Relationship between Sedentariness and Moderate-to-Vigorous Physical Activity in Youth: A Multivariate Multilevel Study

Thayse Natacha Gomes, Donald Hedeker, Fernanda Karina Dos Santos, Michele Souza, Daniel Santos, Sara Pereira, Peter T. Katzmarzyk and José Maia
Additional contact information
Thayse Natacha Gomes: CIFI2D, Kinanthropometry Lab, Faculty of Sport, University of Porto, Rua Dr. Plácido Costa, 91, 4200-450 Porto, Portugal
Donald Hedeker: Department of Public Health Sciences, University of Chicago, 5841 South Maryland Ave MC2000, Chicago, IL 6063-1447, USA
Fernanda Karina Dos Santos: Department of Physical Education, Federal University of Viçosa (UFV), Avenida Peter Henry Rolfs, s/n, Campus Universitário, Viçosa, MG 36570-900, Brazil
Michele Souza: Centre of Sports, Federal University of Santa Catarina (UFSC), Avenida César Seara-Carvoeira, Campus Universitário Trindade, Florianópolis, SC 88040-900, Brazil
Daniel Santos: CIFI2D, Kinanthropometry Lab, Faculty of Sport, University of Porto, Rua Dr. Plácido Costa, 91, 4200-450 Porto, Portugal
Sara Pereira: CIFI2D, Kinanthropometry Lab, Faculty of Sport, University of Porto, Rua Dr. Plácido Costa, 91, 4200-450 Porto, Portugal
Peter T. Katzmarzyk: Pennington Biomedical Research Center, Louisiana State University, 6400 Perkins Rd., Baton Rouge, LA 70808-4124, USA
José Maia: CIFI2D, Kinanthropometry Lab, Faculty of Sport, University of Porto, Rua Dr. Plácido Costa, 91, 4200-450 Porto, Portugal

IJERPH, 2017, vol. 14, issue 2, 1-13

Abstract: This study aimed to jointly analyse moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA) and sedentariness, and their correlates, in children within their school contexts, using a multivariate multilevel approach. The sample comprises 499 Portuguese children (284 girls) from 23 schools. MVPA and sedentary time were estimated by accelerometer. A set of predictor variables from both child and school levels was tested. Overall, schools explained a small amount of the total variance in both MVPA (5.6%) and sedentariness (3.2%), and a correlation coefficient of ?0.45 ( p < 0.05) was found between MVPA and sedentariness at the child level. Number of siblings and socioeconomic status (SES) were significantly associated with both sedentariness (SES: ? = 2.372 ± 1.183; siblings: ? = ?8.127 ± 2.759) and MPVA (SES: ? = ?1.535 ± 0.421; siblings: ? = 2.822 ± 0.977), but with opposite signs. Body Mass Index (BMI) ( ? = ?4.804 ± 1.898) and sex (male) ( ? = 21.561 ± 3.496) were only associated with MVPA. None of the school correlates were statistically significant in their joint effects to simultaneously explain sedentariness and MVPA. These results suggest that although MVPA and sedentariness may be different constructs, they are correlated and this should be taken into account when designing strategies to reduce children’s sedentariness and increase their MVPA. In addition, the small effect of the school context on this relationship highlights the important roles of child and family characteristics.

Keywords: moderate-to-vigorous physical activity; sedentariness; school; multivariate multilevel analysis (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2017
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (1)

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