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Ludwig-Walz H, Siemens W, Heinisch S, Dannheim I, Loss J, Bujard M. How the COVID-19 pandemic and related school closures reduce physical activity among children and adolescents in the WHO European Region: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Int J Behav Nutr Phys Act 2023; 20:149. [PMID: 38115056 PMCID: PMC10731871 DOI: 10.1186/s12966-023-01542-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/22/2023] [Accepted: 11/18/2023] [Indexed: 12/21/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Emerging research suggests that physical activity among children and adolescents decreased during the COVID-19 pandemic. However, a differentiated overview of European youth is lacking. In particular, no systematic analysis has been conducted to date on the impact of heterogeneous pandemic restrictions and school closures within European countries, and with regard to potentially vulnerable groups. METHODS We searched seven databases and included studies for children and adolescents (≤ 19 years) of the WHO European Region that compared physical activity during the COVID-19 pandemic with a pre-pandemic baseline using validated measurement instruments. We used the Oxford Stringency Index and School Closure Index as indicators of restriction stringency. Screening for eligibility, data extraction, assessment of the study risk of bias (using the 'Risk of Bias in Non-randomized Studies - of Exposure' [ROBINS-E]) and certainty grading of evidence (using the GRADE approach), were all done in duplicate. Unpublished data was requested from study authors. Data were pooled in random effects models. An a priori protocol was published, reporting is carried out in accordance with the 'Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Review and Meta-Analyses' (PRISMA) statement. RESULTS Of 14,897 non-duplicate records, 26 publications (n = 15,038 pre-pandemic, n = 13,041 during pandemic) met full inclusion criteria. Comparison before and during the COVID-19 pandemic revealed a significant reduction in total physical activity (standardized mean difference [SMD], -0.57 [95%CI, -0.95; -0.20]) and moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (SMD, -0.43 [95% CI, -0.75; -0.10]), corresponding to a decrease of 12 min per day (a 20% reduction of the WHO recommendation). A decrease in sporting activity was also recorded. Subgroup analyses suggested that middle childhood (aged 8-12) and adolescents were particularly affected by the decline. School closures were associated with a reduction in physical activity. The certainty of evidence for all outcomes was low. CONCLUSIONS A sharp decline in all forms of physical activity was recorded among European children and adolescents during the COVID-19 pandemic. This decline was higher during periods of school closure and mainly affected younger schoolchildren and adolescents. Immediate action by policy-makers and practitioners, as well as evidence-based public health strategies, are imperative in reversing this trend. TRIAL REGISTRATION PROSPERO: CRD42023395871.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Waldemar Siemens
- Institute for Evidence in Medicine, Medical Center - University of Freiburg, Faculty of Medicine, Freiburg, Germany
- Cochrane Germany, Cochrane Germany Foundation, Freiburg, Germany
| | - Sarah Heinisch
- Institute for Physical Education and Sport, University of Education, Karlsruhe, Germany
| | - Indra Dannheim
- Regional Innovation Center for Health and Quality of Life in Fulda (RIGL), Fulda University of Applied Sciences, Fulda, Germany
- Department of Nutritional, Food and Consumer Sciences, Fulda University of Applied Sciences, Fulda, Germany
| | | | - Martin Bujard
- Federal Institute for Population Research (BiB), Wiesbaden, Germany
- Institute of Medical Psychology, Medical Faculty, University Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany
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Makai A, Prémusz V, Dózsa-Juhász O, Fodor-Mazzag K, Melczer C, Ács P. Examination of Physical Activity Patterns of Children, Reliability and Structural Validity Testing of the Hungarian Version of the PAQ-C Questionnaire. CHILDREN (BASEL, SWITZERLAND) 2023; 10:1547. [PMID: 37761508 PMCID: PMC10529201 DOI: 10.3390/children10091547] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/31/2023] [Revised: 08/30/2023] [Accepted: 09/08/2023] [Indexed: 09/29/2023]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Several studies report on the importance of physical activity (PA) in childhood, which influences attitudes towards health in adulthood. For monitoring PA, trustworthy measurement tools are needed. The study aimed to adapt the Physical Activity Questionnaire for Children (PAQ-C) to the Hungarian language and assess its validity, reliability, and factor structure. METHODS A total of 620 children (the average age was 10.62 (SD 2.36)) participated in the cross-sectional study. To assess physical activity, the PAQ-C questionnaire was used. The collected data were analysed using IBM SPSS version 28.0 and IBM SPSS AMOS 29.0 software. RESULTS The internal consistency was acceptable (alpha = 0.729) and the test-retest reliability showed acceptable agreement (ICC = 0.772). The confirmatory factor favoured a one-factor structure of the questionnaire. The average PAQ-C score for girls was 2.87 (SD 1.07), and for boys it was 3.00 (SD 1.05), which showed a significant difference (p = 0.005). DISCUSSION Based on our findings, our study tested the validity and reliability of the one-factor PAQ-C questionnaire, a valid and reliable measurement tool to test the physical activity patterns of primary school children in a Hungarian sample. Further research is needed to develop physical activity monitoring of Hungarian children.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alexandra Makai
- Institute of Physiotherapy and Sport Sciences, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Pécs, H-7621 Pecs, Hungary; (V.P.); (P.Á.)
