Journal Article

Variations in accelerometry measured physical activity and sedentary time across Europe – harmonized analyses of 47,497 children and adolescents

Page, Angie S., Ortega, Francisco B., Olesen, Line Grønholt, Dalene, Knut Eirik, Lauria, Fabio, Moreno, Luis A., Kriemler, Susi, Ruiz, Jonatan, Hadjigeorgiou, Charalambos, Kafatos, Anthony, Reilly, John J., Møller, Niels Christian, Basterfield, Laura, Hansen, Bjørge Herman, Polito, Angela, Jago, Russ, Owen, Christopher G., Hjorth, Mads Fiil, Anderssen, Sigmund Alfred, Standl, Marie, Michels, Nathalie, Sprengeler, Ole, Fogelholm, Mikael, Ekelund, Ulf, Grøntved, Anders, Vanhelst, Jeremy, Andersen, Lars Bo, Sardinha, Luis B., Kolle, Elin, Cardon, Greet, Aznar, Susana, Northstone, Kate, van Sluijs, Esther M. F., Manios, Yannis, Shculz, Holger, Harro, Jaanus, Konstabel, Kenn, Wedderkopp, Niels, Christiansen, Lars Breum, Steene-Johannessen, Jostein, Puder, Jardena J., Ahrens, Wolfgang, Nightingale, Claire M., Flexeder, Claudia, van der Ploeg, Hidde, Vale, Susana, Decelis, Andrew, Molnár, Dénes, Eiben, Gabriele, De Henauw, Stefaan, Santos, Rute

2020

Overview

Background Levels of physical activity and variation in physical activity and sedentary time by place and person in European children and adolescents are largely unknown. The objective of the study was to assess the variations in objectively measured physical activity and sedentary time in children and adolescents across Europe. Methods Six databases were systematically searched to identify pan-European and national data sets on physical activity and sedentary time assessed by the same accelerometer in children (2 to 9.9 years) and adolescents (≥10 to 18 years). We harmonized individual-level data by reprocessing hip-worn raw accelerometer data files from 30 different studies conducted between 1997 and 2014, representing 47,497 individuals (2–18 years) from 18 different European countries. Results Overall, a maximum of 29% (95% CI: 25, 33) of children and 29% (95% CI: 25, 32) of adolescents were categorized as sufficiently physically active. We observed substantial country- and region-specific differences in physical activity and sedentary time, with lower physical activity levels and prevalence estimates in Southern European countries. Boys were more active and less sedentary in all age-categories. The onset of age-related lowering or leveling-off of physical activity and increase in sedentary time seems to become apparent at around 6 to 7 years of age. Conclusions Two third of European children and adolescents are not sufficiently active. Our findings suggest substantial gender-, country- and region-specific differences in physical activity. These results should encourage policymakers, governments, and local and national stakeholders to take action to facilitate an increase in the physical activity levels of young people across Europe.

• Publisher: BioMed Central,BioMed Central Ltd,Springer Nature B.V,BMC
• Subject: Accelerometers / Accelerometry / Activity trackers / Adolescent / adolescents / Age / Behavioral Sciences / boys / Child / Child, Preschool / Children / Children & youth / Children's fitness / Clinical Nutrition / data collection / Europe / Europe - epidemiology / Exercise / Exercise - physiology / Female / gender / Health aspects / Health Promotion and Disease Prevention / Humans / Individ och samhälle VIDSOC / Individual and Society VIDSOC / Life Sciences / Male / Medicine / Medicine & Public Health / Pediatric research / physical activity / Physical fitness / Regression analysis / Sedentary Behavior / Software / Southern European region / stakeholders / Statistics / Studies / Teenagers / Time / User statistics