Browsing by Subject "physical activity"
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- ItemOpen AccessActive Play: perceived and actual motor performance among Ghanaian children(2021) Doe-Asinyo, Rosemary Xorlanyo; Gretschel, PamelaBackground: There is limited data on active play both in terms of perceived competence and actual motor performance in children living in low- and middle-income countries. Promotion of active play in children is crucial for enhancing participation in physical activity and reducing the burden of obesity. Regular engagement in active play is important for promoting optimal development and increasing physical activity levels in children. Despite the increased interest in active play and physical fitness worldwide, many children in low-resource settings are thought to be physically inactive due to the lack of physical activity-promoting resources and programmes. The 2018 Ghana Report Card on physical activity reports that a high proportion of Ghanaian children do not achieve recommended physical activity levels and a high percentage of these children have poor motor skills. To date, no published study has examined active play among school-aged children in Ghana. Investigating the nature of active play by assessing perceived and actual motor performance among Ghanaian children can serve to increase our understanding of activity deficits, movement difficulties and associated factors in this population. Aim: The aim of this study was to investigate the nature of active play in children aged 6-12 years in Ghana. Specific Objectives: 1. To determine children and caregivers' perceptions of children's motor performance in active play using the Motor Coordination Questionnaire (MCQ). 2. To determine children and caregivers' perceptions of the importance of active play. 3. To identify additional forms of active play and games (which are not listed on the MCQ) that children and caregivers perceive to be important and meaningful. 4. To determine the relationship between MCQ ratings by caregivers and children. 5. To determine the relationship between children's MCQ and actual motor performance. 6. To determine the relationship between caregivers' MCQ and actual motor performance. Methodology: A cross-sectional descriptive and analytical design was used. Three primary schools were purposively selected for this study. The study recruited 406 children and their caregivers for this study. Ethical approval was sought from the Ethics Review Committee of the Ghana Health Service (GHS-ERC 052/05/19) and the University of Cape Town Faculty of Health Sciences Human Research Ethics Committee (HREC REF: 112/2020). Data was collected from both caregivers and children (aged 6-12 years) using questionnaires and the Performance and Fitness (PERF-FIT) test battery. The MCQ-caregivers and MCQ-children were used to assess perceived motor performance, and the PERF-FIT test was used to measure children's actual motor performance. In using the Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) version 24.0 (SPSS Inc, IBM Company, Armonk, NY), Pearson or Spearman's correlation coefficient was calculated to determine the relationship between children and caregivers' perceptions as well as the relationship between the perceptions and the actual motor performance of the children. Results: Both children (75.6%-94.2%) and their caregivers (69.3%-95.4%) perceived good motor performance of the children during active play. Children (82.8%-96%) and their caregivers (83.2%-94.4%) also regarded active play as very important. Twenty-four additional games were found to be of importance to Ghanaian children and their caregivers. Weak negative, weak positive and sometimes moderate positive correlation between MCQ items and the PERF-FIT items were found. Conclusions: This study shows that we can't rely solely on perceptions, but need actual motor performance, to accurately measure motor performance during active play. We found that parents and children do not accurately estimate the actual level of motor performance. Further studies should be done to understand confounding variables that may have caused poor relationship between perceived and actual motor performance. There is a need for a valid tool like the PERF-FIT to help in accurate measurement of motor performance.
- ItemOpen AccessAn investigation into the risk factors of musculoskeletal diseases and the association between chronic diseases of lifestyle in an under-resourced area of the Cape Town Metropole(2019) Britz, Carmen; Hendricks, Candice; Jelsma, JenniferBackground: A recent shift in the global burden of disease from communicable to noncommunicable has shown that a third of the global burden of disease is attributable to noncommunicable disease, with the heaviest burden affecting poor communities in urban areas. Musculoskeletal disease (MSD) is the most common cause of severe chronic or persistent pain, functional limitations, and physical disability, affecting 20-50% of adults. Globally, disability due to musculoskeletal disease is estimated to have increased by 45% from 1990 to 2010 accounting for 6.8% of total years lived with disability. Research has highlighted a possible co-existence of musculoskeletal disease and chronic noncommunicable diseases of lifestyle, however, there is inadequate South African evidence regarding these inter-relationships and possible risk factors. This highlights a gap in research as management may not be appropriately targeted toward risk factors and thus may not reduce the high prevalence rates of musculoskeletal disease. Aim: The main aims of this study were firstly to determine the prevalence and patterns of acute and chronic musculoskeletal disease. The secondary aim was to explore the relationship between these factors by examining the patterns of onset of musculoskeletal disease, chronic diseases of lifestyle, and risk factors across gender and six age categories (from 18 years to 70 years and older) in patients seeking medical services at a