- Physical Activity Research Group, Szentágothai Research Centre, University of Pécs, H-7621 Pecs, Hungary
| | - Viktória Prémusz
- Institute of Physiotherapy and Sport Sciences, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Pécs, H-7621 Pecs, Hungary; (V.P.); (P.Á.)
- Physical Activity Research Group, Szentágothai Research Centre, University of Pécs, H-7621 Pecs, Hungary
| | - Olívia Dózsa-Juhász
- Institute of Physiotherapy and Sport Sciences, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Pécs, H-7621 Pecs, Hungary; (V.P.); (P.Á.)
| | - Kitti Fodor-Mazzag
- Institute of Physiotherapy and Sport Sciences, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Pécs, H-7621 Pecs, Hungary; (V.P.); (P.Á.)
| | - Csaba Melczer
- Institute of Physiotherapy and Sport Sciences, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Pécs, H-7621 Pecs, Hungary; (V.P.); (P.Á.)
- Physical Activity Research Group, Szentágothai Research Centre, University of Pécs, H-7621 Pecs, Hungary
| | - Pongrác Ács
- Institute of Physiotherapy and Sport Sciences, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Pécs, H-7621 Pecs, Hungary; (V.P.); (P.Á.)
- Physical Activity Research Group, Szentágothai Research Centre, University of Pécs, H-7621 Pecs, Hungary
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Hawani A, Chikha AB, Souissi MA, Trabelsi O, Mrayah M, Souissi N, Marsigliante S, Muscella A. The Feeling of Pleasure for Overweight Children during Different Types of Physical Activity. CHILDREN (BASEL, SWITZERLAND) 2023; 10:1526. [PMID: 37761487 PMCID: PMC10528862 DOI: 10.3390/children10091526] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/22/2023] [Revised: 08/17/2023] [Accepted: 09/07/2023] [Indexed: 09/29/2023]
Abstract
The feeling of pleasure during physical education (PE) could increase with physical activity participation and adherence for overweight children. While traditional games are known to have positive benefits on motor skill development, especially for children with poorer motor skills, and on the body mass of children, little is known about overweight children's feelings of enjoyment when playing these games. To identify a program of physical activity appreciated by overweight children, we tested the effect of different activities, namely soccer (SO), shot put (SP), and traditional motor games (TMGs), on the feelings of pleasure for 28 overweight male children (aged 12.11 ± 0.63 years, BMI 26.89 ± 0.15 kg·m-2) participating in a 3-month cross-over study. To measure affective responses to exercises, we applied a validated feeling scale. The data were collected during eight PE lessons, which were organized for each cycle taught. Post hoc pairwise comparisons revealed a significant difference (Z = -3.195, p < 0.01) between the mean feeling score reported after the SO cycle (2.48 ± 0.41) and that after the TMGs (3.04 ± 0.32). A similar significant difference (Z = -3.304, p < 0.01) was found between the mean feeling scores reported after the SP cycle (2.27 ± 0.32) and the TMGs (3.04 ± 0.32). There was no significant difference between the mean feeling scores reported after the SO (2.48 ± 0.41) and SP cycles (2.27 ± 0.32). In conclusion, the findings of the present study suggest that TMGs may have beneficial effects on the feelings of pleasure for overweight children. Therefore, TMGs might potentially be considered as an alternative to conventional physical activities.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aymen Hawani
- The Higher Institute of Sport and Physical Education (Ksar Saïd), University of Manouba, Manouba 2010, Tunisia; (A.b.C.); (M.M.)
