positive associations were found of overall facility provision, unfixed equipment, and perceived encouragement with recess physical activity. Results revealed that boys were more active than girls.
Providing access to school facilities, providing unfixed equipment, and identifying ways to promote encouragement for physical activity have the potential to inform strategies to increase physical activity levels during recess periods.
American journal of preventive medicine 09/2012; 43(3):320-8. · 4.24 Impact Factor
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ABSTRACT: PURPOSE:: Socioeconomic inequalities in physical activity at the individual level are well reported. Whether inequalities in economic development and other macro-environmental variables between countries are also related to physical activity at the country-level is comparatively unstudied METHODS:: We examined the relationship between country-level data on macro-environmental factors (GDP per capita, public sector expenditure on health, percent living in urban areas and cars per 1000 population) with country-level physical activity prevalence obtained from previous pan-European studies. Studies that assessed leisure-time physical activity (n=3 studies including 27 countries in adults, n=2 studies including 28 countries in children) and total physical activity (n=3 studies in adults including 16 countries) were analysed separately as were studies among adults and children. RESULTS:: Strong and consistent positive correlations were observed between country prevalence of leisure-time physical activity and country GDP per capita in adults (average r=0.70, all studies p<0.05). In multivariate analysis, country prevalence of leisure-time physical activity among adults remained associated with country GDP per capita (2/3 studies), but not urbanisation or educational attainment. Among school-aged populations, no association was found between country GDP per capita and country prevalence of leisure-time physical activity. In those studies that assessed total physical activity (which also includes occupational and transport physical activity), no association with country GDP per capita was observed. CONCLUSION:: Clear differences in national leisure-time physical activity levels throughout Europe may be a consequence of economic development. Lack of economic development of some countries in Europe may make increasing leisure-time physical activity more difficult. Further examination of the link between country GDP per capita and national physical activity levels (across leisure-time, occupational and transport-related domains) is warranted.
Medicine and science in sports and exercise 08/2012; · 3.71 Impact Factor
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ABSTRACT: PURPOSE:: To examine the association of strength training (ST) activity with impaired glucose metabolism (IGM) in Australian adults. METHODS:: Based on an oral glucose tolerance test, IGM (which includes impaired fasting glycemia [IFG], impaired glucose tolerance [IGT], or newly-diagnosed type 2 diabetes), was assessed in 5,831 adults (mean age 56.0 ± 12.7 years) without clinically diagnosed diabetes who participated in the 2004-2005 Australian Diabetes, Obesity and Lifestyle Study (AusDiab). Meeting the current ST guideline was based on reporting ST at least 2 times per week (frequency), or 40 or more minutes per week in total (duration). Multiple logistic regression analyses examined associations of self-reported ST frequency and duration with IGM. RESULTS:: After adjustment for known confounding factors and total moderate to vigorous intensity leisure-time exercise, the odds (OR) of IGM was 0.73 (95% CI 0.59 to 0.91, P≤0.005) in those who met the ST frequency guideline (≥ 2 times/week) and 0.69 (95% CI 0.55 to 0.87, P≤0.01) in those who met the ST duration guideline (≥ 40 minutes/week). Those who achieved both the recommended frequency and duration of ST had 24% lower odds of IGM. There was also evidence that a moderate frequency (1 time/week) and duration (10-39 minutes/week) of ST reduced the odds of IGM [OR frequency 0.53 (95% CI 0.51 to 0.81, P≤0.01); OR duration 0.72 (95% CI 0.52 to 1.00, P≤0.05)]. RESULTS: In the long-range regime (> 130 min) on a normal activity day, the DFA scaling exponent was α2 = 1.37 ± 0.21; this was significantly (P = 0.036) smaller than the reference "uncorrelated value" of α = 1.5, suggesting that glycemic fluctuation was negatively auto-correlated. In contrast, on a day with restricted NEAT in the long-range regime (> 167.5 min), the exponent was α2 = 1.57 ± 0.15; this was significantly (P = 0.024) larger than 1.5, implying a lack of negative correlation. CONCLUSIONS:: These findings support the importance of including ST activity, at a frequency of at least once per week, within exercise management recommendations for the maintenance of favorable metabolic health, particularly as it may contribute to reducing the risk of developing type 2 diabetes mellitus.
Medicine and science in sports and exercise 08/2012; · 3.71 Impact Factor
