Tracking of MVPA across childhood and adolescence

\ua9 2024 The AuthorsObjectives: Tracking of physical activity from childhood onwards is an important public health issue, but evidence on tracking is limited. This study quantified the tracking of Moderate-Vigorous Physical Activity (MVPA) across childhood and adolescence in a recent cohort from England. Design: Longitudinal, with a socio-economically representative sample from North-East England, over an 8-year period. Methods: Measures of time spent in MVPA, with an Actigraph GT1M accelerometer, were made at age 7–8y (n = 622, T1), age 9–10y (n = 585, T2), age 12–13y (n = 525, T3) and age 14–16y (n = 361, T4). Tracking of MVPA was assessed using rank order correlations between time spent in MVPA T1–T2, T1–T3, and T1–T4, and by using Cohen\u27s kappa to examine tracking of meeting the MVPA guideline (mean of 60 min/d). We examined whether tracking varied by sex, socio-economic status (SES), initial MVPA, or initial body fatness. Results: Rank order correlations were all statistically significant at p < 0.01 and moderate: 0.58 between T1 and T2; 0.42 between T1 and T3; 0.41 between T1 and T4. Cohen\u27s kappas for meeting the global MVPA guideline were all significant, weakening from moderate to low over the 8 years. Tracking was stronger in higher SES compared to lower SES groups, and there was some evidence that it was stronger in girls than boys, but the other explanatory variables had little influence on tracking. Conclusions: Tracking of MVPA from mid-childhood to mid-adolescence in this cohort was moderate. This study suggests there is a need to establish high MVPA by mid-childhood, and to mitigate the age-related reduction in MVPA which occurs from mid-childhood

Determinants of changes in sedentary time and breaks in sedentary time among 9 and 12 year old children

The current study aimed to identify the determinants of objectively measured changes in sedentary time and sedentary fragmentation from age 9 - to age 12 years. Data were collected as part of the Gateshead Millennium Birth Cohort study from September 2008 - August 2009 and from January 2012 - November 2012. Participants were 9.3 (±0.4) years at baseline (n=508) and 12.5 (±0.3) years at follow-up (n=427). Sedentary behaviour was measured using an ActiGraph GT1M accelerometer. Twenty potential determinants were measured, within a socio-ecological model, and tested for their association with changes in sedentary time and the extent to which sedentary behaviour is prolonged or interrupted (fragmentation index). Univariate and multivariate linear regression analysis were conducted. Measurements taken during winter and a greater decrease in moderate-to-vigorous intensity physical activity (MVPA) over time were associated with larger increases in sedentary time (seasonality β:-3.03; 95% CI:-4.52,-1.54; and change in MVPA β:-1.68; 95% CI:-1.94, -1.41). Attendance at sport clubs was associated with smaller increases in sedentary time (-1.99; -3.44, -0.54). Girls showed larger decreases in fragmentation index (-0.52; -1.01, -0.02). Interventions aimed at decreasing the decline in MVPA and increasing/maintaining sport club attendance may prevent the rise in sedentary time as children grow older. In addition, winter could be targeted to prevent an increase in sedentary time and reduction in sedentary fragmentation during this season

A Preliminary Study of Physical Fitness in 8- to 10-Year-Old Primary School Children From North East England in Comparison With National and International Data

Purpose: Despite recent updates to international normative values for physical fitness in young people, contemporary data sets from England are sparse with no published data available from the North East. We compared physical fitness in children from one primary school in North East England to International and European reference data, and other English regions. Methods: Eighty participants (mean age [SD]: 9.1 [0.6] y) completed a testing battery of 20-m shuttle run test, handgrip strength, standing broad jump, and sit-and-reach. Scores for each component were assessed against International or European age- and sex-specific centiles, then grouped into quintiles. Differences between our sample and European and English data sets were explored using z scores and t tests. Results: For all components, ≥58% of participants were classified as having “moderate” or lower levels. Twenty-meter shuttle run test performance was not substantially different compared with other English data sets. For handgrip and sit-and-reach, our sample scored significantly worse than South East children. Standing broad jump distance in girls, and handgrip in boys and girls, was significantly lower than North West equivalents. Conclusion: Physical fitness levels in primary school children from North East England are suboptimal, highlighting a need for large-scale monitoring studies to build on our preliminary findings

The association between physical fitness, sports club participation and body mass index on health-related quality of life in primary school children from a socioeconomically deprived area of England

