Physical Activity and Active Transport in Girls
Author Information
Author(s): Duncan Elizabeth K, Scott Duncan J, Schofield Grant
Primary Institution: Auckland University of Technology
Hypothesis
What are the physical activity patterns and active transport choices among girls of different ages and ethnic backgrounds?
Conclusion
Promoting active transport in girls appears to be a worthwhile strategy to increase physical activity, especially among older girls and those of Maori or European descent.
Supporting Evidence
- Mean weekday step counts were higher than weekend steps.
- 44.9% of participants used active transport for school-related travel.
- Girls who used active transport averaged 1,052 more weekday steps than those who did not.
Takeaway
This study shows that girls are less active on weekends and that walking to school can help them get more exercise.
Methodology
Girls aged 5-16 wore pedometers for a week to measure their daily steps and reported their active transport habits.
Potential Biases
The study may not be generalizable to children in other countries due to cultural differences.
Limitations
The study did not examine potential predictors of active transport participation such as distance from school.
Participant Demographics
Participants were girls aged 5-16 from various ethnic backgrounds including European, Maori, Pacific Island, East Asian, and South Asian.
Statistical Information
P-Value
p<0.001
Confidence Interval
95% CI: 1,112, 3,826
Statistical Significance
p<0.05
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
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