Purpose: The worsening climate change and alarming prevalence of communicable and non-communicable diseases continue to threat human life and existence. Favorable patterns of 24-hour movement behaviors, high physical activity, low sedentary behavior, and adequate sleep, may positively contribute to achieving dual benefits of climate change mitigation and disease prevention. The purposes of this rapid mini review were to summarize the most up-to-date, high-level evidence exploring the relationships between climate change, 24-hour movement behaviors, and health and elaborate on the mechanisms linking the three variables of interest.

Methods: A systematic search of electronic databases was performed in PubMed and Google Scholar during March–October 2020. Inclusion criteria were: (1) systematic review; (2) addressing relationships between climate change, movement behaviors and/or health in any directions; (3) written in English; (4) published between 2010–2020. Narrative synthesis was conducted to highlight the main relationships observed and address the current state of knowledge and priorities for future research. In order to illustrate the potential mechanisms, main results from included systematic reviews were summarized and a conceptual framework was developed for future research.

Results/findings: Based on the evidence from eight systematic reviews published in the past decade, multi-directional (i.e., uni-, bi-, or U-shaped) links were observed between climate change and varying human health outcomes. However, little is understood about the association between climate change and 24-hour movement behaviors. Two reviews suggested the negative impact of climate change on sleep and bi-directional relationships between climate change and physical activity/sport. One review included two studies suggesting the unfavorable impact of climate change on sedentary behavior; however, the evidence was limited. Finally, no reviews examined the mechanisms by which climate change, movement behaviors, and health impact one another. Based on the findings of this rapid mini review, a conceptual framework is proposed that could guide future work to unpack mechanisms between climate change, movement behaviors, and health.

Conclusions: This mini review highlights the importance of better understanding the mechanisms between climate change, movement behaviors, and health to develop effective mitigation and adaptation strategies to climate change while promoting population health through healthy movement behaviors.

Purpose: There are currently no national standards for lunch period lengths or physical activity in schools. Research is therefore needed to better understand the impact of school initiatives that improve policies related to lunch and movement opportunities on student outcomes. Additionally, best practices are necessary to support schools that are considering policies that address these factors. The purpose of this study was to examine the impact of a wellness initiative that implemented longer lunch periods, recess, and other movement opportunities on student outcomes and best practices for implementation.

 Methods:  A mixed methods study was conducted in Anchorage, Alaska (2019-20 school year) using surveys and semi-structured interviews/focus groups. Students’ self-reported hunger and mood were assessed using surveys (n=5,107) from students in grades 3-4 attending 19 pilot and 11 matched control elementary schools. Mixed-model ANOVA accounting for student demographics with students as a random effect (students nested within schools) was used to examine differences in hunger/mood. Additionally, perceptions and supportive strategies were examined based on qualitative interviews/focus groups in a representative subsample of 6 pilot schools. A total of 6 school principals, 6 cafeteria staff, 39 teachers (n=6 focus groups) and n=30 parents (n=6 focus groups) were interviewed. Qualitative data were analyzed using principles of content analysis.

Results/Findings. Longer lunch periods (30 minutes vs 20 minutes in control schools) were associated with significantly reduced self-reported hunger at the end of lunch period (mean score 2.65 vs 2.55; p=0.01) and significantly increased happiness in the cafeteria (mean score 3.01 vs 2.86; p=0.03 [max score of 4 reflected a more positive response, e.g. “very full,” “more happy”]). Based on interviews/focus groups, the initiative was generally perceived positively with reported benefits including reductions in disciplinary issues and improvements in student focus, social and emotional learning, and overall student happiness and well-being.  Several supportive strategies were identified.

Conclusions. Initiatives that increase lunch period lengths and physical activity opportunities have the potential to reduce students’ hunger levels and improve focus and behaviors in the classroom. Schools should consider similar initiatives that incorporate the suggested strategies to potentially improve outcomes among students.

