Effectiveness of a parent-focused intervention targeting 24-hour movement behaviours in preschool-aged children: a randomised controlled trial.

BACKGROUND: Interventions focusing on individual behaviours (physical activity, sedentary behaviour, sleep) of preschool-aged children have been widely studied. However, there is a lack of understanding about integrated interventions that target all three 24-hour movement behaviours. This is the first study to assess the effectiveness of an intervention aimed at improving all three 24-hour movement behaviours among preschoolers in Hong Kong. METHODS: A 12-week randomised controlled trial with a 12-week follow-up was conducted. Parent-child pairs were randomised to integrated approach (targeting all three behaviours), dyadic approach (targeting physical activity and sedentary behaviour including screen time), or wait-list control group. Utilising the Internet-based delivery, this intervention consisted of education materials, workshops, and interactive questionnaires and reminders. Two intervention groups employed the same strategies, with the only difference being that the integrated approach targeted sleep in addition to physical activity and sedentary behaviour. The outcomes were preschoolers' overall 24-hour movement behaviours which were assessed by the Activity Sleep Index (ASI), movement behaviour composition, and absolute duration of movement behaviours. Generalised estimating equations were conducted to evaluate the intervention. RESULTS: A total of 147 preschoolers (4.8 ± 0.9 years old, 56.5% boys) and their parents were included. Preschoolers in all groups had a lower ASI at follow-up compared with baseline. Preschoolers in the integrated approach had a smaller decline in ASI at follow-up, compared to that in the control group (3.41; 95% confidence interval [CI] = 0.07, 6.76). Preschoolers in both intervention groups had a smaller reduction of the composition of time spent in physical activity at follow-up, and a decreased screen time at postintervention and follow-up. No significant differences were found for the sleep subcomponent. Furthermore, preschoolers in the dyadic approach had a smaller increase in the sedentary behaviour subcomponent (vs. CONTROL: - 0.21; 95% CI = - 0.37, - 0.05) at follow-up. CONCLUSIONS: Both intervention groups showed a decrease in screen time at postintervention, but there were no significant changes in other behaviours. The favourable changes observed at follow-up demonstrated the effectiveness of both intervention approaches on alleviating the decline in the composition of time spent in physical activity and reducing screen time and revealed the possible effectiveness of the integrated approach in promoting overall movement behaviours among preschoolers. TRIAL REGISTRATION: The study is prospectively registered at the Chinese Clinical Trial Registry (ChiCTR2200055958).

Development and validation of the Global Adolescent and Child Physical Activity Questionnaire (GAC-PAQ) in 14 countries: study protocol.

INTRODUCTION: Global surveillance of physical activity (PA) of children and adolescents with questionnaires is limited by the use of instruments developed in high-income countries (HICs) lacking sociocultural adaptation, especially in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs); under-representation of some PA domains; and omission of active play, an important source of PA. Addressing these limitations would help improve international comparisons, and facilitate the cross-fertilisation of ideas to promote PA. We aim to develop and assess the reliability and validity of the app-based Global Adolescent and Child Physical Activity Questionnaire (GAC-PAQ) among 8-17 years old in 14 LMICs and HICs representing all continents; and generate the 'first available data' on active play in most participating countries. METHODS AND ANALYSIS: Our study involves eight stages: (1) systematic review of psychometric properties of existing PA questionnaires for children and adolescents; (2) development of the GAC-PAQ (first version); (3) content validity assessment with global experts; (4) cognitive interviews with children/adolescents and parents in all 14 countries; (5) development of a revised GAC-PAQ; (6) development and adaptation of the questionnaire app (application); (7) pilot-test of the app-based GAC-PAQ; and, (8) main study with a stratified, sex-balanced and urban/rural-balanced sample of 500 children/adolescents and one of their parents/guardians per country. Participants will complete the GAC-PAQ twice to assess 1-week test-retest reliability and wear an ActiGraph wGT3X-BT accelerometer for 9 days to test concurrent validity. To assess convergent validity, subsamples (50 adolescents/country) will simultaneously complete the PA module from existing international surveys. ETHICS AND DISSEMINATION: Approvals from research ethics boards and relevant organisations will be obtained in all participating countries. We anticipate that the GAC-PAQ will facilitate global surveillance of PA in children/adolescents. Our project includes a robust knowledge translation strategy sensitive to social determinants of health to inform inclusive surveillance and PA interventions globally.

