Associations Between Movement Behaviors and Emotional Changes in Toddlers and Preschoolers During Early Stages of the COVID-19 Pandemic in Chile.

Background: There is limited evidence about emotional and behavioral responses in toddlers and preschoolers during the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, particularly in Latin America. Objective: To assess associations between changes in movement behaviors (physical activity, screen time and sleeping) and emotional changes in toddlers and preschoolers during early stages of the pandemic in Chile. Methods: A cross-sectional study conducted from March 30th to April 27th, 2020. Main caregivers of 1- to 5-year-old children living in Chile answered an online survey that included questions about sociodemographic characteristics, changes in the child's emotions and behaviors, movement behaviors and caregivers' stress during the pandemic. Multiple linear regressions were used to assess the association between different factors and emotional changes in toddlers and preschoolers. Results: In total, 1727 caregivers provided complete data on emotional changes for children aged 2.9 ± 1.36 years old, 47.9% girls. A large proportion of toddlers and preschoolers in Chile experienced emotional and behavioral changes. Most caregivers reported that children "were more affectionate" (78.9%), "more restless" (65.1%), and 'more frustrated' (54.1%) compared with pre-pandemic times. Apart from changes in movement behaviors, factors such as child age, caregivers' age and stress, and residential area (urban/rural) were consistently associated with changes in emotions and behaviors. Conclusion: The pandemic substantially affected the emotions and behaviors of toddlers and preschoolers in Chile. The findings suggest that supportive actions for caregivers may have a positive impact not only on adults but also on children. Mental health promotion programs should consider multilevel approaches in which the promotion of movement behaviors and support for caregivers should be essential pieces for future responses.

Cultural adaptation, translation and validation of the Spanish version of Past-day Adults' Sedentary Time.

BACKGROUND: To better understand sedentary behaviour and favour international comparisons, more evidence from different countries are needed. However, there are a few tools available in Spanish to measure sedentary behaviour. This study aimed to culturally adapt, translate and validate the Past-day Adults' Sedentary Time (PAST) questionnaire in Chilean adults compared with the ActivPAL. METHOD: One hundred one workers wore an ActivPAL for 1 week and were asked to respond to the Spanish version of the PAST twice on different visits at a 7-day interval. The PAST assesses sedentary behaviour in several domains, including working time, during the previous day. Reliability was assessed with the intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC). Correlations and Bland-Altman methods were used to determine accuracy properties of the PAST compared with the ActivPAL. RESULTS: Seventy-seven participants provided valid data (51.0% male; age = 39.0 ± 12.39 years). The PAST showed moderate reliability (ICC = 0.63). For the total time in sedentary behavior per day, the PAST showed no correlation (r = 0.21, p = 0.07) and a mean bias of 54.9 min/day (LoA 95%: - 484.3, 594.2 min/day) with the ActivPAL. For the total time in SB at work, the PAST showed moderate reliability (ICC = 0.40), weak correlation (r = 0.37, p < 0.002), and mean bias was 33.8 min/day (LoA 95%: - 285.7, 353.3 min/day). CONCLUSIONS: The PAST performed better when estimating sedentary behaviour during working hours compared with the whole day. In this setting, accuracy properties were comparable with other self-report tools.

2018 Chilean Physical Activity Report Card for Children and Adolescents: Full Report and International Comparisons.

BACKGROUND: The study summarizes the findings of the 2018 Chilean Report Card (RC) on Physical Activity (PA) for Children and Adolescents and compares the results with the first Chilean RC and with other countries from the Global Matrix 3.0. METHODS: A Research Work Group using a standardized methodology from the Global Matrix 3.0 awarded grades for 13 PA-related indicators based on the percentage of compliance for defined benchmarks. Different public data sets, government reports, and papers informed the indicators. RESULTS: The grades assigned were for (1) "behaviors that contribute to overall PA levels": overall PA, D-; organized sport participation, D-; active play, INC; and active transportation, F; (2) "factors associated with cardiometabolic risk": sedentary behavior, C-; overweight and obesity, F; fitness, D; sleep, INC; and (3) "factors that influence PA": family and peers, F; school, D; inclusion, INC; community and built environment, B; government strategies and investments, B-. CONCLUSIONS: Chile's grades remained low compared with the first RC. On the positive side, Chile is advancing in environmental and policy aspects. Our findings indicate that the implementation of new strategies should be developed through collaboration between different sectors to maximize effective investments for increasing PA and decreasing sedentary time among children and adolescents in Chile.

Sociodemographic Predictors of Changes in Physical Activity, Screen Time, and Sleep among Toddlers and Preschoolers in Chile during the COVID-19 Pandemic.

The aim was to examine the sociodemographic predictors associated with changes in movement behaviors (physical activity, screen time, and sleep) among toddlers and preschoolers during the early stages of the coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic in Chile. Caregivers of 1- to 5-year-old children completed an online survey between 30 March and 27 April 2020. Information about the child's movement behaviors before (retrospectively) and during the pandemic, as well as family characteristics were reported. In total, 3157 participants provided complete data (mean children age: 3.1 ± 1.38 years). During early stages of the pandemic, time spent in physical activity decreased, recreational screen time and sleep duration increased, and sleep quality declined. Toddlers and preschoolers with space to play at home and living in rural areas experienced an attenuated impact of the pandemic restrictions on their physical activity levels, screen time, and sleep quality. Older children, those whose caregivers were aged ≥35-<45 years and had a higher educational level, and those living in apartments had greater changes, mainly a decrease in total physical activity and increase in screen time. This study has shown the significant impact of the pandemic restrictions on movement behaviors in toddlers and preschoolers in Chile.

The descriptive epidemiology of sitting in Chilean adults: Results from the National Health Survey 2009-2010.

BACKGROUND: Although evidence on the health effects of sedentary behavior (SB) has grown systematically in recent years, few developing countries have reported population levels of SB, especially in South America. Our objective was to describe time spent sitting in a representative sample from Chile categorized by age, gender, educational level, and body mass index (BMI). METHODS: A national health survey was conducted in Chile in a nationally representative sample (n = 5411) in 2009-2010. Sitting time (ST) was measured with the Global Physical Activity Questionnaire Version 2. RESULTS: Data were from 5031 participants (43.26 ± 0.41 years, mean ± SE; 40.3% male). Overall, there were no gender differences in mean ST (men: 158.10 ± 5.80 min/day, women 143.45 ± 4.77 min/day; p = 0.05). ST was lower in those who lived in rural areas compared with urban areas (99.4 min/day vs. 160.0 min/day; p = 0.001). ST increased significantly with increasing BMI, but only in men (p = 0.009), and was positively related to years of education in both men and women (p < 0.0001). CONCLUSION: The findings were different from those reported in other countries and contexts, reinforcing the need for international surveillance and monitoring over time to inform policy makers. Differences in ST across different groups emphasize the need to develop tailored messages and interventions for reducing ST in different population subgroups.

How many days are enough for measuring weekly activity behaviours with the ActivPAL in adults?

OBJECTIVES: The purpose of this study was to determine the number of monitoring days needed to reliably measure weekly activity behaviours with the ActivPAL (AP) monitor in adults. DESIGN: Cross-sectional study. METHODS: Participants (90 adults (51.1% men); age=39.1±12.43 years) wore an AP for 7 consecutive days. Mean time spent sitting/lying, standing and stepping per day, and mean number of transitions from sitting to standing per day were calculated for each participant using 7 days of monitoring (reference). Estimates for these activities were also derived from a combination of randomly selected days (from 1 to 6 days), and randomly selected weekdays and weekend days, and compared with the reference using ANOVA, correlation coefficients and Bland-Altman methods Spearman-Brown Prophecy Formula, based on Intraclass correlation of 0.8, was used to predict the minimum number of days needed to represent activity behaviours as measured with the AP. RESULTS: At least five days of monitoring were necessary to achieve a reliability of 0.8 for all postures and transitions. Correlation coefficients between estimates derived from any combination of 5 days and the reference were high (rho=0.96-0.98). When using a combination of weekdays and weekend days, mean biases were comparable with those shown by any combination of days, but 95% limits of agreement were narrower. CONCLUSIONS: When using the AP for a week, data from a combination of any 5 days provided reliable estimates of all activities and transitions per day, but more precise estimates were achieved if at least 1 weekend day was included.

