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Full-Text Articles in Medicine and Health Sciences
Learning Environments' Activity Potential For Preschoolers (Leapp): Study Rationale And Design, Patricia Tucker, Leigh Vanderloo, Courtney Newnham-Kanas, Shauna Burke, Jennifer Irwin, Andrew Johnson, Melissa Van Zandvoort
Learning Environments' Activity Potential For Preschoolers (Leapp): Study Rationale And Design, Patricia Tucker, Leigh Vanderloo, Courtney Newnham-Kanas, Shauna Burke, Jennifer Irwin, Andrew Johnson, Melissa Van Zandvoort
Trish Tucker
Background. The purpose of this paper is to provide an overview of the study protocol for the Learning Environments’ Activity Potential for Preschoolers (LEAPP) study, the goal of which is to describe the activity levels of preschoolers attending various early learning venues and explore which attributes of these facilities (e.g. curriculum, policies, equipment, etc.) support activity participation. Design and Methods. This cross-sectional study aimed to recruit approximately 30 early learning environments requesting participation from preschoolers aged 2.5-5 years. Data collection included: Actical accelerometers (MiniMitter, Oregon, USA) to measure the activity levels of children for five consecutive days (15-second epoch length) …
Physical Activity At Daycare: Issues, Challenges And Perspectives, Melissa Van Zandvoort, Patricia Tucker, Jennifer Irwin, Shauna Burke
Physical Activity At Daycare: Issues, Challenges And Perspectives, Melissa Van Zandvoort, Patricia Tucker, Jennifer Irwin, Shauna Burke
Trish Tucker
This study sought to examine London, Ontario‐based childcare providers’ perspectives of the barriers and facilitators to physical activity participation among preschoolers (i.e. children aged 2.5–5 years) attending daycare. A heterogeneous sample of childcare providers (n = 54; response rate 47%) working at public daycare facilities in London, Ontario participated. Using a qualitative methodology, eight semi‐structured focus groups were conducted between February and March 2009. Focus groups were audio recorded and transcribed verbatim. Inductive content analysis was used to code and categorize emerging themes. When asked to describe the barriers to engaging preschoolers in physical activity while at daycare, participants discussed …
Environmental Equity Is Child's Play: Mapping Public Provision Of Recreation Opportunities In Urban Neighbourhoods, Jason Gilliland, Martin Holmes, Jennifer Irwin, Patricia Tucker
Environmental Equity Is Child's Play: Mapping Public Provision Of Recreation Opportunities In Urban Neighbourhoods, Jason Gilliland, Martin Holmes, Jennifer Irwin, Patricia Tucker
Trish Tucker
This paper examines the spatial distribution of recreational opportunities for children and youth in a mid-sized Canadian city (London, Ontario), in relation to the socioeconomic status of neighbourhoods and estimated local need for publicly provided recreation spaces. Public recreation facilities (N = 537) throughout the city were identified, mapped and analysed in a geographic information system. To explore potential socio-environmental inequities, neighbourhoods (N = 22) were characterized by socioeconomic and environmental variables, an index of neighbourhood social distress, a neighbourhood play space needs index, and measures of the prevalence and density of recreational opportunities. The results of the spatial analysis …
Response To ‘Reply To Van Zandvoort, Tucker, Irwin And Burke: Physical Activity At Daycare: Issues, Challenges And Perspectives’ By Albon, Melissa Van Zandvoort, Patricia Tucker, Jennifer Irwin, Shauna Burke
Response To ‘Reply To Van Zandvoort, Tucker, Irwin And Burke: Physical Activity At Daycare: Issues, Challenges And Perspectives’ By Albon, Melissa Van Zandvoort, Patricia Tucker, Jennifer Irwin, Shauna Burke
Trish Tucker
No abstract provided.
Adolescents' Perspectives Of Home, School And Neighborhood Environmental Influences On Physical Activity And Dietary Behaviors, Patricia Tucker, Jennifer Irwin, Jason Gilliland, Meizi He
Adolescents' Perspectives Of Home, School And Neighborhood Environmental Influences On Physical Activity And Dietary Behaviors, Patricia Tucker, Jennifer Irwin, Jason Gilliland, Meizi He
Trish Tucker
This investigation sought to gain an understanding of how youth perceive neighborhood environmental influences on their physical activity and eating behaviors. This qualitative study targeted a heterogeneous sample of 12- to 14- year-olds in London, Ontario, Canada. Using a semi-structured interview guide, we conducted nine focus groups (n = 60) and used inductive content analysis to investigate their discussions. Most participants discussed their school, parks, and opportunity structures around their homes as influencing their physical activity, and overwhelmingly reported the availability of fast-food restaurants, convenience stores, and slow-food restaurants in their neighborhoods as influencing their eating practices. The descriptive information …
The Influence Of Parents And The Home Environment On Preschoolers' Physical Activity Behaviours: A Qualitative Investigation Of Childcare Providers' Perspectives, Patricia Tucker, Melissa Van Zandvoort, Shauna Burke, Jennifer Irwin
The Influence Of Parents And The Home Environment On Preschoolers' Physical Activity Behaviours: A Qualitative Investigation Of Childcare Providers' Perspectives, Patricia Tucker, Melissa Van Zandvoort, Shauna Burke, Jennifer Irwin
Trish Tucker
BACKGROUND: Physical activity offers numerous physiological and psychological benefits for young children; however, many preschool-aged children are not engaging in sufficient activity. The home environment, inclusive of parent role modeling, has been identified as influencing preschoolers' physical activity. This study sought to examine childcare providers' perspectives of the importance of parents and the home environment for supporting the physical activity behaviours of preschool-aged children (aged 2.5-5 years) attending childcare. METHODS: A heterogeneous sample of childcare providers (n = 84; response rate 39%) working at childcare facilities in London, Ontario participated. Thirteen semi-structured focus groups were conducted in London centres between …
