Classes of Physical Activity and Sedentary Behavior in 5th Grade Children

Abstract

Objectives To identify classes of physical activity (PA) and sedentary behaviors (SB) in 5th grade children, associated factors, and trajectories of change into 7th grade. Methods This study included n=495 children (221 boys, 274 girls) who participated in the Transitions and Activity Changes in Kids (TRACK) Study. PA was assessed objectively and via self-report. Children, parents, and school administrators completed surveys to assess related factors. Latent class analysis, growth modeling, and adjusted multinomial logistic regression procedures were used to classify children based on self-reported PA and SB and examine associated factors. Results Three classes of behavior were identified: Class 1: Low PA/Low SB, Class 2: Moderate PA/High SB, and Class 3: High PA/High SB (boys) or Class 3: High PA (girls). Class 3 children had higher levels of self-efficacy (boys), and enjoyment, parental support, and physical activity equipment at home (girls). Class 2 boys and Class 3 girls did not experience decline in PA (accelerometer) over time. Conclusions Self-efficacy (boys) and home environment (girls) may play a role in shaping patterns of PA in children. Findings may help to inform future interventions to encourage children to meet national PA guidelines.

Leisure Activities of Healthy Children and Adolescents

“…Participants with higher screen times (especially regarding TV and using games consoles) were physically active and played outdoors less frequently than children with lower screen times. This is in good agreement with some previous studies [23,24,26], but contradicts other studies which did not find any associations between media use and physical activity [25,26,27]. Our results suggest that high media usage might displace more active leisure behavior and hinder children from spending time outdoors.…”

“…There is some evidence that physical activity has a direct negative relationship to inactive media use, namely TV/movie use [23] and that very high levels of media use are associated with lower physical activity [24]. However, it was also observed that media use and physical activity coexist rather than compete, especially in boys [25,26,27]. Friendship also plays an important role in the activity behavior of children and young people.…”

“…According to the previous state of research [5,6,7,24,25,30,31], the use of screen-based media was hypothesized to have increased in the last years and to go along with less physical activity, less outdoor activity, and also fewer other leisure activities (social contacts, engagement in choir/orchestra and theatre/dancing). Physical activity, in contrast, was expected to be related to a higher frequency of other leisure activities (except media use).…”

The Modifying Effects of Race/Ethnicity and Socioeconomic Status on the Change in Physical Activity From Elementary to Middle School

“…Youth participants completed assent forms and parents provided consent for their child and their own participation. 16 Measures.…”

Urban Adolescents’ Physical Activity Experience, Physical Activity Levels, and Use of Screen-Based Media during Leisure Time: A Structural Model

“…However, there is no guarantee that increased physical activity will lead to decreased sedentary activity, like screen-based media use. Recent studies found these two types of behaviors may co-exist among certain adolescents ( Liu et al, 2010 ; Taverno Ross et al, 2016 ). This is not surprising because adolescents normally have the freedom and enough time to do both types of activities.…”