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Comparison of two methods to assess physical activity prevalence in children: an observational study using a
Paul McCrorie1, Rich Mitchell1, Anne Ellaway1
1MRC/CSO Social & Public Health Sciences Unit, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, UK.
Insights
Physical activity (PA) levels in children vary significantly based on how guidelines are measured. Boys achieved higher adherence to moderate-to-vigorous PA (MVPA) guidelines, indicating a need for targeted interventions.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Public Health
- Exercise Science
- Epidemiology
Background:
- Objective measurement of physical activity (PA) and sedentary time is crucial for understanding child health.
- Adherence to UK PA guidelines in children requires accurate prevalence estimation.
- Longitudinal data provides insights into activity patterns over time.
Purpose of the Study:
- To objectively measure physical activity (PA) and sedentary time in 10-11-year-old Scottish children.
- To compare estimates of adherence to UK PA guidelines using daily versus average approaches.
- To explore variations in PA by gender, socioeconomic status, and season.
Main Methods:
- A nationally representative longitudinal cohort study in Scotland (Growing up in Scotland).
- Accelerometers were used to measure PA and sedentary time in 774 children (aged 10-11).
- Two methods for assessing guideline adherence were compared: daily and average MVPA.
Main Results:
- Children spent an average of 7.5 hours sedentary and 72.6 minutes in moderate-to-vigorous PA (MVPA) daily.
- Guideline adherence was 11% (daily approach) vs. 68% (average approach), a significant difference.
- Boys showed higher MVPA adherence (75.9% vs. 59.5%), with seasonal variations observed but no socioeconomic patterning.
Conclusions:
- The method used to assess PA guideline prevalence significantly impacts results.
- Current guidelines focusing solely on daily PA may not fully capture children's activity patterns.
- Targeted interventions are needed for boys, considering seasonality, to improve PA levels.
Objectives:
To describe the objectively measured levels of physical activity (PA) and sedentary time in a nationally representative sample of 10-11-year-old children, and compare adherence estimates to the UK PA guidelines using two approaches to assessing prevalence.
Design:
Nationally representative longitudinal cohort study.
Setting:
Scotland wide in partnership with the Growing up in Scotland (GUS) study. Data collection took place between May 2015 and May 2016.
Participants:
The parents of 2402 GUS children were approached and 2162 consented to contact. Consenting children (n=1096) wore accelerometers for 8 consecutive days and 774 participants (427 girls, 357 boys) met inclusion criteria.
Primary And Secondary Outcome Measures:
Total PA (counts per minute, cpm); time spent sedentary and in moderate-to-vigorous PA (MVPA); proportion of children with ≥60 min MVPA on each day of wear (daily approach); proportion of children with ≥60 min of MVPA on average across days of wear (average approach)-presented across boys and girls, index of multiple deprivation and season.
Results:
Mean PA level was 648 cpm (95% CI, 627 to 670). Children spent 7.5 hours (7.4-7.6) sedentary/day and 72.6 min (70.0-75.3) in MVPA/day. 11% (daily) and 68% (average) of children achieved the recommended levels of PA (P<0.05 for difference); a greater proportion of boys met the guidelines (12.5% vs 9.8%, NS; 75.9% vs 59.5%, P<0.001); guideline prevalence exhibited seasonal variation. No significant socioeconomic patterning existed across any outcome measure.
Conclusions:
PA estimates are significantly influenced by the analytical method used to assess prevalence. This could have a substantial impact on the evaluation of interventions, policy objectives and public health investment. Existing guidelines, which focus on daily PA only may not further our understandings about the underlying construct itself. Gender differences exist within this age-group, suggesting greater investment, with particular consideration of seasonality, is needed for targeted intervention work in younger children.
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