scholarly journals Motor Skill Level of Children and Adolescents Motivation in Physical Activity: A Major Concern for Public Health and Physical Education

2017 ◽  
Vol 6 (12) ◽  
pp. 482-486
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Physical Activity ◽  
Physical Education ◽  
Children And Adolescents ◽  
Motor Skill ◽  
Skill Level ◽  
Health And Physical Education

Reflections on Developing a Career in Kinesiology and Public Health

2020 ◽  
pp. 1-9
Author(s):  
Barbara E. Ainsworth
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Physical Activity ◽  
Higher Education ◽  
Physical Education ◽  
Health Outcomes ◽  
Sense Of Belonging ◽  
Career Choices ◽  
Academic Career ◽  
Physical Activity Environment ◽  
Professional Activities

This paper provides reflections on my academic career in kinesiology and public health from an autobiographical perspective. Themes include the importance of movement and physical activity in my development and career choices, a recognition of the importance of physical activity for health outcomes, experiences in studying physical activity in a public health framework, and observations on kinesiology in higher education. I also reflect on the importance of the physical education and physical activity environment that brought me a sense of belonging, enjoyment, and accomplishment that has lasted throughout my career. As in sports and professional activities, I have tried my best and never given up until I felt the task was done.

scholarly journals Physical activity and health in Chinese children and adolescents: expert consensus statement (2020)

2020 ◽  
Vol 54 (22) ◽  
pp. 1321-1331
Author(s):  
Peijie Chen ◽  
Dengfeng Wang ◽  
Hongbing Shen ◽  
Lijuan Yu ◽  
Qian Gao ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Physical Activity ◽  
Children And Adolescents ◽  
Consensus Statement ◽  
Overweight And Obesity ◽  
Chinese Children ◽  
Health Concern ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Activity Promotion ◽  
Chinese Children And Adolescents

China is experiencing significant public health challenges related to social and demographic transitions and lifestyle transformations following unprecedented economic reforms four decades ago. Of particular public health concern is the fourfold increase in overweight and obesity rates in the nation’s youth population, coupled with the low prevalence of adolescents meeting recommended levels of physical activity. Improving the overall health of China’s more than 170 million children and adolescents has become a national priority. However, advancing nationwide health initiatives and physical activity promotion in this population has been hampered by the lack of a population-specific and culturally relevant consensus on recommendations for achieving these ends. To address this deficiency and inform policies to achieve Healthy China 2030 goals, a panel of Chinese experts, complemented by international professionals, developed this consensus statement. The consensus was achieved through an iterative process that began with a literature search from electronic databases; in-depth reviews, conducted by a steering committee, of the resulting articles; and panel group evaluations and discussions in the form of email correspondence, conference calls and written communications. Ultimately, the panel agreed on 10 major themes with strong scientific evidence that, in children and adolescents aged 6–17, participating in moderate to vigorous physical activities led to multiple positive health outcomes. Our consensus statement also (1) highlights major challenges in promoting physical activity, (2) identifies future research that addresses current knowledge gaps, and (3) provides recommendations for teachers, education experts, parents and policymakers for promoting physical activity among Chinese school-aged children and adolescents. This consensus statement aligns with international efforts to develop global physical activity guidelines to promote physical activity and health and prevent lifestyle-related diseases in children and adolescents. More importantly, it provides a foundation for developing culturally appropriate and effective physical activity interventions, health promotion strategies and policy initiatives to improve the health of Chinese children and adolescents.

Classroom teachers’ and administrators’ views of teaching health and physical education

2019 ◽  
Vol 26 (2) ◽  
pp. 448-464
Author(s):  
Dominique Banville ◽  
Ben Dyson ◽  
Pamela H Kulinna ◽  
Michalis Stylianou
Keyword(s):  
Physical Activity ◽  
New Zealand ◽  
Physical Education ◽  
Professional Learning ◽  
School Environment ◽  
Primary Schools ◽  
National Curriculum ◽  
Classroom Teachers ◽  
Health And Physical Education ◽  
Aotearoa New Zealand

Teacher efficacy influences what and how they teach. This may be particularly important to consider in Aotearoa New Zealand contexts where primary classroom teachers teach health and physical education and use physical activity breaks with little training. It remains unclear how classroom teachers perceive this role and how to better support them. The purpose of this study was to investigate classroom teachers’ and administrators’ views of teaching health and physical education, including physical activity behaviours, in primary schools in Aotearoa New Zealand. Participants were 10 teachers and three administrators from two schools selected as a purposive sample. Data were collected through formal interviews, field notes, and photographs, and were analysed using inductive analysis and constant comparison. The findings are shared using four themes: (a) support for physical activity breaks; (b) support for curriculum content in health and physical education and ‘Kiwi’ sport culture; (c) teachers’ influence level; and (d) school environment. Overall, teachers and administrators felt very efficacious in their roles of creating healthy and active schools. These teachers also appeared to be confused regarding the difference between physical education, sport, and physical activity. They did feel, however, that instructional self-efficacy could be improved through enhanced content and pedagogy taught in teacher education programmes, and increased opportunities for professional learning and development. Potentially, this could lead to more time spent teaching the health and physical education content as well as a greater focus on the national curriculum for health and physical education being taught in Aotearoa New Zealand.

scholarly journals Policy Challenges in the Fight against Childhood Obesity: Low Adherence in San Diego Area Schools to the California Education Code Regulating Physical Education

