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Do neighbourhood built and social environments have an influence on adult self-reported physical activity and overweight/obesity in the nation's capital?

No abstract is provided for this article.

Scientific sinkhole: The pernicious price of formatting

To conduct a time-cost analysis of formatting in scientific publishing.International, cross-sectional study (one-time survey).Internet-based self-report survey, live between September 2018 and January 2019.Anyone working in research, science, or academia and who submitted at least one peer-reviewed manuscript for consideration for publication in 2017. Completed surveys were available for 372 participants from 41 countries (60% of respondents were from Canada).Time (hours) and cost (wage per hour x time) associated with formatting a research paper for publication in a peer-reviewed academic journal.The median annual income category was US$61,000-80,999, and the median number of publications formatted per year was four. Manuscripts required a median of two attempts before they were accepted for publication. The median formatting time was 14 hours per manuscript, or 52 hours per person, per year. This resulted in a median calculated cost of US$477 per manuscript or US$1,908 per person, per year.To our knowledge, this is the first study to analyze the cost of manuscript formatting in scientific publishing. Our results suggest that scientific formatting represents a loss of 52 hours, costing the equivalent of US$1,908 per researcher per year. These results identify the hidden and pernicious price associated with scientific publishing and provide evidence to advocate for the elimination of strict formatting guidelines, at least prior to acceptance.

Impact of the Active Healthy Kids Canada Report Card: A 10-Year Analysis

For 20 years Active Healthy Kids Canada (AHKC) has worked to inspire the country to engage all children and youth in physical activity (PA). The primary vehicle to achieve this is the AHKC Report Card on Physical Activity for Children and Youth, which has been released annually since 2005. Using 10 years of experience with this knowledge translation and synthesis mechanism, this paper aggregates and consolidates diverse evidence demonstrating the impact of the Report Card and related knowledge translation activities. Over the years many evaluations, consultations, assessments, and surveys have helped inform changes in the Report Card to improve its impact. Guided by a logic model, the various assessments have traversed areas related to distribution and reach, meeting stakeholder needs, use of the Report Card, its influence on policy, and advancing the mission of AHKC. In the past 10 years, the Report Card has achieved > 1 billion media impressions, distributed > 120,000 printed copies and > 200,000 electronic copies, and benefited from a collective ad value > $10 million. The Report Card has been replicated in 14 countries, 2 provinces, 1 state and 1 city. AHKC has received consistent positive feedback from stakeholders and end-users, who reported that the Report Card has been used for public awareness/education campaigns and advocacy strategies, to strengthen partnerships, to inform research and program design, and to advance and adjust policies and strategies. Collectively, the evidence suggests that the Report Card has been successful at powering the movement to get kids moving, and in achieving demonstrable success on immediate and intermediate outcomes, although the long-term goal of improving the PA of Canadian children and youth remains to be realized.

Correction: Play, Learn, and Teach Outdoors — Network (PLaTO-Net): terminology, taxonomy, and ontology

Effects of a Sports Nutrition Bar on Endurance Running Performance

The Access bar claims to contain adenosine antagonists and a precise mixture of macronutrients that are purported to improve aerobic performance by increasing fat metabolism and providing sustained exogenous energy. The purpose of this research was to examine the effect of the Access bar on endurance running performance. Twelve active, healthy runners completed 5 sessions: a V(O)2 max test, a 30-minute familiarization session, and 3 experimental sessions. During each experimental session subjects ran a self-paced, simulated race on a treadmill (approximately 55 minutes) until they had completed a set energy expenditure target (0.8368 kJ x 60 minutes x body mass). Fifteen minutes before exercise subjects received either the Access bar and water, Uncle Tobys Peanut Butter Muesli Bar and water, or Crystal Light, using a randomized, double-blind design. Heart rate, oxygen consumption, respiratory exchange ratio, and running speed were measured every minute during testing. Blood lactate and rating of perceived exertion were assessed at selected intervals; time to finish was also recorded. Analysis of variance showed no significant difference between the 3 treatments in any of the measures. These results do not support the use of the Access Sports Nutrition Bar to enhance endurance running performance of approximately one hour.

