Showing papers by "Robert Walker published in 2022"
TL;DR: In this paper , the authors explore how the COVID-19 pandemic has impacted physical activity behavior among Year 6 children (aged 10-11 years) and their parents in Southwest England.
Abstract: Abstract Background Active-6 is exploring how the COVID-19 pandemic has impacted physical activity behaviour among Year 6 children (aged 10–11 years) and their parents in Southwest England. Initial findings from the Active-6 project have shown a 7–8 min decrease in moderate-to-vigorous physical activity and an increase in sedentary behaviour among children following the easing of restrictions in the UK in latter half of 2021. This finding suggests that the pandemic has had a persistent impact on child physical activity behaviour. This paper explored the possible mechanisms behind these changes. Methods Interviews with parents ( n = 21), members of school staff ( n = 9) and focus groups with children aged 10–11 years ( n = 47) were conducted between August and December 2021 to discuss the impact of the pandemic on child physical activity behaviour. The framework method was used for analysis. Results Five themes spanning two key stages of the pandemic were described. Three themes related to the period of lockdowns and fluctuating restrictions (March 2020 – April 2021). These included: Theme 1) Lockdown: A short-lived adventure; Theme 2) Access to facilities during restrictions; and Theme 3) The importance of the parent. A further two themes were identified related to the period following the gradual easing of restrictions in April 2021. These included: Theme 4) An overwhelming return to normal; and Theme 5) Reopening fatigue. Conclusions The analysis suggested that feelings of novelty experienced during the initial stages of lockdown waned as restrictions were prolonged, creating an increasingly challenging period for parents and their children. However, during periods of restrictions, the importance of parental encouragement and access to appropriate facilities in the local and home environment helped facilitate physical activity. Following the easing of COVID-19 restrictions, emotional overwhelm and physical fatigue among children, stemming from a sedentary and socially isolated life in lockdown and other restrictions, were key contributors to the decreased moderate to vigorous physical activity and increased sedentary behaviour that was observed in a related quantitative study.
3 citations
TL;DR: This paper used group-based trajectory modeling in the Dunedin study birth cohort (n = 857) to identify the following: (i) common kidney function trajectories between the ages 32 and 45 years, (ii) early-life factors associated with those trajectories, (iii) modifiable physical and psychosocial factors across adulthood associated with differences in trajectory slope, and (iv) links between trajectories and kidney related outcomes at age 45 years.
1 citations
TL;DR: In this article , an inductive, qualitative, content analysis of the resignation letters elucidates the reasons for the resignations and highlights the ethical dilemmas that confronted would-be resignees.
Abstract: Although comparatively rare, political resignations are essential for the health of democracy and political institutions. Protagonists risk their political careers when resigning but can hold governments to account and make real the Nolan principles of public life. In July 2022, an unprecedented 62 resignations ended Boris Johnson’s time as British prime minister to be replaced first by Liz Truss and then, 44 days later, by Rishi Sunak, the second minister to resign. An inductive, qualitative, content analysis of the resignation letters elucidates the reasons for the resignations and highlights the ethical dilemmas that confronted would be resignees. Events lessened the effectiveness of government, triggered fears for the electoral prospects of the Conservative Party and separately challenged individuals’ personal integrity. Considerations that prevented resignees acting earlier—promises that things would change, competing loyalties, fear of reprisal, love of job, attachment to status and allegiance to ideological faction—may partially explain why much of government remained in post in July.
1 citations
TL;DR: In this article , a narrative account of events at Sir George Williams University between the years 1966 and 1970 is presented, where stories of student life as well as recollections of various faculty members who were on staff during the complex political moment of the late 1960s.
Abstract: ABSTRACT:This essay offers a narrative account of events at Sir George Williams University between the years 1966 and 1970. Recounted here are stories of student life as well as recollections of various faculty members who were on staff during the complex political moment of the late 1960s. These stories of university life are also framed within the happenings and cultural-political shifts in the city of Montreal. This essay uses first person recollection to reorient some of the historical perspectives on such events as the 1967 World's Fair, the civil rights protests in the US, anti-Vietnam war movements, anti-colonial movements and wars of the 1960s, the movement for Quebec independence, and the Sir George Williams University protests.RÉSUMÉ:Voici un compte rendu des événements survenus à l'Université Sir George Williams entre 1966 et 1970. On y trouve des récits de la vie étudiante ainsi que des souvenirs de divers membres du corps professoral qui faisaient partie du personnel durant la période politique complexe de la fin des années soixante. Ces récits de la vie universitaire s'inscrivent également dans le contexte des événements et des changements politico-culturels à Montréal. Cet essai fait appel à des souvenirs personnels amenant à une relecture d'événements tels que l'Exposition universelle de 1967, les manifestations pour les droits civils aux États-Unis, les mouvements contre la guerre du Vietnam, les mouvements et les guerres anticolonialistes des années soixante, le mouvement pour l'indépendance du Québec et les manifestations à l'Université Sir George Williams.