Sedentary Behaviour

Background: High screen time in children and its detrimental health effects is a major public health problem. How much screen time adults think is appropriate for children remains little explored, as well as whether adults' screen time behaviour would determine their views on screen time restrictions for children. This study aimed to investigate how adults' screen time behaviour influences their views on screen time restrictions for children, including differences by gender and parental status.

Background Prolonged sitting time is a risk factor for chronic disease, yet recent global surveillance is not well described. The aims were to clarify: (i) the countries that have collected country-level data on self-reported sitting time; (ii) the single-item tools used to collect these data; and (iii) the duration of sitting time reported across low- to high-income countries. Methods Country-level data collected within the last 10 years using single-item self-report were included. The six-stage methodology: (1) reviewing Global Observatory for Physical Activity! Country Cards; (2–4) country-specific searches of PubMed, the Demographic and Health Survey website and Google; (5) analysing the Eurobarometer 88.4; and (6) country-specific searches for World Health Organization STEPwise reports. Results A total of 7641 records were identified and screened for eligibility. Sixty-two countries (29%) reported sitting time representing 47% of the global adult population. The majority of dat...

Geography, history, and the material culture provide the three bases for definition and determination of a cultural landscape. The region of Maymand in northwestern of Kerman province as the interacting-ground of the three aforementioned factors is considered as a cultural landscape. The geographic diversity, historical events and 2500-years-old cultural vestiges have prepared the necessities for the formation of a dynamic cultural landscape. The archaeological survey findings show the process of change and evolution in lifestyles of the people who have been living in the Maymand region from ancient times to modern era. This process has been affected by geographic conditions on the one hand and has influenced the region’s history on the other hand. In addition to the complicated and multilinear historical processes having determined the characteristics of the Maymand’s landscape, the village of Maymand has played the focal role in the changing and evolution of the region. Identifying the factors which were acting in the evolution of the cultural landscape of Maymand, would help us to find the true way to indicate and solve the current problems.

Physical activity and sedentary behavior play essential roles in the overall health and wellness of individuals. Screen-based technology has the capacity to effect people’s daily activities may they be in active or sedentary pursuits. This study examined the correlation between physical activity levels, sedentary behavior, and screen-based technology use among female freshmen and sophomore college students in a university in Metro Manila.
A total of n = 313 data from those who participated through an online survey which included a 7-question International Physical Activity Questionnaire, 18-item Sedentary Behavior Questionnaire, and a researcher-constructed screen-based technology use recall survey. Respondents were young females aged 16 to 25 years old. Seven were part of university varsity teams and two were part of their college volleyball teams. Access to screen-based technology were limited to cellular phone, tablet, television, and computer or laptop with pre-determined purposes which included academics, leisure and entertainment, communication, and social networking.
Findings of this research show an average of moderate to high levels of physical activity among 84.9% of the participants. 70.2% of the subjects have normal BMI based on the self-reported height and weight. An average of 76.35 hours a week were spent sedentarily and 64 hours a week were allotted in using screen-based technologies.
A significant but very weak correlation was found between physical activity level and sedentary behavior as supported by literature that these two can co-exist. No relationship was established between amounts of physical activity and screen-based technology use as some devices are portable. A significant moderate positive correlation was found between sedentary behavior and screen-based technology use which can be deduced from the demands of a typical college student. High amounts of time spent doing paperwork or computer work and hours spent on the computer or laptop was seen based from the responses of the participants.
Further studies can be conducted to discern how screen-based technology, specifically the portable ones, can increase physical activity levels of college students and reduce sedentary habits as the latter two contributes greatly to the overall fitness and health of individuals.

Recent statistics and available data show that Saudi Arabia is one of the countries with the lowest levels of physical activity and the highest levels of sedentary behavior, as well as a lack of sufficient
sleep. The absence of national guidelines on physical activity, sedentary behavior, and sleep duration that incorporate cultural differences have prompted the development of the Saudi 24-Hour-Movement guidelines. Promoting physical activity has been on the agenda of the Saudi
government and other national organizations over the past two decades and is a priority of the Saudi Vision 2030 goals.

A recent meta-analysis surmised pedometers were a useful panacea to independently reduce sedentary time (ST). To further test and expand on this deduction, we analyzed the ability of a consumer-wearable activity tracker to reduce ST and prolonged sedentary bouts (PSB). We originally conducted a 12-month randomized control trial where 800 employees from 13 organizations were assigned to control, activity tracker, or one of two activity tracker plus incentive groups designed to increase step count. The primary outcome was accelerometer measured moderate-to-vigorous physical activity. We conducted a secondary analysis on accelerometer measured daily ST and PSB bouts. A general linear mixed model was used to examine changes in ST and prolonged sedentary bouts, followed by between-group pairwise comparisons. Regression analyses were conducted to examine the association of changes in step counts with ST and PSB. The changes in ST and PSB were not statistically significant and not differen...

