Summary of prospective studies on determinants of physical activity in children and adolescents
| Associated with physical activity | Not associated with physical activity | # samples showing association | LoE | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| # samples | References | Association | # samples | References | + | − | ||
| Children | ||||||||
| Biological, demographic | ||||||||
| Age | 1 | (46s) | − | 0 | 1/2 | 1/2 | ? | |
| 1 | (48s) | + | ||||||
| Gender (male) | 1 | (28s) | + | 2 | (48s), (52o) | 1/3 | ? | |
| Parent education (more) | 1 | (47s G) | − | 5 | (21s G) (47o B, G),(47s B) | 1/5 | ? | |
| Psychological | ||||||||
| Intention | 2 | (23s), (28s) | + | 0 | 2/2 | + | ||
| Perceived behavioural control | 1 | (23s (T2–T3)) | + | 2 | (23s (T1–T2)), (28s) | 1/3 | ? | |
| Behavioural | ||||||||
| Past physical activity | 1 | (23s) | + | 1 | (40o (measured at 6 months)) | 1/2 | ? | |
| Screen time | 2 | (21s G), (40o (measured at 54 months)) | − | 1 | (40o (measured at 38 months)) | 2/3 | ? | |
| Social | ||||||||
| Parent activity | 4 | (21s G (MPA)), (40o), (48s (MPA)), (52o (FPA)) | + | 3 | (21s G (FPA)), (48s (FPA)), (52o (MPA)) | 4/7 | ? | |
| Adolescents | ||||||||
| Biological, demographic | ||||||||
| Age | 2 | (38s), (33s) | + | 0 | 2/2 | + | ||
| Time | 1 | (51o B) | − | 1 | (51o G) | 1/2 | ? | |
| Gender (male) | 2 | (22as c2), (38s) | + | 1 | (33s) | 2/3 | ? | |
| Ethnicity (African American race) | 4 | (21s G (all ages)), (29s G) | − | 0 | 4/4 | − | ||
| BMI/skin folds | 1 | (21s G (15–16y)) | − | 3 | (21s G (13–14y, 17–18y)), (33s) | 1/4 | ? | |
| Parent education | 3 | (21s G (all ages)) | + | 4 | (47o&s B, G) | 3/7 | ? | |
| Psychological | ||||||||
| Intention | 2 | (50s G), (53s) | + | 3 | (22s c1 and c2), (44s) | 2/5 | ? | |
| Attitudes | 0 | 2 | (33s), (53s) | ? | ||||
| Athletic competence | 2 | (21s G (15–16y, 17–18y)) | + | 1 | (21s G (13–14y)) | 2/3 | ? | |
| Prefer sedentary activities | 2 | (21s G (13–14y, 15–16y)) | − | 1 | (21s G (17–18y)) | 2/3 | ? | |
| Rather do other things | 3 | (21s G (all ages)) | − | 0 | 3/3 | ? | ||
| Boys better at activity | 1 | (21s G (17–18y)) | − | 2 | (21s G (13–14y, 15–16y)) | 1/3 | ? | |
| Exercise controls weight | 0 | 3 | (21s G (all ages)) | ? | ||||
| Perceived behavioural control | 4 | (22s (c2)), (29s G 2xb) (50s G) | + | 2 | (30s G), (53s) | 4/6 | ? | |
| Planning | 2 | (22s (c2)), (44s) | + | 0 | 2/2 | + | ||
| Perceived parent activity | 3 | (21s G (FPA 15–16y, 17–18y)), (21s G (MPA 13–14y) | + | 3 | (21s G (FPA 13–14y)), (21s G (MPA 15–16y, 17–18y) | 3/6 | ? | |
| Behavioural | ||||||||
| Past physical activity | 9 | (22s (c1 and c2)), (31o&s), (34s G), (39s), (44s), (49s), (50s G) | + | 0 | 9/9 | + | ||
| Screen time | 1 | (21s G (17–18y)) | − | 2 | (21s G (13–14y, 15–16y)) | 1/3 | ? | |
| Social | ||||||||
| Parent activity | 0 | 2 | (31o), (33s MPA) | ? | ||||
| Exercise with parent | 1 | (21s G (13–14y)) | + | 2 | (21s G (15–16y, 17–18y)) | 1/3 | ? | |
* Luszczynska et al (2010) reported on two different cohorts; reported on here as c1 and c2.
† Dowda et al (2007) reported on self-efficacy and perceived behavioural control separately, reported on here as 2 separate samples.
+, positive association; −, negative association; ?, insufficient evidence for an association; References in bold, high quality study; B, boy, FPA, physical activity father; G, girl (studies reporting on boys and girls separately provided 2 samples, the sample includes both genders in case no B or G is stated); LoE, level of evidence; o, objectively measured physical activity; MPA, physical activity mother; s, subjectively measured physical activity.