Ruth Salway
Biographic Data
| ID | 4610644 |
|---|---|
| NAME | Ruth Salway |
| GIVEN NAMES | Ruth |
| FAMILY NAME | Salway |
| SIGNATURE | SALWAY R |
| AFFILIATIONS | University of Bristol |
| ORCID | 0000-0002-3242-3951 |
| VERIFIED | Yes |
| TOTAL WORKS | 20 |
| TOTAL CITATIONS | 0 |
| AUTHOR COUNT | 20 |
| EDITOR COUNT | 0 |
| FIRST PUBLICATION YEAR | 2012 |
| LATEST PUBLICATION YEAR | 2026 |
| H-INDEX | 0 |
Primary school physical activity culture in the UK
Introduction: Physical activity is fundamental for children's health and well-being, yet most children are not active enough. School-based interventions aiming to increase children's physical activity have largely been ineffective, perhaps due to a lack of consideration of the unique culture within each school. The aim of this paper is to understand the key aspects of physical activity culture in English primary schools using the organizational c…
We just have to work with what we’ve got”
The presence of facilities or resources alone does not determine pupil physical activity at primary school. Factors such as the social context of the school, logistical and timetabling challenges, seasonality, and how fit for purpose facilities are for that school, are important factors in school staff and pupils' use and management of these facilities, and whether their potential is maximised or undermined. Future research and policy must broade…
A mixed-methods formative process evaluation of the falls management exercise programme in an English county
The Falls Management Exercise (FaME) Programme has been shown in clinical trials to reduce falls amongst the over 65s. FaME was implemented in one large, rural county in England. The current study is a formative process evaluation measuring the impact on those completing the FaME intervention, and examines service reach, fidelity, acceptability, and maintenance of outcomes. Anonymised routine data was collected from 110 participants at baseline, …
The complexity of promoting physical activity in English state primary schools
Revisions to school regulatory systems and policies are needed to enable schools to prioritise physical activity so it is not dependent on "passionate" individuals. Senior leadership plays a key role in prioritising physical activity in the high pressure state primary school environment. It is important that practitioners and researchers consider these diverse and challenging social contextual factors within English state primary schools in inter…
Designing context-specific physical activity interventions for English primary schools
This study underscores the importance of context-specific approaches to promoting physical activity in primary schools. Context-specific intervention design should closely consider school context to ensure strategies are appropriate. Intervention designs should also include steps to understand different stakeholder goals, PTA funding disparities, and the appropriate areas of physical activity to target
The Value in Rapid, Multi-Site Team Ethnography for Understanding Context to Design Public Health Interventions
Low levels of physical activity is a global public health challenge, and children are not taking part in recommended amounts of physical activity. To date, the majority of school-based physical activity interventions have not yielded increases in pupils’ physical activity levels, and it is suggested that this is partly due to traditional intervention approaches ignoring the role of individual school context. By context we mean the school setting,…
Physical activity interventions in European primary schools
Introduction: Schools provide a unique environment to facilitate physical activity for children. However, many school-based physical activity interventions have not been effective. We propose a new approach, which allows schools to tailor interventions to their specific context. This scoping review aimed to identify intervention components from previous school-based physical activity interventions to form the basis of a tailored approach in a Eur…
Predicting higher child BMI z-score and obesity incidence in Malaysia
Having a higher BMI z-score at baseline was a stronger predictor of a higher BMI z-score at follow-up than any parental or sociodemographic factor. Targeting prevention efforts based on parent or sociodemographic factors is unwarranted but early childhood remains a key period for universal obesity prevention
Rethinking children’s physical activity interventions at school
Physical activity is important for children’s health. However, evidence suggests that many children and adults do not meet international physical activity recommendations. Current school-based interventions have had limited effect on physical activity and alternative approaches are needed. Context, which includes school setting, ethos, staff, and sociodemographic factors, is a key and largely ignored contributing factor to school-based physical a…
Tortoise or Hare? The Associations between Physical Activity Volume and Intensity Distribution and the Risk of All-Cause Mortality
Analysis methods to determine the optimal combination of volume and intensity of objectively measured physical activity (PA) with prospective outcomes are limited. Participants in UK Biobank were recruited in the UK between 2006 and 2010. We linked the questionnaire and accelerometer with all-cause mortality data from the NHS Information Centre and NHS Central Register up to April 2021. We developed a novel method, extending the penalized spline …
