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Introduction. This study investigated views of mothers from disadvantaged urban and regional areas (i.e., beyond major capital cities) as potential end users of child active play and screen time behaviour change interventions, with a focus on text messaging and web-based delivery platforms. Methods. Thirty-two mothers (22 urban; 10 regional) were interviewed. Purpose-designed questions covered topics regarding mothers’ preferences for accessing and receiving information related to parenting and child active play and screen time. Data from transcribed interviews were analysed to identify responses and key themes. Results. Mothers reported frequently accessing parenting- and child-related information online. Regional mothers reported seeking information by talking with other people less frequently than urban mothers and seemed to have a stronger preference for receiving information online. There were few differences between responses from low and high educated mothers. The majority of mothers reported that they would be happy to receive text messages containing information about active play and screen time and that they would find a dedicated website with this information useful. Conclusions. Mothers in this study held favourable views on the potential of receiving information via new communication technologies. Future interventions targeting socioeconomically disadvantaged mothers may benefit from delivering intervention messages via these technologies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Physical activity (PA) during pregnancy has numerous benefits, which may be mediated via effects on the immune system. However, supportive evidence is inconsistent and is mainly from studies in high-risk groups. We estimated the effect of PA during pregnancy on systemic inflammatory markers and cytokines in mothers recruited in the Barwon infant study., Material and Methods: The Barwon infant study is a prebirth cohort of 1064 mothers recruited in the Barwon Region of Victoria, Australia. Participants reported their previous week's PA at their 28-week antenatal appointment using the International PA Questionnaire. Women were grouped into low, moderate, and high PA categories based on daily duration and weekly frequency of walking, moderate- or vigorous-intensity PA. Women reporting moderate levels of PA, consistent with current recommendations, served as the comparison group. Markers of systemic inflammation, high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hsCRP), glycoprotein acetyls (GlycA), and 17 cytokines were measured at 28 weeks gestation and log transformed as appropriate. Regression analyses adjusted for maternal smoking, gestational diabetes mellitus, prepregnancy BMI, and household size were performed., Results: Compared to women in the moderate group (n = 371, 42%), women reporting low PA (n = 436, 50%) had 10.1% higher hsCRP (95% CI (3.7% to 16.6%), p < 0.01) while women in high PA (n = 76, 9%) had a 14% higher hsCRP (95% CI (3.1% to 24.8%), p = 0.01). Women in the high PA category had higher interleukin (IL)-4 (q = 0.03) and IL-9 (q = 0.03) levels compared to those in moderate category. Each vigorous MET minute/week was associated with lower GlycA (β = -0.004, 95% CI (-0.044 to 0.035); p = 0.03)., Conclusions: Low and high PA are each associated with higher hsCRP than moderate PA, suggesting that undertaking the recommended moderate PA during pregnancy decreases systemic inflammation. High PA affects T cell-associated cytokines during pregnancy. Evidence from our study suggests that PA can modulate the immune responses during pregnancy. Studies are now required to assess whether PA during pregnancy impacts maternal and infant clinical outcomes by modifying inflammatory responses., (© 2024 The Author(s). Acta Obstetricia et Gynecologica Scandinavica published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd on behalf of Nordic Federation of Societies of Obstetrics and Gynecology (NFOG).)

Background: Managing children's screen time is challenging for most families. Interventions have had limited success in reducing screen time, potentially due to a lack of understanding of the experiences, needs and recommendations of families. This study aimed to 1) understand the screen time experiences of families, particularly during COVID-19 lockdowns; and 2) explore parent and child suggestions for the design, components, and content of a screen time management program., Methods: Parents and children from 30 families living in Victoria, Australia completed a semi-structured interview (63 interviews) via Zoom in October-November 2021. Parents were m aged 40.8 (± 8.9) years and predominantly female (90%). Children were m aged 11.4 (± 2.4) years and 47% female. The interviews were audio recorded, transcribed verbatim and analysed using inductive thematic analysis combined with a summative content analysis approach., Results: Three themes under Aim 1 emerged. Theme 1) 'Screen time management experiences and practices', including rules and strategies, challenges, and the impact of COVID-19 lockdowns. Theme 2) 'Impact of screens on family interaction and communication' including conflicts within the family, reduced face-to-face interactions, and negative impact on child's behaviour and wellbeing. Theme 3) 'Benefits of increased screen time due to COVID-19 lockdowns' including continuation of social interactions, extracurricular activities, improved technology skills and using screens as a 'babysitter'. Findings from Aim 2 suggest that families want a screen time management program delivered online to parents and children, which includes static and interactive content that incorporates health information, alternative activities, cyber-safety information, tips for goal setting and rewards, screen monitoring tools, links to reputable information, and parent social connections. Reminders via text message or through the online platform would help maintain engagement in the program., Conclusions: Families are experiencing challenges in managing the complex balance between the increased need for screens and the impact it has on the family. These findings provide valuable parent and child insights to assist in developing screen time management programs that are created with an understanding of the needs and challenges of families., (© 2022. The Author(s).)