Reduced physical activity may not be linked to increased obesity rates among teens
3 Nov 2009, 1227 Hrs

Add comment          Mail          Print          Write to Editor

Washington, November 3 Reduced physical activity may do little in explaining the increase in obesity rates among U.S. adolescents, according to a study.

Researchers at the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health investigated concerns that the spike due to decreased physical activity linked with increased TV viewing time and other sedentary behaviours.

Senior author Youfa Wang, MD, PhD, MS, and associate professor with the Bloomberg School's Center for Human Nutrition and the Department of International Health, found that the physical activity among adolescents increased while TV viewing decreased in recent years.

Wang said: "Although only one third of U.S. adolescents met the recommended levels of physical activity, there is no clear evidence they had become less active over the past decade while the prevalence of obesity continued to rise.

"During the recent decade, U.S. adolescents had greater access to TV, but significantly fewer of them watched TV for three or more hours per day.

"In addition, daily physical education attendance rates improved along with the use of physical education class in engaging in physical activity.

"However, there are considerable differences in the patterns by age, sex and ethnicity."

Wang, along with co-authors Shiru Li, MD, MS, former visiting scholar with the Bloomberg School's Center for Human Nutrition, and Margarita Treuth, PhD, adjunct associate professor with the Bloomberg School's Center for Human Nutrition and a professor with the University of Maryland East Shore, based their findings from the nationally representative Youth Risk Behavior Surveillance (YRBS) surveys from 1991 to 2007.

Wang revealed. "Our study suggests that more vigorous efforts are needed to help young Americans engage in adequate regular physical activity and reduce sedentary behaviors, which will help promote good health.

"In addition, these findings may suggest factors other than physical activity, and sedentary behaviors such as unhealthy eating may play a more important role to help explain the recent increase in obesity."

The study "How Active are American Adolescents and Have They Become Less Active" has been published in the online issue of besity Reviews. (ANI)

Related Latest

Comets may have delivered water on Moon New discovery may lead to improved asthma drugs BJP may split if RSS takes charge (Comment) New micro-endoscope may help detect tumours early India will be among top three economies by 2050: US think tank Students may get temporary photo I-cards: EC One in 10 Brit teens branded 'Neet' Killer bees may have nasty sting, but they aren't too smart Obesity epidemic negating efforts to cut heart disease risks Peer pressure compels teens to opt for cosmetic surgery

Related Latest

Roman Polanski to fight extradition to America 'Tough cookie' Madonna dons bullet proof vest in Brazil Gerard Butler prepares to launch own perfume line Computer model predicts future deforestation in Congo Basin rainforest Angry Rihanna launches into F-word rant after driver was 3mins late Aleem Dar supports use of controversial video referral system Oprah on her show's end: 25yrs feels right in my bones and my spirit Comets may have delivered water on Moon Bihar demands Rs 14800 crore for Kosi belt rehabilitation Obama's job approval rating dips below 50% for first time in his presidency

• Computer model predicts future deforestation in Congo Basin rainforest
• Aleem Dar supports use of controversial video referral system
• Roman Polanski to fight extradition to America
• 'Tough cookie' Madonna dons bullet proof vest in Brazil
• Gerard Butler prepares to launch own perfume line

• भारतीय क्रिकेट की मजबूत दीवार
• कंगारूओं के आगे ढेर, चीतों से कैसे मुकाबला करेंगें शेर
• Reducing greenhouse gases may not be enough to slow global warming
• बीकानेर महापौर चुनावः एक विश्लेषण
• Deepawali: The Festival Of Lights