The Effect Of Season And Weather On Physical Activity: A Systematic Review, Patricia Tucker, Jason Gilliland
The Effect Of Season And Weather On Physical Activity: A Systematic Review, Patricia Tucker, Jason Gilliland
Trish Tucker
Objectives: This study reviewed previous studies to explore the effect of season, and consequently weather, on levels of physical activity. Study design and methods: Thirty-seven primary studies (published 1980–2006) representing a total of 291 883 participants (140 482 male and 152 085 female) from eight different countries are described, and the effect of season on moderate levels of physical activity is considered. Results: Upon review of the evidence, it appears that levels of physical activity vary with seasonality, and the ensuing effect of poor or extreme weather has been identified as a barrier to participation in physical activity among various …
Physical Activity Behaviors During The Preschool Years, Patricia Tucker, Jennifer Irwin
Physical Activity Behaviors During The Preschool Years, Patricia Tucker, Jennifer Irwin
Trish Tucker
This is the first Canadian study to measure physical activity participation and opportunities for outdoor playtime among preschoolers. Preschoolers in the London, Ontario study spent significantly more time engaging in high-intensity indoor activity versus outdoor activity. Daycare providers reported the children in their care had access to approximately 2 hours of daily outdoor playtime. Nearly half the study‟s parents reported their preschoolers did not engage in physical activity at the level needed for health gains. Insufficient activity among such a large segment of preschoolers has potentially serious physical and psychological health implications. Daycare settings afford ample opportunity for physical activity …
Feasibility Of A Campus-Based "Buddy System" To Promote Physical Activity: Canadian Students' Perspectives, Patricia Tucker, Jennifer Irwin
Feasibility Of A Campus-Based "Buddy System" To Promote Physical Activity: Canadian Students' Perspectives, Patricia Tucker, Jennifer Irwin
Trish Tucker
Objective: To explore the characteristics of a university-wide buddy system that students would be receptive to using. Methods: This study targeted a heterogeneous sample of undergraduate university students age 18 to 25 y. An experienced moderator, using a semi-structured interview guide, conducted 13 focus groups (n = 65). Focus group discussions were audio recorded and transcribed verbatim. Inductive content analysis was conducted independently by two researchers. Measures were incorporated throughout to ensure data trustworthiness. Results: The value of this campus-based physical activity intervention was emphasized by the vast majority of participants. Five main themes exemplified students' preferences: sign-up methods; matching …
Environmental Influences On Physical Activity Levels In Youth, Patricia Tucker, Jennifer Irwin, Jason Gilliland, Meizi He, Kristian Larsen, Paul Hess
Environmental Influences On Physical Activity Levels In Youth, Patricia Tucker, Jennifer Irwin, Jason Gilliland, Meizi He, Kristian Larsen, Paul Hess
Trish Tucker
This study assessed the amount of physical activity engaged in by youth aged 11–13, in relation to: (1) the presence of neighborhood recreational opportunities, objectively measured within a geographic information system; and (2) parents’ perceptions of recreation opportunities in their neighborhoods. Students in grade 7 and 8 (n=811) in 21 elementary schools throughout London, Ontario completed the adapted Previous Day Physical Activity Recall and a questionnaire assessing environmental influences in the home and school neighborhoods. Parents/guardians of participants also completed a questionnaire eliciting demographic information and perceptions of the neighborhood environment. On average, students engaged in 159.9 min/day of physical …
Physical Activity At Daycare: Childcare Providers’ Perspectives For Improvements, Patricia Tucker, Melissa Van Zandvoort, Shauna Burke, Jennifer Irwin
Physical Activity At Daycare: Childcare Providers’ Perspectives For Improvements, Patricia Tucker, Melissa Van Zandvoort, Shauna Burke, Jennifer Irwin
Trish Tucker
In London, Ontario, approximately 45 percent of preschoolers are insufficiently active.With the large number of preschoolers who attend childcare (54%), and the low levels of physical activity among preschool-aged children, daycare centers may be an appropriate avenue to intervene. This study sought to collect childcare providers’ suggestions for improving physical activity during daycare hours and their perspectives regarding the feasibility of meeting the physical activity guidelines currently set out for preschoolers. This qualitative study targeted a heterogeneous sample of childcare providers (n = 54) working at YMCA daycare centers in London, Ontario. Eight focus groups were conducted. Saturation was reached …
Healthy Eating And Physical Activity Challenges And Opportunities In After-School Programs: Providers’ Perspectives, Heather Thomas, L. Fellner, Patricia Tucker, Jennifer Irwin
Healthy Eating And Physical Activity Challenges And Opportunities In After-School Programs: Providers’ Perspectives, Heather Thomas, L. Fellner, Patricia Tucker, Jennifer Irwin
Trish Tucker
The purpose of this study was to understand after-school program providers’ perspectives of (a) current physical activity and nutrition curriculum, practices, and challenges, and (b) necessary modifications, program suggestions or resource needs to improve the healthy eating and active living practices within their after-school program for children aged 6 to 12 years. This qualitative study targeted a sample of nine after-school program providers in London, Ontario. Data was collected via in-depth interviews and a demographic survey between January and April 2009. Strategies to enhance data trustworthiness were incorporated throughout. After-school program providers identified insufficient healthy eating curriculum and requested interactive, …