- Physical Activity, Sport and Health, Research Unit (UR18JS01), National Observatory of Sport, Tunis 1003, Tunisia; (M.A.S.); (O.T.); (N.S.)
| | - Anis ben Chikha
- The Higher Institute of Sport and Physical Education (Ksar Saïd), University of Manouba, Manouba 2010, Tunisia; (A.b.C.); (M.M.)
- Research Unit ECOTIDI (UR16ES10), Virtual University, Tunis 1073, Tunisia
| | - Mohamed Abdelkader Souissi
- Physical Activity, Sport and Health, Research Unit (UR18JS01), National Observatory of Sport, Tunis 1003, Tunisia; (M.A.S.); (O.T.); (N.S.)
- The High Institute of Sport and Physical Education of Gafsa, University of Gafsa, Gafsa 2112, Tunisia
| | - Omar Trabelsi
- Physical Activity, Sport and Health, Research Unit (UR18JS01), National Observatory of Sport, Tunis 1003, Tunisia; (M.A.S.); (O.T.); (N.S.)
- High Institute of Sport and Physical Education of Kef, University of Jendouba, El Kef 7100, Tunisia
| | - Maher Mrayah
- The Higher Institute of Sport and Physical Education (Ksar Saïd), University of Manouba, Manouba 2010, Tunisia; (A.b.C.); (M.M.)
- Physical Activity, Sport and Health, Research Unit (UR18JS01), National Observatory of Sport, Tunis 1003, Tunisia; (M.A.S.); (O.T.); (N.S.)
| | - Nizar Souissi
- Physical Activity, Sport and Health, Research Unit (UR18JS01), National Observatory of Sport, Tunis 1003, Tunisia; (M.A.S.); (O.T.); (N.S.)
| | - Santo Marsigliante
- Department of Biological and Environmental Science and Technologies (DiSTeBA), University of Salento, 73100 Lecce, Italy;
| | - Antonella Muscella
- Department of Biological and Environmental Science and Technologies (DiSTeBA), University of Salento, 73100 Lecce, Italy;
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Sulla-Torres J, Vidal-Espinoza R, Avendaño Llanque C, Calla Gamboa A, Zúñiga Carnero M, Cossio-Bolaños M, Gomez-Campos R. Quantification of the Number of Steps in a School Recess by Means of Smart Bands: Proposal of Referential Values for Children and Adolescents. CHILDREN (BASEL, SWITZERLAND) 2023; 10:915. [PMID: 37371147 DOI: 10.3390/children10060915] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/24/2023] [Revised: 05/12/2023] [Accepted: 05/17/2023] [Indexed: 06/29/2023]
Abstract
(1) Background: Regular physical activity has multiple benefits. Therefore, school recess is a key tool to provide opportunities for schoolchildren to engage in extracurricular physical activity, have fun, play and interact with their peers. The aim is to provide reference data to quantify the number of steps that children and adolescents perform in a school recess using smart bands according to age range and sex. (2) Method: A descriptive cross-sectional study was carried out in 494 schoolchildren aged 6 to 17 years (292 males and 202 females). Weight, standing height and waist circumference (WC) were evaluated. The body mass index (BMI) was calculated. The quantification of the number of steps during school recess was performed using a smart band. (3) Results: Percentiles were constructed for the number of steps (number of steps/recess). The cut-off points considered were <p25 (below average), p25 to p75 (average) and >p75 (above average). The median values in both sexes decreased as the age range increased. Youth who walked fewer steps during recess (<p25: below average) had elevated BMI and WC values relative to those who walked within average and above average. (4) Conclusion: The number of steps taken by schoolchildren during school recess decreases drastically with advancing age. The proposed reference values can be used to categorize schoolchildren according to the number of steps taken and to compare them among their peers. The results suggest their use and application in schools as a way of achieving the minimum physical activity recommendations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jose Sulla-Torres
