The 2022 ParticipACTION Report Card on Physical Activity for Children and Youth: Focus on the COVID-19 pandemic impact and equity-deserving groups.

Introduction: The ParticipACTION Report Card on Physical Activity for Children and Youth is the most comprehensive national assessment of physical activity and related behaviors, characteristics, and opportunities for children and youth. The 2022 Report Card assigned grades based on data gathered during the COVID-19 pandemic to reflect this extraordinary time-period in Canada. Further, while not graded, efforts were made to summarize key findings for early years children and those identifying as: having a disability, Indigenous, 2SLGBTQ+, newcomers to Canada, racialized, or girls. The purpose of this paper is to summarize the 2022 ParticipACTION Report Card on Physical Activity for Children and Youth. Methods: The best available physical activity data captured during the whole COVID-19 pandemic was synthesized across 14 different indicators in four categories. The 2022 Report Card Research Committee assigned letter grades (i.e., A-F) based on expert consensus of the evidence. Synthesis: Grades were assigned for: Daily Behaviors (Overall Physical Activity: D; Active Play: D-; Active Transportation: C-; Organized Sport: C+; Physical Education: Incomplete [INC]; Sedentary Behaviors: F; Sleep: B; 24-Hour Movement Behaviors: F), Individual Characteristics (Physical Literacy: INC; Physical Fitness: INC), Spaces and Places (Household: C, School: B-, Community and Environment: B), and Strategies and Investments (Government: B-). Compared to the 2020 Report Card, the COVID-19 specific grades increased for Active Play and Active Transportation; and decreased for Overall Physical Activity, Sedentary Behaviors, Organized Sport, and Community and Environment. There were many data gaps for equity-deserving groups. Conclusion: During the COVID-19 pandemic, the grade for Overall Physical Activity decreased from a D+ (2020) to a D, coinciding with decreases in grades reflecting fewer opportunities for sport and community/facility-based activities as well as higher levels of sedentary behaviors. Fortunately, improvements in Active Transportation and Active Play during COVID-19 prevented a worse shift in children's health behaviors. Efforts are needed to improve physical activity for children and youth during and post-pandemic, with a greater emphasis on equity-deserving groups.

Scientific sinkhole: estimating the cost of peer review based on survey data with snowball sampling.

BACKGROUND: There are a variety of costs associated with publication of scientific findings. The purpose of this work was to estimate the cost of peer review in scientific publishing per reviewer, per year and for the entire scientific community. METHODS: Internet-based self-report, cross-sectional survey, live between June 28, 2021 and August 2, 2021 was used. Participants were recruited via snowball sampling. No restrictions were placed on geographic location or field of study. Respondents who were asked to act as a peer-reviewer for at least one manuscript submitted to a scientific journal in 2020 were eligible. The primary outcome measure was the cost of peer review per person, per year (calculated as wage-cost x number of initial reviews and number of re-reviews per year). The secondary outcome was the cost of peer review globally (calculated as the number of peer-reviewed papers in Scopus x median wage-cost of initial review and re-review). RESULTS: A total of 354 participants completed at least one question of the survey, and information necessary to calculate the cost of peer-review was available for 308 participants from 33 countries (44% from Canada). The cost of peer review was estimated at $US1,272 per person, per year ($US1,015 for initial review and $US256 for re-review), or US$1.1-1.7 billion for the scientific community per year. The global cost of peer-review was estimated at US$6 billion in 2020 when relying on the Dimensions database and taking into account reviewed-but-rejected manuscripts. CONCLUSIONS: Peer review represents an important financial piece of scientific publishing. Our results may not represent all countries or fields of study, but are consistent with previous estimates and provide additional context from peer reviewers themselves. Researchers and scientists have long provided peer review as a contribution to the scientific community. Recognizing the importance of peer-review, institutions should acknowledge these costs in job descriptions, performance measurement, promotion packages, and funding applications. Journals should develop methods to compensate reviewers for their time and improve transparency while maintaining the integrity of the peer-review process.

Scoping review of adult-oriented outdoor play publications in Canada. / Examen de la portée des publications sur le jeu à l'extérieur chez les adultes au Canada.

