Vigorous physical activity in relation to family affluence: time trends in Europe and North America

Dagmar Sigmundová,Kwok W Ng,Jo Inchley,Erik Sigmund,Jens Bucksch,Riki Tesler,Frida Kathrine Sofie Mathisen,Zdenek Hamrik

doi:10.1007/s00038-019-01271-8

Abstract

ObjectivesThe aim of the study was to determine secular trends in vigorous physical activity (VPA) among adolescents in relation to family affluence across 34 countries.MethodsThis study used data from the Health Behaviour in School-aged Children (HBSC) study from 34 countries in Europe and North America. Adolescents (N = 501,647) aged 11, 13 and 15 years across three survey cycles (2006, 2010, 2014) self-reported data on VPA and a family affluence scale (FAS) using standardized questionnaires.ResultsA significant increase in VPA was found in low-FAS boys (girls) in four (10) countries and a decrease in four (three) countries. In high-FAS boys (girls), a significant increase was observed in nine (11) countries and a decrease in two(three) countries. An overall significant increase in meeting the VPA recommendations was found in high-FAS boys (OR 1.11; 95% CI 1.06–1.16) and in all FAS groups in girls, with the largest effect being found among high-FAS girls (OR 1.24; 95% CI 1.18–1.30).ConclusionsA country-specific increase in VPA was observed primarily in the medium- and high-FAS categories. This study suggests a need to focus on increasing VPA efforts, especially in low- and medium-FAS boys.

Highlights

Despite the well-established benefits of physical activity (PA), a substantial proportion of children and adolescents is not physically active enough to improve their health (Hallal et al 2012)
An overall significant increase in meeting the vigorous physical activity (VPA) recommendations was found in high-family affluence scale (FAS) boys and in all FAS groups in girls, with the largest effect being found among high-FAS girls
Between 2006 and 2014, we observe for the whole sample a statistically significant increase in meeting the VPA recommendations among girls from 31.3 to 34.8%, but not among boys, where we found no significant change

Summary

Introduction

Despite the well-established benefits of physical activity (PA), a substantial proportion of children and adolescents is not physically active enough to improve their health (Hallal et al 2012). PA levels decline from childhood to adolescence, especially among girls Understanding recent trends in adolescent PA is important for the promotion of healthrelated PA and to ensure that appropriate interventions can be put in place to support adolescent health and well-being (Ekelund et al 2016). PA includes a wide spectrum of activities of different intensity, ranging from light PA and moderate-to-vigorous PA (MVPA) to vigorous PA (VPA), with varying impacts on human health (Ekelund et al 2012; Chaput et al 2013). Evidence suggests that the greatest health benefits are associated with VPA

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