Gender differences in motivation for participation in extra-curricular dance: Application of the Theory of Planned Behaviour

A key influence on motivation to take part in lifelong physical activity is experience of physical education during the school years. Curriculum-based dance is important for providing a pathway into extra-curricular dance because, for many young people, physical education is their only opportunity to experience dance. A sample of 362 adolescents (mean age 11.10 years, SD 0.85) from four UK schools completed questionnaires assessing predictors of intention to participate in extra-curricular dance, based on the Theory of Planned Behaviour. Mixed measures analysis of variance were conducted to establish whether intention, attitude, subjective norm and perceived behavioural control changed over time and if any observed change differed between boys and girls. Girls were significantly more motivated to participate in extra-curricular dance than boys. Participation in dance during physical education did not influence this difference. Creating the opportunity to participate in dance is not sufficient to enhance motivation for participation

Inequalities in pediatric avoidable hospitalizations between Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal children in Australia: a population data linkage study

Background: Australian Aboriginal children experience a disproportionate burden of social and health disadvantage. Avoidable hospitalizations present a potentially modifiable health gap that can be targeted and monitored using population data. This study quantifies inequalities in pediatric avoidable hospitalizations between Australian Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal children. Methods: This statewide population-based cohort study included 1 121 440 children born in New South Wales, Australia, between 1 July 2000 and 31 December 2012, including 35 609 Aboriginal children. Using linked hospital data from 1 July 2000 to 31 December 2013, we identified pediatric avoidable, ambulatory care sensitive and non-avoidable hospitalization rates for Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal children. Absolute and relative inequalities between Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal children were measured as rate differences and rate ratios, respectively. Individual-level covariates included age, sex, low birth weight and/or prematurity, and private health insurance/patient status. Area-level covariates included remoteness of residence and area socioeconomic disadvantage. Results: There were 365 386 potentially avoidable hospitalizations observed over the study period, most commonly for respiratory and infectious conditions; Aboriginal children were admitted more frequently for all conditions. Avoidable hospitalization rates were 90.1/1000 person-years (95 % CI, 88.9–91.4) in Aboriginal children and 44.9/1000 person-years (44.8–45.1) in non-Aboriginal children (age and sex adjusted rate ratio = 1.7 (1.7–1.7)). Rate differences and rate ratios declined with age from 94/1000 person-years and 1.9, respectively, for children aged <2 years to 5/1000 person-years and 1.8, respectively, for ages 12- < 14 years. Findings were similar for the subset of ambulatory care sensitive hospitalizations, but in contrast, non-avoidable hospitalization rates were almost identical in Aboriginal (10.1/1000 person-years, (9.6–10.5)) and non-Aboriginal children (9.6/1000 person-years (9.6–9.7)). Conclusions: We observed substantial inequalities in avoidable hospitalizations between Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal children regardless of where they lived, particularly among young children. Policy measures that reduce inequities in the circumstances in which children grow and develop, and improved access to early intervention in primary care, have potential to narrow this gap

Influence of body mass index and gender on physical activity in primary school children during PE and non-PE school days

The benefits of physical activity (PA) for children are well recognised. Children who display high levels of moderate to vigorous physical activity (MVPA) have a lower risk of becoming overweight/obese(1) or becoming inactive adults(2). Existing evidence suggests a potential interaction between gender and BMI in terms of PA, with low MVPA associated with those with greater BMI z-scores in 7–9 year old girls, but not boys(3). In 2014, the new National Curriculum for England was implemented across the UK for Physical Education (PE). The aim of this study was to compare objectively measured PA on PE and non-PE days and determine whether children’s BMI and gender influenced the differences found. PA was measured using tri-axial accelerometers (Actigraph GT3X-BT) worn at the hip in male (n 47) and female (n 39) children aged 6·8 (SD 0·6) years, height 123·2 (SD 5·6) cm and body mass 24·45 (SD 3·95) kg over four days at school (360 min per day). The duration of sedentary and MVPA in regular class time and structured PE classes (46 (SD 12) min duration) was measured using the previously validated Pulsford cut off points(4). BMI z-scores were calculated using WHO guidelines. Data were analysed using Pearson correlations, paired samples and independent samples t-tests, Cohen’s d for effect sizes (ES) and are presented as mean (SD). Children carried out more MVPA on PE days compared to non-PE days (ES = 0·78) and during PE lessons compared to corresponding non-PE time. Furthermore, children were significantly less sedentary in PE lessons compared to corresponding non-PE time. Consequently, children spent less overall time in the sedentary activity category on PE days compared to non-PE days(ES = 0·68). Childrens’ BMI z-scores correlated significantly with their quantity of sedentary and light activity (P < 0·001), but not MVPA (P = 0·60) and were very similar on both PE and non-PE days. Males were more active than their female peers, performing 8 and 6 min more MVPA (ES 0·89, 0·72) and 12 and 8 min less sedentary time on PE and non-PE days (ES −0·62, −0·42), respectively. In conclusion, PE lessons increased childrens’ daily MVPA and reduced their sedentary time. Although gender and BMI were associated with PA levels, the inclusion of PE lessons did not markedly increase their influence on overall energy expenditure. Overall, the study shows that PE lessons have a positive effect on childrens’ PA levels, likely resulting in positive effects on adiposity and overall health and wellbeing. 1. Bornstein D, Beets M, Byun W et al. (2011) J Sci Med Sport 14, 504–511. 2. Biddle SJH, Pearson N, Ross GM et al. (2010) Prev Med 51, 345–51. 3. Basterfield L, Adamson AJ, Pearce MS et al. (2011) J Phys Act Health 8, 543–547. 4. Pulsford RM, Cortina-Borja M, Rich C et al. (2011) PLoS One 6, 1–9

