title: The relative influence of demographic, individual, social, and environmental factors on physical activity among boys and girls Effects of active video games on body composition: a randomized controlled trial. Home-based video exercise intervention for community-dwelling frail older women: a randomized controlled trial Change in the family food environment is associated with positive dietary change in children Impact of an Active Video Game on Healthy Children’s Physical Activity Long-term effects of a home-based smoking prevention program on smoking initiation: a cluster randomized controlled trial. Decrease in television viewing predicts lower body mass index at 1-year follow-up in adolescents, but not adults. Too much sitting: the population health science of sedentary behavior. Effect of Treadmill Testing and Exercise Training on Self-Efficacy in Patients with Heart Failure Effect of a home exercise video programme in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. Couch potatoes to jumping beans: A pilot study of the effect of active video games on physical activity in children Volume and intensity of physical activity in a large population-based cohort of middle-aged and older Australians: prospective relationships with weight gain, and physical function. Household obesity prevention: Take Action--a group-randomized trial. Testing the effectiveness of exercise videogame bikes among families in the home-setting: a pilot study. Predicting the effect of interactive video bikes on exercise adherence: An efficacy trial The Association of Neighborhood Design and Recreational Environments with Physical Activity Relationships Between Physical Activity and the Proximity of Exercise Facilities and Home Exercise Equipment Used by Undergraduate University Students A pilot of a video game (DDR) to promote physical activity and decrease sedentary screen time. Longitudinal examination of the family food environment and weight status among children. Assessment of study quality for systematic reviews: a comparison of the Cochrane Collaboration Risk of Bias Tool and the Effective Public Health Practice Project Quality Assessment Tool: methodological research. The effect of active video gaming on children's physical activity, behavior preferences and body composition. Effects of intermittent exercise and use of home exercise equipment on adherence, weight loss, and fitness in overweight women: a randomized trial. Parental and Environmental Factors Associated with Physical Activity Among Children Participating in an Active Video Game Effect of electronic time monitors on children's television watching: pilot trial of a home-based intervention. Using Ecological Momentary Assessment to Understand Where and With Whom Adults’ Physical and Sedentary Activity Occur
abstract: Background This study aim ed to evaluate the associations of selected demographic , individual , social , and environmental factors with moderate-to-vigorous physical activity ( MVPA ) in a sample of children and adolescents . Methods  MVPA  was assessed among youth ( n = 294 ) 10 - 17-years-old using the ActiGraph accelerometer . Youth completed measures of demographic and individual variables related to physical activity ( PA ) , perceived social support by parents and peers , and perceived neighborhood characteristics . Parents completed the long-form of the International Physical Activity Question naire . The Physical Activity and Media Inventory was used to measure the home environment and Geographical Information Systems software was used to measure the physical neighborhood environment . Bivariate correlations and hierarchical multiple regression were conducted stratified by gender . Results Boys participated in significantly more MVPA than girls . In hierarchical analyses , peer support , home PA equipment , and temperature were significantly associated with MVPA among boys whereas distance to the school they attended was associated with MVPA among girls . The final models accounted for 25 % and 15 % of the variance in MVPA among boys and girls , respectively . Conclusions Important differences exist among the individual , social , and environmental factors related to MVPA between boys and girls . Boys ' levels of activity appear to be influenced by factors closely linked to unstructured and social types of activities whereas girls ' activities relate to internal and external barriers as well as their proximity to their schools . The prospect i ve contribution of these important individual , social , and environmental factors to changes in MVPA among children and adolescents remains to be determined BACKGROUND Sedentary activities such as video gaming are independently associated with obesity .  