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Background Sedentary behavior (SB) in children is related to different health outcomes such as overweight and cardio-metabolic diseases. These negative effects have been widely supported by evidence. However, no data on sedentary time (ST) among Moroccan children has been available, yet. Therefore, the present study examined gender and grade differences in objectively measured sedentary behavior in a sample of Moroccan primary school children and adolescents. Methods In total, 172 Moroccan children/adolescents aged between 8 to 14 years old (mean age = 10.92 ± 1.55 years; 49.4% were boys) completed the survey. School grade, gender, height, and weight were collected by questionnaires and ST objectively measured using a tri-axial accelerometer (GTX3+). Study required at least 3 valid weekdays and 1 weekend day with? 600 min/day total wear time. Two-way analysis of covariance and logistic regression analyses, adjusted for BMI z-score and accelerometer wear time, were used to examine gender and grade differences in ST. Results Mean time spent in SB was 535.93 ± 87.15 min/day or ∼ 62.94% of the average daily accelerometer wear time of 851.45 ±51.35.min/day with statistical differences between weekend and week days (471.357 ± 127.73 minutes/day vs. 559.7661± 90.75 minutes/day; p > 0.001). Adolescents (11-14y) were more involved in sitting tasks when compared to the early grades (8-10y). 550.011±88.827 vs. 521.845±83.602 respectively; p > 0.001. Conclusion ST increases between ages 11 and 14 years. On week days children and adolescents spent sitting longer than at weekends. Girls and adolescents were identified as potential risk groups. This report on ST presents valuable information for designing and implementing interventions to decrease time spent in SB among children during class time. Acknowledgements This study was performed with the support of the International Atomic Energy Agency (CRP E4.30.24; RAF 6042).

Background Physical activity is associated with improved psychological well-being and lower levels of cardio metabolic risk factors, diabetes, obesity among children and adolescent. The purpose of the study was 1- to examine gender, type of day, and age grade differences in objectively PA; 2- to examine the attainment of recommended physical activity guidelines; 3-to examine the association between PA levels and BMI z-score among children and adolescents in Morocco. Method 172 Moroccan children/adolescents (mean age = 10.92 ± 1.55 years, mean BMI z-score = -0.16 ± 1.33; 19.2 % overweight) were recruited for this study and wore a tri-axial accelerometer (GT3X+) for 7 consecutive days. Two-way analysis of covariance was used to examine gender and age grade differences in physical activity level separately for weekdays and weekends, adjusted for body mass index for age (BMI z-score) and wear time. Logistic regression analyses were conducted to examine independent relationships between attainments of physical activity guidelines and gender. Pearson correlation was used to assess the association between physical activity levels and BMI z-score. Results In both weekends and weekday, children spent more time in Light physical activity than adolescents (p > 0.001), boys were more engaged in moderate activity (p > 0.001) and vigorous (p > 0.001) activity and took more steps than girls. Boys were eight time more likely to meet the recommendation for at least 60 min of moderate to vigorous physical activity per day than girls (OR: 8.569; 95% [CI]: 4.23-17.32), p > 0.001. Among adolescent, moderate to vigorous PA were inversely correlated with BMI z-score (r = -0,213; p = 0.04). Conclusion The findings can shed light on the need of urgent scaling up of implementation of known effective policies and programmes for adolescents and girls to increase their involvement in PA. Acknowledgements This study was performed with the support of the International Atomic Energy Agency (CRP E4.30.24; RAF 6042).

In mammals, trait variation is often reported to be greater among males than females. However, to date, mainly only morphological traits have been studied. Energy expenditure represents the metabolic costs of multiple physical, physiological, and behavioral traits. Energy expenditure could exhibit particularly high greater male variation through a cumulative effect if those traits mostly exhibit greater male variation, or a lack of greater male variation if many of them do not. Sex differences in energy expenditure variation have been little explored. We analyzed a large database on energy expenditure in adult humans (1494 males and 3108 females) to investigate whether humans have evolved sex differences in the degree of interindividual variation in energy expenditure. We found that, even when statistically comparing males and females of the same age, height, and body composition, there is much more variation in total, activity, and basal energy expenditure among males. However, with aging, variation in total energy expenditure decreases, and because this happens more rapidly in males, the magnitude of greater male variation, though still large, is attenuated in older age groups. Considerably greater male variation in both total and activity energy expenditure could be explained by greater male variation in levels of daily activity. The considerably greater male variation in basal energy expenditure is remarkable and may be explained, at least in part, by greater male variation in the size of energy-demanding organs. If energy expenditure is a trait that is of indirect interest to females when choosing a sexual partner, this would suggest that energy expenditure is under sexual selection. However, we present a novel energetics model demonstrating that it is also possible that females have been under stabilizing selection pressure for an intermediate basal energy expenditure to maximize energy available for reproduction. (C) 2022 The Author(s). Published by Elsevier Ltd.

