scholarly journals The Role of Preschool Hours in Achieving Physical Activity Recommendations for Preschoolers

Children ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 8 (2) ◽  
pp. 82
Author(s):  
Sara Lahuerta-Contell ◽  
Javier Molina-García ◽  
Ana Queralt ◽  
Vladimir E. Martínez-Bello
Keyword(s):  
Physical Activity ◽  
Early Childhood ◽  
School Environment ◽  
High Density ◽  
Childhood Education ◽  
Gender And Age ◽  
Sociodemographic Correlates ◽  
Physical Activity Recommendations ◽  
Activity Recommendations

Research on physical activity (PA) in different educational settings could elucidate which interventions promote a healthy school lifestyle in early childhood education (ECE). The aims of this study were: (a) to analyse the PA levels of preschoolers during school hours, as well as the rate of compliance with specific recommendations on total PA (TPA) and moderate-vigorous PA (MVPA); (b) to examine the role of structured movement sessions and recess time in the MVPA levels during school hours; (c) to evaluate the sociodemographic correlates of preschoolers and the school environment on MVPA behaviour during school hours. PA was evaluated with Actigraph accelerometers. Our main findings were that: (a) preschoolers engaged in very little TPA and MVPA during school hours; (b) children showed significantly higher MVPA levels on days with versus without structured movement sessions, and the contribution of the structured sessions to MVPA was significantly higher than that of recess time; (c) gender and age were associated with PA, and a high density of young children on the playground was associated with high levels of vigorous PA, whereas in the classroom, high density was associated with more sedentary behaviour. Structured PA could reduce the gap in achieving international recommendations.

scholarly journals Role of Spanish Toddlers’ Education and Care Institutions in Achieving Physical Activity Recommendations in the COVID-19 Era: A Cross-Sectional Study

Children ◽  
2022 ◽  
Vol 9 (1) ◽  
pp. 51
Author(s):  
Herminia Vega-Perona ◽  
Isaac Estevan ◽  
Yolanda Cabrera García-Ochoa ◽  
Daniel A. Martínez-Bello ◽  
María del Mar Bernabé-Villodre ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Physical Activity ◽  
School Environment ◽  
Cross Sectional Study ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Childhood Education ◽  
Education And Care ◽  
Physical Activity Recommendations ◽  
Very High ◽  
Activity Recommendations

To our knowledge, there are no published studies that describe the physical activity (PA) levels and objectively measure them through accelerometry in toddlers (2–3 years old) attending early childhood education and care (ECEC) institutions during the COVID-19 pandemic. The aims of this study were two-fold: (a) to analyse toddlers’ PA levels and sedentary behaviour (SB) during school hours in ECEC institutions, as well as the rate of adherence to specific recommendations on total PA (TPA) and moderate–vigorous PA (MVPA); and (b) to evaluate the characteristics correlates (age, gender, and body mass index –BMI) of young children and the school environment on toddlers’ TPA, light PA (LPA), MVPA, and SB during school hours in ECEC institutions. PA was evaluated with ActiGraph accelerometers. The main findings were that: (a) toddlers engaged in very high amounts of TPA and MVPA during ECEC hours; (b) girls and boys displayed similar levels of LPA, TPA, and SB, while girls had lower levels of MVPA, compared to boys, and younger toddlers were less active than older ones; (c) BMI was not associated with PA of any intensity or SB; (d) playground and classroom density were not associated with higher levels of PA of any intensity, though classroom density was associated with SB. These ECEC institutions provide and challenge the new COVID-19 scenario, as well as supportive environments for toddlers’ PA.

The Role of School in Helping Children and Adolescents Reach the Physical Activity Recommendations: The UP&DOWN Study

2019 ◽  
Vol 89 (8) ◽  
pp. 612-618 ◽  
Author(s):  
Alberto Grao‐Cruces ◽  
Victor Segura‐Jiménez ◽  
Julio Conde‐Caveda ◽  
Laura García‐Cervantes ◽  
David Martínez‐Gómez ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Physical Activity ◽  
Children And Adolescents ◽  
Physical Activity Recommendations ◽  
Activity Recommendations

Associations Between Worksite Walkability, Greenness, and Physical Activity Around Work