We examined associations between physical fitness components, body mass index (BMI) and sports club participation on health-related quality of life (HRQoL) in 8- to 11-year-old children from a socioeconomically deprived region of England. From May-October 2019, 432 children completed the HRQoL questionnaire Kidscreen-27 and Leisure Time Physical Activity Survey, and a physical fitness testing battery of 20 m shuttle run test (20mSRT), handgrip strength (Handgrip), standing broad jump (Broad Jump), and sit-and-reach. Height, body mass, BMI and somatic maturity data were collected. Comparisons with reference populations were undertaken using a quintile framework. Linear and quantile regression assessed associations between physical fitness components and HRQoL variables. Using English Indices of Multiple Deprivation, 90% of children were from the most deprived quintile and 39% were overweight or obese. More children scored poorly on the Physical Wellbeing (40%) and Psychological Wellbeing (45%) HRQoL domains than the reference population (31%). Physical fitness scores were generally classed as ‘low’-’very low’ (42–58%). 20mSRT and Broad Jump performance explained an additional 10.7% of variance in Physical Wellbeing after adjusting for BMI z-score, sex and age (total R2 21.2%). Quantile regression identified a subset of children who rated Physical Wellbeing as high regardless of 20mSRT performance. Sports club participation was associated with better 20mSRT and Broad Jump performance, and all domains of HRQoL. Our data indicate that some physical fitness components and sports club participation are positively associated with HRQoL of children from socioeconomically deprived areas, irrespective of BMI z-score. Interventions to improve HRQoL should consider both aspects

Changes in children’s physical fitness, BMI and health-related quality of life after the first 2020 COVID-19 lockdown in England: A longitudinal study

We aimed to assess one-year changes in physical fitness, health-related quality of life (HRQoL) and body mass index (BMI), encompassing the 2020 COVID-19 UK lockdowns. Data were collected (October 2019, November 2020) from 178 8–10–year-olds in Newcastle-upon-Tyne, England, 85% from England’s most deprived quintile. Twenty-metre shuttle run test performance (20mSRT), handgrip strength (HGS), standing broad jump (SBJ), sit-and-reach, height, body mass, HRQoL (Kidscreen-27 questionnaire) and sports club participation were measured. BMI z-scores and overweight/obesity were calculated (≥85th centile). Paired t-tests and linear regression assessed change, adjusting for baseline BMI. Significant (p<0.001) changes were observed: increases in mean BMI (+1.5kg·m−2), overweight/obesity (33% to 47%), SBJ (+6.8cm) and HGS (+1.5kg); decreases in 20mSRT performance (−3 shuttles), sit-and-reach (−1.8cm). More children at follow-up were categorized “very low” for 20mSRT performance (35% baseline v 51%). Increased BMI z-score was associated with decreased “Physical Wellbeing” HRQoL. Follow-up sports club participation was associated with better 20mSRT performance (p=0.032), and “Autonomy & Parents” (p=0.011), “Social Support & Peers” (p=0.038) HRQoL. Children’s 20mSRT performance and BMI changed adversely over one year; national lockdowns potentially made negative contributions. Physical fitness, physical activity and sports programmes should be part of children’s physical and mental recovery from the pandemic

Randomized controlled trial of a good practice approach to treatment of childhood obesity in Malaysia: Malaysian childhood obesity treatment trial (MASCOT)

Context. Few randomized controlled trials (RCTs) of interventions for the treatment of childhood obesity have taken place outside the Western world. Aim. To test whether a good practice intervention for the treatment of childhood obesity would have a greater impact on weight status and other outcomes than a control condition in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. Methods. Assessor-blinded RCT of a treatment intervention in 107 obese 7- to 11-year olds. The intervention was relatively low intensity (8 hours contact over 26 weeks, group based), aiming to change child sedentary behavior, physical activity, and diet using behavior change counselling. Outcomes were measured at baseline and six months after the start of the intervention. Primary outcome was BMI z-score, other outcomes were weight change, health-related quality of life (Peds QL), objectively measured physical activity and sedentary behavior (Actigraph accelerometry over 5 days). Results. The intervention had no significant effect on BMI z score relative to control. Weight gain was reduced significantly in the intervention group compared to the control group (+1.5 kg vs. +3.5 kg, respectively, t-test p &lt; 0.01). Changes in health-related quality of life and objectively measured physical activity and sedentary behavior favored the intervention group. Conclusions. Treatment was associated with reduced rate of weight gain, and improvements in physical activity and quality of life. More substantial benefits may require longer term and more intensive interventions which aim for more substantive lifestyle changes

