Robin Quigg

Using accelerometers and GPS units to identify the proportion of daily physical activity located in parks with playgrounds in New Zealand children

OBJECTIVE To identify the proportion of childrens physical activity occurring in public parks with playgrounds. METHODS Children (n=184) aged 5 to 10 years were recruited from schools located in two low socio-economic status communities in Dunedin, New Zealand. Accelerometers (Actigraph GT1M) and global positioning system units (Globalsat DG-100) were used to quantify and identify where physical activity had occurred over a 7-day period. Cross-sectional data were collected October to December 2007 (southern hemisphere spring) and the childs height and weight were measured at school. RESULTS At least 84% of participants had accelerometer and global positioning system data available for five or more hourly periods per day, for at least 4 days. Overall, 1.9% of recorded activity took place at city parks (95% confidence interval: 1.4, 2.4), although this was 2.7% (95% confidence intervals: 0.7, 4.6) among obese children. CONCLUSIONS Accelerometers and GPS data was able to be successfully recorded and matched among this age group. The proportion of childrens activity taking place in parks with playgrounds was low, although this may still be important for some subgroups.

Commuting lives: children's mobility and energy use

Globally, the issue of energy use and climate change is at the forefront of many national and international agendas, and also an issue central to childrens lives and well-being. This paper examines how children are both affected by and contribute to the problems associated with unsustainable energy use as it relates to the growth of car dependent lives. The paper presents the findings of a study of travel as it relates to the everyday lives of children in the city of Dunedin in New Zealand. The study found that children currently lead complex car dependent lives. This extensive car reliance presents a serious and largely unrecognised challenge to the sustainable planning and management of the urban environment. The move towards more sustainable transportation can bring benefits for both the environment and for childrens lives.

The Association between Parent Diet Quality and Child Dietary Patterns in Nine- to Eleven-Year-Old Children from Dunedin, New Zealand

Previous research investigating the relationship between parents’ and children’s diets has focused on single foods or nutrients, and not on global diet, which may be more important for good health. The aim of the study was to investigate the relationship between parental diet quality and child dietary patterns. A cross-sectional survey was conducted in 17 primary schools in Dunedin, New Zealand. Information on food consumption and related factors in children and their primary caregiver/parent were collected. Principal component analysis (PCA) was used to investigate dietary patterns in children and diet quality index (DQI) scores were calculated in parents. Relationships between parental DQI and child dietary patterns were examined in 401 child-parent pairs using mixed regression models. PCA generated two patterns; ‘Fruit and Vegetables’ and ‘Snacks’. A one unit higher parental DQI score was associated with a 0.03SD (CI: 0.02, 0.04) lower child ‘Snacks’ score. There was no significant relationship between ‘Fruit and Vegetables’ score and parental diet quality. Higher parental diet quality was associated with a lower dietary pattern score in children that was characterised by a lower consumption frequency of confectionery, chocolate, cakes, biscuits and savoury snacks. These results highlight the importance of parental modelling, in terms of their dietary choices, on the diet of children.

Changes in awareness of cancer risk factors among adult New Zealanders (CAANZ): 2001 to 2015

Behaviour change, specifically that which decreases cancer risk, is an essential element of cancer control. Little information is available about how awareness of risk factors may be changing over time. This study describes the awareness of cancer risk behaviours among adult New Zealanders in two cross-sectional studies conducted in 2001 and 2014/5.Telephone interviews were conducted in 2001 (n = 436) and 2014/5 (n = 1064). Participants were asked to recall things they can do to reduce their risk of cancer. They were then presented with a list of potential risk behaviours and asked if these could increase or decrease cancer risk.Most New Zealand adults could identify at least one action they could take to reduce their risk of cancer. However, when asked to provide specific examples, less than a third (in the 2014/5 sample) recalled key cancer risk reduction behaviours such as adequate sun protection, physical activity, healthy weight, limiting alcohol and a diet high in fruit. There had been some promising changes since the 2001 survey, however, with significant increases in awareness that adequate sun protection, avoiding sunbeds/solaria, healthy weight, limiting red meat and alcohol, and diets high in fruit and vegetables decrease the risk of developing cancer.

Is the food environment surrounding schools associated with the diet quality of adolescents in Otago, New Zealand?

Using a sample of adolescents from schools in Otago, New Zealand, associations between food outlets around schools and dietary quality were investigated. Food outlet environment data were derived using GIS data. Multivariate regression analysis results showed that outlet density, in an 800m buffer around schools, of cafes and restaurants, supermarkets and takeaways was associated with higher Diet Quality Index scores in boys, and distance to nearest outlet for convenience stores, cafes and restaurants and supermarkets with lower scores for girls. Effect sizes were small, suggesting that the food environment around schools plays a minor role in adolescent diet quality.

Factors contributing to high PhD completion rates: a case study in a research-intensive university in New Zealand

Abstract This exploratory study determined PhD completions at a research-intensive university in New Zealand and considered factors affecting PhD completions. Completion data were calculated for PhD cohorts at the University of Otago from 2000 to 2012 (n = 2770) and survival models determined whether gender, enrolment status, age at admission, citizenship, scholarship status and academic field influenced completion. The impact of the doctoral programme and the research environment was also considered. Across all cohorts, 83% submitted their thesis for examination (17% withdrawal). The median submission time was 3.4 years for full-timers, with a median completion time (to award of degree) of 4.1 years. Survival modelling showed that completion can be enhanced by having mainly full-time candidates, but also allowing periods of part-time enrolment near submission, recruiting a large international cohort, and providing three year scholarships. Health science candidates had the highest submission percentages, while commerce candidates submitted in the fastest times. There were only minor or negligible effects of gender and age at admission. Other factors contributing to high submission rates included recruiting quality candidates, close monitoring during candidature, provision of research training, a vibrant research culture, a personal performance coach, high-quality supervision and funding incentives for candidates who submit in under four years.

