Co-existence of physical activity and sedentary behavior among children and adolescents in Shanghai, China: do gender and age matter?

Abstract

BackgroundThere is limited evidence for the prevalence of the co-existence of physical activity (PA) and sedentary behavior (SED), and its correlates among children and adolescents. This study has two aims: 1) to investigate the prevalence of PA and SED, and their co-existence, and 2) to examine the associations between PA or SED, or both with gender and age among children and adolescents in Shanghai, China.MethodsUsing a cross-sectional study design (conducted from September to December 2014), 50,090 children and adolescents (10–18 years old, 50.4% boys) were included in this study. A self-reporting questionnaire was used to measure participants’ sociodemographic characteristics, PA, and SED. Descriptive statistics were used to describe sample characteristics, the prevalence of PA and SED, and their co-existence. A Generalized Linear Model was conducted to explore the associations between the prevalence of PA and SED, and their co-existence with gender and age separately.ResultsOf the children and adolescents studied, only 18.4% met the guidelines for PA, 25.5% met the guidelines for SED, and 5.7% met the guidelines for both. Boys were more physically active (aOR = 1.43, 95% CI: 1.36–1.50), and girls were less sedentary (aOR = 1.29, 95%CI: 1.24–1.34). The prevalence of PA, SED, or both all declined as age increased (p < 0.001). Stratified analysis by gender revealed greater declining trends of meeting the PA or SED guidelines, or both in girls (all p < 0.005).ConclusionVery few children and adolescents showed active lifestyles, and this was significantly related to age. Effective interventions aiming to promote PA and concurrently to limited SED among children and adolescents should be implemented as early as possible.

The Associations of Active Travel to School with Physical Activity and Screen Time Among Adolescents: Do Individual and Parental Characteristics Matter?

“…The present research indicated that only approximately 20% of adolescents participated in the recommended level of PA (60 minutes of moderate to vigorous PA daily [4]), indicating a lower level of PA among adolescents. This result is consistent with the previously published studies of a regional nature [31,32]. Nevertheless, in contrast with the nationally representative surveys in China [30], the PA level established in the present study is lower.…”

“…This reduced level is potentially explained by the varying measures adopted, which possibly produced inconsistencies in terms of estimating the amount of PA. Concerning the level of ST among adolescents in this study, our level is in accordance with studies based on Chinese adolescent samples [30][31][32]. Despite the ST level exceeding 60%, limiting ST is a necessary mission for the promotion of adolescent health.…”

“…The Social Ecological Model has summarised the correlates of PA and ST [27]. Nevertheless, given the signi cant variations in China's economy, society and geography, investigating the correlates and determinants of PA and ST among adolescents across the country's various regions requires additional research [31].…”

Movement in High School: Proportion of Chinese Adolescents Meeting 24-Hour Movement Guidelines

“…The current research in this area of inquiry in China has focused on pre-school [7] or elementary-aged children [13,21], and no studies, to the knowledge of the authors, have examined proportions of adolescents meeting these health-related guidelines in China. Adolescence may be a particularly important age to examine, given that health-related behaviors become more volitional and less dictated by parents as children grow older [11,22] and the risk for pediatric obesity rises with age [1,23]. Thus, the primary purpose of this observational, cross-sectional analysis was to examine the proportions of adolescents in an eastern province in China who partially or fully meet the PA, screen-time, and sleep duration guidelines.…”

“…Sociodemographic variables may influence the types of activities that youth choose, as well as barriers they experience when engaging in health-related behaviors. Gender, in particular, may be of particular relevance, given that several studies examining movement guideline adherence among children in China [22], as well as other contexts [12,19], have demonstrated that a lower proportion of girls than boys tend to meet these recommendations together and in isolation. This may be an important point in China, where evidence suggests that girls are at a higher risk of experiencing pediatric obesity than boys [10,24].…”