Write, draw, show, and tell: a child-centred dual methodology to explore perceptions of out-of-school physical activity

Background Research to increase children’s physical activity and inform intervention design has, to date, largely underrepresented children’s voices. Further, research has been limited to singular qualitative methods that overlook children’s varied linguistic ability and interaction preference. The aim of this study was to use a novel combination of qualitative techniques to explore children’s current views, experiences and perceptions of out-of-school physical activity as well as offering formative opinion about future intervention design. Methods Write, draw, show and tell (WDST) groups were conducted with 35 children aged 10–11 years from 7 primary schools. Data were analysed through a deductive and inductive process, firstly using the Youth Physical Activity Promotion Model as a thematic framework, and then inductively to enable emergent themes to be further explored. Pen profiles were constructed representing key emergent themes. Results The WDST combination of qualitative techniques generated complimentary interconnected data which both confirmed and uncovered new insights into factors relevant to children’s out-of-school physical activity. Physical activity was most frequently associated with organised sports. Fun, enjoyment, competence, and physical activity provision were all important predictors of children’s out-of-school physical activity. Paradoxically, parents served as both significant enablers (i.e. encouragement) and barriers (i.e. restricting participation) to physical activity participation. Some of these key findings would have otherwise remained hidden when compared to more traditional singular methods based approaches. Conclusions Parents are in a unique position to promote health promoting behaviours serving as role models, physical activity gatekeepers and choice architects. Given the strong socialising effect parents have on children’s physical activity, family-based physical activity intervention may offer a promising alternative compared to traditional school-based approaches. Parents' qualitative input is important to supplement children’s voices and inform future family-based intervention design. The WDST method developed here is an inclusive, interactive and child-centred methodology which facilitates the exploration of a wide range of topics and enhances data credibility

A systematic review of determinants of sedentary behaviour in youth: a DEDIPAC- study

Abstract Sedentary behaviour (SB) has emerged as a potential risk factor for metabolic health in youth. Knowledge on the determinants of SB in youth is necessary to inform future intervention development to reduce SB. A systematic review was conducted to identify predictors and determinants of SB in youth. Pubmed, Embase, CINAHL, PsycINFO and Web of Science were searched, limiting to articles in English, published between January 2000 and May 2014. The search strategy was based on four key elements and their synonyms: (a) sedentary behaviour, (b) determinants, (c) types of sedentary behaviours, (d) types of determinants. The full protocol is available from PROSPERO (PROSPERO 2014:CRD42014009823). Cross-sectional studies were excluded. The analysis was guided by the socio-ecological model. 37 studies were selected out of 2654 identified papers from the systematic literature search. Most studies were conducted in Europe (n = 13), USA (n = 11), and Australia (n = 10). The study quality, using the Qualsyst tool, was high with a median of 82 % (IQR: 74-91 %). Multiple potential determinants were studied in only one or two studies. Determinants were found at the individual, interpersonal, environmental and policy level but few studies examined a comprehensive set of factors at different levels of influences. Evidence was found for age being positively associated with total SB, and weight status and baseline assessment of screen time being positively associated with screen time (at follow-up). A higher playground density and a higher availability of play and sports equipment at school were consistently related to an increased total SB, although these consistent findings come from single studies. Evidence was also reported for the presence of safe places to cross roads and lengthening morning and lunch breaks being associated with less total SB. Future interventions to decrease SB levels should especially target children with overweight or obesity and should start at a young age. However, since the relationship of many determinants with SB remains inconsistent, there is still a need for more longitudinal research on determinants of SB in youth

Lisää ja enemmän! : Perheiden kokemuksia avoimesta varhaiskasvatustoiminnasta Limingassa