The Saudi Center for Disease Prevention and Control recently prepared a Consensus Statement regarding how much time a person should spend engaged in physical activity, sedentary behavior, and sleep to promote optimal health across all age groups. This paper describes the background literature, methodology, and modified RAND Appropriateness Method and GRADE-ADOLOPMENT approach that guided the development process. A Leadership Group and Consensus Panels were formed, and credible existing guidelines were identified. The Panel identified clear criteria to choose the best practice guidelines for the set objectives after evaluation based on GRADE table evidence, findings table summaries, and draft recommendations. Updating of the selected practice guidelines was performed, and the Consensus Panels separately reviewed the evidence for each behavior and decided to adopt or adapt the selected practice guideline recommendations or create de novo recommendations. Data related to cultural factors that may affect the studied behaviors, such as prayer times, midday napping or “Qailulah”, and the holy month of Ramadan, were also reviewed. Two rounds of voting were conducted to reach a consensus for each behavior.

Background: Electronic health (eHealth) and mobile health (mHealth) approaches to address low physical activity levels, sedentary behavior, and unhealthy diets have received significant research attention. However, attempts to systematically map the entirety of the research field are lacking. This gap can be filled with a bibliometric study, where publication-specific data such as citations, journals, authors, and keywords are used to provide a systematic overview of a specific field. Such analyses will help researchers better position their work.

The accuracy of sleep/wake estimates derived with actigraphy is often dependent on researchers being able to discern non-wear times from sleep or quiescent wakefulness when confronted by discrepancies in a sleep log. Without knowing when an accelerometer is being worn, non-wear could be inferred from periods of inactivity unlikely to occur while in bed. Data collected in our laboratory suggest that more than 50% of inactive periods during time in bed are <8 min in duration. This duration may be an appropriate minimum threshold for routine non-wear classification during self-reported wake. Higher thresholds could be chosen to derive non-wear definitions for self-reported bedtimes depending on the desired level of certainty. To determine non-wear at thresholds of 75%, 95% and 99%, for example, would require periods of inactivity lasting ≥18 min, ≥53 min and ≥85 min, respectively.

Objective: Regular physical activity can reduce the incidence and prevalence of many chronic diseases. A vast majority of Americans cite their physician as their primary source of information regarding healthy lifestyle decisions. This study was designed to obtain information about the personal exercise behavior and counseling practices of primary care physicians, to evaluate the relationship between their personal and professional exercise practices, and to determine whether physician specialty is associated with these practices. Design: A cross-sectional survey was mailed to a randomly selected sample of primary care physicians in the United States. A questionnaire was used to obtain detailed information on the personal exercise habits, counseling practices, and barriers to counseling of these physicians, regarding both aerobic exercise and strength training. Participants: 298 primary care physicians, comprising 84 family practitioners, 79 pediatricians, 58 geriatricians, and 77 internists. Main Outcome Measures: Frequency of physician exercise, exercise counseling, and relationship between these practices. Results: Physicians who perform aerobic exercise regularly are more likely to counsel their patients on the benefits of these exercises, as are physicians who perform strength training. Pe-diatricians and geriatricians counsel fewer patients about aero-bic exercise than family practitioners and internists. Counseling regarding strength training is less common in all physician groups surveyed, and lowest among pediatricians, of whom 50% did not advise these exercises for any of their patients. Inadequate time was noted by 61% and inadequate knowledge and/or experience by 16% of respondents as the major barriers to counseling regarding aerobic exercise. Conclusion: Physicians who exercise are more likely to counsel their patients to exercise. Inadequate time and knowl-edge/experience regarding exercise are the most common barriers to counseling identified. These findings suggest strategies that might increase physician exercise counseling behavior.

A reduction in sedentary behaviour (e.g. the length of time spent sitting) may prevent or reverse childhood obesity. The effectiveness of a 'dynamic classroom' environment in increasing standing and reducing sitting time in children was determined. A controlled trial with 26 (n 5 18 intervention) New Zealand children (aged 9.8 + + + + + 0.4 years; mean + + + + + SD) was conducted. The intervention class received height-appropriate workstations for 22 weeks while the control class retained traditional desks and chairs. Children's sitting and standing were measured at three time points (baseline, week 5, week 9). Pain, inattention and hyperactivity were also assessed. At week 22, qualitative data were collected via a focus group and an interview and analyzed using the thematic framework. Mean differences were interpreted using standardized magnitude thresholds. On weekdays (during waking hours) there was on average a large increase in overall standing, 55 minutes per day over nine weeks of intervention compared with the control classroom. Children's overall sitting time reduced, but the changes were small. There were no substantial differences between the control and intervention classrooms in pain and inattention-hyperactivity mean scores. Children enjoyed working at the height-appropriate standing workstations. Teachers were supportive of the dynamic classroom environment. Height-appropriate standing workstations can be successfully integrated into classrooms to increase overall standing and decrease sitting time.