Purpose: Communities are important supportive environments for physical activity promotion through their policies and built environments. The Play Friendly Cities framework is a model used to describe key municipal actions and indicators which support a community’s playability and can positively influence children’s health behaviours and quality of life. The purpose of this study is to assess the playability of communities in Nova Scotia by documenting physical activity and active transportation strategies using the Play Friendly Cities framework.

Methods: Municipal and Mi’kmaq physical activity and active transportation strategies from communities across Nova Scotia were located. Using the Play Friendly Cities framework, strategy content was analyzed based on 20 indicators across four themes: participation of children in decision making, safe and active routes around the community, safe and accessible informal play environments, and evidence-informed design of formal play spaces.

Results: Forty-two plans, including 26 physical activity strategies and 16 active transportation strategies were reviewed. All strategies included statements reflective of at least one indicator (average: 7.2 ± 3.5, range: 1-15). Content about safe and active routes around the community was most prevalent (40 plans, 416 mentions), while participation of children in decision making was least frequently presented (22 plans, 43 mentions). Content about safe and accessible informal play environments content (29 plans, 105 mentions) and evidence-informed design of formal place spaces (26 plans, 143 mentions) was also presented in the strategies. ‘Design streets to safely accommodate all users’ was the most frequently reported indicator in active transportation strategies (16 plans, 160 mentions) and ‘offer play spaces with loose parts, natural elements, and pop-up adventure activities’ was most frequently reported in physical activity strategies (25 plans, 70 mentions).

Conclusions:  All physical activity and active transportation strategies in Nova Scotia included some content reflective of a Play Friendly City. However, there is great variability in the number of indicators addressed by the strategies. This summary provides key information on opportunities, such as increasing meaningful involvement of children in decision making, that can inform future municipal actions and policies that aim to support a community’s playability.

Purpose: Accelerated body mass index (BMI) gain and cardiorespiratory fitness (CRF) loss during summer (i.e., May-August) compared to the school year (i.e., August-May) is a public health concern for U.S. children (5-12 years) that may be explained by the lack of structured programming during the summer vacation from school. The primary aim of this study was to compare BMI z-score (zBMI) and CRF change during the traditional school year and summer vacation for children attending schools following either a year-round or traditional calendar. Secondary aims were to explore differences by race and by weight status and to estimate growth trajectories from kindergarten-6^th grade using the principles of an accelerated cohort.

Methods: Height, weight, and CRF (i.e., FITNESSGRAM PACER Laps) were measured in children (5-12yrs) in 3 schools (two traditional, one year-round, N=2279 students, age=7.9 years SD=2.3, 51.8% male, 64.6% Black) from one school district. Children’s zBMI and CRF were measured each May and August from 2017-2019. Mixed effects regression estimated monthly zBMI and CRF change during school and summer for all participants, by weight status, and by race. Using principles of an accelerated cohort, spline regression estimated zBMI and CRF growth from kindergarten-6th grade. 

Results/findings: Compared to traditional, year-round school children gained more zBMI monthly (difference=0.015; 95CI=0.002, 0.028) during the school year, but less zBMI (difference=0.834; 95CI=0.575, 1.093) and more CRF (difference=-0.029; 95CI=-0.041, -0.018) during summer. Less monthly zBMI gain during summer for year-round school children compared to traditional school children was observed for children with normal weight (difference=-0.028; 95CI=-0.044, -0.013), overweight (difference=-0.026; 95CI=-0.051, -0.000), and obesity (difference=-0.033; 95CI=-0.049, -0.017). During summer, year-round school Black children had less zBMI gain than Black children at traditional schools (difference=-0.039; 95CI=-0.053, -0.025). This was not observed for children of other races. Spline models estimated similar overall zBMI and CRF change from kindergarten-6th grade for year-round and traditional school children.

