scholarly journals Income-based inequalities in self-reported moderate-to-vigorous physical activity among adolescents in England and the United States: comparisons from two cross-sectional surveys

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Shaun Scholes ◽  
Jennifer S Mindell
Keyword(s):  
Physical Activity ◽  
Low Income ◽  
Vigorous Physical Activity ◽  
The United States ◽  
Active Travel ◽  
High Income ◽  
Absolute Difference ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
The Us ◽  
Low Income Households

Abstract Background: Inequalities in moderate-to-vigorous intensity physical activity (MVPA) may reflect differences in the propensity to do any, the amount of time spent active, or both. Using self-reported data from 4019 adolescents aged 11-15 years in England (Health Survey for England 2008, 2012, 2015) and 4312 aged 12-17 years in the US (National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey 2007-16) we examined inequalities in MVPA.Methods: Hurdle models estimated inequalities by household income in three aspects: (1) doing any, (2) average minutes/day (MVPA: including those who did none), and (3) average minutes/day conditional on participation (MVPA-active). Inequalities after confounder adjustment (average marginal effects: AMEs) were quantified by computing the absolute difference in marginal means (low-income households as reference).Results: In England, adolescents in high-income households were more likely than those in low-income households to have done any formal sports/exercise in the last seven days (AMEs boys: 11%; 95% CI: 4, 17; girls: 13%; 6, 20); girls in high-income households spent more time being active than their low-income counterparts (AME formal MVPA: 6 minutes/day, 95% CI: 2, 9). Girls in low-income households spent more time in informal activities than girls in high-income households did (AME informal MVPA: 21 minutes/day; 95% CI: 10, 33), whilst boys in low-income versus high-income households spent longer in active travel (AME active travel MVPA: 21 minutes/week; 95% CI: 8, 34). In the US, in a typical week, recreational activity was greater among high-income versus low-income households (AMEs recreational boys: 15 minutes/day; 95% CI: 6, 24; girls: 19 minutes/day; 95% CI: 12, 27). In contrast, adolescents in low-income versus high-income households were more likely to travel actively (AMEs boys: 11%; 95% CI: 3, 19; girls: 10%; 95% CI: 3, 17) and spend more time engaged. Conclusions: Policy actions and interventions are required to increase levels of MVPA across all income groups in England and the US. Differences in formal sports/exercise (England) and recreational (US) activities suggest that additional efforts are required to move adolescents in low-income households from inactivity to activity, and to enable those already active to do more.

scholarly journals Income-based inequalities in self-reported moderate-to-vigorous physical activity among adolescents in England and the United States: a cross-sectional study

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Shaun Scholes ◽  
Jennifer S Mindell
Keyword(s):  
Physical Activity ◽  
Low Income ◽  
Vigorous Physical Activity ◽  
The United States ◽  
Cross Sectional Study ◽  
High Income ◽  
Sectional Study ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
The Us ◽  
Low Income Households

Objective: Quantify inequalities in self-reported moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA) in England and the United States (US). Design: Population-based cross-sectional study. Participants: 4019 adolescents aged 11-15 years in England (Health Survey for England 2008, 2012, 2015) and 4312 aged 12-17 years in the US (National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey 2007-16). Main outcome measures: Three aspects of MVPA: (1) doing any, (2) average min/day (MVPA: including those who did none), and (3) average min/day conditional on participation (MVPA-active). Using hurdle models, we quantified inequalities (average marginal effects: AMEs) using the absolute difference in marginal means. Results: In England, adolescents in high-income households were more likely than those in low-income households to have done any formal sports/exercise in the last seven days (boys: 11%; 95% CI: 4% to 17%; girls: 13%; 95% CI: 6% to 20%); girls in high-income households did more than their low-income counterparts (MVPA: 6 min/day, 95% CI: 2 to 9). Girls in low-income households spent more time in informal activities than girls in high-income households (MVPA: 21 min/day; 95% CI: 10 to 33), whilst boys in low-income versus high-income households spent longer in active travel (MVPA: 21 min/week; 95% CI: 8 to 34). In the US, in a typical week, recreational activity was greater among high-income versus low-income households (boys: 15 min/day; 95% CI: 6 to 24 min/day; girls: 19 min/day; 95% CI: 12 to 27). In contrast, adolescents in low-income versus high-income households were more likely to travel actively (boys: 11%; 95% CI: 3% to 19%; girls: 10%; 95% CI: 3% to 17%) and do more. Conclusions: Policy actions and interventions are required to increase MVPA across all income groups in England and the US. Differences in formal sports/exercise (England) and recreational (US) activities suggest that additional efforts are required to reduce inequalities.

