Top

BMC Public Health

Published in:

Open Access 01-12-2016 | Research article

Predictors of physical activity and sedentary behaviours among 11-16 year olds: Multilevel analysis of the 2013 Health Behaviour in School-aged Children (HBSC) study in Wales

Authors: Kelly Morgan, Britt Hallingberg, Hannah Littlecott, Simon Murphy, Adam Fletcher, Chris Roberts, Graham Moore

Published in: BMC Public Health | Issue 1/2016

Abstract

Background

The present study investigated associations between individual- and school-level predictors and young people’s self-reported physical activity (total activity and moderate-to-vigorous activity) and sedentary behaviours.

Methods

Individual-level data provided by the 2013/14 cross-sectional survey ‘Health Behaviour in School-aged Children (HBSC) study in Wales’ were linked to school-level data within the ‘HBSC School Environment Questionnaire’. The final sample comprised 7,376 young people aged 11-16 years across 67 schools. Multilevel modelling was used to examine predictors of total physical activity, moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA) and sedentary behaviours (screen-based behaviours).

Results

Taking more physical activity (less than 5 days vs. 5 or more days per week), engaging in higher levels of MVPA (less than 4 hours vs. 4 or more hours per week) and reporting 2 or less hours of sedentary time were predicted by several individual level variables. Active travel to school positively predicted high levels of physical activity, however, gender stratified models revealed active travel as a predictor amongst girls only (OR:1.25 (95 % CI:1.05 - 1.49)). No school-level factors were shown to predict physical activity levels, however, a lower school socio-economic status was associated with a higher level of MVPA (OR:1.02 (95 % CI:1.01 - 1.03)) and a lower risk of sedentary behaviour (OR:0.97 (95 % CI:0.96 – 0.99)). A shorter lunch break (OR:1.33 (95 % CI:1.11 - 1.49)) and greater provision of facilities (OR:1.02 (95 % CI:1.00 - 1.05)) were associated with increased sedentary activity. Gender stratified models revealed that PE lesson duration (OR:1.18 (95 % CI:1.01 - 1.37)) and the provision of sports facilities (OR:1.03 (95 % CI:1.00 - 1.06)) were predictors of boy’s sedentary behaviours only.

Conclusion

Shorter lunch breaks were associated with increased sedentary time. Therefore, while further research is needed to better understand the causal nature of this association, extending lunch breaks could have a positive impact on sedentary behaviour through the provision of more time for physical activity. The findings also suggest that active travel could offer a mechanism for increasing physical activity levels particularly amongst girls. Particularly, the design and evaluation of interventions to promote physical activity during school hours should employ a comprehensive approach, including a focus on school policies and behaviours both in and out of school hours.

Chakravarthy MV, Booth FW. Eating, exercise, and “thrifty” genotypes: connecting the dots toward an evolutionary understanding of modern chronic diseases. J Appl Physiol. 2004;96(1):3–10. doi:10.1152/japplphysiol.00757.2003.CrossRefPubMed

Moore LL, Gao D, Bradlee ML, Cupples LA, Sundarajan-Ramamurti A, Proctor MH, et al. Does early physical activity predict body fat change throughout childhood? Prev Med. 2003;37(1):10–7.CrossRefPubMed

Jago R, Baranowski T, Baranowski JC, Thompson D, Greaves KA. BMI from 3-6 y of age is predicted by TV viewing and physical activity, not diet. Int J Obes Relat Metab Disord. 2005;29(6):557–64.CrossRef

Archer T. Health benefits of physical exercise for children and adolescents. Journal of Novel Physiotherapies 2014;4(203).

Ekeland E, Heian F, Hagen KB, Abbott J, Nordheim L. Exercise to improve self-esteem in children and young people. The Cochrane database of systematic reviews. 2004(1):Cd003683. doi:10.1002/14651858.CD003683.pub2.

Chief Medical Officer. Factsheet 3: Physical activity guidelines for children and young people (aged 5-18 years) 2011. Accessed at: https://www.nhs.uk/Livewell/fitness/Documents/children-and-young-people-5-18-years.pdf..