Prevalence and Correlates of Adherence to the Global Total Physical Activity Guideline Based on Step Counting Among 3- to 4-Year-Olds: Evidence From SUNRISE Pilot Studies From 17 Countries.

BACKGROUND: There is limited evidence from globally diverse samples on the prevalence and correlates of meeting the global guideline of 180 minutes per day of total physical activity (TPA) among 3- to 4-year-olds. METHODS: Cross-sectional study involving 797 (49.2% girls) 3- to 4-year-olds from 17 middle- and high-income countries who participated in the pilot phases 1 and 2 of the SUNRISE International Study of Movement Behaviours in the Early Years. Daily step count was measured using thigh-worn activPAL accelerometers. Children wore the accelerometers for at least one 24-hour period. Children were categorized as meeting the TPA guideline based on achieving ≥11,500 steps per day. Descriptive analyses were conducted to describe the proportion of meeting the TPA guideline for the overall sample and each of the sociodemographic variables, and 95% CIs were calculated. Multivariable logistic regression was used to determine the sociodemographic correlates of meeting the TPA guideline. RESULTS: Mean daily step count was 10,295 steps per day (SD = 4084). Approximately one-third of the sample (30.9%, 95% CI, 27.6-34.2) met the TPA guideline. The proportion meeting the guideline was significantly lower among girls (adjusted OR [aOR] = 0.70, 95% CI, 0.51-0.96) and 4-year-olds (aOR = 0.50, 95% CI, 0.34-0.75) and higher among rural residents (aOR = 1.78, 95% CI, 1.27-2.49) and those from lower middle-income countries (aOR = 1.35, 95% CI, 0.89-2.04). CONCLUSIONS: The findings suggest that a minority of children might meet the TPA guideline globally, and the risk of not meeting the guideline differed by sociodemographic indicators. These findings suggest the need for more surveillance of TPA in young children globally and, possibly, interventions to improve childhood health and development.

Association between Physical Activity and Health Outcomes (High Body Fatness, High Blood Pressure) in Namibian Adolescents and Adult women.

Regular physical activity (PA) is known to promote the physical and mental health of children and adolescents and further prevent the development of health problems in adulthood. Information on body composition and PA is crucial for health promotion strategies and for epidemiological studies informing policies. However, there is limited data on the association between body composition and PA in Namibia. This dearth of published data is a significant shortcoming in the development of strategies and policies to promote PA in Namibia. Therefore, this cross-sectional study was conducted to determine the association between PA as a dependent variable and independent variables such as high blood pressure and body fatness as measured by different methods (gold standard deuterium dilution, body mass index, mid upper arm circumference, and waist circumference). The study included 206 healthy adolescent girls aged 13-19 years and 207 young adult females aged 20-40 years from Windhoek, Namibia. PA was measured using the PACE+ questionnaire in adolescents, and the GPAQ questionnaire was used for adults. In adolescents, only 33% of the participants met the recommended guidelines for PA, compared to only 2% for adults. Nevertheless, the study found no statistically significant association between PA and blood pressure indices (p-value < 0.05) among adolescents and adults. However, there was a significant association between PA and high body fatness (p-value < 0.001) and waist circumference (p-value = 0.014) in adolescents. Among adults, PA was significantly related to waist circumference only. In conclusion, failure to meet recommended PA guidelines is strongly associated with abdominal obesity and high body fatness. The knowledge gained from this study may be used by policymakers in the development of strategic policies and interventions aimed at promoting PA as a public priority and improving health outcomes.