scholarly journals Income-based inequalities in self-reported moderate-to-vigorous physical activity among adolescents in England and the USA: a cross-sectional study

BMJ Open ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (2) ◽  
pp. e040540
Author(s):  
Shaun Scholes ◽  
Jennifer S Mindell
Keyword(s):  
Physical Activity ◽  
Low Income ◽  
Vigorous Physical Activity ◽  
Cross Sectional Study ◽  
High Income ◽  
Absolute Difference ◽  
Sectional Study ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
The Usa ◽  
Low Income Households

ObjectiveQuantify income-based inequalities in self-reported moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA) in England and the USA by sex.DesignPopulation-based cross-sectional study.Participants4019 adolescents aged 11–15 years in England (Health Survey for England 2008, 2012, 2015) and 4312 aged 12–17 years in the US (National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey 2007–2016).Main outcome measuresThree aspects of MVPA: (1) doing any, (2) average min/day (MVPA: including those who did none) and (3) average min/day conditional on participation (MVPA active). Using hurdle models, inequalities were quantified using the absolute difference in marginal means (average marginal effects).ResultsIn England, adolescents in high-income households were more likely than those in low-income households to have done any formal sports/exercise in the last 7 days (boys: 11%; 95% CI 4% to 17%; girls: 13%; 95% CI 6% to 20%); girls in high-income households did more than their low-income counterparts (MVPA: 6 min/day, 95% CI 2 to 9). Girls in low-income households spent more time in informal activities than girls in high-income households (MVPA: 21 min/day; 95% CI 10 to 33), while boys in low-income versus high-income households spent longer in active travel (MVPA: 21 min/week; 95% CI 8 to 34). In the USA, in a typical week, recreational activity was greater among high-income versus low-income households (boys: 15 min/day; 95% CI 6 to 24; girls: 19 min/day; 95% CI 12 to 27). In contrast, adolescents in low-income versus high-income households were more likely to travel actively (boys: 11%; 95% CI 3% to 19%; girls: 10%; 95% CI 3% to 17%) and do more.ConclusionsPolicy actions and interventions are required to increase MVPA across all income groups in England and the USA. Differences in formal sports/exercise (England) and recreational (USA) activities suggest that additional efforts are required to reduce inequalities.

scholarly journals Inequalities in participation and time spent in moderate-to-vigorous physical activity: analysis using the Health Surveys for England 2008, 2012, and 2016

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Shaun Scholes ◽  
Jennifer S Mindell
Keyword(s):  
Physical Activity ◽  
Low Income ◽  
Vigorous Physical Activity ◽  
High Income ◽  
Hurdle Models ◽  
Domain Specific ◽  
Confounder Adjustment ◽  
Average Marginal Effects ◽  
Reported Data ◽  
Low Income Households

