Physical activity (PA) is likely to constitute an important aspect of health-related behaviour in growing children. However, the knowledge on levels and patterns of PA in children is limited, due to the difficulty of precisely measuring this complex behaviour in normal daily living. Information on variables that significantly contributes to the variability in PA patterns is warranted as it may inform strategies for promoting physically active lifestyles in school-age youth. The overall purpose of the present studies was to increase the knowledge about the use of accelerometry when assessing PA in children, and examine sources of variability in objectively assessed PA behaviour in children. The study samples included 1954 nine- and 15-year-old children from four geographical locations in Europe (Norway, Denmark, Estonia and Portugal), and additionally 16 Swedish seven-year-old boys and girls. PA was assessed by the MTI accelerometer during free-living conditions, including both weekdays and weekend days. A part of the PA assessment was conducted using different time sampling intervals (epochs). Predictions of estimates of daily energy expenditure from accelerometer output were calculated using previously published equations. Potential correlates of PA behaviour were assessed by self-report. The main findings were; a) the epoch setting had a significant effect when interpreting time spent at higher intensities of PA in young children, b) predicted energy expenditure differed substantially between equations, c) between- and within-day differences in overall levels of PA, time spent at moderate-to-vigorous intensity physical activity and time spent sedentary differed between age, gender and geographical location, d) outdoor play and sports participation were differentially associated with objectively measured PA in 9- and 15-year-old children. It is concluded that the sporadic nature of children’s physical activity require very short epoch settings for detecting high intensity PA, and that different published equations for estimations of daily energy expenditure cannot be used interchangeably. The interpretations of average energy expenditure from available equations should be made with caution. Based on a large sample of children of different ages, weekend days and leisure time during weekdays seem appropriate targets when promoting PA in order to increase the proportion of children achieving current recommendations on health enhancing PA. Further, significant correlates of PA behaviour dependent on age group are presented, which should be considered when planning interventions for promoting PA in school-age youth.
Contents
1. INTRODUCTION
1.1 Physical activity – deinitions and basic principles
1.2 Assessment of physical activity
1.2.1 Accelerometry
1.2.2 Other objective methods
1.2.3 Subjective methods
1.3 Physical activity, inactivity and health effects
1.4 Physical activity recommendations
1.5 Levels and patterns of physical activity in youth
1.6 Variability in physical activity patterns
1.7 Behavioural inluences on physical activity
2. PURPOSE
3. MATERIALS AND METHODS
3.1 Study design and sampling
3.2 Anthropometrics
3.3 Assessment of physical activity
3.4 Physical activity data reduction and analysis
3.5 Predictions of energy expenditure estimates
3.6 Self-report measures
3.7 Statistics
4. RESULTS AND COMMENTS
4.1 Effect of epoch setting and monitor placement (Study I)
4.2 Comparison of energy expenditure prediction equations (Study II)
4.3 Variability in physical activity and sedentary time (Study III)
4.4 Correlates of physical activity and sedentary time (Study IV)
5. GENERAL DISCUSSION AND IMPLICATIONS
5.1 Assessing time spent at different intensities of activity
5.2 Assessing daily energy expenditure from activity counts
5.3 Physical activity and inactivity between and within days
5.4 Inluences on patterns of physical activity and inactivity
5.5 Study strengths and limitations
5.6 Future directions
6. CONCLUSIONS
7. ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
8. REFERENCES
Author: Nilsson, Andreas
Source: Orebro University
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