Association between school environment with sedentary behavior and physical activity intensity in children

Sales, Diego; Silva, João Pedro da; Bergamo, Raiany Rosa; Oliveira, Luís C.; Ferrari, Gérson; Matsudo, Victor

doi:10.1038/s41598-023-33732-9

Cited by 4 publications

(2 citation statements)

References 43 publications

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“…In a different vein, de Moraes Ferrari et al [32] identified a significant correlation between boys' body mass index and the implementation of school policies or practices advocating healthy eating. Sales et al [33] drew connections between the duration of MVPA and various elements: the incorporation of physical-activity-focused policies or practices, the presence of a committee dedicated to the proposal and enactment of policies on physical activity or healthy eating, extended break periods, participation in interschool competitions, and access to outdoor sports facilities.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Several limitations are evident in this research. Firstly, objective metrics such as BMI measurements or accelerometry, which were employed in other studies [30][31][32][33] to assess student weight status and measure sedentary or MVPA duration, were not utilized. Such measures would have provided a clearer, quantitative picture of weight balance disparities between urban and rural settings, thereby enriching the depth of the analysis.…”

Section: Strengths and Limitationsmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Assessing Obesogenic School Environments in Sibiu County, Romania: Adapting the ISCOLE School Environment Questionnaire

Negrea,

Săndulescu

et al. 2023

Children

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The impact of the school environment on childhood weight status has garnered significant attention in recent years. This study aimed to adapt and validate the International Study of Childhood Obesity, Lifestyle and the Environment (ISCOLE) School and Environment questionnaire in order to assess the potential obesogenic impact of school environments in Sibiu County, Romania. The ISCOLE questionnaire was chosen for its rigorous methodology. It was derived from a comprehensive study conducted across 12 countries which aimed to capture multifaceted influences on childhood weight while emphasizing educational settings in the collection of data. To guide the translation and adaptation of the questionnaire, a multidisciplinary committee was assembled which comprised experts in teaching and school administration to ensure target responder relevance, experts in clinical research to ensure methodological robustness, experts in language adaptation to preserve the original intent of the survey, and experts in public health to steer the interpretation of the results, with potential policy implications. The data were analyzed by distinguishing between urban and rural settings, and a two-step cluster analysis was implemented to identify potential intervention targets. To assess the validity of the adapted tool, the questionnaire’s construct validity and internal consistency were explored. A response rate of 71.2% of the approached schools in Sibiu County was achieved. Of the 84 responding school representatives, 37 (44%) were from a rural setting. The rural schools had significantly more limited access to gymnasiums, secured lockers, showers, and bicycle racks, and exhibited more serious problems regarding the inadequate disposal of garbage in the school vicinity. A two-step cluster analysis revealed distinct school categories, providing opportunities for public policy interventions. One of these primarily concerned rural schools with limited infrastructure but with proactive practices and policies which were termed “unable but willing”; on the opposing spectrum, the category “able but unwilling” mainly comprised urban schools which had available facilities but lacked local proactive initiatives. The findings emphasize the urgent need for targeted measures to bridge these discrepancies by investing in infrastructure in rural schools and promoting active school practices and policies in urban settings. The assessment of obesogenic school environments in Sibiu County provides a pilot model for broader applications due to the diverse school landscape and supportive local authorities. The results, which were achieved using low-cost methods, can guide future educational policies, health promotion initiatives, and preventive interventions.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Strengths and Limitationsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Assessing Obesogenic School Environments in Sibiu County, Romania: Adapting the ISCOLE School Environment Questionnaire

Negrea,

Săndulescu

et al. 2023

Children

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Neighborhood Aesthetics, Neighborhood-based physical activity, Chronic Stress, and obesity in school Children

Martínez-Soto,

Sánchez,

Villada

et al. 2023

Preprint

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Background Children who grow up in obesogenic environments are more likely to have poor mental and physical health outcomes over time. Physical activity may protect against childhood obesity and promote healthy cortisol levels in children. Recent literature suggests the role of environmental qualities in a lower prevalence of childhood obesity because of the affordability of such spaces to promote physical activity. Until now, the conjoint influence of neighborhood aesthetics and its restorative influence on children's chronic stress and physical activity is unknown. Even more, little is known about the extension of such effects on the development of obesity in healthy children. Method This research examines the predictive association between perceived neighborhood aesthetics (e.g., the attractiveness of nature views and buildings/homes) on neighborhood-home-based physical activity, chronic stress (long-term hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal HPA axis activity), and obesity (Body Mass Index-BMI percentile) in elementary school children. A sample of 103 children (mid-childhood mean age = 9.02 years, SD = 1.05, range 7‐11 years; 51.5% boys) participated in the study. The long-term HPA axis activity was assessed by the hair cortisol concentration (HCC) over 3 months. Ratings of the neighborhood aesthetics, children's physical activity at home and neighborhood, HCC, and obesity (BMI percentile) were evaluated and modeled through a structural equation model. Results The model shows that neighborhood aesthetics negatively impact children´s BMI scores and contributes positively to the practice of children´s physical activity. Likewise, environment-based physical activity impacts positively on lower scores of BMI obesity and children´s HCC (restorative effects). The positive effects of neighborhood aesthetics on children's physical activity and children's HCC (chronic stress) were in line with the positive relationship between HCC and children's obesity, suggesting that neighborhood aesthetics positively impact health indicators, diminishing chronic stress biomarkers and obesity indicators. Conclusions The findings highlight the significant values and utility of a psycho-environmental approach toward a better understanding of the synergetic effects of the positive environment and behavior transactions related to weight gain and obesity.

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Importance and Social Characterizations of Physical Education in the Early Years in Some Arab and African Contexts in Schools and Society

Ibrahim Al Dhaheri

2024

Physical Education at School and in Today's Society [Working Title]

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In this chapter, the author focused on two main issues related to physical education in schools and society: the importance of physical education in the early years, particularly for children and adolescents, and the social characterizations of physical education among these age groups. The current status of physical education on a global scale and in certain regions, such as the Arab world and Africa, was reviewed. The author discussed the importance of early initiation of physical education for the positive short- and long-term impact of physical activity on health, academic performance, and the economy. Several social characterizations of physical education, such as equity, education levels, gender, socioeconomic status, policies, and environmental determinants (public green areas, and safety), were identified. Based on the existing literature and the author’s experiences, the current status of physical education necessitates a call for action on a global level and by all involved parties. Such a lack of physical education in the early years (children and adolescents) can pose several negative impacts on health, the economy, and society. Certain recommendations were proposed to improve the current physical education status.

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Association between school environment with sedentary behavior and physical activity intensity in children

Cited by 4 publications

References 43 publications

Assessing Obesogenic School Environments in Sibiu County, Romania: Adapting the ISCOLE School Environment Questionnaire

Assessing Obesogenic School Environments in Sibiu County, Romania: Adapting the ISCOLE School Environment Questionnaire

Neighborhood Aesthetics, Neighborhood-based physical activity, Chronic Stress, and obesity in school Children

Importance and Social Characterizations of Physical Education in the Early Years in Some Arab and African Contexts in Schools and Society

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