Trends in Physical Activity and Sedentary Behaviors of United States Youth

Increases in childhood and adolescent obesity are a growing concern in the United States (U.S.), and in most countries throughout the world. Declines in physical activity are often postulated to have contributed to the rise in obesity rates during the past 40 years. We searched for studies of trends...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Journal of physical activity & health 2015-08, Vol.12 (8), p.1102-1111
Main Authors: Bassett, David R, John, Dinesh, Conger, Scott A, Fitzhugh, Eugene C, Coe, Dawn P
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Adolescent
Adolescent Behavior - physiology
Child
Exercise
Female
Health Behavior
Humans
Leisure Activities
Male
Motor Activity - physiology
Obesity
Pediatric Obesity - epidemiology
Physical education
Physical Education and Training - trends
Risk-Taking
Schools
Sedentary behavior
Sedentary Lifestyle
Sports - physiology
Trends
United States - epidemiology
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Summary:Increases in childhood and adolescent obesity are a growing concern in the United States (U.S.), and in most countries throughout the world. Declines in physical activity are often postulated to have contributed to the rise in obesity rates during the past 40 years. We searched for studies of trends in physical activity and sedentary behaviors of U.S. youth, using nontraditional data sources. Literature searches were conducted for active commuting, physical education, high-school sports, and outdoor play. In addition, trends in sedentary behaviors were examined. Data from the Youth Risk Behavior Surveillance System (YRBSS) and other national surveys, as well as longitudinal studies in the transportation, education, electronic media, and recreation sectors showed evidence of changes in several indicators. Active commuting, high school physical education, and outdoor play (in 3- to 12-year-olds) declined over time, while sports participation in high school girls increased from 1971 to 2012. In addition, electronic entertainment and computer use increased during the first decade of the 21st century. Technological and societal changes have impacted the types of physical activities performed by U.S. youth. These data are helpful in understanding the factors associated with the rise in obesity, and in proposing potential solutions.
ISSN:1543-3080
1543-5474
DOI:10.1123/jpah.2014-0050