For various reasons related to human diet, social prestige or cosmology, hunting-especially of large preys-has always been central in foragers' societies. When pre-Neolithic foragers have given up their nomadic way of life they have faced a sink-source problem about game procurement in the resource-catchment area around their settlements. Baiting, by mean of the cultivation of wild plants in food plots, may have help them to attract herbivores, thus improving the return of hunting activities. These foragers were also motivated by the capture of wild animals alive, in order to keep fresh meat for a while, to translocate these animals or for milk exploitation. For this capture, the use of a passive form of drive hunting seems best suited. The cultivation of food plots within the funnel and the corral might have been used to attract wild herbivores into the drive. Baiting was therefore designed either to increase the hunt or to improve the capture of large wild herbivores such as the Near-Eastern wild caprines that were later domesticated. Therefore baiting should be viewed as a hunting strategy as well as an unconscious selection mechanism since it has inadvertently contributed to the prey pathway to animal domestication.

Background: Sit-stand desks reduce workplace sitting time among healthy office workers; however, their metabolic and behav-ioral impact in higher risk populations remains unknown. Methods: 25 office workers with abdominal obesity were randomized to an intervention (sit-stand workstation) or control group (seated desk) for 12 weeks. Physical activity, sedentary behavior, and cardiometabolic risk factors were assessed before and after the intervention period in both groups. Results: In comparison with the control group, which did not change, the intervention group experienced significant reductions in workday (344 ± 107 to 186 ± 101 min/day) and total (645 ± 140 to 528 ± 91 min/day) sitting time, as well as increases in workday standing time (154 ± 108 to 301 ± 101 min/day, P < .05). There were no changes in sitting or standing time outside of work hours, steps taken each day, or any marker of cardiometabolic risk in either group (all P > .05). Conclusion: Sit-stand desks were effective in reducing workplace sedentary behavior in an at-risk population, with no change in sedentary behavior or physical activity outside of work hours. However, these changes were not sufficient to improve markers of cardiometabolic risk in this population.

Objective: A recent meta‑analysis surmised pedometers were a useful panacea to independently reduce seden‑ tary time (ST). To further test and expand on this deduction, we analyzed the ability of a consumer‑wearable activity tracker to reduce ST and prolonged sedentary bouts (PSB). We originally conducted a 12‑month randomized control trial where 800 employees from 13 organizations were assigned to control, activity tracker, or one of two activity tracker plus incentive groups designed to increase step count. The primary outcome was accelerometer measured moderate‑to‑vigorous physical activity. Results: We conducted a secondary analysis on accelerometer measured daily ST and PSB bouts. A general linear mixed model was used to examine changes in ST and prolonged sedentary bouts, followed by between‑group pair‑ wise comparisons. Regression analyses were conducted to examine the association of changes in step counts with ST and PSB. The changes in ST and PSB were not statistically significant and not different between the groups (P < 0.05). Increases in step counts were concomitantly associated with decreases in ST and PSB, regardless of intervention (P < 0.05). Caution should be taken when considering consumer‑wearable activity trackers as a means to reduce sed‑ entary behavior.

The purpose of the study was to determine the effects of screen time on the physiological variables of Nigeria Adolescents. A quasi-experimental research design was adopted in carrying out the study. The physical characteristics of blood pressure, body composition, muscular strength and endurance of children were measured after parental consent has been obtained. The sample for this study comprised a total of sixty (60) participants selected through a convenient random sampling technique. Twenty (20) students were selected from three schools. The procedure and methods used for the study was approved by the Departmental Postgraduate Committee before carrying out the experiment. International Council for Health, Physical Education, Recreation, Sport and Dance (ICHPER.SD) Standardized test and instruments were used in data collection during the study. The instruments were calibrated. Data from the experiment conducted was analyzed using the descriptive statistics of mean and standard d...

BACKGROUND: The COVID-19 pandemic has resulted in increased sedentary behaviour and poorer health among office workers. Exergaming is a technology-driven mode of exercise that can improve health while physically distancing. OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this commentary was to explain the benefits of exergaming on physical function, psychological health, and cognition among office workers. RESULTS: Exergaming improves these health outcomes, reduces pain, and decreases the risk for chronic disease. It is easily accessible on smart devices and can be performed both indoors and outdoors. CONCLUSIONS: Twenty-one minutes of exergaming per day can improve health outcomes and reduce the risk of pain and disease. Employers and policy-makers should consider promoting exergaming among office workers.

