A prospective study of sedentary behavior in a large cohort of youth.

Purpose: The study's purpose was to describe longitudinal patterns of objectively measured sedentary behavior from age 12 to 16.

Methods: Children participating in the Avon Longitudinal Study of Parents and Children wore accelerometers for 1 wk at ages 12, 14, and 16. Participants included boys (n = 2591) and girls (n = 2845) living in a single geographic location in the United Kingdom (Bristol).

The association between the type, context, and levels of physical activity amongst adolescents.

Background: Little is known about how the type and context of physical activity behaviors varies among adolescents with differing activity levels. The aim of this study was to assess differences in the type and context of physical activity behaviors in adolescents by level of objectively measured physical activity.

Methods: Cross-sectional analysis of 2728 adolescents (1299 males, 1429 females) participating in the Avon Longitudinal Study of Parents and Children (ALSPAC).

Correlates of objectively measured sedentary behavior in US preschool children.

Objective: To identify correlates of objectively measured sedentary behavior in a diverse sample of preschool children.

Methods: A total of 331 children (51% male, 51% black) from a wide range of ethnic and socioeconomic backgrounds in greater Columbia, South Carolina, were recruited for this study. Sedentary behavior (minutes/hour) was measured by using ActiGraph accelerometers (<37.

Descriptive epidemiology of dance participation in adolescents.

The aims of this study were to describe the prevalence of dance participation in U.S. adolescents and to estimate the contribution of dance to total moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA).

Physical activity levels of adolescent girls during dance classes.

Background: The aims of this study were to describe the physical activity levels of girls during dance classes and to identify factors associated with moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA) in those classes.

Methods: Participants were 137 girls (11 to 18 years-old) enrolled in ballet, jazz, or tap dance classes from 11 dance studios. Participants wore an accelerometer during the selected dance class on 2 separate days.

Sedentary behaviour in youth.

The purpose of this review is to describe the amount of time children spend in sedentary behaviour and to determine if there are specific factors that associate with sedentary behaviour in children. The following search terms were used to identify relevant articles: sedentary behaviour, inactivity, television, computer, video games, small screen, sitting, prevalence, patterns, correlates, factors and determinants. The databases used to conduct the search included PubMed, PsycINFO, ERIC (Education Resources Information Center) and Academic Search Premier.

The contribution of dance to daily physical activity among adolescent girls.

Background: Structured physical activity (PA) programs are well positioned to promote PA among youth, however, little is known about these programs, particularly dance classes. The aims of this study were to: 1) describe PA levels of girls enrolled in dance classes, 2) determine the contribution of dance classes to total moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA), and 3) compare PA between days with a dance class (program days) and days without a dance class (non-program days).

Methods: Participants were 149 girls (11-18 years) enrolled in dance classes in 11 dance studios.

Parental and environmental correlates of physical activity of children attending preschool.

Objective: To determine, using a social-cognitive framework and structural equation modeling, if parent-reported family physical activity (PA) variables are related to PA of young children.

Design: Cross-sectional study.

Setting: Children attending 23 preschools in and around Columbia, South Carolina.

Results of the "Active by Choice Today" (ACT) randomized trial for increasing physical activity in low-income and minority adolescents.

Objective: This study reports the results of the "Active by Choice Today" (ACT) trial for increasing moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA) in low-income and minority adolescents.

Design: The ACT program was a randomized controlled school-based trial testing the efficacy of a motivational plus behavioral skills intervention on increasing MVPA in underserved adolescents. Twenty-four middle schools were matched on school size, percentage minorities, percentage free or reduce lunch, and urban or rural setting before randomization.

Equating accelerometer estimates of moderate-to-vigorous physical activity: in search of the Rosetta Stone.

No universally accepted ActiGraph accelerometer cutpoints for quantifying moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA) exist. Estimates of MVPA from one set of cutpoints cannot be directly compared to MVPA estimates using different cutpoints, even when the same outcome units are reported (MVPA mind(-1)). The purpose of this study was to illustrate the utility of an equating system that translates reported MVPA estimates from one set of cutpoints into another, to better inform public health policy.

Compliance with national guidelines for physical activity in U.S. preschoolers: measurement and interpretation.

Objective: The National Association for Sport and Physical Education (NASPE) guidelines for preschoolers recommend 120 minutes of physical activity daily. Two issues, however, create a situation whereby substantial variation in estimated prevalence rates of (in)active preschoolers are reported. First, NASPE guidelines have been interpreted in multiple ways.

