Association of Recess Provision With Accelerometer-Measured Physical Activity and Sedentary Time in a Representative Sample of 6- to 11-Year-Old Children in the United States.

PURPOSE: To assess the association between the amount of recess provision and children's accelerometer-measured physical activity (PA) levels. METHODS: Parents/guardians of 6- to 11-year-olds (n = 451) in the 2012 National Youth Fitness Survey reported recess provision, categorized as low (10-15 min; 31.9%), medium (16-30 min; 48.0%), or high (>30 min; 20.1%). Children wore a wrist-worn accelerometer for 7 days to estimate time spent sedentary, in light PA, and in moderate to vigorous PA using 2 different cut points for either activity counts or raw acceleration. Outcomes were compared between levels of recess provision while adjusting for covariates and the survey's multistage, probability sampling design. RESULTS: Children with high recess provision spent less time sedentary, irrespective of type of day (week vs weekend) and engaged in more light or moderate to vigorous PA on weekdays than those with low recess provision. The magnitude and statistical significance of effects differed based on the cut points used to classify PA (eg, 4.7 vs 11.9 additional min·d-1 of moderate to vigorous PA). CONCLUSIONS: Providing children with >30 minutes of daily recess, which exceeds current recommendations of ≥20 minutes, is associated with more favorable PA levels and not just on school days. Identifying the optimal method for analyzing wrist-worn accelerometer data could clarify the magnitude of this effect.

["Take a break - Time-out for me": A practice project to promote a healthy rest break]. / "Mach mal Pause ­ Time out für mich": Praxisprojekt zur Förderung einer gesunden Pause.

"Take a break - Time-out for me": A practice project to promote a healthy rest break Abstract. Background: Breaks are essential for physical and mental health. In health care professions breaks are often cancelled or interrupted. Nursing staff should be enabled to take breaks regularly and without any interruptions. They should be given alternative options to organize their breaks. Methods: A pre-post survey was carried out with one group by means of questionnaires. The two break models "Feel good manager" and "I'm away" were tested by the nursing staff, followed by a debriefing meeting. Results: Before this project none of the nurses had rated his/her satisfaction regarding the breaks as "very good" or "good". This changed during the project to 45,5% (t1) and 22,2% (t2). None of the nurses felt "very well" or "well" recovered before the project. An increase to 54,6% (t1) respectively 33,3% could be asserted. Only 7,1% (t0) indicated to take their breaks "always" or "usually" in "full-length". With the break model "Feel good manager" it changed to 100% and with the model "I am away" to 33,3%. The amount of interruptions could be reduced from 4 (t0) to 2 (t1) and 0 (t2). Discussion: These break models are not applicable arbitrarily by other wards at will. Instead, individual situation analysis should be carried out with according adjustments. These models cannot be tested in case of lack of break areas or absence of personnel. Conclusion: The described project procedure can be transferred to other wards.

The school playground environment as a driver of primary school children's physical activity behaviour: A direct observation case study.

The school playground can promote PA for large numbers of children. This study identifies areas of the playground that children visited at break-times, the decisions according to gender and the influence of contextual and environmental variables on PA levels. The playground of a culturally diverse primary school was observed during morning break-times and lunchtimes. Counts of sedentary, LPA, and MVPA episodes, and the contexts in which they occurred were recorded using the system for observing play and leisure in youth (SOPLAY). Ball sports areas had higher counts of boys (mean ± SD; 9.9 ± 4.8) compared to girls (2.0 ± 3.5); areas promoting climbing and social interaction had higher counts of girls (7.9 ± 7.2) compared to boys (3.5 ± 2.9). The proportion of MVPA episodes during break-times was 34% ± 26%. Areas of the playground with organised activities had 2.70 (95%CI: 1.87 to 3.91) times higher MVPA counts than areas "not organised". Areas with "supervision" were associated with higher MVPA counts (1.34; 1.18 to 1.53) compared with "not supervised" areas. Organisation and supervision might influence PA choices and PA levels of children in the primary school playground. Further investigation is required to explore different playgrounds settings, and context and gender preferences.

Do children report differently from their parents and from observed data? Cross-sectional data on fruit, water, sugar-sweetened beverages and break-time foods.

