PP8 Sedentary behaviour and physical activity patterns of urban adolescents: a study using ecological momentary assessment

Abstract

Understanding the relationship between sedentary behaviours (SB) and physical activity (PA) may lead to the development of effective intervention programs to promote active lifestyles. This study aimed to examine the prevalence and clustering of SB and PA among urban Portuguese adolescents. The study comprised a total of 651 adolescents (378 girls) aged 12–14. Ecological Momentary Assessment was used to measure SB and PA, using 15 min time intervals. To identify gender differences t test was used. Cluster analyses were performed using the most prevalent SB and PA, separately for boys and girls. Television (TV) viewing was the most consuming leisure time (boys 98 min/day, girls 60 min/day), followed by computer use (boys 43 min/day, girls 22 min/day), and talking with friends (boys 11 min/day, girls 31 min/day, p < 0.001). Boys devoted significantly more time on screen-time and talking than girls (p < 0.001). Boys practiced 41 min/day and girls 24 min/day (p < 0.001) of sport activities. Based on these behaviours three cluster solutions were found both for boys and girls. Boys who spent more time watching TV and on the computer, spent less time studying, talking and doing PA (n = 70). Boys who devoted more time to PA watched more TV and spent less time on the computer, studying and talking (n = 56). Girls whose leisure time was dominated by talking with friends watched less TV and did less PA (n = 49). The most active girls dedicated less time to studying, viewing TV, using the computer and talking with friends (n = 105). Boys (n = 147) and girls (n = 224) who studied more spent less time watching TV, using the computer, talking with friends and doing PA. Findings from the study suggest a need for diverse behavioural targets in interventions design to reduce time devoted to sedentary behaviours and increasing physical activity in sub groups of adolescents.

Activity–Inactivity Patterns, Screen Time, and Physical Activity: The Association with Overweight, Central Obesity and Muscle Strength in Polish Teenagers. Report from the ABC of Healthy Eating Study

“…Although boys are more engaged in higher levels of screen time [55][56][57][58][59], they are also more positive about physical activity than girls [60]. Boys have more opportunities to be active in school, out of school and outdoors, and they are more encouraged to practice sports [61,62] through a wider offer of sports activities. Furthermore, the gender differences are explained sociologically and are associated with the changing but still existent division of social roles in adult life [61].…”

“…Boys have more opportunities to be active in school, out of school and outdoors, and they are more encouraged to practice sports [61,62] through a wider offer of sports activities. Furthermore, the gender differences are explained sociologically and are associated with the changing but still existent division of social roles in adult life [61]. Girls spend less time using screen devices, but are also less physically active than boys and are at higher risk of physical inactivity [56,58,[63][64][65][66].…”

Coupled synergistic development of the sports industry and urban park ecological environment

“…Therefore, the emergence of urban sports parks caters to the needs of modern cities and urban residents. It not only has the functions of a general park, but also can combine green space and sports organically, providing more fun-filled sports activities, and good opportunities for urban residents to exercise [7][8][9][10]. Of course, with the development of sports, green and ecological development is the general trend.…”