[Analysis of physical activity and sedentary behaviors in children and adolescents from 12 provinces/municipalities in China].

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the pattern and level of physical activity (PA) and sedentary behaviors in Chinese children and adolescents.

METHODS: The data of present study were derived from China Health and Nutrition Survey in 2011. Subjects aged 7-18 years with completed demographic, PA and sedentary behavior data were included to analyze the proportions of participations in PA outside school, PA in school, domestic PA, PA in travel and sedentary behaviors. In subjects with PA and sedentary behaviors, PA and sedentary behavior levels were estimated by age, gender, residence areus and household income.

RESULTS: Amony the five types of activities studies, the proportion of children and adolescents with sedentary behaviors was highest (97.9%), while that of PA outside school was lowest (33.6%), the distribution of participations of various PA and sedentary behaviors were similor regardless of age and gender. The median levels of PA outside school and sedentary behaviors in children and adolescents having corresponding activities were the highest, 39.9 and 36.1 MET-h/week, respectively, which suggested that the time on sedentary behaviors was long. The differences in levels of various PA and sedentary behaviors by age, gender and residence were observed (all P < 0.05).

CONCLUSION: In general, PA is deficient in Chinese children and adolescents. The promotion programmes to increas PA level need to be strengthened.