A regional vision of physical activity, sedentary behaviour and physical education in adolescents from Latin America and the Caribbean: results from 26 countries.

BACKGROUND: Latin America and the Caribbean (LAC) countries, have been historically under-represented due to the lack of surveillance of physical behaviours in young populations. Therefore, the aim of this study was to describe and compare overall physical activity (PA), active transportation to and from school (i.e. walking or cycling), physical education (PE) participation, and sedentary behaviour (SB) in adolescents from 26 countries in LAC. METHODS: Data were collected in the Global School-based Student Health Survey (2007-13). Prevalences for each physical behaviour were compared by sex across the region. RESULTS: In total, 64 034 adolescents provided complete data (age range: 11 to 18 years; 47.7% male). Only about 15% of adolescents in LAC countries were physically active (at least 60 min/day of moderate-to-vigorous PA) with most countries showing sex disparities. Overall, 41.9% reported being active for transportation to and from school at least 3 days per week. In 12 countries, at least 50% of the adolescents reported sitting ≥3 h per day outside school, and a third of adolescents reported participation in PE classes on 3 days or more per week. CONCLUSIONS: The study sets a challenge for the LAC region, as physical inactivity and SB are highly prevalent across all countries. Gender inequity was shown in most countries, with boys reporting more active behaviours. Regional and national actions for implementing policies to revert this situation are urgent.

OBJECTIVELY MEASURED PHYSICAL ACTIVITY AND SEDENTARY BEHAVIOUR PATTERNS IN CHILEAN PRE-SCHOOL CHILDREN.

INTRODUCTION: the negative effects of physical inactivity and sedentary behaviour (SB) on children's health have been widely supported by evidence. However, evidence on how these behaviours are manifested in pre-school children is limited. The study aim was to evaluate objectively measured physical activity (PA) and SB patterns in Chilean pre-school children. METHODS: twenty-five children (4.8 } 0.50 years, 48% male) completed ambulatory monitoring with an ActivPALTM micro accelerometer and inclinometer. Time spent while walking, standing and sitting/lying, as well as daily steps were measured and compared by day of the week (weekday/weekend) and time of day. RESULTS: mean walking time was 147.2 } 52.23 minutes/ day. Mean time spent in SB was 468.3 } 92.22 min/day, with statistical differences between week and weekend days (484.8 minutes/day vs. 426.8 minutes/day, p = 0.03). 50% of total steps were accrued in accumulations of less than 100 steps/minute, while 50% of time spent in SB was accumulated in bouts of 35 seconds or less. DISCUSSION: pre-school children have intermittent PA and SB patterns. On weekdays children spent sitting longer than at weekends, therefore an opportunity exists for changing this behaviour during class time. This report on PA and SB patterns presents valuable information for designing and implementing strategies to enhance PA levels and decrease time spent in SB among pre-school children.