Relationship Between Active School Transport and Body Mass Index in Grades-4-to-6 Children

The current investigation assessed the impact of active school transportation (AST) on average daily step counts, body mass index (BMI) and waist circumference in 315 children in Grades 4–6 who participated to Cycle 2 of the Canadian Assessment of Physical Literacy (CAPL) pilot testing. T-tests revealed a significant association between AST and lower BMI values (18.7 ± 3.3 vs. 19.9 ± 3.8 kg/m 2 ). The active commuters accumulated an average of 662 more steps per day, and their waist circumference was lower by an average of 3.1 cm, but these differences were not statistically significant. ANCOVA analyses controlling for age and step counts, found trends toward lower BMI and waist circumference values among the active commuters. These results suggest that AST may be a valid strategy to prevent childhood obesity; further research is needed to determine more precisely the impact of AST on body composition, and the direction of the relationship.

Physical activity vs. sedentary time: independent associations with adiposity in children

Summary Objective To investigate the independent associations between objectively measured levels of movement intensity (i.e. time spent sedentary and at light, moderate and vigorous intensities) and indicators of adiposity in a cohort of C anadian children. Methods A cross‐sectional study was conducted in 550 C aucasian children aged 8–10 years with at least one obese biological parent. Physical activity and sedentary time (accelerometer over 7 d) and indicators of adiposity (% body fat measured by dual‐energy X ‐ray absorptiometry and waist‐to‐height ratio) were objectively measured. We examined the associations between levels of movement intensity and adiposity in multi‐level linear regression models adjusted for age, sex, sleep duration, energy intake, sexual maturation, parental socioeconomic status and parental body mass index. Results Objectively measured sedentary time was not associated with adiposity indicators in this cohort (unadjusted and adjusted models). However, moderate‐to‐vigorous physical activity ( MVPA ) was inversely associated with % body fat (adj. β = −0.047; P = 0.02) and waist‐to‐height ratio (adj. β = −0.071; P < 0.001), independent of sedentary time and other covariates. Additionally, we observed that children who did not accumulate ≥60 min d −1 of MVPA were more likely to be overweight or obese compared to those who met the recommendation (odds ratio [ OR ] 2.22, 95% confidence interval [ CI ] 1.45–3.38). In contrast, there was no difference in the likelihood of being categorized as overweight or obese between those who met the recommendation of ≤2 h d −1 of screen time and those who did not meet this recommendation ( OR 1.27, 95% CI 0.75–2.01). Conclusion The present study suggests that MVPA is independently associated with adiposity indices in this sample of children while sedentary time is not. Future studies should examine the best approach to increase MVPA in children and youth.

Predicting Changes Across 12 Months in Three Types of Parental Support Behaviors and Mothers’ Perceptions of Child Physical Activity

BackgroundParental support has been established as the critical family-level variable linked to child physical activity with encouragement, logistical support, and parent-child co-activity as key support behaviors.

Cardiorespiratory fitness is associated with physical literacy in a large sample of Canadian children aged 8 to 12 years

The associations between cardiorespiratory fitness (CRF) and physical literacy in children are largely unknown. The aim of this study was to assess the relationships between CRF, measured using the 20-m shuttle run test (20mSRT), and components of physical literacy among Canadian children aged 8-12 years.A total of 9393 (49.9% girls) children, with a mean (SD) age of 10.1 (±1.2) years, from a cross-sectional surveillance study were included for this analysis. The SRT was evaluated using a standardized 15 m or 20 m protocol. All 15 m SRTs were converted to 20mSRT values using a standardized formula. The four domains of physical literacy (Physical Competence, Daily Behaviour, Motivation and Confidence, and Knowledge and Understanding) were measured using the Canadian Assessment of Physical Literacy. Tertiles were identified for 20mSRT laps, representing low, medium, and high CRF for each age and gender group. Cohen's d was used to calculate the effect size between the low and high CRF groups.CRF was strongly and favourably associated with all components of physical literacy among school-aged Canadian children. The effect size between low and high CRF tertile groups was large for the Physical Competence domain (Cohen's d range: 1.11-1.94) across age and gender groups, followed by moderate to large effect sizes for Motivation and Confidence (Cohen's d range: 0.54-1.18), small to moderate effect sizes for Daily Behaviour (Cohen's d range: 0.25-0.81), and marginal to moderate effect sizes for Knowledge and Understanding (Cohen's d range: 0.08-0.70).This study identified strong favourable associations between CRF and physical literacy and its constituent components in children aged 8-12 years. Future research should investigate the sensitivity and specificity of the 20mSRT in screening those with low physical literacy levels.