Tracking of MVPA across childhood and adolescence.

OBJECTIVES: Tracking of physical activity from childhood onwards is an important public health issue, but evidence on tracking is limited. This study quantified the tracking of Moderate-Vigorous Physical Activity (MVPA) across childhood and adolescence in a recent cohort from England. DESIGN: Longitudinal, with a socio-economically representative sample from North-East England, over an 8-year period. METHODS: Measures of time spent in MVPA, with an Actigraph GT1M accelerometer, were made at age 7-8y (n = 622, T1), age 9-10y (n = 585, T2), age 12-13y (n = 525, T3) and age 14-16y (n = 361, T4). Tracking of MVPA was assessed using rank order correlations between time spent in MVPA T1-T2, T1-T3, and T1-T4, and by using Cohen's kappa to examine tracking of meeting the MVPA guideline (mean of 60 min/d). We examined whether tracking varied by sex, socio-economic status (SES), initial MVPA, or initial body fatness. RESULTS: Rank order correlations were all statistically significant at p < 0.01 and moderate: 0.58 between T1 and T2; 0.42 between T1 and T3; 0.41 between T1 and T4. Cohen's kappas for meeting the global MVPA guideline were all significant, weakening from moderate to low over the 8 years. Tracking was stronger in higher SES compared to lower SES groups, and there was some evidence that it was stronger in girls than boys, but the other explanatory variables had little influence on tracking. CONCLUSIONS: Tracking of MVPA from mid-childhood to mid-adolescence in this cohort was moderate. This study suggests there is a need to establish high MVPA by mid-childhood, and to mitigate the age-related reduction in MVPA which occurs from mid-childhood.

Feasibility of a physical activity intervention for children and adolescents with anxiety and depression.

BACKGROUND: Physical activity is identified as a key modifiable factor towards good short- and long-term mental health and has shown positive effects on anxiety and depression in children and adolescents. However, physical activity-based interventions are not a part of standard mental health care and evidence on the effect of such interventions is still lacking. A transdiagnostic, physical activity-based intervention was developed as a supplement to routine clinical care for youth in specialized child and adolescent mental health services. METHODS: /design. The feasibility of the physical activity intervention (Confident, Active, and Happy Youth) was evaluated in an open-label study by assessing the recruitment process, acceptability, intervention suitability, contentment, and preliminary intervention effects in the form of youth and parent-rated anxiety and depressive symptoms. Physical activity levels were objectively measured using Actigraph™ physical activity sensors, and progression to a definitive study was evaluated in accordance with a priori criteria. RESULTS: In total 21 of 25 eligible youth consented to participate, two dropped out of the intervention and 19 completed (76% of eligible participants). The retention rate among consenting participants was 89% and mean attendance to sessions was 83%. The suitability of the intervention was rated as good by the youth and their parents, and intervention contentment was rated high. Changes in youth and parent-rated symptom measures following the intervention were negligible, except for parent-rated anxiety symptoms assessed at 10-month follow-up. Accelerometer data indicated lower levels of moderate to vigorous activity during sessions than intended. No adverse effects were noted. CONCLUSION: This feasibility study met the pre-determined progression criteria to a definitive study. Thus, a larger trial with longer follow-up should be conducted to explore the effect of the intervention. TRIAL REGISTRATION: ClnicalTrials.gov, NCT05049759. Retrospectively registered, 20.09.2021.

A systematic evaluation of physical activity and diet policies in Scotland: results from the 2021 Active Healthy Kids Report Card.

