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No abstract is provided for this article.

ParticipACTION is a Canadian physical activity communications and social marketing organization that has been relaunched in 2007 after a 6-year hiatus. The purpose of this study is to qualitatively identify and describe the expectations and challenges the relaunch of the new ParticipACTION may present for existing physical activity organizations. Using a purposeful sampling strategy, the authors conduct semistructured telephone interviews with 49 key informants representing a range of national, provincial, and local organizations with a mandate to promote physical activity. Overall, there is strong support in seeing ParticipACTION relaunched. However, organizational expectations and/or their ideal vision for it are mixed. Organizations envision and support its performing an overarching social marketing and advocacy role, and in providing tools and resources that supplement existing organizational activities. Four major organizational challenges are identified concerning overlapping mandates, partnership and leadership concerns, competition for funding, and capacity concerns. Social marketing initiatives, such as ParticipACTION, may not be able to maximize their impact unless they address the expectations and concerns of competing organizations with a mandate to promote physical activity.

Background Negative parental perceptions of risk may restrict children’s opportunities for outdoor play. Excessively minimizing children’s exposure to risks in their environment may have a range of developmental consequences. The purpose of this cross-sectional study was to assess correlates of parental tolerance of risk among a large sample of Canadian parents. Methods In this cross-sectional study, a sample of 2,291 parents of 7–12 year olds completed online questionnaires assessing a range of potential individual (e.g., gender), social (e.g., neighbourhood cohesion), and environmental (e.g., walkability) correlates of parental tolerance of risk. Logistic regressions were created to examine associations between these factors and odds of being in the most risk averse quartile. The logistic regression was built in hierarchal steps relying on the Akaike information criterion (AIC) and pseudo R 2 for model progression. Results The final model had a pseudo R 2 of 0.18. Five out of seventeen correlates were associated with risk aversion in parents. Concerns about stranger danger were associated with a higher odds of risk aversion (OR = 2.33, 95%CI[1.93, 2.82]). A higher number of children in the home was associated with lower odds of risk aversion in parents (OR = 0.80, 95%CI[0.69, 0.92], and parents of children born outside of Canada had higher odds of being risk adverse when compared to parents born in Canada (OR = 2.13, 95%CI[1.54, 2.94]). Finally, being very concerned with COVID-19 increased the odds of risk aversion (OR = 3.07, 95%CI[1.93, 5.04], while having a household income of > 100,000 lowered the odds of risk aversion (OR = 0.56, 95%CI[0.36, 0.87]). Conclusions Tailored interventions that reframe perceptions of risk for parents are needed. Such interventions could reframe concerns about stranger danger which persist despite occurrences of stranger abduction being extremely rare. Interventions could also be targeted to immigrant families and those with fewer children as they appear to be more averse to risk. A complementary focus on examining how cultural background influences risk perceptions is needed in future research.

Background We tested whether 24-hour movement behaviors modified the effect of the association between anxiety and depression symptoms among adolescents. Methods This cross-sectional study included 4141 adolescents aged 15 to 19 years (50.0 % females) across all Brazilian geographic regions. Using self-reported data, 4.4 % (n = 180) reported having been diagnosed with anxiety disorders. We used the Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-9) to evaluate depressive symptoms. Accruing moderate-vigorous physical activity during leisure time, <3 h/day of recreational screen, and good sleep quality were the exposures investigated. We evaluated interactions between anxiety and movement behaviors in the association with depression symptoms adjusted by covariates. Results Adolescents diagnosed with anxiety who met two (B: –4.93; 95%CI: −6.43; −3.44) or three (B: –5.71; 95%CI: −7.85; −3.57) movement behavior targets, and adolescents without diagnosis of anxiety who met one (B: –6.97; 95%CI: −8.15; −5.79), two (B: –8.21; 95%CI: −9.38; −7.03), or three (B: –8.46; 95%CI: −9.66; −7.27) of the movement behavior targets had lower PHQ-9 scores for depression symptoms than adolescents with anxiety who did not meet any of the movement behaviors. There was a significant interaction (B: –1.89; 95%CI: −3.24; −0.55) between anxiety disorders status and meeting the movement behavior targets. Limitations The cross-sectional design is a limitation. Conclusions Variations in meeting movement behaviors modified the effect of the association between anxiety disorders status and depressive symptoms, with favourable modifications seen in adolescents without anxiety who met one, two or three of the movement behavior targets and in adolescents with anxiety who met two or three of the behaviors.