2018 ◽  
Vol 52 (2) ◽  
pp. 139-163 ◽  
Author(s):  
Oriol Marquet ◽  
Myron F. Floyd ◽  
Peter James ◽  
Karen Glanz ◽  
Viniece Jennings ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Physical Activity ◽  
Geographic Information Systems ◽  
Disease Control ◽  
Work Environment ◽  
Vigorous Physical Activity ◽  
Employed Women ◽  
Control And Prevention ◽  
Physical Activity Recommendations ◽  
Activity Recommendations

This article explores the role of the work environment in determining physical activity gained within and around the workplace. With most adults spending more than half of their waking day at work, the workplace is a promising venue for promoting physical activity. We used a sample of 147 employed women—median age = 53 years old; 42% meeting Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) physical activity recommendations—wearing a GPS device and accelerometer on the hip for 7 days to assess location and physical activity at minute-level epochs. We analyzed the association between geographic information systems (GIS) measures of walkability and greenness around the workplace and the amount of physical activity gained while in the work neighborhood. Our results showed that working in high walkable environments was associated with higher levels of moderate to vigorous physical activity while at work, and with higher moderate to vigorous physical activity gained within the work neighborhood. Increasing walkability levels around workplaces can contribute to increasing physical activity of employees.

scholarly journals Children’s time use and moderate-to-vigorous physical activity in early childhood education and care in Finland

2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Anna-Liisa Kyhälä ◽  
Jyrki Reunamo ◽  
Juha O. Valtonen
Keyword(s):  
Physical Activity ◽  
Early Childhood ◽  
Early Childhood Education ◽  
Time Use ◽  
Vigorous Physical Activity ◽  
Role Play ◽  
Physical Activities ◽  
Childhood Education ◽  
Education And Care ◽  
Physical Activity Recommendations

Background: The role of early childhood education and care (ECEC) is crucial in the implementation of the physical activity recommendations during long ECEC days. Young children should engage in 180 minutes of physical activity spread throughout the day, including 60 minutes of moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA). To attain the goal more information is needed on children’s time use and physical activity (PA) in children’s activities.Aim: The purposes of this quantitative observational study were twofold: (1) to examine children’s time use and (2) to describe which children’s activities best generate physical activity, specifically MVPA, in ECEC.Setting: Altogether, 2879 Finnish children, aged from 1- to 6-years, participated in this study.Methods: The data of 57 881 observations were analysed using cross-tabulation and a z-test.Results: Daily routines (e.g. eating, dressing, napping and transition), task or seatwork and material play accounted for almost 70% of children’s sedentary behaviour and less than 10% of MVPA. The best MVPA generators were physical activities (that generated 57.4% of all MVPA in boys vs. 62.8% in girls, respectively), rule play (11% in boys vs. 6.7% in girls) and role play (10.1% in boys vs. 9.9% in girls) as well as action not allowed (3.3% in boys vs. 1.2% in girls).Conclusions: Educators should integrate physical activities, rule play and role play more in ECEC day to support the realisation of the recommendations.

Do Students Know the Physical Activity Recommendations for Health Promotion?

2015 ◽  
Vol 12 (2) ◽  
pp. 253-256 ◽  
Author(s):  
Adilson Marques ◽  
João Martins ◽  
Hugo Sarmento ◽  
Leonardo Rocha ◽  
Francisco Carreiro da Costa
Keyword(s):  
Physical Activity ◽  
Socioeconomic Status ◽  
Communication Strategy ◽  
Chi Square ◽  
Parental Occupation ◽  
Physical Activity Guidelines ◽  
Gender And Age ◽  
Physical Activity Recommendations ◽  
Recommended Level ◽  
Activity Recommendations

Background:Knowledge is required for people to make health decisions. It can be conjectured that knowledge of physical activity recommended levels can be a step to behavior change. This study examined the knowledge of physical activity guidelines of adolescents who were completing the secondary school.Methods:A survey was conducted with 2718 students (1613 girls), aged 16 to 18 years (Mean = 17.2 ± 0.2 years). Gender and age were self-reported and socioeconomic status was calculated based on parental occupation. Students were asked about frequency, duration, and intensity of physical activity to achieve the recommended level. Chi-square was applied to the results.Results:16.2% reported that physical activity should be practiced daily. For the duration component of the recommendation, 43.5% identified correctly that the minimum recommended is 60 min/day. The intensity component was correctly answered by 62.7%. Considering all the components of the recommendation, only 3.6% of the students were able to identify correctly the physical activity recommendation, with no differences between genders or among socioeconomic status.Conclusions:These results highlight the need for an effective communication strategy for disseminating the message to ensure that young people are aware of, and understand the physical activity guidelines.