BACKGROUND: Policymaking regarding physical activity (PA) and diet plays an important role in childhood health promotion. This study provides a detailed examination of Scottish government and policy for child and adolescent PA and diet and discusses strengths and areas for improvement. METHODS: Scottish policy documents (n = 18 [PA]; n = 10 [diet])-published in 2011-20-were reviewed for grading using an adapted version of the Health-Enhancing Physical Activity Policy Audit Tool Version 2. RESULTS: There is clear evidence of leadership and commitment to improving PA and diet and tackling obesity in children and adolescents. The allocation of funds and resources for policy implementation has increased substantially over the past decade. Progress through early key stages of public policymaking-policy agenda and formation-has improved. However, there is limited information on later key stages, including policy monitoring and evaluation. CONCLUSIONS: Childhood PA and diet are a clear priority in Scotland, and PA and diet policies clearly support the desire to achieve other goals, including reducing inequalities and increasing active travel in Scotland. Nonetheless, future policies should be further strengthened through clear(er) plans of implementation, and monitoring and evaluation to support their societal impact.

Nutrition and Health in Arab Adolescents (NaHAR): Study protocol for the determination of ethnic-specific body fat and anthropometric cut-offs to identify metabolic syndrome.

The prevalence of adolescent obesity in the Middle-East is considered among the highest in the world. Obesity in adolescents is associated with several cardiometabolic abnormalities, the constellation of which is referred to as the metabolic syndrome (MetS). This multi-country cross-sectional study aims to determine the optimal cut-off values for body fat (BF); body mass index (BMI) z-score; waist circumference (WC) percentile, and mid-upper arm circumference (MUAC) for the prediction of MetS among adolescents from Kingdom of Saudi-Arabia (KSA), Kuwait, Jordan, Lebanon and Syria. A secondary objective is to examine the validity of Bioelectrical Impendence Vector Analysis (BIVA) in estimating BF against the deuterium dilution technique (DDL). In each country, a sample of 210 adolescents will be recruited. Data collection will include demographics, socioeconomic, lifestyle and dietary data using a multi-component questionnaire; anthropometric measurements will be obtained and body composition will be assessed using the DDL and BIVA; blood pressure and biochemical assessment will be performed for the identification of the MetS. Receiver operating characteristic analyses will be undertaken to determine optimal cut-off values of BMI, WC, MUAC and BF in identifying those with MetS. Odds ratios (OR) and their respective 95% confidence interval (CI) for the association of the anthropometric measurements with MetS will be computed based on multiple logistic regression analysis models. The Bland and Altman approach will be adopted to compare BIVA against the reference DDL method for the determination of body composition parameters. This study responds to the need for ethnic-specific anthropometric cut-offs for the identification of excess adiposity and associated cardiometabolic risks in the adolescent population. The adoption of the generated cut-offs may assist policy makers, public health professionals and clinical practitioners in providing ethnic-specific preventive and curative strategies tailored to adolescents in the region.

Physical Activity Levels During School Recess in a Nationally Representative Sample of 10- to 11-Year-Olds.

PURPOSE: School recess provides a valuable opportunity for children's daily moderate- to vigorous-intensity physical activity (MVPA). This study aimed to quantify MVPA during school recess in a representative sample of Scottish children and examine whether recess MVPA varied by gender, socioeconomic status, season, urban/rural residency, and recess length. METHOD: Five-day accelerometry MVPA data were analyzed from 773 children (53.9% girls, 46.1% boys, 10- to 11-y-olds) from 471 schools. Binary logistic regression explored associations between meeting/not meeting the recommendation to spend 40% of recess time in MVPA and the aforementioned risk factors. Descriptive recess data were also analyzed. RESULTS: Participants spent an average of 3.2 minutes (SD 2.1) in MVPA during recess. Girls engaged in 2.5 minutes (SD 1.7) of MVPA compared with 4.0 minutes (SD 2.2) for boys. Only 6% of children met the recess MVPA recommendation. The odds of girls (odds ratio 0.09; 95% confidence interval, 0.04-0.25) meeting the recommendation was lower (P < .001) compared with boys. No statistically significant differences were observed in meeting the recommendation for the other risk factors. CONCLUSION: Levels of MVPA during school recess are very low in Scottish children, and interventions aimed at increasing MVPA during recess are needed.