INTRODUCTION: Since 2015, there has been growing interest in Canada and beyond on the benefits of outdoor play for physical, emotional, social and environmental health, wellbeing and development, for adults as well as children and youth. METHODS: This scoping review aims to answer the question, "How, and in what context, is adult-oriented outdoor play being studied in Canada?" We conducted an electronic search for peer-reviewed articles on outdoor play published in English or French after September 2015 by authors from Canadian institutions or about Canadian adults. The 224 retrieved articles were organized according to eight priorities: health, well-being and development; outdoor play environments; safety and outdoor play; cross-sectoral connections; equity, diversity and inclusion; professional development; Indigenous Peoples and land-based outdoor play; and COVID-19. We tallied the study designs and measurement methods used. RESULTS: The most common priority was outdoor play environments; the least common were COVID-19 and Indigenous Peoples and land-based outdoor play. Cross-sectional studies were the most common; no rapid reviews were identified. Sample sizes varied from one auto-ethnographic reflection to 147 000 zoo visitor datapoints. More studies used subjective than objective measurement methods. Environmental health was the most common outcome and mental/emotional development was the least. CONCLUSION: There has been a staggering amount of articles published on adult-oriented outdoor play in Canada since 2015. Knowledge gaps remain in the relationship between outdoor play and adult mental/emotional development; the connections between environmental health and Indigenous cultures and traditions; and how to balance promoting outdoor unstructured play with protecting and preserving natural spaces.

Canadian children's independent mobility during the COVID-19 pandemic: A national survey.

Independent mobility (IM) is associated with children's physical activity and indicators of social, motor, and cognitive development. We surveyed Canadian parents of 7- to 12-year-olds (n = 2291) about social-ecological correlates of IM in the second wave of COVID-19 (December 2020). We used multi-variable linear regression models to identify correlates of children's IM. Our final model (R2 = 0.353) included four individual-, eight family-, two social environment- and two built environment-level variables. The correlates of boys' and girls' IM were similar. Our findings suggest that interventions to support children's IM in a pandemic context should target multiple levels of influence.

Scoping review of children's and youth's outdoor play publications in Canada. / Examen de la portée des publications sur le jeu à l'extérieur chez les enfants et les jeunes au Canada.

INTRODUCTION: Since 2015, interest in the benefits of outdoor play for physical, emotional, social and environmental health, well-being and development has been growing in Canada and elsewhere. METHODS: This scoping review aims to answer the question, "How, and in what context, is children's and youth's outdoor play being studied in Canada?" Included were studies of any type on outdoor play published after September 2015 in English or French by authors from Canadian institutions or assessing Canadian children and/or youth. Articles retrieved from MEDLINE, CINAHL and Scopus by March 2021 were organized according to eight priority areas: health, well-being and development; outdoor play environments; safety and outdoor play; cross-sectoral connections; equity, diversity and inclusion; professional development; Indigenous Peoples and land-based outdoor play; and COVID-19. Within each priority, study design and measurement method were tallied. RESULTS: Of the 275 articles included, the most common priority area was health, wellbeing and development (n = 239). The least common priority areas were COVID-19 (n = 9) and Indigenous Peoples and land-based outdoor play (n = 14). Cross-sectional studies were the most common; the least common were rapid reviews. Sample sizes varied from one parent's reflections to 999 951 data points from health databases. More studies used subjective than objective measurement methods. Across priorities, physical health was the most examined outcome, and mental/emotional development the least. CONCLUSION: A wealth of knowledge on outdoor play in Canada has been produced since 2015. Further research is needed on the relationship between outdoor play and mental/emotional development among children and youth.

Identifying Risk Profiles for Nonadherence to the 24-Hour Movement Guidelines for Children and Youth 6 Months Into the COVID-19 Pandemic.

PURPOSE: The purposes of the current study were to identify risk profiles for nonadherence among children and youth (5-17 y) at the 6-month mark of the COVID-19 pandemic and to discuss similarities and differences between risk profiles identified in the current study and those identified at the 1-month mark of the pandemic. METHODS: Data were part of a nationally representative sample of 1143 parents (Mage = 43.07 y, SD = 8.16) of children and youth (5-17 y) living in Canada. Survey data were collected in October 2020. RESULTS: Results showed that 3.8% met all movement behavior recommendations, 16.2% met the physical activity recommendation, 27% met the screen time recommendation, and 63.8% met the sleep recommendation. Characteristics associated with nonadherence to all movement behaviors included low parental perceived capability to restrict screen time and decreased overall time spent outdoors. Characteristics associated with nonadherence to the physical activity and screen time recommendations included youth (12-17 y), low parental perceived capability to restrict screen time, decreased time spent outdoors, and increased screen time. CONCLUSION: Results emphasized the importance of parental perceived capability to restrict screen time and children's and youth's outdoor time and showed that pandemic-related factors have impacted children and youth differently.

Surveillance to improve physical activity of children and adolescents.

