Gender Differences in Physical Activity and Health-Related Authorships Between 1950 and 2019.

BACKGROUND: The objective of this study was to investigate gender differences in authorship in physical activity and health research. METHODS: A bibliometric study including 23,399 articles from 105 countries was conducted to estimate the participation of female researchers in physical activity publications from 1950 to 2019. The frequency of female researchers was analyzed and classified by first and last authors and the overall percentage of female authors by region and country. RESULTS: The proportion of female first authors increased from <10% in the 50s and 80s to 55% in the last decade. On the other hand, the proportion of last authors increased from 8.7% to 41.1% in the same period. Most publications with female researchers were from the United States, Canada, Australia, Brazil, the Netherlands, Spain, England, Germany, Sweden, and China. Nine of these countries had over 50% of the articles published by female first authors. However, in all 10 countries, <50% of the articles were published by female last authors. CONCLUSIONS: The proportion of female researchers increased over time. However, regional differences exist and should be addressed in gender equity policies. There is a gap in the participation of female researchers as last authors. By actively addressing the gender gap in research, the global society can harness the full potential of all talented individuals, regardless of gender, leading to more inclusive and impactful scientific advancements.

Physical Activity Policies at National and Subnational Levels: A Study in Colombia, Costa Rica, Ecuador, and Mexico.

BACKGROUND: National physical activity (PA) policy processes are only beginning to be studied in Latin America, and little attention has focused at the subnational level. This study examined national-subnational relations in the policy process (agenda setting, policy formulation, adoption, implementation, and evaluation) in selected Latin American countries. METHODS: The Global Observatory for Physical Activity's (GoPA!) INTEGRATE-PA-Pol tool was applied in Colombia, Costa Rica, Ecuador, and Mexico. Data were collected in matched pairs of the capital plus one noncapital city among national and subnational policymakers (n = 27), previously identified by the GoPA! Country Contacts. PA policy development and implementation were assessed using descriptive statistics. RESULTS: Twenty-three (response rate = 85.2%) informants provided data, mainly from the health sector (52.2%), followed by the sport (26.1%), transport (13.0%), and education (8.7%) sectors. Most informants reported that their countries had a current PA policy embedded within noncommunicable diseases prevention plans (46.2%), other plans (46.2%), or obesity prevention/management/control plans (7.7%). Respondents at the subnational level rated PA promotion as central (64.3%), while the national-level role was important but not central (75.0%). National and subnational policymakers indicated low-to-little involvement in the other level's PA policy processes across the 5 policy stages. CONCLUSIONS: This study demonstrated that collecting national and subnational PA policy data across countries with the active collaboration of the GoPA! network was feasible. We also successfully identified governmental interactions throughout the PA policy process, suggesting suboptimal engagement between national and subnational levels.

An Overview of Physical Activity Research Evolution in Africa: The Global Observatory for Physical Activity-GoPA!

OBJECTIVE: To describe the evolution of physical activity (PA) research in Africa, examine income and gender inequalities, and discuss future possibilities. METHODS: A secondary analyses of the Global Observatory for Physical Activity data on PA research in Africa (1950-2019). RESULTS: We identified 514 PA articles from 47 African countries in the past 70 years. Majority (83.1%) of the articles were published between 2012 and 2019. Fifteen countries had no publications. Six countries (South Africa [n = 156], Nigeria [n = 85], Ethiopia [n = 44], Ghana [n = 41], Kenya [n = 39], and Cameroon [n = 20]) accounted for about 75% of the publications. Most articles were observational (92.4%), single-country studies (78.4%), with male first (58.4%) and last authors (68%), and were classified as surveillance studies (45.1%). Few studies addressed interventions (5.8%) and policy (3.5%) or used device-based PA measurement (14.0%). The number of articles per country was positively related to human population level (r = .552, P = .000) and gross domestic product % spent on research and development (r = .301, P = .040). The publication rate per 100,000 people was positively related with the human development index (r = .349, P = .016) and negatively with the gender inequality index (r = -.360, P = .019). CONCLUSIONS: Our results provide an overview and status of PA research in Africa, highlighting country differences and gender inequalities in authorship. The findings may be used to benchmark the evolution of research in the region and to inform areas for improvement. There is an urgent need for more PA interventions and policy studies in Africa.

