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Original Articles

Profiles of sedentary behavior in children and adolescents: The US National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey, 2001–2006

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Pages 353-359 | Received 17 Oct 2008, Published online: 18 Nov 2009
 

Abstract

Objective. To describe the prevalence of time spent in sedentary behaviors (e.g., TV/video and computer use) among youth in the US. Methods. The National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (2001–06) provided data to examine sedentary behavior across age groups (2–5, 6–11, and 12–15 years of age), ethnic groups (European [EA], African [AA], and Mexican American [MA]), and body mass index (BMI) categories (normal weight, overweight, obese). Results. The sample included 8 707 (50.7% boys) children aged 2 to 15 years. Seventy percent of the sample was normal weight, 18.1% was overweight, and 11.5% was obese. The total proportion of young people engaged in TV/video viewing, computer use, and total screen time ≥ 2 hours daily was 33.0%, 6.7%, and 47.3%, respectively. More boys (49.4%) than girls (45.0%); older (12–15 years: 56.0%) versus younger children (2–5 years: 35.3% and 6–11 years: 49.1%); AA (66.1%) versus EA (42.5%) and MA (46.1%); obese (58.5%) versus overweight (50.8%) versus normal weight (44.6%); and low and middle income (<$25 K: 51.4% and $25–45 K: 51.2%) versus high income (>$45 K: 42.6%) children spent ≥ 2 hours daily in screen time. Conclusion. Nearly half (47%) of US children exceed ≥ 2 hours/day of time in sedentary behavior. Further, it appears there are gender, age, ethnic, BMI-defined weight status, and income differences in exceeding ≥ 2 hours/day in sedentary behavior. These results will be useful in planning targeted interventions at those populations with a higher prevalence of sedentary behavior.

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