Opinnäytetyön tavoitteena oli kartoittaa, minkälaisia kokemuksia asiakasperheillä on avoimen varhaiskasvatustoiminnan perheryhmistä ja lasten ryhmistä Limingan kunnassa. Tarkoituksena oli myös tutkia, minkälaisia kehittämisehdotuksia perheillä on toiminnalle. Limingan kunta sai tutkimuksen avulla tietoa siitä, onko avoimen varhaiskasvatustoiminnan järjestäminen vastannut sille asetettuihin tavoitteisiin. Tutkimuksen aineisto koottiin lomakekyselyllä kaikilta avoimia varhaiskasvatuspalveluita käyttäneiltä perheiltä. Aineisto analysoitiin sekä määrällisiä menetelmiä käyttäen että luokittelemalla ja teemoittelemalla. Opinnäytetyön tulosten mukaan avoin varhaiskasvatustoiminta on vastannut hyvin sille asetettuihin tavoitteisiin. Vanhemmat arvostavat kovasti omia ja lastensa sosiaalisia suhteita ja ne ovatkin suurin yksittäinen syy avoimeen varhaiskasvatustoimintaan osallistumiselle Limingassa. Vertaisryhmä koetaan tärkeäksi sekä perheryhmässä että lasten leikkitoiminnan ryhmissä. Tutkimustulosten mukaan ryhmässä toimimisen taidot ja kaveritaidot ovat niitä asioita, joiden oppimisen vuoksi liminkalaiset vanhemmat haluavat lastensa osallistuvan avoimeen varhaiskasvatustoimintaan ja näihin taitoihin liittyviin toimintoihin oltiin hyvin tyytyväisiä. Vastaajat olivat tyytyväisiä toimintaan tällaisenaan. Avointa varhaiskasvatustoimintaa toivottiin kuitenkin lisää. Vanhemmat toivovat myös kasvatuskeskusteluja lastentarhanopettajan kanssa sekä kasvatusaiheisia luentoja.The aim of the thesis was to identify what kind of experiences families had of open early childhood education activities for both family groups and children’s groups in the municipality of Liminka. The aim was also to examine what kind of development proposals the families had for the service. With the help of the study the municipality of Liminka received information on how the open early childhood education activities had reached the goals set for them. The research data was collected by using a questionnaire addressed to all the families that had used the open early childhood education services. The data was analysed by using quantitative methods as well as classification and themes. According to the results of the thesis, the open early childhood education services had reached the set targets quite well. The parents highly appreciated their own and their children's social relationships, and this was the biggest single reason for participating in the open early childhood education activities in Liminka. A peer group was considered important both in family groups and in the children's play groups. According to the results, it was because of learning group work and friendship skills that the parents wanted their children to participate in the open early childhood education activities. Moreover, the parents were satisfied with the activities related to these skills. The respondents were satisfied with the services as they were. However, they also wanted more open early childhood education services. The parents also wanted educational discussions with the kindergarten teachers as well as educational lectures

Data on determinants are needed to curb the sedentary epidemic in Europe. Lessons learnt from the DEDIPAC European knowledge hub

Societal and technological changes have resulted in sitting being the dominant posture during most activities of daily living, such as learning, working, travelling and leisure time. Too much time spent in seated activities, referred to as sedentary behaviour, is a novel concern for public health as it is one of the key lifestyle causes of poor health. The European DEDIPAC (Determinants of Diet and Physical Activity) Knowledge Hub coordinated the work of 35 institutions across 12 European member states to investigate the determinants of sedentary behaviour. DEDIPAC reviewed current evidence, set a theoretical framework and harmonised the available epidemiological data. The main results are summarised. The conclusion is that there is a dire lack of data that is exploitable across Europe to inform policy and intervention. There is an urgent need to develop international data collection compliant with FAIR (Findable, Accessible, Interoperable, Re-usable) and standardised surveillance systems for sedentary behaviour

The SOS-framework (Systems of Sedentary behaviours): An international transdisciplinary consensus framework for the study of determinants, research priorities and policy on sedentary behaviour across the life course: A DEDIPAC-study.

BACKGROUND: Ecological models are currently the most used approaches to classify and conceptualise determinants of sedentary behaviour, but these approaches are limited in their ability to capture the complexity of and interplay between determinants. The aim of the project described here was to develop a transdisciplinary dynamic framework, grounded in a system-based approach, for research on determinants of sedentary behaviour across the life span and intervention and policy planning and evaluation. METHODS: A comprehensive concept mapping approach was used to develop the Systems Of Sedentary behaviours (SOS) framework, involving four main phases: (1) preparation, (2) generation of statements, (3) structuring (sorting and ranking), and (4) analysis and interpretation. The first two phases were undertaken between December 2013 and February 2015 by the DEDIPAC KH team (DEterminants of DIet and Physical Activity Knowledge Hub). The last two phases were completed during a two-day consensus meeting in June 2015. RESULTS: During the first phase, 550 factors regarding sedentary behaviour were listed across three age groups (i.e., youths, adults and older adults), which were reduced to a final list of 190 life course factors in phase 2 used during the consensus meeting. In total, 69 international delegates, seven invited experts and one concept mapping consultant attended the consensus meeting. The final framework obtained during that meeting consisted of six clusters of determinants: Physical Health and Wellbeing (71% consensus), Social and Cultural Context (59% consensus), Built and Natural Environment (65% consensus), Psychology and Behaviour (80% consensus), Politics and Economics (78% consensus), and Institutional and Home Settings (78% consensus). Conducting studies on Institutional Settings was ranked as the first research priority. The view that this framework captures a system-based map of determinants of sedentary behaviour was expressed by 89% of the participants. CONCLUSION: Through an international transdisciplinary consensus process, the SOS framework was developed for the determinants of sedentary behaviour through the life course. Investigating the influence of Institutional and Home Settings was deemed to be the most important area of research to focus on at present and potentially the most modifiable. The SOS framework can be used as an important tool to prioritise future research and to develop policies to reduce sedentary time