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Sociodemographic, developmental, environmental, and psychological correlates of physical activity and sedentary behavior at age 11 to 12

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Annals of Behavioral Medicine

Abstract

Background: Low levels of physical activity and high levels of sedentary behavior during adolescence are a cause for concern. Sociodemographic, developmental, environmental, and psychological factors may be relevant, but the correlates of these behaviors may differ.Purpose: To investigate the multidimensional correlates of physical activity and sedentary behavior in a large sample of 11- to 12-year-old boys and girls.Methods: Cross-sectional survey of 2,578 boys and 1,742 girls from36 schools stratified by socioeconomic background and gender mix of students (84% response rate). Questionnaire assessments and objective measurements of height and weight were obtained.Results:Days of vigorous physical activity and hours of sedentary behaviors over the past week were uncorrelated. Ethnicity, socioeconomic factors, developmental stage, environmental factors, and psychological variables were associated with physical activity and sedentary behavior in univariate analyses. In multiple regression, sedentary behavior was greater in ethnic minority groups, in students frommore deprived backgrounds,andin those with conduct problems. Girls who were more advanced developmentally and who reported emotional symptoms also engaged in more sedentary behaviors. Vigorous physical activity was associated with good self-rated health, prosocial psychological characteristics, and (in boys) with low emotional symptoms.Conclusions:A multidimensional approach to understanding the context of physical activity in early adolescence is needed because factors in several domains are relevant. The correlates of physical activity and sedentary behaviors are distinct in this age group, and there are also important gender differences.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. University College London, USA

    Naomi Henning Brodersen Ph.D., Andrew Steptoe D.Phil., Sara Williamson MSc. & Jane Wardle Ph.D.

Authors
  1. Naomi Henning Brodersen Ph.D.
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  2. Andrew Steptoe D.Phil.
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  3. Sara Williamson MSc.
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  4. Jane Wardle Ph.D.
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Naomi Henning Brodersen Ph.D..

Additional information

This research was supported by Cancer Research UK and the Department of Health for England.

We gratefully acknowledge the participation of the 36 schools and 4,320 students.

The data for this part of the study were collected by Adam Biran and Hannah Farrimond. Postcode to enumeration district matching carried out via UK area look-up tables, Ludi Simpson, CCSR, University of Manchester. Enumeration district deprivation scores derived by James Harris from the 1991 Census, Crown Copyright. Databases accessed via MIMAS and combined by Naomi Henning Brodersen.

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Brodersen, N.H., Steptoe, A., Williamson, S. et al. Sociodemographic, developmental, environmental, and psychological correlates of physical activity and sedentary behavior at age 11 to 12. ann. behav. med. 29, 2–11 (2005). https://doi.org/10.1207/s15324796abm2901_2

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1207/s15324796abm2901_2

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