Are nocturnal awakenings at age 1 predictive of sleep duration and efficiency at age 6: Results from two birth cohorts.

Objective: To investigate the association of nighttime awakenings at 12 months with the duration and efficiency of nighttime sleep at 6 years of age. Methods: Data from two population-based prospective studies (The Pelotas 2004 and The Pelotas 2015 Birth Cohorts) were used. Information on nighttime awakenings was provided by mothers during the 12-month follow-up interview. Infants who awakened >3 times after sleep onset at 12 months were considered frequent wakeners. Sleep duration and sleep efficiency were obtained by actigraphy at the 6-year follow-up. Children wore the device at the wrist of the non-dominant arm continuously for 3-7 days, including at least one weekend day. Unadjusted and adjusted beta coefficients were obtained by linear regression for each cohort separately. Results: 2500 children from the 2004 and 2793 from the 2015 cohort had full information on nighttime awakenings at 12 months and actigraphy at 6 years and were analyzed. Prevalence of frequent wakeners was 6.3 % and 5.9 % in the 2004 and 2015 cohort, respectively. Mean bedtime and wake-up time at 6 years were, respectively, 23:23 and 08:41 h in the 2004 cohort, and 00:10 and 09:00 h int the 2015 cohort. Nighttime sleep lasted on average 7.54 and 7.24 h respectively in the 2004 and the 2015 cohort, and the sleep efficiency was 81.1 and 82.5 % respectively. In adjusted analyses, no associations were found between awakening at 12 months and sleep duration or sleep efficiency at 6 years of age. Conclusion: In both cohorts sleep duration and efficiency were below the recommendation for school-age children (respectively 9-11 h and 85 %). There was no relationship between the number of nighttime awakenings at 12 months and sleep duration or efficiency at 6 years.

Prepregnancy maternal BMI and trajectories of BMI-for-age in children up to four years of age: findings from the 2015 Pelotas (Brazil) birth cohort.

BACKGROUND: The aims of the study were to: (a) describe BMI-for-age trajectories in children up to four years of age; (b) evaluate the association between prepregnancy maternal BMI and the BMI-for-age trajectories. METHODS: Data from 3218 (75.3% of the original cohort) children from the Pelotas 2015 Birth Cohort were analyzed. Prepregnancy BMI (kg/m2) was measured on the perinatal interview. Z-scores of BMI-for-age were calculated for children at three months, 1, 2 and 4 years. Trajectories were identified using a semi-parametric group-based modeling approach. Multinomial logistic regression was used to test the association between prepregnancy BMI (weight excess: BMI ≥ 25 kg/m2) and BMI-for-age trajectories. RESULTS: Four trajectories of the BMI-for-age, in z-score, were identified and represent children in the "increasing", "adequate", "stabilized" and "risk for weight excess" group. A total of 196 children (7.1%) belonged to the group that was at risk of weight excess. Adjusted analyses showed that children whose mothers presented prepregnancy weight excess had 2.36 (95%CI 1.71; 3.24) times more risk of belonging to group "risk for weight excess" when compared to those children whose mothers presented underweight/normal weight before pregnancy. CONCLUSION: The risk of weight excess in children up to 4 years of age were greater in mothers who presented prepregnancy weight excess.

Leisure-Time Physical Activity in a Southern Brazilian City (2004-2021): Applying an Equity Lens to Time-Trend Analyses.

