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Bezerra T, Cristi-Montero C, Bandeira PF, Souza Filho A, Duncan M, Martins C. Biological, behavioral, and social correlates of executive function in low-income preschoolers: Insights from the perspective of the networks. APPLIED NEUROPSYCHOLOGY. CHILD 2023; 12:272-280. [PMID: 35819910 DOI: 10.1080/21622965.2022.2095912] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
Behavioral, biological, and social correlates may be related to the association between executive function (EF) and physical activity (PA), when considering such variables as an integrated and non-linear system. Thus, the aim of the present study was to investigate the relationships between EF, PA and associated correlates in low-income preschoolers according to a network perspective. Thus, 142 preschoolers of both sexes, age 3-to-5-years-old (51% girls) were analyzed. Light, moderate and vigorous PA, cardiorespiratory fitness (CRF), body mass index, family income, preterm birth, presence of siblings, presence of other children at home and the child's primary caregiver were assessed. Our results showed that EF was positively associated with age (b = 0.47), child's primary caregivers (b = 0.37), moderate PA (b = 0.30) and CRF (b = 0.25). Negative associations were seen with preterm birth (b = -0.50), vigorous PA (b = -0.34), presence of other children at home (b = -0.25), and sex (b = -0.33). The network's centrality indicators highlighted preterm birth and moderate PA as the most important variables in the network. Future interventions aiming to increase low-income preschoolers' EF should focus on increasing moderate PA, with special attention to preterm children.
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Affiliation(s)
- Thaynã Bezerra
- Department of Physical Education, Federal University of Paraiba, João Pessoa, Paraíba, Brazil
| | - Carlos Cristi-Montero
- School of Physical Education at Pontificia, Universidad Católica de Valparaíso, Santiago, Chile
| | - Paulo Felipe Bandeira
- Department of Physical Education, Regional University of Cariri, Crato, Ceará, Brazil
| | - Anastácio Souza Filho
- Department of Physical Education, Federal University of Paraiba, João Pessoa, Paraíba, Brazil
| | - Michael Duncan
- Centre for Applied Biological and Exercise Sciences, Coventry University, Coventry, UK
| | - Clarice Martins
- Department of Physical Education, Federal University of Paraiba, João Pessoa, Paraíba, Brazil
- Research Centre of Physical Activity, Health and Leisure, and Laboratory for Integrative and Translational Research in Population Health, University of Porto, Porto, Portugal
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de Souza AA, Bandeira PFR, Vale SMCG, da Cunha GL, Mota JAPS, de Lucena Martins CM. Paths towards a healthier BMI among short and adequate sleepers: A pathway network analysis considering movement behaviors in low-income preschoolers. Am J Hum Biol 2023; 35:e23915. [PMID: 37269167 DOI: 10.1002/ajhb.23915] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/14/2023] [Revised: 04/27/2023] [Accepted: 05/07/2023] [Indexed: 06/04/2023] Open
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Short sleep duration has been seen as a predictor of higher body mass index (BMI) in youth. Sleep duration varies substantially along early childhood, and the paths towards a healthier BMI, considering the other movement behaviors (physical activity-PA and screen time) are unexplored in preschoolers. AIM To construct a sleep-BMI model to capture the direct and indirect paths to intervening towards a healthier BMI, according to low-income preschoolers' compliance with the other movement behaviors. METHODS Two hundred and seventy two preschoolers (4.5 ± 0.0; 138 boys) participated in the study. Sleep and screen time (ST) were assessed in a face-to-face interview with primary caregivers. PA was assessed using accelerometer (wGT3X-BT). Preschoolers were categorized as compliant or not with sleep, screen time, total and moderate to vigorous PA recommendations. BMIz-score was calculated according to preschoolers' sex and age. All the assessed variables, besides sex and age were included in a Network Pathway Analysis (NPA) according to age as nodes. RESULTS At 3 years old, a direct and negative path between sleep-BMIz score was observed. At four and 5 years old, this relationship became positive. Further, girls were more compliant with sleep, ST and total PA recommendations. Total PA (TPA) showed the highest expected influence value in the general, 3 and 4 years old NPA. CONCLUSION The NPA analysis showed different directions for the relationship between sleep and BMIz score, according to age. Intervention strategies to a healthier BMI among preschoolers compliant or not with sleep recommendations should focus in increasing TPA.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | - Glacithane Lins da Cunha
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Educação Física, Universidade Federal do Vale do São Francisco, Petrolina, Pernambuco, Brazil
| | - Jorge Augusto Pinto Silva Mota
- Research Centre of Physical Activity, Health and Leisure, Faculty of Sport Sciences, University of Porto, Porto, Portugal
| | - Clarice Maria de Lucena Martins
- Research Centre of Physical Activity, Health and Leisure, Faculty of Sport Sciences, University of Porto, Porto, Portugal
- Laboratory for Integrative and Translational Research in Population Health (ITR), University of Porto, Porto, Portugal
- Departamento de Educação Física, Universidade Federal da Paraíba, João Pessoa, Paraiba, Brazil
