A review of correlates of physical activity of children and adolescents

Background: Understanding the factors that influence physical activity can aid the design of more effective interventions. Previous reviews of correla tes of youth physical activity have produced conflicting results. Methods: A comprehensive review of correlates of physical activity was conducted, an d semiquantitative results were summarized separately for children (ages 3- 12) and adolescents (ages 13-18). The 108 studies evaluated 40 variables fo r children and 48 variables for adolescents. Results: About 60% of all repo rted associations with physical activity were statistically significant. Va riables that were consistently associated with children's physical activity were sex (male), parental overweight status, physical activity preferences , intention to be active, perceived barriers (inverse), previous physical a ctivity, healthy diet, program/facility access, and time spent outdoors. Va riables that were consistently associated with adolescents' physical activi ty were sex (male), ethnicity (white), age (inverse), perceived activity co mpetence, intentions, depression (inverse), previous physical activity, com munity sports, sensation seeking, sedentary after school and on weekends (i nverse), parent support, support from others, sibling physical activity, di rect help from parents, and opportunities to exercise. Conclusion: These co nsistently related variables should be confirmed in prospective studies, an d interventions to improve the modifiable variables should be developed and evaluated.