The worldwide prevalence of insufficient physical activity (PA) and prolonged sedentary behavior (SB) were high before the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic. Measures that were taken by governments (such as home confinement) to control the spread of COVID-19 may have affected levels of PA and SB. This cross-sectional study among South American adults during the first months of COVID-19 aims to (i) compare sitting time (ST), screen exposure, moderate PA (MPA), vigorous PA (VPA), and moderate-to-vigorous PA (MVPA) before and during lockdown to sociodemographic correlates and (ii) to assess the impact of lockdown on combinations of groups reporting meeting/not-meeting PA recommendations and engaging/not-engaging excessive ST (≥7 h/day). Bivariate associations, effect sizes, and multivariable linear regressions were used. Adults from Argentina (n = 575) and Chile (n = 730) completed an online survey with questions regarding demographics, lifestyle factors, and chronic diseases. Mean reductions of 42.7 and 22.0 min./day were shown in MPA and VPA, respectively; while increases of 212.4 and 164.3 min./day were observed in screen and ST, respectively. Those who met PA recommendations and spent <7 h/day of ST experienced greatest changes, reporting greater than 3 h/day higher ST and more than 1.5 h/day lower MVPA. Findings from the present study suggest that efforts to promote PA to South American adults during and after COVID-19 restrictions are needed.

Background and Objectives: The repercussions of childhood overweight and obesity are multifaceted, extending beyond the realm of physiology and giving rise to psychological and emotional disturbances in affected children. The precise effects of gestational physical activity (PA) on parameters related to childhood overweight and obesity remain inadequately understood. The aim of this study (Registration CRD42022372490) was to evaluate the literature regarding the influence of PA during pregnancy on the risk of childhood overweight and obesity. Materials and Methods: Only randomized controlled trials (RCTs) were considered for inclusion. Determinant parameters of childhood obesity were analyzed. A total of 30 studies involving 16,137 pregnant women were examined. Five meta-analyses about the effects of PA during pregnancy on determinants of childhood overweight and obesity were conducted. Results: Although favorable trends were observed, Meta-Analyses showed no statistical differences in the effects of PA on weight at birth (Z = 0.03, p = 0.97), Ponderal Index at birth (Z = 0.64, p = 0.52), Macrosomia and Large for Gestational Age at birth (Z = 0.93, p = 0.35), children’s BMI (Z = 0.78, p = 0.44), weight (Z = 0.50, p = 0.62), and skinfold thicknesses (Z = 0.45, p = 0.65). Conclusions: The engagement in physical activity during pregnancy exhibits a favorable trend in parameters associated with childhood overweight and obesity while presenting no adverse effects on such outcomes.

Background: The objective of the Argentine Global Matrix 4.0 Report Card was to synthesize the available national evidence on topics related to physical activity and health of children and adolescents and, based on that evidence, to assign a grade to some related indicators. Methods: The Report Card working group reviewed and compiled the best available evidence on the indicators developed by Active Healthy Kids Global Alliance. Each of the 12 grades (for 10 core and 2 optional indicators) were based on the percentage of children and adolescents meeting a benchmark established in the Global Matrix grading rubric: These grades could range from A+ (best) to F (worst), or an incomplete was assigned when evidence was insufficient or inadequate for grading. The grades were subsequently reviewed and harmonized by 2 independent Active Healthy Kids Global Alliance reviewers. Results: Overall Physical Activity, Sedentary Behavior, and Government, all received a grade of D+. Organized Sport and Physical Activity and Community and Environment each received a grade of C−. Obesity received a grade of C+. Active Play, Active Transportation, Physical Fitness, Family and Peers, School, and Sleep were graded as incomplete. Conclusions: Only half of the indicators were able to be graded, as the other half were inconclusive due to lack of evidence. This leaves a gap and thus a challenge at the national level to improve research, surveillance systems, and policies to promote physical activity during childhood and adolescence.

Objetivo: Comparar los comportamientos de actividad física (AF), tiempo de pantalla (TP) y sueño antes y durante el aislamiento social preventivo y obligatorio (ASPO) por COVID-19 de los/as niños y niñas que asisten a instituciones de gestión pública y privada de nivel primario del Gran Buenos Aires. Métodos: Se entrevistaron 379 personas adultas responsables de niños y niñas de escuelas de gestión pública y escuelas de gestión privada, quienes completaron una encuesta en línea sobre comportamientos de AF, TP y sueño antes y durante el ASPO. Se utilizó el tipo de gestión como proxi de nivel socioeconómico, el alumnado de escuelas de gestión privada de nivel más favorecido respecto a escuelas de gestión pública. Resultados: El ASPO produjo una reducción en ambos grupos en la realización de AF (-43%) y un aumento en el TP (79,9%). Las escuelas de gestión privada tuvieron los peores resultados ya que partían de mejores comportamientos (AF: pre: 3,5 ± 1.3 vs durante: 1,9 ± 2,0 días/sem; TP pre: 2,1 ± 0,6 vs durante: 3,8 ± 1,0 días/sem) respecto a la gestión pública (AF: pre: 3,1 ± 1,8 vs durante: 1,8 ± 1,5 días/sem; TP pre: 2,4 ± 0,9 vs durante: 3,6 ± 1,3 días/sem). El sueño aumentó un 7,6% con un corrimiento hacia horarios más tardes para acostarse y levantarse, viéndose más afectado el alumnado de gestión pública. Conclusión: Las restricciones del ASPO han producido cambios desfavorables en los comportamientos de AF, comportamiento sedentario y los horarios de sueño en los niños y niñas de escuelas de gestión pública y escuelas de gestión privada. El ASPO igualó las diferencias que existían antes de la pandemia entre el alumnado de escuelas de gestión pública y escuelas de gestión privada en los comportamientos de AF y TP.

Objective: To compare physical activity (PA), screen time (ST), and sleep behaviors before and during the mandatory preventive social isolation (ASPO, for its acronym in Spanish) due to COVID-19 among children attending public and private primary schools in the Greater Buenos Aires metropolitan area. Methods: A total of 379 adult caregivers of children attending public and private primary schools completed an online survey on PA, ST, and sleep behaviors before and during ASPO. School type was used as an indicator of socioeconomic status, with private schools’ students considered more privileged than public schools’ students. Results: For both groups, ASPO resulted in a reduction in PA (-43%) and an increase in ST (79.9%). Children attending private schools had the worst results, since they started with better behaviors (PA pre vs during: 3.5 ± 1.3 vs 1.9 ± 2.0 days/week; ST pre vs during: 2.1 ± 0.6 vs 3.8 ± 1.0 days/week) compared to the children attending public schools (PA pre vs during: 3.1 ± 1.8 vs 1.8 ± 1.5 days/week; ST pre vs during: 2.4 ± 0.9 vs 3.6 ± 1.3 days/week). Sleep increased by 7.6% with a shift towards later bed and wake-up times, with public schools’ students being more affected. Conclusion: ASPO restrictions led to unfavorable changes in PA, ST and sleep behaviors among children attending public schools and private schools. ASPO evened out the pre-pandemic differences between public schools and private schools’ students in PA and ST behaviors.

La actividad física realizada de forma segura, eficaz y de manera regular proporciona importantes beneficios en salud a las personas adultas mayores (PAM). Programas de ejercicio físico grupales en espacios abiertos para esta población son recomendados. El propósito de este artículo es describir el programa “A MOverte con UFLO”. Este programa de ejercicio grupal para PAM en espacios públicos al aire libre, tiene el objetivo de mejorar o mantener las dimensiones de la aptitud física y así la salud de las PAM durante el período de envejecimiento. El mismo está basado en el concepto de diversidad de las PAM y cumple con los estándares de asequibilidad, seguridad y eficacia. El programa “A MOverte con UFLO” se compone de tres etapas; 1) Etapa diagnóstica, en la que nos proponemos establecer la línea de base del binomio de seguridad y eficacia para cada uno de los participantes 2) etapa de familiarización, se busca introducir a los participantes en los fundamentos del programa, este período incluye un proceso de realfabetización motriz así como de autocuidado 3) de diseño e implementación del programa a través de sesiones de actividad multicomponente en las que se desarrollan las diferentes dimensiones de la aptitud física que más se relacionan con la salud. Por último, se realiza un proceso de evaluación para revisar la ejecución del programa y valorar la efectividad del mismo al final del período.