Neighborhood and family perceived environments associated with children's physical activity and body mass index

BackgroundA growing body of research has been examining neighborhood environment related to children's physical activity and obesity. However, there is still not enough evidence from Latin America.ObjectiveTo investigate the association of neighborhood and family perceived environments, use of and distance to public open spaces with leisure-time physical activity (LTPA) and body mass index (BMI) in Argentinean school-aged children.MethodsSchool-based, cross-sectional study with 1777 children (9 to 11 years) and their parents, in Cordoba city during 2011. Children were asked about LTPA and family perceived environment. Parents were asked about neighborhood perceived environment, children's use of public open spaces and distance. Weight and height were measured for BMI. We modeled children's LTPA and BMI z-score with structural equation models with latent variables for built, social and safety neighborhood environments.ResultsParents' perceived neighborhood environment was not related with children's LTPA and BMI. Children's perceived autonomy and family environment were positively associated with LTPA. Use of unstructured open spaces and, indirectly, the distance to these, was associated with LTPA among girls. Greater distance to parks reduced their use by children.ConclusionsPolicies to increase children's LTPA should include access to better public open spaces, increasing options for activity. A family approach should be incorporated, reinforcing its role for healthy development.     

Parent perceptions of autism severity: Exploring the social ecological context

BackgroundHealth professionals incorporate parent reports into the diagnosis and treatment of children with an autism spectrum disorder (ASD). Yet little is known about the contextual forces that may shape parents' perceptions of their child.ObjectivesThe current study seeks to: 1) compare the social ecological contexts of parents of children with ASD and parents of non-autistic children, and 2) explore the social ecological influences on parents' perception of their child's ASD severity.MethodsThis study employed a cross-sectional analysis of data from the 2007–2008 National Survey of Children's Health (NSCH) in the United States. Social ecological factors of interest included variables depicting family physical environment, family social environment, and individual parent characteristics.ResultsResults indicate that parents of children with ASD had increased odds of reporting poor neighborhood social capital, greater aggravation, more difficulty coping, and lower levels of relationship satisfaction and mental health. Parents' perceptions of their child's ASD severity were associated with several factors of their social ecological context. More severe parent-reported ASD was associated with aspects of the physical environment (rundown housing and garbage on the street), the social environment (parent relationship satisfaction) and individual parent characteristics (parent aggravation and mental health).ConclusionsResults suggest ways that professionals can contextualize parent reports to aid in the diagnosis and treatment of children with ASD. Findings also highlight a need for longitudinal research using well-characterized measures to determine the nature and direction of relationships between contextual factors and parents' perceptions.     

Parents' physical activity-related perceptions of their children with disabilities

BackgroundParental support of children's physical activity is important, especially for young children with disabilities, given their low rates of physical activity and dependence on parents.ObjectiveThe primary purpose of the current study was to examine multidimensional sources of parental support and whether these perceptions were related to parents’ perceptions of their children's physical ability.MethodsParents (N = 68) of children with disabilities completed scales assessing how much they role modeled, encouraged, and enjoyed physical activity in addition to their perceptions of their children's physical ability and peer relations in sport.ResultsParents were encouraging of their children's physical activity and sport participation. Although they did not view their children as being particularly skilled, they perceived that they enjoyed physical activity and sport. Parents also perceived their children's peer relations in physical activity and sport settings as being fairly neutral and to some extent contingent upon how physically capable they were seen by their peers.ConclusionsParents’ support of their children's sport and physical activity was not contingent on how physically capable they viewed their children, which is encouraging. Adult leaders of sports program should consider monitoring peer relations in their programs in order to teach appropriate helping and peer behaviors.     

Oregon Parents’ Perceptions of the Supportiveness of the School Environment for Their Children's Health Behaviors

ObjectiveTo describe Oregon parents’ perceptions of their children's school regarding health behaviors; examine how perceptions vary by parent, child, and community characteristics; and identify recommendations for improving school environments.MethodsOregon parents with an elementary school–aged child completed an electronic survey.ResultsOver 90% of parents (n = 814) described their child's school as supportive of healthy eating and physical activity. Parents who ate ≥5 fruits/vegetables per day more often perceived their children's school as unsupportive of healthy eating (P < 0.001) and physical activity (P < 0.05) relative to others. Parents of children eligible for free/reduced-price lunch more often perceived the school as unsupportive of physical activity (P < 0.05) relative to others. Parental recommendations included improving school meals and providing short physical activity breaks.Conclusions and ImplicationsParents’ suggested school improvements can inform school wellness committees’ and administrators’ quality-improvement efforts and, in turn, better support children's healthy behaviors.     