Introducción: los perjuicios de la inactividad física y de la conducta sedentaria (CS) en la salud de los niños han sido ampliamente respaldados por la evidencia. Sin embargo, existe limitada evidencia de cómo estos comportamientos se manifiestan en los preescolares. Por este motivo, este estudio tuvo como propósito evaluar los patrones de actividad física (AF) y CS de forma objetiva en preescolares chilenos. Método: 25 niños (4,8 } 0,50 años, 48% hombres) completaron la monitorización ambulatoria con el acelerómetro e inclinómetro ActivPALTM micro. Se midieron tiempos caminando, de pie y sentado/acostado, además de pasos acumulados por día, para ser comparados según día de la semana y período del día. Resultados: el tiempo promedio caminando fue de 147,2 } 52,23 minutos/día. El tiempo en CS fue de 468,3 } 92,22 minutos/día, con diferencias estadísticas entre días entre semana y fin de semana (484,8 vs. 426,8 min/día, p = 0,03). El 50% de los pasos fueron sumados en acumulaciones menores a 100 pasos/minuto, mientras un 50% del tiempo en CS fue acumulado en intervalos de duración de 35 segundos o menos. Discusión: los preescolares presentan patrones intermitentes de AF y CS. En los días entre semana se sientan más que durante el fin de semana, por lo cual se presenta una posibilidad de modificar este comportamiento durante el período de clases. Este reporte de patrones de AF y CS en preescolares presenta información valiosa para el diseño e implementación de estrategias para mejorar los niveles de AF y disminuir el tiempo en CS en preescolares.

Objectively measured physical activity and sedentary behaviour patterns in Chilean pre-school children / Patrones de actividad física y conducta sedentaria medidos objetivamente en preescolares chilenos

Introduction: the negative effects of physical inactivity and sedentary behaviour (SB) on children’s health have been widely supported by evidence. However, evidence on how these behaviours are manifested in pre-school children is limited. The study aim was to evaluate objectively measured physical activity (PA) and SB patterns in Chilean pre-school children. Methods: twenty-five children (4.8±0.50 years, 48% male) completed ambulatory monitoring with an ActivPALTM micro accelerometer and inclinometer. Time spent while walking, standing and sitting/lying, as well as daily steps were measured and compared by day of the week (weekday/weekend) and time of day. Results: mean walking time was 147.2±52.23 minutes/ day. Mean time spent in SB was 468.3±92.22 min/day, with statistical differences between week and weekend days (484.8 minutes/day vs. 426.8 minutes/day, p=0.03). 50% of total steps were accrued in accumulations of less than 100 steps/minute, while 50% of time spent in SB was accumulated in bouts of 35 seconds or less. Discussion: pre-school children have intermittent PA and SB patterns. On weekdays children spent sitting longer than at weekends, therefore an opportunity exists for changing this behaviour during class time. This report on PA and SB patterns presents valuable information for designing and implementing strategies to enhance PA levels and decrease time spent in SB among pre-school children (AU)

Introducción: los perjuicios de la inactividad física y de la conducta sedentaria (CS) en la salud de los niños han sido ampliamente respaldados por la evidencia. Sin embargo, existe limitada evidencia de cómo estos comportamientos se manifiestan en los preescolares. Por este motivo, este estudio tuvo como propósito evaluar los patrones de actividad física (AF) y CS de forma objetiva en preescolares chilenos. Método: 25 niños (4,8±0,50 años, 48% hombres) completaron la monitorización ambulatoria con el aceleró- metro e inclinómetro ActivPALTM micro. Se midieron tiempos caminando, de pie y sentado/acostado, además de pasos acumulados por día, para ser comparados según día de la semana y período del día. Resultados: el tiempo promedio caminando fue de 147,2±52,23 minutos/día. El tiempo en CS fue de 468,3±92,22 minutos/día, con diferencias estadísticas entre días entre semana y fin de semana (484,8 vs. 426,8 min/día, p=0,03). El 50% de los pasos fueron sumados en acumulaciones menores a 100 pasos/minuto, mientras un 50% del tiempo en CS fue acumulado en intervalos de duración de 35 segundos o menos. Discusión: los preescolares presentan patrones intermitentes de AF y CS. En los días entre semana se sientan más que durante el fin de semana, por lo cual se presenta una posibilidad de modificar este comportamiento durante el período de clases. Este reporte de patrones de AF y CS en preescolares presenta información valiosa para el diseño e implementación de estrategias para mejorar los niveles de AF y disminuir el tiempo en CS en preescolares (AU)