Differences in the activity intensity distribution over the day between boys and girls aged 3 to 17 years.

ABSTRACT: Physical activity (PA) decreases from childhood to adolescence, with girls being less active than boys. The timing of these differences remains unknown. Using accelerometer data from three cross-sectional studies in Norway and Belgium (n = 2507, age = 3-17years), we assessed sex differences in sedentary behaviour (SB) and PA levels (light, moderate, vigorous) throughout the day and across the full spectrum of activity intensity distribution on weekdays and weekend days, using linear regression and functional data analyses. Across all age groups (preschoolers (3-5y), children (6-10y), adolescents (11-17y)), girls were less active than boys, particularly on weekdays (e.g., vigorous PA (> 1111 counts/15s) difference:-16.9 min/day (95% Confidence interval:-19.3,-14.4; p-value < 0.001) in child

SUBMITTER: Garcia JL 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12120106 | biostudies-literature | 2025 May

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature