Individual, social, and environmental influences on the transitions in physical activity among emerging adults

Abstract

BackgroundYouth’s physical activity (PA) may change across developmental periods. Although previous studies have observed a decline in levels of PA during adolescence, few studies have explored trends in PA during the transition from adolescence to young adulthood and what factors may impact the transitional change. The purpose of this study was to examine changes and predictors of change over time in PA from 10th grade to post-high school.MethodsThe NEXT Generation Health Study recruited a nationally-representative cohort of US 10th-graders, and administered longitudinal surveys in four waves (years) to follow up the participants to their first year after high school. Using transition models, the self-reported outcomes, moderate-to-vigorous PA (MVPA) and vigorous PA (VPA) each of which was repeatedly measured by one question, were modelled in association with wave-4 environmental-status variables and time-varying covariates.ResultsThere was a continuous decline in the proportion of respondents who met or exceeded the minimum recommended level for either MVPA (from 55.97 to 34.33 %) or VPA (from 65.96 to 54.90 %) from W1 to W4. Higher scores of peer PA, family support and VPA planning were prospectively associated with higher likelihood of meeting the MVPA/VPA recommendations. At wave 4, compared to those not working, attending 4-year colleges, or living on campus, participants working full/part time, not attending school or attending community-college level schools, and living at home or in own place were more likely to engage in MVPA.ConclusionsPeer PA, family support, self-regulatory skills, and environmental status after high school are critical factors that can promote MVPA/VPA among adolescents and emerging adults.

Changes in physical activity, diet, and body weight across the education and employment transitions of early adulthood: A systematic review and meta‐analysis

“…Stratified meta‐analysis showed that the decrease in MVPA was larger for males (−16.35 [−30.34, −2.35] min/day of MVPA) than for females (−6.61 [−14.90, 1.67] min/day of MVPA). Of the remaining three studies, which could not be included in the meta‐analysis, all reported declines in physical activity over the transition out of high school . Visual inspection of funnel plot asymmetry and Egger's test for bias suggested no evidence of asymmetry in the meta‐analysis ( P =.84) and therefore no evidence of publication bias.…”

“…These studies both reported that those continuing to college/university experienced a smaller decrease in MVPA compared with those not continuing in education . However, a further study, which could not be included in the meta‐analysis due to its dichotomized outcome, reported higher odds of meeting PA recommendations among those not attending college/university following high school compared with those attending college/university …”

“…Two studies that investigated the transition of leaving high school, reporting an overall decrease in physical activity across the transition, included further analysis of changes in physical activity among subgroups who were in work compared with not in work at follow‐up. One study reported that those working full‐time or part‐time were more likely to meet PA recommendations in the year following high school, compared with those not working (including those in education) . A second study reported no significant difference in decrease in physical activity between transitioning from high school into full‐time work vs not full‐time work …”

“…Nine studies reported data that could be converted to minutes/day of MVPA and included in a meta-analysis of changes in PA as individuals leave high school (see Figure 2). Results of the meta-analysis suggest that overall, leaving high school is associated with a decrease of -7.04 (95% CI, 15,31,32 Visual inspection of funnel plot asymmetry and Egger's test for bias suggested no evidence of asymmetry in the meta-analysis (P=.84) and therefore no evidence of publication bias.…”

Changes in Moderate-to-Vigorous Physical Activity Among Older Adolescents

“…33 The analyses of the association of self-reported MVPA with environmental variables and time-varying covariates in the NEXT full sample found that compared with those attending 4-year colleges or living on campus, participants not attending school or attending community-college level schools, and living at home or in own place were more likely to meet MVPA recommendations (at least 60 minutes per day over the past 7 days). The inconsistencies between the 2 studies are likely attributable to the use of self-reported versus objectively measured physical activity.…”