Pedometer determined physical activity and obesity prevalence of Greek children aged 4–6 years

Background: Pre-school age is important for developing healthy attitudes towards physical activity (PA). However, research on pre-schoolers’ pedometer-determined PA is limited.

Aim: To describe pre-schoolers’ ambulatory activity; investigate step count differences in respect to Body Mass Index (BMI) categories and examine the prevalence of obesity.

Subjects and methods: Pre-school aged children (n?=?250; 5.5?±?0.4 years) from Komotini (Greece) wore Omron HJ-720IT-E2 pedometers for 10 consecutive days. Height and weight were measured and BMI was calculated.

Results: Three-way repeated measures ANOVAs revealed that children performed more steps on weekdays than during weekends (p?p?p?p?p?p?p?t-test analysis, children’s daily steps were significantly different from the 10?000 steps/day guideline, while obesity prevalence was 15.6%.

Conclusion: School-based ambulatory activity is lower than after school ambulatory activity, independent of BMI-category and gender, although obese children demonstrated fewer steps. Taking into account the high rate of both the obesity prevalence and children not meeting the 10?000 steps/day guideline, the need for preventive policies becomes obvious.     

Molecular detection of bacteria associated to dental caries in 4–12-year-old Tunisian children

The occurrence of several microbial species in the oral cavity of 4–12-year-old Tunisian children was investigated. Samples were taken from 158 children (81 caries actives and 77 caries free). Genomic DNA was extracted and analyzed for the presence of 17 microbial species using a polymerase chain reaction assay.All samples were positive for at least one of the target microbial strains. Streptococcus mutans was the most prevalent species (76.5%) detected in genomic DNA collected from carious lesions. Other prevalent species were Candida spp (63%), Streptococcus salivarius (59%) and Streptococcus oralis (42%). The frequency of Lactobacillus acidophilus, Lactobacillus plantarum, and Lactobacillus casei-group in caries lesions was 29.5%, 34.5% and 22% respectively. Pathogenic bacteria such as Staphylococcus aureus was found in 28.5% of carious lesion samples compared to 15.5% in the control.Frequency of Porphyromonas endodontali, Actinomyces radicidentis and Treponema denticola recovery did not differ significantly between origins of samples.PCR analysis of genomic DNA detect various oral bacteria that differ between caries actives and caries-free children. In addition, the association of same aciduric bacteria (S. mutans, S. salivarius, L. acidophilus) and caries formation was noticed.     

Daily physical activity and its relation to aerobic fitness in children aged 8–11 years

A positive relationship between daily physical activity and aerobic fitness exists in adults. Studies in children have given conflicting results, possibly because of differences in methods used to assess daily physical activity and fitness. No study regarding daily physical activity and fitness in children has been published, where fitness has been assessed by direct measurement of maximum oxygen uptake and related to daily physical activity intensities by accelerometers. We examined 248 children (140 boys and 108 girls), aged 7.9–11.1 years. Maximum workload and maximal oxygen uptake (VO_2PEAK) by indirect calorimetry were measured during a maximum bicycle ergometer exercise test. Exercise capacity was adjusted for body mass and (body mass)^2/3. Daily physical activity was evaluated by accelerometers, worn around the waist for 4 days. Mean accelerometer counts and time spent in vigorous physical activity were calculated. VO_2PEAK was correlated with mean accelerometer counts (r=0.23 for boys and r=0.23 for girls, both P<0.05), but somewhat better with time spent in vigorous activity (r=0.32 for boys, r=0.30 for girls, both P<0.05). All results remained virtually the same regardless of the method used to adjust for differences in body size.     