Position Statement on Active Outdoor Play

A diverse, cross-sectorial group of partners, stakeholders and researchers, collaborated to develop an evidence-informed Position Statement on active outdoor play for children aged 3–12 years. The Position Statement was created in response to practitioner, academic, legal, insurance and public debate, dialogue and disagreement on the relative benefits and harms of active (including risky) outdoor play. The Position Statement development process was informed by two systematic reviews, a critical appraisal of the current literature and existing position statements, engagement of research experts (N = 9) and cross-sectorial individuals/organizations (N = 17), and an extensive stakeholder consultation process (N = 1908). More than 95% of the stakeholders consulted strongly agreed or somewhat agreed with the Position Statement; 14/17 participating individuals/organizations endorsed it; and over 1000 additional individuals and organizations requested their name be listed as a supporter. The final Position Statement on Active Outdoor Play states: “Access to active play in nature and outdoors—with its risks— is essential for healthy child development. We recommend increasing children’s opportunities for self-directed play outdoors in all settings—at home, at school, in child care, the community and nature.” The full Position Statement provides context for the statement, evidence supporting it, and a series of recommendations to increase active outdoor play opportunities to promote healthy child development.

Sociodemographic Factors Associated With Meeting the Canadian 24-Hour Movement Guidelines Among Adults: Findings From the Canadian Health Measures Survey

Background: This study examined associations between sociodemographic factors and meeting versus not meeting the new Canadian 24-Hour Movement Guidelines recommendations. Methods: The study is based on 7651 respondents aged 18–79 years from the 2007 to 2013 Canadian Health Measures Survey, a nationally representative, cross-sectional survey. Sociodemographic factors included age, sex, household education, household income, race, having a chronic condition, smoking status, alcohol consumption, and body mass index. Participants were classified as meeting or not meeting each of the time-specific recommendations for moderate to vigorous physical activity, sedentary behavior, and sleep duration. Results: Being an adult aged 18–64 years, normal weight, nonsmoker, and not having a chronic condition were associated with meeting the integrated guidelines. Being aged 18–64 years, male, normal weight, nonsmoker, not having a chronic condition, having a higher household education, and higher household income were associated with meeting the moderate to vigorous physical activity recommendation; being aged 18–64 years was associated with meeting the sedentary behavior recommendation; and being white, not having a chronic condition, and having a higher household income were associated with meeting the sleep duration recommendation. Conclusions: Few Canadian adults met the 2020 Canadian 24-Hour Movement Guidelines, and disparities across sociodemographic factors exist. Implementation strategies and dissemination approaches to encourage uptake and adoption are necessary.

Paediatricians' awareness of, agreement with and use of the new Canadian Physical Activity and Sedentary Behaviour Guidelines for children and youth zero to 17 years of age

