Abstract Background Testing is a foundational component of any COVID-19 management strategy; however, emerging evidence suggests that barriers and hesitancy to testing may affect uptake or participation often these are multiple intersecting factors vary across population groups. To this end, Health Canada’s Screening Expert Advisory Panel commissioned rapid review in January 2021 explore the available area. The aim was identify strategies used mitigate barriers. Methods Searches (completed...

It has been theorized that physical literacy is associated with activity and health. The purpose of this study to investigate the associations between health, if relationship mediated by moderate-to-vigorous (MVPA). Two hundred twenty-two children (113 girls, 10.7 ± 1.0 years old) participated in cross-sectional study. A composite score was computed from measures PLAYfun, PLAYparent, PLAYself. Physical measured over seven days accelerometers, expressed as MVPA (min/day). Health indicators...

The Physical Literacy Assessment for Youth (PLAY) Tools are a suite of tools to assess an individual’s physical literacy. purpose this study is examine the psychometric properties PLAY Tools, including inter-rater reliability, internal consistency, validity and associations between tools. In study, 218 children youth (aged 8.4 13.7 years) parent/guardian completed appropriate literacy assessments (i.e., PLAYbasic, PLAYfun, PLAYparent PLAYself) Bruiniks–Oseretsky Test Motor Proficiency...

The early years are characterized by rapid physical growth and the development of behaviours such as activity. objectives this study were to assess 12-month changes in tracking activity fitness 400 preschoolers (201 boys, 4.5 ± 0.9 age). Physical data, expressed minutes per day percentage time spent at various intensities while wearing an accelerometer, collected 3-s epochs for 7 days. Short-term muscle power, assessed with a 10-s modified Wingate Anaerobic Test, was absolute (W) relative...

Introduction: This study evaluated the impact of Build Our Kids’ Success (BOKS) after-school program on children’s physical activity (PA) and well-being during COVID-19 pandemic. Methods: Program leaders, children, their parents were recruited from programs in Nova Scotia, Canada, that delivered BOKS programming Fall 2020. After participating, Grade 4–6 children (n = 14) completed Physical Literacy Assessment for Youth Self (PLAYself), Activity Questionnaire Older Children (PAQ-C), Enjoyment...

Abstract Background Physical activity participation among preschoolers in childcare settings are low, and interventions to increase physical levels have produced mixed results. The Literacy the Early Years (PLEY) project implemented a six-month childcare-based outdoor loose parts play intervention centres Nova Scotia, Canada. purpose of this study was examine impact PLEY on development domains literacy (physical activity, competence, confidence motivation, knowledge understanding) attending...

Health Promoting Schools (HPS) is a whole-school approach that shapes the conditions necessary to support student health and well-being. Youth engagement recognized as key HPS implementation, yet research related involvement of youth voice in school promotion initiatives limited. The purpose this study was understand perspectives on engagement. Ten (grades 9-10, ages 14-16) were trained peer researchers using Participatory Action Research approach. interviewed 23 their peers 7-10, 12-16) All...

Children’s physical activity participation declined during the COVID-19 pandemic, and these negative changes could lead to longer-term impacts on children’s cognitive, social, emotional health. Purpose: To determine parent/caregivers’ perceptions of their cognitive function, peer family relationships, life satisfaction, activity, sleep, positive affect, global health, before after participating in Build Our Kids’ Success (BOKS) programming at after-school programs Fall 2020. Methods: Parents...

Abstract Background Achieving health equity is important to improve population health; however, not typically well defined, integrated, or measured within service and delivery systems. To health, it necessary understand barriers facilitators integration This study aimed explore among systems workers identify key implementing strategies the system in Nova Scotia, ahead of release a Health Equity Framework, focused on addressing inequities publicly funded institutions. Methods Purposive...

Physical literacy is becoming increasingly popular in sport, recreation, physical education and activity settings programming. We developed an environmental assessment tool to evaluate the extent child youth programs implement across four domains: environment, programming, leaders staff, values goals. The Literacy Environmental Assessment (PLEA) was 3 phases. First, PLEA created, content validity established, were consulted. In second phase, completed tested by 83 it validated with...

The associations between longitudinal physical activity (PA) patterns across childhood and literacy have not been studied. purpose of this study was to identify PA trajectories from preschool school-age, determine if trajectory group membership associated with school-age literacy.Participants (n = 279, 4.5 [0.9] y old, 48% girls) enrolled in completed annual assessments accelerometry over 6 timepoints. Physical assessed at timepoint (10.8 [1.0] old). Group-based analysis applied total volume...

Objectives: The COVID-19 pandemic led to school closures, cancellations of major events, and loss in-person social interactions for children youth. These restrictions undoubtedly impacted the lives This study describes well-being youth in Nova Scotia during their thoughts feelings about return school, from perspectives both parents. Methods: A province-wide survey was conducted August 2020 with parents school-age measure since began. Results: Parents grades pre-primary 12 ( n = 699; 53%...

Abstract Inspired by Fiset-Laniel et al.’s (2020) article entitled “Public health investments: neglect or wilful omission? Historical trends in Quebec and implications for Canada”, we assessed public investments since the establishment of Nova Scotia provincial authority 2015. We analyzed Department Health Wellness budgets from 2015−2016 to 2019–2020 observed that less than 1% funding was budgeted annually, an amount well below recommendation 5–6% healthcare be spent on health. Healthcare...

To determine personal, environmental, and participation factors that predict children's physical activity (PA) trajectories from preschool through to school years.Two hundred seventy-nine children (4.5 ± 0.9 yr, 52% boys) were included in this study. Physical was collected via accelerometry at six different timepoints over 6.3 0.6 yr. Time-stable variables baseline child's sex ethnicity. Time-dependent (age, years) household income (CAD), parental total PA, influence on parent-reported...

The Play-Friendly Cities framework describes key municipal actions and indicators which support a community's playability can positively influence children's health behaviors quality of life. purpose this study was to conduct content analysis Nova Scotia physical activity (PA) active transportation (AT) strategies by applying the criteria in framework. PA AT from communities across were assessed using Strategy analyzed based on four themes: participation children decision making, safe routes...

Background: Children and youth benefit from outdoor play; however, environments policies to support play are often limited. The purpose of this paper is describe a case study the development municipal policy in Nova Scotia, Canada. was developed by Town Truro with UpLift Partnership, School-Community-University Partnership supports health well-being school-aged children using Health Promoting Schools approach which identifies important role government creating healthy school communities....

<title>Abstract</title> Background Achieving health equity is important to improve population health; however, not typically well defined, integrated, or measured within service and delivery systems. To provincially, it necessary understand barriers facilitators integration This study aimed explore among systems workers identify key implementing strategies the system in Nova Scotia, ahead of release a Health Equity Framework, focused on addressing inequities publicly funded institutions....

We examined students’ perspectives on well-being and youth engagement in schools using a Youth Participatory Action Research approach. Students (N = 11) trained as peer researchers then interviewed their peers. Interviews 21) were analyzed reflexive thematic analysis six themes developed: desire for versus reality of healthy school, insufficient school strategies to promote mitigate harm, listening actioning ideas, diverse opportunities student engagement, pre-conceived ideas capability,...

Cycling is one of the most sustainable modes or urban transportation and cities around world are taking steps to create safe cycling infrastructure accelerate uptake across all ages abilities. There considerable variability in how planned, implemented funded. In this commentary, we compare actions experiences Canadian city Halifax Spanish Seville. We identify three lessons implement a minimum grid promote cycling. The first lesson invest mobilize sufficient funds build complete network...