Parasomnias and sleep disordered breathing in Caucasian and Hispanic children – the Tucson children's assessment of sleep apnea study

Background  

Recent studies in children have demonstrated that frequent occurrence of parasomnias is related to increased sleep disruption, mental disorders, physical harm, sleep disordered breathing, and parental duress. Although there have been several cross-sectional and clinical studies of parasomnias in children, there have been no large, population-based studies using full polysomnography to examine the association between parasomnias and sleep disordered breathing. The Tucson Children's Assessment of Sleep Apnea study is a community-based cohort study designed to investigate the prevalence and correlates of objectively measured sleep disordered breathing (SDB) in pre-adolescent children six to 11 years of age. This paper characterizes the relationships between parasomnias and SDB with its associated symptoms in these children.     

The association of sleep with inflammatory bowel disease in children and adolescents

Aim

To systematically review literature investigating sleep quality in children and adolescents with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD).

Methods

Electronic databases were searched (BASE, Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, DIMDI, PsychArticles, PsychInfo, Psychjournals, Psychline, PSYNDEX, Pubmed, Science Direct, Web of Science, Wiley Online Library) by two researchers. Eligible studies were all that studied sleep disorders in the context of IBD in children and adolescents (6–17 years of age).

Results

Out of 40 references identified, five studies (all cross-sectional, three of them controlled) were eligible and included in this study. The publications showed that children and adolescents with IBD have significant sleep problems, adding to their impaired quality of life.

Conclusion

The published data provide evidence suggesting an impact of IBD and its severity on sleep in children and adolescents. However, with regard to the low methodological quality, the incongruity of the studies concerning outcome measure, and their focus of exploration, further studies are warranted to highlight the interrelationship.

     

PPARα gene variation and physical performance in Russian athletes

Peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor α (PPARα) regulates genes responsible for skeletal and heart muscle fatty acid oxidation. Previous studies have shown that the PPARα intron 7 G/C polymorphism was associated with left ventricular growth in response to exercise. We speculated that GG homozygotes should be more prevalent within a group of endurance-oriented athletes, have normal fatty acid metabolism, and increased percentages of slow-twitch fibers. We have tested this hypothesis in the study of a mixed cohort of 786 Russian athletes in 13 different sporting disciplines prospectively stratified by performance (endurance-oriented athletes, power-oriented athletes and athletes with mixed endurance/power activity). PPARα intron 7 genotype and allele frequencies were compared to 1,242 controls. We found an increasing linear trend of C allele with increasing anaerobic component of physical performance (P=0.029). GG genotype frequencies in endurance-oriented and power-oriented athletes were 80.3 and 50.6%, respectively, and were significantly (P<0.0001) different compared to controls (70.0%). To examine the association between PPARα gene variant and fiber type composition, muscle biopsies from m. vastus lateralis were obtained and analyzed in 40 young men. GG homozygotes (n=25) had significantly (P=0.003) higher percentages of slow-twitch fibers (55.5±2.0 vs 38.5±2.3%) than CC homozygotes (n=4). In conclusion, PPARα intron 7 G/C polymorphism was associated with physical performance in Russian athletes, and this may be explained, in part, by the association between PPARα genotype and muscle fiber type composition.     

Is physical activity a part of who I am? A review and meta-analysis of identity,schema and physical activity

Two parallel literatures on the physical activity (PA) identity and schema constructs have the potential to supplement traditional social cognitive approaches used for PA promotion. The purpose of this paper was to review schema/identity research and appraise its relationship with PA via meta-analysis followed by thematic analyses of its correlates, as well as its proposed mechanisms on PA. Eligible studies were from English, peer-reviewed published articles that examined identity and/or schema in the context of PA. Searches were completed in June 2015 in five databases. Sixty-two independent data-sets (32 available for meta-analysis), primarily of modest quality, were identified. Results of the random effects meta-analysis showed that the point-estimate between identity/schema and behaviour was r?=?.44 (CI?=?.39?.48), and invariant to selected study characteristics. Thematic review showed that identity/schema was associated with commitment, ability, affective judgments, identified/integrated regulation and social comparison and predicted intention, self-regulatory efficacy, and self-regulation strategy use. It had reliable evidence as a moderator of the intention–behavior relationship, was associated with increases in the speed of processing of relevant information and created negative affect under hypothetical identity–behavior discrepant situations. While this initial research is promising, more rigorous research designs, including interventions to increase identity/schema, are warranted.     

