Anne-Maree Parrish

Physical activity during school recess: a systematic review

CONTEXT Interest has increased in examining the physical activity levels of young people during school recess. Identifying correlates of their recess physical activity behaviors is timely, and would inform school-based physical activity programming and intervention development. The review examined the correlates of childrens and adolescents physical activity during school recess periods. EVIDENCE ACQUISITION A systematic search of six electronic databases, reference lists, and personal archives identified 53 studies (47 focused on children) published between January 1990 and April 2011 that met the inclusion criteria. Data were analyzed in 2011. Correlates were categorized using the social-ecological framework. EVIDENCE SYNTHESIS Forty-four variables were identified across the four levels of the social-ecological framework, although few correlates were studied repeatedly at each level. Positive associations were found of overall facility provision, unfixed equipment, and perceived encouragement with recess physical activity. Results revealed that boys were more active than girls. CONCLUSIONS Providing access to school facilities, providing unfixed equipment, and identifying ways to promote encouragement for physical activity have the potential to inform strategies to increase physical activity levels during recess periods.

Objectively measured sedentary behaviour and health and development in children and adolescents: systematic review and meta‐analysis

Sedentary behaviour has emerged as a unique determinant of health in adults. Studies in children and adolescents have been less consistent. We reviewed the evidence to determine if the total volume and patterns (i.e. breaks and bouts) of objectively measured sedentary behaviour were associated with adverse health outcomes in young people, independent of moderate‐intensity to vigorous‐intensity physical activity. Four electronic databases (EMBASE MEDLINE, Ovid EMBASE, PubMed and Scopus) were searched (up to 12 November 2015) to retrieve studies among 2‐ to 18‐year‐olds, which used cross‐sectional, longitudinal or experimental designs, and examined associations with health outcomes (adiposity, cardio‐metabolic, fitness, respiratory, bone/musculoskeletal, psychosocial, cognition/academic achievement, gross motor development and other outcomes). Based on 88 eligible observational studies, level of evidence grading and quantitative meta‐analyses indicated that there is limited available evidence that the total volume or patterns of sedentary behaviour are associated with health in children and adolescents when accounting for moderate‐intensity to vigorous‐intensity physical activity or focusing on studies with low risk of bias. Quality evidence from studies with robust designs and methods, objective measures of sitting, examining associations for various health outcomes, is needed to better understand if the overall volume or patterns of sedentary behaviour are independent determinants of health in children and adolescents.

Using interviews and peer pairs to better understand how school environments affect young children’s playground physical activity levels: a qualitative study

School break times provide a daily opportunity for children to be active; however, research indicates this time is underutilized. Reasons for low childrens playground activity levels have primarily focused on physical barriers. This research aimed to contribute to physical environmental findings affecting childrens playground physical activity levels by identifying additional variables through the interview process. Thirteen public schools were included in the sample (total 2946 children). Physical activity and environmental data were collected over 3 days. Environmental variables were manually assessed at each of the 13 schools. Observational data were used to determine which three schools were the most and least active. The principal, three teachers and 20 students in Grades 4-6 from these six schools (four lower and two average socioeconomic status) were invited to participate in the interview process. Student interviews involved the paired interview technique. The main themes generated from the school interviews included the effect of non-fixed equipment (including balls), playground markings, playground aesthetics, activity preference, clothing, the amount of break time available for play, teacher playground involvement, gender, bullying, school policies, student confidence in break-time activity and fundamental movement skills. The effect of bullying on playground physical activity levels was concerning.

Experts' views regarding Australian school-leavers' knowledge of nutrition and food systems

Objective: To explore Australian experts’ views regarding strengths and gaps in school‐leavers’ knowledge of nutrition and food systems ( N&FS) and factors that influence that knowledge.

The Development of a Unique Physical Activity Self-Report for Young Children: Challenges and Lessons Learned

The number of overweight and obese children in the Western world is alarming. Efforts to impact this problem at an individual level have had little effect. Interventions that focus on the whole population may prove more successful. This study reports the development of a unique self-report picture questionnaire designed to assess playground physical activity preferences in young children (4–9 years, N = 1,881) at 14 regional Australian primary schools. Childrens picture preferences were compared with observational data using the Childrens Activity Scanning tool (CAST2). Results indicate that 62% to 89% of children preferred activities that were moderate or highly active; however, CAST2 data indicated that children spent only 50% to 70% of play time being active. The findings confirm that young children are able to indicate their preferences for physical activity. Important considerations in future attempts to develop a measure of physical activity in young children are discussed.

Professionals’ Recommended Strategies to Improve Australian Adolescents’ Knowledge of Nutrition and Food Systems

Background: Education and policy measures within schools are valuable strategies to promote health. This study explored views of experienced food-related educators, researchers and policy-makers regarding their recommended strategies to improve Australian adolescents’ knowledge of nutrition and food systems (N&FS). Methods: Semi-structured interviews were conducted with twenty-one experienced food-related experts from across Australia. Interviews were conducted either by telephone or face-to-face. Recorded interviews were transcribed verbatim and analyzed thematically. Results: Five central themes and five sub-themes were identified from food professionals’ suggestions for best strategies to improve adolescents’ knowledge of N&FS. The central themes included: (1) specific improvements in schools’ core curricula; (2) pre-service and in-service training of school teachers about N&FS; (3) training students to develop a critical mind about N&FS issues; (4) multidisciplinary collaborations to improve school-based N&FS education; and (5) a supportive N&FS education environment for students. Conclusion and implication: These findings provide a guide for curriculum developers, educational policy developers, and food educators to incorporate the suggested N&FS strategies into Australian education programs in order to improve Australian adolescents’ knowledge and skills of N&FS issues. The results of this investigation also may assist the development of international N&FS curricula guides.

