Research Outputs
Effects of video-guided active breaks with curricular content on mental health and classroom climate in chilean schoolchildren aged 6 to 10: Study protocol for a multicentre randomized controlled trial
Background: The incidence of mental health issues in children is increasing worldwide. In Chile, a recent surge in reports of deteriorating mental health among school populations and an increase in complaints related to poor school climate have been observed. Physical activity, specifically active breaks in the classroom, has shown positive effects on childrenās health. However, evidence regarding its impact on mental health and school climate in children is limited. Objective: This work outlines the design, measurements, intervention program, and potential efficacy of the āActive Classes + School Climate and Mental Healthā project. This project will assess a 12-week program of active breaks through guided videos with curricular content in the school classroom, and its effects on mental health and school climate as its primary indicators. Additionally, it will measure physical activity, physical fitness, motor competence, and academic performance in students aged 6ā10 years in the BiobĆo province, Chile, as secondary indicators. Methodology: A multicenter randomized controlled trial involving 823 students from 1st to 4th grade (6ā10 years old), six schools (three intervention and three control) will be conducted in the BiobĆo region, Chile. Participants belonging to the intervention group will implement video-guided active breaks through the āActive Classesā web platform, featuring curricular content, lasting 5ā10 min and of moderate to vigorous intensity physical activity, twice a day, Monday to Friday, over a span of 12 weeks. Expected Results/Discussion: To our knowledge, this will be the first study in Chile to evaluate the effects of incorporating video-guided active breaks with curricular content on mental health variables and school climate in schoolchildren. Thus, this study contributes to the scarce evidence on the effects of video-guided active breaks on mental health variables and school climate in schoolchildren worldwide. Additionally, it will provide crucial information about active teaching methodologies that have the potential to positively contribute to the wellbeing of students, thus addressing the problems of mental health and climate in Chilean schools. ClinicalTrials.gov ID NCT06423404.
Fitness cardiorrespiratorio estimado mediante ecuaciĆ³n y su caracterizaciĆ³n sociodemogrĆ”fica en poblaciĆ³n chilena: Resultados de la Encuesta Nacional de Salud 2016-2017
Background: Cardiorespiratory fitness is a strong predictor of mortality and chronic diseases. However, its estimation is costly and time consuming which may limit it broad use in population-based studies. Aim: To estimate the cardiorespiratory fitness of the Chilean population by using equations and to characterize fitness levels of the Chilean population by sociodemographic factors. Material and Methods: This cross-sectional study included 5,958 adults from the Chilean Health Survey conducted between 2016 and 2017. Cardiorespiratory fitness was estimated from sex-specific equations for men and women and expressed as METs (Energy Metabolic Equivalent). Fitness levels were characterized by sociodemographics factors (age, sex, education, income and area of residency). Results: Fitness levels were higher in men (9.01 METs) than in women (6.76 METs) and in average decrease by 0.59 and 0.34 METs per each year increment in age for men and women, respectively. Fitness levels were 12.7 METs and 7.8 METs for 20-year-old men and women, respectively. However, fitness levels decreased to 7.8 METs and 4.3 METs in 90-year-old men and women, respectively. Fitness levels were also higher in individuals living in urban setting, those with higher education or income levels and lean individuals. Conclusions: This study reports fitness levels in a nationally representative sample of Chile. Fitness levels were higher in men than women however, its decline with age was more pronounce in men than women.