Conclusions: Year-round school children gained less zBMI and more CRF during the summer than traditional children. However, during the school year the opposite was true. This pattern was evident for children of all weight statuses and for children who are Black.

Purpose: To investigate which population groups have reduced or increased physical activity levels during the periods of restrictions put in place during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Methods: We surveyed UK residents, sampled through users of a rewards-for-exercise app (Sweatcoin; n=749) and an online panel (Prolific; n=907). Of the app users, n=487 further provided daily step-count data collected by the app, prior to, and during the periods of restrictions between March and June 2020. Regression models were applied to investigate factors associated with subjective change (perceived change in physical activity) and objective change (log-percentage change in daily step-count) in physical activity during the periods of restrictions. ANOVAs were used to further investigate the significant factors identified.

Results: Perceived change in PA during the first phase of restrictions was, on average, slightly negative (M=-.30, sd=2.67). However, the distribution of responses was spread widely, highlighting an almost equal split between those who reported a reduction in PA levels (46.0%) and an increase in PA levels (39.9%), with 14.1% reporting no change. Prior to the lockdown periods, mean daily step count across the sample (N=487) was 6680.53 ±3310.24. Both lockdown phases had a significant negative impact on mean daily step count (F(1.61, 781.94)=72.838, p<.001), with the mean daily number of steps reducing to a mean of 5157.07 ±3474.58 in the first phase of restrictions. Key factors associated with a substantial subjective reduction in physical activity included those classed as obese, gym users and people living in urban areas. All participants had a reduced step count during restrictions, with Black, Asian and minority ethnic (BAME) groups, students and urban dwellers showing the largest reductions.

Conclusion: Particularly vulnerable groups to COVID-19, including those classed as obese and BAME groups are further showing substantial reductions in physical activity during the periods of restrictions. Therefore, targeted interventions are required to ensure that the physical and mental health impacts of sedentary behaviour do not exacerbate the risks to these groups.

Purpose: The impacts of limiting sports due to COVID-19 lockdowns on adolescents’ perceived health have received very little attention since the beginning of the pandemic. This is despite the knowledge that adolescence is a delicate growth period and major life events are usually correlated with psychological and emotional difficulties, and that sports participation is protective and a resiliency factor. This investigation aimed to evaluate if adolescents’ lack of sports opportunities (due to COVID-19 policies) were negatively related to their perceived stress, life satisfaction, and self-esteem (i.e., three outcomes).

Methods: Data from time two of an ongoing longitudinal study IPSA (Impact de la Participation Sportive chez les Adolescents) were used for this investigation. In May and June 2020, during the first wave of COVID-19 cases in Québec, Canada, participants (n=228; 63.6% girls; mean age 15.02 years) reported if they engaged in sports before and during the pandemic. Participants responded to the Satisfaction with Life Questionnaire, the Self-Description Questionnaire, and the COVID-19 Peritraumatic Distress Index. Three linear regression models were estimated to assess the effect of change in sport participation on the three outcomes and adjusted for sex.

Results: In May and June 2020, almost half (48%) of participants reported not participating in sports. Boys were more likely to report higher self-esteem (𝛽 = 1.59; 95% CI 0.65-2.53). Participating in sports before the pandemic only and before and during the pandemic (compared to no sports participation at all) were also associated with higher self-esteem (𝛽= 1.44; 95%CI 0.11-2.77) and (𝛽=2.12; 95%CI 0.96-3.28), respectively. Boys were less likely to report distress due to COVID-19 (𝛽=-12.2; 95%CI -16.3-(-8.4)). Finally, participating in sports before and during the pandemic was associated with higher self-reported life satisfaction (𝛽=0.74; 95%CI 0.31-1.17).

Conclusions: Results from this investigation suggest that adolescents who were able to maintain their sports’ participation had a greater chance to maintain their general wellbeing. To minimize the impact of generalized confinement on youth, especially on girls, governments should seek to adapt their policy plans to permit minimum access to sports opportunities.