Developing Physical Activity Habit in Schools for Active Lifestyle Among Children and Adolescents

This study sought to identify and suggest ways to develop physical activity habits in school-aged children and adolescents that could help them continue healthy active practices throughout their lifespan. A systematic review of the literature identified 4 key factors that may influence school-based physical activity habit formation—motivation, enjoyment, commitment, and sustainment—and how each may be achieved in schools. The research paper begins by exploring the definitions and meaning of a habit, how it is developed, and its effect on a healthy active lifestyle. The study proposes a framework comprising 3 major components (i.e., programs, teachers, students) and offers practical strategies that support and nurture the development of students’ physical activity habits in schools. The study concludes by making recommendations for further study.

Short-Term Effects of Using Pedometers to Increase Daily Physical Activity in Smokers: A Randomized Trial

Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq)

Physical activity interventions in schools for improving lifestyle in European countries

Background: In the last decades, children’s and adolescents’ obesity and overweight have increased in European Countries. Unhealthy eating habits and sedentary lifestyle have been recognized to determine such an epidemic. Schools represent an ideal setting to modify harmful behaviors, and physical activity could be regarded as a potential way to avoid the metabolic risks related to obesity. Methods: A systematic review of the literature was carried out to summarize the evidence of school-based interventions aimed to promote, enhance and implement physical activity in European schools. Only randomized controlled trials were included, carried out in Europe from January 2000 to April 2014, universally delivered and targeting pupils aged between 3 and 18 years old. Results: Forty-seven studies were retrieved based either on multicomponent interventions or solely physical activity programs. Most aimed to prevent obesity and cardiovascular risks among youths. While few studies showed a decrease in BMI, positive results were achieved on other outcomes, such as metabolic parameters and physical fitness. Conclusion: Physical activity in schools should be regarded as a simple, non-expensive and enjoyable way to reach all the children and adolescents with adequate doses of moderate to vigorous physical activity.

Validity and reliability of using MVP 4 Function Walk4Life digital pedometers to assess physical activity levels among preschool-aged Head Start children

The Surgeon General recommends preschoolers 3-5 years old accumulate 60 minutes of moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA) per day. However, there is limited data measuring physical activity (PA) and MVPA amongst this population. The purpose of this cross-sectional study is to determine the validity, reliability, and feasibility of using MVP 4 Function Walk4Life digital pedometers (MVP-4) in measuring MVPA among preschoolers using the newly modified direct observational technique, System for Observing Fitness Instruction Time-Preschool Version (SOFIT-P) as the gold standard. An ethnically diverse population of 3-5 year old underserved children were recruited from two Harris County Department of Education (HCDE) Head Start centers. For 2 days at baseline and 2 days at post-test, 75 children enrolled wore MVP-4 pedometers for approximately 6-hours per observation day and were observed using SOFIT-P during predominantly active times. Statistical analyses used Pearson "r" correlation coefficients to determine mean minutes of PA and MVPA, convergent and criterion validity, and reliability. Significance was set at p = <0.05. Feasibility was determined through process evaluation information collected during this study via observations from data collectors and teacher input. Results show mean minutes of PA and MVPA ranged between 30-42 and 11-14 minutes, respectively. Convergent validity comparing BMI percentiles with MVP-4 PA outcomes show no significance at pre-test; however, each measurement at post-test showed significance for MVPA (p = 0.0247, p = 0.0056), respectively. Criterion validity comparing percent MVPA time between SOFIT-P and MVP-4 pedometers was determined; however, results deemed insufficient due to inconsistency in observation times while using the newly developed SOFIT-P. Reliability measures show no significance at pre-test, yet show significant results for all PA outcomes at post-test (p = 0.001, p = 0.001, p = 0.0010, p = 0.003), respectively. Finally, MVP-4 pedometers lacked feasibility due to logistical barriers in design. Researchers feel the significant results at post-test are secondary to increased familiarity and more accurate placement of pedometers across time. Researchers suggest manufacturers of MVP-4 pedometers further modify the instrument for ease of use with this population, following which future studies ought to determine validity using objective measures or all-day direct observation techniques.^

Association of breakfast consumption with objectively measured and self-reported physical activity, sedentary time and physical fitness in European adolescents: the HELENA (Healthy Lifestyle in Europe by Nutrition in Adolescence) Study

Objective: To examine the association of breakfast consumption with objectively measured and self-reported physical activity, sedentary time and physical fitness. Design: The HELENA (Healthy Lifestyle in Europe by Nutrition in Adolescence) Cross-Sectional Study. Breakfast consumption was assessed by two non-consecutive 24 h recalls and by a ‘Food Choices and Preferences’ questionnaire. Physical activity, sedentary time and physical fitness components (cardiorespiratory fitness, muscular fitness and speed/agility) were measured and self-reported. Socio-economic status was assessed by questionnaire. Setting: Ten European cities. Subjects: Adolescents (n 2148; aged 12?5–17?5 years). Results: Breakfast consumption was not associated with measured or self-reported physical activity. However, 24 h recall breakfast consumption was related to measured sedentary time in males and females; although results were not confirmed when using other methods to assess breakfast patterns or sedentary time. Breakfast consumption was not related to muscular fitness and speed/agility in males and females. However, male breakfast consumers had higher cardiorespiratory fitness compared with occasional breakfast consumers and breakfast skippers, while no differences were observed in females. Overall, results were consistent using different methods to assess breakfast consumption or cardiorespiratory fitness (all P#0?005). In addition, both male and female breakfast skippers (assessed by 24 h recall) were less likely to have high measured cardiorespiratory fitness compared with breakfast consumers (OR50?33; 95% CI 0?18, 0?59 and OR50?56; 95 %CI 0?32, 0?98,respectively). Results persisted across methods. Conclusions: Skipping breakfast does not seem to be related to physical activity,sedentary time or muscular fitness and speed/agility as physical fitness components in European adolescents; yet it is associated with both measured and self-reported cardiorespiratory fitness, which extends previous findings.