BACKGROUND: This study aimed to verify leisure-time physical activity trends over 15 years and monitor inequalities according to gender, self-reported skin color, and socioeconomic position in a Southern Brazilian city. A secondary aim is to evaluate intersectionalities in physical activity. METHODS: Trend analysis using 3 population-based surveys carried out in 2004, 2010, and 2021. Main outcome assessed was the prevalence of physical activity according to recommendations (150 min/wk). Inequalities dimensions measured were sex, self-reported skin color, and wealth. Intersectionalities were evaluated using Jeopardy index combining all inequality dimensions. Trend analysis was performed using least-squares weighted regression. RESULTS: We included data from 3090, 2656, and 5696 adults in 2004, 2010, and 2021, respectively. Prevalence of physical activity remains stable around 25% in the 3 years. In the 3 periods evaluated, men presented a prevalence in average 10 percentage points higher than women (SII2004 = -11.1 [95% confidence interval, CI, -14.4 to -7.8], SII2021 = -10.7 [95% CI, -13.7 to -7.7]). Skin color inequalities did not present a clear pattern. Richest individuals, in general presented a prevalence of leisure-time physical activity level 20pp higher than poorest ones (SII2004 = 20.5 [95% CI, 13.7 to 27.4]; SII2021 = 16.7 [95% CI, 11.3 to 22.0]). Inequalities were widely marked, comparing the most privileged group (represented by men, the wealthiest, and White) and the most socially vulnerable group (represented by women, the poorest, and Black/Brown). The Slope Index of Inequality for intersectionalities was -24.5 (95% CI, -31.1 to -17.9) in 2004 and -18.8 in 2021 (95% CI, -24.2 to -13.4). CONCLUSIONS: Our analysis shows that women, Black/Brown, and poor present lower leisure-time physical activity level. This group is often neglected regarding other health and social outcomes.

[Temporal trend of physical activity in Brazilian adolescents: analysis of the Brazilian National Survey of School Health from 2009 to 2019]. / Tendência temporal de atividade física em adolescentes brasileiros: análise da Pesquisa Nacional de Saúde do Escolar de 2009 a 2019.

This study aimed to analyze the physical activity trend of Brazilian schoolchildren and the associations with demographic, socioeconomic, and behavioral variables by using the Brazilian National Survey of School Health (PeNSE) in its four editions - 2009, 2012, 2015, and 2019. Data from students (13-17 years old) participating in the four editions of the PeNSE (n = 392,922) were used. We describe the percentage of active, mean, and percentile values of moderate to vigorous intensity physical activity in minutes/week. Poisson's regression was adjusted for gender, age, skin color, goods score, and sedentary behavior (≥ 2 hours/day watching TV and ≥ 3 hours/day sitting time). As a limitation, the PeNSE/2009 sample refers only to the Brazilian capital cities. The percentage of active students decreased from 43.1% in 2009 to 18.2% in 2019. The mean moderate to vigorous intensity physical activity of PeNSE/2009 (mean = 318.4 minutes/week; 95%CI: 313.4-323.4) decreased 50% in 2019. In physical education, the weekly average in moderate to vigorous intensity physical activity of girls is less than 50 minutes and boys is greater than 60 minutes in the four editions of PeNSE, also 22.7% of girls reported (PeNSE/2019) not having taken physical education classes whereas the same thing is reported by 19.7% of boys. Sedentary behavior reduced regarding time watching TV, but sitting time increased by 50.1% (95%CI: 48.9-51.3) and 54% (95%CI: 53.1-54.9) between PeNSE/2009 and PeNSE/2019. As a consequence of the drop in physical activity levels, public policies that promote physical activity are necessary, including increasing physical education classes at school to at least three times a week.