Validation of mid-arm circumference for surveillance of obesity in African adolescent girls and adult women.

This study aimed to assess the validity of mid-arm circumference (MAC), also known as mid-upper arm circumference (MUAC), for classification of high body fatness in Namibian adolescent girls and women and to test whether classification accuracy of MUAC was higher than the traditional simple proxy for high fatness, the BMI. In 206 adolescent girls aged 13-19 years and 207 adult women aged 20-40 years, we defined obesity conventionally (BMI-for-age Z score ≥ 2·00, adolescents; adults BMI ≥ 30·0 kg/m2) and also defined obesity using published MAC cut-off values. 2H oxide dilution was used to measure total body water (TBW) to define high body fat percentage (≥ 30 % in the adolescents, ≥ 38 % in the adults), and we compared the ability of BMI and MAC to classify high body fatness correctly using sensitivity, specificity and predictive values. In the adolescents, obesity prevalence was 9·2 % (19/206) using BMI-for-age and 63·2 % (131/206) using TBW; sensitivity of BMI-for-age was 14·5 % (95 % CI 9·1, 22·0 %) but was improved significantly using MAC of 22·6 cm (sensitivity 96·9 %; 95 % CI 92·1 %, 99·3 %). In the adults, obesity prevalence was 30·4 % (63/207) using BMI and 57·0 % (118/207) using TBW, and sensitivity of BMI was 52·5 % (95 % CI 43·6, 62·2 %), but using a MAC of 30·6 cm sensitivity was 72·8 % (95 % CI 66·4, 82·6 %). Surveillance of obesity in African adolescent girls and adult women is likely to be improved substantially by use of MAC as an alternative to the BMI-for-age and BMI.

Cut-point values for classifying active children and validity and reliability of physical activity questionnaire for children in Morocco.

BACKGROUND: The Physical Activity Questionnaire for Children (PAQ-C) is widely used to assess physical activity in populations; however, there is a lack of information about the psychometric properties (validity and reliability) and about the PAQ-C score meaning in populations from low-middle income countries. AIMS: The aim of this study is to evaluate the reliability and validity of PAQ-C and to determine the cut-point values of PAQ-C using accelerometry as a reference in a group of Moroccan children. METHODS: In a sample of 171 children and adolescents aged 8 to 14 years, physical activity was assessed with the GT3X + accelerometer and the PAQ-C. PAQ-C was administered for a second time (retest) after 1 week for a subsample (n = 73). Reliability was analyzed by intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC). The PAQ-C was compared against count per minute CPM and moderate to vigorous intensity PA (MVPA) obtained by accelerometry. Receiver operating curve analyses were performed to assess the performance of PAQ-C in identifying MVPA as measured by accelerometry (reference method). RESULTS: Test-retest reliability was poor with an ICC = (0.48 [0.27; 0.63] for the whole sample, while for the ≥11 year group, the intra-class correlation coefficient was moderate (0.71 [0.42; 0.86]. PAQ-C scores were significantly related to accelerometry-derived metrics of physical activity, CPM (R = 0.29, P < 0.001) and MVPA (R = 0.26, P < 0.001). For the age group ≥11 years, the associations between PAQ-C Scores and CPM and MVPA were stronger, respectively, R = 0.37 (P < 0.001), R = 0.38 (P < 0.0001). We identified that a PAQ-C Score cut-point of 2.33 (95%CI [0.43-0.68]) discriminated adequately between those who met physical activity guidelines and those that did not in the overall sample. CONCLUSIONS: The PAQ-C is valid and useful to assess population level physical activity in those ≥11 years in Morocco and so might be helpful in population surveillance of physical activity in Moroccan adolescents.

Global Matrix of Para Report Cards on Physical Activity of Children and Adolescents With Disabilities.