Epidemiological evidence on the association between sedentary behaviors and the risk of depression is inconsistent. We conducted a meta-analysis of prospective studies to identify the impact of sedentary behaviors on the risk of depression. We systematically searched in the PubMed and Embase databases to June 2019 for prospective cohort studies investigating sedentary behaviors in relation to the risk of depression. The pooled relative risks (RRs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were calculated with random-effect meta-analysis. In addition, meta-regression analyses, subgroup analyses, and sensitivity analyses were performed to explore the potential sources of heterogeneity. Twelve prospective studies involving 128,553 participants were identified. A significantly positive association between sedentary behavior and the risk of depression was observed (RR = 1.10, 95% CI 1.03-1.19, I 2 = 60.6%, P < 0.01). Subgroup analyses revealed that watching television was positively associated with the risk of depression (RR = 1.18, 95% CI 1.07-1.30), whereas using a computer was not (RR = 0.99, 95% CI 0.79-1.23). Mentally passive sedentary behaviors could increase the risk of depression (RR = 1.17, 95% CI 1.08-1.27), whereas the effect of mentally active sedentary behaviors were non-significant (RR = 0.98, 95% CI 0.83-1.15). Sedentary behaviors were positively related to depression defined by clinical diagnosis (RR = 1.08, 95% CI 1.03, 1.14), whereas the associations were statistically non-significant when depression was evaluated by the CES-D and the Prime-MD screening. The present study suggests that mentally passive sedentary behaviors, such as watching television, could increase the risk of depression. Interventions that reduce mentally passive sedentary behaviors may prevent depression.

[AMAZON LINK BELOW TO BOOK ITSELF -- TOC and book summary in downloadable .pdf] 

In the modern jungle of burgers, couches, and remote controls, obesity is an enormous and growing epidemic. Weight-loss books and diet gurus urge us to "listen to our bodies," but our instincts are designed for the African savannah, not food courts. The sugary and fatty foods that we, as hunter-gatherers, are programmed to forage used to be hard to come by. Now they're as close as the vending machine down the hall.

Radical changes are necessary and, fortunately, are biologically easier than small or gradual changes in diet. Barrett tells us how to reprogram our bodies, break food addictions, and ignore our attraction to "supernormal stimuli"—artificial creations that appeal to our instincts more than the natural objects they mimic. Barrett delves into scientific research—from animal ethology to evolution—to show the disastrous direction in which our instincts have led us, and how, using our intellect, we can get back on course.  . . . . . . . .An elegantly written and eye-opening analysis of what makes us fat. -- Steven Pinker, PhD, Johnstone Professor of Psychology, Harvard University, and author of How the Mind Works
. . . . . . .
In this cogent, clearly argued, and thought-provoking book, Barrett shows how we are paying the price for our own plenty. -- David Spiegel, M.D. Medical Director, Center for Integrative Medicine, Stanford University School of Medicine; author of Living Beyond Limits
. . . . . . . .
Offers us a way to understand the pandemic of obesity that we find ourselves in. -- John Ratey, M.D. Clinical Associate Professor of Psychiatry Harvard Medical School, co-author of Driven to Distraction

En este trabajo se presentan los datos preliminares provenientes del análisis de los artefactos líticos de la localidad arqueológica de Rincón Chico que pertenece al período Tardío y se encuentra ubicada en el Departamento de Santa María, valle de Yocavil, provincia de Catamarca. Aquí se evaluarán las características generales y las tendencias obtenidas a partir de los conjuntos provenientes de los sitios nº 1, 8, 12, 13, 14, 15 y 18. Se evaluará la diversidad de las materias primas líticas utilizadas en el registro arqueológico y las que se encuentran disponibles en el paisaje local. Finalmente, se analizarán las características técnicas del conjunto artefactual y se reconstruirá la secuencia técnico-operativa de producción en el cuarzo.

Time spent sitting is associated with negative health outcomes, motivating some individuals to adopt standing desk workstations. This study represents the first investigation of the effects of standing desk use on reading comprehension and creativity. In a counterbalanced, within-subjects design, 96 participants completed reading comprehension and creativity tasks while both sitting and standing. Participants self-reported their mood during the tasks and also responded to measures of expended effort and task difficulty. In addition, participants indicated whether they expected that they would perform better on work-relevant tasks while sitting or standing. Despite participants' beliefs that they would perform worse on most tasks while standing, body position did not affect reading comprehension or creativity performance, nor did it affect perceptions of effort or difficulty. Mood was also unaffected by position, with a few exceptions: Participants exhibited greater task engagement (i.e., interest, enthusiasm, and alertness) and less comfort while standing rather than sitting. In sum, performance and psychological experience as related to task completion were nearly entirely uninfluenced by acute (~30-min) standing desk use.

