A longitudinal study of urban moveability and physical activity in the transition phase from childhood to adolescence

To describe active and sedentary time in children with spina bifida and to compare their physical activity on weekdays versus weekends. In this exploratory cross-sectional study, data from 13 Canadian and 22 Dutch children with spina bifida (14 females, 21 males; mean age 10y 11mo, standard deviation [SD] 3y 6mo, range 5y 6mo-18y; Hoffer classification distribution: community [n=28], household [n=3], non-functional [n=3], and non-ambulator [n=1]) were analysed. Objective measures of physical activity and sedentary behaviour were obtained by using ActiGraph or Actiheart activity monitors. Data for the participants wearing the ActiGraph were compared with age- and sex-matched controls that were developing typically using independent-samples t-tests. Activity data collected on weekdays was compared to those on weekends. ActiGraph data demonstrated children with spina bifida spent more time sedentary (mean [SD] 49.5min/h [5.78]) and less time in moderate to vigorous physical activity (mean [SD] 2.33min/h [1.61]) compared with the typically developing group (mean [SD] 41.0min/h [5.76] and 5.46min/h [2.13], p=0.001 and p<0.001 respectively). For both ActiGraph- and Actiheart-derived data, physical activity and sedentary time were not significantly different between weekdays and weekends. Children with spina bifida have reduced levels of physical activity and increased sedentary behaviour, with no statistical differences seen between weekdays and weekends. Several methodological issues related to activity monitoring warrant consideration when choosing the appropriate method to quantify physical activity and sedentary behaviour. Reduced levels of physical activity and sedentary time were quantified in children with spina bifida. Objective quantification of physical behaviour in ambulatory and non-ambulatory school-aged children with spina bifida is possible.

BackgroundPhysical activity (PA) is one of the major protective behaviours to prevent non-communicable diseases. Positive effects of the built environment on PA are well investigated, although evidence of this association is mostly based on cross-sectional studies. The present study aims to investigate the longitudinal effects of built environment characteristics in terms of a moveability index on PA of children in their transition phase to adolescence using data of the IDEFICS/I.Family cohort.MethodsWe used data on 3394 accelerometer measurements of 2488 children and adolescents aged 3 to 15 years old from survey centres of three countries, Germany, Italy, and Sweden, who participated in up to three surveys over 6 years. In network-dependent home neighbourhoods, a moveability index was calculated based on residential density, land use mix, street connectivity, availability of public transport and public open spaces such as green spaces and public playgrounds in order to quantify opportunities for PA of children and adolescents. Linear trajectories of light PA (LPA) and moderate-to-vigorous PA (MVPA) were estimated using linear mixed models accounting for repeated measurements nested within individuals. Least squares means were estimated to quantify differences in trajectories over age.ResultsLPA and MVPA declined annually with age by approximately 20 min/day and 2 min/day respectively. In girls, the moveability index showed a consistent significantly positive effect on MVPA ( hat{beta} = 2.14, 95% CI: (0.11; 4.16)) for all ages, while in boys the index significantly lessened the decline in LPA with age for each year. ( hat{beta} = 2.68, 95% CI: (0.46; 4.90)).Availability of public open spaces was more relevant for MVPA in girls and LPA in boys during childhood, whereas in adolescence, residential density and intersection density became more important.ConclusionBuilt environment characteristics are important determinants of PA and were found to have a supportive effect that ameliorates the decline in PA during the transition phase from childhood to adolescence. In childhood environmental support for leisure time PA through public open spaces was found to be the most protective factor whereas in adolescence the positive influence of street connectivity and residential density was most supportive of physical activity.

