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Sedentary Behavior and Too Little Exercise: Linked to Childhood Health

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A special issue of Children (ISSN 2227-9067). This special issue belongs to the section "Global Pediatric Health".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (10 January 2025) | Viewed by 24795

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Special Issue Editors

Dr. Clare M.P. Roscoe

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Guest Editor

Clinical Exercise and Rehabilitation Research Centre, School of Sport and Exercise Science, University of Derby, Kedleston Road, Derby Campus, Derby DE22 1GB, UK
Interests: physical activity across the lifespan; health improvements; obesity; motor skills; motor competence; intervention design; the impact and implementation of physical activity interventions; evaluating physical activity and motor competence interventions; the role of health care professionals in physical activity promotion
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Prof. Dr. Michael Duncan

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Guest Editor

Faculty Research Centre for Sport, Exercise and Life Sciences, Coventry University, Priory St, Coventry CV1 5FB, UK
Interests: obesity; ergogenic aids; kinanthropometry; physical activity; active videogaming; exercise physiology; strength and conditioning; motor skills; motor competence
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Sedentary lifestyles and undertaking too little exercise remain key behaviours which lead to multiple, negative health outcomes in childhood. Despite this, modern lifestyles continue to facilitate increasing sedentariness and there remains ongoing concerns that children do not engage in sufficient exercise for health benefits. This includes concerns regarding unhealthy weight and obesity, poorer cardiometabolic health, poorer motor skills, impaired cognition, poorer academic achievement, and more negative wellbeing. Although interventions to encourage children to sit less and to enhance physical activity have been trialed, there remain significant gaps in scientific understanding of the effectiveness and utility of interventions targeting sedentary behaviour in children. This Special Issue invites contributions from across the spectrum of health, sport and exercise, and social and life sciences examining the issue of sedentary behaviour and lack of exercise in children.

This Special Issue is open to original research, review articles, short reports, brief commentaries, case reports, meta-analyses, related to sedentary behaviour, and lack of exercise in children.

Potential topics include, but are not limited to:

Cross-sectional and longitudinal association of sedentary behaviour, physical activity, fitness and related health variables during childhood;
Environmental, sociocultural, and biological correlates of sedentary behaviour and obesity during childhood;
Interaction of sedentary behaviour/lack of exercise, motor competence, obesity, and health markers during childhood and adolescence;
Intervention strategies targeting sedentary behaviour and healthy weight during childhood;
Process evaluation of interventions designed to reduce sedentary behaviour and/or increase exercise participation during childhood;
Measurement issues related to sedentary behaviour from infancy through adolescence.

Dr. Clare M.P. Roscoe
Prof. Dr. Michael Duncan
Guest Editors

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Children is an international peer-reviewed open access monthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2400 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

sedentary behaviour
physical activity
exercise
obesity
body composition
childhood health
intervention
implementation
public health
physical activity promotion

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Published Papers (7 papers)

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18 pages, 4146 KiB

Open AccessArticle

The Impact of the Interactive Floor Device and Aerobic Training on Executive Functions in Children

by Krystyna Rymarczyk, Iwona Makowska and Sylwia Hyniewska

Children 2024, 11(12), 1489; https://doi.org/10.3390/children11121489 - 6 Dec 2024

