Evaluating correlates of adolescent physical activity duration towards National Health Objectives: analysis of the Colorado Youth Risk Behavioral Survey, 2005.
BACKGROUND
While numerous studies have examined the relationships among correlates of physical activity (PA), less attention has been given to identifying the correlates of low PA duration. The main objective of the current study was to examine correlates of low PA duration, team sports participation and smoking behaviors among adolescents.


METHODS
Data from the 2005 Colorado Youth Behavioral Risk Survey were analyzed using Cox proportional hazard models. We evaluated associations between two measures of low PA duration, assessed as per Healthy People 2010 (HP2010) objectives and 2008 Physical Activity Guidelines (PAG) for Americans, and smoking behaviors, participation in the physical education (PE) and team sports, controlling for age, gender and other behavioral characteristics.


RESULTS
Forty percent and 70%, respectively, of adolescents did not meet the 2008 PAG and HP2010 objectives. After adjustment, smoking remained associated with failure to meet the 2008 PAG. However, no significant relationship was found with low PA duration as per the HP2010 objectives. The risk of low PA was higher among girls for both outcome measures. Likewise, adolescents who reported no participation in team sports presented a 7-fold higher risk of low PA as per the 2008 PAG and 51% higher risk of low PA as per the HP2010 objectives compared with the group with team sports participation.


CONCLUSIONS
Regular participation in school PE and team sports may represent an important avenue for increasing PA duration and reducing smoking behaviors among adolescents.
School of Human Sciences, University of Northern Colorado, 501-20th Street, Campus Box 93, Greeley, CO 80639, USA. Stephen.Namankra@unco.edu
Stephen
S
Nkansah-Amankra
Abdoulaye
A
Diedhiou
Harry L K
HL
Agbanu
Mariana
M
Toma-Drane
Ashish
A
Dhawan
D000293:Adolescent; D000294:Adolescent Behavior; D040343:Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System; D003120:Colorado / Q000453:epidemiology; D015444:Exercise; D005260:Female; D006291:Health Policy; D006630:Hispanic or Latino / Q000523:psychology / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009043:Motor Activity; D016016:Proportional Hazards Models; D017678:Sex Distribution; D012907:Smoking / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000208:ethnology; D013177:Sports / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*