Article
Public, Environmental & Occupational Health
Jessica Baldwin, Lauren Arundell, Jill A. Hnatiuk
Summary: This study examines the relationship between the neighbourhood social environment (NSE) and the physical activity and screen time behaviours of preschool-aged children. The findings suggest that social interaction is associated with increased physical activity, decreased screen time, and improved likelihood of meeting physical activity and screen time guidelines. Higher neighbourhood crime is associated with a lower likelihood of meeting screen time guidelines. Social cohesion, sense of community, and social norms were not significant predictors of daily physical activity, screen time, or meeting guidelines. Future research should consider potential mediators of this relationship and guide community-based initiatives for children's behavioral, health, and social outcomes.
Article
Clinical Neurology
Adam T. Newton, Graham J. Reid
Summary: This study investigated the nap behavior of Canadian preschool-age children and identified four different profiles of nap behavior. The findings showed that parental beliefs about napping and the home environment were critical factors influencing the variability in children's nap behavior.
Article
Education & Educational Research
Myrto F. Mavilidi, Stylianos Rigoutsos, F. Venetsanou
Summary: Early childhood centres play a crucial role in promoting physical activity in young children. A study aimed to train early childhood educators on physical activity promotion and tested 150 preschool children to understand their activity levels. Results showed that boys took more steps than girls, and the training did not significantly impact step counts in the experimental and control groups.
EARLY CHILDHOOD EDUCATION JOURNAL
(2022)
Review
Nutrition & Dietetics
Saima Hasnin, Jaclyn A. Saltzman, Dipti A. Dev
Summary: This study provides a comprehensive review of the correlates of children's dietary intake in childcare settings, identifying various factors that may contribute to improving children's eating habits and preventing childhood obesity.
Article
Public, Environmental & Occupational Health
Sabine Parrish, Anna Lavis, Caroline M. Potter, Stanley Ulijaszek, Paulina Nowicka, Karin Eli
Summary: This study examines caregivers' perceptions of young children's activities within and outside the home, and how these perceptions align with current physical activity policy. Through thematic analysis of interviews with parents and grandparents, the study found that children's daily activities are influenced by available spaces and caregiving affordances, which affect the spectrum of movement in their daily lives. The interplays between space, care, and physical activity at the household level should inform an integrated, systems-level public health approach to promoting health and well-being for preschool-age children.
SOCIAL SCIENCE & MEDICINE
(2022)
Article
Hospitality, Leisure, Sport & Tourism
Myrto F. Mavilidi, Caterina Pesce, Emiliano Mazzoli, Sue Bennett, Fred Paas, Anthony D. Okely, Steven J. Howard
Summary: Research combining physical activity with cognitive skills training is a novel and effective intervention approach for children. This study found that cognitively engaging physical activity did not lead to the expected cognitive benefits, but increased physical activity levels in preschool children.
RESEARCH QUARTERLY FOR EXERCISE AND SPORT
(2023)
Article
Public, Environmental & Occupational Health
Silvia A. Gonzalez, Olga L. Sarmiento, Peter T. Katzmarzyk, Jean-Philippe Chaput, Diana M. Camargo-Lemos, Mark S. Tremblay
Summary: The prevalence of meeting physical activity guidelines is low among Colombian children and adolescents, especially in preschoolers. Female sex is a consistent negative correlate of meeting physical activity guidelines across all age groups. Urgent actions are needed to promote physical activity among Colombian youth.
JOURNAL OF PHYSICAL ACTIVITY & HEALTH
(2021)
Review
Sport Sciences
Jelle Arts, Elizabeth Drotos, Amika S. Singh, Mai J. M. Chinapaw, Teatske M. Altenburg, Jessica S. Gubbels
Summary: This study aims to summarize the correlates of physical activity in 0- to 5-year-old children. The research found 23 factors with consistent evidence of association with physical activity. However, the relationships between these factors are complex, and there are methodological challenges that need to be addressed.
Article
Public, Environmental & Occupational Health
Wenyan Huang, Jiong Luo, Yanmei Chen
Summary: This study explored the relationship between kindergarten environmental factors, children's physical activity, and physical fitness. The results showed that both kindergarten and family environment had significant effects on children's physical activity and health fitness. Children's physical activity not only directly influenced their physical fitness, but also played a dual intermediary role between kindergarten and family environment and healthy physical fitness.