The new normal for children’s physical activity and screen viewing
There is a new normal for children's physical activity that is characterised by increased dependence on structured and organised physical activities, such as active clubs, and less on unstructured and spontaneous physical activities, such as physical play. While this may suit many children, girls and children from lower socio-economic households face barriers to participating in the new normal. It is important that affordable and equitable opport…
Screen-viewing behaviours of children before and after the 2020–21 Covid-19 lockdowns in the UK
Although screen-viewing was higher post-lockdown compared to pre-COVID-19, the high increases reported during lockdowns were not, on average, sustained post-lockdown. This may be attributed to a combination of short-term fluctuations during periods of strict restrictions, parental support in regulating post-lockdown behaviour and age-related, rather than COVID-19-specific, increases in screen-viewing. However, socio-economic differences in our sa…
Snacking and anxiety during the coronavirus disease (Covid-19) pandemic
Anxiety and snacking increased during the initial coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) lockdowns, but it remains unknown whether this change in snacking persisted and if it related to anxiety levels. We used prospective data to examine changes in snacking frequency from t1 (eased restrictions in England in May–June 2020) to t2 (national lockdown in December 2020–March 2021), the association of anxiety (assessed by the Generalised Anxiety Disorder-…
The impact of Covid-19 movement restrictions on physical activity in a low-income semi-rural population in Malaysia
BACKGROUND: The COVID-19 pandemic prompted movement restrictions in countries worldwide, impacting on physical activity (PA), a major non-communicable disease risk factor, and thus may have unintentional long-term health implications. In semi-rural areas of low-middle-income-countries (LMICs), where occupational activity is the main source of PA, changes in PA associated with COVID-19 restrictions are unknown. We investigated the impact of Moveme…
Physical Activity and Psychosocial Characteristics of the Peer Supporters in the PLAN-A Study—A Latent Class Analysis
PLAN-A is a cluster randomised controlled trial of a peer-led physical activity intervention which uses peer supporters to increase the physical activity of 13-14-year-old girls in the UK. This paper uses latent class analysis to identify classes in the whole study population and investigate how those selected as peer supporters in PLAN-A were drawn from different social groups. We identified five classes of girls, based on psychosocial variables…
A longitudinal study investigating change in BMI z-score in primary school-aged children and the association of child BMI z-score with parent BMI
The key indicator of higher child BMI at Year 4 is high BMI at Year 1. Further studies are needed to explore the impact of parental weight change on child BMI z-score and whether interventions targeted at overweight or obese parents, can improve their child's BMI z-score
A Multilevel Analysis of Neighbourhood, School, Friend and Individual-Level Variation in Primary School Children’s Physical Activity
Physical activity is influenced by individual, inter-personal and environmental factors. In this paper, we explore the variability in children's moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA) at different individual, parent, friend, school and neighbourhood levels. Valid accelerometer data were collected for 1077 children aged 9, and 1129 at age 11, and the average minutes of MVPA were derived for weekdays and weekends. We used a multiple-membersh…
Striking a Balance
Physical activity levels decline, and screen-viewing behaviours increase during childhood and adolescence. The transition to secondary school appears to coincide with a sharp decline in physical activity. Parents have the potential to influence their child's behaviours, yet little is known about their expectations for their child's physical activity and screen-viewing during this transition. This paper explores parents' expectations for their chi…
A Longitudinal Study of the Associations of Family Structure with Physical Activity across the Week in Boys and Girls
The aim of this study was to examine how family structure is associated with moderate-to-vigorous-intensity physical activity (MVPA) for children aged between 6 and 11. At 6, 9 and 11 years, children wore an accelerometer and parents/carers completed questionnaires on demographics and family structure. Linear regression models examined cross-sectional associations between family structure and MVPA at age 9 and 11. Linear multilevel models examine…
OP53 Defining the Long-Term Trend in a Public Health Intervention Study
Background Numerous studies have reported on the impact of comprehensive smoke-free laws on population health. Many early studies have ignored the potential effect of the long-term trend of the health outcome, and when included, subsequent studies have focused on either linear or non-linear trends. However, the choice of appropriate trend is not always straightforward. We illustrate this by investigating the short-term impact of smoke-free legisl…
No prominent works on this page.
