Patterns of sedentary behavior among adolescents.
OBJECTIVE
Reducing certain sedentary behaviors (e.g., watching television, using a computer) can be an effective weight loss strategy for youth. Knowledge about whether behaviors cluster together could inform interventions.


METHODS
Estimates of time spent in 6 sedentary behaviors (watching television, talking on the telephone, using a computer, listening to music, doing homework, reading) were cluster analyzed for a sample of 878 adolescents (52% girls, mean age = 12.7 years, 58% Caucasian).


METHODS
The clusters were based on the sedentary behaviors listed above and compared on environmental variables (e.g., household rules), psychosocial variables (e.g., self-efficacy, enjoyment), and health behaviors (e.g., physical activity, diet).


RESULTS
Four clusters emerged: low sedentary, medium sedentary, selective high sedentary, and high sedentary. Analyses revealed significant cluster differences for gender (p < .002), age (p < .002), body mass index (p < .001), physical activity (p < .01), and fiber intake (p < .01).


CONCLUSIONS
Results suggest a limited number of distinct sedentary behavior patterns. Further study is needed to determine how interventions may use cluster membership to target segments of the adolescent population.
Zabinski
Marion F
MF
Department of Family and Preventative Medicine, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA. mzabinski@senseicorp.com
Norman
Gregory J
GJ
Sallis
James F
JF
Calfas
Karen J
KJ
Patrick
Kevin
K
D000293:Adolescent; D001823:Body Composition; D001827:Body Height; D015992:Body Mass Index; D001835:Body Weight; D002648:Child; D016000:Cluster Analysis; D015444:Exercise / Q000523:psychology*; D005260:Female; D006293:Health Promotion; D006801:Humans; D008019:Life Style; D008297:Male; D000297:Psychology, Adolescent; D012931:Social Environment