Trend in physical growth among children in southern Iran, 1988–2003

The purpose of this paper is to describe and discuss a significant secular trend in stature, weight and mid-arm circumference (MAC) of school children of the same age (6.5–11.5 years) and sex in representative samples from primary schools of Shiraz (southern Iran) at an interval of 15 years (1988 vs 2003). Both samples include children of various socio-economic backgrounds. For both males and females of each age-class, there are significant positive secular trends in stature, weight and MAC. The results suggest that post-war born children sampled in 2003 are generally taller, heavier and larger than their peers of 15 years earlier born pre- and during the war period of Iraq against Iran. Furthermore, the 2003 sample shows less growth deficits in relation to the Center for Disease Control (CDC) reference data. The positive trend can be explained as the result of economic development and improvement of social and health indicators in the post-war Iran reconstruction period.

Résumé. Cet article a pour objet de décrire et commenter une évolution séculaire significative de la stature, du poids et de la circonférence du bras (CB) observée chez des enfants de même âge (6,5 à 11,5 ans) et de même sexe, dans des échantillons représentatifs des écoles primaires de la ville de Shiraz (sud de l’Iran) à intervalle de 15 ans (1988 et 2003). Les deux cohortes incluent des enfants de divers milieux socio-économiques. Aussi bien chez les garçons que chez les filles de chaque classe d’âge, on observe une évolution séculaire positive de la stature, du poids et de la CB. Les résultats suggèrent que les enfants examinés en 2003 et nés après la guerre entre Iraq et Iran, sont généralement plus grands et plus lourds que leurs homologues nés quinze ans plus tôt, avant ou pendant la guerre. Qui plus est, l’échantillon de 2003 présente moins de déficits de croissance en comparaison avec les données de référence NCHS. L’évolution positive peut être expliquée comme le résultat du développement économique et de l’amélioration des indicateurs sanitaires et sociaux au cours de la période de reconstruction dans l’Iran d’après guerre.

Zusammenfassung. Der Zweck dieser Untersuchung ist die Beschreibung und Diskussion eines signifikanten säkularen Trends von Körperhöhe, Gewicht und mittlerem Armumfang (mid-arm circumference, MAC) bei gleichaltrigen und gleichgeschlechtlichen Schulkindern (6,5–11,5 Jahre) aus repräsentativen Grundschul-Stichproben aus Schiras (Südiran) über einen Zeitraum von 15 Jahren (1988 bis 2003). Beide Stichproben umschließen Kinder verschiedener sozioökonomischer Herkunft. Sowohl bei Knaben als auch bei Mädchen aller Altersklassen gibt es signifikante positive säkulare Trends von Körperhöhe, Gewicht und MAC. Die Ergebnisse sprechen dafür, dass Kinder, die nach dem Krieg geboren und 2003 untersucht wurden, generell höher gewachsen, schwerer und größer sind als altersgleiche Kinder, die 15 Jahre früher und vor oder während des Krieges Irak gegen Iran geboren worden waren. Darüber hinaus zeigt die Stichprobe aus 2003 weniger Wachstumsverlust im Vergleich zu den NCHS-Referenzwerten. Der positive Trend kann als Ergebnis der ökonomischen Entwicklung und der Verbesserung von sozialen und gesundheitlichen Umständen der iranischen Aufbauphase nach dem Krieg verstanden werden.

