Factors associated with Chinese children's physical and sedentary activity

PURPOSETo examine factors associated with physical and sedentary activities in Chinese children in Taiwan and the U.S.
METHODSThere were 163 children (age 8 to 10) and their mothers in the study (Taiwan=95; U.S=68). Mothers completed basic demographic sheet, the Family Assessment Device, and Attitudes Toward Child Rearing. Children filled out a self-administrated physical activity checklist, Food Frequency Questionnaire and the Schoolagers' Coping Strategies Inventory. A three-way ANOVA (age × gender × country) was used to examine both the main and interaction effect on variables. Multiple linear regression was used to determine the predictor(s) of children's physical and sedentary activity.
RESULTSNo significant main or interaction effect was found on activity variables. Taiwanese children spent 98.7minutes per day (SD=84.6) and 558.4 METs (SD=564.1) in physical activity and 142.8 minutes (SD=135) in sedentary activities. Chinese-American children spent 83.6 minutes per day (SD=69.7) and 445.6 METs (SD=406.5) in physical activity and 144.1 minutes (SD=110.6) in sedentary activities. Multiple regression found two variables that significantly contributed to Taiwanese children's moderate/vigorous physical activity METs (MVPA METs): age and family affective responsive (R2 > =.13, F=7.38, p = .03). One variable contributed to their increased sedentary activity time: age (R2 > =.05, F=4.40, p = .04). For Chinese-American, no factor was found to predict their MVPA METs. Two factors were found to predict increased sedentary activity time: coping strategy and family affective involvement (R2 > =.15, F=5.01, p = .01).
CONCLUSIONIt appears that age and family dynamics influence the physical activity and sedentary activity patterns of Taiwanese children. Whereas, coping and family dynamics influence the Chinese-American children's sedentary behavior.