Archive for category Physical Activity

Environmental influences on PA in Canadian 11-13 year olds

This study assessed the amount of PA engaged in by 811 youth aged 11-13 in Canada. On average, students engaged in 160 min/day of PA. Both subjective and objective measures of recreational opportunities were associated positively with PA. Greater access to recreational opportunities seem essential to facilitate youths’ healthy levels of PA.

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PA and perceptions of the environment

1208 telephone interviews assessing physical activity and perceptions of the environment. Geographic location was not associated with achievement of sufficient levels of physical activity or walking.

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Late afternoon: the critical hours

This study examined physical activity and sedentary behavior of 1484 adolescents between 3.30pm and 6.30pm. Boys and girls reported 21 and 19 min of physical activity and 24 and 26 min of homework respectively during this period. Technology-based sedentary behavior (TV viewing, computer and video game use) was significantly higher in boys than girls (boys: 50 mins; girls: 35 mins). The most prevalent behaviors after school are technology-based sedentary behavior, homework and physical activity. During these hours, engagement in physical activity does not appear to displace time spent doing homework.

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Can parents fight child obesity?

Yes they can. Find tips and more in this article in USA today. Now we’ve got to work activity back into their lives.

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Physical activity and breast cancer risk

In 3,458 breast cancer cases and 3,474 controls from the Shanghai Breast Cancer Study weight, height, body mass index, waist-to-hip ratio, and weight gain showed stronger associations with breast cancer risk in postmenopausal women than premenopausal women. High total physical activity was inversely associated with postmenopausal breast cancer risk and premenopausal breast cancer. No statistically significant multiplicative interaction between body size, caloric intake and total physical activity on breast cancer risk was found.

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Physical activity guidelines are too confusing

Whether you are defined as leading an active or inactive lifestyle can depend on which country you are in and which guideline your GP picks off the shelf, say researchers at the University of Bath.

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Preschoolers Largely Inactive at Play

A study in the January/February issue of Child Development suggests that, contrary to popular belief, preschool-aged children are often sedentary in their play, the Los Angeles Times reports. In observing a group of about 540 preschoolers from 24 preschools in South Carolina, researchers recorded and examined almost 265,000, 30-minute segments of the children’s indoor activities and nearly 30,000, 30-minute segments of outdoor activity. During the course of a typical day, 89% of children’s activities were sedentary, 8%were lightly active and 3% were moderately-to-vigorously active.

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State Policies Can Help

State and local policies, if accompanied by adequate funding, can help build healthy schools and communities that offer sidewalks, open space and ample opportunity for physical activity, according to research published recently in a special issue of the Journal of Public Health Policy.

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Reasons for physical activity among Canadians: a cross-sectional study

5167 Canadians aged 15-79 years, selected by random-digit dialling. Self-efficacy and intention were the strongest correlates and had the greatest effect on PA.

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Harvard Health

Harvard Health Publications, a publishing division of Harvard Medical School, announces the launch of its redesigned and enhanced website to serve the needs of health-conscious consumers in search of trusted health care information.

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