Physical activity and BMI in a nationally representative sample of children and adolescents.
OBJECTIVE
To examine objectively measured physical activity levels by age, sex, and BMI for children and adolescents in a nationally representative sample.


METHODS
Data were from the 2003-2004 and 2005-2006 National Health and Nutrition Examination Surveys, which included physical activity assessment by accelerometer and measured height and weight. The authors calculated minutes of moderate and vigorous activity.


RESULTS
Boys were more active than girls, and activity levels were lower at older ages. Younger children met daily recommendations for physical activity, whereas older children, especially girls, did not. Typically, weight status was inversely related to activity, though differences were less apparent among boys. Underweight children were not always more active than heavier peers.
University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC 27599-7110, USA. arlene_chung@med.unc.edu
Arlene E
AE
Chung
Asheley Cockrell
AC
Skinner
Michael J
MJ
Steiner
Eliana M
EM
Perrin
D000293:Adolescent; D000367:Age Factors; D001827:Body Height; D015992:Body Mass Index; D001835:Body Weight; D002648:Child; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009043:Motor Activity; D009749:Nutrition Surveys; D012737:Sex Factors; D014481:United States