Welsh Government. 2013/14 Health Behaviour in School-aged Children (HBSC) study in Wales: key findings. Cardiff: Welsh Government; 2015.

Owen N, Bauman A, Brown W. Too much sitting: a novel and important predictor of chronic disease risk? Br J Sports Med. 2009;43(2):81–3. doi:10.1136/bjsm.2008.055269.CrossRefPubMed

Biddle SJH, Gorely T, Marshall SJ, Cameron N. The prevalence of sedentary behavior and physical activity in leisure time: A study of Scottish adolescents using ecological momentary assessment. Preventive Medicine. 2009;48(2):151-5. doi:http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.ypmed.2008.10.025.

10.

Tremblay M, LeBlanc A, Kho M, Saunders T, Larouche R, Colley R, et al. Systematic review of sedentary behaviour and health indicators in school-aged children and youth. Int J Behav Nutr Phys Act. 2011;8(1):98.CrossRefPubMedPubMedCentral

11.

Tones K, Tilford S. Health promotion: effectiveness, efficiency and equity. 2001. Nelson Thornes.

12.

Viner RM, Ozer EM, Denny S, Marmot M, Resnick M, Fatusi A, et al. Adolescence and the social determinants of health. The Lancet. 2012;379(9826):1641–52.CrossRef

13.

Elgar FJ, Pförtner T-K, Moor I, De Clercq B, Stevens GWJM, Currie C. Socioeconomic inequalities in adolescent health 2002–2010: a time-series analysis of 34 countries participating in the Health Behaviour in School-aged Children study. The Lancet. 2015(0). doi:http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/S0140-6736(14)61460-4.

14.

Rose G. The strategy of preventive medicine. Oxford: Oxford University Press; 2003.

15.

Bonell C, Farah J, Harden A, Wells H, Parry W, Fletcher A et al. Systematic review of the effects of schools and school environment interventions on health: evidence mapping and synthesis. Public Health Research. 2013;1(1). doi:http://dx.doi.org/10.3310/phr01010.

16.

Dobbins M, Husson H, DeCorby K, LaRocca RL. School-based physical activity programs for promoting physical activity and fitness in children and adolescents aged 6 to 18. The Cochrane database of systematic reviews. 2013;2:Cd007651. doi:10.1002/14651858.CD007651.pub2.

17.

Langford R, Bonell C, Jones H, Campbell R. Obesity prevention and the Health promoting Schools framework: essential components and barriers to success. Int J Behav Nutr Phys Act. 2015;12(1):15.CrossRefPubMedPubMedCentral

18.

World Health Organization. Ottawa Charter for Health Promotion. Geneva, Switzerland: WHO; 1986. Accessed at: http://www.who.int/healthpromotion/conferences/previous/ottawa/en/index.html

19.

Dooris M. Healthy settings: challenges to generating evidence of effectiveness. Health Promot Int. 2006;21(1):55–65. doi:10.1093/heapro/dai030.CrossRefPubMed

20.

Fairclough SJ, Butcher ZH, Stratton G. Primary school children's health-enhancing physical activity patterns: the school as a significant environment? Education 3-13. 2008;36(4):371-81. doi:10.1080/03004270801959676.

21.

Ofsted. Beyond 2012: outstanding physical education for all. UK; 2013. Accessed at: https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/413187/Beyond_2012_-_outstanding_physical_education_for_all.pdf.

22.

Greenfield JRF, Almond M, Clarke GP, Edwards KL. Factors affecting school physical education provision in England: a cross-sectional analysis. J Public Health. 2015. doi:10.1093/pubmed/fdv032.

23.

Rasberry CN, Lee SM, Robin L, Laris BA, Russell LA, Coyle KK et al. The association between school-based physical activity, including physical education, and academic performance: A systematic review of the literature. Preventive Medicine. 2011;52, Supplement:S10-S20. doi:http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.ypmed.2011.01.027.

24.

Blatchford P, Sumpner C. What do we know about breaktime? results from a national survey of breaktime and lunchtime in primary and secondary schools. British Educational Res J. 1998;24(1):79–94. doi:10.1080/0141192980240106.CrossRef

25.

