The lifestyles of affluent young people ages 9 to 15 years: a case study.
BACKGROUND
There are concerns about the future health of young people due to inactive lifestyles. However, evidence about their physical activity levels is not extensive, especially with regard to affluent young people. This study aimed to investigate whether young people from affluent backgrounds met public health recommendations for physical activity.


METHODS
Diary accounts of lifestyle activity were collected from 219 students ages 9 to 15 years attending a fee-paying school in England.


RESULTS
Pupils spent an average of 121 minutes per day participating in physical activities of at least moderate intensity, considerably more than public health recommendations of 60 minutes per day. However, almost a quarter of these young people engaged in less than 60 minutes of physical activity per day of at least moderate intensity.


CONCLUSIONS
The picture to emerge was one of a balance between sedentary pursuits such as television and homework and physical activities such as sport and active play.
Sleap
Mike
M
Department of Sport, Health & Exercise Science, University of Hull, Hull, HU6 7RX, UK,
Elliott
Barbara
B
Paisi
Martha
M
Reed
Helen
H
D000293:Adolescent; D001294:Attitude to Health; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D005260:Female; D015438:Health Behavior; D006801:Humans; D007182:Income; D008019:Life Style; D008297:Male; D008499:Medical Records; D009043:Motor Activity; D010806:Physical Education and Training; D010865:Pilot Projects; D011203:Poverty; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors; D013997:Time Factors; D006113:United Kingdom