Dietary and lifestyle quality indices with/without physical activity and markers of insulin resistance in European adolescents: the HELENA study

Resistencia a la insulina en adolescentes

High body mass index is not a barrier to physical activity: Analysis of international rugby players' anthropometric data

Recent data indicate that levels of overweight and obesity are increasing at an alarming rate throughout the world. At a population level (and commonly to assess individual health risk), the prevalence of overweight and obesity is calculated using cut-offs of the Body Mass Index (BMI) derived from height and weight. Similarly, the BMI is also used to classify individuals and to provide a notional indication of potential health risk. It is likely that epidemiologic surveys that are reliant on BMI as a measure of adiposity will overestimate the number of individuals in the overweight (and slightly obese) categories. This tendency to misclassify individuals may be more pronounced in athletic populations or groups in which the proportion of more active individuals is higher. This differential is most pronounced in sports where it is advantageous to have a high BMI (but not necessarily high fatness). To illustrate this point we calculated the BMIs of international professional rugby players from the four teams involved in the semi-finals of the 2003 Rugby Union World Cup. According to the World Health Organisation (WHO) cut-offs for BMI, approximately 65% of the players were classified as overweight and approximately 25% as obese. These findings demonstrate that a high BMI is commonplace (and a potentially desirable attribute for sport performance) in professional rugby players. An unanswered question is what proportion of the wider population, classified as overweight (or obese) according to the BMI, is misclassified according to both fatness and health risk? It is evident that being overweight should not be an obstacle to a physically active lifestyle. Similarly, a reliance on BMI alone may misclassify a number of individuals who might otherwise have been automatically considered fat and/or unfit.

Relationship over time between psychological distress and physical activity in colorectal cancer survivors

Purpose Increased physical activity in colorectal cancer patients is related to improved recurrence free and overall survival. Psychological distress after cancer may place patients at risk of reduced physical activity; but paradoxically also act as a motivator for positive lifestyle change. The relationship between psychological distress and physical activity after cancer over time has not been described. Methods A prospective survey of 1966 (57% response) colorectal cancer survivors assessed the psychological distress variables of anxiety, depression, somatisation, cancer threat appraisal as predictors of physical activity five, 12, 24 and 36 months post-diagnosis 978 respondents had valid data for all time points. Results Higher somatisation was associated with greater physical inactivity (Relative risk ratio (RRR) =1.12; 95% CI=[1.1, 1.2]) and insufficient physical activity (RRR=1.05; [0.90, 1.0]). Respondents with a more positive appraisal of their cancer were significantly (p=0.031) less likely to be inactive (RRR=0.95; [0.90, 1.0]) or insufficiently active (RRR=0.96). Fatigued and obese respondents and current smokers were more inactive. Respondents whose somatisation increased between two time periods were less likely to increase their physical activity over the same period (p<0.001). Respondents with higher anxiety at one time period were less likely to have increased their activity at the next assessment (p=0.004). There was no association between depression and physical activity. Conclusions Cancer survivors who experience somatisation and anxiety are at greater risk of physical inactivity. The lack of a clear relationship between higher psychological distress and increasing physical activity argues against distress as a motivator to exercise in these patients.

The contribution of physical activity and sedentary behaviours to the growth and development of children and adolescents : implications for overweight and obesity

The obesity epidemic is a global trend and is of particular concern in children. Recent reports have highlighted the severity of obesity in children by suggesting: “today's generation of children will be the first for over a century for whom life expectancy falls.” This review assesses the evidence that identifies the important role of physical activity in the growth, development and physical health of young people, owing to its numerous physical and psychological health benefits. Key issues, such as “does a sedentary lifestyle automatically lead to obesity” and “are levels of physical activity in today's children less than physical activity levels in children from previous generations?”, are also discussed. Today's environment enforces an inactive lifestyle that is likely to contribute to a positive energy balance and childhood obesity. Whether a child or adolescent, the evidence is conclusive that physical activity is conducive to a healthy lifestyle and prevention of disease. Habitual physical activity established during the early years may provide the greatest likelihood of impact on mortality and longevity. It is evident that environmental factors need to change if physical activity strategies are to have a significant impact on increasing habitual physical activity levels in children and adolescents. There is also a need for more evidence-based physical activity guidelines for children of all ages. Efforts should be concentrated on facilitating an active lifestyle for children in an attempt to put a stop to the increasing prevalence of obese children