Temporal Trends and Correlates of Physical Activity, Sedentary Behaviour, and Physical Fitness among School-Aged Children in Sub-Saharan Africa: A Systematic Review

Recent physical activity (PA) and fitness transitions, identified as behavioural shifts from traditionally active lifestyles to more industralised and sedentary lifestyles, have been observed among school-aged children. There is a wealth of supporting evidence of such behavioural transitions in high income countries; however, a paucity of data on lower income countries exists. These transitions pose a particular threat to the welfare of children by accelerating the onset of chronic diseases. This systematic review investigated the evidence for a PA and fitness transition among Sub-Saharan Africa’s school-aged children. Temporal trends and correlates of PA, SB, and fitness were examined. Studies were identified by searching the Medline, Embase, Africa Index Medicus, Global Health, Geobase, and EPPI-Centre electronic databases, and were included if they measured outcomes of interest in apparently healthy samples of children (5‒17 years). A total of 71 articles met the inclusion criteria (40 informed PA, 17 informed SB, and 37 informed fitness). Vast heterogeneity in study methodology complicated analysis of transitions over time and no temporal trends were immediately discernible. However, higher socioeconomic status, urban living, and female children were found to engage in lower levels of PA, higher SB, and performed worse on aerobic fitness measures compared to lower socioeconomic status, rural living, and male children. Data revealed that urbanization was associated with a trend towards decreased PA, increased SB, and decreased aerobic fitness over time. Representative, temporally sequenced data examining a PA and fitness transition are lacking in this region (PROSPERO Registration Number: CRD42013004399)

Canadian physical activity guidelines for adults: are Canadians aware?

The present study evaluated awareness of the 2011 Canadian Physical Activity (PA) Guidelines for Adults and assessed correlates. Reported awareness of the PA guidelines was 12.9% (204/1586) of the total sample surveyed. Over half (55%) self-reported meeting PA guidelines of ≥150 minutes of moderate-to-vigorous PA per week. Awareness of PA guidelines was significantly related to participants’ level of PA (χ2 (1) = 30.63, p< 0.001, φ = –0.14), but not to any demographic variables.The accepted manuscript in pdf format is listed with the files at the bottom of this page. The presentation of the authors' names and (or) special characters in the title of the manuscript may differ slightly between what is listed on this page and what is listed in the pdf file of the accepted manuscript; that in the pdf file of the accepted manuscript is what was submitted by the author

Evidence of an Overweight/Obesity Transition among School-Aged Children and Youth in Sub-Saharan Africa: A Systematic Review

<div><p>Background</p><p>Prevalence of childhood overweight/obesity has increased considerably in recent years. The transition to higher rates of overweight/obesity has been well documented in high income countries; however, consistent or representative data from lower income countries is scarce. It is therefore pertinent to assess if rates of overweight/obesity are also increasing in lower income countries, to inform public health efforts.</p><p>Objective</p><p>This systematic review aimed to investigate the evidence for an overweight/obesity transition occurring in school-aged children and youth in Sub Saharan Africa.</p><p>Methods</p><p>Studies were identified by searching the MEDLINE, Embase, Africa Index Medicus, Global Health, Geobase, and EPPI-Centre electronic databases. Studies that used subjective or objective metrics to assess body composition in apparently healthy or population-based samples of children and youth aged 5 to 17 years were included.</p><p>Results</p><p>A total of 283 articles met the inclusion criteria, and of these, 68 were used for quantitative synthesis. The four regions (West, Central, East, and South) of Sub Saharan Africa were well represented, though only 11 (3.9%) studies were nationally representative. Quantitative synthesis revealed a trend towards increasing proportions of overweight/obesity over time in school-aged children in this region, as well as a persistent problem of underweight. Weighted averages of overweight/obesity and obesity for the entire time period captured were 10.6% and 2.5% respectively. Body composition measures were found to be higher in girls than boys, and higher in urban living and higher socioeconomic status children compared to rural populations or those of lower socioeconomic status.</p><p>Conclusions</p><p>This review provides evidence for an overweight/obesity transition in school-aged children in Sub Saharan Africa. The findings of this review serve to describe the region with respect to the growing concern of childhood overweight/obesity, highlight research gaps, and inform interventions.</p><p>PROSPERO Registration Number</p><p>CRD42013004399</p></div

MEDLINE search strategy; Ovid interface.

<p><b>Note:</b> The search strategy for this systematic review was completed in tandem with a sister publication examining the evidence for a physical activity, sedentary behaviour, and physical fitness transition among school-age children and youth in Sub Saharan Africa; hence, the inclusion of these terms in the search strategy.</p

Proportions of overweight/obesity (combined) and obesity over time in Sub Saharan Africa.

<p>Proportions of overweight/obesity (combined) and obesity over time in Sub Saharan Africa.</p

Proportions of underweight over time in Sub Saharan Africa.

<p>Proportions of underweight over time in Sub Saharan Africa.</p

Proportions of overweight/obesity (combined) in Sub Saharan Africa's boys and girls.

<p>Proportions of overweight/obesity (combined) in Sub Saharan Africa's boys and girls.</p

Proportions of overweight/obesity as reported by studies used in quantitative synthesis.

<p><b>Acronyms:</b> M (male); F (female); UW (underweight); NW (normal weight); OW (overweight); OB (obese).</p><p><b>Weighted averages:</b> Proportions may not add up to 100% for M, F, and T since some of the included studies did not report in each of the UW, NW, OW, and, OB categories.</p>a<p>Year of publication (year that corresponding data was collected included in brackets).</p