Item – Theses Canada

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OCLC number
1285073798
Link(s) to full text
LAC copy
Author
O'Rourke, Brianne,
Title
Move eat sleep repeat : investigating diet, 24-hour movement, and indicators of mental health among children and youth
Degree
M.Sc. -- Nipissing University, 2021
Publisher
North Bay, Ontario : Nipissing University, School of Physical and Health Education, 2021.
©2021
Description
1 online resource (233 leaves);
Notes
Submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Science in Kinesiology.
Date on cover: "October 2021".
Includes bibliographical references (139-194)
Abstract
In Canada, an estimated 1.2 million children and youth are affected by mental illness, while one third experience weekly symptoms of mental health problems. Research indicates physical activity (PA), sedentary behaviour (SB), sleep, and diet are each independently associated with indicators of mental health among children and youth; however, most research examining the relationships between PA, SB, sleep and diet with mental health has been conducted in isolation even though health is dependent on the combination of behaviours. The Canadian 24-Hour Movement Guidelines for Children and Youth demand a rethink of traditional surveillance measures that have focused on isolated behaviours, and recommend those aged 5-to-17 years should sweat (moderate-to-vigorous-intensity PA; MVPA), step (light-intensity PA;LPA), sleep, and sit each day. Children's movement and dietary behaviours are inter-related; however, there is a paucity of research simultaneously exploring 24-hour movement, diet, and mental health. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to investigate the associations between objectively measured 24-hour movement behaviours, healthy and unhealthy dietary patterns, and indicators of mental health among a sample of children and youth living in Northeastern Ontario. The current research incorporated elements of community-based participatory research, and used a convenience sample of children and youth (n = 58, 56.9% female) in grades 5 to 8 (Mage = 11.81 years; SD = 1.05) from one consenting school in Northeastern Ontario. To assess 24-hour movement, participants wore the GENEActiv Original accelerometer on their non-dominant wrist for 7 consecutive days. Movement behaviour variables included minimal-intensity PA(min PA; a correlate of SB), LPA, MVPA, and sleep. Health and unhealthy dietary pattern scores were derived from a participant-completed food frequency questionnaire. The mental health indicator was the total difficulty score (TDS) derived from the Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire. Pearson bivariate correlation analyses were performed between average time in light intensity PA, moderate-to-vigorous-intensity PA, min PA, sleep, as well as unhealthy and healthy diet scores, with TDS. Correlation analyses revealed unhealthy diet scores were significantly associated with TDS, r = 0.486, p < .0001, as were healthy diet scores, r = 0.285, p = .030. LPA,MVPA, SB, and sleep were not associated with TDS (LPA: r = -0.053, p = .694; MVPA: r = -0.149, p = .266; SB: r = -0.028, p = .834; sleep: r = 0.179, p = .179). Robust multiple linear regression analyses were conducted to assess which variables predicted TDS. Due to issues with multicollinearity, SB was removed from the regression analysis. Robust regression revealed the unhealthy diet score was the strongest predictor of TDS in this sample, [Beta] = .44, p = .003,followed by average time in MVPA, [Beta] = -.33, p = .045. Collectively, LPA, MVPA, sleep, healthy diet, and unhealthy diet accounted for 23% of the variation in TDS, R2adj = .23.Findings highlight the need for policy, practice, and theory aimed at improving children and youth's mental health to target both movement and diet simultaneously. Regression and correlation analyses produced similar yet different results, thus providing added support for assessing health behaviours simultaneously. Within the school context, a whole school approach should be used to apply findings from this research and design initiatives that have a meaningful impact on child and youth mental health.
Other link(s)
tspace.library.utoronto.ca
hdl.handle.net
Subject
Child mental health.
Sedentary behavior in children.
Children Sleep.
Physical fitness for children.
Exercise for children.
Human locomotion.
Human physiology.
Children Health and hygiene.
Enfants Santé mentale.
Enfants Sommeil.
Condition physique des enfants.
Exercices pour enfants.
Locomotion humaine.
Physiologie humaine.
Sedentary behavior in children
Children Sleep
Physical fitness for children
Exercise for children
Human locomotion
Human physiology
Children Health and hygiene