A multilevel analysis examining the association between socio-

ecological factors andphysical activity in Interlake youth

Public Health 2014May 28, 2014

Tannis Erickson

Determine:physical activity levels of Interlake

youth if these levels vary by gender or

over time the individual, social &

environmental factors are associated with physical activity levels

Goals

Secondary analysis of school-based survey

Cross-sectional and longitudinal components

Youth Health Survey (YHS) in the Interlake RHA 2005 n=5436 students in 42 schools 2009 n=5275 students in 53 schools

Study

Captured frequency, duration and level of physical activity

Converted into kilocalories per kilogram of body weight per day (KKD).

Daily KKD = (hours of moderate PA x 3 METS)

+ (hours of vigorous PA x 6 METS) divided by 7 days

Measuring physical activity

Ecological Model of Physical Activity

Results – Physical activity levels

54%

Results – Changes as students age

Results – Univariate regression

Female: 0.66 (0.60,0.70)

Grade 12: 0.61 (0.53,0.71)

3+hours sedentary time: 2.10 (1.68,2.63)

Daily smoker: 0.81 (0.73,0.90)

Overweight/obese: 0.68 (0.62,0.74)

7+ fruits/veggies: 2.57 (2.29,2.89)

Highly associated with PA levels sex, year, active transportation to

school, healthy eating, body image and feeling close to people at school

Moderately associated with PA levels Sedentary time, feelings of

hopelessness, feeling safe at school and learning about the benefits of physical activity

Modelling results

Surprising results: positive association between sedentary

behaviour and physical activity the fact that grade, smoking, BMI and

school level variables did not show a significant relationship with physical activity

Modelling results

Strengths/Weaknesses

in-depth understanding of the factors that affect physical activity is an important aspect of improving overall health

factors in all areas of the social ecological model of health behaviour need to be considered when developing health promotion programs

key variables have significant impacts on the physical activity level of youth

Public health implications

First study of its kind in ManitobaResults will have implications for all

rural regions of the provinceFuture development of policies,

programs and interventions can greatly benefit from these and future results

Knowledge added

Thank-you