Publisher Copyright: © 2021 The Authors Understanding the impacts of activity on energy balance is crucial. Increasing levels of activity may bring diminishing returns in energy expenditure because of compensatory responses in non-activity energy expenditures.1–3 This suggestion has profound implications for both the evolution of metabolism and human health. It implies that a long-term increase in activity does not directly translate into an increase in total energy expenditure (TEE) because other components of TEE may decrease in response—energy compensation. We used the largest dataset compiled on adult TEE and basal energy expenditure (BEE) (n = 1,754) of people living normal lives to find that energy compensation by a typical human averages 28% due to reduced BEE; this suggests that only 72% of the extra calories we burn from additional activity translates into extra calories burned that day. Moreover, the degree of energy compensation varied considerably between people of different body compositions. This association between compensation and adiposity could be due to among-individual differences in compensation: people who compensate more may be more likely to accumulate body fat. Alternatively, the process might occur within individuals: as we get fatter, our body might compensate more strongly for the calories burned during activity, making losing fat progressively more difficult. Determining the causality of the relationship between energy compensation and adiposity will be key to improving public health strategies regarding obesity.

Background The restrictions associated with the 2020 COVID-19 pandemic has resulted in changes to young children’s daily routines and habits. The impact on their participation in movement behaviours (physical activity, sedentary screen time and sleep) is unknown. This international longitudinal study compared young children’s movement behaviours before and during the COVID-19 pandemic. Methods Parents of children aged 3–5 years, from 14 countries (8 low- and middle-income countries, LMICs) completed surveys to assess changes in movement behaviours and how these changes were associated with the COVID-19 pandemic. Surveys were completed in the 12 months up to March 2020 and again between May and June 2020 (at the height of restrictions). Physical activity (PA), sedentary screen time (SST) and sleep were assessed via parent survey. At Time 2, COVID-19 factors including level of restriction, environmental conditions, and parental stress were measured. Compliance with the World Health Organizations (WHO) Global guidelines for PA (180 min/day [≥60 min moderate- vigorous PA]), SST (≤1 h/day) and sleep (10-13 h/day) for children under 5 years of age, was determined. Results Nine hundred- forty-eight parents completed the survey at both time points. Children from LMICs were more likely to meet the PA (Adjusted Odds Ratio [AdjOR] = 2.0, 95%Confidence Interval [CI] 1.0,3.8) and SST (AdjOR = 2.2, 95%CI 1.2,3.9) guidelines than their high-income country (HIC) counterparts. Children who could go outside during COVID-19 were more likely to meet all WHO Global guidelines (AdjOR = 3.3, 95%CI 1.1,9.8) than those who were not. Children of parents with higher compared to lower stress were less likely to meet all three guidelines (AdjOR = 0.5, 95%CI 0.3,0.9). Conclusion PA and SST levels of children from LMICs have been less impacted by COVID-19 than in HICs. Ensuring children can access an outdoor space, and supporting parents’ mental health are important prerequisites for enabling pre-schoolers to practice healthy movement behaviours and meet the Global guidelines.

Additional file 1: Table S1: Parent/Caregiver Survey. Table S2. Descriptive characteristics of participating countries. Table S3. Characteristics of analytic sample. Table S4. Distribution of analytic sample according to COVID-19 factors

Background: The 2020 COVID-19 pandemic has placed unprecedented restrictions on children’s ability to participate in adequate movement behaviours. This international longitudinal study compared young children’s physical activity, sedentary behaviour and sleep behaviours before and during the COVID-19 pandemic.Methods: Parents of children aged 3-5 years, from 14 countries (8 low- and middle-income countries, LMICs) completed surveys to assess changes in physical activity, sedentary behaviour (screen-time) and sleep and how these changes were associated with the COVID-19 pandemic. Surveys were completed in the 12 months up to March 2020 and again between May and June 2020 (at the height of restrictions). PA, sedentary screen time (SST) and sleep were assessed via parent questionnaire. At Time 2, COVID-19 factors including level of restriction, environmental conditions, and parental stress were measured. Results: 948 parents completed the survey at both time points. Children from LMICs were more likely to meet the PA (AdjOR=2.0, 95%CI 1.0 to 3.8) and SST (2.2, CI 1.2 to 3.9) guidelines than their high-income country (HIC) counterparts. Children who could go outside during COVID-19 were more likely to meet all WHO recommendations (AdjOR 3.3, CI 1.1 to 9.8) than those who were not. Children of caregivers with higher compared to lower stress were less likely to meet all three guidelines (0.5, CI 0.3 to 0.9). Conclusion: PA and SST levels of children from LMICs have been less impacted by COVID-19 than in HICs. Ensuring children can access an outdoor space, and supporting caregivers’ mental health are important prevention strategies.

