Exploring children’s perceptions of their local environment in relation to time spent outside

This study aims to understand how children perceive their environment, exploring the affordances children perceive to influence their physical activity (PA) behaviour when outside. Participants included boys and girls aged 10–12 years (n = 15) living in Scotland. Children's visual and verbal representations of their perceived environment were analysed to assess environmental determinants of PA. The findings suggested that physical affordances that offer a sense of risk were important to children's play spaces. Social affordances influenced where the children went in their environment and the features they utilised as part of play behaviour; strangers were considered threatening depending on whether the activity was recognised

The effect of an 8-week classroom-based physical activity and sedentary behaviour programme on adolescents' motivation and physical activity

We determine the effect of "ActiveChat" - an 8-week classroom-based physical activity (PA) and sedentary behaviour (SB) programme on adolescents' motivation and PA. Results of the feasibility study provides preliminary evidence suggesting that an 8-week teacher-led classroom-based PA and SB programme has the potential to maintain adolescents' motivation towards PA, and increase in-class levels of PA. This indicates that pedagogical methods could be adapted to incorporate more PA within secondary school classrooms

Classroom-based physical activity and sedentary behavior interventions in adolescents : a systematic review and meta-analysis

Background: It is reported that 81% of adolescents are insufficiently active. Schools play a pivotal role in promoting physical activity (PA) and reducing sedentary behavior (SB). The aim of this systematic review and meta-analysis was to evaluate classroom-based PA and SB interventions in adolescents. Methods: A search strategy was developed using the PICOS framework. Articles were screened using strict inclusion criteria. Study quality was assessed using the Effective Public Health Practice Project quality assessment tool ( http://www.ephpp.ca/tools.html ). Outcome data for preintervention and postintervention were extracted, and effect sizes were calculated using Cohen’s d. Results: The strategy yielded 7574 potentially relevant articles. Nine studies were included for review. Study quality was rated as strong for 1 study, moderate for 5 studies, and weak for 3 studies. Five studies were included for meta-analyses, which suggested that the classroom-based interventions had a nonsignificant effect on PA (P=.55, d=0.05) and a small, nonsignificant effect on SB ( P=.16, d=−0.11). Conclusion: Only 9 relevant studies were found, and the effectiveness of the classroom-based PA and SB interventions varied. Based on limited empirical studies, there is not enough evidence to determine the most effective classroom-based methodology to increase PA and SB

A mixed methods evaluation of a digital intervention to improve sedentary behaviour across multiple workplace settings

Background: Prolonged sedentary behaviour (SB) is associated with risk of chronic diseases. Digital interventions in SB require mixed method evaluations to understand potential for impact in real-world settings. In this study, the RE-AIM QuEST evaluation framework will be used to understand the potential of a digital health promotion application which targets reducing and breaking up SB across multiple workplace settings. Methods: Four companies and 80 employees were recruited to use a digital application. Questionnaires were used to measure SB, and additional health and work-related outcomes at baseline, one month, three month and six month follow-up. Qualitative data was collected through focus groups with employees and interviews with stakeholders. Questionnaire data was analysed using Wilcoxon Sign Rank tests and qualitative data was thematically analysed. Results: The digital application significantly increased standing time at one month for the total group and transitions per hour in one of the companies. Facilitators and barriers were identified across RE-AIM. Conclusions: Addressing the barriers which have been identified, while maintaining the positive attributes will be critical to producing an effective digital application which also has the potential for impact in the real world

The association between obesity and cognitive function in otherwise healthy premenopausal arab women