This is an overview of the results from 14 countries or jurisdictions in a Global Matrix of Para Report Cards on physical activity (PA) of children and adolescents with disabilities. The methodology was based on the Active Healthy Kids Global Alliance's Global Matrix 4.0. Data were aligned with 10 indicators (Overall PA, Organized Sport, Active Play, Active Transport, Physical Fitness, Sedentary Behavior, Family & Peers, Schools, Community & Environment, and Government) to produce Para Report Cards. Subsequently, there were 139 grades; 45% were incomplete, particularly for Active Play, Physical Fitness, and Family & Peers. Collectively, Overall PA was graded the lowest (F), with Schools and Government the highest (C). Disability-specific surveillance and research gaps in PA were apparent in 14 countries or jurisdictions around the world. More coverage of PA data in Para Report Cards is needed to serve as an advocacy tool to promote PA among children and adolescents with disabilities.

Moderate-to-vigorous intensity physical activity during school hours in a representative sample of 10-11-year-olds in Scotland.

OBJECTIVES: Growing concern about children and adolescent physical inactivity has made the promotion of physical activity a public health priority. International recommendations suggest children should accumulate at least 30 min of moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA) during school hours. This study assessed levels of objectively-measured MVPA in a large nationally representative sample of Scottish children aged 10-11. Risk factors for not meeting the school-hours MVPA recommendation were examined. DESIGN: Cross-sectional. METHODS: Mean time spent in MVPA during school hours across five weekdays was measured using Actigraph accelerometry (May 2015-May 2016). Binary logistic regression, presented as odds ratio (O.R.) and confidence intervals (C.I.), explored associations between meeting/not meeting the recommendation by sex, socioeconomic status (SES), season, and urban/rural residence in 2022. RESULTS: Valid data were obtained from 773 children (53.9% girls, 46.1% boys) from 471 schools. Mean daily school-hours MVPA was 29 (SD 11) minutes; 42.7% of children reached the recommendation. The odds of girls (O.R. 0.43; C.I. 0.32, 0.57) meeting the recommendation was significantly lower (p < 0.001) compared to boys. Children living in rural areas had higher odds (O.R. 1.49; C.I. 1.04, 2.15) of meeting the recommendation compared with those in urban areas (p = 0.032). No significant differences in meeting the recommendation by SES (p = 0.700). The overall trend for season was significant (p < 0.001), with lower odds of meeting the recommendation in winter compared to summer. CONCLUSIONS: Most Scottish children aged 10-11 did not meet the 30 minute MVPA recommendation. Interventions to increase MVPA during school hours are essential to promote public health.

Surveillance to improve physical activity of children and adolescents.

The global transition to current low levels of habitual physical activity among children and adolescents began in the second half of the last century. Low physical activity harms health in both the short term (during childhood and adolescence) and long term (during adulthood). In turn, low physical activity could limit progress towards several sustainable development goals, undermine noncommunicable disease prevention, delay physical and mental health recovery from the coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic, increase health-care costs and hinder responses to climate change. However, despite the importance of physical activity, public health surveillance among children and adolescents is very limited globally and low levels of physical activity in children is not on the public health agenda in many countries, irrespective of their level of economic development. This article details proposals for improvements in global public health surveillance of physical activity from birth to adolescence based on recent systematic reviews, international collaborations and World Health Organization guidelines and strategies. Empirical examples from several countries illustrate how improved surveillance of physical activity can lead to public health initiatives. Moreover, better surveillance raises awareness of the extent of physical inactivity, thereby making an invisible problem visible, and can lead to greater capacity in physical activity policy and practice. The time has arrived for a step change towards more systematic physical activity surveillance from infancy onwards that could help inform and inspire changes in public health policy and practice globally.