community health centre in Cape Town, South Africa. It was hypothesised that if some conditions were found to have an earlier onset, these conditions might lay the foundation for the development of other chronic diseases of lifestyle and musculoskeletal disease. Methodology: A descriptive, cross-sectional, analytical study design was used at primary health care level at a community health centre in Cape Town, South Africa. All males and females aged 18 years and older, except those who were pregnant or unable to answer the English, Afrikaans, or isiXhosa versions of the selected questionnaires, were eligible to participate. The outcome measures were the Community Orientated Program for Control of Rheumatic Diseases (COPCORD) screening tool for musculoskeletal disease, the Brief Pain Inventory (BPI), the European Quality of Life-5 Dimensions (EQ-5D) health-related quality of life measure, the International Physical Activity Questionnaire (IPAQ), and anthropometric measures of weight, height, and waist and hip circumference. Data were collected via interview and anthropometric measurement. Responses were captured by online questionnaires on mobile devices using the mobile data collection application Magpi by DataDyne Group, LLC. Data were exported to Microsoft Office Excel spreadsheets for descriptive and inferential statistical analysis. Ethical permission was obtained from the University of Cape Town. Results: This study recruited 1115 participants, with a mean age of 48.7 ± 16.8 years. A prevalence rate of 33.6% (95% Confidence Intervals; CI: 30.1-36.5%) for acute MSD and 43.3% (CI: 40.4-46.3%) for chronic MSD was found. The number of participants reporting an overall prevalence of any MSD was 505 (45.7%; CI: 42.8-48.7%). The highest prevalence of MSD was found in females aged 40-59 years. The most common anatomical sites of chronic MSD were the knees (35.6%; CI: 31.5-39.9%), low back/pelvis (33.8%; CI: 29.8- 38.0%), shoulders (26.8%; CI: 23.1-30.9%), and hands/fingers (21.9%; CI: 18.5-25.7%). Of those with MSD, exercise was reported as the best management strategy for musculoskeletal pain (35.6% of 191 respondents; CI: 29.1-42.6%). Hypertension was found to be the most prevalent chronic disease of lifestyle (47.8%; CI: 44.8-50.7%), followed by type 2 diabetes mellitus (21.4%; CI: 19.1-23.9%), and hypercholesterolaemia (20.2%; CI: 17.9-22.6%). All chronic diseases, except chronic obstructive airway disease (COAD), increased with age, while COAD and both acute and chronic MSD peaked around the 50-59 age category and then decreased with age. Most females reported to be highly physically active (46.0%) while males reported mostly low physical activity levels (47.8%). Around the 50-59 year old age group the proportion of participants with a ‘high’ physical activity level decreased while that of participants with a ‘low’ physical activity level increased at the same age group. A higher proportion of those without MSD reported ‘high’ levels of physical activity (41% compared to 32%). In the 30-39 and 40-49 age groups, low levels of physical activity were associated with chronic MSD (70.6% compared to 37.5% of those. with high levels; Chi-Square=13.833; df=2; p=0.001). Body mass index (BMI) category was found to be associated with MSD (p< 0.001) with 73% of those with MSD being overweight or obese and 27% being extremely obese. There were significant differences in BMI between those with and without hypertension (p< 0.001), hypercholesterolaemia (p <0.001), and type 2 diabetes mellitus (p< 0.001). A trend of increasing obesity, high waisthip ratio and low levels of physical activity with age was observed. In smokers, being 30 years of age or older was associated with an increased risk of MSD (42% compared to 21.1%). Gender emerged as a risk factor in the 40-49 and 50-59 age categories with 76.2% of females in these categories reporting chronic MSD compared to 45.1% of the males. However, no risk factor seemed to track the plot of MSD. Age emerged as having the highest association with chronic MSD (Chi-Square=136.6; p< 0.001). Conclusions: Bivariate associations of musculoskeletal disease and chronic diseases of lifestyle were detected because they all become more prevalent with age. The comorbidity of musculoskeletal disease and chronic disease of lifestyle appeared to almost entirely be due to the aging process, rather than the mutual influence that musculoskeletal disease and chronic diseases of lifestyle may have. Low levels of physical activity were only associated with musculoskeletal disease among those in the 30-49 age categories. As previous evidence has shown that increased levels of physical activity can reduce pain in chronic or persistent musculoskeletal disease, a window of opportunity is suggested where increasing physical activity levels in the 30-49 age group may result in a decrease in the prevalence of musculoskeletal disease in the older age group. The only factor that emerged as being predictive in the group with the highest prevalence of musculoskeletal disease, the 40-59 age categories, was gender. Although gender is clearly not modifiable, this finding should inform the development of culturally appropriate intervention strategies. Implications: Although it was not possible to detect any evidence supporting causation, the co-existence of chronic musculoskeletal disease, chronic diseases of lifestyle, and risk factors highlights the need for holistic care to address the multiple problems experienced by adults, specifically as age progresses. The impact of chronic musculoskeletal disease is large, both in terms of prevalence and impact on health-related quality of life. The management of chronic musculoskeletal disease should thus focus on the most effective and affordable intervention strategies and healthcare systems and coherent policies for dealing with this condition should be developed. This management should not only be based on a pharmacological model but on biopsychosocial integration emphasising self management.