Physical Activity and Cognitive-Health Content in Top-Circulating Magazines, 2006–2008

2011 ◽  
Vol 19 (2) ◽  
pp. 147-168 ◽  
Author(s):  
Anna E. Price ◽  
Sara J. Corwin ◽  
Daniela B. Friedman ◽  
Sarah B. Laditka ◽  
Natalie Colabianchi ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Physical Activity ◽  
Older Adults ◽  
Empirical Evidence ◽  
Popular Media ◽  
Inclusion Criteria ◽  
Cognitive Health ◽  
Wide Range ◽  
Physical Activity Recommendations ◽  
Activity Recommendations

Physical activity may promote cognitive health in older adults. Popular media play an important role in preventive health communication. This study examined articles discussing associations between physical activity and cognitive health in top-circulating magazines targeting older adults. 42,753 pages of magazines published from 2006 to 2008 were reviewed; 26 articles met inclusion criteria. Explanations regarding the link between physical activity and cognitive health were provided in 57.7% of articles. These explanations were generally consistent with empirical evidence; however, few articles included empirical evidence. Physical activity recommendations were presented in 80.8% of articles; a wide range was recommended (90–300 min of physical activity per wk). Socioeconomic status and education level were not mentioned in the text. Results suggest an opportunity for greater coverage regarding the role of physical activity in promoting cognitive health in popular media. Magazine content would benefit from including more empirical evidence, culturally sensitive content, and physical activity recommendations that are consistent with U.S. guidelines.

scholarly journals Socioeconomic Inequities in Youth Participation in Physical Activity and Sports

2021 ◽  
Vol 18 (13) ◽  
pp. 6946
Author(s):  
Pooja S. Tandon ◽  
Emily Kroshus ◽  
Katharine Olsen ◽  
Kimberly Garrett ◽  
Pingping Qu ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Physical Activity ◽  
Sports Participation ◽  
Youth Participation ◽  
Cross Sectional Survey ◽  
Middle School Children ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Potential Benefits ◽  
Physical Activity Recommendations ◽  
High Schoolers ◽  
Activity Recommendations

Access to opportunities for physical activity and sports, and therefore potential benefits of participation, are distributed inequitably. The aims of this study were to describe and compare youth experiences related to sport and physical activity by socioeconomic factors. A cross-sectional survey was conducted of students in 5–12th grades in King County, Washington, USA. Students were asked about physical activity and sports experiences and about demographic factors including family affluence, which was categorized as low, medium, and high. Participants were 1038 youth (50% girls, 58% non-White, and 32% from homes where languages other than English are spoken). Children from low-affluence families reported fewer days/week of physical activity, fewer sports sampled, and lower rates of ever playing sports. Greater proportions of children from low-affluence families reported these barriers to sports: (1) don’t want to get hurt, (2) don’t feel welcome on teams, (3) too expensive, and (4) transportation. Middle school children from high-affluence families had three times higher odds of meeting physical activity recommendations, and high-affluence high schoolers had three times higher odds of ever participating in sports compared to peers from low-affluence families. Socioeconomic status was inversely associated with outcomes related to youth physical activity and sports participation. The disproportionately reported barriers to sports participation are modifiable, and cross-sector solutions can help promote play equity.

An ORBIT Phase 1: Design study of a citywide employer-based walking challenges in a predominantly Mexican American metropolitan area

2020 ◽  
pp. 135910532097765
Author(s):  
Jennifer J. Salinas ◽  
Roy Valenzuela ◽  
Jon Sheen ◽  
Malcolm Carlyle ◽  
Jennifer Gay ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Physical Activity ◽  
Mexican Americans ◽  
Mexican American ◽  
Phase 1 ◽  
El Paso ◽  
Intervention Development ◽  
Obesity Intervention ◽  
Physical Activity Recommendations ◽  
Orbit Model ◽  
Activity Recommendations

Most Mexican-Americans do not meet current physical activity recommendations. This paper uses the ORBIT model of obesity intervention development as a framework to outline the process of establishing three employer-based walking challenges in El Paso, Texas, a predominantly Mexican American community. The walking challenges were planned and implemented through the Border Coalition for Fitness and participating partnering organizations. Over 2000 participants and several employers took part in the walking challenges. Results from this ORBIT Phase 1 design intervention suggest that walking challenges are a feasible approach to increase physical activity in Mexican-Americans.

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