Active video games , in which players physically interact with images on screen , may help increase physical activity and improve body composition . OBJECTIVE The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of active video games over a 6-mo period on weight , body composition , physical activity , and physical fitness . DESIGN We conducted a 2-arm , parallel , r and omized controlled trial in Auckl and , New Zeal and . A total of 322 overweight and obese children aged 10 - 14 y , who were current users of sedentary video games , were r and omly assigned at a 1:1 ratio to receive either an active video game up grade package ( intervention , n = 160 ) or to have no change ( control group , n = 162 ) . The primary outcome was the change from baseline in body mass index ( BMI ; in kg/m(2 ) ) . Secondary outcomes were changes in percentage body fat , physical activity , cardiorespiratory fitness , video game play , and food snacking . RESULTS At 24 wk , the treatment effect on BMI ( -0.24 ; 95 % CI : -0.44 , -0.05 ; P = 0.02 ) favored the intervention group . The change ( ±SE ) in BMI from baseline increased in the control group ( 0.34 ± 0.08 ) but remained the same in the intervention group ( 0.09 ± 0.08 ) . There was also evidence of a reduction in body fat in the intervention group ( -0.83 % ; 95 % CI : -1.54 % , -0.12 % ; P = 0.02 ) . The change in daily time spent playing active video games at 24 wk increased ( 10.03 min ; 95 % CI : 6.26 , 13.81 min ; P < 0.0001 ) with the intervention accompanied by a reduction in the change in daily time spent playing nonactive video games ( -9.39 min ; 95 % CI : -19.38 , 0.59 min ; P = 0.06 ) . CONCLUSION An active video game intervention has a small but definite effect on BMI and body composition in overweight and obese children . This trial was registered in the Australian New Zeal and Clinical Trials Registry at http://www.anzctr.org.au/ as ACTRN12607000632493 Background and aims : Home-based exercise is a viable solution for frail elderly individuals with difficulties in reaching exercise facilities outside home . The aim of this study was to determine the effects of a home-based video exercise program on physiological performance , functional capacity and health-related quality of life . Methods : Community-dwelling frail women ≥75 yrs , receiving public home care , were r and omized into a training group ( n=30 ) and a control group ( n=31 ) . Participants exercised for 26 minutes , three times per week for five months . Both groups received a bi-weekly telephone call . The effect of intervention was evaluated by the physical performance test , mobility-tiredness score , maximal isometric h and grip and biceps strength , lower limb explosive power , repeated chair rise ( 5 times ) , 10-m maximal walking-speed , semi-t and em balance , and health-related quality of life , as measured by EQ-5D and self-rated health . Results : Twenty-five participants ( 83 % ) in the training group and 28 ( 90 % ) in the control group completed the project  . Adherence to the training protocol was on average 89.2 % . At follow-up , between-group analysis revealed a significant difference only in EQ-5D ( valued by time-trade-off tariffs ) , result ing from a significant decrease observed in the control group and a trend towards an increase in the training group ( p=0.082 ) . Significant within-group improvements , ranging from 8–35 % , were also observed for the physical performance test , mobility-tiredness score , h and grip , biceps strength , chair rise , and 10-m maximal walking-speed in the training group , and for walking-speed and self-rated health in the control group . Conclusions : These results suggest that home-based training for frail older women using an exercise video induces lasting health-related quality -of-life ( EQ-5D ) . In addition , a tendency towards improvements in physiological performance and functional capacity was observed Background The family food environment is an important influence in the development of children ’s dietary habits . Research suggests that influences of current dietary behaviour and behaviour change may differ . The aims of this paper were to : ( 1 ) investigate the association between the food environment at baseline and change in  children ’s saturated fat intake ; and ( 2 ) to explore whether a change in the food environment was associated with a change in  children ’s saturated fat intake . MethodS econdary analysis of a 12 week cluster r and omised controlled trial in 133 4 - 13 year old children . Families were r and omly allocated to parental education regarding changing to reduced-fat dairy foods or a comparison non-dietary behaviour . The interventions were family focused . Parents received education from a dietitian in 3x30minute sessions to facilitate behaviour change . Parents completed a comprehensive question naire capturing three domains of the food environment – Parent knowledge and attitudes ; shaping practice s ; and behaviours and role modelling .  Children ’s dietary intake was assessed via multiple 24-hour recalls at baseline and week 12 . Changes in the family food environment and primary outcome ( saturated fat ) were calculated . Hierarchical linear regression models were performed to explore the association between baseline and change in food environment constructs and change in saturated fat intake . St and ardised Beta are presented ( p<0.05 ) . Results After adjustments for child and family demographics , higher levels of perceived food availability ( β=-0.2 ) at baseline was associated with greater reduction in saturated fat intake , where as higher perceived responsibility ( β=0.2 ) , restriction ( β=0.3 ) and pressure to eat ( β=0.3 ) were associated with lesser change in saturated fat . An increase in nutrition knowledge ( β=-0.2 ) , perceived responsibility ( β=-0.3 ) and restriction ( β=-0.3 ) from baseline to week 12 were associated with greater reduction in saturated fat intake . Conclusions The present study was one of the first to quantify changes in the family food environment , and identify a number of factors which were associated with a positive dietary change . Because interventions focus on behaviour change , the findings may provide specific targets for intervention strategies in the future . Trial registration Australia New Zeal and Clinical Trials Registry ACTRN12609000453280 OBJECTIVE : This naturalistic study tests whether children receiving a new ( to them ) active video game  spontaneously engage in more physical activity than those receiving an inactive video game  , and whether the effect would be greater among children in unsafe neighborhoods , who might not be allowed to play outside . METHODS : Participants were children 9 to 12 years of age , with a BMI > 50th percentile , but < 99th percentile ; none of these children a medical condition that would preclude physical activity or playing video games . A r and omized clinical trial assigned children to receiving 2 active or 2 inactive video games , the peripherals necessary to run the games , and a Wii console .  Physical activity was monitored by using accelerometers for 5 weeks over the course of a 13-week experiment . Neighborhood safety was assessed with a 12 item vali date d question naire . RESULTS : There was no evidence that children receiving the active video games were more active in general , or at anytime , than children receiving the inactive video games . The outcomes were not moderated by parent perceived neighborhood safety , child BMI z score , or other demographic characteristics . CONCLUSIONS : These results provide no reason to believe that simply acquiring an active video game under naturalistic circumstances provides a public health benefit to children OBJECTIVE The aims of the study were to evaluate the long-term effects of a home-based smoking prevention program ' Smoke-free Kids ' during preadolescence on smoking initiation during adolescence and to test the potential moderating role of parental smoking , socioeconomic status , and asthma . METHOD In 2008 , 1478 9 - 11year old children and their mothers were recruited from 418 elementary schools in the Netherl and s. An independent statistician r and omly allocated schools to one of the two conditions using a 1:1 ratio ( single blind ) : 728 children in the intervention and 750 in the control condition . The intervention condition received five activity modules , including a communication sheet for mothers , by mail at four-week intervals and one booster module one year after baseline . The control condition received a fact-based intervention only . Intention-to-treat analysis was performed on 1398 non-smoking children at baseline . RESULTS In the intervention 10.8 % of the children started smoking compared to 12 % in the control condition . This difference was non-significant ( odds ratio=0.90 , 95 % confidence interval=0.63 - 1.27 ) . No moderating effects were found . CONCLUSION No effects on smoking initiation after 36months were found . Perhaps , the program was implemented with children that were too young . Programs closer to the age of smoking onset should be tested OBJECTIVE To examine associations between television viewing , sugar-sweetened beverage consumption , eating out , physical activity , and body weight change over 1 year . DESIGN Secondary data analysis from r and omized intervention trial . SETTING Households in the community . PARTICIPANTS Adults ( n = 153 ) and adolescents ( n = 72 ) from the same households . INTERVENTION Households were r and omized to a home-based obesity prevention intervention or to a no-intervention control group for a 1-year period . MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES Self-reported television viewing ( TV ) hours , diet , and physical activity . Body mass index ( BMI ) computed from measured weight and height ( primary outcome measure ) . ANALYSIS Mixed-model regression . RESULTS Among adolescents , a significant prospect i ve association was observed between decreases in television viewing hours and lower BMI z score at 1-year follow-up ( decreased TV hours : BMI z score mean = 0.65 ; no change or increase TV hours : BMI z score = 0.92 ; P < .02 ) . No significant prospect i ve associations were observed among adults . CONCLUSIONS AND IMPLICATION S Reducing television viewing may be an effective strategy to prevent excess weight gain among adolescents Even when adults meet physical activity guidelines , sitting for prolonged periods can compromise metabolic health .  Television ( TV ) time and objective measurement studies show deleterious associations , and breaking up sedentary time is beneficial .  