Resumen. El propósito de este artículo es describir y discutir una tendencia secular significativa en la estatura, el peso y la circunferencia media del brazo (CMB) en escolares de la misma edad (6,5--11,5 años) y sexo, en muestras representativas de escuelas primarias de Shiraz (sur de Irán), durante un intervalo de 15 años (1988 a 2003). Ambas muestras incluyen niños de varios niveles socioeconómicos. Tanto en varones como en mujeres de cada clase de edad, hubo una evolución secular positiva en la estatura, peso y CMB. Este resultado sugiere que los niños nacidos tras la guerra y medidos en el año 2003 son en general más altos, tienen más peso y mayores anchuras que sus pares nacidos 15 años atrás, antes y durante el periodo de guerra entre Irak e Irán. Además, la muestra de 2003 muestra menos déficit de crecimiento respecto a los datos de referencia NCHS. La tendencia positiva puede explicarse como el resultado del desarrollo económico y de la mejora de los indicadores sociales y de salud en el periodo de reconstrucción de Irán tras la guerra.     

Time trends in leisure time physical activity and physical fitness in the elderly: Five-year follow-up of the Spanish National Health Survey (2006–2011)

ObjectivesTo estimate the trends in the practice of leisure time physical activity, walking up 10 steps, and walking for 1 h, during the years 2006–2011, in elderly Spanish people.Study designObservational study, retrospective analysis of Spanish National Health Surveys. We analysed data collected from the Spanish National Health Surveys conducted in 2006 (n = 30,072) and 2011 (n = 21,007), through self-reported information. The number of subjects aged ≥65 years included in the current study was n = 5756 in 2006 (19.14%) and n = 4617 in 2011 (21.97%). We included responses from adults aged 65 years and older.Outcome measuresThe main variables included leisure-time physical activity, walking up 10 steps, and walking for 1 h. We analysed socio-demographic characteristics, individuals’ self-rated health status, lifestyle habits, co-morbid conditions and disability using multivariable logistic regression models.ResultsThe total number of subjects was 10,373 (6076 women, 4297 men). The probability of self-reported capacity was significantly higher in 2006 than in 2011 for leisure-time physical activity, walking up 10 steps, and walking for 1 h for both sexes (women: OR 2.20, 95%IC 1.91–5.55; OR 2.50, 95%IC 1.99–3.14; OR 1.04, 95%IC 1.01–1.07; men: OR 2.20, 95%IC 1.91–2.55; OR 2.01, 95%IC 1.40–2.89; OR 1.05, 95%IC 1.0–1.1) respectively. Both sexes were associated with a significantly lower probability of performing leisure-time physical activity, walking up 10 steps, and walking for 1 h. Additionally, those over 80 years of age, on average, showed a poor or very poor perception of their health and presented with some type of disability.ConclusionA decrease in the proportion of respondents who self-reported undertaking leisure-time physical activity, walking up 10 steps, and walking for 1 h was observed in the Spanish population of over 65 years between 2006 and 2011.     

Body fatness in relation to physical activity and selected socioeconomic parameters of adolescents aged 15–17 years in Merida,Yucatan

Background: Increasing rates of overweight and obesity in adolescents are major concerns in many countries, including Mexico.

Objectives: To study anthropometric and body composition characteristics (BCC) and their relations with socioeconomic status (SES), biological history and physical activity (PA) of school-going adolescent boys and girls in the city of Merida, Yucatan, Mexico.

Subjects and methods: In this cross-sectional study, a sample of 321 adolescents (156 boys and 165 girls) aged 15–17 years from public and private schools in Merida, was taken from a study carried out in 2008–2009.

Results: Body mass index had significant correlations to BCC (fat mass and fat-free mass). The rate of stunting was higher in girls (18.20%) than in boys (7.69%). Stunted adolescents had higher body fat (%) than normally growing peers. High rates of overweight (boys 26.28%, girls 24.24%) and obesity (boys 10.26%, girls 6.06%) were recorded. SES (parents’ age, education and occupation; crowding index in the family; household food expenditure), participants’ biological history and PA are related with height and BCC by age and sex.

Conclusion: Adolescents with excess weight (overweight?+?obesity) reported being less physically active. SES and PA were strongly related to growth and body fatness in the studied adolescents.     

