Early determinants of physical activity in adolescence: Prospective birth cohort study

Pedro C. Hallal, Jonathan C.K. Wells, Felipe F. Reichert, Luciana Anselmi, Cesar G. Victora

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

Abstract

Objective: To examine the effects of early social, anthropometric, and behavioural variables on physical activity in adolescence. Design: Prospective birth cohort study. Setting: Pelotas, southern Brazil. Participants: 4453 adolescents aged 10-12 years participating in the Pelotas 1993 birth cohort study (follow-up rate 87.5%). Main outcome measures: Sedentary lifestyle (< 300 minutes of physical activity per week) and median physical activity score (minutes per week). Results: The prevalence of a sedentary lifestyle at age 10-12 years was 58.2% (95% confidence interval 56.7% to 59.7%). Risk factors for a sedentary lifestyle in adolescence were female sex, high family income at birth, high maternal education at birth, and low birth order. Weight gain variables at ages 0-1,1-4, and 4-11 years and overweight at age 1 or 4 years were not significant predictors of physical activity. Levels of physical activity at age 4 years, based on maternal report, were inversely related to a sedentary lifestyle at age 10-12 years. Conclusions: Physical activity in adolescence does not seem to be programmed by physiological factors in infancy. A positive association between birth order and activity may be due to greater intensity of play in 1 childhood and adolescence. Tracking of physical activity from age 4 to 10-12 years, however, suggests that genetic factors or early habit formation may be important.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)1002-1005
Number of pages4
JournalBritish Medical Journal
Volume332
Issue number7548
DOIs
StatePublished - Apr 29 2006
Externally publishedYes

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • General Medicine

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