O objetivo do estudo foi analisar a tendência de atividade física dos escolares brasileiros e as associações com variáveis demográficas, socioeconômicas e comportamentais, por meio da Pesquisa Nacional de Saúde do Escolar (PeNSE) em suas quatro edições - 2009, 2012, 2015 e 2019. Foram usados dados dos escolares (13-17 anos) participantes das quatro edições da PeNSE (n = 392.922). Descrevemos o percentual de ativos, a média e valores percentuais da atividade física de intensidade moderada à vigorosa em minutos/semana. A regressão de Poisson foi ajustada para sexo, idade, cor da pele, escore de bens e comportamento sedentário (≥ 2 horas/dia para assistir TV e ≥ 3 horas/dia de tempo sentado). Como limitação, a amostra da PeNSE/2009 refere-se apenas às capitais brasileiras. O percentual de ativos reduziu de 43,1% em 2009 para 18,2% em 2019. A média em atividade física de intensidade moderada à vigorosa da PeNSE/2009 (média = 318,4 minutos/semana; IC95%: 313,4-323,4) reduziu 50% em 2019. Na educação física, a média semanal em atividade física de intensidade moderada à vigorosa das meninas foi menor que 50 minutos, ao passo que a dos meninos foi maior que 60 minutos, nas quatro edições da PeNSE. Ainda, 22,7% das meninas relataram (PeNSE/2019) não ter tido aulas de educação física, enquanto o mesmo é relatado por 19,7% dos meninos. O comportamento sedentário sofreu redução no hábito de assistir TV, porém o tempo sentado aumentou de 50,1% (IC95%: 48,9-51,3) para 54% (IC95%: 53,1-54,9) entre a PeNSE/2009 e a PeNSE/2019. Como consequência da queda nos níveis de atividade física, são necessárias políticas públicas que promovam a atividade física, como aumentar as aulas de educação física na escola para, no mínimo, três vezes por semana.

El objetivo de este estudio fue analizar la tendencia de la actividad física del alumnado brasileño y sus asociaciones con las variables demográficas, socioeconómicas y de comportamiento mediante la Encuesta Nacional de Salud del Escolar (PeNSE) en sus cuatro ediciones (de 2009, 2012, 2015 y 2019). Se utilizaron los datos del alumnado (13-17 años) que participó en las cuatro ediciones de la PeNSE (n = 392.922). Se describieron el porcentaje de valores activos, la media y los valores percentiles de actividad física de intensidad moderada a vigorosa en minutos/semana. La regresión de Poisson se ajustó según sexo, edad, color de la piel, puntuación de activos y comportamiento sedentario (≥ 2 horas/día para ver televisión y ≥ 3 horas/día sentado). Como limitación, la muestra de la PeNSE/2009 se refiere únicamente a las capitales brasileñas. El porcentaje de activos disminuyó del 43,1% en 2009 al 18,2% en 2019. La media de actividad física de intensidad moderada a vigorosa de la PeNSE/2009 (media = 318,4 minutos/semana; IC95%: 313,4-323,4) tuvo una reducción de un 50% en 2019. En educación física, el promedio semanal en actividad física de intensidad moderada a vigorosa de las niñas fue menos de 50 minutos, y el de los niños llegó a 60 minutos en las cuatro ediciones de la PeNSE, además, el 22,7% de las niñas y el 19,7% de los niños (PeNSE/2019) informaron no haber tomado clases de educación física. Hubo una disminución en el comportamiento sedentario de ver televisión, pero el tiempo sentado aumentó del 50,1% (IC95%: 48,9-51,3) al 54% (IC95%: 53,1-54,9) entre la PeNSE/2009 y la PeNSE/2019. El descenso de los niveles de actividad física lleva a la necesidad de desarrollar políticas públicas que promuevan la actividad física, incluido el incremento de las clases de educación física en las escuelas al menos tres veces por semana.

Maternal depression in first 1000 days of life and early childhood caries prevalence at 48 months of age.

OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of maternal's depression trajectory in the first 1000 days of the child's life on the prevalence of early childhood dental caries (ECC), in a birth cohort. MATERIALS AND METHODS: All infants born in Pelotas in 2015 were identified, and the mothers were invited to participate in the cohort. A total of 3645 children were included in the study. The outcome was ECC at 48 months of age assessed according to ICDAS. Maternal depression was collected using Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale (EPDS) antenatally, at 3, 12, and 24 months of age. Maternal depressive symptom trajectory variables were created using group-based trajectory models and adopting two cutoff points. Poisson regression model with robust variance was used to identify the total effect of maternal depressive symptom trajectories on ECC, adjusting by confounders. RESULTS: A total of 29.2% of the mothers presented a high trajectory for screening of depression, and 18.8% presented a high trajectory of depression diagnosis. The prevalence of ECC was 26.7%. After adjusted analysis, maternal depression trajectories (screening and diagnosis) from pregnancy to 24 months increased the risk for ECC at 48 months of age (RR = 1.14; 95% CI 1.02-1.28 and RR = 1.19; 95% CI 1.05-1.35). CONCLUSIONS: Children from mothers with high depression trajectory had higher risk of having dental caries at 48 months compared to children from mothers with low depression trajectory. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Strategies of early detection and treatment of maternal mental disorders during the Golden Period should be considered of high priority in health services since it could impact positively in children's life.

