title: Personal and social-environmental correlates of objectively measured physical activity in Norwegian pre-adolescent children.
abstract: The aim of this study was to examine modifiable biological, psychological, behavioral and social-environmental correlates of physical activity among 1129 Norwegian 11-year-old children within a cross-sectional sample from the HEalth In Adolescents study. Physical activity was assessed by accelerometer, and weight and height were measured objectively. Age- and gender-specific cut-off points proposed by the International Obesity Task Force were used to define body mass index. Social-environmental variables were self-reported by questionnaire. Hierarchical regression (linear mixed models) revealed that normal weight children scored higher on percentage daily moderate-to-vigorous physical activity [% daily moderate to vigorous physical activity (MVPA)] than overweight/obese children (P<0.001). Self-efficacy (P<0.01) and perceived social support from friends (P<0.01) were positively associated with children's % daily MVPA, and a negative association was found for computer/game-use on weekends (P<0.01). A moderator effect of weight category (normal vs overweight/obese) in the relationship between computer/game-use on weekends and % daily MVPA was detected (P<0.05), reflecting that higher computer/game-use on weekends was associated with lower % MVPA among the overweight/obese, but not among the normal weight. Modifiable correlates from multiple domains accounted for 14% of the variance in % daily MVPA. Prospective and intervention studies are needed to examine whether these factors act as mediators for physical activity change in pre-adolescent children.
authors.affiliation: Department of Coaching and Psychology, Norwegian School of Sport Sciences, Oslo, Norway. ingunn.holden.bergh@nih.no
authors.forename: I H
authors.initials: IH
authors.lastname: Bergh
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Grydeland
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Bjelland
authors.forename: N
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Lien
authors.forename: L F
authors.initials: LF
authors.lastname: Andersen
authors.forename: K-I
authors.initials: KI
authors.lastname: Klepp
authors.forename: S A
authors.initials: SA
authors.lastname: Anderssen
authors.forename: Y
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Ommundsen
mesh_terms: D056044:Actigraphy / Q000295:instrumentation; D000886:Anthropometry; D002648:Child; D002652:Child Behavior / Q000502:physiology* / Q000523:psychology*; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D015444:Exercise; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007899:Leisure Activities; D008297:Male; D009664:Norway; D010379:Peer Group; D012044:Regression Analysis; D020377:Self Efficacy; D012931:Social Environment; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires