TY - JOUR
T1 - Physical activity and associated socio-demographic factors among school adolescents in Jiangsu Province, China
AU - Shi, Zumin
AU - Lien, Nanna
AU - Kumar, Bernadette Nirmal
AU - Holmboe-Ottesen, Gerd
N1 - Funding Information:
This study was funded by the Norwegian Directorate of Health and Social affairs under the auspices of the Norway–China Health Agreement.
PY - 2006/9
Y1 - 2006/9
N2 - Background.: Obesity prevalence is increasing among adolescents in China, especially in urban areas and among higher socio-economic strata. Physical inactivity may be one of the causes. We examined socio-demographic differences in physical activity among school adolescents in Jiangsu Province. Methods.: In 2002, 824 adolescents (12-14 years) in 8 schools filled in a self administered questionnaire on physical activity, sedentary behaviors and socio-demographic characteristics. Results.: In girls, low SES elicited the highest physical activity score, mainly derived from housework. More boys (49.1%) than girls (41%) had vigorous physical activity (VPA) ≥3 times/week. Associations between VPA and residence, age, SES were not significant. 88% of the adolescents were actively commuting to schools. Boys with high SES or high education fathers had the lowest percentage walking to school. The students spent daily on average 10.8 h on studying, however, little time was spent on watching TV or playing PC games. Conclusions.: Active commuting to school was common among the adolescents. However, the sedentary activity level is high. Physical activity was negatively associated with SES.
AB - Background.: Obesity prevalence is increasing among adolescents in China, especially in urban areas and among higher socio-economic strata. Physical inactivity may be one of the causes. We examined socio-demographic differences in physical activity among school adolescents in Jiangsu Province. Methods.: In 2002, 824 adolescents (12-14 years) in 8 schools filled in a self administered questionnaire on physical activity, sedentary behaviors and socio-demographic characteristics. Results.: In girls, low SES elicited the highest physical activity score, mainly derived from housework. More boys (49.1%) than girls (41%) had vigorous physical activity (VPA) ≥3 times/week. Associations between VPA and residence, age, SES were not significant. 88% of the adolescents were actively commuting to schools. Boys with high SES or high education fathers had the lowest percentage walking to school. The students spent daily on average 10.8 h on studying, however, little time was spent on watching TV or playing PC games. Conclusions.: Active commuting to school was common among the adolescents. However, the sedentary activity level is high. Physical activity was negatively associated with SES.
KW - Adolescents
KW - China
KW - Physical activity
KW - Socio-economic status
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=33748309415&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.1016/j.ypmed.2006.04.017
DO - 10.1016/j.ypmed.2006.04.017
M3 - Article
C2 - 16762405
AN - SCOPUS:33748309415
SN - 0091-7435
VL - 43
SP - 218
EP - 221
JO - Preventive Medicine
JF - Preventive Medicine
IS - 3
ER -