Ridgers ND, Timperio A, Crawford D, Salmon J. Five-year changes in school recess and lunchtime and the contribution to children's daily physical activity. Br J Sports Med. 2011. doi:10.1136/bjsm.2011.084921.PubMed

26.

McKenzie TL, Sallis JF, Elder JP, Berry CC, Hoy PL, Nader PR, et al. Physical activity levels and prompts in young children at recess: a two-year study of a Bi-ethnic sample. Res Q Exerc Sport. 1997;68(3):195–202. doi:10.1080/02701367.1997.10607998.CrossRefPubMed

27.

Cardon G, Van Cauwenberghe E, Labarque V, Haerens L, De Bourdeaudhuij I. The contribution of preschool playground factors in explaining children's physical activity during recess. Int J Behav Nutr Phys Act. 2008;5(1):11.CrossRefPubMedPubMedCentral

28.

van Sluijs EMF, Fearne VA, Mattocks C, Riddoch C, Griffin SJ, Ness A. The contribution of active travel to children's physical activity levels: Cross-sectional results from the ALSPAC study. Preventive Medicine. 2009;48(6):519-24. doi:http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.ypmed.2009.03.002.

29.

Cooper AR, Page AS, Foster LJ, Qahwaji D. Commuting to school: Are children who walk more physically active? American Journal of Preventive Medicine. 2003;25(4):273-6. doi:http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/S0749-3797(03)00205-8.

30.

Sirard JR, Riner WF, McIver KL, Pate RR. Physical activity and active commuting to elementary school. Med Sci Sports Exerc. 2005;37(12):2062–9. doi:10.1249/01.mss.0000179102.17183.6b.CrossRefPubMed

31.

Schoeppe S, Duncan MJ, Badland H, Oliver M, Curtis C. Associations of children's independent mobility and active travel with physical activity, sedentary behaviour and weight status: A systematic review. Journal of Science and Medicine in Sport. 2013;16(4):312-9. doi:http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.jsams.2012.11.001.

32.

Faulkner GEJ, Buliung RN, Flora PK, Fusco C. Active school transport, physical activity levels and body weight of children and youth: A systematic review. Preventive Medicine. 2009;48(1):3-8. doi:http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.ypmed.2008.10.017.

33.

Jago R, Anderson CB, Baranowski T, Watson K. Adolescent Patterns of Physical Activity: Differences by Gender, Day, and Time of Day. American Journal of Preventive Medicine. 2005;28(5):447-52. doi:http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.amepre.2005.02.007.

34.

Klitsie T, Corder K, Visscher T, Atkin A, Jones A, van Sluijs E. Children's sedentary behaviour: descriptive epidemiology and associations with objectively-measured sedentary time. BMC Public Health. 2013;13(1):1092.CrossRefPubMedPubMedCentral

35.

Davison KK, Werder JL, Lawson CT. Children’s active commuting to school: current knowledge and future directions. Prev Chronic Dis. 2008;5(3):A100.PubMedPubMedCentral

36.

Cooper AR, Andersen LB, Wedderkopp N, Page AS, Froberg K. Physical Activity Levels of Children Who Walk, Cycle, or Are Driven to School. American Journal of Preventive Medicine. 2005;29(3):179-84. doi:http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.amepre.2005.05.009.

37.

Currie C, Nic Gabhainn S, Godeau E. The Health Behaviour in School-aged Children: WHO Collaborative Cross-National (HBSC) study: origins, concept, history and development 1982–2008. Int J Public Health. 2009;54(2):131–9. doi:10.1007/s00038-009-5404-x.CrossRefPubMed

38.

Roberts C, Freeman J, Samdal O, Schnohr CW, de Looze ME, Nic Gabhainn S, et al. The Health Behaviour in School-aged Children (HBSC) study: methodological developments and current tensions. Int J Public Health. 2009;54(2):140–50. doi:10.1007/s00038-009-5405-9.CrossRefPubMedPubMedCentral

39.