BACKGROUND: Reliable assessment of children's dietary behaviour is needed for research purposes. The aim of this study was (1) to investigate the level of agreement between observed and child-reported break-time food items; and (2) to investigate the level of agreement between children's reports and those of their parents regarding children's overall consumption of fruit, water and sugar-sweetened beverages (SSB). METHODS: The children in this study were 9-13 years old, attending primary schools in Rotterdam, the Netherlands. Children were observed with respect to foods brought for break-time at school. At the same day, children completed a questionnaire in which they were asked to recall the food(s) they brought to school to consume during break-time. Only paired data (observed and child-reported) were included in the analyses (n = 407 pairs). To determine each child's daily consumption and average amounts of fruit, water and SSB consumed, children and their parents completed parallel questionnaires. Only paired data (parent-reported and child-reported) were included in the analyses (n = 275 pairs). The main statistical measures were level of agreement between break-time foods, fruit, water and SSB; and Intra-class Correlation Coefficients (ICC). RESULTS: More children reported bringing sandwiches and snacks for break-time than was observed (73 % vs 51 % observed and 84 % vs 33 % observed). The overall agreement between observed and child-reported break-time foods was poor to fair, with ICC range 0.16-0.39 (p < 0.05). Children reported higher average amounts of SSB consumed than did their parents (1.3 vs 0.9 L SSB, p < 0.001). Child and parent estimations of the child's water and fruit consumption were similar. ICC between parent and child reports was poor to good (range 0.22-0.62, p < 0.05). CONCLUSION: Children report higher on amount of break-time foods as compared to observations and children's reports of SSB consumption are higher than those of their parents. Since the level of agreement between the observed break-time foods and that reported by children and the agreement of child's intake between parent and child reports are relatively weak, future studies should focus on improving methods of evaluating children's consumption behaviour or on ways on how to best use and interpret multiple-source dietary intake data. TRIAL REGISTRATION: Current Controlled Trials NTR3400 .

Impact of Outdoor Play Structures on Moderate to Vigorous Physical Activity in Children during Recess: A Comparative Study.

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES: It is believed that outdoor play structures lead to more physical activity for kids during school recess. However, the intensity of this activity remains unknown. This study explored whether access to outdoor play structures during recess interferes with children's physical activity levels. METHODS: Forty-one children (8-10 years old) accessed play structures during the afternoon recess but not in the morning for one entire week. To control for temperature differences, the same number of participants from another school who did not access playground structures were invited to participate. Moderate to Vigorous Physical Activity (MVPA) was determined using heart rate reserve. Heart rate was recorded using the Fitbit Inspire 2 (San Francisco, CA, USA) for at least three full school days. Wilcoxon signed-rank and Mann-Whitney U tests analyzed within- and between-group differences. RESULTS: The findings show no difference in MVPA when accessing or not accessing outdoor play structures, both within groups [(n = 37) median (25th-75th) 16 min (7-30) vs. 14 min (5-22)] and between groups [(n = 22) 16 min (7-26)]. The weekly MVPA for all participants (n = 59) [172 min (117-282)] was the strongest variable associated with MVPA during recess [t(df) = 5.40 (38), 95% CI 0.04-0.09, p < 0.001]. CONCLUSION: accessibility to outdoor play structures does not increase MVPA during recess in children aged 8 to 10. Therefore, schools may need various options for children to play during recess, allowing them to accumulate MVPA.

Relationships among meal time, break time and workplace characteristics of nurses who work day, evening and night shifts: a cross-sectional study.

Objectives. This study aimed to examine the relationships among shift-working nurses' meal time, break time and workplace characteristics. Methods. The cross-sectional study analyzed 351 questionnaires from 117 nurses who worked three shifts, drawn from eight nursing units in two tertiary hospitals located in South Korea. Meal time and break time during work were investigated through a questionnaire that participants completed immediately after the end of each shift. Regression analysis was conducted to investigate the associations between nurses' work characteristics and meal time and break time. Results. Meal time and break time were less than 30 min on all shifts and significantly longer on the night shift than on the other shifts. As patients' average length of stay increased, meal time increased on day and night shifts, while break time decreased on evening shifts. Overall, a higher nursing staff-to-patient ratio was associated with shorter meal and break times. Conclusions. It was found that nurses were not able to take proper time for meals and breaks while working. A realistic and specific strategy should be prepared to address this issue, with appropriate consideration of the specific characteristics of nurse staffing, patients' conditions and shifts.

Playground designs to increase physical activity levels during school recess: a systematic review.

School recess provides a major opportunity to increase children's physical activity levels. Various studies have described strategies to increase levels of physical activity. The purpose of this systematic review is therefore to examine the interventions proposed as forms of increasing children's physical activity levels during recess. A systematic search of seven databases was made from the July 1 to July 5, 2012, leading to a final set of eight studies (a total of 2,383 subjects-599 "preschoolers" and 1,784 "schoolchildren") meeting the inclusion criteria. These studies were classified according to the intervention used: playground markings, game equipment, playground markings plus physical structures, and playground markings plus game equipment. The results of these studies indicate that the strategies analyzed do have the potential to increase physical activity levels during recess. The cumulative evidence was (a) that interventions based on playground markings, game equipment, or a combination of the two, do not seem to increase the physical activity of preschoolers and schoolchildren during recess and (ii) that interventions based on playground markings plus physical structures do increase the physical activity of schoolchildren during recess in the short to medium term.