A scale to measure moral disengagement for occupational gains: a scale for use in illicit drug public health initiatives for vocational populations.

Background: Illicit drug use in the UK working age population has been deemed an economic and public health problem. There is now evidence that illicit drugs used by employees are expanding at populational health level and Performance and Image Enhancing Drugs (PIEDs) are being used by vocational occupations (E.g., Military, police etc.). Despite risks to health and moral standing, there is limited evidence of PIEDs enhancing occupational performance in workplace settings. Originally described by Bandura (1991), Moral Disengagement (MD) refers to cognitive mechanisms that separate our morals from our actions, allowing us to engage in unethical behaviour. This may explain the mechanisms that perpetuate this type of workplace misconduct. In this study we report the development of a psychometric instrument that can be used to assess propensity to morally disengage in the context of the workplace and to inform appropriate public health initiatives. Methods: An internet-mediated quantitative study was conducted using social media. Eight-four participants (34 PIED and 50 Non-PIED users) were recruited using snowball sampling resulting in 10 vocational occupations. The Qualtrics questionnaire was based on an 8-factor model proposed by Bandura et al (1996) with items adapted from validated MD scales. Twenty items measured the following factors: Moral Disengagement, Euphemistic Labelling, Advantageous Comparison, Diffusion of Responsibility, Distortion of Consequences and Displacement of Responsibility. Participants completed the questionnaire using a 7-point scale (1 = strongly disagree to 7 = strongly agree). IBM SPSS (v26.0) was used to conduct Principal Component Analysis, Cronbach’s alpha, Kaiser-Meyer-Olkin Measure of Sampling Adequacy and Bartlett's test of sphericity. Concurrent validity was measured using Pearson’s Product-Moment Correlation using correlation coefficients (p 0.50-0.75). An independent t-test was used to test differences between PIED and non-PIED users. G*Power (3.1.9.6) was used to ensure there was no Type II errors. Results: Cronbach’s alpha scores for all factors (α value of 0.90) demonstrated excellent/good internal reliability. Kaiser-Meyer-Olkin Measure of Sampling Adequacy and Bartlett's test of sphericity (BToS) (p<.001) were confirmed satisfactory. Principal Component Analysis confirmed 2 Eigenvalues (λ) with factor loadings confirming discriminatory validity. The questionnaire was confirmed as psychometrically robust and demonstrated that there is a statistically significant difference in moral disengagement between PIED and non-PIED groups in an occupational context (p<.001). Conclusions: The Moral Disengagement for Occupational Gains Scale demonstrated psychometric properties supporting its use as a valid and reliable measure of moral disengagement for use in public health to support population level evidence-based initiatives and manage drug misuse at work. Key words: Moral disengagement, Illicit drug use, Public Health initiative

A scale to measure moral disengagement for occupational gains: a scale for the use in illicit drug public health initiatives for vocational populations

Aim was to develop a valid and reliable instrument for PIED use in occupational environments that not only reflects the multidimensional nature of moral disengagement but can also inform appropriate public health initiatives

A Survey of the Mental Health of UK Olympic and Paralympic Sport Athletes.

Abstract This study examined the prevalence of psychological distress and well-being amongst elite athletes in the UK. An online survey was emailed to 753 athletes within the English Institute of Sport. Response rate 52.3%. 371 participants (median age 25) completed measures of psychological distress and subjective well-being alongside demographics and sport-related variables. High or very high psychological distress was reported by 23.7%. Poor subjective well-being was reported by 18.8%. Of those reporting psychological distress, 9% also reported good subjective well-being. The odds of psychological distress and poor well-being increased if the athlete was female (OR 2.03, distress; OR 2.00, poor well-being), currently injured or ill (OR 1.87; OR 1.93) or planning to retire (OR 4.74; OR 8.10). Likelihood of poor well-being increased if a non-podium athlete (OR 0.98). Paralympic sport athletes reported greater psychological distress than Olympic sport athletes (p = .040). Winter sport athletes reported higher psychological distress than summer sport athletes (p = .044). Overall mean score (17.9, SD 6.5) was indicative of a moderate level of psychological distress. Mental health support plans should include regular athlete screening of both psychological distress and subjective well-being