Sedentary Behavior and Physical Activity in Kids
Author Information
Author(s): Scott T. Leatherdale, Suzy Wong
Primary Institution: University of Waterloo
Hypothesis
The relative risk of overweight for adolescents who are highly sedentary and highly physically active is unclear.
Conclusion
Sedentary behavior may moderate the relationship between physical activity and overweight.
Supporting Evidence
- Boys who were low active-high sedentary were more likely to be overweight than high active-low sedentary boys.
- Girls who were low active-high sedentary or high active-high sedentary were more likely to be overweight compared to high active-low sedentary girls.
- Sedentary behavior is an important factor in understanding obesity among youth.
Takeaway
Some kids can be very active but also spend a lot of time sitting. This can make them overweight, so it's important to balance both activities.
Methodology
Data were collected from 25,060 students in grades 9 through 12 using a cross-sectional survey design and self-reported measures.
Potential Biases
Self-reported measures may lead to overreporting of physical activity.
Limitations
The cross-sectional nature of the data prevents causal inferences, and self-reported data may introduce bias.
Participant Demographics
The sample was 51.1% male and 48.9% female, with an average age of 15.5 years.
Statistical Information
P-Value
p<0.05
Confidence Interval
95% CI, 1.01-2.58
Statistical Significance
p<0.05
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