Song Bowen, Liu Chenyu, Yuan Meng, Peng Feng, Zhang Xiaotong, Li Ming, Sun Shuangshuang, Li Desheng, Sun Yi
School of Physical Education, Ludong University, Yantai, Shandong, 264000, China.
School of Physical Education, Xizang Minzu University, Xianyang, Shaanxi, 712000, China.
BMC Public Health. 2025 Sep 1;25(1):2997. doi: 10.1186/s12889-025-24290-y.
The global decline in adolescent physical activity (PA) levels has become a major public health concern, contributing to an increased risk of non-communicable diseases and impaired psychosocial development. Emerging evidence indicates significant ethnic disparities in PA patterns and sedentary behavior (SB) profiles among adolescents. Within the unique geographical and cultural context of the Tibetan Plateau, understanding behavioral differences between Tibetan and Han Chinese adolescents is crucial for designing effective, targeted health interventions. Therefore, this study aimed to examine ethnic-specific differences in PA levels and SB patterns among Tibetan and Han Chinese adolescents residing in Xizang.
A total of 1,256 Tibetan and Han Chinese adolescents participated in this study. PA and SB were objectively measured using accelerometers. Data collection was segmented into four distinct periods: weekdays versus weekends, and in-school versus out-of-school time on weekdays. Ethnic differences in activity patterns were analyzed using one-way analysis of covariance, adjusting for age, body mass index (BMI), socioeconomic status (SES), and accelerometer wear time.
On weekdays, Tibetan boys engaged in significantly more moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA) (44.1 ± 16.3 min/day) than Han Chinese boys (35.3 ± 10.9 min/day; p = 0.011, η = 0.011). Tibetan girls also exhibited significantly more sedentary time (654.1 ± 123.2 min/day) than Han Chinese girls (613.0 ± 103.8 min/day; p = 0.001, η = 0.018). On weekends, Tibetan boys recorded more MVPA (43.0 ± 27.1 min/day) than Han Chinese boys (35.3 ± 20.2 min/day; p = 0.003, η = 0.014) and greater sedentary time (561.0 ± 172.8 min/day) compared to Han Chinese boys (514.1 ± 175.6 min/day; p < 0.05). During school hours, Tibetan boys spent less time in SB (423.7 ± 112.2 min/day) than Han Chinese boys (450.8 ± 102.0 min/day; p = 0.011, η = 0.011). Out of school, Tibetan boys engaged in more MVPA (20.0 ± 7.9 min/day) than Han Chinese boys (15.2 ± 6.1 min/day; p < 0.01, η = 0.088), and Tibetan girls showed higher MVPA levels (20.5 ± 8.3 min/day) than Han Chinese girls (15.8 ± 6.2 min/day; p < 0.01, η = 0.060). Both Tibetan boys (645.5 ± 117.2 min/day) and girls (672.5 ± 123.8 min/day) had significantly more sedentary time than Han Chinese boys (639.4 ± 117.7 min/day) and girls (594.0 ± 102.9 min/day; p < 0.01, η = 0.180; p < 0.01, η = 0.207).
This comparative analysis revealed clear ethnic differences in activity patterns. Tibetan adolescents exhibited higher overall PA levels and total sedentary time compared to Han Chinese adolescents. However, Tibetan adolescents tended to interrupt sedentary periods more frequently, whereas Han Chinese adolescents were more likely to engage in prolonged, uninterrupted SB.
全球青少年身体活动（PA）水平下降已成为一个主要的公共卫生问题，导致非传染性疾病风险增加和心理社会发展受损。新出现的证据表明，青少年在身体活动模式和久坐行为（SB）方面存在显著的种族差异。在青藏高原独特的地理和文化背景下，了解藏族和汉族青少年之间的行为差异对于设计有效的、有针对性的健康干预措施至关重要。因此，本研究旨在调查居住在西藏的藏族和汉族青少年在身体活动水平和久坐行为模式上的种族特异性差异。
共有1256名藏族和汉族青少年参与了本研究。使用加速度计客观测量身体活动和久坐行为。数据收集分为四个不同时期：工作日与周末，以及工作日的在校时间与校外时间。使用单因素协方差分析分析活动模式的种族差异，并对年龄、体重指数（BMI）、社会经济地位（SES）和加速度计佩戴时间进行调整。
在工作日，藏族男孩进行的中度至剧烈身体活动（MVPA）显著多于汉族男孩（44.1±16.3分钟/天对35.3±10.9分钟/天；p = 0.011，η = 0.011）。藏族女孩的久坐时间也显著多于汉族女孩（654.1±123.2分钟/天对613.0±103.8分钟/天；p = 0.001，η = 0.018）。在周末，藏族男孩的MVPA记录多于汉族男孩（43.0±27.1分钟/天对35.3±20.2分钟/天；p = 0.003，η = 0.014），且与汉族男孩相比，久坐时间更长（561.0±172.8分钟/天对514.1±175.6分钟/天；p < 0.05）。在上学时间，藏族男孩的久坐时间少于汉族男孩（423.7±112.2分钟/天对450.8±102.0分钟/天；p = 0.011，η = 0.011）。在放学后，藏族男孩的MVPA多于汉族男孩（20.0±7.9分钟/天对15.2±6.1分钟/天；p < 0.01，η = 0.088），藏族女孩的MVPA水平高于汉族女孩（20.5±8.3分钟/天对15.8±6.2分钟/天；p < 0.01，η = 0.060）。藏族男孩（645.5±117.2分钟/天）和女孩（672.5±123.8分钟/天）的久坐时间均显著多于汉族男孩（639.4±117.7分钟/天）和女孩（594.0±102.9分钟/天；p < 0.01，η = 0.180；p < 0.01，η = 0.207）。
这项比较分析揭示了活动模式上明显的种族差异。与汉族青少年相比，藏族青少年的总体身体活动水平较高，久坐总时间较长。然而，藏族青少年倾向于更频繁地中断久坐时段，而汉族青少年更有可能进行长时间的、不间断的久坐行为。