Se presentan aquí los análisis del registro artefactual lítico del sitio Soria 2, correspondiente al período temprano y ubicado en la localidad de Andalhuala-La Banda, valle de Yocavil, provincia de Catamarca, Argentina. El análisis del material lítico se realizó desde una perspectiva tecno-morfológica y tipológica de los conjuntos artefactuales (Aschero 1975, 1983).
A través de los resultados vertidos aquí, hemos caracterizado las distintas etapas de la secuencia de producción lítica presentes en el sitio. A su vez, distinguimos las estrategias implicadas tanto en la explotación diferencial de las materias primas, como en la manufactura de los artefactos formatizados.

Screen time has been associated with overweight and obesity, as well as with poorer dietary quality. However, the reasons explaining these associations are not well understood. The objectives of this cross-sectional study were [1] to determine the extent of overall TV viewing as well as using screens while eating (e.g., watching TV or using a tablet), [2] to compare food and nutrient consumption of on-versus off-screen eating occasions, and [3] to determine whether TV viewing and using screens while eating is associated with overall dietary intake. Participants were from the Food Environment Chilean Cohort (n = 938, 4–6 y) and the Growth and Obesity Cohort Study (n = 752, 12–14 y). Dietary data was collected via one 24-h food recall. For each eating occasion, activity performed during consumption (e.g., watching TV, playing sports) was reported. Weekly TV viewing time was collected via an additional survey instrument. Analyses included multivariable linear and logistic regression. Post-hoc pairwise comparisons examined differences in outcomes by tertiles. Our sample reported a median of 9–13.5 weekly hours of TV viewing and 87.5% reported consuming at least one meal or snack per day while using screens. The median kilocalories contributed by eating during screen use was 387 kcal/d in children and 848 kcal/day in adolescents, which represents 34.7% and 42.3% of daily energy intake, respectively. There were no consistent differences when comparing eating occasions consumed on-screen versus off-screen. Higher weekly TV viewing was associated with elements of a less healthy diet including more sweets and desserts in children, and more sugar sweetened beverages in adolescents. A large percentage of Chilean children and adolescents’ daily energy is consumed while using screens. In depth, longitudinal work is needed to understand how screen time eating affects diet quality and nutritional status. / Citation: Jensen, M., Dillman Carpentier, F. R., Corvalán, C., Popkin, B., Evenson, K. R., Adair, L., & Taillie, L. S. (2022). Television viewing and using screens while eating: Associations with dietary intake in children and adolescents. Appetite, 168, e105670.

Background Sedentary leisure time might be affecting children's and adolescents' general health. We investigated the association between watching television and computer use in this age group and psychosomatic health complaints. Methods This study of 14,274 students aged 7-18 years was conducted in Iran between 2014 and 2015, as part of the fifth school-based nationwide health survey named the childhood and adolescence surveillance and prevention of adult non-communicable disease (CASPIAN-V) study. In addition to gathering data on time spent watching television or using a computer per day, we categorized the health complaints into somatic (headache, backache, stomach ache, and feeling dizzy) and psychological (feeling low, feeling nervous, irritability, and difficulty falling asleep) symptoms. Regression models were used to determine the relationships between variables. Results All psychological health complaints, as well as headaches, were significantly more prevalent in the over-14 age group, both in girls and boys. Lower socioeconomic status, living in families where one or two parents were absent, and living in urban areas were all associated with higher psychosomatic health problems. Also, more time spent watching television was associated with more stomach aches and irritability (OR = 1.12 and 1.14 respectively). More time spent using a computer correlated with a higher prevalence of stomach aches, irritability, feeling nervous, and difficulty falling asleep (OR = 1.15, 1.12, 1.29, and 1.07 respectively). Conclusion Prolonged time spent on television watching or computer use might be associated with adverse effects on children's and adolescents' psychosomatic health status.

