Susan D. Vincent

Activity levels and body mass index of children in the United States, Sweden, and Australia.

PURPOSE Assess the physical activity and body mass index (BMI) levels of children in the United States, Sweden, and Australia. METHODS A total of 1954 children, 6-12 yr old (711 American, 563 Australian, and 680 Swedish) wore sealed pedometers for four consecutive days. Height and weight measures were obtained. RESULTS Descriptive data for step counts and BMI by sex, age, and country were calculated to determine activity levels and BMI. Three-way multivariate ANOVA for step counts and BMI between countries at each age and sex found that, in general, the Swedish children were significantly more active than the Australian and American children, and the American children were significantly heavier than the Australian and Swedish children. For boys, the mean step counts ranged from 15673 to 18346 for Sweden, 13864 to 15023 for Australia, and 12554 to 13872 for America. For girls, the mean step counts ranged from 12041 to 14825 for Sweden, 11221 to 12322 for Australia, and 10661 to 11383 for America. The activity curve is somewhat level during the preadolescent years. The rate of increase in BMI with age is much greater in the American children than in the Swedish or Australian children. The percent of American, Swedish, and Australian boys classified as overweight/obese was 33.5, 16.6, and 15.8, respectively. The percent of American, Swedish, and Australian girls classified as overweight/obese was 35.6, 16.8, and 14.4, respectively. Correlation analysis found few significant negative relationships between step counts and BMI. CONCLUSIONS American children tend to be the least active and heaviest with the greatest rate of increase in BMI. The Swedish children are the most active group followed by Australia. Swedish and Australian children maintain lower BMI throughout their prepubescent years than do the American children who have a greater percentage who are classified as overweight.

Is Your Class about Something? Guiding Principles for Physical Education Teachers

Abstract Quality programs need to focus on a purpose, or vision, and guiding principles can help to establish that focus.

The Effects of Leisure-Based Screen Time

Abstract Background: Use of television, computers, and video games competes with physical activity and may be a health risk factor. Purpose: This study assessed the relationship between leisure-based screen time and physical activity in families to determine whether assignment to a limited screen time group results in more physical activity. Methods: Ninety-four families participated for six weeks. Families were randomly assigned to unlimited or limited screen time viewing groups. Participants wore a pedometer to measure steps. Results: Results indicate no statistically significant differences in steps for adults (F(1,165)=0.81, p≤.369) or 13-to-18-year-olds (F(1,63)=0.21, p≤.647). Among the 5-to-12-year-olds, statistically significant group differences (F(1,165)=5.63, p≤.019) for steps were found between the unlimited viewing group and the limited viewing groups. Discussion: Lower amounts of leisure-based screen time yielded increased amounts of physical activity in the 5-to-12-year-olds, but this trend was not found in the 13-to-18-year-olds or adults. Additional research is needed in order to more fully understand the screen time and physical activity relationship. Translation to Health Education Practice: In general, promotion of physical activity at home and school could increase physical activity and decrease leisure-based screen time; otherwise, other sedentary activities may only replace the time not spent in front of a screen.