Physical activity profile of Old Order Amish, Mennonite, and contemporary children.
OBJECTIVE
This study explored the influence of modernity on the physical activity behaviors (e.g., intensity and timing) of children.


METHODS
Children aged 8-13 yr living a traditional lifestyle (Old Order Amish [OOA], n = 68; Old Order Mennonite [OOM], n = 120) were compared with children living a contemporary lifestyle (rural Saskatchewan [RSK], n = 132; urban Saskatchewan [USK], n = 93). Physical activity was objectively assessed for seven consecutive days using Actigraph 7164 accelerometers. Custom software was used to reduce the raw accelerometer data into standardized outcome variables.


RESULTS
On weekdays, there were group differences in moderate physical activity between all lifestyle groups (OOA > OOM > USK > RSK). On the weekend, the group differences in moderate physical activity persisted between, but not within, lifestyle groups (OOA = OOM > USK = RSK). During school hours, all groups had similar activity and inactivity periods; however, they differed in magnitude, with the OOA and OOM being both more sedentary and more active. In comparison with the children in school, the OOA and the OOM children had 44% lower sedentary time out of school compared with only 15% lower for RSK and USK children.


CONCLUSIONS
Although cross sectional, these data suggest that contemporary/modern living is associated with lower levels of moderate- and vigorous-intensity physical activity compared with lifestyles representative of earlier generations. Analyzing the physical activity and inactivity patterns of traditional lifestyle groups such as the OOA and the OOM can provide valuable insight into the quantity and quality of physical activity necessary to promote health.
Esliger
Dale W
DW
School of Sport and Health Sciences, University of Exeter, Exeter, Devon, United Kingdom. dale.esliger@usask.ca
Tremblay
Mark S
MS
Copeland
Jennifer L
JL
Barnes
Joel D
JD
Huntington
Gertrude E
GE
Bassett
David R
DR
D000293:Adolescent; D000886:Anthropometry; D002648:Child; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D004734:Energy Metabolism / Q000502:physiology; D015444:Exercise; D005260:Female; D015438:Health Behavior; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008991:Monitoring, Physiologic / Q000295:instrumentation; D009765:Obesity; D012067:Religion; D012525:Saskatchewan; D057185:Sedentary Behavior; D012922:Social Change; D013672:Technology; D055815:Young Adult