Abstract
BackgroundAdolescents engage in various combinations (typologies) of physical activity and sedentary behaviors, which impact their health and wellbeing in different ways. As such, there is a need to understand the factors that may inhibit or facilitate engagement in combinations of activity-related behaviors to help inform effective intervention strategies targeting those most in need. The aim of this study was to identify ecological correlates of adolescent physical activity and sedentary behavior typologies.MethodsCross-sectional study of 473 adolescents (15.0 ± 1.6 years, 41.4% boys) from 18 secondary schools in Melbourne, Australia. Intrapersonal, interpersonal and neighborhood-physical environmental factors were assessed via self-report surveys and Geographic Information Systems. Multinomial logistic regression models determined the relative risk ratio of membership of three homogenous activity-related behavior typologies based on the potential correlates.ResultsHigher levels of self-efficacy for physical activity, parental screen-time restriction rules, parental support for physical activity, sibling screen-time co-participation and perceptions of neighborhood pedestrian/traffic safety were associated with greater likelihood of adolescents being in the typology defined as highly active and low sedentary compared to the physically inactive, highly sedentary typology. Higher frequency of co-participation in screen-time with friends was associated with greater likelihood of adolescents being in the typology defined as moderately active, high screen-time compared to physically inactive, highly sedentary.ConclusionsA range of intrapersonal, interpersonal and environmental correlates appear to play a role in adolescent activity-related typology membership. The findings may inform public health interventions targeting unique adolescent subgroups most at risk of poor health outcomes based on their engagement in combinations of activity-related behaviors.
Highlights
Adolescents engage in various combinations of physical activity and sedentary behaviors, which impact their health and wellbeing in different ways
We have previously identified typologies of activity-related behaviors based on self-reported participation in different types of physical activity and sedentary behaviors, and accelerometer-measured moderate-to vigorous-intensity physical activity (MVPA) and sedentary time [16]
Several correlates were significantly associated with typology membership (Table 2)
Summary
Adolescents engage in various combinations (typologies) of physical activity and sedentary behaviors, which impact their health and wellbeing in different ways. Engagement in physical activity behaviors including sport, active travel and leisure-time active play are positively associated with health and wellbeing [1]. Two studies have assessed ecological correlates of activityrelated behavior typologies among adolescents, one of these studies included girls only [8] and both included additional behaviors such as socializing, employment and sleep in determining typologies [8, 9] which may influence the correlates identified While these previous studies explored sociodemographic correlates and a variety of intrapersonal correlates (e.g., perceived sport competence, enjoyment of physical activity and sedentary pursuits and self-efficacy), only a limited number of interpersonal (time with friends, family and friend support) and environmental (household technology density, neighborhood socio-economic status and organizational level barriers) correlates have been assessed [8, 9]. Greenspace in close proximity to home has been associated with moderate-to vigorous-intensity physical activity (MVPA) [14] and sedentary behavior (weekdays) [15] among youth, and may predict typology membership
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