Original scientific paper

Physical activity, sedentary behaviour, use of electronic media, and snacking among youth: an international study

Istvan Soos ; Faculty of Applied Sciences, University of Sunderland, United Kingdom
Stuart J.H. Biddle ; Institute of Sport, Exercise & Active Living (ISEAL), Victoria University, Melbourne, Australia
Jonathan Ling ; Faculty of Applied Sciences, University of Sunderland, United Kingdom
Pal Hamar ; Hungarian University of Physical Education (TF), Budapest, Hungary
Iosif Sandor ; Faculty of Physical Education and Sport, Babes-Bolyai University, Cluj-Napoca, Romania
Iulianna Boros-Balint ; Faculty of Physical Education and Sport, Babes-Bolyai University, Cluj-Napoca, Romania
Peter Szabo ; Faculty of Physical Education and Sport, Babes-Bolyai University, Cluj-Napoca, Romania
Jaromir Simonek ; Faculty of Education, University of Constantine de Philosopher, Nitra, Slovakia

Abstract

This study examined physical activity, sedentary behaviours, location of electronic media and snacking among children from five countries. These variables were assessed by ecological momentary assessment
(EMA) using a free-time diary. Data were obtained from 812 secondary-school students (348 male, 464 female) aged from 12 to 18 years in United Kingdom, China, Hungary, Romania and Slovakia. We found
that less than half the students met the recommended guideline of 60 minutes daily physical activity (48% of British, 40% of Romanian, 34% of Slovakian, 20% of Hungarian and only 4% of Chinese students met
this criterion). Ninety-six percent of British and 86% of Hungarian youth had more than one TV set in their home, followed by Romanian (64%), Slovakian (64%) and Chinese (29%) counterparts. Most British (73%) youths had televisions in their bedroom, followed by Hungarians (66%), Romanians (37%), Slovakians (35%) and Chinese (4%). When compared to females, male students spent significantly more time on TV/DVD/video viewing (on average 110.7 vs 90.2 minutes/day; p<.001) and playing computer games (on average 34.0 vs 10.5 minutes/day; p<.001). Students who had a TV in their bedroom spent more time watching TV compared to those without a TV in their bedroom (on average 109 vs 91 minutes/day, p<.001). Higher levels
of TV viewing were associated with more snack food consumption (r=.13, p<.01). In order to promote less TV viewing and snacking, it may be useful to keep TVs out of the bedrooms of children and adolescents.

Keywords

electronic media; bedroom; sedentary behaviours; physical activity; snacking

Hrčak ID:

131879

URI

https://hrcak.srce.hr/131879

Publication date:

30.12.2014.

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