OP53 Defining the Long-Term Trend in a Public Health Intervention Study
Background Numerous studies have reported on the impact of comprehensive smoke-free laws on population health. Many early studies have ignored the potential effect of the long-term trend of the health outcome, and when included, subsequent studies have focused on either linear or non-linear trends. However, the choice of appropriate trend is not always straightforward. We illustrate this by investigating the short-term impact of smoke-free legisl…
A Multilevel Analysis of Neighbourhood, School, Friend and Individual-Level Variation in Primary School Children’s Physical Activity
Physical activity is influenced by individual, inter-personal and environmental factors. In this paper, we explore the variability in children's moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA) at different individual, parent, friend, school and neighbourhood levels. Valid accelerometer data were collected for 1077 children aged 9, and 1129 at age 11, and the average minutes of MVPA were derived for weekdays and weekends. We used a multiple-membersh…
Striking a Balance
Physical activity levels decline, and screen-viewing behaviours increase during childhood and adolescence. The transition to secondary school appears to coincide with a sharp decline in physical activity. Parents have the potential to influence their child's behaviours, yet little is known about their expectations for their child's physical activity and screen-viewing during this transition. This paper explores parents' expectations for their chi…
A Longitudinal Study of the Associations of Family Structure with Physical Activity across the Week in Boys and Girls
The aim of this study was to examine how family structure is associated with moderate-to-vigorous-intensity physical activity (MVPA) for children aged between 6 and 11. At 6, 9 and 11 years, children wore an accelerometer and parents/carers completed questionnaires on demographics and family structure. Linear regression models examined cross-sectional associations between family structure and MVPA at age 9 and 11. Linear multilevel models examine…
Physical Activity and Psychosocial Characteristics of the Peer Supporters in the PLAN-A Study—A Latent Class Analysis
PLAN-A is a cluster randomised controlled trial of a peer-led physical activity intervention which uses peer supporters to increase the physical activity of 13-14-year-old girls in the UK. This paper uses latent class analysis to identify classes in the whole study population and investigate how those selected as peer supporters in PLAN-A were drawn from different social groups. We identified five classes of girls, based on psychosocial variables…
A longitudinal study investigating change in BMI z-score in primary school-aged children and the association of child BMI z-score with parent BMI
The key indicator of higher child BMI at Year 4 is high BMI at Year 1. Further studies are needed to explore the impact of parental weight change on child BMI z-score and whether interventions targeted at overweight or obese parents, can improve their child's BMI z-score
The impact of Covid-19 movement restrictions on physical activity in a low-income semi-rural population in Malaysia
BACKGROUND: The COVID-19 pandemic prompted movement restrictions in countries worldwide, impacting on physical activity (PA), a major non-communicable disease risk factor, and thus may have unintentional long-term health implications. In semi-rural areas of low-middle-income-countries (LMICs), where occupational activity is the main source of PA, changes in PA associated with COVID-19 restrictions are unknown. We investigated the impact of Moveme…
Rethinking children’s physical activity interventions at school
Physical activity is important for children’s health. However, evidence suggests that many children and adults do not meet international physical activity recommendations. Current school-based interventions have had limited effect on physical activity and alternative approaches are needed. Context, which includes school setting, ethos, staff, and sociodemographic factors, is a key and largely ignored contributing factor to school-based physical a…
Tortoise or Hare? The Associations between Physical Activity Volume and Intensity Distribution and the Risk of All-Cause Mortality
Analysis methods to determine the optimal combination of volume and intensity of objectively measured physical activity (PA) with prospective outcomes are limited. Participants in UK Biobank were recruited in the UK between 2006 and 2010. We linked the questionnaire and accelerometer with all-cause mortality data from the NHS Information Centre and NHS Central Register up to April 2021. We developed a novel method, extending the penalized spline …
The new normal for children’s physical activity and screen viewing
There is a new normal for children's physical activity that is characterised by increased dependence on structured and organised physical activities, such as active clubs, and less on unstructured and spontaneous physical activities, such as physical play. While this may suit many children, girls and children from lower socio-economic households face barriers to participating in the new normal. It is important that affordable and equitable opport…
Screen-viewing behaviours of children before and after the 2020–21 Covid-19 lockdowns in the UK
