Comparing different accelerometer cut-points for sedentary time in children

Actigraph accelerometers are hypothesized to be valid measurements for assessing children\u27s sedentary time. However, there is considerable variation in accelerometer cut-points used. Therefore, we compared the most common accelerometer sedentary cut-points of children performing sedentary behaviors. Actigraph Actitrainer uniaxial accelerometers were used to measure children\u27s activity intensity (29 children, 5-11 years old) during different activities, namely playing computer games, nonelectronic sedentary games, watching television and playing outdoors. A structured protocol was the criterion for assessing the validity of four common cut-points (100, 300, 800, 1100 counts/minute). The median counts during all sedentary behaviors were below the lowest comparison cut-point of 100 cpm. The 75th percentile values for the sedentary behaviors were always below the cut-point of 300 cpm. Our results suggest that the cut-point of <100 cpm is the most appropriate

Using a co-creational approach to develop, implement and evaluate an intervention to promote physical activity in adolescent girls from vocational and technical schools: a case control study

Background: As physical inactivity is particularly prevalent amongst lower-educated adolescent girls, interventions are needed. Using a co-creational approach increases their engagement and might be effective. This study aimed to: (1) describe the co-creation process, (2) evaluate how girls experienced co-creation, and (3) evaluate the effect of the co-creational interventions on physical activity, individual, sociocultural and school-based factors. Methods: Three intervention schools (n = 91) and three control schools (n = 105) across Flanders participated. A questionnaire was completed pre (September-October 2014) and post (April-May 2015). In between, sessions with a co-creation group were organised to develop and implement the intervention in each intervention school. Focus groups were conducted to evaluate the co-creational process. Results: School 1 organised sport sessions for girls, school 2 organised a fitness activity and set up a Facebook page, school 3 organised a lunch walk. Girls were positive about having a voice in developing an intervention. No significant effects were found, except for small effects on extracurricular sports participation and self-efficacy. Conclusions: Using a co-creational approach amongst adolescent girls might be a feasible approach. However, as interventions were minimal, effects were limited or undetectable. Future co-creation projects could consider the most optimal co-creation process, evaluation design and intensively test this approach

Effectiveness of intervention strategies exclusively targeting reductions in children’s sedentary time: a systematic review of the literature

Methodological quality assessment of included studies. (DOCX 57 kb

Determinants of physical activity and exercise in healthy older adults: A systematic review

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>The health benefits of regular physical activity and exercise have been widely acknowledged. Unfortunately, a decline in physical activity is observed in older adults. Knowledge of the determinants of physical activity (unstructured activity incorporated in daily life) and exercise (structured, planned and repetitive activities) is needed to effectively promote an active lifestyle. Our aim was to systematically review determinants of physical activity and exercise participation among healthy older adults, considering the methodological quality of the included studies.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>Literature searches were conducted in PubMed/Medline and PsycINFO/OVID for peer reviewed manuscripts published in English from 1990 onwards. We included manuscripts that met the following criteria: 1) population: community dwelling healthy older adults, aged 55 and over; 2) reporting determinants of physical activity or exercise. The outcome measure was qualified as physical activity, exercise, or combination of the two, measured objectively or using self-report. The methodological quality of the selected studies was examined and a best evidence synthesis was applied to assess the association of the determinants with physical activity or exercise.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>Thirty-four manuscripts reporting on 30 studies met the inclusion criteria, of which two were of high methodological quality. Physical activity was reported in four manuscripts, exercise was reported in sixteen and a combination of the two was reported in fourteen manuscripts. Three manuscripts used objective measures, twenty-two manuscripts used self-report measures and nine manuscripts combined a self-report measure with an objective measure. Due to lack of high quality studies and often only one manuscript reporting on a particular determinant, we concluded "insufficient evidence" for most associations between determinants and physical activity or exercise.</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>Because physical activity was reported in four manuscripts only, the determinants of physical activity particularly need further study. Recommendations for future research include the use of objective measures of physical activity or exercise as well as valid and reliable measures of determinants.</p

Untangling the complex implementation process of community-based health promotion:a multiple-case study in the Netherlands