Development of a 15-Item Scale to Measure Parental Perceptions of Their Neighborhood

Socioecological theory suggests that there are a range of influences that affect the physical activity levels of children, including parents’ perceptions of the neighborhood. A questionnaire instrument to quantify parental neighborhood perceptions was developed for the Location of Children’s Activity in Their Environment study as a potential predictor of children’s physical activity. A literature review revealed a lack of appropriate instruments, many containing highly localized items. Following initial instrument development including pretesting, where items showed face and content validity, a two-phase pilot study was undertaken. Pilot testing investigated test–retest reliability (overall intraclass correlation coefficient = .75) and internal consistency (α = .62 and α = .73 for the two phases, respectively), finding that the instrument was acceptable overall although some changes in wording were made to specific items with low reliability and/or internal consistency. Using data from the first year of the Location of Children’s Activity in Their Environment study, the instrument showed acceptable internal consistency (overall α = .73) and predictive validity (associated with time living in residence and walking to school) to be used in future studies. The scale was not found to be associated with child physical activity, which may be due to activity displacement. Proposed subscales for the neighborhood infrastructure and social aspects were marginal for internal consistency and a safety subscale was not acceptable in this regard. Given the impact of parental perceptions of the neighborhood, and its potential modifiable nature, a measure of it should be included in studies looking at the intensity and location of children’s physical activity.

Pilot Testing a Photo-Based Food Diary in Nine- to Twelve- Year Old- Children from Dunedin, New Zealand

The purpose of the study was to investigate if an Evernote app-based electronic food diary is an acceptable method to measure nutrient intake in children aged 9–12 years. A convenience sample of 16 nine- to twelve-year-olds from Dunedin, New Zealand, completed a paper-based food dairy on four days, followed by four more days using a photo-based diary on an iPod. This photo-based diary used a combination of photographs and short written descriptions of foods consumed. The photo-based diaries produced similar results to written diaries for all macronutrients and major micronutrients (e.g., calcium, fibre, vitamin C). Spearman correlation coefficients between the two methods for all nutrients, except sugars, were above 0.3. However, burden on researchers and participants was reduced for the photo-based diary, primarily due to the additional information obtained from photographs. Participating children needed less help from parents with completing the electronic diaries and preferred them to the paper version. This electronic diary is likely to be suitable, after additional formal validity testing, for use in measuring nutrient intake in children.

Dietary Patterns, Cardiorespiratory and Muscular Fitness in 9–11-Year-Old Children from Dunedin, New Zealand

Research shows that cardiorespiratory (CRF) and muscular fitness in childhood are associated with a healthier cardiovascular profile in adulthood. Identifying factors associated with measures of fitness in childhood could allow for strategies to optimize cardiovascular health throughout the lifecourse. The aim of this study was to examine the association between dietary patterns and both CRF and muscular fitness in 9–11-year-olds. In this study of 398 children, CRF and muscular fitness were assessed using a 20-m shuttle run test and digital hand dynamometer, respectively. Dietary patterns were derived using principal component analysis. Mixed effects linear regression models were used to assess associations between dietary patterns and CRF and muscular fitness. Most children had healthy CRF (99%, FITNESSGRAM) and mean ± SD muscular fitness was 15.2 ± 3.3 kg. Two dietary patterns were identified; “Snacks” and “Fruit and Vegetables”. There were no significant associations between either of the dietary patterns and CRF. Statistically significant but not clinically meaningful associations were seen between dietary patterns and muscular fitness. In an almost exclusively fit cohort, food choice is not meaningfully related to measures of fitness. Further research to investigate diet-fitness relationships in children with lower fitness levels can identify key populations for potential investments in health-promoting behaviors.

Sleep timing is associated with diet and physical activity levels in 9–11-year-old children from Dunedin, New Zealand: the PEDALS study

It is well documented that short sleep duration is associated with excess body weight and poor food intake in children. It has been suggested that sleep timing behaviour may also be an important predictor of weight and other related behaviours, independent of sleep duration; however, there is a lack of research investigating these relationships. The present study investigated sleep timing in association with diet and physical activity levels in 439 children aged 9–11 years old from New Zealand. Sleep and physical activity data were collected using accelerometry, and food choice using a short food‐frequency questionnaire. Participants were classified into one of four sleep timing behaviour categories using the median split for sleep‐onset and ‐offset times. Differences between sleep timing groups for weekly consumption frequency of selected food groups, dietary pattern scores and minutes of moderate‐to‐vigorous physical activity were examined. Children in the late sleep/late wake category had a lower ‘Fruit & Vegetables’ pattern score [mean difference (95% CI): −0.3 (−0.5, −0.1)], a lower consumption frequency of fruit and vegetables [mean weekly difference (95% CI): −2.9 (−4.9, −0.9)] and a higher consumption frequency of sweetened beverages [mean weekly difference (95% CI): 1.8 (0.2, 3.3)] compared with those in the early sleep/early wake category. Additionally, children in the late sleep/late wake category accumulated fewer minutes of moderate‐to‐vigorous physical activity per day compared with those in the early sleep/early wake category [mean difference (95% CI): −9.4 (−15.3, −3.5)]. These findings indicate that sleep timing, even after controlling for sleep duration, was associated with both food consumption and physical activity.