A secondary analysis of the childhood obesity prevention Cochrane Review through a wider determinants of health lens
Background: Randomised controlled trials (RCTs) are often regarded as the gold standard of evidence, and subsequently go on to inform policymaking. Cochrane Reviews synthesise this type of evidence to create…
Association of BMI category with change in children’s physical activity between ages 6 and 11 years
Background/objectives: To examine the association of body mass index (BMI) with change in children’s physical activity and sedentary time between ages 6 and 11. Participants: A total of 2132 children…
International comparison of the levels and potential correlates of objectively measured sedentary time and physical activity among three-to-four-year-old children
Physical activity (PA) patterns track from childhood through to adulthood. The study aimed to determine the levels and correlates of sedentary time (ST), total PA (TPA), and moderate-to-vigorous PA (MVPA)…
Getting girls active
Most girls are less active than boys from childhood to adolescence. Creative and concerted efforts are needed to directly address this gender gap. This research shows that peers, parents, active…
Friends and physical activity during the transition from primary to secondary school
Purpose: The study's purpose was to examine whether friendship factors predict discretionary physical activity after the transition to secondary school. Methods: Data represent a secondary analysis of the Personal and…
School-based friendship networks and children's physical activity
Despite the known health benefits, the majority of children do not meet physical activity guidelines, with past interventions to increase physical activity yielding little success. Social and friendship networks have…
"Get off the sofa and go and play"
Background: Physical activity declines as children approach puberty. Research has focussed on psychosocial, environmental, and demographic determinants. This paper explores how family and socioeconomic factors are related to children's physical…
Sedentary behaviour and obesity
This report was commissioned by the Department of Health's Cross Government Obesity Unit to provide expert input into the process of developing recommendations on limiting time spent being sedentary. This…
Physical activity and sedentary behaviour typologies of 10-11 year olds
Background: Targeted interventions may be more effective at increasing children's physical activity. The aim of this study was to identify clusters of children based on physical activity and sedentary patterns…
Development of scales to assess children's perceptions of friend and parental influences on physical activity
Many children do not meet physical activity guidelines. Parents and friends are likely to influence children's physical activity but there is a shortage of measures that are able to capture…