Adhering to 24-h movement guidelines protects children’s health and wellbeing. We investigated adherence among a sample of children in regional and rural Victoria, Australia. Analysis was conducted using baseline data from RESPOND, a large community-based obesity prevention intervention conducted in regional and rural Victoria, Australia. Children (aged approx. 9–12 years) self-reported screen time and wore a wrist-worn accelerometer for seven days to determine the mean daily time spent on moderate to vigorous physical activity (MVPA), light physical activity (LPA), sedentary and sleeping. Multi-level linear and logistic regressions were used to estimate associations between accelerometry outcomes and individual and school level demographics overall and by gender, accounting for school level clustering. Valid accelerometry data were obtained for 1,264 students. Twenty-two percent (22%) of boys and 16% of girls met all three movement guidelines and 11% boys and 9% of girls met none of the guidelines. Boys engaged in more MVPA, and less LPA than girls. Compared to those in grade 4 (aged approx. 9–10 years), students in grade 6 (aged approx. 11–12 years) had significantly reduced MVPA minutes (− 7.8; 95%CI –12.3, − 3.4); increased sedentary minutes (31.0; 95%CI 22.7, 39.3), and reduced odds of meeting screen time guidelines (odds ratio, 0.65; 95%CI 0.50, 0.84). Stratification by gender found these results to be consistent for boys and girls. Living in a medium or large rural town was associated with having 6.4 (95%CI 0.0, 12, 8) more minutes in MVPA (boys) and greater odds of adhering to screen time guidelines (OR, 1.96 (95%CI 1.02, 3.79) (girls) compared to living in regional centers. Sleep minutes were lower for students who spoke a language other than English at home (− 21.0 95%CI − 32.5, − 9.5). Only screen-time adherence for girls was associated with socioeconomic status.Conclusions: This study highlights low adherence to three Australian movement behavior guidelines among this large sample of regional and rural Victorian children. Large gender-differences in duration and adherence to MVPA and screen-time guidelines and declines with increasing age (all guidelines), highlight the need for population-wide interventions.What is Known:• Time spent in movement behaviors (moderate-to-vigorous physical activity, light-intensity physical activity, sedentary behavior and sleep are important for children’s health.• Few studies have examined device-measured movement behaviors and adherence to 24-h movement guidelines among regional children and whether this varies by gender, rurality and socioeconomic background.What is New:• This study found 22% of boys and 16% of girls met the 24-h movement recommendations, with 11% of boys and 9% of girls meeting no guideline.• Living in a medium or large rural town was associated with more moderate to vigorous physical activity in boys, and less screen-time among girls compared to those living in regional centers. Higher socioeconomic status was associated with less screen-time among girls.Supplementary InformationThe online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s00431-025-06444-7.

BackgroundOlder adults have low physical activity(PA) and high sedentary behaviour(SB) levels. We investigate how total volume and specific patterns of moderate to vigorous PA(MVPA), light PA(LPA) and SB are related to adiposity and metabolic syndrome (MS). Then, with reference to physical activity guidelines which encourage MVPA in bouts > =10 min and avoiding “long” sedentary bouts, we investigate whether accumulating PA and SB in bouts of different defined durations are differently associated with these outcomes.MethodsCross-sectional study of men (71–91 years) recruited in UK primary care centres. Nurses made physical measures (weight, height, bio-impedance, blood pressure) and took fasting blood samples. 1528/3137 (49 %) surviving men had ≥3 valid days (≥600 min) accelerometer data. 450 men with pre-existing chronic disease were excluded. 1009/1078 (93.6 %) had complete covariate data.ResultsMen (n = 1009, mean age 78.5(SD 4.7) years) spent 612(SD 83), 202(SD 64) and 42(SD 33) minutes in SB, LIPA and MVPA respectively. Each additional 30 min/day of SB and MVPA were associated with 0.32 (95 % CI 0.23, 0.40)Kg/m2 higher Body Mass Index (BMI) and −0.72(−0.93, −0.51) lower BMI Kg/m2 respectively. Patterns for waist circumference (WC), fat mass index (FMI), fasting insulin and MS were similar. MVPA in bouts lasting <10 min or ≥10 min duration were not associated differently with outcomes. In models adjusted for total MVPA, each minute accumulated in SB bouts lasting 1–15 min was associated with lower BMI −0.012 kg/m2, WC −0.029 cm, and OR 0.989 for MS (all p < 0.05), and coefficients for LPA bouts 1–9 min were very similar in separate models adjusted for total MVPA. Minutes accumulated in SB bouts 1–15 min and LPA bouts 1–9 min were correlated, r = 0.62.ConclusionsObjectively measured MVPA, LPA and SB were all associated with lower adiposity and metabolic risk. The beneficial associations of LPA are encouraging for older adults for whom initiating MVPA and maintaining bouts lasting ≥10 min may be particularly challenging. Findings that short bouts of LPA (1–9 min) and SB (1–15 min), but that all MVPA, not just MVPA accumulated in bouts ≥10 min were associated with lower adiposity and better metabolic health could help refine older adult PA guidelines.