- Escuela de Ingeniería de Sistemas, Universidad Católica de Santa María, Urb. San José, San Jose s/n, Yanahuara, Arequipa 04001, Peru
| | - Rubén Vidal-Espinoza
- Escuela de Educación Inicial, Departamento de Educación Diferencial, Facultad de Educación, Universidad Católica Silva Henriquez, Santiago 8330225, Chile
| | - Christopher Avendaño Llanque
- Escuela de Ingeniería de Sistemas, Universidad Católica de Santa María, Urb. San José, San Jose s/n, Yanahuara, Arequipa 04001, Peru
| | - Alexander Calla Gamboa
- Escuela de Ingeniería de Sistemas, Universidad Católica de Santa María, Urb. San José, San Jose s/n, Yanahuara, Arequipa 04001, Peru
| | - Manuel Zúñiga Carnero
- Escuela de Ingeniería de Sistemas, Universidad Católica de Santa María, Urb. San José, San Jose s/n, Yanahuara, Arequipa 04001, Peru
| | - Marco Cossio-Bolaños
- Carrera de Ciencias de la Actividad Física y del Deporte, Facultad de Ciencias de la Salud, Universidad San Ignacio de Loyola, Av. La Fontana 550, La Molina, Lima 15024, Peru
| | - Rossana Gomez-Campos
- Carrera de Ciencias de la Actividad Física y del Deporte, Facultad de Ciencias de la Salud, Universidad San Ignacio de Loyola, Av. La Fontana 550, La Molina, Lima 15024, Peru
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Tcymbal A, Gelius P, Abu-Omar K, Messing S, Whiting S, Wickramasinghe K. Cross-country collaboration for physical activity promotion: experiences from the European Union Physical Activity Focal Points Network. Eur J Public Health 2022; 32:i14-i21. [PMID: 36031826 PMCID: PMC9421415 DOI: 10.1093/eurpub/ckac079] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Background An analysis of currently existing partnerships and cross-country collaboration for physical activity (PA) promotion is valuable for understanding how such partnerships operate, and how they impact national PA promotion efforts. This study aimed to outline the formation and development of the European Union’s (EU) Physical Activity Focal Points Network, to evaluate its outputs and benefits and to describe its potential and challenges. Methods A mixed methods approach were employed, including document analysis, semi-structured interviews with key officials and an online evaluation survey with the focal points. Results The network was founded in 2014. Its main task is to coordinate the national collection of information for the EU’s Health-Enhancing Physical Activity (HEPA) Monitoring Framework. Besides collecting data, focal points usually meet twice a year to share best practices and plan activities for the promotion of PA within the EU. The results of the evaluation survey show that participation in the network helped members specify goals for PA promotion, gain more knowledge regarding how to promote PA, identify more opportunities to promote PA in their country and to join a collaborative project with other countries. Conclusions The study shows that the EU Physical Activity Focal Points Network may serve as an example of successful cross-country collaboration in PA promotion. The network has been able to make a contribution to monitoring the implementation of the EU Council Recommendation on HEPA across sectors in particular and of PA promotion in the EU in general.