Objective. To examine the association between obesity and cognitive function in healthy premenopausal women. Methods. From a cohort of 220 women, 98 were randomly selected that provided complete data. Body composition was examined by dual-energy X-ray scan. All participants completed the Cambridge Neuropsychological Test Automated Battery (CANTAB) to assess cognitive performance in three domains: attention, memory, and planning executive function. The Reaction Time (RTI) test was used to assess motor and mental response speeds; the Stockings of Cambridge (SOC) test was used to assess planning executive function. For memory assessment, the Delayed Match to Sample (DMS), Pattern Recognition Memory (PRM), and Spatial Span (SSP) tests were used to assess forced choice recognition memory, visual pattern recognition memory, and working memory capacity, respectively. Results. 36 (36.7%) were morbidly obese, 22 (22.4%) obese, and 23 (23.5%) overweight. Performance on RTI and SOC planning ability were not associated with body mass index (BMI). DMS mean time to correct response, when stimulus is visible or immediately hidden (0 ms delay), was higher by 785 ± 302 ms (milliseconds) () and 587 ± 259 ms () in morbidly obese women compared to normal weight women. Memory span length was significantly lower in overweight (5.5 ± 1.3, ) and obese women (5.6 ± 1.6, ) compared to normal weight (6.7 ± 0.9). DEXA-assessed body fat (%) showed similar associations as BMI, and latency to correct response on DMS and PRM was positively correlated with percentage of body fat, but not with VO2 max. Conclusion. In otherwise healthy premenopausal women, obesity did not impact accuracy on cognitive tasks related to attention, memory, or planning executive function, but morbid obesity was associated with higher latency to correct response on memory-specific tasks and lower memory span length

Pilot testing of a nudge-based digital intervention (Welbot) to improve sedentary behaviour and wellbeing in the workplace

Welbot is a nudge-based digital intervention that aims to reduce sedentary behaviour and improve physical and mental wellbeing at work. The purpose of this study was to pilot test the Welbot intervention. Forty-one (6M/35F) University staff (M age = 43-years) participated in this study, which was a single arm repeated measures trial conducted over three weeks of intervention. The primary outcome was sedentary behaviour (measured subjectively and objectively) and secondary outcomes included: mental wellbeing, procrastination, depression, anxiety and stress, and work engagement. A subset of participants (n = 6) wore an ActivPAL to objectively measure activity data, while another subset of participants (n = 6) completed a qualitative semi-structured interview to ascertain experiences of using Welbot. Following the intervention, a Friedman non-parametric test revealed that participants self-reported significantly less time sitting and more time standing and objectively recorded more steps at the week-1 follow-up. A series of paired t-tests exhibited that changes in all secondary outcomes were in the expected direction. However, only improvements in depression, anxiety, and stress were significant. After using Welbot, thematic analysis demonstrated that participants perceived they had a positive behaviour change, increased awareness of unhealthy behaviours at work, and provided suggestions for intervention improvement. Overall, findings provided indications of the potential positive impact Welbot may have on employees’ wellbeing, however, limitations are noted. Recommendations for intervention improvement including personalisation (e.g., individual preferences for nudges and the option to sync Welbot with online calendars) and further research into how users engage with Welbot are provided

Should we scale-up? A mixed methods process evaluation of an intervention targeting sedentary office workers using the RE-AIM QuEST framework

Background: Interventions targeting a reduction in sedentary behaviour in office workers need to be scaled-up to have impact. In this study, the RE-AIM QuEST framework was used to evaluate the potential for further implementation and scale-up of a consultation based workplace intervention which targeted both the reduction, and breaking up of sitting time.  Methods: To evaluate the Springfield College sedentary behaviour intervention across multiple RE-AIM QuEST indicators; intervention participant, non-participant (employees who did not participate) and key informant (consultation delivery team; members of the research team and stakeholders in workplace health promotion) data were collected using interviews, focus groups and questionnaires. Questionnaires were summarized using descriptive statistics and interviews and focus groups were transcribed verbatim, and thematically analysed.  Results: Barriers to scale-up were: participant burden of activity monitoring; lack of management support; influence of policy; flexibility (scheduling/locations); time and cost. Facilitators to scale up were: visible leadership; social and cultural changes in the workplace; high acceptability; existing health and wellbeing programmes; culture and philosophy of the participating college.  Conclusion: There is potential for scale-up, however adaptations will need to be made to address the barriers to scale-up. Future interventions in office workers should evaluate for scalability during the pilot phases of research