Best Strategies to Improve School‑leavers’ Knowledge of Nutrition and Food Systems: Views from Experts in Iran

Background: The research to date does not present an articulated approach to ensure nutrition and food systems education is systematically implemented within schools. This paper aimed to investigate food experts’ views of the best strategies to improve school-leavers’ knowledge of nutrition and food systems. Methods: In this qualitative study, 28 Iranian food and nutrition experts from four major provinces (Tehran, Fars, Isfahan, and Gilan) were selected and agreed to be interviewed. Required data were collected through in-depth, semi-structured, face-to-face, or telephone interviews and were analyzed thematically using NVivo. Results: The experts’ suggested strategies to improve Iranian school-leavers’ knowledge of nutrition and food systems fell into three key themes: Policy, education processes, and supportive environments. Together they formed an overarching theme of a multileveled system approach for transferring knowledge. Conclusions: Development of a scaffolded education program could assist curriculum developers and policy makers to assess and update current nutrition and food systems education programs in schools. Insights gained about education initiatives in one country such as Iran can provide an important impetus to support nutrition and food system education more widely.

Evaluation of the effects of a telephone-delivered health behaviour change program on weight and physical activity

Aim Telephone health behaviour change interventions have shown potential as a medium for change. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the effectiveness of a telephone behaviour change program on weight and physical activity. It was hypothesised that participants would achieve significant improvements in body mass index (BMI) and physical activity at the completion of the program and at follow up. Methods A six-month health telephone behaviour change program was delivered by health professionals trained in health coaching methodology. Participants (n = 250) had two or more chronic disease risks, received five calls during the program and a follow up call 12–18 months after completion of the program. Results The average participant age was 70, 72% were female and mean BMI was 28.90 kg/m2. Significant improvements in BMI were reported from baseline to post-intervention (−1.70% change) and from baseline to follow up (−1.21% change). Changes in weight were significant from baseline to post-intervention (−1.67% change) and not significant from baseline to follow up (−1.25% change). Significant changes in the average number of minutes spent in moderate to vigorous intensity physical activity (MVPA) per week were reported between baseline and post-intervention and post-intervention and follow up. From baseline to follow up, the average time spent in MVPA per week increased by 157 minutes. At follow up, 86% of participants maintained or further improved their health behaviour. Conclusions The present study demonstrated the potential effectiveness of a low-dose telephone health behaviour change program in assisting participants to change and maintain their health behaviour.

What Should Be Taught in Secondary Schools’ Nutrition and Food Systems Education? Views from Prominent Food-Related Professionals in Australia

Education can help young people to attain the knowledge and the skills that they need to make proper food choices and develop lifelong healthy eating patterns. This study explored the perspectives of prominent food-related professionals in Australia regarding essential nutrition and food systems (N&FS) education programs for adolescents during formal education. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 21 prominent food-related professionals in Australia. Interview transcripts were analysed thematically. Four essential areas for N&FS education programs were identified. (1) Key nutrition messages to a healthy lifestyle; (2) Skill development programs to enhance health and wellbeing; (3) Ethical food-related lessons to support environmental sustainability, farm animal welfare, local producers, and food security; and, (4) Introductory lessons about foods from farm to plate to facilitate more informed food choices. Findings of this study may provide new insights for curriculum developers in Australia for further assessment of the current gaps in N&FS components of secondary school curriculum. Integration of these four areas into secondary school curricula has the potential to enhance adolescents’ knowledge of important scientific and ethical issues in a range of N&FS fields, and enable them to develop fundamental food-related life skills that are supportive of health and wellbeing.

Defining quality physical education: an analysis of international documents

Abstract presented at the 2014 AAHPERD National Convention and Exposition, 2-4 April 2014, St. Louis, United StatesBackground/Purpose: The use of kinesio taping as a method to aid in prevention and treatment of joint injury has experienced major increases inpopularity during the last decade. The theorized effects of kinesio tape (KT) include an increased range of motion thought to reduce the risk for joint injuries and to help in rehabilitation of joint injuries. The primary purpose of this study was to determine if KT increased shoulder rangeofmotion inahealthypopulationofmenand women.A secondary purposewas to establish ifKTexerted its effects immediately or only after the recommended 24-hr application period. Method: Thirty collegiate women (height 1⁄4 167.8 ^ 6.68 cm; weight 1⁄4 64.81 ^ 9.18 kg; age 1⁄4 20.47 ^ 0.90 years) and 30 collegiate men (height 1⁄4 181.44 ^ 7.46 cm; weight 1⁄4 4.40 ^ 12.96 kg; age 1⁄4 21.17 ^ 1.12 years) volunteered to participate in this study. Baseline shoulder hyperextension was initially measured using a digital inclinometer (Saunders, 1998) with the participants prone with palms facing upward. Two “Y” strips of KT were then applied from the acromion process to the posterior surface of C5 and also from the lateral inferior side of the deltoid muscle to the anterior side of the acromion process. The participant’s shoulder hyperextension was measured again immediately after tape application. Twenty women and 20 men wore tape for 24 hr, and hyperextension was measured a 3rd time. Two-sample t tests were run in Minitab 16 to determine difference. Analysis/Results: Three 2-sample t tests (women measured immediately, p 1⁄4 .487, p . .05; women measured after 24 hr, p 1⁄4 .466, p . .05; men measured immediately, p 1⁄4 .638, p . .05) did not identify differences between hyperextension angles before and after KT application. Men wearing KT for 24 hr were different preand post-tape application ( p 1⁄4 .024, p , .05). Conclusions: This research implies that the use of KTon a healthy joint may not have the same effects as it has been theorized to have on an injured joint. These results are important in the field of performance enhancement for uninjured athletes.