Viewed by 1213

Abstract

Background/Objectives: Considering the importance of physical activity on the development of cognitive functions in children, the aim of this study was to assess the effects of a ten-week training program using the Interactive Floor device (© Funtronic), i.e., a kinesthetic educational game, and aerobic activity training on executive functions in 9-year-old children. Given current knowledge of the advantages of gamification and on-task switching, stronger improvement was expected for the Interactive Floor device than aerobic exercise activities. Methods: Sixty-four children (29 boys/35 girls) were randomly assigned to the Interactive Floor (n = 22), Aerobic Training (n = 22), or Control groups (n = 20). The participants had their cognitive abilities assessed twice (pre- and post-intervention) using computer tests from the Vienna Test System (VTS) and subtests from the Wechsler Intelligence Scale for Children^® Fifth Edition (WISC^®-V). From VTS, the Stroop Test was used to measure inhibition and attentional control, while the Corsi Block test assessed visuospatial short-term working memory. To assess auditory working memory, the Digit Span subtest from the WISC^®-V was applied. Additionally, fluid intelligence was estimated using Raven’s Progressive Matrices. Results: Repeated-measures mixed ANOVA and post hoc tests with Bonferroni correction for multiple comparisons showed that all intervention program groups improved in terms of intelligence and non-verbal abstract reasoning. The second significant finding in this study was that especially children from the Interactive Floor group developed their executive functions, i.e., inhibition and attentional control as well as their spatial short-term memory capacity. Conclusions: The results suggest that a combination of both physical exercise and cognitive games in the Interactive Floor group resulted in greater improvement in cognitive abilities in children than aerobic exercise or physical education lessons. It seems that a multidisciplinary approach combining physical and cognitive stimulation effectively promotes child development. Future programs aiming to improve cognitive skills in children should consider incorporating interactive and engaging activities that stimulate both the body and the mind. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Sedentary Behavior and Too Little Exercise: Linked to Childhood Health)

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11 pages, 440 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Evaluation of Problem-Based Learning Experiences Addressing Health Promotion in the Fourth Grade of Primary School

by Beatriz Mederer-Hengstl, Pilar Núñez-Delgado and Aurora Bueno-Cavanillas

Children 2024, 11(7), 807; https://doi.org/10.3390/children11070807 - 1 Jul 2024

Viewed by 1202

Abstract

Background: The global issues of overweight and sedentary lifestyles require comprehensive responses from health systems. Despite this, health education remains fragmented and sporadic. This study aims to target primary school children to instil healthy habits using active learning strategies, with a specific focus on promoting a healthy diet and physical activity. Methods: This study employed problem-based learning (PBL) projects with fourth-grade primary students to encourage the acquisition of healthy habits. Conducted over four consecutive years at a two-line school, the study utilised an opportunity sample, evaluating intervention and control groups by comparing their corresponding scores. The control groups consisted of 54 students, while the intervention group included 159 students. Data collection involved pre-test and post-test questionnaires to measure outcomes. Results: Differential evaluation scores revealed significantly higher results in the intervention groups compared to the control groups, with an average score increase of 3.62 points in control groups and 6.94 points in intervention groups, particularly in attitudinal competencies. The strategies employed facilitated the development of crucial skills such as information search, synthesis, representation, analysis, decision making, teamwork, and intrapersonal awareness. Additionally, they significantly broadened the knowledge acquired regarding healthy habits. Conclusions: The problem-based learning approach proved effective in helping children understand the importance of making healthy choices and encouraged the integration of such habits into their daily lives. These findings suggest that active learning strategies can significantly enhance health education and promote long-term healthy behaviours among primary school children. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Sedentary Behavior and Too Little Exercise: Linked to Childhood Health)

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12 pages, 580 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Sleep and Inflammation during COVID-19 Virtual Learning in Adolescents with Overweight or Obesity

by Lindsay M. Stager, Casie H. Morgan, Caroline S. Watson and Aaron D. Fobian

Children 2023, 10(12), 1833; https://doi.org/10.3390/children10121833 - 21 Nov 2023