Sitting time , TV time , and time sitting in automobiles increase premature mortality risk . Further evidence from prospect i ve studies , intervention trials , and population -based behavioral studies is required Background : Self-efficacy is a person 's confidence in being able to successfully perform a specific activity or behavior . Self-efficacy has been shown to influence exercise capacity in patients post myocardial infa rct ion , but has not been fully explored in patients with heart failure ( HF ) . This study examined the impact of performance of a single treadmill exercise test and participation in a 3-month program of walking and resistance exercise on self-efficacy in HF patients . Methods : 24 patients were r and omized to either a home-based walking and resistance exercise program or usual care for 3 months . Prior to enrollment into the exercise program all participants performed a single treadmill exercise test with respiratory gas analysis .  Self-efficacy question naires were completed at 3 time points , 1 ) prior to performance of an exercise treadmill test ; 2 ) immediately after completing an exercise test ; and 3 ) at the end of a 3-month exercise program . Results : Self-efficacy for walking ( p = 0.07 ) , climbing ( p = 0.17 ) , lifting ( p = 0.73 ) and general activity ( p = 0.15 ) did not improve after performance of a single treadmill exercise test and usual care . However , self-efficacy for walking increased after 3 months of a walking and resistance exercise program . ( p = 0.04 ) . Conclusions : The findings from this study suggest that in patients with stable mild to moderate heart failure , self-efficacy is improved with participation in a home-based walking and endurance exercise program .  Self-efficacy is not enhanced by performance of a single treadmill exercise test and usual care OBJECTIVE This pilot study investigated whether a home exercise video programme could improve exercise tolerance and breathlessness in patients with moderate to severe chronic obstructive pulmonary disease . METHODS Twenty subjects completed the study after being r and omized to intervention or control . The intervention group ( n=10 ) , watched a 19-min video on the benefits of exercise for patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and were given a 30-min exercise video , an illustrated exercise diary and an educational booklet about chronic obstructive pulmonary disease , for use at home . They were advised to follow the exercise video programme 4 times a week for 6 weeks . The control group ( n=10 ) received the chronic obstructive pulmonary disease educational booklet only .  Exercise tolerance was measured using the Incremental Shuttle Walk Test and breathlessness by the self-reported Chronic Respiratory Question naire . RESULTS The median change in the Incremental Shuttle Walk Test and breathlessness score significantly improved in the intervention group compared with the control ( + 45 m vs -15 m , p=0.013 and + 0.5 vs -0.1 Chronic Respiratory Question naire units , p=0.042 ) . The other findings for the self-reported Chronic Respiratory Question naire showed significant improvements in the intervention group for emotion ( p<0.001 ) and fatigue ( p=0.012 ) , but not mastery ( p=0.253 ) . CONCLUSION This pilot study suggests that participation in a home exercise video programme may benefit people with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease The primary objective of this pilot study was to evaluate the effect of active video games on  children 's physical activity levels . Twenty children ( mean ± SD age = 12 ± 1.5 years ; 40 % female ) were r and omised to receive either an active video game up grade package or to a control group ( no intervention ) . Effects on physical activity over the 12-week intervention period were measured using objective  ( Actigraph accelerometer ) and subjective ( Physical Activity Question naire for Children [ PAQ-C ] ) measures . An activity log was used to estimate time spent playing active and non-active video games . Children in the intervention group spent less mean time over the total 12-week intervention period playing all video games compared to those in the control group ( 54 versus 98 minutes/day [ difference = -44 minutes/day , 95 % CI [ -92 , 2 ] ] , p = 0.06 ) . Average time spent in all physical activities measured with an accelerometer was higher in the active video game intervention group compared to the control group ( difference at 6 weeks = 194 counts/min , p = 0.04 , and at 12 weeks = 48 counts/min , p = 0.06).This preliminary study suggests that playing active video games on a regular basis may have positive effects on children 's overall physical activity levels . Further research is needed to confirm if playing these games over a longer period of time could also have positive effects on children 's body weight and body mass index . Trial Registration OBJECTIVES To examine prospect ively whether higher proportions of vigorous physical activity ( VPA ) , independent of total activity volume , are associated with better outcomes in weight maintenance and physical function . METHODS We used three-year longitudinal data ( 2006/07 - 2009/10 ) of adults 45 and older ( n=32,087 ; 59.5±9.3years ) from New South Wales , Australia . Logistic regression models examined odds of weight gain and functional decline by volume and intensity of physical activity . RESULTS On average , body weight increased by 0.66 kg ( SD=5.83 , p<0.001 ) ; a vali date d physical function score ( MOS-PF ) decreased by 4.79 ( SD=12.56 , p<0.001 ) . There was a 10 % reduction in the odds of weight gain for participants who reported 300min/week or more of moderate to vigorous physical activity ( MVPA ) compared to less than 150min of MVPA . The proportion of MVPA that was vigorous was not associated with weight change . With the physical functioning outcome , there were independent protective effects from volume and intensity of physical activity . Independent of total MVPA , each 1 % increase in the proportion of total activity that was vigorous was associated with a 0.3 % decrease in the odds of decline in physical function . CONCLUSION These prospect i ve findings indicate that VPA per se plays an important role in the prevention of functional decline The purpose of the present study was to evaluate an intervention to prevent  weight gain among households ( HHs ) in the community . Ninety HHs were r and omized to intervention or control group for 1 year . Intervention consisted of six face-to-face group sessions , placement of a television ( TV ) locking device on all home TVs , and home-based intervention activities . Measures were collected in person at baseline and 1 year . Weight , height , eating behaviors , physical activity ( PA ) , and TV viewing were measured among HH members ages ≥ 12 years . Follow-up rate at 1 year was 96 % . No significant intervention effects were observed for change in HH BMI -z score . Intervention HHs significantly reduced TV viewing , snacks/sweets intake , and dollars per person spent eating out , and increased ( adults only ) PA and self-weighing frequency compared with control HHs . A 1 year obesity prevention intervention targeting entire HHs was effective in reducing TV viewing , snack/sweets intake and eating out purchases . Innovative methods are needed to strengthen the home food environment intervention component . Longer intervention duration s also need to be evaluated BACKGROUND Interactive stationary bikes provide positive affective experiences and physiological benefits ; however , research is limited . METHODS This study compared usage of GameBikes to traditional stationary bikes among families in the home following a 6-week r and omized , controlled trial design . Parents completed question naires featuring constructs of the theory of planned behavior ( TPB ) . Usage was tracked by all family members and belief elicitation with GameBike families followed the trial . RESULTS Usage across the trial was significantly different for children in favor of the  GameBike group ( t36 = 2.61 , P = .01 , d = .85 ) . No differences were identified for parents .  Significant time effects for parents '  ( F5,48 = 5.07 , P < .01 ; η2 = .35 ) and  children 's  ( F5,32 = 8.24 , P < .01 ; η2 = .56 ) usage were found with declines across 6 weeks . Affective attitude was the only significant TPB variable between groups at both time one ( t57 = 2.53 , P = .01 ; d = .65 ) and follow-up ( t52 = 2.70 , P = .01 ; d = .74 ) in favor of the GameBike group . Elicited beliefs were primarily affective- and control-based . CONCLUSIONS The results provide support for use of interactive video games to augment current PA initiatives . Larger-scale trials with longer duration s are warranted Exercise games that employ video game technology are increasing in the marketplace but have received scant research attention despite their popularity . The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effect of videobike gaming on the constructs of the theory of planned behavior ( TPB ) and adherence in comparison to a cycling condition where participants listen to self-selected music . Participants were 29 inactive young men assigned r and omly to experimental ( n = 16 ) or comparison ( n = 13 ) conditions . The recommended training regime consisted of moderate intensity activity ( 60–75 % heart rate reserve ) , 3 days/week for 30 min/day for 6 weeks . At the end of the first session , participants were asked to complete  TPB measures and these were subsequently measured 6 weeks later . Attendance was used as the measure of adherence . Results showed that affective attitude and adherence across the 6 weeks significantly favored the videobike condition over the comparison condition . Regression analyses suggested partial mediation of the effect of the videobike condition on adherence via affective attitude . This is the first study to provide evidence that interactive videobikes may improve adherence over traditional cycling because the activity produces higher affective attitudes . The results are promising for exp and ing to community-based evaluation Purpose . To determine the association of neighborhood design factors and recreational environments with physical activity . Methods . R and omly selected adults ( n = 102 , 52 % female , 81 % white , mean age = 48 years ) completed a survey of eight neighborhood design variables , convenient recreational facilities , and availability of home equipment .  