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den Uil AR, Janssen M, Busch V, Kat IT, Scholte RHJ. The relationships between children's motor competence, physical activity, perceived motor competence, physical fitness and weight status in relation to age. PLoS One 2023; 18:e0278438. [PMID: 37058506 PMCID: PMC10104338 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0278438] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/15/2022] [Accepted: 03/21/2023] [Indexed: 04/15/2023] Open
Abstract
The goal of this cross-sectional study was to further explore the relationships between motor competence, physical activity, perceived motor competence, physical fitness and weight status in different age categories of Dutch primary school children. Participants were 2068 children aged 4 to 13 years old, divided over 9 age groups. During physical education classes, they completed the 4-Skills Test, a physical activity questionnaire, versions of the Self-Perception Profile for Children, Eurofit test and anthropometry measurements. Results show that all five factors included in the analyses are related to each other and that a tipping point exists at which relations emerge or strengthen. Physical fitness is related to both motor competence and physical activity and these relationships strengthen with age. A relationship between body mass index and the other four factors emerges in middle childhood. Interestingly, at a young age, motor competence and perceived motor competence are weakly related, but neither one of these have a relation with physical activity. In middle childhood, both motor competence and perceived motor competence are related to physical activity. Our findings show that children in late childhood who have higher perceived motor competence are also more physically active, have higher physical fitness, higher motor competence and lower body mass index. Our results indicate that targeting motor competence at a young age might be a feasible way to ensure continued participation in physical activities throughout childhood and adolescence.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anne R. den Uil
- Centre of Expertise Urban Vitality, Faculty of Sports and Nutrition, Amsterdam University of Applied Sciences, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
- Behavioural Science Institute, Radboud University Nijmegen, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | - Mirka Janssen
- Centre of Expertise Urban Vitality, Faculty of Sports and Nutrition, Amsterdam University of Applied Sciences, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Vincent Busch
- Department Sarphati Amsterdam, Public Health Service (GGD) Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Ilse T. Kat
- Centre of Expertise Urban Vitality, Faculty of Sports and Nutrition, Amsterdam University of Applied Sciences, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Ron H. J. Scholte
- Behavioural Science Institute, Radboud University Nijmegen, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
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Pereira EDS, Thuany M, Bandeira PFR, Gomes TNQF, dos Santos FK. How Do Health, Biological, Behavioral, and Cognitive Variables Interact over Time in Children of Both Sexes? A Complex Systems Approach. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2023; 20:2728. [PMID: 36768093 PMCID: PMC9916045 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph20032728] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/12/2022] [Revised: 01/30/2023] [Accepted: 02/01/2023] [Indexed: 06/18/2023]
Abstract
The present study examined gender differences in health, physical activity, physical fitness, real and perceived motor competence, and executive function indicators in three time points, and analyzed the dynamic and non-linear association between health, biological, behavioral, and cognitive variables in children followed over time. A total of 67 children (aged between six and 10 years) were followed during two years and split into two cohorts (six to eight years old: C1; eight to 10 years old: C2). Data regarding health, physical activity, real and perceived motor competence, physical fitness, and executive function indicators were obtained according to their respective protocols. Comparison tests and network analysis were estimated. Significant gender differences were found in both cohorts. The emerged networks indicated different topologies in both cohorts. No clusters were observed between the variables in C1, and there was a greater number of interactions at eight years of age. Sparse networks were observed in children aged eight and 10 years in C2, and greater connectivity was observed at nine years of age between health, physical fitness, motor competence, and physical activity indicators. This study showed that there are non-linear dynamic relationships between health, biological, behavioral, and cognitive variables over time during child development.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Mabliny Thuany
- Faculty of Sports, University of Porto, 4200-450 Porto, Portugal
| | - Paulo Felipe Ribeiro Bandeira
- Department of Physical Education, Regional University of Cariri—URCA, Crato 63105-000, CE, Brazil
- Federal University of Vale do São Francisco—UNIVASF, Petrolina 48902-300, PE, Brazil
| | - Thayse Natacha Q. F. Gomes
- Department of Physical Education, Federal University of Sergipe, São Cristóvão 49100-000, SE, Brazil
- Department of Physical Education and Sport Sciences, University of Limerick, V94 T9PX Limerick, Ireland
- Physical Activity for Health Cluster, Health Research Institute, University of Limerick, V94 T9PX Limerick, Ireland
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