Parent awareness of young children's physical activity

Objective

Parents who overestimate their child's physical activity (PA) level may not encourage their children to increase their PA. We assessed parental awareness of child PA, and investigated potential correlates of overestimation.

Method

Child PA (accelerometer) and parent-classified child PA [‘active’ ≥ 60 min/day vs. ‘inactive’ < 60 min/day moderate and vigorous PA (MVPA)] were measured over 7 days [n = 329, 44% male, 39% Latino; mean (SD) 9.1 (0.7) years] in an obesity prevention study in San Diego (Project MOVE). Agreement between date-matched objective MVPA and parent-classified child PA was assessed; % days parental overestimation was the outcome variable. Associations between parental overestimation and potential correlates were investigated using three-level mixed‐effects linear regression.

Results

Children met the PA guidelines on 43% of days. Parents overestimated their children's PA on 75% of days when children were inactive. Most parents (80%) overestimated their child's PA on ≥ 1 measurement day. Parental support for child PA (transport, encouragement and participation with child) (p < 0.01) was positively associated with higher overestimation. Parents of girls showed more overestimation than parents of boys (p = 0.04).

Conclusion

Most parents incorrectly classified their child as active when their child was inactive. Strategies addressing parental overestimation may be important in PA promotion.     

The childcare environment and children's physical activity

BACKGROUND: With increased numbers of children attending child care, this setting presents an ideal opportunity to promote physical activity and the early development of healthy behaviors. The purpose of this study was to examine the relationships between the childcare environment and physical activity behavior of preschool children. METHODS: Aspects of the environment hypothesized to influence children's physical activity were assessed in 20 childcare centers using the Environment and Policy Assessment and Observation (EPAO) instrument. Physical activity behavior was assessed over 2 days using direct observation. RESULTS: Children in centers with supportive environments achieved more moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (15% of observations vs 9%; effect size [ES]=1.17), spent less time in sedentary activities (50% vs 61%; ES=-1.52), and had higher mean physical activity levels (2.68 vs 2.43; ES=1.41) compared to centers with less supportive environments. Facets of the physical and social environment related to physical activity behavior included active opportunities, portable play equipment, fixed play equipment, sedentary environment, and physical activity training and education. CONCLUSIONS: Previous research indicates that the childcare center that children attend significantly affects physical activity behavior. The current findings extend this evidence by identifying aspects of the childcare environment that relate to the physical activity behavior of children. These factors should be considered when identifying determinants of physical activity and designing interventions.     

Leisure-time physical activity levels of the US workforce

BACKGROUND: Few studies in the US have assessed physical activity levels across worker groups, despite the increasingly sedentary milieu of contemporary US occupations and increasing obesity rates among US workers. The present study determined the proportion of US workers meeting the Healthy People 2010 Guidelines for leisure-time physical activity levels in major US occupational groups. METHODS: Self-reported leisure-time physical activity was defined as: a) light-moderate activity > or =30 min five or more times per week; and/or b) vigorous activity > or =20 min three or more times per week. Findings collected on over 150,000 US workers, who participated in the 1997-2004 National Health Interview Surveys, were stratified by occupational group. RESULTS: On average, the proportions of US workers meeting recommended leisure-time physical activity levels were 31% in female and 36% in male US workers. There was substantial variation in the gender-specific rates of leisure-time physical activity levels by occupation (range: 16-55%) with the lowest rates noted in blue collar groups. CONCLUSIONS: Leisure-time physical activity levels were sub-optimal among all major US worker groups, with substantial variability across occupations. As part of disease prevention, health professionals should promote increased physical activity levels among those occupations identified with very low rates of leisure-time physical activity.     

Maximizing children's physical activity: an evaluability assessment to plan a community-based,multi-strategy approach in an ethno-racially and socio-economically diverse city

An evaluability assessment was conducted to plan a community-based, multi-strategy approach to physical activity promotion (MSAPAP) to maximize young children's physical activity in an ethno-racially and socio-economically diverse city. This assessment involved consultation with various stakeholders to develop a program logic model to diagrammatically describe the MSAPAP. First, published literature regarding physical activity was reviewed to describe interventions designed to increase children's physical activity and to identify factors that contributed to program effectiveness. Secondly, key informants from mainstream service organizations and smaller community-based agencies were interviewed to determine their views on how to increase physical activity among children and families. A workgroup developed a draft logic model based on the results of the literature review and community needs assessment results. Thirdly, stakeholders were consulted about the draft model. This consisted of 12 focus groups with members of school boards (two sessions), members of community organizations (three sessions), lay home visitors who provide support to mothers of young children in ethno-racially diverse communities (one session), and parents from six cultural groups (six sessions). The logic model was revised based on the findings from this consultation. The final logic model shows children aged 3-8 years as the main target group, and parents and various community members who influence children as intermediate target groups. The MSAPAP is depicted as six strategies, which are clusters of program activities that are conceptually similar: community engagement, community assessment, accessibility, promotion, education and skill development, and inclusive programming. The logic model shows the 'cause and effect' relationships among program activities, shorter-term outcome objectives (e.g. to reduce user fees for physical activity programs) and longer-term outcome objectives (e.g. to increase the proportion of children who are physically active). The extensive community involvement in planning the MSAPAP facilitated a subsequent plan to develop, implement and evaluate selected program activities in the MSAPAP.     

