Physical activity in Norwegian children and adolescents: With a special focus on physical activity trends, health implications, correlates and determinants of physical activity

Abstract

Introduction: In order to accurately assess the physical activity levels of children and adolescents and how it changes over time, there is a continuing need for population-based studies quantifying physical activity using objective, reliable, and valid methods. This is essential to inform public health policy and to provide information about time-dependent and age-related changes in physical activity. Furthermore, it is important to increase knowledge about the relationship between physical activity and potential implications to health. In addition, insight regarding correlates and determinants of physical activity is integral for the development of future physical activitypromoting interventions. Purpose: The main objectives of this research were: I) to investigate secular and longitudinal changes in physical activity; II) to investigate the association between physical activity and markers of adiposity, and; III) to investigate physical activity correlates and determinants. Participants and methods: This thesis is based on the first and second wave of the Physical Activity among Norwegian Children study (PANCS). PANCS1 was conducted in 2005/06 and included population-based samples of 9- and 15-year olds (n = 2,299). PANCS2 was conducted in 2011/12 and included population-based samples of 6-, 9- and 15-year olds (n = 3,598), of which 731 15-year olds had previously participated in PANCS1 at age nine. Physical activity was assessed objectively by accelerometry in both study waves.

Paper I: Dalene, K. E., Anderssen, S. A., Andersen, L. B., Steene-Johannessen, J., Ekelund, U.,Hansen, B. H., & Kolle, E. (2018). Secular and longitudinal physical activity changes in population-based samples of children and adolescents. Scand J Med Sci Sports. 2018;28:161–171. doi:10.1111/sms.12876

Paper II: Dalene, K. E., Anderssen, S. A., Andersen, L. B., Steene-Johannessen, J., Ekelund, U., Hansen, B. H., & Kolle, E. (2017). Cross-sectional and prospective associations between physical activity, body mass index and waist circumference in children and adolescents. Obes Sci Pract. 2017 Jun 8;3(3):249-257. doi:10.1002/osp4.114.

Paper III: Dalene, K. E., Anderssen, S. A., Ekelund, U., Thorén, A.-K. H., Hansen, B. H., & Kolle, E. (2016). Permanent play facility provision is associated with children’s time spent sedentary and in light physical activity during school hours: A cross-sectional study. Preventive Medicine Reports, 4, 429-434. doi:10.1016/j.pmedr.2016.08.011

Paper IV: Dalene, K. E., Anderssen, S. A., Andersen, L. B., Steene-Johannessen, J., Ekelund, U., Hansen, B. H., & Kolle, E. (2017). Cross-sectional and prospective associations between sleep duration, screen time, active school travel, sports/exercise participation and habitual physical activity in children and adolescents. Submitted.