The Motivation and Confidence domain questionnaire in the Canadian Assessment of Physical Literacy (CAPL) was lengthy (36 single items that aggregate to five subscales), and thus burdensome to both participants and practitioners. The purpose of this study was to use factor analysis to refine the Motivation and Confidence domain to be used in the CAPL-Second Edition (CAPL-2).Children, primarily recruited through free-of-charge summer day camps (n = 205, Mage = 9.50 years, SD = 1.14, 50.7% girls), completed the CAPL-2 protocol, and two survey versions of the Motivation and Confidence questionnaire. Survey 1 contained the Motivation and Confidence questionnaire items from the original CAPL, whereas Survey 2 contained a battery of items informed by self-determination theory to assess motivation and confidence. First, factor analyses were performed on individual questionnaires to examine validity evidence (i.e., internal structure) and score reliability (i.e., coefficient H and omega total). Second, factor analyses were performed on different combinations of questionnaires to establish the least burdensome yet well-fitted and theoretically aligned model.The assessment of adequacy and predilection, based on 16 single items as originally conceptualized within the CAPL, was not a good fit to the data. Therefore, a revised and shorter version of these scales was proposed, based on exploratory factor analysis. The self-determination theory items provided a good fit to the data; however, identified, introjected, and external regulation had low score reliability. Overall, a model comprising three single items for each of the following subscales was proposed for use within the CAPL-2: adequacy, predilection, intrinsic motivation, and perceived competence satisfaction. This revised domain fit well within the overall CAPL-2 model specifying a higher-order physical literacy factor (MLRχ2(63) = 81.45, p = 0.06, CFI = 0.908, RMSEA = 0.038, 90% CI (0.00, 0.060)).The revised and much shorter questionnaire of 12 items that aggregate to four subscales within the domain of Motivation and Confidence is recommended for use in the CAPL-2. The revised domain is aligned with the definition of motivation and confidence within physical literacy and has clearer instructions for completion.

Cerebral blood flow is known to change with age; however, assessing these age-related changes is complex and requires consideration of pubertal status. This, to our knowledge, is the first study to investigate the influence of sex and maturation on resting cervical artery hemodynamics and subsequently explore associations with physical activity and sedentary behavior in healthy children and adolescents. Our findings suggest that habitual sedentary behavior may influence cervical artery hemodynamics in youth, independent of physical activity, maturation, and sex.

The influence of the fractionalization of moderate- to vigorous- intensity physical activity (MVPA) throughout the week on the health of children is unknown. We compared cardiometabolic risk factors in physically active children who accumulated their weekly MVPA in different patterns. We studied 745 participants aged 6–19 years. MVPA was measured using accelerometers over 7 days. Three groups were created: Insufficiently Active, <60 minutes/day of MVPA on average; Infrequently Active, ≥60 minutes/day of MVPA on average but exceeding the 60 minute target <5 days; and Frequently Active, ≥60 minutes/day MVPA on average and exceeding the 60 minute target ≥5 days. Percentile scores for 8 cardiometabolic risk factors were determined. The least favorable cardiometabolic risk factor profile was observed in the Insufficiently Active group. The Frequently Active group had more favorable (5–6 percentile unit difference) diastolic blood pressure, HDL-cholesterol, insulin resistance, and metabolic syndrome scores than the Infrequently Active group, although only the difference for insulin resistance was statistically significant (P < 0.05). These differences remained after controlling for the weekly volume of MVPA. The fractionalization of MVPA throughout the week was associated with insulin resistance.

