Relationships among obesity, physical activity and sedentary behavior in young adolescents with and without lifetime asthma.
OBJECTIVE
To examine the inter-relationships among body mass index (BMI), physical activity, sedentary behavior and gender in urban, low-income, primarily African American young adolescents with or without lifetime asthma.


METHODS
Data were collected in 2002-2004 from 626 12-year old adolescents who were children of women who participated in the New Mother's Study in Memphis, TN (1990-1991). Adolescents with and without asthma were compared on BMI, physical activity and sedentary behavior. Multiple linear regression models were used to examine the association of asthma, gender and BMI with physical activity and sedentary behavior.


RESULTS
Complete data were available for 545 adolescents. Eleven percent of adolescents had lifetime asthma. Asthma and gender were associated with high-intensity physical activity (p < 0.001). Adolescents with asthma participated in less physical activity and girls participated less than boys. Gender was associated with sedentary behavior (p < 0.001): boys used personal computer (pc)/video after school more than girls. Girls with asthma had a higher BMI than girls without asthma (p = 0.027). Boys with asthma were less physically active than boys without asthma (p < 0.05).


CONCLUSIONS
Adolescents with asthma are less physically active than those without asthma and girls are less active than boys. Clinicians who provide care for adolescents with asthma are encouraged to assess physical activity/sedentary behavior and provide guidance that promotes active lifestyles. A longitudinal study is needed to shed light on the unique contribution of asthma separated from the effects of overweight/obesity on physical activity and sedentary behaviors.
a School of Nursing, University of Rochester , Rochester , NY , USA.
Susan W
SW
Groth
a School of Nursing, University of Rochester , Rochester , NY , USA.
Hyekyun
H
Rhee
a School of Nursing, University of Rochester , Rochester , NY , USA.
Harriet
H
Kitzman
D000293:Adolescent; D001249:Asthma / Q000453:epidemiology*; D015992:Body Mass Index; D002648:Child; D015444:Exercise; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009765:Obesity / Q000453:epidemiology*; D057185:Sedentary Behavior; D012737:Sex Factors
Adolescents; asthma; body mass index; gender difference; physical activity; sedentary behavior