Examining the role of churches in adolescent girls' physical activity.

Background: In adults, associations between church attendance and positive health behaviors exist; however, similar evidence among children and youth is lacking. The purposes of this investigation were to examine the associations between physical activity (PA) and church attendance, PA and use of church as a PA facility, and PA and proximity to churches among those who use church as a PA facility (while addressing racial and geographical differences).

Methods: High school girls (N=915, age=17.

Do physical activity facilities near schools affect physical activity in high school girls?

Objective: To investigate associations between the number of physical activity facilities within walking distance of school and physical activity behavior in 12th grade girls during after-school hours.

Methods: Girls (N=1394) from 22 schools completed a self-report to determine physical activity after 3:00 p.m.

Age-related changes in types and contexts of physical activity in middle school girls.

Background: Because girls are less physically active than boys, it is important to understand the types of activities preferred by girls, and changes in those preferences over time, in order to design effective physical activity interventions.

Purpose: To describe developmental trends in participation in specific forms of physical activity in 6th- and 8th-grade girls.

Methods: Data for this study are from the Trial of Activity for Adolescent Girls.

The effect of perceived and structural neighborhood conditions on adolescents' physical activity and sedentary behaviors.

Objective: To test whether physical activity and sedentary behaviors are associated with perceived and structural neighborhood conditions.

Design: Secondary analysis of data from wave I (1994-1995) of the National Longitudinal Study of Adolescent Health in the United States.

Setting: In-home interviews of adolescents and their parents.

Cardiorespiratory fitness and clustered cardiovascular disease risk in U.S. adolescents.

Purpose: To study the association between the cardiorespiratory fitness (CRF) distribution and cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk measured as continuous scores for individual and clustered CVD risk factors and to explore the potential effect modification of this association exerted by weight status among adolescents.

Methods: Cross-sectional study based on 1,247 youths aged 12-19 years in the 1999-2002 National Health and Nutrition Examination Surveys. CRF was estimated by a treadmill test and categorized into age- and sex-specific quintiles.

Co-varying patterns of physical activity and sedentary behaviors and their long-term maintenance among adolescents.

Background: We examined the covarying patterns of physical activity and sedentary behaviors among adolescents and their long-term maintenance.

Methods: Data came from the National Longitudinal Study of Adolescent Health (1995-2002). We used latent class analysis to identify distinct covarying patterns in adolescence.

Correlates of physical activity in black, Hispanic, and white middle school girls.

Background: A need exists to better understand multilevel influences on physical activity among diverse samples of girls. This study examined correlates of moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA) among adolescent girls from different racial/ethnic backgrounds.

Methods: 1,180 6th grade girls (24.

Physical activity and electronic media use in the SEARCH for diabetes in youth case-control study.

Objective: The aim of this study was to characterize the physical activity (PA) and electronic media (EM) use habits of a population-based, ascertained sample of youths with diabetes mellitus (DM).

Methods: For this investigation, the Search for Diabetes in Youth Case-Control study (age: 10-20 y; 55% female) recruited 384 youths with provider-diagnosed type 1 DM, 90 youths with type 2 DM, and 173 healthy control subjects between 2003 and 2006, in 2 US centers. PA and EM use were assessed with a 3-day recall of activities, in 30-minute time blocks.

Associations between sport and screen-entertainment with mental health problems in 5-year-old children.

Background: Few studies have examined the benefits of regular physical activity, and risks of sedentary behaviour, in young children. This study investigated associations between participation in sports and screen-entertainment (as components of physical activity and sedentary behaviour), and emotional and behavioural problems in this population.

Methods: Cross-sectional analysis of data from 13470 children (50.

Physical activity during pregnancy is associated with reduced fasting insulin--the Pilot Pregnancy and Active Living Study.

Objective: To examine the relationship between physical activity during pregnancy and fasting plasma insulin measured in the second trimester.

Study Design And Methods: We conducted a pilot prospective cohort study of 69 overweight or obese women who were enrolled before 20 weeks of gestation at an obstetric clinic in Columbia, South Carolina in 2006-2007. At 24-28 weeks of gestation, fasting blood samples were collected and physical activity from the 3 months prior to the visit was assessed using a validated Pregnancy Physical Activity Questionnaire.