One-fifth of Canadian women of childbearing age (WCBA) have red blood cell (RBC) folate concentrations below those considered optimal for neural tube defect risk reduction (≥906 nmol·L–1). Determinants of optimal concentrations have not been examined in a nationally representative sample of Canadian WCBA since food fortification with folic acid was implemented. This study explored correlates of optimal RBC folate concentrations and characteristics of folic acid supplement users in a sample of Canadian WCBA. RBC folate concentrations from the 2007–2009 Canadian Health Measures Survey were assessed in women aged 15 to 45 years (n = 1162). Sociodemographic, behavioural, and clinical determinants of RBC folate ≥906 nmol·L–1 were examined using univariate and separate multiple logistic regression models that controlled for age and household income. t tests were used to study differences between folic acid supplement users and nonusers. WCBA not taking folic acid supplements were less likely to achieve a RBC folate concentration ≥906 nmol·L–1 compared with folic acid supplement users (odds ratio, 0.47; 95% confidence interval, 0.24, 0.92). Twenty-five percent of WCBA reported folic acid supplement use, and there was a higher percentage of folic acid supplement users in the highest income group. Folic acid supplement users were also more frequent consumers of supplemental vitamin B12 and of fruit and vegetables (>3 times per day). Folic acid supplement use was the most significant predictor of WCBA achieving optimal RBC folate concentrations. These results indicate a need for targeted strategies to improve compliance with folic acid supplement recommendations among WCBA.

No abstract is provided for this article.

Background: The Active Healthy Kids Scotland Report Card aims to consolidate existing evidence, facilitate international comparisons, encourage more evidence-informed physical activity and health policy, and improve surveillance of physical activity. Methods: Application of the Active Healthy Kids Canada Report Card process and methodology to Scotland, adapted to Scottish circumstances and availability of data. Results: The Active Healthy Kids Scotland Report Card 2013 consists of indicators of 7 Health Behaviors and Outcomes and 3 Influences on Health Behaviors and Outcomes. Grades of F were assigned to Overall Physical Activity, Sedentary Behavior (recreational screen time), and Obesity Prevalence. A C was assigned to Active Transportation and a D- was assigned to Diet. Two indicators, Active and Outdoor Play and Organized Sport Participation, could not be graded. Among the Influences, Family Influence received a D, while Perceived Safety, Access, and Availability of Spaces for Physical Activity and the National Policy Environment graded more favorably with a B. Conclusions: The Active Healthy Kids Canada process and methodology was readily generalizable to Scotland. The report card illustrated low habitual physical activity and extremely high levels of screen-based sedentary behavior, and highlighted several opportunities for improved physical activity surveillance and promotion strategies.

No abstract is provided for this article.

We investigated whether associations of neighborhood social environment attributes and physical activity differed among 12 countries and levels of economic development using World Bank classification (low/lower-middle-, upper-middle- and high- income countries) among 9–11 year old children (N=6161) from the International Study of Childhood Obesity, Lifestyle, and the Environment (ISCOLE). Collective efficacy and perceived crime were obtained via parental/guardian report. Moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA) was assessed with waist-worn Actigraph accelerometers. Neighborhood environment by country interactions were tested using multi-level statistical models, adjusted for covariates. Effect estimates were reported by country and pooled estimates calculated across World Bank classifications for economic development using meta-analyses and forest plots. Associations between social environment attributes and MVPA varied among countries and levels of economic development. Associations were more consistent and in the hypothesized directions among countries with higher levels economic development, but less so among countries with lower levels of economic development.

Background. Systematic reviews show a favourable relationship between physical activity (PA) and cognition in children and youth, but the predominance of observational study designs limits causal inferences. This systematic review will fill a research gap by including only studies that employed randomized controlled designs. Methods. PRISMA guidelines were followed after registration in PROSPERO. Inclusion criteria were: randomized controlled design; manipulated PA once (acute) or more (chronic), compared to no PA or other types/durations/intensities of PA, in apparently healthy children (1 month-17 years); and examined cognitive function, brain function, or brain structure outcomes. Study screening and data extraction were performed in duplicate. Results. 84 studies from 83 manuscripts were included (N=12,600 unique participants; Mrange=0.77-17 years). Most studies were rated as having low risk of bias. Compared to controls, most studies (n=52) reported at least one favourable effect of PA on cognitive function and few (n=6) reported an unfavourable effect. Examining all cognitive function outcomes within each study, PA had mostly no effect (nacute=29, nchronic=47) or a mix of favourable and no effect (nacute=20, nchronic=27). For brain function, acute PA was associated with no change (n=2) whereas chronic PA was associated with a mix of increases, decreases, or no change (n=3). For brain structure, two overlapping studies found either favourable or no effects of chronic PA. Discussion. In children and youth, PA is unlikely to be detrimental to brain health and it may confer some benefits. More research is needed to better understand the impact of PA on brain structure and function.Acknowledgments: The Organix Foundation and the Children's Hospital of Eastern Ontario Foundation