Latin America and the Caribbean Code Against Cancer 1st edition: Tobacco and nicotine-related products, secondhand smoke, and alcohol and cancer.

Tobacco, secondhand smoke (SHS), and alcohol, all carcinogens, are leading preventable cancer risk factors in Latin America and the Caribbean (LAC). Since 2000, smoking and SHS exposure have significantly decreased in the region. Yet alcohol consumption remains high. The entry of nicotine-related products such as electronic cigarettes (e-cigs) threatens achievements made in tobacco control and chronic diseases prevention, including cancer. E-cigs use is likely associated with smoking initiation among adolescents who had never smoked and dual use with combustible tobacco products. Therefore, the LAC Code Against Cancer recommends to the public actions they can take to reduce their risk of cancer: 1. Don't smoke or use any type of tobacco. If you do, quitting is possible, with professional help if needed. Don't use e-cigarettes either, as they lead to tobacco use. 2. Make your home a smoke-free place. Respect and promote laws that ensure smoke-free spaces to protect our health. and 3. Avoid drinking alcoholic beverages. This helps prevent several types of cancer. The Code recommends to policymakers a package of cost-effective policies based on the MPOWER and SAFER to prevent cancer at the population level. It also recommends that primary care health professionals: 1. Ask all their patients and their families whether they smoke or vape, inform them about the harms of smoking and vaping, and promote tobacco and nicotine related products cessation strategies among users. 2. Inform about the harms of exposure to SHS, especially among children, and promote smoke-free environments, and 3. Prevent alcohol use by their patients and their families, use tools to assess use, intensity, and frequency, and apply brief counseling intervention to support alcohol abstinence in primary care.

Latin American and the Caribbean Code Against Cancer 1st edition: Weight, physical activity, diet, breastfeeding, and cancer.

In Latin America and the Caribbean a considerable proportion of the population have excess body weight, do not meet the recommendations of physical activity and healthy diet, and have suboptimal rates of breastfeeding. Excess body weight is associated with at least 15 cancer sites, physical activity protects against three cancers, with some evidence suggesting a protective effect for eight more cancer sites, and sedentary behavior probably increases the risk of five cancer sites. Fiber and wholegrains protect against colorectal cancer, high intake of fruits and vegetables could reduce the risk of aerodigestive cancers; processed and red meat increase the risk of colorectal cancer; and very hot beverages are associated with esophageal cancer. Moreover, sugar-sweetened beverages and ultra-processed foods are a convincing cause for excess body weight, increasing cancer risk through this pathway, with some emerging evidence suggesting also direct pathways. Breastfeeding protects against breast cancer, and could protect against ovarian cancer. Taking this evidence into account, the Latin America and the Caribbean Code Against Cancer recommends the general public to maintain a healthy body weight, be physically active and limit sedentary behavior, eat a healthy diet (eat plenty of vegetables, fruits, wholegrains and legumes; avoid sugar-sweetened beverages and processed meat; and limit ultra-processed foods, red meat and very hot beverages), and breastfeed. Moreover, the Latin America and the Caribbean Code Against Cancer also includes a set of public policy recommendations for cancer prevention to inform policy makers and civil society about the need of policies to shape healthy environments and create opportunities to facilitate the adoption of the recommendations directed to the public.

[Telephone Survey of Risk Factors for Chronic Noncommunicable Diseases During the Pandemic (Covitel): methodological aspects]. / Inquérito Telefônico de Fatores de Risco para Doenças Crônicas Não Transmissíveis em Tempos de Pandemia (Covitel): aspectos metodológicos.