Currie C, Molcho M, Boyce W, Holstein B, Torsheim T, Richter M. Researching health inequalities in adolescents: The development of the Health Behaviour in School-Aged Children (HBSC) Family Affluence Scale. Social Science & Medicine. 2008;66(6):1429-36. doi:http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.socscimed.2007.11.024.

40.

Hartley JK, Levin K, Currie C. A new version of the HBSC Family Affluence Scale - FAS III: Scottish Qualitative Findings from the International FAS Development Study. Child Ind Res. 2015:1-13. doi:10.1007/s12187-015-9325-3.

41.

Lissau I, Overpeck MD, Ruan W, Due P, Holstein BE, Hediger ML. BOdy mass index and overweight in adolescents in 13 european countries, israel, and the united states. Arch Pediatr Adolesc Med. 2004;158(1):27–33. doi:10.1001/archpedi.158.1.27.CrossRefPubMed

42.

Riddoch CJ, Mattocks C, Deere K, Saunders J, Kirkby J, Tilling K, et al. Objective measurement of levels and patterns of physical activity. Arch Dis Child. 2007;92(11):963–9. doi:10.1136/adc.2006.112136.CrossRefPubMedPubMedCentral

43.

Heitzler C, Lytle L, Erickson D, Sirard J, Barr-Anderson D, Story M. Physical activity and sedentary activity patterns among children and adolescents: a latent class analysis approach. J Phys Act Health. 2011;8(4):457–67.PubMedCentral

44.

Bauman AE, Reis RS, Sallis JF, Wells JC, Loos RJF, Martin BW. Correlates of physical activity: why are some people physically active and others not? The Lancet.380(9838):258-71. doi:http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/S0140-6736(12)60735-1.

45.

Colley RC, Garriguet D, Janssen I, Craig CL, Clarke J, Tremblay MS. Physical activity of Canadian children and youth: accelerometer results from the 2007 to 2009 Canadian health measures survey. Health Rep. 2011;22(1):15–23.PubMed

46.

Telama R. Tracking of physical activity from childhood to adulthood: a review. Obes Facts. 2009;2(3):187–95.CrossRefPubMed

47.

Jago R, Fox KR, Page AS, Brockman R, Thompson JL. Physical activity and sedentary behaviour typologies of 10-11 year olds. The international journal of behavioral nutrition and physical activity. 2010;7:59-. doi:10.1186/1479-5868-7-59.

48.

Liu J, Kim J, Colabianchi N, Ortaglia A, Pate RR. Co-varying patterns of physical activity and sedentary behaviors and their long-term maintenance among adolescents. J Physical Activity Health. 2010;7(4):465.

49.

Patnode CD, Lytle LA, Erickson DJ, Sirard JR, Barr-Anderson DJ, Story M. Physical activity and sedentary activity patterns among children and adolescents: a latent class analysis approach. J Phys Act Health. 2011;8(4):457–67.PubMed

50.

te Velde S, De Bourdeaudhuij I, Thorsdottir I, Rasmussen M, Hagstromer M, Klepp K-I, et al. Patterns in sedentary and exercise behaviors and associations with overweight in 9-14-year-old boys and girls - a cross-sectional study. BMC Public Health. 2007;7(1):16.CrossRef

51.

Marques A, Ekelund U, Sardinha LB. Associations between organized sports participation and objectively measured physical activity, sedentary time and weight status in youth. Journal of Science and Medicine in Sport. doi:http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.jsams.2015.02.007.

52.

Saksvig BI, Catellier DJ, Pfeiffer K, et al. TRavel by walking before and after school and physical activity among adolescent girls. Arch Pediatr Adolesc Med. 2007;161(2):153–8. doi:10.1001/archpedi.161.2.153.CrossRefPubMedPubMedCentral

53.

Cooper AR, Wedderkopp N, Wang H, Andersen LB, Froberg K, Page AS. Active travel to school and cardiovascular fitness in Danish children and adolescents. Med Sci Sports Exerc. 2006;38(10):1724–31. doi:10.1249/01.mss.0000229570.02037.1d.CrossRefPubMed

54.