The global transition to current low levels of habitual physical activity among children and adolescents began in the second half of the last century. Low physical activity harms health in both the short term (during childhood and adolescence) and long term (during adulthood). In turn, low physical activity could limit progress towards several sustainable development goals, undermine noncommunicable disease prevention, delay physical and mental health recovery from the coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic, increase health-care costs and hinder responses to climate change. However, despite the importance of physical activity, public health surveillance among children and adolescents is very limited globally and low levels of physical activity in children is not on the public health agenda in many countries, irrespective of their level of economic development. This article details proposals for improvements in global public health surveillance of physical activity from birth to adolescence based on recent systematic reviews, international collaborations and World Health Organization guidelines and strategies. Empirical examples from several countries illustrate how improved surveillance of physical activity can lead to public health initiatives. Moreover, better surveillance raises awareness of the extent of physical inactivity, thereby making an invisible problem visible, and can lead to greater capacity in physical activity policy and practice. The time has arrived for a step change towards more systematic physical activity surveillance from infancy onwards that could help inform and inspire changes in public health policy and practice globally.

Durant la seconde moitié du siècle dernier, l'activité physique des enfants et adolescents a commencé à baisser à l'échelle mondiale pour atteindre le faible niveau actuel. La sédentarité a des effets néfastes sur la santé, tant à court terme (pendant l'enfance et l'adolescence) qu'à long terme (à l'âge adulte). Elle peut également entraver la progression vers de nombreux objectifs de développement durable, compromettre les efforts de prévention des maladies non transmissibles, retarder la guérison physique et mentale liée à la pandémie de maladie à coronavirus 2019, accroître les dépenses en soins de santé et freiner les réactions au changement climatique. Pourtant, malgré l'importance que revêt l'activité physique, rares sont les dispositifs de surveillance de la santé publique mis en place pour les enfants et adolescents dans le monde. En outre, la lutte contre la sédentarité chez les plus jeunes ne figure pas parmi les priorités de santé publique dans la plupart des pays, quel que soit le niveau de développement économique de ces derniers. Le présent article détaille une série de propositions visant à améliorer la surveillance de la santé publique en matière d'activité physique de la naissance à l'adolescence, fondées sur des revues systématiques récentes, des collaborations internationales ainsi que des stratégies et lignes directrices de l'Organisation mondiale de la Santé. Des exemples empiriques provenant de plusieurs pays illustrent comment cette amélioration peut déboucher sur des initiatives de santé publique. De plus, une meilleure surveillance permet de sensibiliser à l'ampleur de cette inactivité, donnant ainsi de la visibilité à un problème jusqu'alors invisible, et peut renforcer les capacités politiques et pratiques relatives à l'activité physique. Il est temps de procéder à un changement en profondeur afin de surveiller plus systématiquement l'activité physique dès le plus jeune âge, en vue d'orienter et d'encourager l'évolution des politiques et pratiques en la matière dans le monde.

La transición mundial hacia los niveles bajos actuales de actividad física regular entre niños y adolescentes comenzó en la segunda mitad del siglo pasado. La disminución de la actividad física perjudica la salud tanto a corto plazo (durante la infancia y la adolescencia) como a largo plazo (durante la edad adulta). A su vez, la falta de actividad física podría limitar el progreso hacia varios objetivos de desarrollo sostenible, socavar la prevención de enfermedades no transmisibles, retrasar la recuperación de la salud física y mental tras la pandemia de la enfermedad por coronavirus de 2019, aumentar los costes de la atención sanitaria y dificultar las respuestas al cambio climático. No obstante, a pesar de la importancia de la actividad física, la vigilancia de la salud pública entre los niños y los adolescentes es muy limitada a nivel mundial y los niveles bajos de actividad física en los niños no se incluyen en la agenda de salud pública de muchos países, sea cual sea su nivel de desarrollo económico. En este artículo, se detallan propuestas para mejorar la vigilancia de la actividad física en la salud pública a nivel mundial, desde el nacimiento hasta la adolescencia, a partir de recientes revisiones sistemáticas, colaboraciones internacionales y directrices y estrategias de la Organización Mundial de la Salud. Ejemplos empíricos de varios países ilustran cómo una mejor vigilancia de la actividad física puede conducir a iniciativas de salud pública. Asimismo, una mejor vigilancia aumenta la concienciación sobre el alcance de la inactividad física, haciendo evidente un problema poco visible, y puede conducir a una mayor capacidad en la política y la práctica de la actividad física. Ha llegado el momento de dar un paso adelante hacia una vigilancia más sistemática de la actividad física desde la infancia que podría ayudar a informar e inspirar cambios en la política y la práctica de la salud pública en todo el mundo.

