Abstract
Understanding correlates of physical activity (PA) can help inform and improve programs that promote PA among youth. We analyzed data from the 2010 National Youth Physical Activity and Nutrition Study, a representative sample of US students in grades 9–12. Logistic regression was used to examine associations between PA correlates (obesity, physical education classes, sports team participation, attitude toward PA, adult support for PA, and environmental support for PA) and participation in daily PA (DPA), vigorous PA (VPA), muscle-strengthening activity (MSA), viewing television (TV), and using computers or video games (C/VG). A positive attitude toward PA and adult support for PA were both associated with increased PA and decreased sedentary behavior. However, among students who lived in neighborhoods that were not safe for PA, a positive attitude toward PA was not associated with increased DPA or decreased sedentary behavior and was less strongly associated with VPA and MSA. Efforts to increase PA among youth should promote a positive attitude toward PA among youth and encourage adult family members to support their efforts to be active. Policies that promote safe neighborhoods may work synergistically with a positive attitude toward PA to increase participation in PA and decrease sedentary behaviors.
Highlights
In the United States, approximately one out of three adolescents and two out of three adults are either overweight or obese [1, 2]
15.1% participated in at least 60 minutes of daily PA (DPA), 69.7% participated in vigorous PA (VPA) for ≥20 minutes on ≥3 days per week, and 50.7% participated in muscle-strengthening activity (MSA) on ≥3 days per week (Table 2)
Consistent with previous research, our results indicate that females, older adolescents, and black and Hispanic youth are less likely to participate in physical activity compared to males, younger adolescents, and white youth, respectively [6, 15]
Summary
In the United States, approximately one out of three adolescents and two out of three adults are either overweight or obese [1, 2]. Regular physical activity can improve the health and quality of life of all Americans, including those who are overweight or obese [3]. Physical activity can reduce symptoms of depression and stress, improve cardiorespiratory and muscular fitness, improve bone health, and decrease levels of body fat [4]. The Healthy People 2020 physical activity objectives address sedentary behaviors, by calling for an increase in the proportion of children and adolescents who do not exceed recommended limits for screen time, including viewing television no more than 2 hours a day and using a computer or playing computer games outside of school (for nonschool work) no more than 2 hours a day [4]
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