The objective was to examine changes of children's time spent in sedentary, light physical activity, moderate to vigorous physical activity (MVPA), and estimated energy expenditure (EE) rates during weekdays and weekends across 3 years. An initial sample of 261 children's (mean age = 7.81y) 5-day physical activity and EE were assessed annually via accelerometry across 3 years using repeated-measures multivariate analysis of variance. The outcome variables were time spent in sedentary, light physical activity, MVPA, and kilocalories per day for weekdays and weekends. A significant decrease in MVPA and EE occurred during weekdays across the 3 years (P = .01). Only the second-year data demonstrated an increase (+2.49min) in weekend MVPA (P = .04). Children's sedentary time during weekdays increased significantly in years 1 and 2 (P = .01), yet significantly decreased in the third year (-44.31min). Children's sedentary time during weekends significantly decreased in the first year (-27.31min), but increased in the following 2 years (P = .01). Children's light physical activity demonstrated a statistically significant increase in year 2 (+3.75min) during weekdays (P = .05). Children's MVPA and EE generally declined during weekdays but were maintained during weekends across a 3-year time span. Children may benefit most from weekday intervention strategies.

IntroductionFor a long time, being sufficiently physically was considered the opposite of having a sedentary lifestyle (Verloigne et al., 2012). Despite, high levels of physical activity are not necessarily equal to low levels of sedentary time, given that children meeting the moderate to vigorous physical activity (MVPA) guidelines (U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, 2008; World Health Organization, 2010) can still be sedentary for many hours per day (Biddle et al., 2004; Owen et al., 2000). Making sure that children do not sit down for long periods of time can help them perform better in school and to improve their health (European Community's Seventh Framework Programme, 2012; Trembley et al., 2014). Many school-based interventions which attempted to increase children's MVPA, focused on adding greater periods of time in play, sports or other physically behaviors within school hours (Carrell et al., 2005; Jamner et al., 2004; Simon et al., 2004; Ward, 2011). Less priority has been given to daily light physical activity (LPA), although all activities carried out in a non-sitting posture are of great value to children's well-being and health (European Community's Seventh Framework Programme, 2012; Physical Activity as Civil Skill Program, 2010-2014). Light physical activities, such as walking to school or friends, playing games, getting the mail, or housework may reduce the thresholds to engage the greater physical activity levels, since school-aged children, for instance, in Australia, Canada, Columbia, Finland, South-Africa, the U.S. (Trembley et al., 2014) and Asian countries (Muller, Khoo & Lambert, 2013) do not engage in sufficient physical activity. Therefore, it is essential to investigate children's LPA with greater scrutiny to improve the future school-based interventions for children and youth.LPA is defined as any activities with intensity between sedentary behavior and moderate-intensity physical activity, and it involves lower energy expenditure than MVPA, but higher energy expenditure than inactivity (Kwon et al., 2011). The decreasing levels of physical activity are partly due to insufficient participation in leisure time activities. Likewise, an increase in the use of passive modes of transport has also been associated with declining physical activity levels (World Health Organization, 2015). The benefits of MVPA on children's well-being and health is mainly explained by energy expenditure associated with physical activities (World Health Organization, 2012; 2015). However, the importance and levels of light-intensity activities are largely unknown (Grasten et al., 2014; Trembley et al., 2014).Recently, the global matrix of grades comparing children's physical activity levels in 15 countries from Europe, North-America, Africa, and Oceania showed that only a limited number of studies have been carried out in order to examine LPA related activities (Trembley et al., 2014). In fact, only five countries informed that they have enough data to grade active indicator, whereas ten countries graded active indicator as incomplete because of insufficient data or lack of clarity on the benchmark or the definition of play (Trembley et al., 2014). For instance, data from New Zealand indicated that approximately 75% of children reported participating in play (Maddison et al., 2010) spending on average 78 minutes per day in free play (Zealand SN, 2012). In contrast, the Finland Adolescent Health and Lifestyle Survey found that only 34% of 12to 18-year-olds participated in physical activities outside school or sports clubs at least four times per week (Adolescent health and lifestyle survey, 2013). The Australian Lifestyle of Our Kids study showed that children's LPA decreased from age of 11 to 12 years based on the accelerometer scores (Telford et al., 2013). Goran and Reynolds (2005) reported that 9 to 11-years-old boys' LPA decreased, when girls' LPA increased across an eight-week multimedia intervention to increase physical activity implemented in the States. …