Surveillance to improve physical activity of children and adolescents Surveillance destinée à améliorer l'activité physique chez les enfants et adolescents Vigilancia para mejorar la actividad física de niños y adolescentes المراقبة لتحسين النشاط البدني للأطفال والمراهقين 改进儿童和青少年身体活动监测 Надзор с целью улучшения физической активности детей и подростков

The global transition to current low levels of habitual physical activity among children and adolescents began in the second half of the last century. Low physical activity harms health in both the short term (during childhood and adolescence) and long term (during adulthood). In turn, low physical activity could limit progress towards several sustainable development goals, undermine noncommunicable disease prevention, delay physical and mental health recovery from the coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic, increase health-care costs and hinder responses to climate change. However, despite the importance of physical activity, public health surveillance among children and adolescents is very limited globally and low levels of physical activity in children is not on the public health agenda in many countries, irrespective of their level of economic development. This article details proposals for improvements in global public health surveillance of physical activity from birth to adolescence based on recent systematic reviews, international collaborations and World Health Organization guidelines and strategies. Empirical examples from several countries illustrate how improved surveillance of physical activity can lead to public health initiatives. Moreover, better surveillance raises awareness of the extent of physical inactivity, thereby making an invisible problem visible, and can lead to greater capacity in physical activity policy and practice. The time has arrived for a step change towards more systematic physical activity surveillance from infancy onwards that could help inform and inspire changes in public health policy and practice globally.

Associations between sedentary behavior and negative emotions in adolescents during home confinement: Mediating role of social support and sleep quality

Background Prolonged periods of sedentary behaviour, for instance, engendered by home confinement in Shenzhen city, has led to negative mental health consequences, especially in adolescents. Previous research suggests, in general, that sedentary behavior can increase negative emotions. However, the specific mechanism driving the relationship between sedentary behavior and negative emotions is still relatively unclear. Social support and sleep quality might partly explain the effect of sedentary behavior on negative emotions. Thus, the current study aimed to examine the associations between sedentary behavior and negative emotions, and to investigate if social support and sleep quality mediate such a relationship. Method During home confinement due to the COVID-19 Omicron variant outbreak, 1179 middle and high school students in Shenzhen were invited to voluntarily complete an e-questionnaire, including the 21-item Depression Anxiety Stress Scale (DASS-21), the short form of the International Physical Activity Questionnaire (IPAQ-SF), the Social Support Rating Scale (SSRS) and the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI). Data from 1065 participants were included in the analysis. Results We observed significant sex-related and demografic-related differences in emotional (e.g., anxiety, stress and social support) and other outcome variables (e.g., sitting duration and PSQI score). Furthermore, sedentary behavior, social support, and sleep quality were associated with negative emotions (p < .01), even after controlling for sex, age, only-child case, body mass index, and metabolic equivalent level. In addition, social support and sleep quality partially mediated the association between sedentary behavior and negative emotions. Conclusion The findings of the current study suggest that social support and sleep quality partially mediate the relationship between sedentary behavior and negative emotions in middle and high school students during home confinement in Shenzhen city.

Meeting 24 h Movement Guidelines and Health-Related Quality of Life in Youths during the COVID-19 Lockdown

Limitations in the use of public spaces have impacted the frequency and duration of movement behaviours (physical activity, sedentary behaviour, sleep) and outdoor activities of children and adolescents. Whether pandemic-induced changes in movement behaviours are related to the health-related quality of life (HRQoL) of children and adolescents is unknown. The aim of the current study was to examine the association between meeting 24 h movement guidelines and HRQoL during the COVID-19 lockdown among children and adolescents. Data from 1099 3–17-year-old children and adolescents from Spain and Brazil were analysed. An online questionnaire was used to collect parent-reported information concerning physical activity, screen time, and sleep duration. For the assessment of HRQoL, the EQ-5D-Y proxy version was used. The highest prevalence of reported problems was related to the 'worries/sadness/unhappiness' factor, where 36.3% of participants declared to have at least 'some problems'. Participants meeting the 24 h guidelines had a higher HRQoL score compared with those who did not (91.9 ±2.5 vs. 84.3 ±0.5, respectively;p < 0.05). The current study shows that children and adolescents that met 24 h movement guidelines presented a higher HRQoL during the COVID-19 lockdown, providing support for the promotion of healthy movement behaviours-especially during a pandemic.

An Intervention to Increase Outdoor Play in Early Childhood Education Centers (PROmoting Early Childhood Outside): Protocol for a Pilot Wait-list Control Cluster Randomized Trial.

