How Do School-Day Activity Patterns Differ with Age and Gender across Adolescence?
Received 16 November 2007; accepted 8 May 2008. published online 31 July 2008.
Abstract
Purpose
A knowledge of how young people use their time could be instrumental in informing health interventions, modeling consumer behaviors, and planning service delivery. The aim of the present study was to describe age- and gender-related patterns in the self-reported use of time on school days in a large sample of Australian children and adolescents aged between 10 and 18 years.
Methods
A single, detailed use-of-time diary for a school day was collected from 6024 Australians aged 10–18 from several state and regional surveys conducted in the states of South Australia (SA) and Victoria between 2001 and 2006. Time–use profiles were analyzed for a range of active and sedentary state behaviors.
Results
Boys reported higher physical activity levels (PALs), moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA), and sports than girls. There were no differences in free play, and girls used more active transport. All activity-related variables decreased with age, except active transport, which peaked at 14–15 years. Boys exhibited higher levels of screen time, whereas girls had higher levels of passive transport. Screen time and its components (television, videogames, and computer use) peaked in the peripubertal years.
Conclusion
Age- and gender-related patterns of time use vary greatly within adolescence. This may reflect a mix of biological and social factors.
dThe McCaughey Centre, School of Population Health, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Australia
eSchool of Education, Flinders University, Alelaide, Australia
fCentre for Physical Activity and Nutrition Research, Deakin University, Melbourne, Australia
Address correspondence to: Tim Olds, Ph.D., School of Health Sciences, Physical Education, Exercise and Sport Studies, University of South Australia, Room C7-41, City East Campus, North Terrace, Adelaide SA 5000, Australia
ABSTRACT