A1 Refereed original research article in a scientific journal
Tracking of Physical Activity from Early Childhood through Youth into Adulthood
Authors: Telama R, Yang XL, Leskinen E, Kankaanpaa A, Hirvensalo M, Tammelin T, Viikari JSA, Raitakari OT
Publisher: LIPPINCOTT WILLIAMS & WILKINS
Publication year: 2014
Journal: Medicine and Science in Sports and Exercise
Journal name in source: MEDICINE AND SCIENCE IN SPORTS AND EXERCISE
Journal acronym: MED SCI SPORT EXER
Volume: 46
Issue: 5
First page : 955
Last page: 962
Number of pages: 8
ISSN: 0195-9131
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1249/MSS.0000000000000181
Abstract
Purpose The aim of the study was to investigate the tracking of physical activity (PA) from preschool age to adulthood in six age cohorts of males and females. Methods A random sample of 3596 boys and girls age 3-18 yr participated in the Cardiovascular Risks in Young Finns Study in 1980. The follow-up measurements were repeated in 1986, 1992, 2001, and 2007. The PA was measured by mother's report in 3- and 6-yr-olds and self-report in 9-yr-olds and older. Tracking of PA was analyzed using the Spearman rank-order correlation and a simplex model. Results Mother-reported PA at age 3 and 6 yr significantly predicted self-reported PA in youth and in young adulthood, and there was a significant indirect effect of mother report on adult PA 2007 in males. Simplex models that fitted the data very well produced higher stability coefficients than the Spearman rank-order correlations showing moderate or high tracking. The tracking was higher in males than that in females. Conclusion This study has shown that physically active lifestyle starts to develop very early in childhood and that the stability of PA is moderate or high along the life course from youth to adulthood.
Purpose The aim of the study was to investigate the tracking of physical activity (PA) from preschool age to adulthood in six age cohorts of males and females. Methods A random sample of 3596 boys and girls age 3-18 yr participated in the Cardiovascular Risks in Young Finns Study in 1980. The follow-up measurements were repeated in 1986, 1992, 2001, and 2007. The PA was measured by mother's report in 3- and 6-yr-olds and self-report in 9-yr-olds and older. Tracking of PA was analyzed using the Spearman rank-order correlation and a simplex model. Results Mother-reported PA at age 3 and 6 yr significantly predicted self-reported PA in youth and in young adulthood, and there was a significant indirect effect of mother report on adult PA 2007 in males. Simplex models that fitted the data very well produced higher stability coefficients than the Spearman rank-order correlations showing moderate or high tracking. The tracking was higher in males than that in females. Conclusion This study has shown that physically active lifestyle starts to develop very early in childhood and that the stability of PA is moderate or high along the life course from youth to adulthood.
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