BackgroundThere is little evidence on the tracking of physical activity during school hours. In addition, tracking physical activity in schools provides important evidence for understanding children’s physical activity and conducting intervention studies. Therefore, this study examined longitudinal changes and tracking of in-school physical activity in primary school children.MethodsIn this study, physical activity was investigated longitudinally in primary school children for 4 years. The baseline participants consisted of 103 second-grade students (7–8 years old) who participated. Step counts and moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA) in school and during first recess and lunch/second recess were examined using an accelerometer (Kenz Lifecorder GS 4-second version; Suzuken Co. Ltd, Nagoya, Japan).ResultsAfter excluding missing data (moving school; n = 8, physical activity; n = 8), 87 (43 boys and 44 girls) of whom were included in the final analysis. Step counts and MVPA during school and physical education in boys did not decrease across the school years. By contrast, in girls, step counts during school did not decrease across the school years, however MVPA did decrease. In addition, for both sexes, step counts and MVPA during first recess decrease across the school years. During lunch/second recess, only step counts decrease across the school years in both sexes. In addition, the tracking coefficients for step counts and MVPA for boys in school and during first recess and lunch/second recess were found across many school years. Contrarily, girls had fewer significant tracking coefficients between school years than boys. There were also few significant tracking coefficients between grades for physical education step counts and MVPA for both boys and girls.ConclusionsOur results suggested that in-school step counts for both boys and girls does not decrease across the school years. However, given that girls demonstrated reduced levels of in-school MVPA across the school years, it is important to promote strategies to increase MVPA in this group.

BackgroundChildren spend a significant portion of their days in sedentary behavior (SB) and on average fail to engage in adequate physical activity (PA). The school built environment may influence SB and PA, but research is limited. This natural experiment evaluated whether an elementary school designed to promote movement impacted students’ school-time SB and PA.MethodsAccelerometers measured SB and PA at pre and post time-points in an intervention group who moved to the new school (n = 21) and in a comparison group experiencing no school environmental change (n = 20). Difference-in-difference (DD) analysis examined SB and PA outcomes in these groups. Measures were also collected post-intervention from an independent, grade-matched group of students in the new school (n = 21).ResultsAs expected, maturational increases in SB were observed. However, DD analysis estimated that the intervention attenuated increase in SB by 81.2 ± 11.4 minutes/day (p<0.001), controlling for time in moderate to vigorous physical activity (MVPA). The intervention was also estimated to increase daily number of breaks from SB by 23.4 ± 2.6 (p < .001) and to increase light physical activity (LPA) by 67.7 ± 10.7 minutes/day (p<0.001). However, the intervention decreased MVPA by 10.3 ± 2.3 minutes/day (p<0.001). Results of grade-matched independent samples analysis were similar, with students in the new vs. old school spending 90.5 ± 16.1 fewer minutes/day in SB, taking 21.1 ± 2.7 more breaks from SB (p<0.001), and spending 64.5 ± 14.8 more minutes in LPA (p<0.001), controlling for time in MVPA. Students in the new school spent 13.1 ± 2.7 fewer minutes in MVPA (p<0.001) than their counterparts in the old school.ConclusionsThis pilot study found that active school design had beneficial effects on SB and LPA, but not on MVPA. Mixed results point to a need for active classroom design strategies to mitigate SB, and quick access from classrooms to areas permissive of high-intensity activities to promote MVPA. Integrating active design with programs/policies to promote PA may yield greatest impact on PA of all intensities.