This study describes the methodology of the Telephone Survey of Risk Factors for Chronic Noncommunicable Diseases During the Pandemic (Covitel), conducted in Brazil in 2022. Covitel is a population-based survey representing Brazil and its five macroregions (Central-West, Northeast, North, Southeast, and South) and providing information on the impact of the main risk factors for chronic noncommunicable diseases (NCDs) on the adult population aged 18 years or above who live in households served by fixed and mobile telephone lines. This study aims to contribute to the development and monitoring of public policies to promote the population's health and obtain results to contribute to the knowledge of the influence of COVID-19 on risk factors for NCDs in the country. We evaluated 9,000 individuals and collected information on their diet, physical activity, mental health, health status, hypertension, diabetes, depression, and alcohol and tobacco consumption, comparing the pre-pandemic moments and the first quarter of 2022. We also collected information about the population's vaccination schedule and COVID-19 infection history.

Este artigo descreve a metodologia utilizada na realização do Inquérito Telefônico de Fatores de Risco para Doenças Crônicas Não Transmissíveis em Tempos de Pandemia (Covitel), desenvolvido no Brasil em 2022. O Covitel é um inquérito de base populacional, com representatividade para o Brasil e suas cinco macrorregiões: Centro-oeste, Nordeste, Norte, Sudeste e Sul. O inquérito apresenta informações sobre o impacto dos principais fatores de risco para as doenças crônicas não transmissíveis (DCNT) na população adulta, com 18 anos ou mais, residente em domicílios servidos por linhas telefônicas fixas e móveis. O estudo tem por objetivo colaborar para o desenvolvimento e acompanhamento de políticas públicas voltadas para a promoção da saúde para a população, bem como obter resultados que visem contribuir para o conhecimento sobre a influência da COVID-19 nos fatores de risco para as DCNT no país. Foram avaliados 9 mil indivíduos e coletadas informações sobre alimentação, atividade física, saúde mental, estado de saúde, hipertensão arterial, diabetes e depressão, além do consumo de álcool e tabaco, comparando os momentos pré-pandemia e o primeiro trimestre de 2022. Além disso, o estudo coletou informações acerca do esquema vacinal da população e da infecção por COVID-19.

Este artículo describe la metodología empleada para realizar la Encuesta Telefónica de Factores de Riesgo para Enfermedades Crónicas No Transmisibles en Tiempos de Pandemia (Covitel), realizada en Brasil en el 2022. Covitel es una encuesta de base poblacional, representativa de Brasil y sus cinco macrorregiones: Centro-Oeste, Nordeste, Norte, Sudeste y Sur, y brinda información sobre el impacto de los principales factores de riesgo para enfermedades crónicas no transmisibles (ECNT) en la población adulta, de 18 años o más, que vive en hogares con servicio de telefonía fija y móvil. El estudio tiene como objetivo contribuir al desarrollo y seguimiento de políticas públicas dirigidas a la promoción de la salud de la población, así como obtener resultados que tengan como objetivo contribuir al conocimiento sobre la influencia de la COVID-19 en los factores de riesgo para las ECNT en el país. Se evaluó a 9.000 individuos y se recopiló información sobre alimentación, actividad física, salud mental, estado de salud, hipertensión arterial, diabetes y depresión, además del consumo de alcohol y tabaco, comparando los momentos previos a la pandemia con el primer trimestre de 2022. Además, el estudio recopiló información sobre el calendario de vacunación de la población y la infección por COVID-19.

Shaping Policy and Practice: Analyzing the Reach of Highly Cited and High Altmetrics Publications for Broader Impact on Physical Activity.

