Which school- and home-based factors in elementary school-age children predict physical activity and sedentary behavior in secondary school-age children? A prospective cohort study.

BACKGROUND

To examine which school- and home-based factors at age 11 to 12 (6th grade, elementary school) predict physical activity (PA) and sedentary behavior (SB) at age 13 to 14 (8th grade, secondary school).

METHODS

Data at both time points were collected from 472 children (mean age baseline = 10.97, SD age = 0.41) and their parents. Children and parents completed self-reported questionnaires. Children's height and weight were measured and children wore a pedometer for 7 days.

RESULTS

Hierarchical regression analyses revealed that predominantly boys (β = -.11), children with higher levels of pedometer-determined PA (β = .44) and more parental logistic support (β = .11) at age 11 to 12 displayed higher levels of pedometer-determined PA at age 13 to 14 (R2 = 39.1%). Similar results emerged for self-reported moderate-to-vigorous PA (R2 = 36.7%). Finally, lower levels of screen-based SB at age 13 to 14 (R2 = 32.5%) were most strongly related to lower levels of screen-based SB (β = .41), a medium/high socioeconomic status (β = -.18), and higher levels of parental PA explicit modeling (β = -.18) at age 11 to 12.

CONCLUSIONS

Children's PA/SB and the supportive role of parents at age 11 to 12 are strong predictors of PA and screen-based SB at age 13 to 14.