Impact of exergaming on young children's school day energy expenditure and moderate-to-vigorous physical activity levels

The study's purpose was to examine whether friendship factors predict discretionary physical activity after the transition to secondary school. Data represent a secondary analysis of the Personal and Environmental Associations with Children's Health Study. Outcomes were minutes of moderate to vigorous physical activity (MVPA) obtained after school (3:30-8:30 p.m.) and for weekends. Data were collected at the end of primary and the start of secondary school. Exposures were self-reported number of friends, friend support for physical activity, and friend sedentary preferences. Change (secondary--primary) was calculated for all variables. Boys' after-school MVPA declined by 16% after the move from primary to secondary school with a 12% decline for girls. Both boys' (24%) and girls' (17%) weekend MVPA increased after the move to secondary school. Regression analysis indicated that an increase in the number of friends between primary and secondary school was associated with increased after-school and weekend MVPA. Inspection of the coefficients indicated that each additional friend was associated with 3.7 more minutes of MVPA after school and 9.8 min of MVPA during the weekend for girls. Similarly, each additional unit on a four-item friend support for physical activity scale was associated with 1.8 more minutes of after-school MVPA and 6.0 more minutes of weekend MVPA among girls. Although friend support was cross-sectionally associated with boys' MVPA during primary school, neither the number of friends nor friend support for physical activity was associated with change in boys' after-school or weekend MVPA. Increased number of friends and friend support for physical activity were associated with increases in girls' MVPA after the move to secondary school. Strategies to foster friend support for physical activity may be important for helping girls be active.

Emerging evidence demonstrates positive health benefits of light physical activity (LPA) for cancer survivors. Yet, little research has explored modifiable factors that facilitate or hinder LPA behavior in this population. Furthermore, studies are often underpowered for conducting sub-group analyses. PURPOSE: To explore modifiable correlates of LPA among cancer survivors using a social cognitive framework, and how these correlates may differ among those engaging/not engaging in moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA). METHODS: Self-report data from the third survey of the American Cancer Society's Studies of Cancer Survivors I (N = 1720) were analyzed. Social cognitive variables of interest reflect cognitive determinants (i.e. perceived health competence and perceived susceptibility to cancer recurrence) and environmental determinants (i.e. healthcare provider support, perceived social support, and unsupportive partner behaviors). The Leisure Time Exercise Questionnaire was used to create four LPA categories (0, 1-59, 60-119, and 120+ minutes/week). Ordinal regressions using forced entry were conducted, stratified by MVPA status (0 minutes of MVPA, ≥ 1 min MVPA). Models were adjusted for relevant covariates (i.e., demographic, cancer-related, health-related variables), missing data bias was examined, and sensitivity analyses were conducted to examine the robustness of the results. RESULTS: Among cancer survivors reporting no MVPA (n = 747), greater provider support for PA (adjusted OR [aOR] = 1.49, p = .03), greater perceived health competence (aOR = 1.44, p = .01), and greater unsupportive partner behaviors (aOR = 1.06, p = .03) were significantly correlated with higher LPA. No constructs were correlated with LPA among cancer survivors already engaging in MVPA (n = 973). Missing data bias was small (Cramer's V/Phi < 0.1). Results were similar in unadjusted analyses, and when stratifying by insufficient and meeting MVPA recommendations. CONCLUSIONS: The utility of a social cognitive framework in explaining LPA among cancer survivors who do not engage in any MVPA was supported. Interventions may be more efficacious by incorporating healthcare provider support, improving health competence, and improving interpersonal skills that address unsupportive partners.