To examine the awareness of, agreement with and use of the new Canadian Physical Activity and Sedentary Behaviour Guidelines for children and youth zero to 17 years of age in a sample of Canadian paediatricians. The findings are based on responses from 331 paediatricians across Canada who completed an online survey in February 2013. Frequencies were calculated for each question. Few paediatricians reported being very familiar with the physical activity (6% for the early years, and 9% for children and youth) or sedentary behaviour guidelines (5% for the early years, children and youth). When made aware of the guidelines, a large percentage strongly agreed or agreed with the physical activity (99% for the early years, and 96% for children and youth) and sedentary behaviour recommendations (96% for the early years, and 94% for children and youth). Of paediatricians who performed well-child visits, 16% and 27% reported almost always making physical activity and sedentary behaviour recommendations, respectively, to parents or caregivers of children in the early years, compared with 37% for both behaviours among children and youth. Thirty-nine per cent (for the early years) and 46% (for children and youth) of paediatricians reported it would be highly feasible to briefly explain the guidelines at a well-child visit. The most common barriers reported for recommending the guidelines were insufficient motivation or support from parents, caregivers or youth, and lack of time. To increase the use of these new evidence-informed guidelines, strategies are needed to increase paediatricians' awareness and reduce perceived barriers.

Household‐level correlates of children's physical activity levels in and across 12 countries

Household factors (electronic media equipment, play equipment, physical activity in the home, and social support) have been associated with childhood moderate- to vigorous-intensity physical activity (MVPA), but little is known about how these factors differ across diverse countries. The objective was to explore household correlates of objective MVPA in children from 12 countries.Overall, 5,859 nine- to eleven-year-old children from 12 countries representing a range of human and socioeconomic development indicators wore an accelerometer for 7 days and parents reported on household factors. Multilevel general linear models explored associations among household factors and MVPA variables controlling for age, sex, and parental education.Across sites, children with at least one piece of bedroom electronic media had lower MVPA (∼4 min/day; P < 0.001) than those who did not. More frequent physical activity in the home and yard, ownership of more frequently used play equipment, and higher social support for physical activity were associated with more MVPA (all P < 0.001). The association between play equipment ownership and MVPA was inconsistent across countries (interaction P < 0.01).With the exception of play equipment ownership, modifiable household factors showed largely consistent and important associations with MVPA across high-, mid-, and low-income countries.

Canadian Health Measures Survey pre-test: design, methods, results.

The Canadian Health Measures Survey (CHMS) pre-test was conducted to provide information about the challenges and costs associated with administering a physical health measures survey in Canada. To achieve the specific objectives of the pre-test, protocols were developed and tested, and methods for household interviewing and clinic testing were designed and revised. The cost, logistics and suitability of using fixed sites for the CHMS were assessed. Although data collection, transfer and storage procedures are complex, the pre-test experience confirmed Statistics Canada's ability to conduct a direct health measures survey and the willingness of Canadians to participate in such a health survey. Many operational and logistical procedures worked well and, with minor modifications, are being employed in the main survey. Fixed sites were problematic, and survey costs were higher than expected.

Can The Moblees™ Move Canadian Children? Investigating the Impact of a Television Program on Children's Physical Activity

Background: The effects of messaging about physical activity and sedentary behavior purposefully integrated into children's TV programming on children's behaviour is unknown. The Moblees is a Canadian childrens' show that explicitly promotes physical activity. Two studies were conducted to 1) examine whether children were more physically active when watching a Moblees episode, and 2) explore parental perceptions of the show. Methods: Study 1 was an experimental study with 21 families randomized to watch an episode of The Moblees versus a control condition. Movement was assessed through accelerometry and observation. A Chi-square test was used to compare the direct observation proportions of children sitting between intervention and control conditions. Independent t-tests were performed to examine the differences in total vector magnitude counts between the experimental and control groups. Study 2 was an online cross-sectional study with 104 parent/child dyads that included viewing an episode of The Moblees. To identify correlates and predictors of parent-reported child PA during viewing The Moblees compared to other TV programs, Pearson's correlations and a linear regression were calculated, respectively. Results: In study 1 there was a significant association between condition and whether or not children remained sitting χ2 = 55.96, p < .001. There was a significant difference in counts between the two conditions, t(13.61) = 2.29, p < 0.05. Children randomized to the experimental group (i.e., Moblees) moved more compared to control. In study 2 the majority (76%) of parents reported that their child engaged in some physical activity during viewing. Parent encouragement during viewing was the strongest predictor of child physical activity while viewing (β=.30, p<.01). Conclusion: Television content that includes messaging physical activity and sedentary behaviour, and positive portrayals of physical activity may influence the physical activity of young children. Although the benefits of such modest movement are not clear without further evidence of accumulation over time and/or transfer to other settings, television programming might provide a far reaching medium for knowledge translation.