Although screen-viewing was higher post-lockdown compared to pre-COVID-19, the high increases reported during lockdowns were not, on average, sustained post-lockdown. This may be attributed to a combination of short-term fluctuations during periods of strict restrictions, parental support in regulating post-lockdown behaviour and age-related, rather than COVID-19-specific, increases in screen-viewing. However, socio-economic differences in our sa…
Snacking and anxiety during the coronavirus disease (Covid-19) pandemic
Anxiety and snacking increased during the initial coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) lockdowns, but it remains unknown whether this change in snacking persisted and if it related to anxiety levels. We used prospective data to examine changes in snacking frequency from t1 (eased restrictions in England in May–June 2020) to t2 (national lockdown in December 2020–March 2021), the association of anxiety (assessed by the Generalised Anxiety Disorder-…
Physical activity interventions in European primary schools
Introduction: Schools provide a unique environment to facilitate physical activity for children. However, many school-based physical activity interventions have not been effective. We propose a new approach, which allows schools to tailor interventions to their specific context. This scoping review aimed to identify intervention components from previous school-based physical activity interventions to form the basis of a tailored approach in a Eur…
Predicting higher child BMI z-score and obesity incidence in Malaysia
Having a higher BMI z-score at baseline was a stronger predictor of a higher BMI z-score at follow-up than any parental or sociodemographic factor. Targeting prevention efforts based on parent or sociodemographic factors is unwarranted but early childhood remains a key period for universal obesity prevention
We just have to work with what we’ve got”
The presence of facilities or resources alone does not determine pupil physical activity at primary school. Factors such as the social context of the school, logistical and timetabling challenges, seasonality, and how fit for purpose facilities are for that school, are important factors in school staff and pupils' use and management of these facilities, and whether their potential is maximised or undermined. Future research and policy must broade…
A mixed-methods formative process evaluation of the falls management exercise programme in an English county
The Falls Management Exercise (FaME) Programme has been shown in clinical trials to reduce falls amongst the over 65s. FaME was implemented in one large, rural county in England. The current study is a formative process evaluation measuring the impact on those completing the FaME intervention, and examines service reach, fidelity, acceptability, and maintenance of outcomes. Anonymised routine data was collected from 110 participants at baseline, …
The complexity of promoting physical activity in English state primary schools
Revisions to school regulatory systems and policies are needed to enable schools to prioritise physical activity so it is not dependent on "passionate" individuals. Senior leadership plays a key role in prioritising physical activity in the high pressure state primary school environment. It is important that practitioners and researchers consider these diverse and challenging social contextual factors within English state primary schools in inter…
Designing context-specific physical activity interventions for English primary schools
This study underscores the importance of context-specific approaches to promoting physical activity in primary schools. Context-specific intervention design should closely consider school context to ensure strategies are appropriate. Intervention designs should also include steps to understand different stakeholder goals, PTA funding disparities, and the appropriate areas of physical activity to target
The Value in Rapid, Multi-Site Team Ethnography for Understanding Context to Design Public Health Interventions
Low levels of physical activity is a global public health challenge, and children are not taking part in recommended amounts of physical activity. To date, the majority of school-based physical activity interventions have not yielded increases in pupils’ physical activity levels, and it is suggested that this is partly due to traditional intervention approaches ignoring the role of individual school context. By context we mean the school setting,…
Primary school physical activity culture in the UK
Introduction: Physical activity is fundamental for children's health and well-being, yet most children are not active enough. School-based interventions aiming to increase children's physical activity have largely been ineffective, perhaps due to a lack of consideration of the unique culture within each school. The aim of this paper is to understand the key aspects of physical activity culture in English primary schools using the organizational c…
Medicine (17 works) · Obesity, Physical Activity, Diet (13 works) · Psychology (11 works) · Physical Activity and Health (9 works) · Psychological intervention (9 works) · Children's Physical and Motor Development (8 works) · Demography (8 works) · Biostatistics (7 works) · Nursing (7 works) · Environmental health (6 works)