Overweight and obese pregnant women may benefit from physical activity (PA) in pregnancy, yet few studies have examined sensor-measured PA in pregnancy. PURPOSE: To evaluate sensor-measured PA in overweight and obese pregnant women and its sociodemographic and psychological correlates. METHODS: We analyzed baseline data from an ongoing behavioral lifestyle intervention trial in Columbia, SC (n=202). PA was measured with the SenseWear Armband; compliance was set at wearing for 20+ hrs/d, 5+ days (including 1+ weekend day). PA measures were daily duration of light PA (LPA), moderate to vigorous PA (MVPA), daily steps, and meeting MVPA guidelines (≥150 min/wk of MVPA in ≥10 min bouts). PA was presented as median (interquartile range). Subgroup differences in medians were examined with quantile regression models. Correlations of PA measures with perceived stress, depressive symptoms, PA social support, PA self-efficacy, and PA self-regulation were studied. A logistic regression model was used to examine correlates of meeting MVPA guidelines. RESULTS: Participants (mean of 12.4 weeks gestation) had a median of 203 (154, 258) min/d LPA, 34 (20, 49) min/d MVPA, and 4,870 (3768, 6590) steps/d. LPA, MVPA, and steps were lower in African American and obese women (p<.05). LPA was lower in nulliparous women (p<.05). Participants with less than college education had lower MVPA and steps (p<0.05). Further, LPA, MVPA, and steps were positively associated with PA self-efficacy (r’s ranging from 0.13 to 0.16, p≤.05) and PA goal setting (r’s ranging from 0.16 to 0.21, p<.05). MVPA was positively associated with PA planning (r=0.16, p<.05). Only 10.4% of participants met MVPA guidelines, which was more prevalent in white (17.1%) vs African American (2.2%) women and in overweight (17.9%) vs obese women (3.7%) (p<0.05). After adjusting for age, parity, and marital status, white women and overweight women had higher odds of meeting MVPA recommendation than their counterparts: white: 5.8 (1.2-28.6); overweight: 5.2 (1.6, 16.9). CONCLUSION: Sensor-measured PA was low in overweight and obese pregnant women in early pregnancy with significant differences by race, education, parity, and pre-pregnancy weight status. Programs targeting PA are needed for this population. Funded by NIH/NICHD.

PURPOSE: To examine the relationship between bouts of physical activity and physical fitness in preschool children. METHOD: Sporadic sessions (2-4 seconds) of moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA), short bouts (5-9 seconds) of MVPA; and medium-to-long bouts (≥10 seconds) of MVPA were measured over 7 days using ActiGraph GT3X accelerometers. Physical fitness was assessed by a 20-meter multistage shuttle run test (cardiorespiratory fitness), handgrip and standing long jump tests (musculoskeletal fitness), and the 2×10-meter shuttle run test (speed/agility). A composite score of physical fitness was created from the mean of the standardized values of all physical fitness tests. The bouts of physical activity and composite scores were categorized into quartiles (Q1-Q4 group) by sex; the highest quartile (Q4) of composite scores were assigned as high healthy fitness (HPF). Logistic and linear regression were used to investigate the relationship between bouts of MVPA and HPF. RESULTS: A total of 265 participants were included in the final statistical analysis (boys, 149; girls, 116; 57.19 ± 5.33 months). After adjusting for confounding factors, relative to Q1, the odds ratios (OR) for a HPF in Q4 were 11.72 (95% CI=2.27- 60.53), 7.53 (95% CI=1.83-30.90) and 8.98 (95% CI=1.78-45.39) for sporadic MVPA, short bouts and medium-to-long bouts of MVPA in boys, respectively. Similar results were allow observed in girls, 11.85 (95% CI=2.33-60.19), 12.34 (95% CI=2.47-61.57) and 8.58 (95% CI=1.70-43.41), respectively. There was a non-linear relationship between overall MVPA and HPF in boys. When the total MVPA ≤ 65 min/day, the OR of achieving HPF increased by 17% (OR = 1.17, 95% CI = 1.02-1.35) for every 1 minute/day increment in total MVPA; no increases in HPF with increased MVPA were observed for >65 min/day. This non-linear relationship was not found in girls. CONCLUSION: There is a significantly positive relationship between bouts of MVPA and HPF in preschool children. To achieve HPF in preschool children, it is recommended that boys accumulate total MVPA 65 minutes or longer every day. Supported by National Natural Science Foundation of China (81703252)

