Why some young people are physically active and some are notStuart BiddleSchool of Sport & Exercise SciencesLoughborough University, UK

Taiwan 2001

Taiwan 2005

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Today

A behavioural epidemiology framework (Sallis & Owen)

Establish links betweenactivity & health

Measurephysical activityTest interventionsIdentify correlatesTranslateintopractice

Engineering out lifestyle activity

The ecological model/frameworkReconceptualising the environmentIntrapersonal environmentInterpersonal (social) environmentPhysical environmentPolicy environmentDaniel Stokols, Am Psy, 1992

The ecological model/frameworkindividualsocialphysicalenvironmentalpolicy

A behavioural epidemiology framework

Establish links betweenactivity & health

Measurephysical activityTest interventionsIdentify correlatesTranslateintopractice

Reconceptualising the environment

Intrapersonal environment

a. biogenetic b. psychological

intentionattitudeself-efficacygoalsperceptions of controlmotivationphysical self-perception

Popular intrapersonal theories for physical activityTheory of Planned Behaviour (Aizen)Social Cognitive Theory (self-efficacy) (Bandura)Self-Determination Theory (Deci & Ryan)

Correlates of physical activity in young peopleDemographic & biologicalEducation (+)Male gender (+)Age (A -)Non-white ethnicity (A -)BMI (AG -)SES (AG +)C: children; A: adolescents; AG: adolescent girls

Correlates of physical activity in young peoplePsychological+ enjoyment (AG), intention, competence & self-efficacy, achievement orientation (A), physical/ body image (AG)- barriers, depression (A)C: children; A: adolescents; AG: adolescent girls

Structure of physical self-perceptions in young peopleFox & Corbin, JSEP, 1989

Correlates of physical activity in young peopleKey barriers?Perceived lack of timeOther activities (e.g., homework)Lack of interest or motivationPerceived effort required

What is normal?

environmentbehaviournormalnormalabnormalabnormal

Correlates of physical activity in young peopleBehaviouralActivity history +Healthy diet (C +)Sensation seeking (A +)Community sport participation (A +)Sedentary behaviour after school and at weekends (A -)Smoking (AG -)C: children; A: adolescents; AG: adolescent girls

Reconceptualising the environment2. Interpersonal environment- information networks- social support- normative beliefs

Correlates of physical activity in young peopleSocial/culturalNone (C)Parental support (A+)Peer involvement/ support (A+)C: children; A: adolescents; AG: adolescent girls

PARENTALPHYSICALACTIVITY

PARENTALSUPPORT

PHYSICAL ACTIVITYOF CHILD & ADOLESCENT(a) (b)(c)Do active parents have active children?Gustafson & Rhodes, Sports Med, 2006

3. Physical environmenta. natural (climate, topography)b. constructed (architectural/urban design)

Reconceptualising the environment

Correlates of physical activity in young peoplePhysical environmentAccess to facilities and programmes (C +)Time spent outside (C +)Opportunities to exercise (A +)School PA policy (+)Neighbourhood crime (A-)C: children; A: adolescents; AG: adolescent girls

You need to PLAN a supportive environment for physical activity!

4. Policy & legislative environment - creating activity promoting environments- legislation - zoning and land use - building construction & facilities development - transport incentives & priorities

A behavioural epidemiology framework

Establish links betweenactivity & health

Measurephysical activityTest interventionsIdentify correlatesTranslateintopractice

Levels of interventions

Society

Community

Organisation

GroupIndividual

Interventions

ModifiablecorrelatesPA participationLonger-termoutcomes,e.g., reducedrisk of CHD, diabetes etc,strong social networks,positivephysical self-worth

Short- andmedium-termoutcomes,e.g., enjoyment,bodycomposition,

School-based interventions

Biddle, Gorely & Stensel, JSS, 2004Increases in PA within PE lessons can be achievedBut, effect beyond PE is limitedSpecialised teachers more effective in increasing PA in PE than othersPlayground changes can increase break-time PA

Community-based interventions

Biddle et al., JSS, 2004Often combined with school-based interventionsLimited data on effectivenessSome evidence for primary health care interventions having an effect on moderate (not vigorous) PA, but not in follow-up

What about sedentary behaviour?

Sedentary Teenagers &Inactive Lifestyles

Mean time in TV viewing and active behaviours2h3h

Mean time in other key sedentary behaviours

Do screen-based sedentary behaviours make you fat?

Relationship between sedentary behaviours, body fatness, and PAMeta-analysis (Marshall et al., IJO, 2004)TV-fat: k=52Comp games-fat: k=6TV-PA: k=39Comp games-PA: k=10

Critical Hours~1500 adolescents in school years 9, 10, 11 (mean age = 14.7 yrs)Ecological momentary assessment (time-use) diaries. 15 min intervals record behaviour, location, and who was present Critical hours 15:30 18:30 For weekdays only Atkin, Gorely, Biddle, & Marshall, in review

What happens during critical hours?Minutes (Mean)

Chart4

127

1618

811

2326

91

Male

Female

Sheet1

Total SedTech SedSoc SedSport and exerciseMotorised transportActive transportHomeworkComputer games

71501412168239

61341871811261

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00

00

00

Female

Male

Minutes (Mean)

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00

00

00

00

00

Male

Female

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What happens during critical hours: Sedentary behaviours*

Chart3

7161

5034

1418

Male

Female

Minutes (Mean)

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Total SedTech SedSoc Sed

715014

613418

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00

00

00

Female

Male

Minutes (Mean)

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Critical Hours: Proportion of total behaviourWhat is the contribution of behaviour conducted during critical hours to the overall total across the day?

behaviour critical hoursbehaviour total* 100

Critical Hours: Proportion of total behaviour

Chart1

3942

3840

3943

2629

4844

Male

Female

%

Sheet1

Sport and exerciseMotorised transportActive transportTVHomework

Male3938392648

Female4240432944

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00

00

00

00

00

Male

Female

%

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Clusters of active and sedentary behaviours in boysGorely et al., JBehMed, in press

Time use trends for 3-12 yr olds: 1981-1997

Mins/wkSturm, Preventing Chronic Disease, 2005www.cdc.gov/pcd/issues/2005

TVSchool

Weekday TV viewing for teenagers: 1991-2001Sturm, Preventing Chronic Disease, 2005 www.cdc.gov/pcd/issues/2005

CommentsSedentary behaviour is an important issue, BUT It is complexIt is multifacetedIt is not just TV viewing

Does it matter?Yes!Probably wise to restrict screen-based sedentary behaviours during daylight hoursEqually important not to restrict physical activity!There should be time for both

Recommendations for active lifestyles 1Target girlsPrioritise interventions aimed at older adolescentsPromote different types of PA for different age groupsMake the environment safe so children can play outside

Cavill & Biddle, National Heart Forum, 2003

Recommendations for active lifestyles 2Enhance community provision and facilitiesPrioritise after-school and weekend activity, especially for older adolescentsEncourage family support and activity

Cavill & Biddle, National Heart Forum, 2003

Future prioritiesUnderstanding ways of reducing sedentary behaviour, particularly in daylight hoursPromoting active travelAdults: stop blaming the kids we created the current environment be a supportive role model, get involved, and be active yourself!

Why some young people are physically active and some are notStuart BiddleSchool of Sport & Exercise SciencesLoughborough University, UK

PLAYING could include video/computer games, hence the increase in 9-12 yr olds

SCHOOL: school, day care, studying, reading, art activity