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Physical activity, screen time, and sitting among U.S. adolescents
Valerie Carson1, Amanda E Staiano, Peter T Katzmarzyk
1Dept. of Physical Education and Recreation, University of Alberta, Alberta, Canada.
Pediatric Exercise Science
|July 23, 2014
Summary
US adolescents spend 7.5 hours daily sitting and 34 minutes in moderate- to vigorous-intensity physical activity (MVPA). Females and obese males exhibit higher sitting times and lower MVPA levels, highlighting a need for active lifestyle promotion.
Area of Science:
- Public Health
- Adolescent Health
- Physical Activity Epidemiology
Background:
- Sedentary behavior and physical activity levels are critical determinants of adolescent health.
- Understanding population-level data on these behaviors is essential for targeted public health interventions.
- Previous estimates for sitting time and updated data for moderate- to vigorous-intensity physical activity (MVPA) in US adolescents were lacking.
Purpose of the Study:
- To describe self-reported sitting time, MVPA, television viewing, and computer use in a US adolescent sample.
- To compare these behaviors across sex, race/ethnicity, weight status, and age groups.
- To provide updated population estimates for adolescent physical activity and screen time.
Main Methods:
- Utilized data from 3556 adolescents (aged 12-19 years) from the 2007-2012 National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey.
- Collected self-reported data on demographic variables, sitting time, MVPA, television viewing, and computer use.
- Measured height and weight to determine body mass index (BMI) for weight status classification.
Main Results:
- Adolescents reported an average of 7.5 hours/day sitting and a median of 34 minutes/day of MVPA.
- Females reported more sitting and less MVPA than males; obese males reported more sitting and less MVPA than non-overweight males.
- Significant differences in MVPA and screen time (>2 hours/day for TV and computer use in 38% and 22% of sample, respectively) were observed across race/ethnicity groups.
Conclusions:
- This study presents the first US adolescent population estimates for self-reported sitting time and updated estimates for MVPA, TV viewing, and computer use.
- Findings indicate significant disparities in physical activity and sedentary behaviors among different demographic groups.
- Continued public health efforts are necessary to promote healthy, active lifestyles among American adolescents.