Abstract Background Evidence is unclear on whether inequalities in average levels of moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA) reflect differences in participation, differences in the amount of time spent active, or both. Using self-reported data from 24,882 adults (Health Survey for England 2008, 2012, 2016), we examined gender-specific inequalities in these separate aspects for total and domain-specific MVPA. Methods Hurdle models accommodate continuous data with excess zeros and positive skewness. Such models were used to assess differences between income groups in three aspects: (1) the probability of doing any MVPA, (2) the average hours/week spent in MVPA, and (3) the average hours/week spent in MVPA conditional on participation (MVPA-active). Absolute inequalities were summarised using average marginal effects (AMEs) after confounder adjustment. Results Inequalities were robust to adjustment in each aspect for total MVPA and for sports/exercise. Differences between adults in high-income versus low-income households in sports/exercise MVPA were 2.2 hours/week among men (95% confidence interval (CI): 1.6, 2.8) and 1.7 hours/week among women (95% CI: 1.3, 2.1); differences in sports/exercise MVPA-active were 1.3 hours/week (95% CI: 0.4, 2.1) and 1.0 hours/week (95% CI: 0.5, 1.6) for men and women, respectively. Heterogeneity in associations was evident for the other domains. For example, adults in high-income versus low-income households were more likely to do any walking (men: 13.0% (95% CI: 10.3, 15.8%); women: 10.2% (95% CI: 7.6, 12.8%)). Among all adults (including those who did no walking), the average hours/week spent walking showed no difference by income. Among those who did any walking, adults in high-income versus low-income households walked on average 1 hour/week less (men: -0.9 hours/week (95% CI: -1.7, -0.2); women: -1.0 hours/week (95% CI: -1.7, -0.2)). Conclusions Participation and the amount of time spent in MVPA typically favours those in high-income households. Monitoring inequalities requires assessing different aspects of the distribution within each domain. Reducing inequalities in sports/exercise requires policy actions and interventions to move adults in low-income households from inactivity to activity, and to enable those already active to do more. Measures to promote walking should focus efforts on reducing the sizeable income gap in the propensity to do any walking.

scholarly journals Inequalities in participation and time spent in moderate-to-vigorous physical activity: analysis using the Health Surveys for England 2008, 2012, and 2016

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Shaun Scholes ◽  
Jennifer S Mindell
Keyword(s):  
Physical Activity ◽  
Low Income ◽  
Vigorous Physical Activity ◽  
High Income ◽  
Hurdle Models ◽  
Domain Specific ◽  
Confounder Adjustment ◽  
Average Marginal Effects ◽  
Reported Data ◽  
Low Income Households

Abstract BackgroundEvidence is unclear on whether inequalities in average levels of moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA) reflect differences in participation, differences in the amount of time spent active, or both. Using self-reported data from 24 882 adults (Health Survey for England 2008, 2012, 2016), we examined gender-specific inequalities in these separate aspects for total and domain-specific MVPA.MethodsHurdle models can accommodate continuous data with excess zeros and positive skewness. Such models were used to assess differences between income groups in three aspects: (1) the probability of doing any MVPA, (2) the average hours/week spent in MVPA, and (3) the average hours/week spent in MVPA conditional on participation (MVPA-active). Inequalities were summarised on the absolute scale using average marginal effects (AMEs) after confounder adjustment.ResultsInequalities were robust to adjustment in each aspect for total MVPA and for sports/exercise. Differences between adults in high-income versus low-income households in sports/exercise MVPA were 2.2 hours/week among men (95% confidence interval (CI): 1.7, 2.6) and 1.7 hours/week among women (95% CI: 1.4, 2.1); differences in sports/exercise MVPA-active were 1.3 hours/week (95% CI: 0.7, 1.9) and 1.0 hours/week (95% CI: 0.5, 1.6) for men and women, respectively. Heterogeneity in associations was evident for the other domains. For example, adults in high-income versus low-income households were more likely to do any walking (men: 13.0% (95% CI: 11.0, 15.0%); women: 10.2% (95% CI: 7.5, 12.9%)), yet showed no difference in hours/week walking, whilst among those doing any walking, women in high-income households spent less time walking (-1.0 hours/week; 95% CI: -1.6, -0.4).ConclusionsMonitoring inequalities in MVPA requires assessing different aspects of the distribution within each domain.

scholarly journals Social Jetlag Among Night Workers is Negatively Associated with the Frequency of Moderate or Vigorous Physical Activity and with Energy Expenditure Related to Physical Activity