Longitudinal changes in moderate-to-vigorous-intensity physical activity in children and adolescents: a systematic review and meta-analysis

Moderate‐to‐vigorous‐intensity physical activity (MVPA) is important for childhood obesity prevention and treatment, yet declines with age. Timing and magnitude of the decline in MVPA in children and adolescents are unclear but important for informing effective obesity intervention development. This systematic review aimed to determine and compare the year‐to‐year changes in MVPA among children and adolescents. Longitudinal studies were identified by searching 10 relevant databases up to December 2018. Studies were eligible for inclusion if they reported accelerometer‐assessed MVPA (min day−1) separately for boys and girls and had follow‐up duration of at least 1 year. After screening 9,232 studies, 52 were included representing 22,091 aged 3 to 18 year olds (boys=8,857; girls=13,234). Pooled‐analysis of the relative change in MVPA per year showed a decline of −3.4% (95% CI, −5.9 to −0.9) in boys and −5.3% (95% CI, −7.6 to −3.1) in girls, across all age groups. There were notable declines in MVPA at age 9 for both boys (−7.8%, 95% CI, −11.2 to −4.4) and girls (−10.2%, 95% CI, −14.2 to −6.3). The relative decline in MVPA affects both sexes from an early age; however, it is greater among girls. Interventions to promote MVPA should start before adolescence

The evaluation of ActiveChat : a classroom-based physical activity and sedentary behaviour programme implemented in Scottish secondary schools

This abstract contributes to the Active Scotland Outcomes Framework as it is an evaluation of a classroom-based programme which aimed to educate adolescents on the importance of physical activity and motivate them to become more active. The programme also encouraged adolescents to find their own solutions to being more active, thus enhancing autonomy and competence. Background: Physical activity (PA) of Scottish adolescents is low, with 18% reportedly meeting the guidelines. The school environment can provide opportunities for pupils to be active. ActiveChat is a classroom-based, teacher delivered PA and sedentary behaviour (SB) programme designed to enhance motivation and positive attitudes towards PA, reduce SB, and integrate movement within the classroom. Few classroom-based programmes have been designed and implemented within the secondary school setting. Aim: Evaluation of programmes is important to determine effectiveness, therefore the aim of this study was to evaluate ActiveChat through exploring teacher and pupils’ perceptions of the programme and determine the level of fidelity. Methods: Two teachers (1M, 1F; age range 35-64 years) and 17 pupils (9M, 8F; age range = 11- 14 years) participated in semi-structured interviews and focus groups. Duration of interviews/focus groups were ~15-30 minutes. A concurrent deductive and inductive content analysis was used to identify overall themes. Fidelity was assessed through direct observation, whereby two researchers observed all ActiveChat classes. Results/Findings: Overall themes identified in the interviews with the teachers were: positive overview of the ActiveChat programme; intended outcomes; negative views towards movement outside lesson tasks; perceived benefits of active learning; recommendations to improve the ActiveChat programme; and personal experience and perceptions. Overall themes identified in the pupil focus groups were: positive perceptions of the ActiveChat programme; negative aspects of the ActiveChat programme; recommendations to improve the ActiveChat programme; learning outcomes; and barriers to PA. Good levels of fidelity were reported based on researchers’ observations, with 63% of the programme being implemented as designed. Conclusion: Results of this evaluative study suggested teachers and pupils were receptive to the ActiveChat programme and identified its ability to integrate within the Scottish education system – the Curriculum for Excellence. Key findings from the direct observation and the teacher interviews suggest that movement needs to be integrated as part of the lesson tasks, rather than isolated active breaks. These findings and the recommendations provided by both teachers and pupils will further develop the ActiveChat programme for future research and implementation