Physical Activity, Sedentary Behaviour and Other Health Outcomes in People Following Restrictive Bariatric Surgery

Two separate samples of obese adults scheduled to undergo restrictive bariatric surgery participated in two studies that comprised this programme of research. There were no changes from pre-surgery in measures of physical activity (PA) and sedentary behaviour collected over the first 12 months post-surgery, despite large and significant weight loss. People who undergo restrictive bariatric surgery continue to have low motivation and experience barriers to PA, which can inform much needed interventions to optimise PA

“It helps and it doesn’t help”: Maternal perspectives on how the use of smartphones and tablet computers influences parent-infant attachment

As families increase their use of mobile touch screen devices (smartphones and tablet computers), there is potential for this use to influence parent-child interactions required to form a secure attachment during infancy, and thus future child developmental outcomes. Thirty families of infants (aged 9–15 months) were interviewed to explore how parents and infants use these devices, and how device use influenced parents’ thoughts, feelings and behaviours towards their infant and other family interactions. Two-thirds of infants were routinely involved in family video calls and one-third used devices for other purposes. Parent and/or child device use served to both enhance connection and increase distraction between parents and infants and between other family members. Mechanisms for these influences are discussed. The findings highlight a new opportunity for how hardware and software should be designed and used to maximise benefits and reduce detriments of device use to optimise parent-infant attachment and child development. Practitioner Summary: Many families with infants regularly use smartphones and tablet computers. This qualitative study found that how devices were used either enhanced or disrupted feelings of parent-infant attachment. Practitioners should be aware of the potential beneficial and detrimental impacts of device use among families given implications for attachment and future child development

“Coronavirus changed the rules on everything”: Parent perspectives on how the COVID‐19 pandemic influenced family routines, relationships and technology use in families with infants

This study explores how the first wave of the COVID‐19 pandemic influenced family routines, relationships and technology use (smartphones and tablet computers) among families with infants. Infancy is known to be an important period for attachment security and future child development, and a time of being susceptible to changes within and outside of the family unit. A qualitative design using convenience sampling was employed. A total of 30 mothers in Perth, Western Australia participated in semi‐structured interviews by audio or video call. All mothers were parents of infants aged 9 to 15 months old. Interviews were audio‐recorded and transcribed, and data were analysed using thematic analysis to code and identify themes in an inductive manner. Families described staying home and stopping all external activities. Three themes relating to family interactions and wellbeing were found: enhanced family relationships; prompted reflection on family schedules; and increased parental stress. Two themes related to family device use were found: enabled connections to be maintained; and source of disrupted interactions within the family unit. Overall, participants described more advantages than downsides of device use during COVID‐19. Findings will be of value in providing useful information for families, health professionals and government advisors for use during future pandemic‐related restrictions

The role of digital technology use among families with infants during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Background: COVID-19 was declared a global pandemic in March 2020. Globally, countries have experienced varying degrees of infections and deaths that have occurred across multiple ‘waves’. A variety of restrictions have been adopted in response to these waves (e.g. periods of ‘lockdown’) aimed at minimising public health and economic impacts. These restrictions may have influenced how families interact, and therefore may have an important influence on child health and development.Aims: This study explored how the first wave of the COVID-19 pandemic influenced the use of smartphones and tablet computers among Western Australian families with infants.Methods: Thirty mothers of infants (aged 9 to 15 months) were interviewed by audio or video call between July and September 2020. Results: Almost two-thirds described an increase in the use of mobile touch screen devices, typically in relation to their own use of them. Two key themes related to smartphone and tablet computer use were found: maintaining connections (by enabling virtual communication with family and enabling activities to continue); and being a source of disrupted interactions within the immediate family unit.Conclusions: The findings showed that smartphones and tablet computers were generally used in positive and helpful ways. The findings of this study will be of value in preparing useful information on how to maximise the benefits and minimise the downsides of family technology use during future pandemic-related situations.

Conflicting Guidelines on Young Children's Screen Time and Use of Digital Technology Create Policy and Practice Dilemmas

Across the globe, many children live in a digitally enmeshed world. Education and industry authorities encourage the use of digital technology by children to prepare them to thrive in a digital world. Health authorities, in contrast, discourage young children's use of digital technology and raise concerns about the potential negative effects on children's physical, cognitive, emotional, and social well-being. This paper articulates the differing perspectives of education and health authorities that result in a dilemma for those charged with providing for young children's health, care, education, development, and well-being—that of conflicting advice regarding the use of digital technology in early childhood. We highlight the consequent need for clear and balanced information regarding appropriate digital technology practices for families, doctors, educators, and other professionals working with young children—so that young children may gain benefits from digital technology use while minimizing the potential for harm

Using digital technologies to support family practices encouraging physical activity by young children

Background: Adults caring for young children receive mixed messages about young children’s use of digital technology and how it may impact children’s health and wellbeing, which can impair decision-making about how to use technology in the best interests of young children. Aims:To support families with young children to use technology to help children be more active.Methods: This in-home, 12-week field trial was part of a larger study using a participatory design approach involving researchers, trusted industry partners (Playgroup WA, ABC Kids, the Raising Children Network), and families with young children. Participant families, with children aged 18-36 months, were recruited from playgroups in Perth. Parents were invited to an online workshop that included brainstorming on how to use digital resources to inform practices to help children be more active. Families trialled practices based on a curated list of digital resources, provided via weekly emails, and were asked to provide weekly feedback during the trial and in a post-trial semi-structured qualitative interview. Results:  Fourteen families from eight playgroups participated in the trial from May-August 2021. Parents indicated that the digital resources informed useful family activities to help their children be more active in varied ways, including a source of inspiration for different ways to engage in physical activity, promoting family engagement, encouraging the development of children’s physical skills, and enhancing children’s participation in physical activity. Conclusions: This study found that a participatory design approach between families, research and industry partners resulted in family practices promoting physical activity with technologies.