Patterns of neighborhood environment attributes in relation to children's physical activity

Characterizing neighborhood environments in relation to physical activity is complex. Latent profiles of parents’ perceptions of neighborhood characteristics were examined in relation to accelerometer-measured moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA) among 678 children (ages 6–12) in two US regions. Neighborhood environment profiles derived from walkability, transit access, aesthetics, crime and traffic safety, pedestrian infrastructure, and recreation/park access were created for each region. The San Diego County profile lowest on walkability and recreation/park access was associated with an average of 13 fewer min/day of children's out-of-school MVPA compared to profiles higher on walkability and recreation/park access. Seattle/King County profiles did not differ on children's MVPA. Neighborhood environment profiles were associated with children's MVPA in one region, but results were inconsistent across regions.     

Modeling caregivers' perceptions of children's need for formal care: physical function, intellectual disability, and behavior

BackgroundLike most caregivers, informal caregivers for children (typically parents) with special needs supply the majority of the care provided. Formal care is sometimes needed to supplement informal caregivers' efforts. For those interested in children with special needs, there is a paucity of research on those factors affecting the amount of formal care that caregivers' request.Objectives/HypothesesThis research investigates factors affecting the amount of Medicaid personal care services (PCS) requested by primary caregivers for children with special needs. The research focuses especially on the roles played by the child's functional status, intellectual abilities, and behaviors in determining the level of assistance requested by caregivers.MethodsThe data used in this research are cross-sectional information on 262 children with special needs who were Medicaid recipients in a single southwestern state. These data were collected in 2007 by master's trained social workers or registered nurses using a standardized assessment instrument.ResultsThe results indicate that a child's ability to independently perform activities of daily living (ADLs) tasks plays the major role in determining caregivers' perceptions of the need for PCS. The severity of a child's intellectual disability, like some other factors investigated, has an effect on caregivers' perceptions, but it is an indirect effect that operates through the level of the child's ADL impairment. A child's age and behaviors have direct effects on caregivers' perceptions of need, as does the presence of barriers to the caregiver providing care.DiscussionMuch of the research on children with special needs has emphasized the importance of the child's medical or behavioral diagnoses. Little attention has been given to modeling caregivers' perceptions of children's needs. This analysis of caregivers' requests for formal PCS brings to the forefront the role of ADL or functional status in this process. Many factors that one would expect to directly affect caregivers' perceptions of need, instead, have indirect effects filtered through their impact on the child's functional status.     

母亲孕期被动吸烟和补充叶酸与其子女孤独症行为的交互作用

目的 探讨母亲孕期被动吸烟和补充叶酸与儿童孤独症行为的交互作用。方法 以2014年深圳市龙华新区新入园的小班（3岁）儿童为研究对象,由家长填写问卷,询问儿童年龄、性别、早产、低出生体重、父母学历、父母生育年龄、家庭收入等,用孤独症行为量表评估儿童孤独症行为,按筛检界值31分和诊断界值62分将儿童分为正常组（<31分）、亚临床组（31～61分）和疑似临床组（≥62分）。控制混杂因素后,采用多分类logistic回归模型,分析孕期母亲被动吸烟和补充叶酸对儿童孤独症行为的主效应和交互作用。结果 孕期母亲被动吸烟与儿童孤独症行为呈正相关（亚临床组：OR=1.48,P<0.05;疑似临床组：OR=2.85,P<0.05）,孕期母亲补充叶酸与儿童孤独症行为的关联无统计学意义（亚临床组：OR=1.04,P>0.05;疑似临床组：OR=0.75,P>0.05）。分层分析显示,孕期母亲未被动吸烟的儿童中,孕期母亲补充叶酸与儿童孤独症行为呈负关联（疑似临床组：OR=0.30,P<0.05）;孕期母亲补充叶酸的儿童中,孕期母亲被动吸烟与儿童孤独症行为显著正关联（亚临床组：OR=1.52,P<0.05;疑似临床组：OR=4.45,P<0.05）。进一步交互作用分析显示,孕期母亲被动吸烟和补充叶酸对儿童孤独症行为疑似临床组的交互作用明显（OR=5.30,P<0.05）。结论 孕期母亲被动吸烟和补充叶酸与儿童孤独症行为关联,且存在交互作用。     