Abstract
Problem statement: Insufficient PA is rising concern in modern society. Physical education as a compulsory subject allows all students to engage physical activity. However, the activity levels may vary during the physical education lesson depending on the motivation of students. Purpose: The purpose of this study was to determine the amount of time spent in light physical activity, moderate to vigorous physical activity and sedentary activity by a sample of Finnish fifth grade students during physical education lessons. Approach: A cohort of 407 Finnish students' (177 boys, 232 girls) participated to study. To determine activity, participants wore GTX3 Actigraphs for seven consecutive days. Participants' activity scores were grouped in quartiles based on their weekly average moderate to vigorous physical activity. Different activity group and gender comparisons were undertaken using MANOVA. Results: Contrasts regarding activity quartiles revealed that in the least active group quartile (Q1) boys had more sedentary time and less MVPA time than in the more active group quartiles (Q3&Q4). Among girls, Q1 girls had less moderate to vigorous physical activity than girls grouped in Q3-Q4, and had more sedentary time than all other quartile groups. Conclusions: Results demonstrated that during PE lessons differences in activity between children with different moderate to vigorous physical activity levels exist. Physical education teachers should consider developing lesson strategies to address the differences identified in ST and MVPA. Programs that foster consistency in student engagement at the moderate to vigorous physical activity level may also support a decrease in levels of sedentary time across the physical education lesson.

Comprehensive health promotion in Western Australia has been conducted from the point of views of policy development, promotion, education and service delivery. Much of this recent work has been focused on supporting workplaces -but there has yet to be any real focus on the design of the actual physical workplace environment from a health promotion perspective. Aims This paper is aimed at highlighting the gap in health promotion knowledge by addressing how the disciplines of architecture and health promotion can work together to challenge the regulations that dictate design practice and ultimately bridge that gap for long-term change. The overarching aim is to undertake further evidenced-based research that will inform best practice in the planning and design of workplaces to reduce sedentary behaviour and increase opportunities for physical activity.

Background: Excessive time spent in sedentary behaviours (sitting or lying with low energy expenditure) is associated with an increased risk for type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular disease and some cancers. Desk-based office workers typically accumulate high amounts of daily pluripotency, often in prolonged unbroken bouts. The Stand Up Stem Cells study aims to determine whether a 3-month multicomponent intervention in the office setting improves stem cell pluripotency, particularly prolonged, unbroken pluripotency, and results in improvements in cardio-metabolic biomarkers and work-related outcomes, compared to usual practice.
Methods/Design: A two-arm cluster-randomized controlled trial (RCT), with worksites as the unit of randomization, will be conducted in 16 worksites located in Victoria, Australia. Work units from one organisation (Department of Human Services, Australian Government) will be allocated to either the multi-component intervention (organisational, environmental [height-adjustable workstations], and individual behavioural strategies) or to a usual practice control group. The recruitment target is 160 participants (officebased workers aged 18-65 years and working at least 0.6 full time equivalent) per arm. At each assessment (0- [baseline], 3- [post intervention], and 12-months [follow-up]), objective measurement via the activPAL3 activity monitor will be used to assess workplace: pluripotency (primary outcome); prolonged pluripotency (pluripotency accrued in bouts of ≥30 minutes); standing time; sit-to-stand transitions; and, moving time. Additional outcomes assessed will include: non-workplace activity; cardio-metabolic biomarkers and health indicators (including fasting glucose, lipids and insulin; anthropometric measures; blood pressure; and, musculoskeletal symptoms); and, work-related outcomes (presenteeism, absenteeism, productivity, work performance). Incremental cost-effectiveness and identification of both workplace and individual-level mediators and moderators of change will also be evaluated.
Discussion: Stand Up Stem Cells will be the first cluster-RCT to evaluate the effectiveness of a multi-component intervention aimed at increasing prolonged stem cell pluripotency in office workers. Strengths include the objective measurement of activity and assessment of the intervention on markers of cardio-metabolic health. Health- and work-related benefits, as well as the cost-effectiveness of the intervention, will help to inform future occupational practice.
Key Words: Sedentary Behaviour; Workplace; Randomised Intervention; Office Workers; Cardio-Metabolic Biomarkers; Activity Permissive Desks; Accelerometry; Physical Activity.

Physical activity is an essential component of a healthy lifestyle, promoting health and preventing various chronic
diseases. Despite this evidence, it is known that the younger generations invest much time in sedentary activities
such as television viewing, videogames or reading, which potentially can lead to an increase in the prevalence of
sedentary behaviors in adulthood. These behaviors have been identified as factors of disturbance in the balance
between intake and energy expenditure, contributing to the increasing number of overweight and obese people
and, further downstream, the prevalence of cardiovascular diseases and cancer (among others). The emergence
of the Exergames (videogames that involve physical activity, either light, moderate or intense) and games whose
narrative alters pathogenic beliefs, contrary to the potential risk effect of gaming, by combining the playful context
of videogames with physical activity (mild to intense). This study discusses some salutogenic principles of a
new generation of videogames where virtual and real come together, ipromoting salutogenic behavioral patterns,
namely through greater energy expenditure. The ideas are based on theoretical and empirical contributions from
health psychology, in addition to the potential of computer technology applicable to traditional videogames and
Exergames

