Despite their important influence on child health, it is assumed that fathers are less likely than mothers to participate in pediatric obesity treatment and prevention research.
This review ...investigated the involvement of fathers in obesity treatment and prevention programs targeting children and adolescents (0-18 years).
A systematic review of English, peer-reviewed articles across 7 databases. Retrieved records included at least 1 search term from 2 groups: "participants" (eg, child*, parent*) and "outcomes": (eg, obes*, diet*).
Randomized controlled trials (RCTs) assessing behavioral interventions to prevent or treat obesity in pediatric samples were eligible. Parents must have "actively participated" in the study.
Two authors independently extracted data using a predefined template.
The search retrieved 213 eligible RCTs. Of the RCTs that limited participation to 1 parent only (n = 80), fathers represented only 6% of parents. In RCTs in which participation was open to both parents (n = 133), 92% did not report objective data on father involvement. No study characteristics moderated the level of father involvement, with fathers underrepresented across all study types. Only 4 studies (2%) suggested that a lack of fathers was a possible limitation. Two studies (1%) reported explicit attempts to increase father involvement.
The review was limited to RCTs published in English peer-reviewed journals over a 10-year period.
Existing pediatric obesity treatment or prevention programs with parent involvement have not engaged fathers. Innovative strategies are needed to make participation more accessible and engaging for fathers.
Fathers and daughters participating in an 8-week physical activity program demonstrated post-intervention improvements in physical activity, screen time, sport skill competence and parenting ...practices, which were maintained at 9-month follow-up.
Abstract
Background
Existing strategies to increase girls’ physical activity levels have seen limited success. Fathers may influence their children’s physical activity, but often spend more time with their sons and rarely participate in family-based programs.
Purpose
To test a novel program designed to increase the physical activity levels of fathers and their daughters.
Methods
In a two-arm RCT, 115 fathers (29–53 years) and 153 daughters (4–12 years) were randomized to (i) the “Dads And Daughters Exercising and Empowered” (DADEE) program, or (ii) a wait-list control. The 8-week program included weekly educational and practical sessions plus home tasks. Assessments were at baseline, 2 months (postintervention), and 9 months. The primary outcomes were father–daughter physical activity levels (pedometry). Secondary outcomes included screen-time, daughters’ fundamental movement skill proficiency (FMS: perceived and objective), and fathers’ physical activity parenting practices.
Results
Primary outcome data were obtained from 88% of daughters and 90% of fathers at 9 months. Intention-to-treat analyses revealed favorable group-by-time effects for physical activity in daughters (p = .02, d = 0.4) and fathers (p < .001, d = 0.7) at postintervention, which were maintained at 9 months. At postintervention and follow-up, significant effects (p < .05) were also identified for daughters’ FMS competence (objective: d = 1.1–1.2; perceived: d = 0.4–0.6), a range of fathers’ physical activity parenting practices (d = 0.3–0.8), and screen-time for daughters (d = 0.5–0.8) and fathers (d = 0.4–0.6, postintervention only). Program satisfaction and attendance were very high.
Conclusions
This study provided the first experimental evidence that efforts to increase physical activity behavior in preadolescent girls would benefit from a meaningful engagement of fathers.
Clinical Trial information: Australian New Zealand Clinical Trials Registry: ACTRN12615000022561
Evidence supports a positive association between competence in fundamental movement skills (e.g., kicking, jumping) and physical activity in young people. Whilst important, fundamental movement ...skills do not reflect the broad diversity of skills utilized in physical activity pursuits across the lifespan. Debate surrounds the question of what are the most salient skills to be learned which facilitate physical activity participation across the lifespan. In this paper, it is proposed that the term 'fundamental movement skills' be replaced with 'foundational movement skills'. The term 'foundational movement skills' better reflects the broad range of movement forms that increase in complexity and specificity and can be applied in a variety of settings. Thus, 'foundational movement skills' includes both traditionally conceptualized 'fundamental' movement skills and other skills (e.g., bodyweight squat, cycling, swimming strokes) that support physical activity engagement across the lifespan. A proposed conceptual model outlines how foundational movement skill competency can provide a direct or indirect pathway, via specialized movement skills, to a lifetime of physical activity. Foundational movement skill development is hypothesized to vary according to culture and/or geographical location. Further, skill development may be hindered or enhanced by physical (i.e., fitness, weight status) and psychological (i.e., perceived competence, self-efficacy) attributes. This conceptual model may advance the application of motor development principles within the public health domain. Additionally, it promotes the continued development of human movement in the context of how it leads to skillful performance and how movement skill development supports and maintains a lifetime of physical activity engagement.
