Physical Activity, Sedentary Behaviour and Sleep, and Their Association with BMI in a Sample of Adolescent Females in New Zealand

Lauren S. Tye, Tessa Scott, Jillian J. Haszard and Meredith C. Peddie
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Lauren S. Tye: Department of Human Nutrition, University of Otago, Dunedin 9016, New Zealand
Tessa Scott: Department of Human Nutrition, University of Otago, Dunedin 9016, New Zealand
Jillian J. Haszard: Department of Human Nutrition, University of Otago, Dunedin 9016, New Zealand
Meredith C. Peddie: Department of Human Nutrition, University of Otago, Dunedin 9016, New Zealand

IJERPH, 2020, vol. 17, issue 17, 1-10

Abstract: Despite activity guidelines moving towards a 24-h focus, we have a poor understanding of the 24-h activity patterns of adolescents. Therefore, this study aims to describe the 24-h activity patterns of a sample of adolescent females and investigate the association with body mass index (BMI). Adolescent females aged 15–18 years ( n = 119) were recruited across 13 schools in 8 locations throughout New Zealand. Actigraph GT3X+ accelerometers were worn 24-h a day for seven days and the output was used to identify time spent in each 24-h component (sleep, sedentary, light-intensity physical activity and moderate-to-vigorous intensity physical activity). In a 24-h period, adolescent females spent approximately half their time sedentary, one third sleeping and the remainder in light-intensity physical activity (15%) and moderate-to-vigorous intensity physical activity (5%). Higher BMI z-scores were associated with 16 min more time spent in light-intensity physical activity. Additionally, those with higher BMI were less likely to meet the sleep and physical activity guidelines for this age group. Compliance with the moderate-to-vigorous intensity physical activity guidelines, sleep guidelines, or both, was low, especially in those classified as overweight or obese. The association between BMI and light activity warrants further investigation.

Keywords: 24-h activity; overweight; obesity; accelerometry; teenager (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2020
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (2)

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