2016 ◽  
Vol 32 (1) ◽  
pp. 83-93 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mariana Silva Alves ◽  
Raphael Zardini Andrade ◽  
Graciele Cristina Silva ◽  
Maria Carliana Mota ◽  
Sabrina Gonçalves Resende ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Physical Activity ◽  
Energy Expenditure ◽  
Short Form ◽  
Vigorous Physical Activity ◽  
Night Shift ◽  
Absolute Difference ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Shift Workers ◽  
Negatively Associated ◽  
Social Jetlag

This cross-sectional study analyzed the association between physical activity (PA) and social jetlag (SJL) among shift workers. We evaluated 423 employees, aged between 18 and 60 years, who worked in a poultry-processing company in Brazil. Physical activity levels (PAL) were determined by the short form of the International Physical Activity Questionnaire (IPAQ-SF). SJL was calculated as the absolute difference between the time of mid-sleep on work and free days. The percentage of workers insufficiently active was high on all shifts, with no significant differences between the 3 shifts. The amount of time spent in sedentary behavior on workdays did not differ between shifts. Among night-shift workers, negative associations were observed between SJL and 1) the duration and weekly energy expenditure while walking; 2) the frequency of moderate and vigorous PA; and 3) the total energy expenditure related to PA. Even though PAL did not differ among workers on different shifts, we found a high prevalence of subjects who were insufficiently active or too sedentary among all groups. Also, SJL was negatively associated with PA in night-shift workers. These results suggest that PA should be encouraged among shift workers and that SJL may be an important factor in reducing PA in this cohort.

scholarly journals Parental-perceived home and neighborhood environmental correlates of accelerometer-measured physical activity among school-going children in Uganda

2021 ◽  
Vol 1 (12) ◽  
pp. e0000089
Author(s):  
Bernadette Nakabazzi ◽  
Lucy-Joy M. Wachira ◽  
Adewale L. Oyeyemi ◽  
Ronald Ssenyonga ◽  
Vincent O. Onywera
Keyword(s):  
Physical Activity ◽  
Public Schools ◽  
Low Income ◽  
Vigorous Physical Activity ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Low Income Countries ◽  
School Type ◽  
Linear Regression Models ◽  
Environmental Characteristics ◽  
Cross Sectional

The benefits of physical activity (PA) on children’s health and well-being are well established. However, many children do not meet the PA recommendations, increasing their risk of being overweight, obese, and non-communicable diseases. Environmental characteristics of homes and neighborhoods may constrain a child’s ability to engage in PA, but evidence is needed to inform country-specific interventions in understudied low-income countries. This study assessed the associations between parental-perceived home and neighbourhood, built environment characteristics, and moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA) among children in Kampala city, Uganda. In this cross-sectional study, data were obtained from 256 children (55.5% girls) aged between 10 and 12 years and their parents. Children’s MVPA was measured using waist-worn ActiGraph accelerometers. The environments were assessed using a valid self-reported parent survey. Linear regression models with standard errors (clusters) were used to analyze the relationship between environmental variables and children’s MVPA. Sex-specific relationships were assessed using sex-stratified models. Play equipment at home (β = -2.37, p <0.001; unexpected direction), residential density (β = 2.70, p<0.05), and crime safety (β = -5.29, p <0.05; unexpected direction) were associated with children’s MVPA. The sex-specific analyses revealed more inconsistent patterns of results with a higher perception of land use mix associated with less MVPA in girls (irrespective of school type attended), and higher perceptions of sidewalk infrastructure (β = -12.01, p <0.05) and walking and cycling infrastructure (β = -14.72, p <0.05) associated with less MVPA in girls attending public schools only. A better perception of crime safety was associated with less MVPA among boys and girls attending private schools (β = -3.80, p <0.05). Few environmental characteristics were related to children’s MVPA in Uganda, and findings were largely inconsistent, especially among girls. Future studies are needed to understand the ecological determinants of health-related PA behaviors among children in Uganda.

scholarly journals Contexts of sedentary time and physical activity among ageing workers and recent retirees: cross-sectional GPS and accelerometer study