Leisure activities preference of Israeli Jewish children from secular versus Orthodox families

Abstract

Aims: To compare daily activity preferences of Israeli Jewish Orthodox and secular children in order to better understand the relationship between children's religious background and their participation patterns. Methods: Participants were 45 Orthodox and 45 secular Israeli Jewish children, aged 6–10.6 years. Major findings: In most PAC scales, the secular children showed a significantly lower preference than the Orthodox children to participate in activities. In both groups, activity preferences were impacted by age and gender. Among the secular group, mother's education level was correlated with a lower preference to participate in active physical activities. Principal conclusions: Family religiosity may impact on children's daily activity preferences. Occupational therapists should consider these socio-environmental factors in order to better integrate a child's religious and cultural identity into therapeutic interventions and assist the child in finding a meaningful occupational experience.     

Disentangling how the built environment relates to children's well-being: Participation in leisure activities as a mediating pathway among 8-year-olds based on the Norwegian Mother and Child Cohort Study

There is scarce insight into the role of the built environment for children's subjective well-being. In an attempt to increase our knowledge on this matter, we conducted a cross-sectional study comprising 23,043 children from the Norwegian Mother and Child Cohort Study. Information about children's leisure activities and their moods and feelings were linked to geospatial data on green space, facilities and population density to assess whether these built characteristics are related to subjective well-being and if participating in leisure activities is a mediator in such relations. We found that children having a park and more playgrounds/sports fields in the neighborhood, as well as those living in more densely populated areas, had more depressive moods and negative feelings. However, participating in leisure-time physical activity, organized activities and social activity with friends mediated these relations and contributed to counterbalancing some of the negative associations observed. The findings suggest that planners and policy makers should focus on ensuring children have neighborhood resources and venues that could support engagement in leisure activities that add positive experiences for their subjective well-being.     

The Relationship Between Classroom Quality and Ratings of the Social Functioning of Head Start Children

Classroom quality throughout three Head Start programs in the southeastern United States was monitored. A random sample of classrooms was selected to represent high and low quality classrooms in urban and rural settings. Parents and teachers rated the social behaviors of 328 children who were nested within 40 classrooms. Maternal depression was associated with parent reports of fewer positive social behaviors and more problem behaviors. Parent-reported home violence was associated with fewer disruptive behaviors as reported by the teacher. Higher quality classrooms tended to have lower scores on a parent-reported measure of children's problem behaviors. Teachers who interacted less positively with children tended to rate the children in their classrooms as more compliant. The teacher's ability to individualize instruction tended to moderate the association between the child's age and prosocial behaviors while also moderating the association between maternal depression and parents' reports of their children's problem behaviors.     

Church Leaders’ Views of Obesity Prevention Efforts for Children and Youth

ObjectiveTo examine church leaders’ views on the role of faith-based organizations in promoting healthy eating and physical activity in children.DesignQualitative research using semi-structured in-depth interviews.SettingSouth Carolina.ParticipantsLeaders (n = 26) from United Methodist churches (n = 20).Phenomenon of InterestPerceptions of health promotion efforts for children in faith-based settings, including primary health concerns, perceived opportunities, partnerships, and the relationship of these efforts to the overall church mission.AnalysisInterviews were transcribed verbatim and coded using a constant comparative method.ResultsFive themes emerged related to (1) multiple concerns about health issues facing children; (2) existing church structures influencing health behaviors; (3) potential partnerships to address children's health; (4) importance of role models; and (5) the need for a tailored approach.Conclusions and ImplicationsChurch leaders viewed childhood health behaviors as an important area of concern for the church and identified links between physical and spiritual health. They identified multiple existing and potential organizational and community structures as important in improving healthy eating and physical activity. Faith-based organizations can play an important role in developing and delivering health programming for children but desired assistance through partnerships with subject matter experts.     

