Food & Health Alliance

Biddle, S. J. H.; Gorely, T.; Marshall, S. J. & Cameron, N.  British Heart Foundation National Centre for Physical Activity and Health, School of Sport and Exercise Sciences and Department of Human Sciences, Loughborough University & San Diego State University.  (2008).

Study conducted in Scotland that investigated proportions of leisure time spent by adolescents in sedentary and active behaviours.  This data was collected in order to inform effective interventions. 

Aim: To provide comprehensive data on time spent on certain behaviours for Scottish youth. 

Method:  A random school sample from 14 districts in Scotland was utilised.  There were 991 participants, 385 males and 606 females. From each participating school one Year 9 (age=13-14 years old), Year 10 and Year 11 class was chosen and each pupil was given a diary to complete. The ecological momentary assessment (EMA) diary allowed researchers to capture behavioural episodes.  Participants were asked to record the activities that they participated in along with related environmental factors. Participants were asked to complete the diary over 4 days. The same process was repeated 6 months later in order to account for any seasonal variation.  

Findings:  Watching television is a very popular sedentary behaviour, however it only accounts for a third to a half of sedentary behaviour. Therefore in order to decrease sedentary behaviour more activities, rather than solely TV watching, may need to be targeted.  The report identifies that decreasing the use of motorized transport may be a simple way to increase activity levels.  The recommended guideline for daily physical activity for adolescents in the U.K. is 60 minutes a day.  In this sample, on weekdays, females fell short of this target (M= 55 mins) and boys slightly exceeded the target (M=62 mins).  At weekend females substantially missed the target (M=47 mins) and males substantially exceeded the target (M=91 mins).However these results do indicate the intensity of the activity that these adolescents are engaged in. There appeared to be little effect of season on sedentary behaviour. 

Implications:  The EMA provides interesting data in order to investigate adolescents’ participation in physical activity on a detailed level, but is time consuming for participants to complete. It is important to note that engaging in sedentary behaviours does not rule out participation in active behaviours.  The data suggests that screen based activities are not the sole sedentary behaviour that adolescents engage in; therefore other behaviours should be researched and targeted in order to generate effective interventions.

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