Saccade–vergence dynamics and interaction in children and in adults

Peak velocity, duration and accuracy of eye movements (saccade, vergence and combined saccade–vergence eye movements) were investigated in fourteen normal children (4.5 to 12 years of age) and ten normal adults (22 to 44 years of age). Horizontal movements from both eyes were recorded simultaneously by the oculometer, a photoelectric device. Peak velocity of all eye movements, saccades, and vergence (convergence and divergence), attains adult levels by the age of 4.5 years and there is no significant change over the age range studied (4.5 to 44 years). Vergence duration is longer only in young children (below 8 years of age). The reciprocal interaction between saccade and vergence during combined movements known in adults, i.e. acceleration of the vergence by the saccade (increase of velocity and decrease of duration) and deceleration of the saccade by the vergence (decrease of velocity and increase of duration) was found to be similar in children. The accuracy of eye movements is good on average for both saccades and vergence by the age of 4.5 years, and does not change with age; an exception is the variability of saccade amplitude, which is higher in children less than 8 years old. Taken together, the results indicate early maturation of brainstem structures controlling spatio-temporal aspects of saccades, vergence and their interaction.     

Sitting height percentiles in 3–17-year-old Indian children: a multicentre study

Background: Sitting height (StH) percentiles are not described for the Indian paediatric population.

Aim: To generate multicentre StH percentile values for Indian children.

Subjects and methods: A total of 7961 apparently healthy children (3–17?years old, Boys: 4328) randomly selected from 10 schools from six states of India were measured for height (ht), StH and weight during July 2016–October 2017.

Results: The StH:Ht ratio was 0.52 (0.02) and was similar between boys and girls (p?>?0.1). The ratio decreased in boys until the age of 14?years and then slightly increased; the lowest ratio was observed during 13–15?years. In girls, however, the StH:Ht ratio decreased until the age of 9 years and then plateaued until 15?years of age with a slight increase at 16?years; the lowest ratio was observed at the age of 12–13?years. Sitting height percentiles (3rd, 10th, 25th, 50th, 75th, 90th and 97th) were computed using LMS chartmaker.

Conclusions: The results indicate that, during the pubertal years, the lower limb growth is more predominant than trunk growth. Further, this study provides smoothened percentile curves for sitting height in Indian children for the first time.     

Public health communication and education to promote more physical activity and less sedentary behaviour: Development and formative evaluation of the ‘physical activity triangle’

ObjectiveCommunication and education about health behaviours to the general population is essential in public health promotion. This paper describes the process and outcome of developing a new health education model (infographic) for physical activity (PA) and sedentary behaviour used in Flanders (Belgium).MethodsThe Flanders Institute for Healthy Living, expertise centre for public health, coordinated a process, including the evaluation of its previous education model among citizens; reviewing existing models from other countries; expert panel meetings (n = 3); and a formative evaluation (34 focus groups) among citizen with various profiles.ResultsThe previous model was difficult to understand and not motivating. Foreign models (n = 18) were mostly expert-based (72 %), but not evaluated among citizens. Based on expert meetings, the new model includes a daily and weekly variety of activities at different volumes and intensities, sitting (interruptions), and physical and mental health benefits of PA. Based on the focus groups, no quantitative PA recommendations were integrated, and specific symbols, colours, and heart icons were crucial to illustrate different PA behaviours, volumes and intensities.Practice ImplicationsInvolving several key stakeholders, especially sedentary/inactive and vulnerable citizens, is suggested when developing a health model. Citizens preferred non-quantitative PA messages and quantitative messages around sitting interruptions.     

The secular trend in height of primary school children in England and Scotland 1972–79 and 1979–86

The recent secular trend in height of primary school children was estimated using data from schools participating in the National Study of Health and Growth in 1972, 1979 and 1986. About 50% of the trends from 1972 to 1979 for English and Scottish boys and girls were accounted for by changes in family size, with some contribution from increases in parental height and from birthweight, but almost none from changes in social class distribution. Estimates for 1979–1986 showed that the trend towards increased height in five-to eleven-year-old children has now ceased.     