Familial correlates of US preschooler physical activity

The preschool years set a precedent for lifelong habits integral to health. This research brief investigated how familial correlates within a household context, such as television use, BMI, and feeding practices, are related to child physical activity (CPA). Parents of preschoolers (N = 278, average age 40–76 months) completed survey measures of CPA, child and parent television use, BMI (height and weight), child control of feeding practices, and parental modeling of child feeding practices. From this sample, parents also had their preschoolers’ BMI percentiles calculated by a team of researchers, resulting in 247 complete parent-child pairs. Separate regression analyses revealed that child weekly television use and parent weekly television use predicted less CPA; however, when simultaneously controlling for child and parental correlates, only parent weekly television use predicted less CPA. Post-hoc analyses revealed an interaction between parent and child television use, such that parent-child pairs who reported higher weekly TV use reported less frequent CPA than parent-child pairs who reported lower weekly TV use. Across all regression models, child gender (i.e., female) also predicted less CPA. The discussion explores potential consequences of media familial correlates predicting CPA and parental strategies to encourage CPA.     

Leisure-time physical activity among pregnant women in the US

Few population-based data exist that describe leisure-time physical activity among pregnant women. The purpose of this study was to characterise the prevalence of leisure activity and to examine characteristics associated with participation in leisure activity during pregnancy. Using data collected from the year 2000 Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System, information on leisure activity was collected during telephone interviews from 1979 pregnant women and 44,657 non-pregnant women 18-44 years of age, representative of the US population. The prevalence of any leisure activity in the past month was 65.6%, 95% confidence interval [95% CI] 62.0, 69.1, among pregnant women and 73.1% [95% CI 72.4, 73.9] among non-pregnant women. The prevalence of recommended activity was also lower among pregnant women than non-pregnant women (15.8% vs. 26.1%). The most common leisure activity for pregnant women was walking, followed by activities such as swimming laps, weight lifting, gardening, and aerobics. Among pregnant women, any leisure activity was significantly higher for those with higher education, younger age, and excellent or very good health than for those with fair or poor health. Pregnant women reported less leisure activity than non-pregnant women of the same age. Studies to understand the enablers and barriers to participating in leisure activity during pregnancy are needed.     

Factors associated with young children's self-perceived physical competence and self-reported physical activity

The aim of this study was to identify factors associated with self-reported physical activity (PA), self-perceived physical fitness and competence in physical education (PE) among young children. The study included physical tests, anthropometric measures and a questionnaire. The study group comprised 206 children (114 boys and 92 girls, aged 8-12 years). Positive Odds Ratio was used in the logistic regression analyses. High level of self-reported PA was associated with membership of sport clubs and high self-perceived physical fitness. Variables associated with high self-perceived competence in PE were low age, high physical performance, living with both parents, high self-perceived physical fitness, male gender and enjoying PE. Variables associated with high self-perceived physical fitness were low age, high performance in endurance running, high self-reported PA, positive self-perceived body function and high self-perceived competence in PE. Correlations between children's self-perceived competence in PE and actual measured physical performance, between the self-perceived fitness and endurance performance and between self-reported PA and physical performance could be seen as a form of concurrent validity. One implication of the study for practitioners might be that children's own perceptions of their physical competence and activity levels could be used to roughly identify groups of children who are at risk of remaining physically inactive and therefore more prone to be unhealthy.     

Overweight children's barriers to and support for physical activity

OBJECTIVE: As the epidemic of overweight increases among youth, research needs to examine factors that may influence children's participation in weight-related health behaviors. This study examined overweight children's perceived barriers to and support for physical activity compared with nonoverweight children. RESEARCH METHODS AND PROCEDURES: Barriers to and support for physical activity were examined among 84 overweight children attending a summer fitness camp or a university-based weight loss clinic. Barriers and support levels were then compared with those of 80 nonoverweight children of a similar age range. RESULTS: Body-related barriers were the most predominant barrier type among overweight youth, especially among overweight girls. Overweight children, particularly girls, reported significantly higher body-related, resource, and social barriers to physical activity compared with nonoverweight children and lower levels of adult support for physical activity. DISCUSSION: Overweight children may be particularly vulnerable to body-related barriers to physical activity, and reducing such barriers may serve as physical activity intervention points most relevant for overweight youth. Future interventions may also benefit from enhancing support for physical activity from adults and peers.     