Viewed by 1368

Abstract

(1) Background: Adolescents present as a high-risk group for a range of adverse physical health outcomes during the pandemic, including sleep and C-reactive protein (CRP) levels. As adolescents with overweight or obesity (OWOB) present as an even higher risk group, the present study assessed relationships between sleep and CRP levels before and during COVID-19 in adolescents with OWOB. (2) Methods: Fourteen adolescents with OWOB participated in a pre-COVID1, pre-COVID2, and during-COVID-19 lab visit, measuring sleep and CRP levels. The sample size was limited by the number of participants who provided data before COVID-19 and who were enrolled in virtual school during the recruitment phase. However, our power analyses indicated needing a minimum of 10 participants to achieve adequate power. Pre-COVID1, pre-COVID2, and during-COVID-19 normative expected CRP levels were calculated based on age, sex, race, and body mass index percentile-matched data. Analyses compared pre-COVID1 and pre-COVID2 sleep with during-COVID-19 sleep, during-COVID-19 sleep and during-COVID-19 CRP levels, during-COVID-19 CRP levels with normative expected during-COVID-19 CRP levels, change in CRP levels from pre-COVID1 and pre-COVID2 to during-COVID-19 with normative expected CRP levels during those time periods, and change in CRP levels before COVID-19 with change in CRP levels during COVID-19. (3) Results. During COVID-19, participants experienced decreased sleep efficiency (p = 0.001), later wake time (p < 0.001), longer time in bed (p = 0.021), and onset latency (p = 0.004), compared to pre-COVID1, and decreased sleep efficiency (p = 0.002), longer onset latency (p = 0.006), and later wake time (p < 0.001) and bedtime (p = 0.016) compared with pre-COVID2. During-COVID-19 CRP levels were positively correlated with during-COVID-19 wake times (p = 0.01) and times in bed (p = 0.008). During-COVID-19 CRP levels were greater than normative expected CRP levels (p < 0.001). CRP levels increased more from pre-COVID1 and pre-COVID2 to during-COVID-19 than normative expected changes in CRP levels (p < 0.003). Changes in CRP levels before and during COVID-19 were not significantly different. (4) Conclusions. These findings highlight the consequential effects of COVID-19, including impairments in sleep, on adolescents with OWOB. CRP levels increased more (~5 mg/L) during COVID-19 than normative expected change. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Sedentary Behavior and Too Little Exercise: Linked to Childhood Health)

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10 pages, 282 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Serum Osteocalcin, Sclerostin and Lipocalin-2 Levels in Adolescent Boys with Obesity over a 12-Week Sprint Interval Training

by Marit Salus, Vallo Tillmann, Liina Remmel, Eve Unt, Evelin Mäestu, Ülle Parm, Agnes Mägi, Maie Tali and Jaak Jürimäe

Children 2023, 10(5), 850; https://doi.org/10.3390/children10050850 - 8 May 2023

Cited by 2 | Viewed by 1795

Abstract

The aim of the study was to examine the effects of supervised cycling sprint interval training (SIT) on serum osteocalcin, lipocalin-2 and sclerostin levels, and bone mineral characteristics among obese adolescent boys. Untrained obese adolescent boys aged 13.4 ± 0.3 were assigned to either a 12-week SIT group (3 sessions/week), or a non-exercising control group who continued with their habitual everyday life. Serum osteocalcin, lipocalin-2 and sclerostin concentrations, and bone mineral values were assessed before and after intervention. After 12-week intervention, where 14 boys in both groups ended the study, there were no significant differences in serum osteokine levels between the groups after 12 weeks, while whole body bone mineral content and lower limb bone mineral density increased in the SIT group (p < 0.05). Change in body mass index was negatively correlated with the change in osteocalcin (r = −0.57; p = 0.034), and positively correlated with the change in lipocalin-2 levels (r = 0.57; p = 0.035) in the SIT group. Supervised 12-week SIT intervention improved bone mineral characteristics, but did not change osteocalcin, lipocalin-2 or sclerostin levels in adolescent boys with obesity. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Sedentary Behavior and Too Little Exercise: Linked to Childhood Health)

13 pages, 301 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Effects of Four Weeks of Plyometric Training Performed in Different Training Surfaces on Physical Performances in School Children: Age and Sex Comparisons

by Hamza Marzouki, Ibrahim Ouergui, Rached Dridi, Okba Selmi, Rania Mbarki, Nour Mjadri, Mabliny Thuany, Marilia S. Andrade, Ezdine Bouhlel, Katja Weiss and Beat Knechtle