BACKGROUND: Participation in outdoor play has been extensively documented as beneficial for the health, well-being, and development of children. Canadian early childhood education centers (ECECs) are important settings in young children's lives and provide opportunities to participate in outdoor play. However, there are barriers to the provision of outdoor play opportunities at ECECs, such as adverse weather conditions, poorly designed outdoor spaces, outdoor time policies, and early childhood educator comfort levels. OBJECTIVE: The PROmoting Early Childhood Outside (PRO-ECO) study is a wait-list control cluster randomized trial that evaluates the impact of the PRO-ECO intervention, an innovative outdoor play intervention, on children's outdoor play behavior. The purpose of this paper was to provide a detailed overview of the pilot study protocol and the methods that will be used to develop, implement, and evaluate the PRO-ECO intervention. METHODS: A total of 8 ECECs delivering licensed care to children aged 2.5 to 6 years in the Greater Vancouver region of British Columbia, Canada, and operated by the YMCA of Greater Vancouver (YMCA GV) are included in this study. Using a wait-list control cluster randomized trial design, we randomly allocated ECECs to either the PRO-ECO intervention arm (n=4) or the wait-list control arm (n=4). The primary outcome measures include changes in the proportion and diversity of observed outdoor play behavior during dedicated outdoor times at the ECECs as measured through observational behavior mapping. Secondary outcome measures include changes in educator attitudes; quality of ECECs' outdoor play space; and children's psychosocial strengths, physical activity levels, and social behaviors. A process evaluation of the acceptability of the PRO-ECO intervention in the 8 YMCA GV ECECs will also be assessed. Outcome data will be collected at baseline, 6-month follow-up, and 12-month follow-up. Mixed effect models will test the effect of the PRO-ECO intervention on quantitative outcomes. Baseline and postintervention data will be included in the analysis, controlling for the cluster design. Qualitative data will support quantitative findings and provide evidence for the acceptability of implementation. RESULTS: Participant recruitment for this study began in August 2021, and baseline data collection was completed at all 8 ECECs in November 2021. As of April 2022, a total of 130 children have been recruited to participate in this study. CONCLUSIONS: The PRO-ECO pilot study will develop, implement, and evaluate the PRO-ECO intervention within 8 YMCA GV ECECs in the Vancouver region of British Columbia, Canada. The findings of this study will be useful for early childhood educators, ECEC providers, and policy makers to consider means for enhancing outdoor play provision and assessing the sustainability of the intervention in ECEC settings. TRIAL REGISTRATION: ClinicalTrials.gov NCT05075580; https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT05073380. INTERNATIONAL REGISTERED REPORT IDENTIFIER (IRRID): DERR1-10.2196/38365.

Regional differences in movement behaviours of children and youth during the second wave of the COVID-19 pandemic in Canada: follow-up from a national study.

OBJECTIVES: Public health restrictions varied by region during the COVID-19 pandemic and reduced opportunities for children to be physically active. The purpose of this study was to assess regional differences in movement behaviours of Canadian children and youth during the second wave of the COVID-19 pandemic. METHODS: A national sample of Canadian parents (n=1568; 58% women) of children and youth (5-17 years of age) completed an online survey. Participants were classified based on region of residence (British Columbia, Prairies, Ontario, Quebec, or Atlantic Canada). Differences in movement and play behaviours (physical activity, outdoor play, sleep, screen time) between children and youth living in different regions were examined. RESULTS: Compared to children and youth in Quebec (the region with the highest COVID-19 prevalence), children and youth in the Prairies (F(1,1563)=9.0, p=0.01) and Atlantic Canada (F(1,1563)=17.1, p<0.001) participated in more moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA). Compared to Quebec, living in Atlantic Canada increased the odds of meeting the MVPA guideline (odds ratio (OR)=2.1, p=0.02), living in Ontario decreased the odds of meeting the sleep guideline (OR=0.6, p=0.01), and living in Ontario (OR=0.7, p=0.04) or Atlantic Canada (OR=0.6, p=0.049) decreased the odds of meeting the screen time guideline. Children and youth in Atlantic Canada demonstrated smaller declines in outdoor play than their counterparts in Quebec. CONCLUSION: Movement and play behaviours varied between regions of Canada where the highest COVID-19 prevalence corresponded to lower odds of meeting the physical activity guidelines. Low compliance with 24-hour movement guidelines suggests that regional pandemic recovery plans need to prioritize opportunities for healthy movement.

