Results from the healthy active kids South Africa 2018 report card

Background. Healthy Active Kids South Africa (HAKSA) Report Cards were produced in 2007, 2010, 2014 and 2016. Objective. The 2018 Report Card aims to report on the latest available evidence relating to the physical activity (PA), nutrition and body composition of South African (SA) children and adolescents. Methods. A review was conducted using the following databases: PubMed; Africa Journals Online; and Africa-Wide (EBSCOhost). Articles published from January 2016 to September 2018 were included for review by the HAKSA scientific advisory group. Data were extracted, and a grade for each indicator was assigned based on the available evidence and the consensus of the scientific advisory group. This included 12 PA indicators, 6 nutrition indicators and 3 body composition indicators. Results. There was no evidence of a significant change in any of the indicators since the 2016 Report Card. Grades for certain indicators have been downgraded (from 2016) to bring these to the attention of relevant stakeholders and industry. These include food insecurity and grades that relate to the implementation of policy on PA and nutrition in the school environment, and on advertising and media relating to nutrition. Conclusion. Key priorities for action include: safe opportunities for physical activity; minimising the gap between policy and implementation (school culture and environment, and government strategies); and the double burden of over- and undernutrition, which relates to the continuing concern about food insecurity in SA. There is a need for further research, including surveillance, on all indicators, for future Report Cards

Accuracy of Reporting Food Energy Intake: Influence of Ethnicity and Body Weight Status in South African Women

The current study sought to identify characteristics that may be associated with the misreporting of food energy intake (EI) in urban South African women. A total of 198 women (61 black; 76 of mixed ancestry; 61 white) completed a quantified food frequency questionnaire; from which daily energy and macronutrient intake were calculated. Body composition (body mass index [BMI]; percentage of body fat); body image (Feel-Ideal Difference index and Body Shape questions) and socio-economic status (SES) (household density and asset index) were also measured. Food EI in relation to estimated basal metabolic rate ratio that was less than 1.05 represented under-reporting; whereas a ratio greater than 2.28 represented over-reporting. Results suggested that 26of the participants under-reported; 64adequately reported and 10over-reported. Participants who under-reported had a higher BMI (p 0.01) and higher percentage of body fat (p 0.05) than those who adequately and over-reported. The majority of under-reporters were black (38) versus 21under-reporters of mixed ancestry and 20white under-reporters (p 0.01). Eighty-three per cent of black under-reporters were obese. On the other hand; a majority (63) of overweight women of mixed ancestry and a majority (50) of white normal-weight women under-reported their food EI. Under-reporters reported a lower intake of dietary fat (p 0.01) and a higher intake of dietary protein (p 0.01) than adequate or over-reporters. Food EI reporting was not influenced by SES or body image. In conclusion; results suggest that food EI reporting is influenced by body size; and may be ethnic-specific in South African women

Sources of Variance and Reliability of Objectively Monitored Physical Activity in Rural and Urban Northern Sotho-Speaking Blacks

OBJECTIVE. We investigated the sources of variance and reliability in an objective measure of physical activity for a 14-hour and 4-day monitoring period. Design. A convenience sample of rural (N=31) and urban (N=30) adult; Northern Sotho-speaking blacks was recruited. Physical activity was assessed for 8 consecutive days usinga uni-axial accelerometer. Physical activity indices were total counts; average counts; inactivity (500 counts) moderate-1 activity (500 - 1 951 counts); moderate-2+vigorous activity (.1 952 counts); and were expressed per hour or per day as required. RESULT. Accelerometry data from 41 subjects (23 males; 18 females) complied with selection requirements and were analysed for variance distribution and reliability (intraclass correlation coefficients (ICCs)). For the 14-hour monitoring period variance was distributed as follows: intra-individual (71- 82); inter-individual (3 - 18) and hour-of-day (2 - 14). Attenuated ICCs ranged from 0.31 to 0.75 (median: 0.70). Variance for the 4-day monitoring period differed from the 14-hour monitoring period: inter-individual (47 - 58); intraindividual (43 - 51) and day-of-week (0 - 6.5). Attenuated ICCs ranged from 0.27 to 0.84 (median: 0.79). Irrespective of the monitoring period; total counts; average counts and moderate-2+vigorous activity tended to be the most reliable measures requiring the fewest number of monitoring periods. CONCLUSIONS. These findings provide an insight for understanding how variance is distributed in objectively measuredactivity patterns of a South African sample and show that reliable measures of adult physical activity behaviours require 18 - 128 hours and 3 - 44 days; depending on the monitoring period; physical activity index; residence status and sex

Validity and Reliability of a Physical Activity/Inactivity Questionnaire in South African Primary Schoolgirls

Objective. We sought to determine the validity and reliability of a self-report physical activity questionnaire (PAQ) measuring physical activity/inactivity in South Africanschoolgirls of different ethnic origins. Methods. Construct validity of the PAQ was tested against physical activity energy expenditure estimated from an ACTIVITYGRAM and inactivity from reported television programme viewing in 332 girls (ages 9 - 12 yrs; grades 4 - 5). Body composition (WHO BMI percentiles and percentage body fat) was used as an indirect measure of validity for the PAQ. Test-retest reliability of the PAQ was assessed in a convenience sample of 14 girls. Results. Weak but significant associations were found between the body composition and PAQ-derived total energy expenditure (r=-0.18; p0.05 for percentage body fat; rschool sports showed good test-retest reliability (r=0.80; p0.05). Conclusions. Our results showed that the PAQ may provide some reasonable insights into levels of physical inactivity and activity in South African primary schoolgirls. However; additional studies are required using objective measures of physical activity; such as pedometry or accelerometry; to better understand the utility of the PAQ for children