Durant la seconde moitié du siècle dernier, l'activité physique des enfants et adolescents a commencé à baisser à l'échelle mondiale pour atteindre le faible niveau actuel. La sédentarité a des effets néfastes sur la santé, tant à court terme (pendant l'enfance et l'adolescence) qu'à long terme (à l'âge adulte). Elle peut également entraver la progression vers de nombreux objectifs de développement durable, compromettre les efforts de prévention des maladies non transmissibles, retarder la guérison physique et mentale liée à la pandémie de maladie à coronavirus 2019, accroître les dépenses en soins de santé et freiner les réactions au changement climatique. Pourtant, malgré l'importance que revêt l'activité physique, rares sont les dispositifs de surveillance de la santé publique mis en place pour les enfants et adolescents dans le monde. En outre, la lutte contre la sédentarité chez les plus jeunes ne figure pas parmi les priorités de santé publique dans la plupart des pays, quel que soit le niveau de développement économique de ces derniers. Le présent article détaille une série de propositions visant à améliorer la surveillance de la santé publique en matière d'activité physique de la naissance à l'adolescence, fondées sur des revues systématiques récentes, des collaborations internationales ainsi que des stratégies et lignes directrices de l'Organisation mondiale de la Santé. Des exemples empiriques provenant de plusieurs pays illustrent comment cette amélioration peut déboucher sur des initiatives de santé publique. De plus, une meilleure surveillance permet de sensibiliser à l'ampleur de cette inactivité, donnant ainsi de la visibilité à un problème jusqu'alors invisible, et peut renforcer les capacités politiques et pratiques relatives à l'activité physique. Il est temps de procéder à un changement en profondeur afin de surveiller plus systématiquement l'activité physique dès le plus jeune âge, en vue d'orienter et d'encourager l'évolution des politiques et pratiques en la matière dans le monde.

La transición mundial hacia los niveles bajos actuales de actividad física regular entre niños y adolescentes comenzó en la segunda mitad del siglo pasado. La disminución de la actividad física perjudica la salud tanto a corto plazo (durante la infancia y la adolescencia) como a largo plazo (durante la edad adulta). A su vez, la falta de actividad física podría limitar el progreso hacia varios objetivos de desarrollo sostenible, socavar la prevención de enfermedades no transmisibles, retrasar la recuperación de la salud física y mental tras la pandemia de la enfermedad por coronavirus de 2019, aumentar los costes de la atención sanitaria y dificultar las respuestas al cambio climático. No obstante, a pesar de la importancia de la actividad física, la vigilancia de la salud pública entre los niños y los adolescentes es muy limitada a nivel mundial y los niveles bajos de actividad física en los niños no se incluyen en la agenda de salud pública de muchos países, sea cual sea su nivel de desarrollo económico. En este artículo, se detallan propuestas para mejorar la vigilancia de la actividad física en la salud pública a nivel mundial, desde el nacimiento hasta la adolescencia, a partir de recientes revisiones sistemáticas, colaboraciones internacionales y directrices y estrategias de la Organización Mundial de la Salud. Ejemplos empíricos de varios países ilustran cómo una mejor vigilancia de la actividad física puede conducir a iniciativas de salud pública. Asimismo, una mejor vigilancia aumenta la concienciación sobre el alcance de la inactividad física, haciendo evidente un problema poco visible, y puede conducir a una mayor capacidad en la política y la práctica de la actividad física. Ha llegado el momento de dar un paso adelante hacia una vigilancia más sistemática de la actividad física desde la infancia que podría ayudar a informar e inspirar cambios en la política y la práctica de la salud pública en todo el mundo.

Comparison of Several Prediction Equations Using Skinfold Thickness for Estimating Percentage Body Fat vs. Body Fat Percentage Determined by BIA in 6-8-Year-Old South African Children: The BC-IT Study.

