Patterns Of Physical Activity And Sedentary Behaviors In Primary Schoolchildren In Hong Kong

Abstract

PURPOSE: To investigate the patterns of physical activity and sedentary behavior among primary schoolchildren in Hong Kong and identify clusters of children who share the similar pattern. METHODS: A sample of 1013 schoolchildren (49.5% boys, mean age = 11.1 yr) in grade 4-6 completed a self-reported physical activity questionnaire by which time spent in 31 physical activities and 13 sedentary behaviors were assessed on weekdays and weekends separately. Estimates in weekly moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA) and 7 sedentary behaviors of which at least 10% of the children reported participation were cluster analyzed to group children with similar activity patterns. The 7 sedentary behaviors included doing homework, watching television, playing electronic games, using the Internet, socializing, reading, and listening to music. RESULTS: Approximately half of the children did not reach the recommended physical activity of 60-min MVPA per day and one fifth of them engaged in excessive TV viewing of 2 hr per day. The children spent more time in both MVPA and sedentary pursuits at weekends than on weekdays (MVPA: 112 ± 109 min vs. 73 ± 63 min, P<0.05; sedentary time: 258 ± 237 min vs. 218 ± 176 min, P<0.05). Cluster analyses identified 5 clusters for both boys and girls. The clusters for boys were actives, medium sedentary inactives, sedentary home-workers, sedentary TV viewers, and sedentary games players. For girls, the clusters included actives, uninvolved inactives, sedentary socializers, sedentary home-workers, and sedentary TV viewers. CONCLUSIONS: The results suggested that children in Hong Kong engaged in a variety of behavioral patterns with one activity that predominated their lifestyle. Specific interventions targeting different behavioral segments to reduce sedentary behaviors should be developed.