Community-based programmes are a widely implemented approach for population health promotion. Due to the context-dependent and dynamic nature of these programmes, evaluating their implementation is challenging. Identifying key events in the implementation process in evaluation could enable us to support future implementation, while acknowledging the complexity of real-world implementation. We studied the nationwide implementation of the Dutch Healthy Youth, Healthy Future (JOGG) approach, a community-based programme for childhood overweight prevention. The aims of our study were (i) to gain insights into the implementation process of the JOGG approach, and (ii) to identify key events that influenced said process. In nine communities, we conducted interviews (n = 24) with coordinators and stakeholders involved in the implementation of the JOGG approach and collected documents on the programme's implementation. We applied the analytical tool 'Critical Event Card' to identify key events in the implementation process. Results showed that in 5-10 years of implementing the JOGG approach, communities have undergone different phases: preparation, upscaling, resource mobilization, integration with other policy initiatives and adaptation of the implementation strategy. Key events influencing the implementation process included national policy developments (e.g. new health programmes), framing of the JOGG approach in local policy, staff turnover and coordination teams' experiences and actions. Furthermore, changes in implementation were often triggered by the destabilization of the implementation process and linked to opportunities for change in the policy process. The identified key events can inform future implementation of the JOGG approach as well as other community-based health promotion programmes.</p

Effectiveness of a school-based physical activity-related injury prevention program on risk behavior and neuromotor fitness a cluster randomized controlled trial

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>To investigate the effects of a school-based physical activity-related injury prevention program, called 'iPlay', on risk behavior and neuromotor fitness.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>In this cluster randomized controlled trial 40 primary schools throughout the Netherlands were randomly assigned in an intervention (n = 20) or control group (n = 20). The study includes 2,210 children aged 10-12 years.</p> <p>The iPlay-intervention takes one school year and consists of a teacher manual, informative newsletters and posters, a website, and simple exercises to be carried out during physical education classes.</p> <p>Outcomes measures were self-reported injury preventing behavior, self-reported behavioral determinants (knowledge, attitude, social-influence, self-efficacy, and intention), and neuromotor fitness.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>The iPlay-program was not able to significantly improve injury-preventing behavior. The program did significantly improve knowledge and attitude, two determinants of behavior. The effect of the intervention-program on behavior appeared to be significantly mediated by knowledge and attitude. Improved scores on attitude, social norm, self-efficacy and intention were significantly related to changes in injury preventing behavior. Furthermore, iPlay resulted in small non-significant improvements in neuromotor fitness in favor of the intervention group.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>This cluster randomized controlled trial showed that the iPlay-program did significantly improved behavioral determinants. However, this effect on knowledge and attitude was not strong enough to improve injury preventing behavior. Furthermore, the results confirm the hypothetical model that injury preventing behavior is determined by intention, attitude, social norm and self-efficacy.</p> <p>Trial number</p> <p>ISRCTN78846684</p

Reliability and validity of the Activity Questionnaire for Adults and Adolescents (AQuAA)

BACKGROUND: Accurate measures of physical activity are highly needed. We evaluated the test-retest reliability and construct validity of the self-report Activity Questionnaire for Adults and Adolescents (AQuAA). The AQuAA is a commonly used questionnaire in Dutch youth. METHODS: In the test-retest reliability study, 53 adolescents and 58 adults completed the AQuAA twice, with an interval of two weeks. In the validity study, 33 adolescents and 47 adults wore an accelerometer (Actigraph) during two weeks, and subsequently completed the AQuAA. RESULTS: In adolescents the test-retest reliability was fair to moderate (intraclass correlations (ICCs) ranging from 0.30 to 0.59). In adults the test-retest reliability was fair to moderate for the time spent on sedentary, light and moderate intensity activities (ICCs ranging from 0.49 to 0.60), but poor for time spent on vigorous activities (ICC = -0.005). The correlations between the AQuAA and Actigraph were low and nonsignificant. Compared with the Actigraph, time spent on all physical activities was significantly higher according to the questionnaire (except for light intensity activities in adolescents), while time spent on sedentary behaviours was significantly lower. CONCLUSION: Reliability of the AQuAA is fair to moderate. The validity of the AQuAA compared to an accelerometer is poor. Both adolescents and adults underestimate the time spent on sedentary behaviours and overestimate the time spent on physical activitie

Is the transition from primary to secondary school a risk factor for energy balance-related behaviours? A systematic review