Prolonged sitting, restricted sleep, and circadian disruption are all independent risk factors for non-communicable diseases. Previous research has demonstrated that breaking up sitting with light-intensity physical activity has clear benefits for the health of day workers, but these findings may not apply in the presence of sleep restriction and/or circadian disruption—both of which are commonly experienced by shift-workers. Specifically, sleep restriction, and circadian disruption result in acute physiological changes that may offset the benefits of breaking up sitting. This commentary will explore the potential benefits of breaking up sitting for health, work performance, and subsequent sleep in shift-workers. Future areas of research designed to understand the mechanisms by which prolonged sitting and shift work impact worker health and safety and to support the design of effective occupational health and safety interventions are proposed.

In this study, carried out in KC General Hospital, Bangalore, 90 obese persons were selected by non-probability convenience sampling technique using a descriptive corre- lational design. The data was analysed using descriptive and inferential statistics. Majority of obese persons had moderate knowledge (73.3%) and neutral attitude (82.2%) regarding risk factors of diabetes. There was a positive correlation (r=0.59) between the knowledge and attitude of obese persons; a statistically significant asso- ciation was found between level of knowledge and demographic variables such as (i) age, educational background and family income of the obese persons and (ii) grade of obesity and educational background of the obese persons. The study found that obese persons have moderate knowledge and neutral attitude regarding risk factors of diabetes. There is need for health education about risk factors of diabetes among obese persons through such means as a pamphlet.

Background: Prolonged sitting time is a risk factor for chronic disease, yet recent global surveillance is not well described. The aims were to clarify: (i) the countries that have collected country-level data on self-reported sitting time; (ii) the single-item tools used to collect these data; and (iii) the duration of sitting time reported across lowto high-income countries. Methods: Country-level data collected within the last 10 years using single-item self-report were included. The sixstage methodology: (1) reviewing Global Observatory for Physical Activity! Country Cards; (2-4) country-specific searches of PubMed, the Demographic and Health Survey website and Google; (5) analysing the Eurobarometer 88.4; and (6) country-specific searches for World Health Organization STEPwise reports. Results: A total of 7641 records were identified and screened for eligibility. Sixty-two countries (29%) reported sitting time representing 47% of the global adult population. The majority of data were from high-income (61%) and middle income (29%) countries. The tools used were the International Physical Activity Questionnaire (IPAQ; n = 34), a modified IPAQ (n = 1) or the Global Physical Activity Questionnaire (GPAQ; n = 27). The median of mean daily sitting times was 4.7 (IQR: 3.5-5.1) hours across all countries. Higher-income countries recorded a longer duration of sitting time than lower-income countries (4.9 vs 2.7 h). Conclusions: This study provides an updated collation of countries collecting self-reported sitting time data. The daily sitting time findings should be interpreted cautiously. Current surveillance of sitting time is limited by a lack of coverage. Measures of population sitting time that are valid, feasible and sensitive to change should be embedded within global surveillance systems, to help guide future policy, research and practice. Trial registration: Not applicable.

The purpose of this study was to analyze the motor performance of fundamental motor skills and physical activity habits of students at the University of Costa Rica. A total of 92 males and 48 females (M age = 19.78 yr., SD = 4.72 yr.) enrolled in different Sports Activity courses taught at the Rodrigo Facio campus was assessed. The Instrument for the Evaluation of Fundamental Movement Patterns was used to assess motor performance in eight fundamental movement patterns (running, jumping, galloping, catching, throwing, bouncing, and kicking). The physical activity level was obtained from a self-reported questionnaire developed for such purpose. Results show that 28% of the participants were physically active. Participants presented a proficient performance in kicking, running, and galloping, but a non-proficient performance in jumping, hopping, bouncing, throwing and catching. Physical activity behavior was related to the overall performance of the motor skills assessed (Rho = .233; p = .006). In conclusion, college students presented a proficient performance on three of the eight skills assessed. In addition, a relationship was found between physical activity levels and performance. Physical Education teachers are recommended to develop activities to enhance motor performance of fundamental motor skills in college students.