BMJ Open ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (5) ◽  
pp. e042600
Author(s):  
Sanna Pasanen ◽  
Jaana I Halonen ◽  
Anna Pulakka ◽  
Yan Kestens ◽  
Benoit Thierry ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Physical Activity ◽  
Sedentary Time ◽  
Vigorous Physical Activity ◽  
Physical Activity Behaviour ◽  
Cross Sectional Study ◽  
Active Travel ◽  
Secondary Outcome ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Ageing Workers ◽  
Activity Behaviour

ObjectivesWe examined sedentary time and physical activity in different contexts among ageing workers, between their workdays and days off, and recent retirees, between their weekdays and weekend days.DesignCross-sectional study.SettingFinnish Retirement and Aging study and Enhancing physical activity and healthy ageing among recent retirees—Randomised controlled in-home physical activity trial.Participants137 workers (544 measurement days) and 53 retirees (323 days), who provided data for at least 1 workday/weekday and 1 day off/weekend day.Primary and secondary outcome measuresPhysical activity behaviour was measured with a combined Global Positioning System and accelerometer device (SenseDoc V.2.0), providing information on sedentary time, light physical activity and moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA) by locations (home or non-home) and trips (active travel, ie, speed <20 km/hour and passive travel, ie, speed ≥20 km/hour).ResultsWorkers accumulated more sedentary time and physical activity at non-home locations than at home on workdays, while the opposite was confirmed for days off (p<0.01). Workers accrued more MVPA on days off than on workdays (34 vs 28 min, p<0.05), of which 9 min on workdays and 14 min on days off was accrued during active travel. Retirees’ physical activity behaviour did not differ between weekdays and weekend days (p>0.05). Regardless of the day, retirees accumulated 33 min of daily MVPA, of which 14 min was accrued during active travel.ConclusionsWorkers accumulated more MVPA on days off than on workdays, and their activity behaviour varied between workdays and days off at different locations. Our results showed that a large proportion of the MVPA was accumulated during travel at slower speeds, which suggests that active travel could be a feasible way to increase MVPA among older adults.Trial registration numberNCT03320746.

scholarly journals Clusters of Adolescent Physical Activity Tracker Patterns and Their Associations With Physical Activity Behaviors in Finland and Ireland: Cross-Sectional Study

10.2196/18509 ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 22 (9) ◽  
pp. e18509 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kwok Ng ◽  
Sami Kokko ◽  
Tuija Tammelin ◽  
Jouni Kallio ◽  
Sarahjane Belton ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Physical Activity ◽  
Sport Participation ◽  
Vigorous Physical Activity ◽  
Population Level ◽  
Wearable Devices ◽  
Active Travel ◽  
Wearable Device ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Sports Clubs ◽  
Males And Females

