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Physical Activity Habits and Well-Being among 6-Year-Old Children: The "Improving Umbrian Kids' Healthy Lifestyle", an Uncontrolled Pilot Study Project.

ABSTRACT: There is evidence that promoting physical activity programs and decreasing sedentary behavior is a potential strategy for improving health-outcomes, peer relationships and social/emotional well-being in at-risk youth. The World Health Organization recommends enhancing physical education and school-based programs with multi-component and evidence-based assessment methodology. In Umbria (Italy) an uncontrolled pilot study project referred to as "Improving Umbrian kids' healthy lifestyle" was implemented as a systemic school-based intervention directed at 6-year-old primary school children. The intervention applied a consolidated assessment methodology developed by the C.U.R.I.A.Mo. and Eurobis projects that inserted two hours per week of physical education activity into the school curriculum, structured and supervised by specialists with Exercise and Sport Science degrees, for eight months (from October to June) of the school year. We measured anthropometric values (BMI, waist circumference, waist-to-height ratio index) with objective tools. Moreover, we evaluated physical performance variables (speed, strength, and flexibility) using standard tests. Additionally, self-report measures (measured physical activity during the week, sedentary habits, and psychological well-being) were assessed using validated questionnaires. We observed a significant decrease in waist to height ratio, and improvements in physical performance values and self-report questionnaire measures. Our study suggests that the promotion of physical activity in the school setting is likely to result in physically, mentally, and psycho-socially healthier primary-school-age children.

SUBMITTER: Pippi R

PROVIDER: S-EPMC7503798 | biostudies-literature | 2020 Aug

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature

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Publications

Physical Activity Habits and Well-Being among 6-Year-Old Children: The "Improving Umbrian Kids' Healthy Lifestyle", an Uncontrolled Pilot Study Project.

Pippi Roberto R Buratta Livia L Germani Alessandro A Fanelli Carmine Giuseppe CG Mazzeschi Claudia C

International journal of environmental research and public health 20200820 17

There is evidence that promoting physical activity programs and decreasing sedentary behavior is a potential strategy for improving health-outcomes, peer relationships and social/emotional well-being in at-risk youth. The World Health Organization recommends enhancing physical education and school-based programs with multi-component and evidence-based assessment methodology. In Umbria (Italy) an uncontrolled pilot study project referred to as "Improving Umbrian kids' healthy lifestyle" was imple ...[more]

PMID: 32825418

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Project description:Identification of social risk factors and the promotion of stress coping mechanisms and mental resilience are topics of interest in the field of mental health. The relationships between risk- or tolerability-associated factors and task-related hemodynamic responses in the prefrontal cortex (PFC) in adolescents may have important implications for mental health challenges. The purpose of this study was to investigate the relationship between task-related PFC hemodynamic activities and subjective well-being or lifestyle habits using wearable near-infrared spectroscopy (NIRS). In this study, after sample refinement to reduce heterogeneity, 20 university students were included in verbal working memory (VWM) task analyses and 21 were included in spatial working memory (SWM) task analyses. The task-related hemodynamic responses were detected using wearable NIRS. To assess the risk- or tolerability-associated factors, the levels of positive and negative affect were assessed using the Subjective Well-Being Inventory (SUBI) and lifestyle habits (such as gaming) were evaluated using a nine-item questionnaire. There was a positive correlation between SUBI positive affect and VWM task-related oxy-hemoglobin signal changes in the right dorsolateral PFC (DLPFC), underlining the significance of subjective well-being as an important independent emotional domain and suggesting the possibility of the differential objective evaluations of subjective well-being in the right PFC. Negative correlations between PFC activities during both VWM and SWM tasks at the left DLPFC and the number of game playing days in 1 week were also statistically significant, suggesting the presence of modality-non-specific hemodynamic regulation by habitual game playing. Each correlation was still robust after the elimination of major confounding impacts. Although further replication studies are warranted to confirm these preliminary results, this investigation of the relationship between task-related PFC hemodynamic activities and emotional domains or lifestyle habits might have clinical significance with regard to primary prevention of mental health issues in university students. To our knowledge, this is the first demonstration of these relationships with the use of wearable NIRS, which enables measurement under near natural conditions and is easy to use in schools or workplaces.