Additional file 2: Table S2. of Systematic review of the relationships between sleep duration and health indicators in the early years (0â 4Â years)

Summary of studies included in the systematic review sorted by (whenever possible) outcome indicator, study design, age group, and sleep assessment (objective, then subjective). (DOC 254 kb)

4.5 Pediatric concussion assessment of rest and exertion (PedCARE): a multicentre randomized clinical trial

<h3>Objective</h3> Investigate whether non-contact physical activity at 72-hours post-acute concussion reduces symptoms at two weeks compared to resting until asymptomatic. <h3>Design</h3> Multicentre blinded randomized clinical trial. <h3>Setting</h3> Three pediatric Emergency Departments (ED). <h3>Participants</h3> Participants aged 10–17 years with acute (&lt; 48 hours) concussion. <h3>Intervention</h3> Participants were randomly assigned to initiate a 4-week stepwise return-to-physical activity at 72-hours post-concussion even if symptomatic [Early Group (EG) protocol] or return-to-physical activity once asymptomatic [Rest Group (RG) protocol]. <h3>Outcome Measures</h3> Self-reported post-concussion symptoms at 2-weeks on the Health and Behaviour Inventory (HBI), a validated and reliable 20-item questionnaire. Adverse events were defined as symptoms resulting in an unscheduled ED-visit. Accelerometers were worn 24-hours/day for 14 days post-injury. Group differences and post-concussion symptoms were examined by linear univariable and multivariable analyses adjusting for site and prognostically important covariates. Missing data were imputed. <h3>Results</h3> A total of 456 randomized participants [EG: N=227; median age=13.2(IQR:11.5,14.7); 44.5% female]; [RG: N=229; median age =13.0(IQR:11.6,14.9); 43.7% female] were included in the analyses. No adverse events were reported for either group. EG participants had a median symptom load at 2-weeks of 14.00(IQR: 4.00,22.25) compared to RG participants 16.00(IQR: 7.00,24.00). No strong evidence of an association between early return to physical activity and post-concussion symptoms at 2-weeks was found in univariable [mean difference=-1.2(95%CI:-3.6,1.2] or multivariable analyses [mean difference = -1.0(95%CI:-3.4,1.4]. <h3>Conclusion</h3> Among youth with acute concussion, compared to rest until asymptomatic, physical activity initiation at 72-hours post-injury, was safe and did not provoke post-concussion symptoms at 2-weeks. This abstract has been published in full manuscript format and has the following citation: BMJ Citation https://bjsm.bmj.com/content/early/2021/11/25/bjsports-2021-105030

The cost of not investing in the next 1000 days: implications for policy and practice

Building on the evidence from the first paper in this Series highlighting the fundamental importance of healthy and nurturing environments for children's growth and development in the next 1000 days (ages 2–5 years), this paper summarises the benefits and costs of key strategies to support children's development in this age range. The next 1000 days build on the family-based and health-sector based interventions provided in the first 1000 days and require broader multisectoral programming. Interventions that have been shown to be particularly effective in this age range are the provision of early childhood care and education (ECCE), parenting interventions, and cash transfers. We show that a minimum package of 1 year of ECCE for all children would cost on average less than 0·15% of low-income and middle-income countries' current gross domestic product. The societal cost of not implementing this package at a national and global level (ie, the cost of inaction) is large, with an estimated forgone benefit of 8–19 times the cost of investing in ECCE. We discuss implications of the overall evidence presented in this Series for policy and practice, highlighting the potential of ECCE programming in the next 1000 days as an intervention itself, as well as a platform to deliver developmental screening, growth monitoring, and additional locally required interventions. Providing nurturing care during this period is crucial for maintaining and further boosting children's progress in the first 1000 days, and to allow children to reach optimal developmental trajectories from a socioecological life-course perspective.