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Affiliation(s)
- Antonina Tcymbal
- Department of Sport Science and Sport, Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg, Erlangen, Germany
| | - Peter Gelius
- Department of Sport Science and Sport, Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg, Erlangen, Germany
| | - Karim Abu-Omar
- Department of Sport Science and Sport, Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg, Erlangen, Germany
| | - Sven Messing
- Department of Sport Science and Sport, Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg, Erlangen, Germany
| | - Stephen Whiting
- WHO European Office for the Prevention and Control of Noncommunicable Diseases, Moscow, Russian Federation.,EPIUnit-Instituto de Saúde Pública, Universidade do Porto, Porto, Portugal
| | - Kremlin Wickramasinghe
- WHO European Office for the Prevention and Control of Noncommunicable Diseases, Moscow, Russian Federation
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Matic RM, Milovanović IM, Valantine I, Alexandris K, Popovic S. Editorial: “Effective strategies for promoting health-enhancing children's physical activity”. Front Public Health 2022; 10:964316. [PMID: 35958833 PMCID: PMC9360788 DOI: 10.3389/fpubh.2022.964316] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/08/2022] [Accepted: 07/11/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Radenko M. Matic
- Faculty of Sport and Physical Education, University of Novi Sad, Novi Sad, Serbia
- Western Balkan Sport Innovation Lab, Podgorica, Montenegro
- *Correspondence: Radenko M. Matic
| | - Ivana M. Milovanović
- Faculty of Sport and Physical Education, University of Novi Sad, Novi Sad, Serbia
- Western Balkan Sport Innovation Lab, Podgorica, Montenegro
| | | | | | - Stevo Popovic
- Western Balkan Sport Innovation Lab, Podgorica, Montenegro
- Faculty for Sport and Physical Education, University of Montenegro, Niksic, Montenegro
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Prevalence and Correlates of Overweight, Obesity and Physical Activity in Italian Children and Adolescents from Lombardy, Italy. Nutrients 2022; 14:nu14112258. [PMID: 35684058 PMCID: PMC9182936 DOI: 10.3390/nu14112258] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/11/2022] [Revised: 05/26/2022] [Accepted: 05/26/2022] [Indexed: 12/10/2022] Open
Abstract
Investigating pediatric overweight and physical activity correlates is essential to design effective preventive programs. We used regional data (Lombardy, northern Italy) from the 2019 survey “OKKio alla Salute” (3093 children aged 8–9 years with measured anthropometric data), and from the 2018 wave of the “Health Behaviour in School-aged Children” survey (2916 adolescents aged 11–15 years with self-reported anthropometric data). In both the surveys, a cluster sampling methodology was used. Unconditional multiple logistic regression models were applied to estimate the odds ratios (OR) and corresponding 95% confidence intervals (CI) of overweight, obesity and poor physical activity. The prevalence of overweight (including obesity) was 22.4% for children aged 8–9 years and 14.4% for adolescents aged 11–15 years. A higher prevalence of overweight was observed among males, children with greater birth weight and those with obese parents. Scant physical activity was higher among females and older adolescents. There was a direct relationship between obesity and increased psychological distress (OR = 2.44; 95% CI: 1.12–5.27) or being victims of bullying (OR = 2.25; 95% CI: 1.17–4.34). Increasing physical activity significantly decreased the frequency of mental health outcomes. Prevention campaigns should be promoted to safeguard childhood physical and psychological wellbeing.
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Physical Activity and Exercise Participation among Malaysian Children (Able-Bodied vs. Physical Disability): A Cross-Sectional Study. CHILDREN (BASEL, SWITZERLAND) 2022; 9:children9050704. [PMID: 35626881 PMCID: PMC9139938 DOI: 10.3390/children9050704] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/09/2022] [Revised: 04/22/2022] [Accepted: 05/02/2022] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
Globally, physical activity levels (PAL) among able-bodied and children with a form of disability remain low. This study aims to characterize PAL and identify the demographic variables affecting children from partaking exercises to promote active lifestyles. Methods: The Physical Activity Scale for Individuals with Physical Disabilities questionnaire was used for the study. A total of 140 data responses were collected online or physically via passive snowball recruitment and quantitatively analyzed. Results: Five factors were extracted from the dimensions, consisting of household chores, household maintenance, high intensity exercise training, miscellaneous activities and school-related activities. Able-bodied children were significantly (p = 0.000) more active (median = 15.05, IQR = 13.06) than children with physical disabilities (median = 3.09, IQR = 2.58). The B40 household group reported significantly (p < 0.05, MET < 5.16/week) lower participation in health-beneficial (moderate-vigorous intensity) exercises as recommended by international guidelines. Conclusion: Children with physical disabilities reported significantly lower education achievements and PAL compared to their able-bodied counterpart. The majority of Malaysian children (69.3%) surveyed did not achieve the recommended aerobic exercise prescription.
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