Work

Physical Activity and BMI in a Nationally Representative Sample of Children and Adolescents

Year: 2012

Type: article

Abstract: OBJECTIVE: To examine objectively measured physical activity levels by age, sex, and BMI for children and adolescents in a nationally representative sample. METHODS: Data were from the 2003-2004 and 2005-2006 National Health and Nutrition Examination Surveys, which included physical activity assessment by accelerometer and measured height and weight. The authors calculated minutes of moderate and vigorous activity. RESULTS: Boys were more active than girls, and activity levels were lower at older ages. Younger children met daily recommendations for physical activity, whereas older children, especially girls, did not. Typically, weight status was inversely related to activity, though differences were less apparent among boys. Underweight children were not always more active than heavier peers.

Source: Clinical Pediatrics

DOI: 10.1177/0009922811417291

Authors: Arlene E. Chung, Asheley Cockrell Skinner, Michael J. Steiner, Eliana M. Perrin

Institution: University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

Language: English

Topic: Physical Activity and Health

Subfield: Physiology

Field: Medicine

Domain: Health Sciences

SDG: Good health and well-being

Open Access status: green

Funders: National Institutes of Health, U.S. Public Health Service, Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development