FRONTIERS IN PUBLIC HEALTH
(2022)
Article
Sport Sciences
Sara Pereira, Ana Carolina Reyes, Raquel Chaves, Carla Santos, Olga Vasconcelos, Go Tani, Peter T. T. Katzmarzyk, Adam Baxter-Jones, Jose Maia
Summary: This study aimed to analyze the longitudinal trends in children's moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA) and its associations with individual, familial, and school characteristics. The results showed that MVPA declines from ages 5 to 10 in both boys and girls, with boys consistently being more active than girls. The best predictors for the decline in MVPA were found to be sex, BMI, musculoskeletal fitness, and school playground dimension.
MEDICINE & SCIENCE IN SPORTS & EXERCISE
(2022)
Article
Public, Environmental & Occupational Health
Jie Cai, Yaping Zhao, Jing Wang, Lei Wang
Summary: Government, community, kindergarten, and children's sports clubs play important roles in influencing factors of children's physical activity in the family. Parents' perceived benefits have a positive impact on children's physical activity, while perceived risks have a negative impact.
Article
Sport Sciences
Drazenka Macak, Boris Popovic, Natasa Babic, Cristina Cadenas-Sanchez, Dejan M. Madic, Nebojsa Trajkovic
Summary: The study found that after 6 months of daily physical activity, preschool children showed significant improvements in muscular strength, such as grip strength and sit-ups. However, there were no significant differences between the experimental group and the control group in other fitness components.
JOURNAL OF SPORTS SCIENCES
(2022)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Yu Wang, Gang He, Kaiyue Ma, Dongsheng Li, Chao Wang
Summary: Research on the relationship between preschool children's physical activity and community environment provides important information for the development of intervention programs.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH
(2022)
Review
Health Care Sciences & Services
Taren Swindle, Anwesh B. Poosala, Nan Zeng, Elisabet Borsheim, Aline Andres, Laura L. Bellows
Summary: Digital interventions are increasingly used to improve health behaviors, with digital platforms showing promise for increasing physical activity in young children. However, studies have found that child-centered activities have a significant effect on physical activity outcomes, while parent-directed digital interventions alone are ineffective. Future research with rigorous designs and monitoring of implementation outcomes is needed to further understand the effectiveness of digital interventions for promoting physical activity in children.
JOURNAL OF MEDICAL INTERNET RESEARCH
(2022)
Article
Public, Environmental & Occupational Health
Hege Hov Lomsdal, Sondre Arntzen Arntzen Lomsdal, Pal Lagestad
Summary: This study examined the impact of 60 minutes of physical activity during school hours on 15-year-olds' MVPA throughout the school day. The results showed that the intervention significantly increased the MVPA of low-active students, possibly bridging social differences in MVPA among adolescents.
FRONTIERS IN PUBLIC HEALTH
(2022)
Review
Sport Sciences
James Woodforde, Tahlia Alsop, Jo Salmon, Sjaan Gomersall, Michalis Stylianou
Summary: The evidence on school-based, before-school physical activity programs is currently limited, with some positive associations at domain and subdomain levels. Continued research is needed to better understand the role of before-school programs in promoting physical activity.
BRITISH JOURNAL OF SPORTS MEDICINE
(2022)
Article
Hospitality, Leisure, Sport & Tourism
Kate Parker, Helen L. Brown, Jo Salmon
Summary: This study aimed to investigate the intrapersonal, interpersonal, and environmental factors associated with adolescents' participation in leisure-time sports and screen-time. The results showed that internal motivation was positively related to sports participation and inversely related to screen-time. Support from family and coaches, access to neighborhood sports facilities, and fewer barriers were positively associated with sports participation. However, neighborhood social norms were negatively associated with sports participation.
RESEARCH QUARTERLY FOR EXERCISE AND SPORT
(2023)
Article
Hospitality, Leisure, Sport & Tourism
Myrto F. Mavilidi, Caterina Pesce, Emiliano Mazzoli, Sue Bennett, Fred Paas, Anthony D. Okely, Steven J. Howard
Summary: Research combining physical activity with cognitive skills training is a novel and effective intervention approach for children. This study found that cognitively engaging physical activity did not lead to the expected cognitive benefits, but increased physical activity levels in preschool children.