Physical activity was measured by self-report and 7 days of accelerometer monitoring . Results . Residential density and an overall environment index were significantly related to both vigorous-intensity self-reported ( r = .35 and .28 , respectively ) and objective ly measured physical activity ( r = .39 and .23 , respectively ) . Home equipment was correlated with self-reported total ( r = .34 ) and vigorous leisure-time physical activity ( r = .27 ) . The vigorous and total activity accelerometer measures were correlated with street connectivity ( r = .25 and .21 , respectively ) . Discussion . Few self-reported neighborhood design factors and recreational environment variables were correlated with physical activity , and some findings were unexpected The authors used stratified r and om sampling procedures to investigate the relationships among physical activity ( PA ) , the proximity of exercise facilities , and the quantity of home exercise equipment in a sample of 411 undergraduates . To examine the data they collected from the modified Godin Leisure-Time Exercise Question naire and the Home Environment Question naire , the authors used correlational analyses and analysis of variance . Intensity and duration of PA  showed a significant relationship to the proximity of exercise facilities . Intensity , frequency , and duration of PA  were significantly related to the quantity of students ' home exercise equipment . Freshmen and sophomores engaged in PA closer to their residences and participated in 3 more exercise bouts per week than juniors and seniors . These findings suggest that proximity of the activity episode may have an effect on  PA behavior of college students OBJECTIVE We examined the feasibility of Dance Dance Revolution ( DDR ) , a dance video game , in participants ' homes , to increase physical activity ( PA ) and to decrease sedentary screen time ( SST ) . METHODS AND PROCEDURES Sixty children ( 7.5 + /- 0.5 years ) were r and omized in a 2:1 ratio to DDR or to wait-list control ( 10-week delay ) . DDR use was logged , PA was measured objective ly by accelerometry . SST was self-reported at weeks 0 and 10 . At week 28 , after both groups had access to DDR , accelerometry and SST were repeated . RESULTS Mean use of DDR was 89 + /- 82 ( range 0 - 660 min ) min per week ( mpw ) . The DDR group showed increased vigorous PA and a reduction in light PA ; the control group showed no increase in moderate and /or vigorous PA ( MVPA ) although they also had a reduction in light PA . Differences between the groups were not observed . The DDR group also reported a decrease in SST of -1.2 + /- 3.7 h per week ( hpw ) ( P < 0.05 ) , whereas the controls reported an increase of + 3.0 + /- 7.7 hpw ( nonsignificant ) . The difference in SST between the groups was significant , with less SST in the DDR group . Between weeks 10 and 28 , numeric reductions in SST were reported in both groups . In the DDR group , SST at week 28 ( 8.8 + /- 6.0 hpw ) was lower than baseline ( 10.5 + /- 5.5 hpw ; P < 0.03 ) . DISCUSSION This pilot study suggests that DDR reduces SST and may facilitate slight increases in vigorous PA . Further study is needed to better characterize children and context s in which DDR may promote a healthy lifestyle OBJECTIVE To examine whether aspects of the family food environment were associated with  body mass index ( BMI ) z-score and weight status in children , cross-sectionally and prospect ively over 3 years . METHODS Four aspects of the family food environment ( breakfast eating patterns , food consumption while watching television , parental provision of energy-dense foods and child consumption of energy-dense food at home and away from home ) were assessed with a question naire completed by parents of 161 children aged 5 - 6 years and 132 children aged 10 - 12 years in Melbourne , Australia in 2002/03 . In 2002/03 and 2006 , children 's BMI z-score and weight status ( non-overweight or overweight ) was calculated from measured height and weight . RESULTS At baseline , 19 % of younger and 21 % of older children were overweight . Three years later , a greater proportion of younger ( now aged 8 - 9 years ) compared with older ( aged 13 - 15 years ) children were classified as overweight ( 28 % versus 18 % ) . Few of the family food environment variables were associated with children 's BMI z-score and weight status cross-sectionally and longitudinally . However , among older children , more frequent dinner consumption while watching television was associated with a higher BMI z-score longitudinally ( B=0.3 , 95 % CI=0.0 , 0.6 ) , less frequent breakfast consumption was associated with higher odds of overweight longitudinally ( OR=2.2 , 95 % CI=1.1 - 4.7 ) , and more frequent fast food consumption at home was associated with higher odds of overweight cross-sectionally ( OR=3.1 , 95 % CI=1.4 - 7.0 ) . CONCLUSIONS This study found few significant associations between aspects of the family food environment  and BMI z-score or weight status  in a sample of Australian children BACKGROUND The Cochrane Collaboration is strongly encouraging the use of a newly developed tool , the Cochrane Collaboration Risk of Bias Tool ( CCRBT ) , for all review groups . However , the psychometric properties of this tool to date have yet to be described . Thus , the objective of this study was to add information about psychometric properties of the CCRBT including inter-rater reliability and concurrent validity , in comparison with the Effective Public Health Practice Project Quality Assessment Tool ( EPHPP ) . METHODS Both tools were used to assess the method ological quality of 20 r and omized controlled trials included in our systematic review of the effectiveness of knowledge translation interventions  to