- ItemOpen AccessEvaluation of a school-based nutrition and physical activity programme for Grade 4 learners in the Western Cape province(South African Academy of Family Practice, 2013) Jacobs, K L; Mash, B; Draper, C E; Forbes, J; Lambert, E VObjective: This study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of the Making the Difference programme (MTDP), an education-and activity-based intervention for Grade 4 learners at primary schools in the Western Cape. Design: This was a cross-sectional, post-intervention survey of an existing programme, using control schools as a comparator. Setting and subjects: The study involved Western Cape primary schools in the 2009 school year. Schools were randomly sampled from two regions. Four intervention (active in the MTDP) and five control (non-participating) schools (n = 325 learners) were selected. Outcome measures: The following outcome measures were assessed using an administered questionnaire to learners: learners' knowledge of, attitudes towards, and behaviour in relation to nutrition and physical activity. Results: A small but significant improvement (eating vegetables and taking lunch boxes to school) was demonstrated with regard to self-reported behaviour in relation to nutrition in the intervention group. However, this behaviour was not explained by differences in barriers to healthy eating, self-efficacy or knowledge, which were not different between the groups, or by perceived social support, which was actually significantly increased in the control group. Groups displayed no differences in physical activity or sedentary behaviour. However, the results showed a significant difference between the groups in terms of a reduction in perceived barriers to physical activity and increased physical activity self-efficacy in the active group. Conclusion: While the MTDP only had a modest effect on the self-reported nutrition and physical activity behaviour of the learners, results regarding lower perceived barriers to physical activity and increased physical activity self-efficacy were promising.
- ItemOpen AccessThe association between nutrition and physical activity knowledge and weight status of primary school educators(2014) Dalais, Lucinda; Abrahams, Zulfa; Steyn, Nelia P; de Villiers, Anniza; Fourie, Jean M; Hill, Jillian; Lambert, Estelle V; Draper, Catherine EThe purpose of this study was to investigate primary school educators' health status, knowledge, perceptions and behaviour regarding nutrition and physical activity.Thus, nutrition and physical activity knowledge, attitudes, behaviour and risk factors for the development of non-communicable diseases of 155 educators were assessed in a cross-sectional survey. Height, weight, waist circumference, blood pressure and random glucose levels were measured. Twenty percent of the sample had normal weight (body mass index (BMI, kg/m2) < 25), 27.7% were overweight (BMI> 25 to < 30) and 52.3% were obese (BMI < 30). Most of the participants were younger than 45 years (54.2%), females 78.1%, resided in urban areas (50.3%), with high blood pressure (> 140/90 mmHg: 50.3%), and were inactive (48.7%) with a high waist circumference (> 82 cm: 57.4%). Educators' nutrition and physical activity knowledge was poor. Sixty-nine percent of educators incorrectly believed that eating starchy foods causes weight gain and only 15% knew that one should eat five or more fruit and/or vegetables per day. Aspects of poor nutritional knowledge, misconceptions regarding actual body weight status, and challenges in changing health behaviours, emerged as issues which need to be addressed among educators. Educators' high risk for developing chronic non-communicable diseases (NCDs) may impact on educator absenteeism and subsequently on school functioning. The aspects of poor nutrition and physical activity knowledge along with educators' high risk for NCD development may be particularly significant not merely in relation to their personal health but also the learners they teach.
- ItemOpen AccessThree Growth Spurts in Global Physical Activity Policies between 2000 and 2019: A Policy Document Analysis(Multidisciplinary Digital Publishing Institute, 2022-03-23) Muzenda, Trish; Shung-King, Maylene; Lambert, Estelle Victoria; Brugulat Panés, Anna; Weimann, Amy; McCreedy, Nicole; Tatah, Lambed; Mapa-Tassou, Clarisse; Govia, Ishtar; Were, Vincent; Oni, ToluNon-communicable diseases (NCDs) contribute significantly to global mortality and are of particular concern in growing urban populations of low- and-middle income countries (LMICs). Physical inactivity is a key NCD determinant and requires urgent addressing. Laudable global and regional efforts to promote physical activity are being made, but the links between physical activity (PA), NCD reduction, and integrated intersectoral approaches to reducing obesogenic environments are not consistently made. This study applied a document analysis approach to global PA and NCD policies to better understand the current global policy environment and how this may facilitate integrated PA promotion. A total of 34 global policies related to PA, from different sectors, were analyzed. PA policy in mitigation of NCDs has evolved exponentially, with a progression towards addressing structural determinants alongside individual behavior change. The global PA agenda is primarily driven by the World Health Organization. Intersectoral collaboration is importantly regarded, but the contributions of other sectors, outside of health, education, transport, and urban planning, are less clear. Improving PA among key sub-populations—women, girls, and adolescents—requires greater policy consideration. It is imperative for PA-relevant sectors at all levels to recognize the links with NCDs and work towards integrated policy and practice in mitigation of the rising NCD pandemic.