RESEARCH QUARTERLY FOR EXERCISE AND SPORT
(2023)
Article
Public, Environmental & Occupational Health
Kayla Elliott, Jennifer Norman, Karen Wardle, Pip Budgen, Hayley Callahan, Michelle Camilleri, Alannah Romeo, Katie Trinh, Anthony Okely, Katharina E. Kariippanon
Summary: This study addressed the issue of child and youth participation in physical activity and found that the Race around Australia (RAA) program was feasible and effective in primary schools, but faced barriers to implementation in secondary schools. The study recommends program refinement to address the unique barriers of the secondary school setting and emphasizes the need for stronger consideration of the Health Promotion with Schools Framework.
HEALTH PROMOTION JOURNAL OF AUSTRALIA
(2023)
Article
Sport Sciences
Jo Salmon, Lauren Arundell, Ester Cerin, Nicola Dawn Ridgers, Kylie D. Hesketh, Robin M. Daly, David Dunstan, Helen Brown, Jacqui Della Gatta, Paul Della Gatta, Mai J. M. Chinapaw, Lauren Shepphard, Marj Moodie, Clare Hume, Vicki Brown, Kylie Ball, David Crawford
Summary: The Transform-Us! school- and home-based intervention is effective in reducing children's sedentary behavior and adiposity indicators, but increasing physical activity remains challenging.
BRITISH JOURNAL OF SPORTS MEDICINE
(2023)
Article
Sport Sciences
Kylie D. Hesketh, Verity Booth, Verity Cleland, Sjaan R. Gomersall, Tim Olds, Lindsey Reece, Nicola D. Ridgers, Leon Straker, Michalis Stylianou, Grant R. Tomkinson, David Lubans
Summary: This study summaries the grades of 10 indicators from the 2022 Australian Physical Activity Report Card to assess physical activity behaviors and supports. The results show that overall physical activity levels and screen time are the worst performing indicators, while community and the built environment are the best. Despite access to facilities and open spaces, physical activity levels of Australian children remain consistently low, calling for a National Physical Activity Plan to address this issue.
JOURNAL OF EXERCISE SCIENCE & FITNESS
(2023)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Chiaki Tanaka, Akiko Shikano, Natsuko Imai, Kar Hau Chong, Steven J. Howard, Kosuke Tanabe, Anthony D. Okely, Ellie K. Taylor, Shingo Noi
Summary: This study examined the changes in physical activity, sedentary behavior, screen time, sleep, and executive function among Japanese preschoolers during the COVID-19 pandemic. The results showed that the levels of activity and sedentary behavior of young children did not significantly differ from the pre-pandemic period. However, school-aged children's sedentary behavior, light physical activity, and sleep time were affected.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH
(2023)
Article
Psychology, Developmental
Daniel das Virgens Chagas, Kylie Hesketh, Katherine Downing, Mohammadreza Mohebbi, Lisa M. Barnett
Summary: This study aimed to investigate whether sedentary behavior affects motor competence in young children. The results showed that sedentary behavior was not significantly associated with motor skills in young children. However, it is still recommended that parents, educators, and health professionals keep sedentary activities within government recommendations to avoid potential negative effects on child development.
JOURNAL OF MOTOR LEARNING AND DEVELOPMENT
(2023)
Review
Sport Sciences
Lisa M. Barnett, Alethea Jerebine, Richard Keegan, Kimberley Watson-Mackie, Lauren Arundell, Nicola D. Ridgers, Jo Salmon, Dean Dudley
Summary: The purpose of this review is to identify assessment instruments for measuring physical literacy in school-aged children and assess their feasibility. Through a systematic review, nine suitable assessment instruments were found and evaluated for validity and reliability. The results showed that survey-based instruments are the most feasible for use in schools.
