Associations between sports participation, adiposity and obesity-related health behaviors in Australian adolescents

Abstract

BackgroundThe purpose of this study was to examine the relationship between organized sports participation, weight status, physical activity, screen time, and important food habits in a large nationally representative sample of Australian adolescents.MethodsNationally representative cross-sectional study of 12,188 adolescents from 238 secondary schools aged between 12 and 17 years (14.47 ± 1.25 y, 53% male, 23% overweight/obese). Participation in organized sports, compliance with national physical activity, screen time, and fruit and vegetable consumption guidelines, and consumption of sugar-sweetened beverages and high-fat foods were self-reported. Weight status and adiposity (BMI, waist circumference) were measured.ResultsOrganized sports participation was higher among males and those residing in rural/remote areas. Underweight adolescents reported the lowest levels of participation. Higher levels of participation were associated with an increased likelihood of complying with national physical activity (OR = 2.07 [1.67-2.58]), screen time (OR = 1.48 [1.19-1.84]), and fruit and vegetable consumption guidelines (OR = 1.32 [1.05-1.67]). There was no association between organized sport participation and weight status, adiposity, consumption of sugar-sweetened beverages or high-fat foods.ConclusionsParticipation in organized sports was associated with a greater likelihood to engage in a cluster of health behaviors, including meeting physical activity guidelines, electronic screen time recommendations, and fruit and vegetable consumption guidelines. However, participation in organized sports was not associated with unhealthy dietary behaviors including the consumption of sugar-sweetened beverages and high-fat foods. There is no association between participation in organized sports and likelihood to be overweight or obese. The role of sports in promoting healthy weight and energy balance is unclear.

The Role of Youth Sports in Promoting Children's Physical Activity and Preventing Pediatric Obesity: A Systematic Review

“…Although many studies reported an inverse association between youth sport participation and pediatric obesity, indicating those who actively participate in sports had fewer negative obesityrelated outcomes (see Table 3), data from six studies revealed no significant relationships between youth sport participation and pediatric obesity 25,35,36 or found only partial or weak relationships in sub-group comparisons. 46,48,55 Among studies that stated an existing association between youth sport participation and pediatric obesity, authors of three studies presented findings on doses of youth sport participation and responses of obesity.…”

Körperlich-sportliche Aktivität und Nutzung elektronischer Medien im Kindes- und Jugendalter

“…Für den Befund, dass Sportbeteiligung invers mit der Bildschirmmediennutzung assoziiert war, gibt es jedoch empirische Unterstützung. In einer australischen Studie ging bei 12-bis 17-jährigen Schülern eine stärkere Beteiligung an organisierten sportlichen Aktivitäten mit einer höheren Wahrscheinlichkeit einher, die nationalen Empfehlungen zur Bildschirmmediennutzung zu befolgen [43]. Auch in einer amerikanischen Studie war starke Internetnutzung mit geringerer Sportbeteiligung verbunden, moderate Internetnutzung jedoch mit einer höheren Sportbeteiligung [44].…”

Can't play, won't play: longitudinal changes in perceived barriers to participation in sports clubs across the child–adolescent transition

“…This may help future intervention designs to be more inclusive and is consistent with the finding that there is no difference in participation in organised sports by weight status. 40 Similarly, sport participation has previously been shown to differ by SES, 19 while other research has found that SES and cultural background, but not BMI, predict dropout from sport. 41 There was also no clear association with sex, which is surprising, given that levels of physical activity and sports participation are lower in girls than boys.…”