Body composition measurement is useful for assessing percentage body fat (%BF) and medical diagnosis, monitoring disease progression and response to treatment, and is essential in assessing nutritional status, especially in children. However, finding accurate and precise techniques remains a challenge. The study compares %BF determined by bioelectrical impedance analysis (BIA) and calculated from available prediction equations based on skinfolds in young South African children. A cross-sectional study performed on 202 children (83 boys and 119 girls) aged 6-8 years. Height and weight, triceps and subscapular skinfolds were determined according to standard procedures. %BF was determined with BIA and three relevant available equations. SPSS analyzed the data using paired samples tests, linear regression, and Bland-Altman plots. Significant paired mean differences were found for BIA and Slaughter (t201 = 33.896, p < 0.001), Wickramasinghe (t201 = 4.217, p < 0.001), and Dezenberg (t201 = 19.910, p < 0.001). For all of the equations, the standards for evaluating prediction errors (SEE) were above 5. The Bland-Altman plots show relatively large positive and negative deviations from the mean difference lines and trends of systematic under- and over-estimation of %BF across the %BF spectrum. All three equations demonstrated a smaller %BF than the %BF measured by BIA, but the difference was smallest with the Wickramasinghe equation. In comparison, a poor SEE was found in the three %BF predicted equations and %BF derived from BIA. As such, an age-specific %BF equation incorporating criterion methods of deuterium dilution techniques or 'gold-standard' methods is needed to refute these findings. However, in the absence of developed %BF equations or 'gold-standard' methods, the available prediction equations are still desirable.

Birth Weight and Body Composition as Determined by Isotopic Dilution with Deuterium Oxide in 6- to 8-Year-Old South African Children.

Low and high birth weight (BW) are associated with obesity later in life; however, this association has not been extensively studied in African countries. This study determines the association between BW and body composition derived from deuterium oxide (D2O) dilution in 6- to 8-year-old South African children (n = 91; 40 boys, 51 girls). BW was recorded retrospectively from the children's Road-to-Health cards. Weight and height were measured using standard procedures, and D2O dilution was used to determine total body water and, subsequently, to determine body fat. Fatness was classified using the McCarthy centiles, set at 2nd, 85th, and 95th (underfat, overfat and obese). BW correlated with body composition measures, such as body weight (r = 0.23, p = 0.03), height (r = 0.33, p < 0.001), and fat free mass (FFM; r = 0.27, p = 0.01). When multiple regression analysis was employed, BW significantly and positively associated with FFM (ß = 0.24, p = 0.013; 95% CI: 0.032; 0.441) and fat mass (ß = 0.21, p = 0.02, 95%CI: 0.001; 0.412) in girls and boys combined. A total of 13% of the children had a low BW, with 21% being overweight and 17% obese. More girls than boys were overweight and obese. Intervention strategies that promote healthy uterine growth for optimal BW are needed in order to curb the global obesity pandemic.

Recent Secular Trends in Child and Adolescent Physical Activity and Sedentary Behavior Internationally: Analyses of Active Healthy Kids Global Alliance Global Matrices 1.0 to 4.0.

BACKGROUND: We examined recent global secular trends in 5 indicators of child and adolescent physical activity and sedentary behavior (Overall Physical Activity, Organized Sport and Physical Activity, Active Play, Active Transportation, and Sedentary Behavior) and 4 influences on these (Family and Peers, School, Community and Environment, and Government). METHODS: Active Healthy Kids Global Alliance letter grades (A+ to F) were assigned numbers from 15 to 2, with 0 assigned for missing/incomplete grades. Trends from Active Healthy Kids Global Alliance Global Matrices 1.0 (2014) to 4.0 (2022) were analyzed using linear mixed-effects models with level of economic development and gender inequity considered as potential moderators. RESULTS: Report card grades were generally relatively stable. Trends generally did not differ significantly by level of economic development (except for Active Transportation and Active Play), but gender inequality did significantly moderate trends for most of the indicators, with higher gender inequality associated with more adverse changes in grades. The number of "incomplete" grades decreased over time, but this did not reach statistical significance. CONCLUSIONS: While trends varied within and between countries, physical activity and sedentary behaviors, and the influences on these behaviors globally, were relatively stable over the past decade or so, albeit at undesirable levels.