Comparisons in ambulatory physical activity in children from the United Kingdom and Belgium. (May 2015)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Duncan, Michael J.; Birch, Samantha L.; Eyre, Emma; Bryant, Elizabeth; Rutten, Cindy; Boen, Filip; Seghers, Jan
• Is Part Of: Annals of human biology. Volume 42:Number 3(2015:May/Jun.)
• Page Start: 290
• Page End: 292
• Publication Date: 2015-05
• Subjects: Human biology -- Periodicals; 612
• DOI: 10.3109/03014460.2014.944568
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0301-4460

Abstract

<abstract> <title>Abstract</title> <p> <italic>Aim</italic>: This study sought to examine ambulatory physical activity levels in adolescents from the UK and Belgium.</p> <p> <italic>Methods</italic>: Following ethics approval, 2760 children (1247 boys, 1513 girls), aged 9–14 years from Belgium (<italic>n</italic> = 1614) and the UK (<italic>n</italic> = 1146), wore a pedometer for 4 days including at least 1 weekend day. Body mass index (BMI) was determined from height and mass.</p> <p> <italic>Results</italic>: A 2 (gender) × 2 (country) way ANCOVA, controlling for age and BMI, revealed a significant country-by-gender interaction for steps/day (<italic>p</italic> = 0.0001). In both Belgium and the UK, boys were more physically active than girls (both <italic>p</italic> = 0.0001), but the difference between boys and girls was greater for Belgian than UK children.</p> <p> <italic>Conclusion</italic>: These results suggest there are differences in the ambulatory physical activity patterns of children in the UK and Belgium.</p> </abstract>