RéSUMé: OBJECTIFS: Les restrictions sanitaires ont varié d'une région à l'autre durant la pandémie de COVID-19, et elles ont réduit les possibilités pour les enfants d'être actifs. Notre étude visait à évaluer les différences régionales dans les comportements liés au mouvement des enfants et des jeunes canadiens au cours de la deuxième vague de la pandémie. MéTHODE: Un échantillon national de parents canadiens (n = 1 568; 58 % de femmes) d'enfants et de jeunes (5­17 ans) ont répondu à un sondage en ligne. Les participants ont été classés selon leur région de résidence (Colombie-Britannique, Prairies, Ontario, Québec ou Canada atlantique). Les différences dans les comportements liés au mouvement et au jeu (activité physique, jeu à l'extérieur, sommeil, temps d'écran) entre les enfants et les jeunes de différentes régions ont été examinées. RéSULTATS: Comparativement aux enfants et aux jeunes du Québec (la région qui présentait la plus forte prévalence de COVID-19), les enfants et les jeunes des Prairies (F(1,1563) = 9,0, p = 0,01) et du Canada atlantique (F(1,1563) = 17,1, p < 0,001) ont fait plus d'activité physique modérée à vigoureuse (APMV). Comparativement au Québec, le fait de vivre au Canada atlantique a accru la probabilité de respecter les lignes directrices sur l'APMV (rapport de cotes (RC) = 2,1, p = 0,02), le fait de vivre en Ontario a réduit la probabilité de respecter les lignes directrices sur le sommeil (RC = 0,6, p = 0,01), et le fait de vivre en Ontario (RC = 0,7, p = 0,04) ou au Canada atlantique (RC = 0,6, p = 0,049) a réduit la probabilité de respecter les lignes directrices sur le temps d'écran. Les enfants et les jeunes du Canada atlantique ont présenté des baisses moins importantes du jeu à l'extérieur que les enfants et les jeunes du Québec. CONCLUSION: Les comportements liés au mouvement et au jeu ont varié d'une région à l'autre du Canada; là où la prévalence de la COVID-19 était la plus élevée, la probabilité de respecter les lignes directrices sur l'activité physique était la plus faible. La faible conformité aux lignes directrices sur le mouvement sur une période de 24 heures donne à penser que les plans de rétablissement régionaux après la pandémie devront accorder la priorité aux possibilités de mouvement sain.

Levels and Correlates of Objectively Measured Sedentary Behavior in Young Children: SUNRISE Study Results from 19 Countries.

PURPOSE: There is a paucity of global data on sedentary behavior during early childhood. The purpose of this study was to examine how device-measured sedentary behavior in young children differed across geographically, economically, and sociodemographically diverse populations, in an international sample. METHODS: This multinational, cross-sectional study included data from 1071 children 3-5 yr old from 19 countries, collected between 2018 and 2020 (pre-COVID). Sedentary behavior was measured for three consecutive days using activPAL accelerometers. Sedentary time, sedentary fragmentation, and seated transport duration were calculated. Linear mixed models were used to examine the differences in sedentary behavior variables between sex, country-level income groups, urban/rural settings, and population density. RESULTS: Children spent 56% (7.4 h) of their waking time sedentary. The longest average bout duration was 81.1 ± 45.4 min, and an average of 61.1 ± 50.1 min·d-1 was spent in seated transport. Children from upper-middle-income and high-income countries spent a greater proportion of the day sedentary, accrued more sedentary bouts, had shorter breaks between sedentary bouts, and spent significantly more time in seated transport, compared with children from low-income and lower-middle-income countries. Sex and urban/rural residential setting were not associated with any outcomes. Higher population density was associated with several higher sedentary behavior measures. CONCLUSIONS: These data advance our understanding of young children's sedentary behavior patterns globally. Country income levels and population density appear to be stronger drivers of the observed differences, than sex or rural/urban residential setting.

Cross-sectional examination of 24-hour movement behaviours among 3- and 4-year-old children in urban and rural settings in low-income, middle-income and high-income countries: the SUNRISE study protocol.

INTRODUCTION: 24-hour movement behaviours (physical activity, sedentary behaviour and sleep) during the early years are associated with health and developmental outcomes, prompting the WHO to develop Global guidelines for physical activity, sedentary behaviour and sleep for children under 5 years of age. Prevalence data on 24-hour movement behaviours is lacking, particularly in low-income and middle-income countries (LMICs). This paper describes the development of the SUNRISE International Study of Movement Behaviours in the Early Years protocol, designed to address this gap. METHODS AND ANALYSIS: SUNRISE is the first international cross-sectional study that aims to determine the proportion of 3- and 4-year-old children who meet the WHO Global guidelines. The study will assess if proportions differ by gender, urban/rural location and/or socioeconomic status. Executive function, motor skills and adiposity will be assessed and potential correlates of 24-hour movement behaviours examined. Pilot research from 24 countries (14 LMICs) informed the study design and protocol. Data are collected locally by research staff from partnering institutions who are trained throughout the research process. Piloting of all measures to determine protocol acceptability and feasibility was interrupted by COVID-19 but is nearing completion. At the time of publication 41 countries are participating in the SUNRISE study. ETHICS AND DISSEMINATION: The SUNRISE protocol has received ethics approved from the University of Wollongong, Australia, and in each country by the applicable ethics committees. Approval is also sought from any relevant government departments or organisations. The results will inform global efforts to prevent childhood obesity and ensure young children reach their health and developmental potential. Findings on the correlates of movement behaviours can guide future interventions to improve the movement behaviours in culturally specific ways. Study findings will be disseminated via publications, conference presentations and may contribute to the development of local guidelines and public health interventions.

