Deakin University
Browse

Variations in accelerometry measured physical activity and sedentary time across Europe-harmonized analyses of 47,497 children and adolescents

Download (1.14 MB)
Version 2 2024-06-06, 09:32
Version 1 2020-04-23, 19:56
journal contribution
posted on 2024-06-06, 09:32 authored by J Steene-Johannessen, BH Hansen, KE Dalene, E Kolle, K Northstone, NC Møller, A Grøntved, N Wedderkopp, S Kriemler, AS Page, JJ Puder, JJ Reilly, LB Sardinha, EMF Van Sluijs, LB Andersen, H Van Der Ploeg, W Ahrens, C Flexeder, M Standl, H Shculz, LA Moreno, S De Henauw, N Michels, G Cardon, FB Ortega, J Ruiz, S Aznar, M Fogelholm, A Decelis, LG Olesen, MF Hjorth, R Santos, S Vale, LB Christiansen, R Jago, L Basterfield, CG Owen, CM Nightingale, G Eiben, A Polito, F Lauria, J Vanhelst, C Hadjigeorgiou, K Konstabel, D Molnár, O Sprengeler, Y Manios, J Harro, A Kafatos, SA Anderssen, U Ekelund, S Anderssen, AJ Atkin, R Davey, DW Esliger, P Hallal, KF Janz, N Møller, R Pate, J Reilly, Jo SalmonJo Salmon, LB Sherar
Background: Levels of physical activity and variation in physical activity and sedentary time by place and person in European children and adolescents are largely unknown. The objective of the study was to assess the variations in objectively measured physical activity and sedentary time in children and adolescents across Europe. Methods: Six databases were systematically searched to identify pan-European and national data sets on physical activity and sedentary time assessed by the same accelerometer in children (2 to 9.9 years) and adolescents (≥10 to 18 years). We harmonized individual-level data by reprocessing hip-worn raw accelerometer data files from 30 different studies conducted between 1997 and 2014, representing 47,497 individuals (2-18 years) from 18 different European countries. Results: Overall, a maximum of 29% (95% CI: 25, 33) of children and 29% (95% CI: 25, 32) of adolescents were categorized as sufficiently physically active. We observed substantial country-A nd region-specific differences in physical activity and sedentary time, with lower physical activity levels and prevalence estimates in Southern European countries. Boys were more active and less sedentary in all age-categories. The onset of age-related lowering or leveling-off of physical activity and increase in sedentary time seems to become apparent at around 6 to 7 years of age. Conclusions: Two third of European children and adolescents are not sufficiently active. Our findings suggest substantial gender-, country-A nd region-specific differences in physical activity. These results should encourage policymakers, governments, and local and national stakeholders to take action to facilitate an increase in the physical activity levels of young people across Europe.

History

Journal

International journal of behavioral nutrition and physical activity

Volume

17

Article number

38

Pagination

1-14

Location

London, Eng.

Open access

  • Yes

eISSN

1479-5868

Language

eng

Publication classification

C1 Refereed article in a scholarly journal

Publisher

BioMed Central

Usage metrics

    Research Publications

    Exports

    RefWorks
    BibTeX
    Ref. manager
    Endnote
    DataCite
    NLM
    DC