Abstract Objective: The substantial changes in the physical and social environment during the transition from primary to secondary school may significantly impact adolescents’ energy balance-related behaviours (i.e. dietary behaviour, sedentary behaviour, sleep behaviour, and physical activity). This is the first review systematically summarising evidence on changes in four energy balance-related behaviours of adolescents across the school transition from primary to secondary school. Design: For this systematic review the electronic databases Embase, PsycINFO and SPORTDiscus were searched for relevant studies from inception to August 2021. PubMed was searched for relevant studies from inception to September 2022. Inclusion criteria were: i) longitudinal studies reporting ii) one or more energy balance-related behaviours iii) across the school transition i.e. with measurement(s) during both primary and secondary school. Setting: Transition from primary to secondary school Participants: Adolescents across the transition from primary to secondary school. Results: Thirty-four studies were eligible. We found strong evidence for an increase in sedentary time, moderate evidence for a decrease in fruit and vegetable consumption, and inconclusive evidence for a change in total, light, and moderate-to-vigorous physical activity, active transport, screen time, unhealthy snack consumption, and sugar sweetened beverages consumption among adolescents across the school transition. Conclusions: During the transition from primary to secondary school, sedentary time and fruit and vegetable consumption tend to change unfavourably. More high-quality, longitudinal research is needed specifically on changes in energy balance-related behaviour across the school transition, especially regarding sleep behaviour. (Prospero registration: CRD42018084799

Adolescent predictors of objectively measured physical activity and sedentary behaviour at age 42: the Amsterdam Growth and Health Longitudinal Study (AGAHLS)

Background: This study investigated the associations of physical characteristics and personality in adolescence with physical activity and sedentary behaviour in adulthood.Findings: Physical characteristics (i.e. objectively measured BMI, sum of skin folds, MOPER test battery performance), and personality (i.e. self-reported inadequacy, social inadequacy, rigidity, self-sufficiency/recalcitrance, dominance, achievement motivation, facilitating anxiety, debilitating anxiety, and social desirability) were assessed in 217 adolescent boys (Mean 13.0, SD 0.6) and girls (Mean 12.9, SD 0.6). Twenty-nine years later, at the age of 42, their physical activity and sedentary behaviour were assessed by means of accelerometry. Boys who scored lower on self-sufficiency/recalcitrance and higher on facilitating anxiety spent more time sedentary in adulthood. Girls with a superior standing high jump performance, and a lower score on social desirability spent more time sedentary in adulthood. In contrast with sedentary behaviour, physical activity at age 42 year could not be predicted by physical characteristics or personality in adolescence.Conclusions: Sedentary behaviour in adulthood was partly explained by physical characteristics and/or personality in adolescence. Thus, our results suggest that it may be possible to identify people who are at risk of becoming sedentary at a rather young age. © 2011 Uijtdewilligen et al; licensee BioMed Central Ltd

Ethnic differences in BMI among Dutch adolescents: what is the role of screen-viewing, active commuting to school, and consumption of soft drinks and high-caloric snacks?

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>The threats posed by the rising prevalence of overweight and obesity on public health have been widely acknowledged. Several population groups, which deserve special attention because of their higher prevalence rates, have been identified. These include adolescents and ethnic sub-groups. The aim of the present study was twofold: (1) to assess ethnic differences in body mass index (BMI) and in behaviours that are related to both energy intake and energy expenditure, and (2) to examine whether these behaviours explain the relationship between ethnicity and BMI.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>We conducted a cross-sectional data analysis among 957 Dutch adolescents (mean age = 12.7 years). Body height and weight were measured using a standardized protocol. Adolescents completed a questionnaire on screen-viewing behaviour, physical activity, consumption of sugar-containing beverages, and consumption of high-caloric snacks.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>In our study sample 121 adolescents (= 13%) were of Non-Western origin. BMI was significantly higher in Non-Western adolescents (boys: 19.9 kg/m², SD = 3.0, girls: 20.9 kg/m², SD = 3.8) compared to Dutch adolescents (boys: 18.4 kg/m², SD = 2.8, girls: 19.0 kg/m², SD = 3.0). Our results show that time spent on television viewing, active commuting to school, and consumption of fruit juices partially mediated the association between BMI and ethnicity.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>Behaviours related to both energy expenditure and energy intake may contribute to the ethnic differences in BMI in adolescents and should be considered when tailoring overweight prevention programs to ethnic subpopulations.</p> <p>Trial registration</p> <p>International Standard Randomised Controlled Trial Number ISRCTN87127361</p