Parents' perceptions of neighborhood safety and children's physical activity

OBJECTIVE: The obesity epidemic disproportionately affects minority and poor children. Negative perceptions of neighborhood safety in poor communities may affect overweight by inhibiting children's physical activity. This study investigates the degree to which parents in a poor inner city vs. a middle-class suburban community limit their children's outdoor activity because of neighborhood safety concerns. METHOD: Parents of children aged 5-10 years from an inner city family practice in a poor community and from a suburban pediatric practice in a middle-class community completed a 20-item questionnaire. Parents estimated the amount of their child's activity in various situations and indicated their level of anxiety concerning gangs, child aggression, crime, traffic, and personal safety in their neighborhood. RESULTS: Inner city children (n = 204) engaged in less physical activity than suburban children (N = 103) (P < 0.001). Inner city parents expressed much greater anxiety about neighborhood safety than suburban parents (P < 0.0001). In the inner city population, children's physical activity levels were negatively correlated with parental anxiety about neighborhood safety (r = -0.18, P < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Inner city parents have high levels of anxiety about neighborhood safety. While these concerns may not entirely explain the discrepancy in activity levels between inner city and suburban children, a safe environment is crucial to increasing opportunities for physical activity.     

Do attributes in the physical environment influence children's physical activity? A review of the literature

Background  

Many youth today are physically inactive. Recent attention linking the physical or built environment to physical activity in adults suggests an investigation into the relationship between the built environment and physical activity in children could guide appropriate intervention strategies.     

Investigating the impact of a smart growth community on the contexts of children's physical activity using Ecological Momentary Assessment

This quasi-experimental research used Ecological Momentary Assessment with electronic surveys delivered through mobile phones to determine whether children change the type of contexts (i.e., settings) where they engage in physical activity after a recent move to a smart growth (SG) community in the U.S. as compared to children living in conventional low-to-medium density U.S. suburban communities (controls). SG vs. control children engaged in a greater proportion of physical activity bouts with friends, a few blocks from home, and at locations to which they walked. Over six months, the proportion of physical activity bouts reported at home (indoors) and in high traffic locations decreased among SG but not control children. Six-month increases in daily moderate-to-vigorous physical activity did not significantly differ by group. Children might have altered the type of contexts where they engage in physical activity after moving to SG communities, yet more time may be necessary for these changes to impact overall physical activity.     

The effect of a school-based active commuting intervention on children's commuting physical activity and daily physical activity

Objective

To investigate the effect of a school-based intervention called Travelling Green (TG) on children's walking to and from school and total daily physical activity.

Method

A quasi-experiment with 166 Scottish children (8-9 years) was conducted in 2009. One group (n = 79) received TG and another group (n = 87) acted as a comparison. The intervention lasted 6 weeks and consisted of educational lessons and goal-setting tasks. Steps and MVPA (daily, a.m. commute, p.m. commute, and total commute) were measured for 5 days pre- and post-intervention using accelerometers.

Results

Mean steps (daily, a.m., p.m., and total commute) decreased from pre- to post-intervention in both groups (TG by 901, 49, 222, and 271 steps/day and comparison by 2528, 205, 120, and 325 steps/day, respectively). No significant group by time interactions were found for a.m., p.m., and total commuting steps. A medium (partial eta squared = 0.09) and significant (p < 0.05) group by time interaction was found for total daily steps. MVPA results were similar to step results.

Conclusions

TG has a little effect on walking to and from school. However, for total daily steps and daily MVPA, TG results in a smaller seasonal decrease than for children who do not receive the intervention.     

Changing eating and physical activity patterns of US children

The number of US children who are overweight has more than doubled over the last decade. This change has broadened the focus of dietary guidance for children to address nutrient overconsumption and physical activity patterns. Total fat consumption expressed as a percentage of energy intake has decreased among US children. However, this decrease is largely the result of increased total energy intake in the form of carbohydrates and not necessarily due to decreased fat consumption. The majority of children aged 5-17 years are not meeting recommendations for Ca intakes. Much of this deficit is attributed to changing beverage consumption patterns, characterized by declining milk intakes and substantial increases in soft-drink consumption. On average, US children are not eating the recommended amounts of fruits and vegetables. US adolescents become less active as they get older, and one-quarter of all US children watch > or = 4 h television each day, which is positively associated with increased BMI and skinfold thickness. There is an urgent need in the USA for effective prevention strategies aimed at helping children grow up with healthful eating and physical activity habits to achieve optimal health.