Brief report: The impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on health behaviors in adolescents with Autism Spectrum Disorder

BackgroundThere is concern that the COVID-19 pandemic may negatively affect health behaviors in youth, especially youth diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD).ObjectiveThe purpose of this paper was to examine changes in physical activity, screen-time, and sleep in adolescents with ASD due to the COVID-19 pandemic.MethodsNine adolescents with ASD completed surveys measuring physical activity, screen-time, and sleep duration prior to and during the pandemic.ResultsA significant decrease in days of physical activity (4.17 vs 2.27; p = 0.0006), and a significant increase in hours of both weekday (3.69 vs 6.25; p = 0.007) and weekend screen-time (5.94 vs. 7.39; p = 0.004) was observed during the pandemic. No changes regarding sleep duration was observed.ConclusionsAlthough preliminary, results suggest that physical activity and screen-time may be negatively affected by the COVID-19 outbreak in youth with ASD. The development of interventions to promote health behaviors in ASD populations during long periods of less-structured time (quarantine) should be considered.     

Neighborhood perceptions moderate the association between the family environment and children's objectively assessed physical activity

This study aimed to investigate whether parents' perceptions of the neighborhood environment moderate associations between the family environment and children's moderate- to vigorous-intensity physical activity (MVPA) outside of school hours. In total, 929 parents of 10–12 year-old children completed a questionnaire concerning the family environment, MVPA levels, and the neighborhood environment. Children wore an Actigraph (AM7164-2.2C) accelerometer. Compared with neighborhood environment factors, the family environment was more frequently associated with children's MVPA. Parental MVPA was positively associated with children's MVPA, but only among children whose parents reported a high presence of sporting venues. Having more restrictive physical activity rules was negatively associated with children's weekday MVPA in neighborhoods with high perceived stranger danger.     

Effects of physical activity,fitness and fatness on children's body image: The Australian LOOK longitudinal study

BackgroundAmong children relationships between body image and body fat are well documented but less attention has been given to relationships with physical activity and fitness. This study examined longitudinal relationships of children's body image with physical activity, fitness and percent body fat whilst accounting for a number of potential confounding variables.MethodParticipants were 821 elementary-school children across 29 schools from the Lifestyle of our Kids (LOOK) study. Measures of body image, body fat (DXA), physical activity (pedometers) and fitness (shuttle run) were collected in grades two, four and six.ResultsThe current study found longitudinal evidence that increases in %BF among primary school-aged girls is associated with greater body dissatisfaction and cross-sectional evidence of the same relationship among boys. Among both boys and girls, lower levels of cardiovascular fitness were associated with greater body dissatisfaction cross-sectionally, even after adjusting for percent body fat. Weaker evidence was found for the relationship between physical activity and body dissatisfaction and these relationships were no longer significant after adjusting for percent body fat. At the between-school level we found significant and positive relationships between body dissatisfaction and physical activity among girls and with percent body fat for boys, indicating that school culture may significantly affect body dissatisfaction.ConclusionIncreased adiposity is a strong predictor of body dissatisfaction, particularly among girls. Higher levels of cardiovascular fitness may act as a protective buffer to body image concerns, regardless of a child's body composition. Future interventions may benefit from targeting change in school culture.     

Papás Saludables,Niños Saludables: Perspectives From Hispanic Parents and Children in a Culturally Adapted Father-Focused Obesity Program

ObjectiveQualitatively assess culturally adapted lifestyle intervention, Papás Saludables, Niños Saludables (PSNS; Healthy Dads, Healthy Kids), for Hispanic fathers and children.MethodsSemistructured interviews of parents and children after participation in 10-week PSNS program for Hispanic fathers and children. Qualitative data double-coded inductively and deductively until consensus reached.ResultsTotal of 26 fathers, 26 mothers, and 45 children interviewed. Parents and children had positive feedback about program content on culturally relevant nutrition and physical activity and reported improved father-child bonding. Mothers noted increased involvement among fathers in child's well-being. Participants suggested lengthening the program.Conclusions and ImplicationsPapás Saludables, Niños Saludables is an innovative approach with promise in engaging Hispanic fathers and children in a lifestyle program that emphasizes the role of fathers in children's lifestyle behaviors. Familism, respeto (respect), and promoting father-child relationships were important to engage fathers. Results from this study will inform future trials of PSNS and help identify ways to increase engagement of Hispanic men in other programs.     