Few Canadian children and youth were meeting the 24-hour movement behaviour guidelines 6-months into the COVID-19 pandemic: Follow-up from a national study.

Daily life has changed for families due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The aim of this repeated cross-sectional study was to describe movement behaviours in Canadian children and youth 6 months into the pandemic (T2; October 2020) compared with the start of the pandemic (T1, April 2020). An online survey was distributed to parents (N = 1568) of children and/or youth (5-17 years; 58% girls) in October 2020. The survey assessed changes in movement behaviours (physical activity and play, sedentary behaviours, and sleep) from before the pandemic to October 2020 (T2). We compared these data with spring data (T1; April 2020; Moore et al. 2020; Int. J. Behav. Nutr. Phys. Act, 17:85) collected using identical methodology (N = 1472; 54% girls). We report correlations between movement behaviours and relevant parental factors and provide word frequency distributions for open-ended responses. During the second wave, 4.5% of children (4.6% girls; 4.3% boys) and 1.9% of youth (1.3% girls, 2.4% boys) met the movement guidelines (3.1% overall). Whereas, during the first wave, 4.8% (2.8% girls, 6.5% boys) of children and 0.6% (0.8% girls, 0.5% boys) of youth were meeting combined guidelines (2.6% overall). Parental support was correlated with their child's movement behaviours (T1 and T2). Our study demonstrates the ongoing challenges for children and youth to engage in healthy movement during the pandemic. Novelty: Our large-scale national study demonstrates that children and youth were not meeting the 24-hour movement guidelines during the second wave of the pandemic. Our findings illustrate the need to protect children and youth from the collateral consequences of the pandemic.

Exploring the impact of COVID-19 on the movement behaviors of children and youth: A scoping review of evidence after the first year.

PURPOSE: The objective of this scoping review was to summarize systematically the available literature investigating the relationships between the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic and movement behaviors (physical activity, sedentary behavior, and sleep) of school-aged children (aged 5-11 years) and youth (aged 12-17 years) in the first year of the COVID-19 outbreak. METHODS: Searches for published literature were conducted across 6 databases on 2 separate search dates (November 25, 2020, and January 27, 2021). Results were screened and extracted by 2 reviewers (DCP and KR) independently, using Covidence. Basic numeric analysis and content analysis were undertaken to present thematically the findings of included studies according to the associated impact on each movement behavior. RESULTS: A total of 1486 records were extracted from database searches; of those, 150 met inclusion criteria and were included for analysis. Of 150 articles, 110 were empirical studies examining physical activity (n = 77), sedentary behavior/screen time (n = 58), and sleep (n = 55). Results consistently reported declines in physical-activity time, increases in screen time and total sedentary behavior, shifts to later bed and wake times, and increases in sleep duration. The reported impacts on movement behaviors were greater for youth than for children. CONCLUSION: The COVID-19 pandemic is related to changes in the quantity and nature of physical activity, sedentary behavior, and sleep among children and youth. There is an urgent need for policy makers, practitioners, and researchers to develop solutions for attenuating adverse changes in physical activity and screen time among children and youth.

"You Can't Go to the Park, You Can't Go Here, You Can't Go There": Exploring Parental Experiences of COVID-19 and Its Impact on Their Children's Movement Behaviours.

The COVID-19 outbreak and related public health guidelines have changed the daily lives of Canadians and restricted opportunities for healthy movement behaviours for children. The purpose of this study was to explore how parents experienced the pandemic-related restrictions and how they impacted their children's movement behaviours. Methods: Twenty-nine semi-structured one-on-one interviews were conducted (June-July 2020) with parents of children (5-11 years old) in Ontario and British Columbia. Interviews lasted between 24-104 min, were audio-recorded, transcribed verbatim, and thematically analyzed. Results: Findings emphasized various individual (e.g., motivation), interpersonal (e.g., parent work schedule), built (e.g., closure of parks) and natural environment (e.g., weather) factors related to children's movement behaviours. The findings highlighted the loss of structured activities and destinations for children's physical activity, and restricted opportunities for outdoor play exacerbated by shrinking childhood independent mobility. Conclusion: Families are adapting to many pandemic-related challenges including adhering to public health restrictions, parents juggling multiple roles, conducting work and school from home, as well as exacerbating factors like weather. It will be important to continue to encourage outdoor time, support policies and practice that facilitate independent mobility, and develop centralized resources that help families in the maintenance of healthy movement behaviours.