Objective: Obesity and depression are major, inter-related health concerns for men, yet many do not receive support to manage these conditions. This study investigated whether a self-guided, eHealth ...program (SHED-IT: Recharge) could reduce weight and depressive symptoms in men with overweight or obesity and low mood. Method: Overall, 125 men Body Mass Index (BMI) 25-42 kg/m2 with depressive symptoms Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9) score ≥5 were recruited for a 6-month RCT. Men were randomized to (a) the SHED-IT: Recharge group (n = 62) or (b) a wait-list control group (n = 63). The 3-month program included printed and online resources (e.g., website, interactive modules). It was adapted from an evidence-based weight loss program for men to include an additional focus on "mental fitness". The primary outcomes were weight (kg) and depressive symptoms (PHQ-9) at 3 months. Men were assessed at baseline, 3 months (post-intervention), and 6 months. Intention-to-treat linear mixed models examined program outcomes. Results: At 3 months, medium-sized treatment effects were detected for both weight, adjusted mean difference −3.1 kg, 95% CI −4.3, −1.9, d = 0.9, and depressive symptoms, adjusted mean difference −2.4 units, 95% CI −4.0, −0.9, d = 0.6. These effects were maintained at 6 months and supported by sustained improvements in other health outcomes. Conclusions: A self-guided, eHealth program that combined behavioral weight loss advice with mental health support decreased weight and depressive symptoms in men. Integrated interventions targeting physical and mental health may be an effective strategy to engage and support men with overweight or obesity and low mood.
What is the public health significance of this article?
In this randomized trial, an unguided, eHealth intervention improved the physical and mental health of men with overweight or obesity, and mild-to-severe depressive symptoms. Although the 3-month program was completely self-directed, men in the intervention group reduced their mean weight and depressive symptoms by 3.3 kg and 46% at post-intervention, respectively. These changes were significantly greater than those observed in a wait-list control group (−0.2 kg, 19% reduction in symptoms) and were maintained at 6-month follow-up. Integrated online interventions targeting men's physical and mental health could play a key role in preventing and treating depression in men.
Fathers are important in establishing healthy behaviors in their children, but are rarely engaged in lifestyle programs. Focusing on physical activity (PA) of both fathers and their children by ...engaging them together in PA (i.e. "co-PA") is therefore a promising novel strategy for interventions. The study aim was to investigate the effect of the 'Run Daddy Run' on co-PA and PA of fathers and their children, and secondary outcomes such as weight status and sedentary behaviour (SB).
This study is a non-randomized controlled trial (nRCT), including 98 fathers and one of their 6 to 8 years old children (intervention = 35, control = 63). The intervention was implemented over a 14-week period, and consisted of six (inter)active father-child sessions and an online component. Due to COVID-19, only 2/6 sessions could be implemented as planned, the remaining sessions were delivered online. In November 2019-January 2020 pre-test measurements took place, and post-test measurements in June 2020. Additional follow-up test was conducted in November 2020. PA (i.e. LPA, MPA, VPA and volume) of fathers and children were objectively measured using accelerometry, co-PA and the secondary outcomes were questioned using an online questionnaire.