Project description:BackgroundInformal caregivers represent an important and vulnerable part of the society. They can experience negative psychological symptoms, such as depression and anxiety. Internet-based cognitive behavioural therapy (ICBT) is a promising psychological support option that could be effective in reducing informal caregiver burden as well as improving psychological well-being. Qualitative studies are valuable for gaining insights into participant experiences of using ICBT.ObjectiveThe main aim of this study was to explore informal caregiver experiences and hence acceptability and feasibility of the transdiagnostic ICBT program aimed at reducing informal caregiver burden and increasing the quality of life.MethodsFollowing a strategic sampling procedure, 23 informal caregivers were recruited from previous randomized controlled trial for informal caregivers in Lithuania. Participants were interviewed over phone, using semi-structured interview questions. Interviews were analysed using a thematic analysis approach.ResultsFour themes and a total of 10 sub-themes were generated: I A program as a means of change (Convenience and applicability of the format and materials; Ability to focus on own needs; Opportunity for communication), II Suggestions for the program (Including live support; Tailoring materials and format; Providing with more time and resources), III Driving personal and situational forces (Developing acceptance and adjustment over time; Being proactive and/or receiving support) and Hindering situational factors (Deterioration and unpredictability of the care-receivers health; Lacking external support and opportunities for respite).ConclusionsMost of the informal caregivers were found to be satisfied with the program's format and materials as well as the communication with the therapist via a message function in the program. Some suggestions were made regarding implementation of the live support option. Also, suggestions regarding possibility for tailoring the program's content. Lastly, several personal and situational factors were identified as important in affecting informal caregiver well-being. We conclude that ICBT has potential in reducing informal caregiver burden and improving psychological health. Further research trials are warranted for evaluating both, the effectiveness and the feasibility of the program.

Project description:BackgroundApproximately one-third of the healthy population suffer from sleep problems, but only a small proportion of those affected receive professional help. Therefore, there is an urgent need for easily accessible, affordable, and efficacious sleep interventions.ObjectiveA randomized controlled study was conducted to investigate the efficacy of a low-threshold sleep intervention consisting of either (i) sleep data feedback plus sleep education or (ii) sleep data feedback alone in comparison with (iii) no intervention.Material and methodsA total of 100 employees of the University of Salzburg (age: 39.51 ± 11.43 years, range: 22-62 years) were randomly assigned to one of the three groups. During the 2-week study period, objective sleep parameters were assessed via actigraphy. In addition, an online questionnaire and a daily digital diary were used to record subjective sleep parameters, work-related factors, as well as mood and well-being. After 1 week, a personal appointment was conducted with participants of both experimental group 1 (EG1) and experimental group 2 (EG2). While the EG2 only received feedback about their sleep data from week 1, the EG1 additionally received a 45-min sleep education intervention containing sleep hygiene rules and recommendations regarding stimulus control. A waiting-list control group (CG) did not receive any feedback until the end of the study.ResultsResults indicate positive effects on sleep and well-being following sleep monitoring over the course of 2 weeks and minimal intervention with a single in-person appointment including sleep data feedback. Improvements are seen in sleep quality, mood, vitality, and actigraphy-measured sleep efficiency (SE; EG1), as well as in well-being and sleep onset latency (SOL) in EG2. The inactive CG did not improve in any parameter.ConclusionResults suggest small and beneficial effects on sleep and well-being in people being continuously monitored and receiving (actigraphy-based) sleep feedback when paired with a single-time personal intervention.

Dataset Information

Physical Activity Habits and Well-Being among 6-Year-Old Children: The "Improving Umbrian Kids' Healthy Lifestyle", an Uncontrolled Pilot Study Project.

Publications

Physical Activity Habits and Well-Being among 6-Year-Old Children: The "Improving Umbrian Kids' Healthy Lifestyle", an Uncontrolled Pilot Study Project.

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