Pyschosocial factors associated with children's cycling for transport: A cross-sectional moderation study

Promoting children's cycling for transport is a useful strategy to increase their physical activity levels. No studies have examined to which extent children's psychosocial characteristics play a role in their transportation cycling. Furthermore, insights into the association between children's independent mobility (IM) and transportation cycling is lacking in Europe. This study examined (1) the association of children's psychosocial characteristics with transportation cycling and its moderating effect of child's gender, parents' educational attainment and IM, and (2) the association between children's IM and transportation cycling.Children (n = 1232, aged 10–12 yrs) completed an online questionnaire at school assessing their psychosocial characteristics related with transportation cycling. Parents reported child's usual transportation cycling and the distance their child is allowed to cycle unsupervised (IM). Hurdle models were used to estimate associations between independent variables and odds of being a cyclist and with minutes of transportation cycling among those cycling. Data were collected during November–December 2014 across Flanders, Belgium.Children's perceived parental modeling, parental norm, peers' co-participation, self-efficacy and IM were positively related to the odds of being a cyclist, perceived benefits were negatively associated. Parental modeling, siblings' modeling, self-efficacy and parental norm were more strongly related to the odds of being a cyclist among children with a low IM. Friends' modeling was significantly related with odds of being a cyclist among boys. IM and parental norm (only among boys) were positively related to the time spent cycling. Targeting children, their friends and parents seems therefore most appropriate when aiming to increase children's transportation cycling.     

What helps children to be more active and less sedentary? Perceptions of mothers living in disadvantaged neighbourhoods

Background Increasing children's participation in physical activity and decreasing time spent in sedentary behaviours is of great importance to public health. Despite living in disadvantaged neighbourhoods, some children manage to engage in health‐promoting physical activity and avoid high levels of screen‐based activities (i.e. watching TV, computer use and playing electronic games). Understanding how these children manage to do well and whether there are unique features of their home or neighbourhood that explain their success is important for informing strategies targeting less active and more sedentary children. The aim of this qualitative study was to gain in‐depth insights from mothers regarding their child's resilience to low physical activity and high screen‐time. Methods Semi‐structured face‐to‐face interviews were conducted with 38 mothers of children who lived in disadvantaged neighbourhoods in urban and rural areas of Victoria, Australia. The interviews were designed to gain in‐depth insights about perceived individual, social and physical environmental factors influencing resilience to low physical activity and high screen‐time. Results Themes relating to physical activity that emerged from the interviews included: parental encouragement, support and modelling; sports culture in a rural town; the physical home and neighbourhood environment; child's individual personality; and dog ownership. Themes relating to screen‐time behaviours encompassed: parental control; and child's individual preferences. Conclusions The results offer important insights into potential avenues for developing ‘resilience’ and increasing physical activity and reducing screen‐time among children living in disadvantaged neighbourhoods. In light of the negative effects of low physical activity and high levels of screen‐time on children's health, this evidence is urgently needed.     

Individual,Family, and Community Environmental Correlates of Obesity in Latino Elementary School Children*

BACKGROUND: The prevalence of overweight children has reached epidemic proportions, and affects Latinos youth more than other subgroups in the United States. Given the prevalence of obesity and its economic consequences, community health initiatives have shifted toward primary prevention at younger ages. METHODS: Data representing all levels of the ecological systems theory were collected using diverse methods. Participants were children enrolled in K-2nd grade and their parents. RESULTS: Overweight children were less active compared to normal weight children. The parents of overweight children provided less instrumental support to engage in activity and set fewer limits on their child's activities. Similarly, parents of overweight children were less likely to control, but more likely to set limits on their child's diet compared to parents of normal weight children. Parents who rated their health more positively and were less acculturated were more likely to have children who were overweight. School and community level variables were not significantly correlated with children's weight. Adjusting for the aforementioned variables, parents' weight status was positively associated with children's weight. CONCLUSIONS: Social and structural environments in which Hispanic children are reared may play an important role in determining their risk for obesity and related behaviors. Parents' weight was among the strongest correlate of child weight; however, the extent to which this influence functions primarily through biological or social/structural influences is not entirely clear. The role of school and community factors on child's health practices and body mass index needs to be further examined.