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Physical activity and screen‐time of childhood haematopoietic stem cell transplant survivors
Author(s) -
Bogg Tina FT,
Shaw Peter J.,
Cohn Richard J.,
Wakefield Claire E.,
Hardy Louise L,
Broderick Carolyn,
Naumann Fiona
Publication year - 2015
Publication title -
acta paediatrica
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.772
H-Index - 115
eISSN - 1651-2227
pISSN - 0803-5253
DOI - 10.1111/apa.13120
Subject(s) - medicine , physical activity , screen time , childhood cancer , hematopoietic stem cell transplantation , pediatrics , transplantation , physical therapy , gerontology , cancer
Aim Reduced bone mineral density, impaired cardiovascular fitness and increased risk of obesity are well‐known late effects of haematopoietic stem cell transplantation ( HSCT ) in survivors of childhood cancer. These comorbidities can be mitigated through physical activity and limiting screen‐time ( ST ). This study aims to increase the understanding of physical activity and ST behaviours for children following HSCT . Methods Children were recruited from two oncology follow‐up clinics and completed a questionnaire on their physical activity levels and screen‐time. Children were classified as short (≤2 years) and long‐term (>2 years) survivors. Results Fifty‐eight children were eligible, of whom forty children of age 6–18 years (60% males) participated in the study. Less than half (47.5%) met the daily recommendations for physical activity and one‐third met the ST recommendations. Late survivors reported higher daily physical activity and less ST than early survivors. Among late survivors, females reported higher daily physical activity and less ST than males. Conclusion Our findings suggest that the majority of children following HSCT were not sufficiently active and had excessive screen‐time; however, this was comparable to healthy populations. Appropriately designed physical activity and screen‐time intervention programmes should be explored early following transplant for children undergoing HSCT .