Archive for the ‘obesity’ Category

Benefits of Short Bouts of Physical Activity

Friday, May 15th, 2009

A recent study in the International Journal of Pediatric Obesity offers some exciting research regarding physical activity in boys. The researchers studied physical activity levels in 47 boys(ages 8-10 years old)using accelerometry for seven days. After the seven days they measured waist circumference, aerobic fitness and microvascular function. The researchers discovered that the boys performed short physical bouts of activity rather than long, sustained periods. This was consistent with previous research which indicated that children normally perform short bouts of physical activity. The frequency of short bouts of physical activity was associated with waist circumference, aerobic fitness and microvascular health. There was no correlation with blood pressure. The researchers recommend further studies to determine if overtime the results remain and if the physical activity patterns are the same for girls.

Here are some suggestions to apply this research:
1. Encourage children to participate in any amount of physical activity (short or long).

2. Research has shown that children normally move in short bursts therefore keep that in mind during sporting practices if children are losing their focus.

3. Break up sedentary time with movement breaks whenever possible. Try our Mini Movement Breaks – this is a collection of physical activity breaks for children that can be performed with no equipment indoors or outdoors. Below is a video of how to create the mini movement break notebooks or shoe boxes. Download the breaks and create these notebooks to pass out to teachers and parents. Even better, have the children help to create the notebooks or shoe boxes to include fine motor skill development practice!

References:
Stone et al. The pattern of physical activity in relation to health outcomes in boys. International Journal of Pediatric Obesity, 2009; 1 DOI: 10.1080/17477160902846179

University of Exeter (2009, May 13). Sporadic Play Activity As Beneficial To Child Health As Continuous Bouts Of Exercise, Study Suggests. ScienceDaily. Retrieved May 15, 2009, from http://www.sciencedaily.com­ /releases/2009/05/090511101652.htm

Posted in obesity, pedaitric occupational therapy, pediatric physical therapy, physical activity | 1 Comment »

Self Regulation and Obesity

Wednesday, April 22nd, 2009

Archives of Pediatrics and Adolescent Medicine published research that indicated children who lack self regulation exhibit excessive weight gain. This was a longitudinal study of 1061 children. The children participated in self regulation tasks at ages 3 and 5 years old. They were then followed until 12 years of age with body mass index (BMI) being measured 6 times throughout that time. The children who exhibited a decrease in the ability to self regulate had the highest BMI and the most rapid weight gain.

Curious to know do you observe this trend in children with a lack of self regulation?

Reference: Lori A. Francis; Elizabeth J. Susman
Self-regulation and Rapid Weight Gain in Children From Age 3 to 12 Years
Arch Pediatr Adolesc Med. 2009;163(4):297-302.

Posted in obesity, pediatric occupational therapy, sensory processing disorder | No Comments »

Water and Risk of Being Overweight

Monday, March 30th, 2009

Brain Gym proponents as well as some pediatric therapists have been promoting the concept that drinking water can help learning. One of the 4 components of the PACE program from Brain Gym is to drink water to provide energy for the brain. The current issue of Pediatrics reports on another benefit of water for school age children – preventing obesity. This study was done in Germany with 2950 students. The experimental group received four lessons to promote water consumption. Water fountains were installed and water consumption was measured. The results showed that the children in the water group decreased their risk of being overweight by 31% compared to the control group. There was no difference in body mass index. The intervention group drank 1.1 more glasses of water per day than the control group.

Reference: Muckelbauer, Rebecca, Libuda, Lars, Clausen, Kerstin, Toschke, Andre Michael, Reinehr, Thomas, Kersting, Mathilde Promotion and Provision of Drinking Water in Schools for Overweight Prevention: Randomized, Controlled Cluster Trial Pediatrics 2009 123: e661-e667

Posted in obesity, pediatric occupational therapy, pediatric physical therapy | No Comments »