Factors associated with team sport participation in South African children.

The study purpose was to determine if sex, anthropometry, age or birth period are associated with team sport participation in children aged 9-11 years. Data from the International Study of Childhood Obesity, Lifestyle and the Environment were used (n=550, 59% girls). Anthropometric measurements included height, body mass, waist circumference, mid-upper arm circumference and body fat percentage.

Results From South Africa's 2016 Report Card on Physical Activity for Children and Youth.

Background: We present results of the 2016 Healthy Active Kids South Africa (HAKSA) Report Card on the current status of physical activity (PA) and nutrition in South African youth. The context in which we interpret the findings is that participation in PA is a fundamental human right, along with the right to "attainment of the highest standard of health."

Methods: The HAKSA 2016 Writing Group was comprised of 33 authorities in physical education, exercise science, nutrition, public health, and journalism.

Perceived and objective neighborhood support for outside of school physical activity in South African children.

Background: The neighborhood environment has the potential to influence children's participation in physical activity. However, children's outdoor play is controlled by parents to a great extent. This study aimed to investigate whether parents' perceptions of the neighborhood environment and the objectively measured neighborhood environment were associated with children's moderate-to-vigorous intensity physical activity (MVPA) outside of school hours; and to determine if these perceptions and objective measures of the neighborhood environment differ between high and low socio-economic status (SES) groups.

Impact of a South African School-based Intervention, HealthKick, on Fitness Correlates.

Objectives: To assess the impact of a whole-of-school health promotion program targeting healthy eating and physical activity on physical fitness levels, and physical activity-related knowledge, attitudes and behavior of primary school children.

Methods: Sixteen primary schools were randomly assigned as intervention (N = 8) and control (N = 8) schools. A selection of tests from the Eurofit testing battery was used to assess changes in fitness levels over the 3 years of the intervention.

Factors Influencing Break-Time Physical Activity of South African Primary School Learners From Low-Income Communities.

Background: The purpose of this study was to assess factors that influence physical activity (PA) levels during break-times in South African primary school children.

Methods: The System for Observing Play and Leisure Activities in Youth (SOPLAY) was used to observe PA levels during break-times at low-income schools (4 intervention, 4 control). The intervention was based on action-planning including: school environment, curriculum, and family involvement.