Self-reported sleep patterns, sleep problems, and behavioral problems among school children aged 8–11 years

Objectives

Investigation of sleep patterns, sleep problems, and behavioral problems in 8- to 11-year-old children.

Methods

A total of 330 children (age: M=9.52; SD=0.56; range=8–11 years; 47.3% girls) in the 4th grade of elementary school in Salzburg (Austria) completed a self-report questionnaire (80 items) to survey sleep patterns, sleep problems, and behavioral problems.

Results

Children aged 8–11 years slept approximately 10 h and 13 min on school days (SD=47 min) as well as on weekends (SD=81 min); girls slept significantly longer on weekends than boys. Most common self-reported sleep problems were dryness of the mouth (26.6%), sleep onset delay (21.9%), bedtime resistance (20.3%), and restless legs (19.4%). There was a significant association between watching TV as well as playing computer games prior to sleep with frightful dreams. Daytime sleepiness indicated by difficulty waking up (33.4%) and having a hard time getting out of bed (28.5%) was also very prominent. However, children in Salzburg seemed to be less tired during school (6.6%) or when doing homework (4.8%) compared to other nationalities. Behavioral problems (e.g., emotional symptoms, hyperactivity and inattention, conduct problems, peer problems) and daytime sleepiness were both significantly associated with sleep problems: the more sleep problems reported, the worse behavioral problems and daytime sleepiness were. Moreover, we could show that sharing the bed with a pet was also related to sleep problems.

Conclusions

Self-reported sleep problems among 8- to 11-year-old children are very common. There is a strong relationship between sleep disorders and behavioral problems. Routine screening and diagnosis as well as treatment of sleep disorders in school children should, therefore, be established in the future.     

Adolescent motor skill and performance: Is physical activity in adolescence related to adult physical fitness?

In the Amsterdam Growth and Health Longitudinal Study (AGAHLS), a cohort of about 400 boys and girls (mean age 13 years) were followed over a period of 20 years. Over that period repeated measurements were done of body dimensions (height, weight, skinfolds), physical fitness (eight motor performance field tests: plate tapping, bent arm hang, 10 × 5 m sprint, arm pull, sit and reach, standing high jump, 10 leg lifts, 12‐min endurance run, and one laboratory test to measure maximal aerobic power), and physical activity (by a cross‐check interview). Three research questions were studied: (1) Is there a positive relationship between adolescent fitness (age 13–17 years) and adult physical activity (age 33 years)? (2) Do physical fitness and physical activity track from adolescence into adulthood? (3) What is the longitudinal relationship between physical fitness and physical activity? Multiple linear regression analysis showed that of the 9 physical fitness tests, only the 12‐min endurance run and the maximal aerobic power during adolescence are significant (P < 0.05) predictors of adult physical activity. The effects are not influenced by biological age but by sex: only in females are the predictions significant (P < 0.05) Tracking over the period of 20 years estimated from stability coefficients showed values for physical fitness varying between 0.83 (plate tapping) to 0.38 (standing high jump and maximal aerobic power). Physical activity shows lower stability coefficients (0.35–0.29). A longitudinal linear regression technique was used to analyse the relationship between physical activity and physical fitness over the 20‐year period; in this analysis corrections were made for both time‐dependent (time, biological age, and cardiovascular factors) and time‐independent variables (sex). All physical fitness tests show positive and significant (P < 0.05) standardized regression coefficients with physical activity, but the explained variance is less than 1%. Only maximal aerobic power has a higher explained variance of 1.8%. It can be concluded that: (1) Physical fitness in adolescence is only weakly related to adult physical activity; (2) between age 13 and 33 years, physical activity has low stability and physical fitness was higher stability; and (3) the longitudinal relationships between physical fitness and physical activity are only meaningful with maximal aerobic power. Am. J. Hum. Biol. 13:180–189, 2001. © 2001 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.