Abstract
BackgroundThere is a scarcity of device measured data on temporal changes in physical activity (PA) in large population-based samples. The purpose of this study is to describe gender and age-group specific temporal trends in device measured PA between 2005, 2011 and 2018 by comparing three nationally representative samples of children and adolescents.MethodsNorwegian children and adolescents (6, 9 and 15-year-olds) were invited to participate in 2005 (only 9- and 15-year-olds), 2011 and 2018 through cluster sampling (schools primary sampling units). A combined sample of 9500 individuals participated. Physical activity was assessed by hip worn accelerometers, with PA indices including overall PA (counts per minute), moderate-to-vigorous intensity PA (MVPA), and PA guideline adherence (achieving on average ≥ 60 min/day of moderate-to-vigorous PA). Random-effects linear regressions and logistic regressions adjusted for school-level clusters were used to analyse temporal trends.FindingsIn total, 8186 of the participating children and adolescents provided valid PA data. Proportions of sufficiently active 6-year-olds were almost identical in 2011 and 2018; boys 95% (95% CI: 92, 97) and 94% (95%CI: 92, 96) and girls 86% (95% CI: 83, 90) and 86% (95% CI: 82, 90). Proportions of sufficiently active 15-year-olds in 2005 and 2018 were 52% (95% CI: 46, 59) and 55% (95% CI: 48, 62) in boys, and 48% (95% CI: 42, 55) and 44% (95% CI: 37, 51) in girls, respectively, resulting from small differences in min/day of MVPA. Among 9-year-old boys and girls, proportions of sufficiently active declined between 2005 and 2018, from 90% (95% CI: 87, 93) to 84% (95% CI: 80, 87)) and 74% (95% CI: 69, 79) to 68% (95% CI: 64, 72), respectively. This resulted from 9.7 min/day less MVPA in boys (95% CI: − 14.8, − 4.7; p < 0.001) and 3.2 min/day less MVPA (95% CI: − 7.0, 0.7; p = 0.106) in girls.ConclusionsPA levels have been fairly stable between 2005, 2011 and 2018 in Norwegian youth. However, the declining PA level among 9-year-old boys and the low proportion of 15-year-olds sufficiently active is concerning. To evaluate the effect of, and plan for new, PA promoting strategies, it is important to ensure more frequent, systematic, device-based monitoring of population-levels of PA.
Highlights
Sufficient levels of physical activity (PA) are associated with several health benefits in children and adolescents [1, 2], and current evidence calls for children and adolescents (6–17 years) to do an average of ≥60 min of daily moderatetovigorous intensity PA (MVPA) in order to achieve these benefits [3]
The recruitment procedures and methods used in PANCS1 and PANCS2 have been described in detail elsewhere [16, 25]
The exception is found in 9-year-old boys, where we observe a significantly lower overall PA level in 2018 compared to 2005 (mean difference: 62 CPM) and 2011 (mean difference: 58 CPM)
Summary
Sufficient levels of physical activity (PA) are associated with several health benefits in children and adolescents [1, 2], and current evidence calls for children and adolescents (6–17 years) to do an average of ≥60 min of daily moderatetovigorous intensity PA (MVPA) in order to achieve these benefits [3]. Available evidence on temporal trends from large scale studies do not, indicate that PA levels have changed much since the 1980s [5, 7]. Most temporal trend estimates are based on self-reported PA data This is an important limitation as recall- and social desirability biases may introduce well known flaws in the interpretation of prevalence estimates [10, 11], especially in children and adolescents [11]. There is a scarcity of device measured data on temporal changes in physical activity (PA) in large population-based samples. The purpose of this study is to describe gender and age-group specific temporal trends in device measured PA between 2005, 2011 and 2018 by comparing three nationally representative samples of children and adolescents
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