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How do school-day activity patterns differ with age and gender across adolescence?
Tim Olds1, Melissa Wake, George Patton
1Nutritional Physiology Research Centre, University of South Australia, Adelaide, Australia. timothy.olds@unisa.edu.au
Summary
Adolescent boys and girls aged 10-18 show distinct time-use patterns. Boys engage in more physical activity, while girls use more active transport, with most activities declining with age.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Health
- Adolescent Behavior
- Time Use Studies
Background:
- Understanding how young people allocate their time is crucial for designing effective health interventions and services.
- Previous research indicates significant variations in adolescent activities based on age and gender, impacting overall well-being.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate and describe age- and gender-specific patterns in self-reported time use among Australian children and adolescents (10-18 years) during school days.
- To provide insights into the distribution of active and sedentary behaviors within this demographic.
Main Methods:
- Utilized a detailed, single-day time-use diary from 6024 Australian participants aged 10-18.
- Data collected from surveys in South Australia and Victoria between 2001 and 2006.
- Analyzed time-use profiles for various active and sedentary behaviors.
Main Results:
- Boys reported higher levels of physical activity, moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA), and sports participation compared to girls.
- Girls reported higher active transport use, while boys had higher screen time and passive transport.
- Most activity-related variables decreased with age, with active transport peaking at 14-15 years; screen time peaked during peripubertal years.
Conclusions:
- Significant age- and gender-related variations exist in adolescent time use during school days.
- These patterns likely result from a combination of biological maturation and socio-cultural influences.
- Findings highlight the need for tailored interventions considering developmental and gender differences in activity.
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