Regional differences in access to the outdoors and outdoor play of Canadian children and youth during the COVID-19 outbreak.

To reduce the spread of COVID-19, public health authorities across the country have recommended that Canadians keep their distance, wash their hands, and stay home. To enforce these measures, restrictions on outdoor behaviour have been implemented, limiting access to parks and recreational outdoor spaces. New evidence shows that COVID-19 restrictions are associated with an overall lower amount of time spent in outdoor play among Canadian children and youth. This is concerning, as outdoor play is important for children's physical and mental health and helps provide them with a sense of control during times of uncertainty and stress. As policies on access to the outdoors during the COVID-19 outbreak vary by province, it is possible that policy differences have led to regional differences in changes in outdoor play among children and youth. In this commentary, we examine regional differences in outdoor play among children and youth across Canada, and the association between provincial policies related to COVID-19 and outdoor play. We argue that through the recovery process, in the event of a second wave of infections, and in preparing for future public health challenges, policy decisions should consider ways to preserve outdoor play for Canadian children and youth.

RéSUMé: Pour réduire la propagation de la COVID-19, les autorités de santé publique du pays ont recommandé aux Canadiens de garder leurs distances, de se laver les mains et de rester chez eux. Pour faire respecter ces mesures, des restrictions ont été appliquées aux comportements en plein air en limitant l'accès aux parcs et aux espaces récréatifs à l'extérieur. De nouvelles données probantes montrent que les restrictions en lien avec la COVID-19 sont associées à une baisse générale du temps consacré au jeu à l'extérieur par les enfants et les jeunes du Canada. C'est préoccupant, car le jeu à l'extérieur est important pour leur santé physique et mentale et leur donne un sentiment de contrôle en période d'incertitude et de stress. Comme les politiques d'accès à l'extérieur durant l'éclosion de COVID-19 varient d'une province à l'autre, il est possible que différentes politiques aient donné lieu à des écarts régionaux dans l'évolution du jeu à l'extérieur chez les enfants et les jeunes. Dans notre commentaire, nous examinons les différences régionales du jeu à l'extérieur chez les enfants et les jeunes au Canada et l'association entre les politiques provinciales liées à la COVID-19 et le jeu à l'extérieur. Nous faisons valoir que tant durant le processus de reprise qu'en cas de seconde vague d'infections et en prévision des futurs problèmes de santé publique, les décisions stratégiques devraient songer aux moyens de préserver le jeu à l'extérieur pour les enfants et les jeunes du Canada.

Changes in Healthy Behaviors and Meeting 24-h Movement Guidelines in Spanish and Brazilian Preschoolers, Children and Adolescents during the COVID-19 Lockdown.

BACKGROUND: The aim of this study was to assess changes in physical activity, screen time and sleep duration of preschoolers, children and adolescents and the prevalence of meeting the 24-h movement guidelines during the lockdown caused by COVID-19 in a sample from Spain and Brazil. METHODS: A total of 1099 preschoolers, children and adolescents (aged 3-17 years) from Spain (12.1 ± 4.6 years) and Brazil (10.7 ± 4.3 years) were included. An online survey was created and distributed in each country using a snowball sampling strategy. This online survey was completed by parents (mother/father/responsible guardian). RESULTS: The proportion of the sample who met the PA and ST recommendations decreased during the COVID-19 lockdown in both Spanish and Brazilian samples (p < 0.001), while sleep duration increased (p < 0.001). The proportion of the sample meeting the overall 24-h movement guidelines was very low before the lockdown (Spain 3.0%; Brazil 11.7%) and even worse during the lockdown (Spain 0.3%; Brazil 7.5%). CONCLUSIONS: The prevalence of preschoolers, children and adolescents in both the Spain and Brazil samples meeting the 24-h movement guidelines during COVID-19 restrictions was as low as previous studies in other countries. Efforts to protect and support healthy behaviors of young people during a period of pandemic restrictions need to be a priority.

Healthy movement behaviours in children and youth during the COVID-19 pandemic: Exploring the role of the neighbourhood environment.

This paper explores patterns of increased/ decreased physical activity, sedentary and sleep behaviours among Canadian children and youth aged 5-17 years during the COVID-19 pandemic, and examines how these changes are associated with the built environment near residential locations. A cluster analysis identified two groups who were primarily distinguished by the changes in outdoor activities. Compliance to 24-hour movement guidelines was low among both groups. For children, houses (versus apartments) was correlated with increased outdoor activities; proximity to major roads was a barrier. For youth, low dwelling density, and access to parks in high-density neighbourhoods, increased the odds of increased outdoor activities during the pandemic. Our findings can inform future urban and health crisis planning practices by providing new insights into the desirable public health messaging and characteristics of healthy and resilient communities.