Association between Family Structure and Physical Activity of Chinese Adolescents.

Lijuan Wang,Jing Qi

doi:10.1155/2016/4278682

Abstract

Background. This study examines the association between family structure and moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA) of adolescents in China. Methods. The participants included 612 adolescents (317 boys and 295 girls) from Shanghai with ages ranging from 10 to 16 years. Accelerometers were used to measure the duration of MVPA of adolescents, and questionnaires on family structure were completed by the parents of these adolescents. Results. Findings suggested that family structure significantly increased the likelihood of adolescents engaging in physical activity (PA) and explained 6% of MPVA variance. Adolescents living in single-parent households and step families were more physically active than those living in two-parent homes and with biological parents, respectively. However, adolescents residing with grandparents were less active than those living with neither grandparent. No significant difference was found in MVPA time between adolescents living with one sibling and those without siblings. Conclusion. Family environment may be considered in the development of PA interventions and policies, and adolescents living with their grandparents may be targeted in PA promotion.

Highlights

Regular physical activity (PA) participation is an important contributor to adolescent health [1]
Gender was significantly related to the moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA) duration of the adolescents
This study was concluded that family structure was significantly associated with the MVPA of adolescents in China

Summary

Introduction

Regular physical activity (PA) participation is an important contributor to adolescent health [1]. The World Health Organization (WHO) developed a set of PA guidelines to encourage participation and recommended that children and adolescents engage in at least 60 minutes of daily moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA) [2]. Evidence suggests that Chinese adolescents do not adhere to the recommended guideline [3,4,5]. Wang et al measured the MVPA of 2163 students in the fourth to 11th grades from 11 cities in China and found that Chinese city children and adolescents spent an average of. This study examines the association between family structure and moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA) of adolescents in China. Findings suggested that family structure significantly increased the likelihood of adolescents engaging in physical activity (PA) and explained 6% of MPVA variance. Environment may be considered in the development of PA interventions and policies, and adolescents living with their grandparents may be targeted in PA promotion

Objectives

Methods

Results

Discussion

Conclusion