BACKGROUND: A significant gap remains between the availability of physical activity (PA) evidence-based interventions and their application in real-world settings in policy and practice areas. This study aims to describe highly cited and high altmetrics publications in PA research and explore their impact on PA policy and practice. METHODS: Mixed-methods sequential explanatory study including the identification and description of the top highly cited and high altmetrics PA publications from the last 10 years (including study design, population, type of PA study, number of citations, and altmetrics score), and interviews with key informants regarding research dissemination and implications on PA policy and practice. RESULTS: When considering publication type, the most frequent highly cited publications were health consequences (40%, altmetrics = 42%), measurement/trends (23%, altmetrics = 10%), and correlates/determinants (21%, altmetrics = 26%) studies. They were predominantly cross-sectional (50%, altmetrics = 28%), systematic reviews (38%, altmetrics = 18%), and longitudinal studies (8%, altmetrics = 37%). All authors who participated in the interviews agreed that the most important factors in disseminating findings and influencing PA policy and practice were the published peer-reviewed manuscript itself, the reputation of the journal, the communication strategy, and the use of online platforms. CONCLUSIONS: To have a real-world influence on PA policy and practice, it is not enough to publish the results in scientific journals and participate in media outreach. To successfully involve policymakers and communities in appropriating the evidence and evaluating the extent to which these findings affect policy and practice outcomes, it is critical to lead co-creation, co-dissemination, advocacy, and capacity building efforts.

Gender differences in the distribution of children's physical activity: evidence from nine countries.

BACKGROUND: Physical activity in childhood is thought to influences health and development. Previous studies have found that boys are typically more active than girls, yet the focus has largely been on differences in average levels or proportions above a threshold rather than the full distribution of activity across all intensities. We thus examined differences in the distribution of physical activity between girls and boys in a multi-national sample of children. METHODS: We used the harmonised International Children Accelerometry Database (ICAD), including waist-worn accelerometry data from 15,461 individuals (Boys: 48.3%) from 9 countries. Employing Generalised Additive Models of Location, Shape, and Scale (GAMLSS) we investigated gender differences in the distribution of individuals, including comparisons of variability (SD) and average physical activity levels (mean and median) and skewness. We conducted this analysis for each activity intensity (Sedentary, Light, and Moderate-to-Vigorous (MVPA)) and a summary measure (counts per minute (CPM)). RESULTS: Sizable gender differences in the distribution of activity were found for moderate to vigorous activity and counts per minute, with boys having higher average levels (38% higher mean volumes of MVPA, 20% higher CPM), yet substantially more between-person variability (30% higher standard deviation (SD) for MVPA, 17% higher SD for CPM); boys' distributions were less positively skewed than girls. Conversely, there was little to no difference between girls and boys in the distribution of sedentary or light-intensity activity. CONCLUSIONS: Inequality in activity between girls and boys was driven by MVPA. The higher mean volumes of MVPA in boys occurred alongside greater variability. This suggests a need to consider the underlying distribution of activity in future research; for example, interventions which target gender inequality in MVPA may inadvertently lead to increased inequality within girls.

Physical Activity and Chronic Stress in Early Life: Findings From the 2015 Pelotas (Brazil) Birth Cohort.

BACKGROUND: The association of physical activity through early childhood on children's chronic stress still is unclear. Therefore, the aim of the present study is to test the association of physical activity through early childhood (1-4 y) with chronic stress, measured by hair cortisol at age 4. METHODS: Longitudinal study including children from the 2015 Pelotas (Brazil) Birth Cohort. Cortisol at age 4 was measured using a hair sample, which provided cortisol concentration from the past months. Physical activity was measured using accelerometers at 1, 2, and 4 years. Linear regression models were used to assess the association between physical activity and chronic stress. Trajectory models were also applied to examine chronic stress in relation to physical activity patterns throughout early childhood. RESULTS: Children with valid physical activity and hair cortisol data were included in the analyses (N = 1475). Three groups of physical activity trajectories between 1 and 4 years were identified: low, medium, and high. No association between physical activity at 1, 2, and 4 years and chronic stress at age 4 was observed. However, children in the "high" physical activity trajectory presented low cortisol concentration; the magnitude of the regression coefficient was slightly larger in girls (ß = -0.125; 95% confidence interval, -0.326 to 0.074) than boys (ß = -0.051; 95% confidence interval, -0.196 to 0.09). CONCLUSION: There was no clear association between physical activity and chronic stress in early childhood. Trajectories models suggest that higher activity throughout early childhood may positively impact chronic stress; however, more studies are needed to confirm that hypothesis.