Una experiencia transformadora: cuando el kiosco escolar se convierte en una herramienta para garantizar el consumo de alimentos de mejor perfil nutricional / A transforming experience: when the school kiosk becomes a tool to guarantee the food consumption of best nutritional profile

El objetivo del presente proyecto fue implementar un kiosco escolar saludable para brindar en el recreo alimentos con mejor perfil nutricional y promover la elección de éstos a través de un sistema de rotulado y estrategias de marketing y publicidad. Se realizó acuerdo con directivos y personal del kiosco, se evaluó características del kiosco como infraestructura y perfil nutricional de alimentos disponibles. Se efectuaron modificaciones edilicias y temporales para promover la comensalidad. Se perfilaron los alimentos con el sistema de la Agencia Británica de Alimentos y se clasificaron en diferentes grupos teniendo en cuenta el sistema francés NutriScore como recurso para ampliar la oferta. Se rotularon con una puntuación similar a la escala de calificación utilizada en el ámbito escolar, del 2 al 10. La mayor puntuación se asignó a los alimentos con mejor perfil nutricional (PN). Como estrategia de publicidad y promoción de consumo de alimentos de mejor PN se asignó un premio al grado y a la docente que juntaron la mayor cantidad de puntos. Además, se incentivó la elección de determinados alimentos con "bonustrack" y carteles explicativos de sus beneficios. Se logró implementar un kiosco escolar saludable cumpliendo requisitos del Ministerio de Salud como garantizar libre acceso a agua potable, ofrecer alimentos y bebidas en envases que contengan el tamaño adecuado, ofrecer al menos tres productos aptos para niños con enfermedad celíaca, eliminar la publicidad en la escuela de alimentos y bebidas de menor perfil nutricional, exhibir los alimentos de mejor perfil nutricional en primer plano de manera que atraigan la atención de los niños, difundir mensajes que promuevan el consumo de alimentos saludables. El entusiasmo manifestado por la comunidad educativa alienta a pensar que la intervención es prometedora y se podrán obtener resultados satisfactorios(AU)

The objective of this project was to implement a healthy school kiosk to offer during break time foods with a better nutritional profile and promote their choice through a system of labeling and marketing, as well as advertising strategies. An agreement was made with head teachers and the kiosk´s staff, and characteristics of the kiosk such as infrastructure and nutritional profile of available foods were evaluated. Building and temporary modifications were made to promote commensality. Foods were profiled using the British Food Agency system and classified into different groups taking into account the French NutriScore system as a resource to expand the offer. They were labeled with a score similar to the rating scale used in the school setting, from 2 to 10. The highest score was assigned to the foods with the best nutritional profile (NP). As an advertising strategy and promotion of food consumption with the best NP, a prize was given to the form and teacher who collected the highest amount of points. In addition, the choice of certain foods with "bonustrack" and posters explaining their benefits was encouraged. It was possible to implement a healthy school kiosk meeting the requirements of the Ministry of Health such as guaranteeing free access to drinking water, offering food and drinks in containers with the right size, offering at least three products suitable for celiac children, eliminating advertising at school of food and drinks with a lower nutritional profile, displaying the best nutritional profile foods in the forefront as a means of catching the children´s attention, spreading messages that promote the consumption of healthy foods. The enthusiasm expressed by the educational community encourages to think that the intervention is promising and satisfactory results can be obtained(AU)

A construção do gênero no espaço escolar / The gender's construction in the school place / La construcción del gênero en el espacio escolar

Procuramos, a partir das vertentes dos Estudos Culturais e de Gênero que se aproximam do pós-estruturalismo de Foucault, entender como o gênero e a sexualidade instituem modos diferenciados de ser menino/a no recreio escolar. Considerando que esse é um processo permeado por relações do poder, procuramos mapeá-las e identificá-las utilizando uma metodologia de inspiração etnográfica (observação participante e entrevistas) realizada, durante um ano, numa escola pública de Porto Alegre, RS. Focalizamos uma segunda e uma terceira série. Argumentamos que, através das brincadeiras, acontece uma aprendizagem não-formal e não-intencional, a partir da qual crianças apre(e)endem determinadas formas de feminilidade e de masculinidade.

We look for, from the lines of the Cultural and Gender Studies that approach the poststructuralism of Foulcault, to understand how the gender and the sexuality establish different ways of being boys/ girls inside the break time play. Considering that these actions take place through relations of power, we look for sought to map and identify them through an ethnographically inspired methodology. We focused on groups of 2nd and 3rd grades. We argue that, in the space of break time a non-official and non-intentional learning takes place, from which or through which the children learn how to be boys and girls

Procuramos, a partir de las vertientes de los Estudios Culturales y de Género que se aproximan del pós-estructuralismo de Foucault, entender como el género instituye modos diferenciados de ser niño/a en el recreo escolar. Considerando que ese es un proceso permiado de relaciones de poder, procuramos mapearlas e identificarlas a travéz de una metodología de inspiración etnográfica. (observación participante y entrevistas) realizada, durante un ano, en una escuela pública de Porto Alegre, RS. Focalizamos un segundo y un tercer grado. Argumentamos que, a través de los juegos, sucede un aprendizaje nooficial y no-intencional, a partir del cual los/las niños/ as apre(e)enden determinadas formas de femenilidad e de masculinidad