Significant intervention effects were found for co-PA (+ 24 min./day in the intervention compared to the control group, p = 0.002), and MPA of the father (+ 17 min./day, p = 0.035). For children, a significant increase in LPA (+ 35 min./day, p < 0.001) was found. However, an inverse intervention effect was found for their MPA and VPA (-15 min./day, p = 0.005 and - 4 min./day, p = 0.002, respectively). Also decreases in fathers' and children's SB were found (-39 min./day, p = 0.022 and - 40 min./day, p = 0.003, respectively), but no changes in weight status, the father-child relationship, and the PA-family health climate (all p > 0.05).
The Run Daddy Run intervention was able to improve co-PA, MPA of fathers and LPA of children, and decreasing their SB. Inverse intervention effects were however found for MPA and VPA of children. These results are unique given their magnitude and clinical relevance. Targeting fathers together with their children might be a novel and potential intervention strategy to improve overall physical activity levels, however, further efforts should however be made to target children's MPA and VPA. Last, replicating these findings in a randomized controlled trial (RCT) is recommended for future research.
This study is registered as a clinical trial (clinicaltrials.gov, ID number: NCT04590755, date: 19/10/2020).
Aim
This study examined the effects of different types of classroom physical activity breaks on children’s on‐task behaviour, academic achievement and cognition.
Methods
Participants were 87 ...Australian primary school students (mean age 9.11 ± 0.62 years), recruited from one school. Three classes were randomly assigned either to activity breaks only (n = 29), activity breaks and mathematics combined (n = 29), or control conditions involving only mathematical content (n = 29). Students were engaged in five minutes of classroom physical activity breaks, three times per week, for four weeks (divided into two minutes at the beginning of the usual mathematics curriculum lesson and three minutes in the middle of the lesson). Assessments were conducted at baseline and post‐test.
Results
Significant group‐by‐time effects were found for on‐task behaviour (active engagement: activity breaks and mathematics combined versus control, p ≤ 0.001; activity breaks versus control, p ≤ 0.001; activity breaks and mathematics combined versus activity breaks, p = 0.037; passive engagement: activity breaks and mathematics combined versus control, p ≤ 0.001) and mathematics scores (activity breaks versus control, p = 0.045).
Conclusion
Physical activity breaks with and without integrated mathematics content were effective in improving children’s on‐task behaviour and learning scores.
Abstract Objective To evaluate the impact of a multi-component school-based physical activity intervention (Fit-4-Fun) on health-related fitness and objectively measured physical activity in primary ...school children. Methods Four Hunter primary schools were recruited in April, 2011 and randomized by school into treatment or control conditions. Participants included 213 children (mean age = 10.72 years ± 0.6; 52.2% female) with the treatment group (n = 118) completing the 8-week Fit-4-Fun Program. Participants were assessed at baseline and 6-month follow-up, with a 91% retention rate. Cardio-respiratory fitness (CRF) (20 m shuttle run) was the primary outcome, and secondary outcomes included body composition (BMI, BMIZ ), muscular fitness (7-stage sit-up test, push-up test, basketball throw test, Standing Jump), flexibility (sit and reach) and physical activity (7 days pedometry). Results After 6-months, significant treatment effects were found for CRF (adjusted mean difference, 1.14 levels, p < 0.001), body composition (BMI mean, − 0.96 kg/m2 , p < 0.001 and BMI z-score mean − 0.47 z-scores, p < 0.001), flexibility (sit and reach mean, 1.52 cm, p = 0.0013), muscular fitness (sit-ups) (mean 0.62 stages, p = 0.003) and physical activity (mean, 3253 steps/day, p < 0.001). There were no group by time effects for the other muscular fitness measures. Conclusions A primary school-based intervention focusing on fitness education significantly improved health-related fitness and physical activity levels in children.