AsociaciĆ³n entre velocidad de marcha y deterioro cognitivo en personas mayores: Resultados de la Encuesta Nacional de Salud 2016-2017
Antecedentes: La velocidad de la marcha podrĆa considerarse un marcador temprano de riesgo de deterioro cognitivo en personas mayores. Objetivo: Determinar la asociaciĆ³n entre velocidad de la marcha y sospecha de deterioro cognitivo en poblaciĆ³n mayor chilena. MĆ©todos: Se incluyeron 1788 personas mayores de la Encuesta Nacional de Salud (ENS) 2016-2017 que tenĆan informaciĆ³n sobre velocidad de marcha y sospecha de deterioro cognitivo. La velocidad de la marcha fue autorreportada y categorizada como marca lenta, normal y rĆ”pida. Sospecha de deterioro cognitivo fue evaluado a travĆ©s del cuestionario Mini Mental abreviado. La asociaciĆ³n entre marcha y deterioro cognitivo fue investigada mediante anĆ”lisis de regresiĆ³n logĆstica. Resultados: En comparaciĆ³n a las personas mayores que reportaron una velocidad de marcha rĆ”pida, aquellas que reportaron una marcha lenta presentaron 2,67 veces mayor probabilidad de tener deterioro cognitivo (OR: 2,67 [95% IC:1,62; 4,42], p<0,001). Al ajustar los modelos por variables de confusiĆ³n sociodemogrĆ”ficas, estilos de vida y salud, la asociaciĆ³n disminuyĆ³, pero, permaneciĆ³ significativa (OR: 1,78 [95% IC:1,15; 3,17], p=0,047). Mientras que las personas mayores que reportaron tener una velocidad de marcha normal no presentaron asociaciĆ³n con deterioro cognitivo. ConclusiĆ³n: Personas mayores que reportan una velocidad de marcha lenta presentaron una mayor probabilidad de sospecha de deterioro cognitivo. Considerando que el deterioro cognitivo es un sĆndrome geriĆ”trico con alta prevalencia en poblaciĆ³n mayor, existe la necesidad de enfatizar en estrategias para un diagnĆ³stico temprano, por lo cual la velocidad de marcha podrĆa ser un instrumento Ćŗtil.
Actividad fĆsica y tiempo sedente se asocian a sospecha de deterioro cognitivo en poblaciĆ³n adulta mayor chilena
Los factores del estilo de vida podrĆan promover un envejecimiento saludable. Objetivo: Investigar la asociaciĆ³n entre la actividad fĆsica (PA), comportamiento sedentario y deterioro cognitivo en chilenos mayores adultos. Material y MĆ©todos: Se incluyeron 1.390 participantes de la Encuesta Nacional de Salud (2009-2010). El Mini-mental El examen estatal se utilizĆ³ para diagnosticar el deterioro cognitivo. La actividad fĆsica y el comportamiento sedentario fueron evaluados con Cuestionario Global de Actividad FĆsica (GPAQ). RegresiĆ³n LogĆstica se realizĆ³ para investigar las asociaciones. Resultados: Comparados con adultos mayores con niveles mĆ”s bajos de PA (< 48 min/dĆa), aquellos con niveles medios (48-248 min/dĆa) y mĆ”s altos (>248 min/dĆa) de PA tuvieron menores probabilidades de deterioro cognitivo (Odds ratio (OR): 0,57 [95% IC: 0,32; 0,83], p < 0,01, respectivamente). Los participantes que informaron que pasaban mĆ”s de 8 horas al dĆa sentados tenĆan una alta probabilidad de deterioro cognitivo en comparaciĆ³n con aquellos que pasaban < 4 horas/ dĆa (OR: 3,70 [IC 95%: 1,37; 6,03], p = 0,01). Conclusiones: Tanto la PA como el comportamiento sedentario se asociaron independientemente con el deterioro cognitivo independiente de los principales factores de confusiĆ³n en adultos mayores chilenos.
Association between physical activity and income levels in chilean adults
Background: The Chilean population reports high levels of physical inactivity. The relationship between income level, physical activity (PA) and sedentary behaviors is not well known. Aim: To describe the levels of PA and sedentary time, according to income levels in the Chilean population. Material and Methods: Analysis of data from the Chilean National Health Survey 2016-2017, which included 5,130 participants (52.9% women). The levels of PA and sedentary time were measured by the Global Physical Activity Questionnaire. Income levels were established according to the self-reported income per capita of the households and presented as quintiles. PA levels according to income levels were estimated by linear regression analyses. Results: Transport-related PA was higher in the lowest income quintiles (p = 0.039). There were no trends for income levels and PA domains including moderate, vigorous, total, occupational and leisure PA. The prevalence of leisure and occupational physical inactivities were higher in the lowest quintiles of income. Sitting time was higher in the higher income levels (p < 0.01). Conclusions: People in the lowest quintile for income spent more time in transport-related PA and less time sitting. However, physical inactivity prevalence during leisure and work time were higher in people with lower income.