Variations in accelerometry measured physical activity and sedentary time across Europe - harmonized analyses of 47,497 children and adolescents.
Creators: name: Steene-Johannessen, Jostein
name: Hansen, Bjørge Herman
name: Dalene, Knut Eirik
name: Kolle, Elin
name: Northstone, Kate
name: Møller, Niels Christian
name: Grøntved, Anders
name: Wedderkopp, Niels
name: Kriemler, Susi
name: Page, Angie S
name: Puder, Jardena J
name: Reilly, John J
name: Sardinha, Luis B
name: Van Sluijs, Esther M F
name: Andersen, Lars Bo
name: Van Der Ploeg, Hidde
name: Ahrens, Wolfgang
name: Flexeder, Claudia
name: Standl, Marie
name: Shculz, Holger
name: Moreno, Luis A
name: De Henauw, Stefaan
name: Michels, Nathalie
name: Cardon, Greet
name: Ortega, Francisco B
name: Ruiz, Jonatan
name: Aznar, Susana
name: Fogelholm, Mikael
name: Decelis, Andrew
name: Olesen, Line Grønholt
name: Hjorth, Mads Fiil
name: Santos, Rute
name: Vale, Susana
name: Christiansen, Lars Breum
name: Jago, Russ
name: Basterfield, Laura
name: Owen, Christopher G
name: Nightingale, Claire M
name: Eiben, Gabriele
name: Polito, Angela
name: Lauria, Fabio
name: Vanhelst, Jeremy
name: Hadjigeorgiou, Charalambos
name: Konstabel, Kenn
name: Molnár, Dénes
name: Sprengeler, Ole
name: Manios, Yannis
name: Harro, Jaanus
name: Kafatos, Anthony
name: Anderssen, Sigmund Alfred
name: Ekelund, Ulf
Publisher: name: Apollo - University of Cambridge Repository
Year: 2020

description: BACKGROUND:Levels of physical activity and variation in physical activity and sedentary time by place and person in European children and adolescents are largely unknown. The objective of the study was to assess the variations in objectively measured physical activity and sedentary time in children and adolescents across Europe. METHODS:Six databases were systematically searched to identify pan-European and national data sets on physical activity and sedentary time assessed by the same accelerometer in children (2 to 9.9 years) and adolescents (≥10 to 18 years). We harmonized individual-level data by reprocessing hip-worn raw accelerometer data files from 30 different studies conducted between 1997 and 2014, representing 47,497 individuals (2-18 years) from 18 different European countries. RESULTS:Overall, a maximum of 29% (95% CI: 25, 33) of children and 29% (95% CI: 25, 32) of adolescents were categorized as sufficiently physically active. We observed substantial country- and region-specific differences in physical activity and sedentary time, with lower physical activity levels and prevalence estimates in Southern European countries. Boys were more active and less sedentary in all age-categories. The onset of age-related lowering or leveling-off of physical activity and increase in sedentary time seems to become apparent at around 6 to 7 years of age. CONCLUSIONS:Two third of European children and adolescents are not sufficiently active. Our findings suggest substantial gender-, country- and region-specific differences in physical activity. These results should encourage policymakers, governments, and local and national stakeholders to take action to facilitate an increase in the physical activity levels of young people across Europe.