Abstract Purpose The aim of this study was to explore the effect of the Active Teen Leaders Avoiding Screen-time (ATLAS) intervention on psychological well-being in adolescent boys and to examine the ...potential mediating mechanisms that might explain this effect. Methods ATLAS was evaluated using a cluster randomized controlled trial in 14 secondary schools located in low-income communities (N = 361 adolescent boys, mean age = 12.7 ± .5 years). The 20-week intervention was guided by self-determination theory and involved: professional development for teachers, provision of fitness equipment to schools, enhanced school sport sessions, researcher-led seminars, a smartphone application, and parental strategies for reducing screen time. Assessments were conducted at baseline and immediately post intervention (8 months). Psychological well-being was measured using the Flourishing Scale. Motivational regulations (intrinsic, identified, introjected, controlled, and amotivation) and basic psychological needs (autonomy, competence, and relatedness) in school sport, muscular fitness, resistance training skill competency, and recreational screen time were examined as potential mediating mechanisms of the intervention effect. Results The intervention effect on well-being was small but statistically significant. Within a multiple mediator model, changes in autonomy needs satisfaction, recreational screen time, and muscular fitness significantly mediated the effect of the intervention on psychological well-being. Conclusions In addition to the physical health benefits, targeted physical activity programs for adolescent boys may have utility for mental health promotion through the mechanisms of increasing autonomy support and muscular fitness and reducing screen time.
ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND
The aim of this study was to assess the beliefs and attitudes of preservice health and physical education (HPE) specialist and nonspecialist schoolteachers toward obese children.
...METHODS
A total of 177 nonspecialist and 62 HPE specialist trainee teachers completed a series of pen‐and‐paper validated measures of attitudes and beliefs toward obese children.
RESULTS
Both groups of preservice teachers reported strong implicit and moderate explicit anti‐fat bias. Enrollment in the HPE specialist degree was found to be a significant predictor of both implicit bad/good anti‐fat bias (β = 3.97, p = .002) and implicit bias on the stupid/smart scale (β = 2.983, p = .016) of the IAT. Beliefs that obese children were less healthy, more self‐conscious, and less satisfied with themselves were strongly endorsed by the majority of participants. HPE specialists were found to have significantly lower expectations for obese children in regard to “reasoning” (mean difference = 0.21, p = .0107) and “cooperation” skills (mean difference = 0.25, p = .0354) compared to nonspecialist trainees.
CONCLUSIONS
This study is the first to document the strong anti‐fat bias of both preservice nonspecialist and HPE specialist teachers. It is also the first to find that preservice HPE specialist teachers have stronger anti‐fat biases and differential expectations regarding particular abilities of obese children, compared to nonspecialists.
The mastery of fundamental movement skills (FMS) has been purported as contributing to children's physical, cognitive and social development and is thought to provide the foundation for an active ...lifestyle. Commonly developed in childhood and subsequently refined into context- and sport-specific skills, they include locomotor (e.g. running and hopping), manipulative or object control (e.g. catching and throwing) and stability (e.g. balancing and twisting) skills. The rationale for promoting the development of FMS in childhood relies on the existence of evidence on the current or future benefits associated with the acquisition of FMS proficiency. The objective of this systematic review was to examine the relationship between FMS competency and potential health benefits in children and adolescents. Benefits were defined in terms of psychological, physiological and behavioural outcomes that can impact public health. A systematic search of six electronic databases (EMBASE, OVID MEDLINE, PsycINFO, PubMed, Scopus and SportDiscus®) was conducted on 22 June 2009. Included studies were cross-sectional, longitudinal or experimental studies involving healthy children or adolescents (aged 3-18 years) that quantitatively analysed the relationship between FMS competency and potential benefits. The search identified 21 articles examining the relationship between FMS competency and eight potential benefits (i.e. global self-concept, perceived physical competence, cardio-respiratory fitness CRF, muscular fitness, weight status, flexibility, physical activity and reduced sedentary behaviour). We found strong evidence for a positive association between FMS competency and physical activity in children and adolescents. There was also a positive relationship between FMS competency and CRF and an inverse association between FMS competency and weight status. Due to an inadequate number of studies, the relationship between FMS competency and the remaining benefits was classified as uncertain. More longitudinal and intervention research examining the relationship between FMS competency and potential psychological, physiological and behavioural outcomes in children and adolescents is recommended.
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