Background Physical activity trackers (PATs) such as apps and wearable devices (eg, sports watches, heart rate monitors) are increasingly being used by young adolescents. Despite the potential of PATs to help monitor and improve moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA) behaviors, there is a lack of research that confirms an association between PAT ownership or use and physical activity behaviors at the population level. Objective The purpose of this study was to examine the ownership and use of PATs in youth and their associations with physical activity behaviors, including daily MVPA, sports club membership, and active travel, in 2 nationally representative samples of young adolescent males and females in Finland and Ireland. Methods Comparable data were gathered in the 2018 Finnish School-aged Physical Activity (F-SPA 2018, n=3311) and the 2018 Irish Children’s Sport Participation and Physical Activity (CSPPA 2018, n=4797) studies. A cluster analysis was performed to obtain the patterns of PAT ownership and usage by adolescents (age, 11-15 years). Four similar clusters were identified across Finnish and Irish adolescents: (1) no PATs, (2) PAT owners, (3) app users, and (4) wearable device users. Adjusted binary logistic regression analyses were used to evaluate how PAT clusters were associated with physical activity behaviors, including daily MVPA, membership of sports clubs, and active travel, after stratification by gender. Results The proportion of app ownership among Finnish adolescents (2038/3311, 61.6%) was almost double that of their Irish counterparts (1738/4797, 36.2%). Despite these differences, the clustering patterns of PATs were similar between the 2 countries. App users were more likely to take part in daily MVPA (males, odds ratio [OR] 1.27, 95% CI 1.04-1.55; females, OR 1.49, 95% CI 1.20-1.85) and be members of sports clubs (males, OR 1.37, 95% CI 1.15-1.62; females, OR 1.25, 95% CI 1.07-1.50) compared to the no PATs cluster, after adjusting for country, age, family affluence, and disabilities. These associations, after the same adjustments, were even stronger for wearable device users to participate in daily MVPA (males, OR 1.83, 95% CI 1.49-2.23; females, OR 2.25, 95% CI 1.80-2.82) and be members of sports clubs (males, OR 1.88, 95% CI 1.55-2.88; females, OR 2.07, 95% CI 1.71-2.52). Significant associations were observed between male users of wearable devices and taking part in active travel behavior (OR 1.39, 95% CI 1.04-1.86). Conclusions Although Finnish adolescents report more ownership of PATs than Irish adolescents, the patterns of use and ownership remain similar among the cohorts. The findings of our study show that physical activity behaviors were positively associated with wearable device users and app users. These findings were similar between males and females. Given the cross-sectional nature of this data, the relationship between using apps or wearable devices and enhancing physical activity behaviors requires further investigation.

Abstract 59: Age-Specific Probabilities of Transitioning between Ideal, Intermediate, and Poor Levels of Physical Activity in the United States: The Hispanic Community Health Study/Study of Latinos (HCHS/SOL) and the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES)

Circulation ◽  
2014 ◽  
Vol 129 (suppl_1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Katelyn M Holliday ◽  
Danyu Lin ◽  
Sujatro Chakladar ◽  
Martha L Daviglus ◽  
Kelly R Evenson ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Physical Activity ◽  
Transition Probabilities ◽  
Vigorous Physical Activity ◽  
The United States ◽  
Self Report ◽  
Health Study ◽  
Activity Levels ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Physical Activity Levels ◽  
Sampling Procedures

Maintenance of recommended physical activity levels is associated with favorable cardiovascular outcomes. Consequently, the American Heart Association (AHA) included physical activity in the new Ideal Cardiovascular Health concept. Although physical activity is known to decline with age, the age-specific probability of transitioning between AHA defined levels (ideal, intermediate, poor) is unclear. This knowledge could inform interventions seeking to increase or maintain physical activity levels across the life-course. We estimated age-specific prevalence of ideal (≥150 min/wk moderate or ≥75 min/wk vigorous or equivalent combination), intermediate (1-149 min/wk moderate or 1-74 min/wk vigorous or equivalent combination) and poor (0 min of moderate and vigorous) physical activity among adult (16+) European Americans (EA) and African Americans (AA) from the 2007-2010 NHANES (n=13,418) and Hispanic/Latino participants (H/L) from the 2008-2011 HCHS/SOL (n=14,291). Prevalence estimation incorporated data from identical NHANES and HCHS/SOL self-report questionnaires. We then used the prevalence estimates to calculate age, race, and sex-specific probabilities of transitioning between levels using Markov-type state-transition models. These models are designed to estimate transition probabilities from cross-sectional data assuming time-constant transitions, and have been updated to accommodate complex sampling procedures. The estimated 5-year probability of maintaining ideal physical activity levels remained high through the fourth decade of life, after which race and sex differences were observed. For example, the estimated 5-year probabilities of transitioning from ideal to intermediate physical activity levels were similar at age 40 for EA and AA men (1.2% [95%CI: 0.3, 2.3] vs. 2.2% [95%CI: 1.0, 3.6]), but by age 65 diverged to 5.3% (95%CI: 3.9, 6.9) vs. 11.6% (95%CI: 8.5, 15.2), respectively. During middle age, the estimated probability of transitioning from intermediate to poor physical activity levels was accelerated, although variation by race was noted. For example, the estimated probability of transitioning from intermediate to poor physical activity levels was <25% for EA, AA and H/L men through age 40, but by age 65 this increased to 32.6% (95%CI: 22.0, 44.1) for EA men and 41.1% (95%CI: 26.1, 58.0) for AA men while remaining low (11.1% (95%CI: 0.3, 24.3) for H/L men. Across all race-sex groups, individuals with poor physical activity levels had a 0% estimated probability of transitioning to ideal or intermediate physical activity levels, regardless of age. These results indicate need for interventions aimed at maintaining ideal physical activity levels beginning in young adulthood, particularly in AAs who transition from ideal levels at earlier ages than other race/ethnic groups. Innovative efforts may be needed for those with poor physical activity.