Canadian research examining the combined effects of social and built environments on physical activity (PA) and obesity is limited. The purpose of this study was to determine the relationships among built and social environments and PA and overweight/obesity in 85 Ottawa neighbourhoods. Self-reported PA, height and weight were collected from 3,883 adults using the International PA Questionnaire from the 2003-2007 samples of the Rapid Risk Factor Surveillance System. Data on neighbourhood characteristics were obtained from the Ottawa Neighbourhood Study; a large study of neighbourhoods and health in Ottawa. Two-level binomial logistic regression models stratified by sex were used to examine the relationships of environmental and individual variables with PA and overweight/obesity while using survey weights. Results identified that approximately half of the adults were insufficiently active or overweight/obese. Multilevel models identified that for every additional convenience store, men were two times more likely to be physically active (OR = 2.08, 95% CI: 1.72, 2.43) and with every additional specialty food store women were almost two times more likely to be overweight or obese (OR = 1.77, 95% CI: 1.33, 2.20). Higher green space was associated with a reduced likelihood of PA (OR = 0.93, 95% CI: 0.86, 0.99) and increased odds of overweight and obesity in men (OR = 1.10, 95% CI: 1.01, 1.19), and decreased odds of overweight/obesity in women (OR = 0.66, 95% CI: 0.44, 0.89). In men, neighbourhood socioeconomic scores, voting rates and sense of community belonging were all significantly associated with overweight/obesity. Intraclass coefficients were low, but identified that the majority of neighbourhood variation in outcomes was explained by the models. Findings identified that green space, food landscapes and social cohesiveness may play different roles on PA and overweight/obesity in men and women and future prospective studies are needed.

Physical literacy is a complex construct influenced by a range of physical, behavioural, affective, and cognitive factors. Researchers are interested in relationships among these constituent factors. The purpose of this study was to investigate how age, gender, and physical competence components of physical literacy relate to a child's adequacy in and predilection for physical activity.A sample of 8530 Canadian youth (50% girl) aged 8.0 to 12.9 years participated in the study. Participants completed the Canadian Assessment of Physical Literacy (CAPL) protocol, which assesses physical literacy in four domains: Physical Competence, Daily Behaviour, Motivation and Confidence, and Knowledge and Understanding. Stepwise multiple regression analyses were conducted to investigate the relationship between physical competence components of physical literacy (Progressive Aerobic Cardiovascular Endurance Run [PACER], Canadian Agility and Movement Skill Assessment [CAMSA], sit and reach, handgrip, plank, and body mass index) and children's perceived adequacy and predilection toward physical activity as measured by subscales from the Children's Self-Perceptions of Adequacy in and Predilection for Physical Activity scale (CSAPPA).The variable most strongly associated with adequacy and predilection was the PACER shuttle run score. The PACER accounted for 10.9% of the variance in adequacy and 9.9% of the variance in predilection. Participants' age was inversely related to adequacy (β = - 0.374) and predilection (β = - 0.621). The combination of other variables related to adequacy brought the total variance explained to 14.7%, while the model for predilection explained a total of 13.7%.Results indicate an association between cardiorespiratory fitness and measures of physical activity adequacy and predilection. These findings suggest that practitioners should consider the physiological and psychological makeup of the child, and ways to enhance adequacy and predilection among children with limited cardiorespiratory fitness, in order to create the best possible environment for all children to participate in physical activity.