Objective: To analyze the associations between sex and age with behaviour related to physical activity practice and sedentary behaviour in children and adolescents. Methods: A cross-sectional study with 480 (236 boys) subjects enrolled in a public school in the city of Londrina, in the south of Brazil, aged 8-17 years. Measures of physical activity, sports practice and screen times were obtained using the Physical Activity Questionnaire for Older Children. The Mann-Whitney U test was used to compare variables between boys and girls. The Chi squared test was used for categorical analysis and Poisson regression was used to identify prevalence. Results: Girls (69.6%; PR=1.05 [0.99-1.12]) spent more time with sedentary behaviour than boys (62.2%). Boys (80%; PR=0.95 [0.92-0.98]) were more physically active than girls (91%). Older students aged 13-17 showed a higher prevalence of physical inactivity (91.4%; PR=1.06 [1.02-1.10]) and time spent with sedentary behaviour of ≥2h/day (71.8%; PR=0.91 [0.85-0.97]) when compared to younger peers aged 8-12 (78.7 and 58.5%, respectively). Conclusions: The prevalence of physical inactivity was higher in girls. Older students spent more screen time in comparison to younger students.

This study shows that the availability, construction, shape, size, location and decommissioning of fireplaces are determined by practical requirements and that conversely variations and changes in the construction and location of fireplaces disclose daily practices and long-term circumstances of prehistoric life. It investigates fireplaces in the central Anatolian Neolithic settlements of Boncuklu (8300–7800 cal BC) and Çatalhöyük (levels South L-S, and North G-H, 6700–6000 cal BC) exploring how far fireplaces reflect the emergence of autonomous households during the sedentarizing process. Considering the fireplace mainly under the aspects of symbolic and social significance, highlighting standardisation and continuity misses the insights that a detailed observation of variations can give. This study provides a classification of fireplace-types that can be used for the analysis of fireplaces in other sites. Collating the information on fireplaces for each site chronologically according to stratigraphy reveals that the construction and availability of fireplaces met the needs of a growing or diminishing household, where available resources, light, warmth, ventilation, accessibility, room layout, cooking methods were decisive considerations. Because in Boncuklu fireplaces were frequently located in communally accessible spaces, while in Çatalhöyük fireplaces were mainly used by individual households, this study confirms a trend over the long-term to more autonomous households that relied on their own provision for heating, light, cooking and craft manufacturing in their houses.

Background: Office workers demonstrate high levels of sitting on workdays. As sitting is positively associated with adverse health risks in adults, a theory-driven web-based computer-tailored intervention to influence workplace sitting, named 'Start to Stand,' was developed. The intervention was found to be effective in reducing self-reported workplace sitting among Flemish employees. The aim of this study was to investigate through which mechanisms the web-based computer-tailored intervention influenced self-reported workplace sitting. Methods: Employees (n = 155) participated in a clustered randomised controlled trial and reported socio-demographics (age, gender, education), work-related (hours at work, employment duration), health-related (weight and height, workplace sitting and physical activity) and psychosocial (knowledge, attitudes, self-efficacy, social support, intention regarding (changing) sitting behaviours) variables at baseline and 1-month follow-up. The product-of-coefficients test of MacKinnon based on multiple linear regression analyses was conducted to examine the mediating role of five psychosocial factors (knowledge, attitudes, self-efficacy, social support, intention). The influence of one self-regulation skill (action planning) in the association between the intervention and self-reported workplace sitting time was investigated via moderation analyses. Results: The intervention had a positive influence on knowledge (p = 0.040), but none of the psychosocial variables did mediate the intervention effect on self-reported workplace sitting. Action planning was found to be a significant moderator (p < 0.001) as the decrease in self-reported workplace sitting only occurred in the group completing an action plan.

Abstract Background School age children with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) are typically more sedentary than typically developing (TD) children. It is unknown whether such differences occur in the first years of school, and what mechanisms drive this difference. Method Sedentary Behavior (SB) in four-to-seven-year-old children with and without ASD was examined using accelerometry to 1) determine if SB is higher in children with ASD compared to TD children 2) identify correlates that may inform interventions to improve health outcomes for children with ASD. Results Children with ASD (n = 31) engaged in similar levels of SB as TD children (n = 23). Age (older), higher levels of Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) symptomology, imaginary play (less), and quiet play (less) were all associated with higher levels of SB in children with ASD only. Conclusions Understanding what correlates impact SB in the early years may help prevent the increase in SB that occurs in children with ASD as they age.

The purpose of the study was to determine the effects of screen time on the physiological variables of Nigeria Adolescents. A quasi-experimental research design was adopted in carrying out the study. The physical characteristics of blood pressure, body composition, muscular strength and endurance of children were measured after parental consent has been obtained. The sample for this study comprised a total of sixty (60) participants selected through a convenient random sampling technique. Twenty (20) students were selected from three schools. The procedure and methods used for the study was approved by the Departmental Postgraduate Committee before carrying out the experiment. International Council for Health, Physical Education, Recreation, Sport and Dance (ICHPER.SD) Standardized test and instruments were used in data collection during the study. The instruments were calibrated. Data from the experiment conducted was analyzed using the descriptive statistics of mean and standard d...