Relationships between adolescent body mass index, physical activity, and sensory-processing patterns: Relations entre l'indice de masse corporelle, l'activité physique et les schèmes d'intégration sensorielle des adolescents
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Background:
Trends show a significant decline with adolescent physical activity (PA). Knowledge regarding how sensory-processing patterns and body mass index (BMI) relate to adolescents' PA participation is scarce.
Purpose:
This study investigated if relationships exist between adolescent BMI, sensory processing, and PA participation.
Method:
This correlational study collected data from 141 adolescents who completed the Adolescent/Adult Sensory Profile and the Physical Activity Questionnaire-Adolescent. Their BMIs were calculated using self-reported age, height, and weight. The data were analyzed using descriptive statistics and two-tailed Spearman's rank correlation coefficients.
Findings:
Adolescents with different sensory-processing patterns reported participation in both similar and distinct PAs. Participation in PA and BMI shared no significant correlation. Sensory sensitivity and BMI total ( rs = -.171, p = .044) and BMI percentile ( rs = -.191, p = .024) demonstrated significant correlations. Analysis revealed a correlation between sensory seeking patterns and PA ( rs = .224, p = .008) as well as correlations among sensory quadrants and participation in specific PAs.
Implications:
Occupational therapists should consider an adolescent's sensory preferences when recommending PA interventions.
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