Moderate-to-vigorous intensity physical activity during school hours in a representative sample of 10–11-year-olds in Scotland

Wong, L. S., Reilly, J. J., McCrorie, P. and Harrington, D. M. (2023) Moderate-to-vigorous intensity physical activity during school hours in a representative sample of 10–11-year-olds in Scotland. Journal of Science and Medicine in Sport, 26(2), pp. 120-124. (doi: 10.1016/j.jsams.2022.10.014) (PMID:36369110)

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Abstract

Objectives: Growing concern about children and adolescent physical inactivity has made the promotion of physical activity a public health priority. International recommendations suggest children should accumulate at least 30 min of moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA) during school hours. This study assessed levels of objectively-measured MVPA in a large nationally representative sample of Scottish children aged 10–11. Risk factors for not meeting the school-hours MVPA recommendation were examined. Design: Cross-sectional. Methods: Mean time spent in MVPA during school hours across five weekdays was measured using Actigraph accelerometry (May 2015–May 2016). Binary logistic regression, presented as odds ratio (O.R.) and confidence intervals (C.I.), explored associations between meeting/not meeting the recommendation by sex, socioeconomic status (SES), season, and urban/rural residence in 2022. Results: Valid data were obtained from 773 children (53.9% girls, 46.1% boys) from 471 schools. Mean daily school-hours MVPA was 29 (SD 11) minutes; 42.7% of children reached the recommendation. The odds of girls (O.R. 0.43; C.I. 0.32, 0.57) meeting the recommendation was significantly lower (p < 0.001) compared to boys. Children living in rural areas had higher odds (O.R. 1.49; C.I. 1.04, 2.15) of meeting the recommendation compared with those in urban areas (p = 0.032). No significant differences in meeting the recommendation by SES (p = 0.700). The overall trend for season was significant (p < 0.001), with lower odds of meeting the recommendation in winter compared to summer. Conclusions: Most Scottish children aged 10–11 did not meet the 30 minute MVPA recommendation. Interventions to increase MVPA during school hours are essential to promote public health.

Item Type:Articles
Status:Published
Refereed:Yes
Glasgow Author(s) Enlighten ID:Mccrorie, Dr Paul and Reilly, Prof John
Authors: Wong, L. S., Reilly, J. J., McCrorie, P., and Harrington, D. M.
College/School:College of Medical Veterinary and Life Sciences > School of Health & Wellbeing > MRC/CSO SPHSU
Journal Name:Journal of Science and Medicine in Sport
Publisher:Elsevier
ISSN:1440-2440
ISSN (Online):1878-1861
Published Online:01 November 2022
Copyright Holders:Copyright © 2022 The Authors
First Published:First published in Journal of Science and Medicine in Sport 26(2): 120-124
Publisher Policy:Reproduced under a Creative Commons License

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Project CodeAward NoProject NamePrincipal InvestigatorFunder's NameFunder RefLead Dept
727621Neighbourhoods and CommunitiesAnne EllawayMedical Research Council (MRC)MC_UU_12017/10HW - MRC/CSO Social and Public Health Sciences Unit
727621Neighbourhoods and CommunitiesAnne EllawayOffice of the Chief Scientific Adviser (CSO)SPHSU10HW - MRC/CSO Social and Public Health Sciences Unit
3048230041Places and healthRich MitchellMedical Research Council (MRC)MC_UU_00022/4HW - MRC/CSO Social and Public Health Sciences Unit
3048230091Places and healthRich MitchellOffice of the Chief Scientific Adviser (CSO)SPHSU19HW - MRC/CSO Social and Public Health Sciences Unit