2013 ◽  
Vol 2013 ◽  
pp. 1-5
Author(s):  
G. Consiglieri ◽  
L. Leon-Chi ◽  
R. S. Newfield
Keyword(s):  
Physical Activity ◽  
High School ◽  
Childhood Obesity ◽  
Physical Education ◽  
Children And Adolescents ◽  
Charter School ◽  
San Diego ◽  
School Students ◽  
Specialty Clinic ◽  
State Code

Objective. Assess the adherence to the Physical Education (PE) requirements per California Education Code in San Diego area schools.Methods. Surveys were administered anonymously to children and adolescents capable of physical activity, visiting a specialty clinic at Rady Children's Hospital San Diego. The main questions asked were their gender, grade, PE classes per week, and time spent doing PE.Results. 324 surveys were filled, with 36 charter-school students not having to abide by state code excluded. We report on 288 students (59% females), mostly Hispanic (43%) or Caucasian (34%). In grades 1–6, 66.7% reported under the 200 min per 10 school days required by the PE code. Only 20.7% had daily PE. Average PE days/week was 2.6. In grades 7–12, 42.2% had reported under the 400 min per 10 school days required. Daily PE was noted in 47.8%. Average PE days/week was 3.4. Almost 17% had no PE, more so in the final two grades of high school (45.7%).Conclusions. There is low adherence to the California Physical Education mandate in the San Diego area, contributing to poor fitness and obesity. Lack of adequate PE is most evident in grades 1–6 and grades 11-12. Better resources, awareness, and enforcement are crucial.

Habitual Physical Activity and Exercise Patterns in Children and Adolescents with Sickle Cell Disease

Blood ◽  
2014 ◽  
Vol 124 (21) ◽  
pp. 4099-4099 ◽  
Author(s):  
Osarhiemen A. Omwanghe ◽  
Soyang Kwon ◽  
Devin S. Muntz ◽  
Simone Montgomery ◽  
Opeyemi Kemiki ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Physical Activity ◽  
Physical Education ◽  
Sickle Cell Disease ◽  
Children And Adolescents ◽  
Sickle Cell ◽  
Physical Functioning ◽  
Cell Disease ◽  
Organized Sports ◽  
School Based ◽  
Typical Day

Abstract Background Sickle cell disease (SCD) and its complications have a major impact on physical functioning in affected children and adolescents. However, little is known about habitual physical activity patterns and exercise routines in this population. The aims of this study were to evaluate the amount of time spent in moderate (MPA) or vigorous (VPA) physical activity, examine participation in school-based physical education or organized sports, and explore factors that influence physical activity or exercise habits in children and adolescents with SCD. Methods A58-question, self-administered survey was given to a cross-sectional group of children with SCD (all genotypes) in grades 6 through 12 followed in the Comprehensive Sickle Cell Programs at Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children’s Hospital of Chicago and the University of Illinois at Chicago. Children on hydroxyurea therapy and chronic transfusions were included. The survey included 2 sections: 1) questions adapted from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) Physical Activity Questionnaire and 2) supplemental questions addressing participation in school-based physical education and organized sports; disease severity and impact on physical activity; and attitudes about physical activity and exercise. We performed standard descriptive analyses and bivariate analysis using Pearson’s chi-square or Student’s t-test for independent samples for comparison of categorical and continuous data, respectively. Responses from NHANES questions were compared to age, sex and race matched data collected from the 2009-2010 NHANES survey. Results A total of 88 surveys have been collected to date. Among respondents with SCD, 59% were between 11 and 15 years old, 51% were male, 66% had hemoglobin SS disease, 44% were on hydroxyurea and 19% were on chronic transfusions. Data were compared to extracted data from 1362 NHANES participants weighted to adjust for differences in distributions in age, sex and race between groups. The proportion of children with SCD who reported at least 10 minutes of VPA in a typical week (66 vs. 65%, p = 0.91) and their frequency of VPA (2.8 vs. 2.5 days per week, p = 0.44) did not differ from that of children from the NHANES cohort. However, a higher proportion of children with SCD reported MPA (67 vs. 42%, p < 0.001) with a frequency (2.3 vs. 1.4 days per week, p < 0.001) that was significantly higher than that reported in NHANES. The duration of VPA or MPA on a typical day also differed significantly between groups. Compared to children from NHANES, fewer children with SCD reported spending more than 60 minutes in VPA or MPA on a typical day. Overall, only 13% of children with SCD met US physical activity guidelines recommending at least 60 minutes of physical activity every day. Of those children with SCD surveyed, 47% reported participating in school-based sports teams or physical activity clubs and 74% reported participating in physical education when offered at their school. Finally, we examined those variables that were associated with physical activity and participation in organized sports or physical education in children with SCD. Children 11 to 15 years old, when compared to children greater than 15 years old, were more likely to report 60 min of physical activity on more than 2 days per week (73 vs. 27%, p < 0.05). However, neither age nor sex affected participation in organized sports or physical education. We found that physical activity and participation in organized sports or physical education were not significantly affected by respondent beliefs regarding the impact of SCD on enjoyment of those activities. Sickle cell genotype, hydroxyurea use, chronic transfusions, and parental and personal attitudes toward physical activity also had no influence on participation in physical activity, organized sports or physical education in children with SCD. Conclusions When compared to matched peers in the NHANES study, children with SCD participate in comparable levels of VPA and even exceed their peers in levels of MPA. Participation in school-based organized sports and physical education was also common in children with SCD despite the previously reported impact of SCD on physical functioning in this population. Further studies are needed to determine the safety and potential health benefits of regular exercise and athletic participation in this population. Disclosures No relevant conflicts of interest to declare.

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