Rona Macniven1, Shane Hearn2, Anne Grunseit1, Justin Richards1, Don Nutbeam1, Adrian Bauman1. 1. Prevention Research Collaboration, Sydney School of Public Health, The University of Sydney, New South Wales. 2. Division of the Deputy Vice-Chancellor & Vice-President, The University of Adelaide, South Australia.
Abstract
OBJECTIVE: Physical inactivity is an important modifiable cause of the excess burden of disease among Indigenous Australians. We describe physical activity patterns and influencing factors, comparing Indigenous and non-Indigenous adolescents. METHODS: Indigenous (n=359) and non-Indigenous (n=637) adolescents aged 13-17 years from disadvantaged New South Wales regions completed a health and lifestyle survey. Socio-demographic, social, psychosocial and health correlates of out of school physical activity (high vs. low) among the whole sample, and stratified by Indigenous status were examined. RESULTS: Only 21% of Indigenous and 28% of non-Indigenous adolescents achieved higher levels of physical activity. Overall, higher levels were associated with being male; sports team membership; lower levels of TV viewing time and having an employed mother. Indigenous girls were less active than boys (OR=0.36; 85%CI=0.24-0.54), as were those whose mothers were unemployed (OR=0.66; 95%CI=0.40-1.09). Among non-Indigenous adolescents, high levels of physical activity were associated with sports team membership (OR=2.28; 95%CI=1.39-3.74) and community involvement (OR=1.46; 95%CI=1.04-2.06). CONCLUSIONS: Physical activity levels were similarly low among disadvantaged Indigenous and non-Indigenous adolescents. Some influencing factors existed across the whole sample; others in stratification by Indigenous status. Implications for public health: Early and targeted, supportive approaches are necessary. Some apply to disadvantaged adolescents broadly; others are Indigenous or non-Indigenous specific.
OBJECTIVE: Physical inactivity is an important modifiable cause of the excess burden of disease among Indigenous Australians. We describe physical activity patterns and influencing factors, comparing Indigenous and non-Indigenous adolescents. METHODS: Indigenous (n=359) and non-Indigenous (n=637) adolescents aged 13-17 years from disadvantaged New South Wales regions completed a health and lifestyle survey. Socio-demographic, social, psychosocial and health correlates of out of school physical activity (high vs. low) among the whole sample, and stratified by Indigenous status were examined. RESULTS: Only 21% of Indigenous and 28% of non-Indigenous adolescents achieved higher levels of physical activity. Overall, higher levels were associated with being male; sports team membership; lower levels of TV viewing time and having an employed mother. Indigenous girls were less active than boys (OR=0.36; 85%CI=0.24-0.54), as were those whose mothers were unemployed (OR=0.66; 95%CI=0.40-1.09). Among non-Indigenous adolescents, high levels of physical activity were associated with sports team membership (OR=2.28; 95%CI=1.39-3.74) and community involvement (OR=1.46; 95%CI=1.04-2.06). CONCLUSIONS: Physical activity levels were similarly low among disadvantaged Indigenous and non-Indigenous adolescents. Some influencing factors existed across the whole sample; others in stratification by Indigenous status. Implications for public health: Early and targeted, supportive approaches are necessary. Some apply to disadvantaged adolescents broadly; others are Indigenous or non-Indigenous specific.
Authors: Tamara May; Amanda Dudley; James Charles; Kate Kennedy; Ana Mantilla; Jane McGillivray; Keane Wheeler; Hope Elston; Nicole J Rinehart Journal: BMC Public Health Date: 2020-05-01 Impact factor: 3.295
Authors: Sarah Liew; Josephine Gwynn; Janice Smith; Natalie A Johnson; Ronald Plotnikoff; Erica L James; Nicole Turner Journal: Int J Environ Res Public Health Date: 2022-02-10 Impact factor: 3.390