Physical activity of Chinese children and adolescents: age, gender and regional characteristics

Abstract

Objective To explore age, gender, and regional differences in physical activity among children and adolescents in China, and to provide a scientific reference for enhancing physical activity promotion.

Methods A total of 4 269 children and adolescents aged 7 to 18 years were selected from six administrative regions of China (East China, Northwest China, North China, Central China, Southwest China and South China) using a stratified random cluster sampling method from September to December 2018. A questionnaire was administered to evaluate the physical activity level of Chinese children and adolescents aged 7 to 18.

Results The overall detection rate of MVPA insufficiency in children and adolescents in China was 53.8%, of which the detection rate of MVPA insufficiency was 50.8% among boys and 57.1% among girls. Gender differences were statistically significant (χ ²=17.10, P<0.05). Among the different age groups, the lowest detection rate of MVPA among 10–12 year olds was 43.6%, whereas the highest rate among 16–18 year olds was 63.0%, with significant differences between gender (χ ²=4.33, 30.79, P<0.05). The P ₅₀ values of total physical activity (TPA), light-intensity physical activity (LPA), moderate intensity physical activity (MPA), vigorous-intensity physical activity (VPA), moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA) were 92.9, 24.3, 41.4, 7.1 and 55.7 min/d, respectively. The P ₅₀ values of physical exercise, housework activities, entertainment activities and transportation activities were 34.3, 2.1, 2.3 and 30.0 min/d, respectively, and the difference in age groups was statistically significant ( H=95.03, 74.99, 300.26, 64.16, P<0.05). There was a statistically significant difference in the detection rate of insufficient MVPA among children and adolescents in different regions (χ ²=83.91, P<0.05). The lowest rate was 44.0% in North China, and the highest was 65.9% in East China.

Conclusion The detection rate of MVPA insufficiency among Chinese children and adolescents firstly decreased and then increased with age. Boys participated in higher levels of physical activity than girls.

Abstract

【摘要】 目的 了解中国儿童青少年体力活动的年龄、性别和地区差异, 为提髙中国儿童青少年体力活动水平提供科学 参考。 方法 依照中国行政区域划分的六大行政区(华东、西北、华北、华中、西南和华南), 于2018年9一12月分别采用分 层随机整群抽样法抽取4 269名7~18岁儿童青少年, 采用“中国7~18岁儿童青少年体力活动水平评价问卷”进行体力活 动调査。 结果 中国儿童青少年中髙强度体力活动(MVPA)不足总体检出率为53.8%, 其中男生检出率为50.8%, 女生为 57.1%, 差异有统计学意义(χ ²=17.10, P<0.05); 不同年龄段中, 10~12岁MVPA不足检出率最低(43.6%), 16~18岁最髙 (63.0%), 性别间差异均有统计学意义(χ ²值分别为4.33, 30.79, P<0.05)。总体体力活动、低强度体力活动、中强度体力活 动、髙强度体力活动、中髙强度体力活动时间的中位数分别为92.9, 24.3, 41.4, 7.1, 55.7 min/d。体育锻炼、家务活动、娱乐 活动和交通活动的中位数分别为34.3, 2.1, 2.3, 30.0 min/d, 年龄段差异均有统计学意义( H值分别为95.03, 74.99, 300.26, 64.16, P值均<0.05)。不同地区儿童青少年MVPA不足检出率差异有统计学意义(χ ²=83.91, P<0.05), 华北地区最低 (44.0%), 华东地区最髙(65.9%)。 结论 中国儿童青少年MVPA不足检出率随年龄增长呈先下降后升髙趋势, 男生体力 活动水平髙于女生。