Purpose Iodine deficiency has several adverse effects on human growth and development and it is categorized collectively as iodine deficiency disorders (IDDs). Recent estimations showed that 29.8 per cent of school-age children have insufficient iodine intake. Salt iodization is widely accepted as the best method for increasing iodine intake. In 1995, Morocco adopted the universal salt iodization strategy to reduce iodine deficiency and consequently prevent and control IDDs. This study aims to determine the benefit of this strategy on schoolchildren and adolescent by assessing iodine intake and evaluating iodine deficiency. Design/methodology/approach This transversal study was conducted on 131 children and adolescents. Iodine intake was assessed using a food frequency questionnaire. Iodine status was evaluated on 24-h urine samples and the creatinine excretion was used to validate completeness of urine collection. Findings The medians of urinary iodine excretion and concentration were 77 µg/day and 96 µg/L, respectively. Overall, 72.5 per cent are deficient, so mild and moderate iodine deficiencies were reported in 58 per cent and 14.5 per cent, respectively, and no child exhibited severe deficiency. A significant difference was reported between iodine deficiency and, sex and age; iodine deficiency was more pronounced in boys and children under eight years. In this study, iodine status in deficient children does not change with the consumption pattern of dairy products and eggs, and results showed no significant association (p > 0.05). However, fish consumption was significantly associated to urinary iodine concentration = 100 µg/L (p = 0.044). Average UIC in school-aged children is still inadequate and consumption of foods high in iodine remains very insufficient. Therefore, additional efforts must focus on nutritional education of Moroccan school-aged children. Originality/value In the author’s knowledge, this is the first study evaluating schoolchildren iodine status by 24-h iodine collection; the study reported association of iodine deficiency with dietary habit concerning sources of food rich on iodine.

Background. Regular physical activity in childhood and adolescent plays an important role in reducing the risk of cardiovascular health diseases, diabetes, and obesity in adulthood. However, little is known about physical activity levels (PA) and sedentary time among children and adolescents in Morocco. Objective. To examine gender, type of day, and age grade differences in objectively measured sedentary time, physical activity levels, and physical activity guideline attainment among children and adolescents in Morocco. Method. 172 children/adolescents (mean age = 10.92 ± 1.55 years, 49.4% are boys) were recruited for this study and wore a tri-axial accelerometer (GT3X+) for 7 consecutive days. Time spent in sedentary, PA levels, and daily steps were measured and compared according to gender, age grade, and the type of day (weekdays/weekends). Results. In weekdays children/adolescents spent more time in sedentary than weekends (p < 0.001). Boys were eight times more likely to meet the recommendation for at least 60 min of moderate to vigorous physical activity per day than girls (OR: 8.569; 95% [CI]: 4.23–17.32), p < 0.001. Conclusion. These findings highlight the need for effective and sustainable strategies and programs aiming to promote physical activity and to reduce sedentary behavior among children and adolescents in Morocco.

Estimating body composition using bioelectric impedance analysis (BIA) requires specific prediction equations. The purpose of our study was to examine the validity of published BIA equations for assessing total body water (TBW) and fat-free mass (FFM) using deuterium oxide dilution (D2O) as a reference method and to develop new FFM and TBW BIA equations if needed for Moroccan pre-pubertal children. Data were collected from 247 schoolchildren aged 8–11 years old. Children were sorted by gender and age group and assigned in development and validation groups. D2O dilution was used as reference method for estimating TBW and FFM. Bland and Altman test, effect size, pure error, and proportional bias were used to assess the reliability of previous published equations. Cross-validation was performed by Bland and Altman test and BIA new equations were developed by linear regression. Previously published equations were tested and showed significant bias values indicating that if used they would provide biased values of TBW and FFM. The new prediction equations developed were: $$\mathrm{TBW}_{\mathrm{D}_{2}{\mathrm{O}}}$$ (l) = 0.269 + 0.292 Ht2/R (cm2/Ω) + 0.221 weight (kg) + 0.824 sex (boys = 1, girls = 0) + 0.291 age (years) (R2 = 0.91, RMSE = 1.54 kg); $$\mathrm{FFM}_{\mathrm{D}_{2}{\mathrm{O}}}$$ (kg) = −0.450 + 0.380 Ht2/R (cm2/Ω) + 0.291 weight (kg) + 1.294 sex (boys = 1, girls = 0) + 0.446 age (years) (R2 = 0.91, RMSE = 1.97 kg). These equations provide better values of proportional bias, agreement, and pure error than the other tested equations. The new BIA prediction equations seem to be the most accurate for Moroccan pre-pubertal children.

Estimating body composition using bioelectric impedance analysis (BIA) requires specific prediction equations. The purpose of our study was to examine the validity of published BIA equations for assessing total body water (TBW) and fat-free mass (FFM) using deuterium oxide dilution (DData were collected from 247 schoolchildren aged 8-11 years old. Children were sorted by gender and age group and assigned in development and validation groups. DPreviously published equations were tested and showed significant bias values indicating that if used they would provide biased values of TBW and FFM. The new prediction equations developed were: [Formula: see text] (l) = 0.269 + 0.292 HtThe new BIA prediction equations seem to be the most accurate for Moroccan pre-pubertal children.