scholarly journals Clusters of Adolescent Physical Activity Tracker Patterns and Their Associations With Physical Activity Behaviors in Finland and Ireland: Cross-Sectional Study (Preprint)

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kwok Ng ◽  
Sami Kokko ◽  
Tuija Tammelin ◽  
Jouni Kallio ◽  
Sarahjane Belton ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Physical Activity ◽  
Sport Participation ◽  
Vigorous Physical Activity ◽  
Population Level ◽  
Wearable Devices ◽  
Active Travel ◽  
Wearable Device ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Sports Clubs ◽  
Males And Females

BACKGROUND Physical activity trackers (PATs) such as apps and wearable devices (eg, sports watches, heart rate monitors) are increasingly being used by young adolescents. Despite the potential of PATs to help monitor and improve moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA) behaviors, there is a lack of research that confirms an association between PAT ownership or use and physical activity behaviors at the population level. OBJECTIVE The purpose of this study was to examine the ownership and use of PATs in youth and their associations with physical activity behaviors, including daily MVPA, sports club membership, and active travel, in 2 nationally representative samples of young adolescent males and females in Finland and Ireland. METHODS Comparable data were gathered in the 2018 Finnish School-aged Physical Activity (F-SPA 2018, n=3311) and the 2018 Irish Children’s Sport Participation and Physical Activity (CSPPA 2018, n=4797) studies. A cluster analysis was performed to obtain the patterns of PAT ownership and usage by adolescents (age, 11-15 years). Four similar clusters were identified across Finnish and Irish adolescents: (1) no PATs, (2) PAT owners, (3) app users, and (4) wearable device users. Adjusted binary logistic regression analyses were used to evaluate how PAT clusters were associated with physical activity behaviors, including daily MVPA, membership of sports clubs, and active travel, after stratification by gender. RESULTS The proportion of app ownership among Finnish adolescents (2038/3311, 61.6%) was almost double that of their Irish counterparts (1738/4797, 36.2%). Despite these differences, the clustering patterns of PATs were similar between the 2 countries. App users were more likely to take part in daily MVPA (males, odds ratio [OR] 1.27, 95% CI 1.04-1.55; females, OR 1.49, 95% CI 1.20-1.85) and be members of sports clubs (males, OR 1.37, 95% CI 1.15-1.62; females, OR 1.25, 95% CI 1.07-1.50) compared to the no PATs cluster, after adjusting for country, age, family affluence, and disabilities. These associations, after the same adjustments, were even stronger for wearable device users to participate in daily MVPA (males, OR 1.83, 95% CI 1.49-2.23; females, OR 2.25, 95% CI 1.80-2.82) and be members of sports clubs (males, OR 1.88, 95% CI 1.55-2.88; females, OR 2.07, 95% CI 1.71-2.52). Significant associations were observed between male users of wearable devices and taking part in active travel behavior (OR 1.39, 95% CI 1.04-1.86). CONCLUSIONS Although Finnish adolescents report more ownership of PATs than Irish adolescents, the patterns of use and ownership remain similar among the cohorts. The findings of our study show that physical activity behaviors were positively associated with wearable device users and app users. These findings were similar between males and females. Given the cross-sectional nature of this data, the relationship between using apps or wearable devices and enhancing physical activity behaviors requires further investigation.

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