Children 2022, 9(12), 1914; https://doi.org/10.3390/children9121914 - 7 Dec 2022

Cited by 3 | Viewed by 2560

Abstract

Short- to middle-term plyometric training has been shown to be an effective method to promote youth fitness and health. However, there is no knowledge of previous studies that investigated the sex and age effects on physical fitness following different PT surfaces (i.e., firm vs. sand) in schoolchildren. This study examined the effects of age and sex on explosive and high-intensity responses following plyometric training (4 weeks, twice/week) performed on firm vs. sand surfaces in untrained schoolchildren. Ninety girls and ninety boys (under 8: age = 7.1 ± 0.5 and 7.1 ± 0.4 years; under 10: age = 9.0 ± 0.4 and 9.0 ± 0.5 years; under 12: age = 11.0 ± 0.5 and 11.0 ± 0.5 years, respectively) participated in a randomized and parallel training design with pre-to-post testing. Participants were allocated (i.e., 30 boys and 30 girls for each group) into either two experimental groups (firm group: performing plyometrics on a clay surface and sand group: performing plyometrics on a dry surface of 20 cm deep sand) or a control group (CG, habitual physical education classes) within their corresponding age groups. Children were tested for sprint, jumping and change of direction speed performances before and after 4 weeks of plyometric training. Both experimental groups induced more significant improvements in all assessed variables than CG (p < 0.0001; effect size > 0.80), whereas both surfaces induced similar improvements (p > 0.05). Older boys achieved better performances than their younger counterparts (p < 0.05) and older girls (p < 0.0001), respectively. This finding showed that age and sex could affect explosive and high-intensity performances during childhood after a short-term plyometric training. In contrast, the training-induced fitness changes were not influenced by the type of surface. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Sedentary Behavior and Too Little Exercise: Linked to Childhood Health)

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11 pages, 284 KiB

Open AccessCommentary

Sedentary Behavior and Lack of Physical Activity among Children in Indonesia

by Laily Hanifah, Nanang Nasrulloh and Dian Luthfiana Sufyan

Children 2023, 10(8), 1283; https://doi.org/10.3390/children10081283 - 26 Jul 2023

Cited by 19 | Viewed by 8494

Abstract

Sedentary behavior and lack of physical activity among children in Indonesia is an important issue that needs to be addressed. It is estimated that 57% of children in Indonesia have insufficient physical activity. Studies have shown that children who engage in sedentary behaviors are at an increased risk for various negative health outcomes, including obesity, type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and poor mental health, compared to physically active ones. This article aims to provide recommendations to increase physical activity and reduce passive behavior in children in Indonesia. This is a commentary article developed from observing the recent progress of sedentary behavior and lack of physical activity among children in Indonesia and the potential consequences. The level of inactive behavior in children in Indonesia is relatively high. Factors that contribute to sedentary behavior and lack of physical activity among children in Indonesia are the increasing use of electronic devices and screen time, the lack of safe and accessible places to be physically active, the COVID-19 pandemic, as well as cultural and social norms that prioritize academic achievement over physical activity. To address sedentary lifestyles among children, there is a need for a comprehensive approach that addresses both the individual and societal factors contributing to the problem. This might include increasing access to healthy food options, promoting physical activity, and implementing education programs to raise awareness about the importance of healthy eating and physical activity, as well as limiting screen time. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Sedentary Behavior and Too Little Exercise: Linked to Childhood Health)

19 pages, 860 KiB

Open AccessSystematic Review

Direct Parent Engagement to Improve Fundamental Movement Skills in Children: A Systematic Review

by Robert J. Flynn, Andy Pringle and Clare M. P. Roscoe

Children 2023, 10(7), 1247; https://doi.org/10.3390/children10071247 - 19 Jul 2023

Cited by 13 | Viewed by 6341

Abstract

Fundamental movement skills (FMS) are basic movements in children that represent the building blocks for more complex motor skill development and act as a prerequisite for enduring sport and physical activity (PA) engagement and positive health-related behaviours. The FMS proficiency is currently inadequate worldwide, and consequently there are alarming levels of inactivity and childhood obesity. However, parents are role models to their children and possess the power to influence their PA behaviour. This review investigated if parent-focused interventions could improve FMS in 2–7-year-old children and evaluated which setting and method of parent engagement was most impactful. Keyword searches were conducted via Scopus, Web of Science, SPORTDiscus, PubMed, Science Direct, and Google Scholar. Only nine articles met the inclusion criteria. No research originated from the United Kingdom, highlighting the urgent need for further FMS interventions involving parents. The FMS improved in all nine studies, with significant changes in seven of the articles (p < 0.05). Parent–child co-activity, the education and empowerment of parents, and the provision of clear FMS guidance, messaging, and structure can positively influence children’s FMS. Recently, smartphone apps have increased the feasibility and accessibility of FMS practice at home and may be integral to future interventions. Further research with direct parental involvement is clearly warranted. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Sedentary Behavior and Too Little Exercise: Linked to Childhood Health)

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