Article
Health Care Sciences & Services
Tanner Smith, Kar Hau Chong, Penny Cross, Maybelline Ipil, Pranson Eliou, Rachel Novotny, Anthony D. Okely
Summary: Childhood obesity is high in the Republic of Marshall Islands (RMI), particularly in Majuro. The study found that while most children met the physical activity guidelines, levels of screen time, sleep, sugar-sweetened beverage consumption, and consumption of highly processed foods were lower, especially among older children.
LANCET REGIONAL HEALTH-WESTERN PACIFIC
(2023)
Article
Education & Educational Research
Inimfon A. Essiet, Elyse Warner, Natalie J. Lander, Jo Salmon, Michael J. Duncan, Emma L. J. Eyre, Lisa M. Barnett
Summary: The study explores the perceptions of Australian primary school teachers on assessing children's physical literacy (PL) through a mixed-methods design. The results indicate that a majority of teachers support PL assessment and consider movement skills, engagement and enjoyment, relationships, and safety and risk as the most important assessment elements. However, some teachers express skepticism towards PL assessment due to doubts about its relevance and appropriateness, as well as the perceived implicit link between the curriculum and PL framework. The study suggests that professional development, resources, and suitable teacher assessments can enhance teachers' knowledge, confidence, and facilitate the implementation of PL assessments.
JOURNAL OF TEACHING IN PHYSICAL EDUCATION
(2023)
Article
Sport Sciences
Clarice Martins, Vicente Romo-Perez, E. Kipling Webster, Michael Duncan, Luis Filipe Lemos, Amanda E. Staiano, Anthony Okely, Daniele Magistro, Fabio Carlevaro, Farid Bardid, Francesca Magno, Glauber Nobre, Isaac Estevan, Jorge Mota, Ke Ning, Leah E. Robinson, Matthieu Lenoir, Minghui Quan, Nadia C. Valentini, Penny Cross, Rachel Jones, Rafael Henrique, Si-Tong Chen, Yucui Diao, Paulo R. Bandeira, Lisa M. Barnett
Summary: This study examined the association between motor skill competence and BMI in a multi-country sample of preschoolers. The results showed a negative correlation between motor skill competence and BMI percentiles, which was more significant in children with higher BMI. Each raw score point increase in motor skill competence was associated with a reduction in BMI of 8.9%, 6.8%, and 5.1% for those preschoolers at the 97th BMI percentile onwards.
Article
Medicine, General & Internal
Hayden Thomas Kelly, Jordan James Smith, Angeliek Verdonschot, Sarah Grace Kennedy, Joseph J. Scott, Heather Mckay, Nicole Nathan, Rachel Sutherland, Philip James Morgan, Jo Salmon, Dawn Penney, James Boyer, Rhodri S. Lloyd, Christopher Oldmeadow, Penny Reeves, Kirrilly Pursey, Myna Hua, Sarah Longmore, Jennifer Norman, Alexander Voukelatos, Avigdor Zask, David Revalds Lubans
Summary: This study aims to compare the effects of three implementation support models on resistance training for adolescents, including reach, dose delivered, fidelity, sustainability, impact and cost. The study will be conducted in secondary schools in New South Wales, Australia, and will be evaluated using quantitative and qualitative methods. The findings will provide guidance for schools to implement this program.
Article
Public, Environmental & Occupational Health
Lucy Corbett, Adrian Bauman, Louisa R. R. Peralta, Anthony D. D. Okely, Philayrath Phongsavan
Summary: This study examined the psychosocial health of teachers in New South Wales, Australia, and found that female teachers had higher levels of psychological distress and burnout compared to male teachers. Multiple work-related factors were associated with teachers' psychosocial health. The study suggests a need for more support and lifestyle programs to improve teachers' psychosocial well-being.
JOURNAL OF PUBLIC HEALTH-HEIDELBERG
(2023)
Article
Public, Environmental & Occupational Health
Susan Paudel, Gita D. Mishra, Jenny Veitch, Gregore I. Mielke, Kylie D. Hesketh
Summary: This study aimed to examine the association between cultural background, motherhood, and physical activity. The results showed that women of culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds had lower odds of meeting physical activity guidelines and participating in organized sports. Motherhood was also associated with lower odds of meeting physical activity guidelines and high sitting time.
JOURNAL OF PHYSICAL ACTIVITY & HEALTH
(2023)