Nilsson A, Bo Andersen L, Ommundsen Y, Froberg K, Sardinha L, Piehl-Aulin K, et al. Correlates of objectively assessed physical activity and sedentary time in children: a cross-sectional study (The European Youth Heart Study). BMC Public Health. 2009;9(1):322.CrossRefPubMedPubMedCentral

55.

Townsend N. Shorter lunch breaks lead secondary-school students to make less healthy dietary choices: multilevel analysis of cross-sectional national survey data. Public Health Nutrition. 2015;18(09):1626-34. doi:doi:10.1017/S1368980014001803.

56.

Welsh Assembly Government. Appetite for Life Action Plan. Cardiff: Welsh Assembly Government PHID; 2007.

57.

Stanley RM, Ridley K, Olds TS, Dollman J. Increasing specificity of correlate research: exploring correlates of children’s lunchtime and after-school physical activity. PLoS One. 2014;9(5), e96460. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0096460.CrossRefPubMedPubMedCentral

58.

Ridgers N, Stratton G, Fairclough S, Twisk J. Children's physical activity levels during school recess: a quasi-experimental intervention study. Int J Behav Nutr Phys Act. 2007;4(1):19.CrossRefPubMedPubMedCentral

59.

Dale D, Corbin CB, Dale KS. Restricting opportunities to be active during school time: Do children compensate by increasing physical activity levels after school? Res Q Exerc Sport. 2000;71(3):240–8.CrossRefPubMed

60.

Harding SK, Page AS, Falconer C, Cooper AR. Longitudinal changes in sedentary time and physical activity during adolescence. Int J Behav Nutr Phys Act. 2015;12:44. doi:10.1186/s12966-015-0204-6.CrossRefPubMedPubMedCentral

61.

Burrows C, Eves F, Cooper D. Children’s perceptions of exercise ‐ are children mini‐adults? Health Education. 1999;99(2):61-9. doi:doi:10.1108/09654289910256923.

62.

Hagstromer M, Bergman P, De Bourdeaudhuij I, Ortega FB, Ruiz JR, Manios Y et al. Concurrent validity of a modified version of the International Physical Activity Questionnaire (IPAQ-A) in European adolescents: The HELENA Study. Int J Obes. 2008;32(S5):S42-S8.

63.

Moore GF, Littlecott HJ. School- and family-level socioeconomic status and health behaviors: multilevel analysis of a national survey in Wales. United Kingdom J School Health. 2015;85(4):267–75. doi:10.1111/josh.12242.CrossRefPubMed

Title: Predictors of physical activity and sedentary behaviours among 11-16 year olds: Multilevel analysis of the 2013 Health Behaviour in School-aged Children (HBSC) study in Wales
Authors: Kelly Morgan
Britt Hallingberg
Hannah Littlecott
Simon Murphy
Adam Fletcher
Chris Roberts
Graham Moore
Publication date: 01-12-2016
Publisher: BioMed Central
Published in: BMC Public Health / Issue 1/2016
Electronic ISSN: 1471-2458
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1186/s12889-016-3213-8

At a glance: The ONWARDS insulin icodec trials

Springer Medicine

Predictors of physical activity and sedentary behaviours among 11-16 year olds: Multilevel analysis of the 2013 Health Behaviour in School-aged Children (HBSC) study in Wales

Abstract

Background

Methods

Results

Conclusion

At a glance: The ONWARDS insulin icodec trials

Springer Medicine

Abstract

Background

Methods

Results

Conclusion

Please log in to get access to this content

Other articles of this Issue 1/2016

Remaining missed opportunities of child survival in Peru: modelling mortality impact of universal and equitable coverage of proven interventions

Cost- effectiveness of HPV vaccination regime: comparing twice versus thrice vaccinations dose regime among adolescent girls in Malaysia

Risk of Zika virus transmission in the Euro-Mediterranean area and the added value of building preparedness to arboviral threats from a One Health perspective

Obesity in British children with and without intellectual disability: cohort study

Clinical determinants of the severity of Middle East respiratory syndrome (MERS): a systematic review and meta-analysis

Physical activity, body mass index and heart rate variability-based stress and recovery in 16 275 Finnish employees: a cross-sectional study