Recorded presentation

Danielle T. Thompson, BS¹, Heidi Michels Blanck, PhD², Janet E. Fulton, PhD², and Marian Huhman, PhC³. (1) Graduate Division of Biomedical and Biological Sciences - Nutrition and Health Sciences, Emory University, 3104 Grayson Place, Decatur, GA 30030, 404 294-7583, dtthomp@emory.edu, (2) Division of Nutrition and Physical Activity, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 4770 Buford Hwy NE, MS K-26, Atlanta, GA 30341, (3) CDC's Youth Media Campaign, CDC, 4770 Buford Highway, NE., Mailstop K-40, Atlanta, GA 30341-3717

Healthy People 2010 objectives for the United States recommend to increase physical activity and decrease television viewing for adolescents. Characteristics associated with these behaviors are useful to inform intervention efforts. This analysis examined the association between demographic, psychological, social, and environmental variables and children’s (a) physical activity and (b) television viewing among 200 boys and 217 girls aged 10-13 years, and their parents, who completed the 2002 HealthStyles and YouthStyles mail panel surveys. The child’s physical activity (PA) and television viewing (TV) were estimated as composite variables of the mean of Z scores of questions for PA (past week number of days with 20 minutes of vigorous PA, typical after school weekday and weekend hours playing sports and other PA) and for TV (typical weekday and weekend hours spent viewing television). Adjusted linear regression analysis revealed 3 variables were independently associated (p<0.05) with PA for boys and girls: (1) parent’s intention to participate in PA with their child (2), child’s enjoyment of PA; and (3) child’s belief their friends thought PA was important. Regression models explained 21% (boys) and 20% (girls) of the variance in PA. For TV, parents having rules for TV time was associated with decreased child TV. Linear regression models explained 12% (boys) and 13% (girls) of the variance in child TV. For physical activity and television viewing, significant associations were observed for child, peer, and parent attitudes and behaviors. Interventions may need to target these characteristics among boys and girls to increase physical activity and limit television viewing.

Learning Objectives: At the conclusion of the session, participants will be able to

• Describe 2 attributes of children aged 10 to 13 that are associated with their levels of physical activity.
• Describe 1 parent behavior that is associated with TV viewing in children aged 10 to 13.

Presenting author's disclosure statement:
I do not have any significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.

Recorded presentation