Longitudinal study of the associations between change in sedentary behavior and change in adiposity during childhood and adolescence:Gateshead Millennium Study

BACKGROUND: Sedentary time (ST) has been reported to have a range of negative health effects in adults, however, the evidence for such effects among children and adolescents is sparse. The primary aim of the study was to examine associations between changes in sedentary behavior (time and fragmentation) and changes in adiposity across childhood and adolescence. METHODS: Participants were recruited as part of the Gateshead Millennium Study. Measures were taken at age 7y (n=502), 9y (n=506), 12y (n=420) and 15y (n=306). Participants wore an ActiGraph GT1M and accelerometer epochs were 'sedentary' when recorded counts were ⩽25 counts/15 s. ST was calculated and fragmentation (SF) was assessed by calculating the number of sedentary bouts per sedentary hour. Associations of changes in ST and SF with changes in adiposity (Body Mass Index (BMI), and Fat Mass Index (FMI)) were examined using bivariate linear spline models. RESULTS: Increasing ST by 1% per year was associated with an increase in BMI of 0.08 kg/m(2)/year (95%CI: 0.06-0.10; P<0.001) and FMI of 0.15 kg/m(2)/year (0.11-0.19; P<0.001). Change in SF was associated with BMI and FMI (P<0.001). An increase of 1 bout per sedentary hour per year (i.e. sedentary time becoming more fragmented) was associated with an increase in BMI of 0.07 kg/m(2)/year (0.06-0.09; P<0.001) and an increase in FMI of 0.14 kg/m(2)/year (0.10-0.18; P<0.001) over the 8y period. However, an increase in SF between 9y-12y was associated with a 0.09 kg/m(2)/year decrease in BMI (-0.18-0.00; p=0.046) and 0.11 kg/m(2)/year decrease in FMI (-0.22-0.00; P=0.049). CONCLUSIONS: Increased ST and increased SF from 7y to 15y were associated with increased adiposity. This is the first study to show age-specific associations between change in objectively measured sedentary behaviour and adiposity after adjustment of MVPA in children and adolescents.. The study suggests that, targeting sedentary behaviour for obesity prevention may be most effective during periods in which we see large increases in ST.International Journal of Obesity accepted article preview online, 15 March 2017. doi:10.1038/ijo.2017.69

Children, parents, and pets exercising together (CPET) randomised controlled trial: study rationale, design, and methods

Objectively measured physical activity is low in British children, and declines as childhood progresses. Observational studies suggest that dog-walking might be a useful approach to physical activity promotion in children and adults, but there are no published public health interventions based on dog-walking with children. The Children, Parents, and Pets Exercising Together Study aims to develop and evaluate a theory driven, generalisable, family-based, dog walking intervention for 9-11 year olds

Changes in children’s physical fitness, BMI and health-related quality of life after the first 2020 COVID-19 lockdown in England: A longitudinal study

We aimed to assess one-year changes in physical fitness, health-related quality of life (HRQoL) and body mass index (BMI), encompassing the 2020 COVID-19 UK lockdowns. Data were collected (October 2019, November 2020) from 178 8–10–year-olds in Newcastle-upon-Tyne, England, 85% from England’s most deprived quintile. Twenty-metre shuttle run test performance (20mSRT), handgrip strength (HGS), standing broad jump (SBJ), sit-and-reach, height, body mass, HRQoL (Kidscreen-27 questionnaire) and sports club participation were measured. BMI z-scores and overweight/obesity were calculated (≥85th centile). Paired t-tests and linear regression assessed change, adjusting for baseline BMI. Significant (p<0.001) changes were observed: increases in mean BMI (+1.5kg·m−2), overweight/obesity (33% to 47%), SBJ (+6.8cm) and HGS (+1.5kg); decreases in 20mSRT performance (−3 shuttles), sit-and-reach (−1.8cm). More children at follow-up were categorized “very low” for 20mSRT performance (35% baseline v 51%). Increased BMI z-score was associated with decreased “Physical Wellbeing” HRQoL. Follow-up sports club participation was associated with better 20mSRT performance (p=0.032), and “Autonomy & Parents” (p=0.011), “Social Support & Peers” (p=0.038) HRQoL. Children’s 20mSRT performance and BMI changed adversely over one year; national lockdowns potentially made negative contributions. Physical fitness, physical activity and sports programmes should be part of children’s physical and mental recovery from the pandemic