improve the management of cancer pain . Each study assessment was completed independently by two review ers using each tool . We analysed the inter-rater reliability of each tool 's individual domains , as well as final grade assigned to each study . RESULTS The EPHPP had fair inter-rater agreement for individual domains and excellent agreement for the final grade . In contrast , the CCRBT had slight inter-rater agreement for individual domains and fair inter-rater agreement for final grade . Of interest , no agreement between the two tools was evident in their final grade assigned to each study . Although both tools were developed to assess ' quality of the evidence ' , they appear to measure different constructs . CONCLUSIONS Both tools performed quite differently when evaluating the risk of bias or method ological quality of studies in knowledge translation interventions for cancer pain . The newly introduced CCRBT assigned these studies a higher risk of bias . Its psychometric properties need to be more thoroughly vali date d , in a range of research fields , to underst and fully how to interpret results from its application Active video game interventions typically provide children a single game that may become unappealing . A peripheral device ( jOG ) encourages step-powered gaming on multiple games . This trial evaluated the effect of jOG on children 's objective ly measured PA , body fat and self-reported behaviors . 42 of 58 eligible children ( 8 - 10 y ) r and omly assigned to an intervention ( jOG ) or control ( CON ) completed the trial . Intervention children received two jOG devices for home use . Analyses of covariance compared the intervention effect at 6 and 12 weeks from baseline . No differences were found between groups for counts per minute ( CPM ; primary outcome ) at 6 and 12 weeks ( p > .05 ) . Active video gaming increased ( adjusted change 0.95 ( 95 % CI 0.25 , 1.65 ) h·d⁻¹ , p < .01 ) and sedentary video gaming decreased ( -0.34 ( -1.24 , 0.56 ) h·d⁻¹ , p > .05 ) at 6 weeks relative to CON . No body fat changes were observed between groups . Targeted changes in video game use did not positively affect PA . Larger trials are needed to verify the impact of active video games on children 's PA and health CONTEXT Enhancing participation in long-term exercise may translate into improved long-term weight loss  in overweight adults . OBJECTIVES To compare the effects of intermittent with traditional continuous exercise on weight loss , adherence , and fitness , and to examine the effect of combining intermittent exercise with that using home exercise equipment . DESIGN R and omized trial from September 1996 through September 1998 . SETTING AND PARTICIPANTS A total of 148 sedentary , overweight ( mean [ SD ] body mass index , 32.8 [ 4.0 ] kg/m2 ) women ( mean [ SD ] age , 36.7 [ 5.6 ] years ) in a university-based weight control program . INTERVENTIONS Eighteen-month behavioral weight control program with 3 groups : long-bout exercise ( LB ) , multiple short-bout exercise ( SB ) , or multiple short-bout exercise with home exercise equipment ( SBEQ ) using a treadmill . MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES Body weight , body composition , cardiorespiratory fitness , and exercise adherence . RESULTS Of 148 subjects , 115 ( 78 % ) completed the 18-month program . At 18 months , mean ( SD ) weight loss was significantly greater in subjects in the SBEQ group compared with subjects in the SB group ( -7.4 [ 7.8 ] kg vs -3.7 [ 6.6 ] kg ; P<.05 ) . Mean ( SD ) weight loss for subjects in the LB group ( -5.8 [ 7.1 ] kg ) was not significantly different than for subjects in the SB or SBEQ groups . Subjects in the SBEQ group maintained a higher level of exercise than subjects in both the SB and LB groups ( P<.05 ) at 13 to 18 months of treatment . All groups showed an increase in cardiorespiratory fitness from baseline to 18 months , with no difference between groups . Mean ( SD ) weight loss at 18 months was significantly greater in individuals exercising more than 200 min/wk throughout the intervention ( -13.1 [ 8.0 ] kg ) compared with individuals exercising 150 to 200 min/wk ( -8.5 [ 5.8 ] kg ) or less than 150 min/wk ( -3.5 [ 6.5 ] kg ) ( P<.05 ) . CONCLUSIONS Compared with the LB group , subjects in the SB group did not experience improved long-term weight loss , exercise participation , or cardiorespiratory fitness . Access to home exercise equipment facilitated the maintenance of SB , which may improve long-term weight loss . A dose-response relationship exists between amount of exercise and long-term  weight loss  in overweight adult women Purpose : Parental and intervention-specific environmental supports were examined as potential reinforcers for physical activity and use of a video game , Dance Dance Revolution ( DDR ) , among a cohort of 7- to 8-year-old children . Methods : Sixty children were r and omized to an  intervention ( n = 40 ) or a control ( n = 20 ) group .  