Physical activity during the transition from adolescence to adulthood.
BACKGROUND
We examine how age, life course roles, and contextual variables relate to both the composition and the overall level of physical activity in late adolescence and early adulthood.


METHODS
Data on respondents age 15 to 29 y in the 2003 American Time Use Survey are used to estimate multivariate logistic regressions that assess what factors are associated with meeting the recommended level of physical activity.


RESULTS
The proportion of respondents who do 30 min or more of team sports declines over the 15 to 29 y age range even after controlling for life course and contextual covariates. Parenthood, employment status, and school enrollment have selective effects on the odds of meeting physical activity recommendations.


CONCLUSIONS
Given the declines in team sports activities, schools and public health officials should consider the potential benefits of promoting other options such as cardiovascular activities, strength training activities, and/or active transportation.
Zick
Cathleen D
CD
Dept of Family and Consumer Studies and Institute for Public and International Affairs, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT 84112, USA.
Smith
Ken R
KR
Brown
Barbara B
BB
Fan
Jessie X
JX
Kowaleski-Jones
Lori
L
D000293:Adolescent; D000294:Adolescent Behavior / Q000502:physiology*; D041923:Adolescent Development / Q000502:physiology*; D000328:Adult; D015444:Exercise / Q000502:physiology*; D005260:Female; D015438:Health Behavior; D006801:Humans; D008016:Life Change Events; D016015:Logistic Models; D008297:Male; D015999:Multivariate Analysis; D050177:Overweight; D011998:Recreation / Q000502:physiology; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors; D013177:Sports / Q000502:physiology / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D013997:Time Factors; D016138:Walking / Q000706:statistics & numerical data