Regarding the circadian rhythm regulating an individual's response to external stimulation, it remains unclear whether older adults engaged in physical activity at different times of day may be differently related to depression symptoms. Thus, this study aimed to investigate the association between overall and timing-specific physical activity and depressive symptoms in older Taiwanese adults. This cross-sectional study was conducted at a medical center in Taipei City, Taiwan, between September 2020 and December 2021. The participants were community-dwelling older adults aged ≥65 who could walk independently and were not at high risk of cognitive dysfunction. Physical activity was measured using a triaxial accelerometer (GT3X+, ActiGraph) and categorized into timing-specific periods (morning: 06:01-12:00; afternoon: 12:01-18:00; evening: 18:01-24:00) as well as overall physical activity, which included both light physical activity (LPA) and moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA). A 15-item Geriatric Depression Scale was utilized to assess and measure depressive symptoms. Multivariate linear regression models were estimated for data analysis. A total of 180 older adults (55.0% female; 80.5 ± 7.1 years old; 18.3% at risk of depression) were included. On average, the participants spent 237.3 (± 85.7) minutes in LPA per day and 12.8 (± 17.0) minutes in MVPA per day. The results showed that overall MVPA engagement was associated with lower depressive-symptom scores [B = -1.357, 95% CI (-2.561, -0.153)] in older adults. However, no significant associations were observed between overall LPA, timing-specific MVPA and LPA, and depression in older adults. To prevent depression in older adults, it is advisable to accumulate a higher amount of MVPA throughout the entire day rather than engage in LPA. Further studies employing a prospective design are necessary to validate and strengthen our findings.

Despite the many health benefits of being physically active nearly a quarter of U.S. adults and adolescents report no participation in leisure-time physical activity. It is recommended that children and adolescents participate in physical activity for at least 60 minutes daily at moderate or vigorous intensity. In addition to potentially enhancing academic performance participation in physical activity may also influence perceptions of physical appearance and global self-esteem which tend to decrease with age in adolescent females. The purposes of this study were to: (a) examine the prevalence of overweight and obesity and the percentage of adolescent females from a rural community that meets physical activity recommendations; (b) examine the relationship of body composition physical activity and sedentary behavior on academic performance; and (c) examine the relationship between physical activity and physical self-concept among adolescent females. Thirty adolescent females (mean age = 15.6 ± 1.3 years) wore an Actigraph GT1M accelerometer for seven consecutive days set to measure in 15-second epochs. Age specific cutpoints were used to determine minutes of sedentary behavior and light moderate vigorous and moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA). Participants completed the Physical Self-Description Questionnaire (PSDQ) to assess how they perceive themselves physically. Height weight and percent body fat were measured. Grade point averages (GPA) were obtained from school records. Regression analysis was performed to predict GPA from measures of body composition sedentary behavior and MVPA. Measures of physical activity and sedentary behavior were correlated with PSDQ subscale scores with Pearson correlations. Thirty percent of participants (n = 9) were obese (BMI [greater than or equal to] 95th percentile) and another 36% (n = 11) were overweight (BMI between the 85th and 94th percentiles). None of the participants accumulated [greater than or equal to] 60 minutes of MVPA per day. Daily MVPA averaged 9.7 (± 7.1) minutes. Percent fat (r = -.51) minutes of MVPA (r = .34) and time spent in sedentary behavior (r = .32) were significantly correlated (p < .05) with GPA. Together measures of body composition physical activity and sedentary behavior explained 36% of the variance (multiple R = .60) in GPA. The standard error of estimate for predicting GPA was 0.64. Minutes per day spent in light physical activity was negatively correlated (p < .01) with the Self-Esteem (r = -.51) Body Fat (r = -.52) and Global Physical Self-Concept (r = -.48) subscales of the PSDQ. Only the Physical Activity subscale of the PSDQ was significantly correlated with MVPA (r = .36). In conclusion the current sample of adolescent females had a high prevalence of overweight and obesity and was physically inactive. Academic performance was significantly associated with measures of body composition physical activity and sedentary behavior. Time spent in light physical activity was associated with lower self-perceptions of body fat global physical self-concept and self-esteem. Measures of higher intensity physical activity were generally not associated with physical self-perception measures possibly due to the low amount of time spent in MVPA. Interventions to increase physical activity and improve body composition in adolescent girls should be considered not only for their health effects but also for their potential to impact academic performance and psychological profiles.