Physical activity was measured with accelerometry and DDR logs . Parental support for their child ’s physical activity was assessed via a question naire . DDR-specific environmental supports were captured on an environmental home screen and the DDR log . Results : At baseline , the absence of other video games and parent DDR participation was associated with child participation in DDR . At follow-up , DDR participation of siblings and friends was associated with child participation in DDR . Conclusion : The primary findings of this study suggest that parental and peer participation in DDR may play a role in children ’s initial and sustained participation in DDR OBJECTIVES This pilot study evaluated the feasibility ( recruitment , retention , and acceptability ) and preliminary efficacy of a six-week home-based electronic time monitor intervention on New Zeal and children 's television watching in 2008 . METHODS Twenty-nine children aged 9 to 12 years who watched more than 20 h of television per week ( 62 % male , mean age 10.4 years ) were r and omised to either the intervention or the control group . The intervention group received an electronic TV time monitor for 6 weeks and advice to restrict TV watching to 1 h per day or less . The control group was given verbal advice to restrict TV watching . RESULTS Participant retention at 6 weeks was 93 % . Semi-structured interviews with intervention families confirmed moderate acceptability of TV time monitors and several perceived benefits including better awareness of household TV viewing and improved time planning . Drawbacks reported included disruption to parents ' TV watching and increased sibling conflict . Time spent watching television decreased by 4.2 h ( mean change [ SD ] : -254 [ 536 ] min ) per week in the intervention group compared with no change in the control group ( -3 [ 241 ] min ) , but the difference between groups was not statistically significant , p=0.77 . Both groups reported decreases in energy intake from snacks and total screen time and increases in physical activity measured by pedometer and between-group differences were not statistically significant . CONCLUSIONS Electronic TV time monitors are feasible to use for home-based TV watching interventions although acceptability varies between families . Preliminary findings from this pilot suggest that such devices have potential to decrease children 's TV watching but a larger trial is needed to confirm effectiveness . Future research should be family-orientated ; take account of other screen time activities ; and employ TV time monitors as just one of a range of strategies to decrease sedentary behaviour Purpose This study used Ecological Momentary Assessment ( EMA ) , a real-time self-report strategy , to describe the physical and social context s of adults ’ physical activity and sedentary activity during their everyday lives and to determine whether these patterns and relationships differ for men and women . Methods Data from 114 adults were collected through mobile phones across 4 days . Eight electronic EMA surveys were r and omly prompted each day asking about current activities ( e.g. , physical or sedentary activity ) , physical and social context s , and perceived outdoor environmental features ( e.g. , greenness/vegetation , safety , and traffic ) . All participants also wore accelerometers during this period to objective ly measure moderate-to-vigorous physical activity ( MVPA ) and sedentary activity . Results Home was the most common physical context for EMA-reported physical and sedentary activity . Most of these activities occurred when participants were alone . When alone , the most commonly EMA-reported physical activity and sedentary activity was walking and reading/using computer , respectively . When in outdoor home locations ( e.g. , yard and driveway ) women demonstrated higher levels of MVPA , whereas men demonstrated higher levels of MVPA when in outdoor park setting s ( ps < .05 ) . Men but not women demonstrated higher levels of MVPA in setting s with a greater degree of perceived greenness and vegetation ( p < .05 ) . Conclusions The current study shows how EMA via mobile phones and accelerometers can be combined to offer an innovative approach to assess the context s of adults ’ daily physical and sedentary activity . Future studies could consider utilizing this method in more representative sample s to gather context -specific information to inform the development of physical activity interventions
target: Interventions that reduced sedentary time by using TV limiting devices were shown to be effective for children but the results were limited for adults .
  Overall , large exercise equipment ( ie .
  treadmills ) , and prominent exergaming material s ( exergaming bike , dance mats ) were found to be more effective than smaller devices .
  Observational studies revealed that location and quantity of televisions correlated with SD behavior with the latter having a greater effect on girls .
  This was similarly found for the quantity of PA equipment which also correlated with behavior in females .
background: Review s of neighborhood ( macro ) environment characteristics such as the presence of sidewalks and esthetics have shown significant correlations with  resident physical activity ( PA ) and sedentary ( SD ) behavior .
  Currently , no comprehensive review has appraised and collected available evidence on the home ( micro ) physical environment .
  The purpose of this review was to examine how the home physical environment relates to adult and child PA and SD behaviors .