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. 2022 Jul 30;19(1):98.
doi: 10.1186/s12966-022-01339-4.

A latent transition analysis of physical activity and screen-based sedentary behavior from adolescence to young adulthood

Kate Parker  1 , Verity Cleland  2 , Jim Dollman  3 , Jacqui Della Gatta  4 , Jennifer Hatt  4 , Anna Timperio  4
Affiliations

A latent transition analysis of physical activity and screen-based sedentary behavior from adolescence to young adulthood

Kate Parker et al. Int J Behav Nutr Phys Act. .

Abstract

Background: Distinct typologies of physical activity and screen-based sedentary behaviors are common during adolescence, but it is unknown how these change over time. This longitudinal study examined the stability of activity-related behavioral typologies over the transition out of secondary school.

Methods: Year 11 students (penultimate school year) completed a self-report survey (baseline), which was repeated 2 years later (follow-up) (75% female, mean baseline age: 16.9 ± 0.4 years). Latent transition analysis identified typologies of physical activity and screen time behaviors and explored changes in typology membership between baseline and follow-up among those with complete data and who were not attending secondary school at follow-up (n = 803).

Results: Three unique typologies were identified and labelled as: 1) Sedentary gamers (baseline: 17%; follow-up: 15%: high levels of screen behaviors, particularly video gaming); 2) Inactives (baseline: 46%; follow-up: 48%: low physical activities, average levels of screen behaviors); and 3) Actives (baseline: 37%; follow-up: 37%: high physical activities, low screen behaviors). Most participants remained in the same typology (83.2%), 8.5% transitioned to a typology with a more health-enhancing profile and 8.3% transitioned to a typology with a more detrimental behavioral profile.

Conclusions: The high proportion within the 'inactive' typology and the stability of typologies over the transition period suggests that public health interventions are required to improve activity-related behavior typologies before adolescents leave secondary school.

Keywords: Pathways; Physical activity; Sedentary behavior; Transition; Typologies; Youth.

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Conflict of interest statement

The authors declare that they have no competing interests.

Figures

Fig. 1
Fig. 1
Baseline item-response probability plot indicating probability of typology membership according to each of the activity-related behaviors. PA: Physical Activity; Note that all physical activities and screen-based sedentary behaviors were performed during leisure time with the exception of active transport
Fig. 2
Fig. 2
Two-year follow-up item-response probability plot indicating probability of typology membership according to each of the activity-related behaviors. PA: Physical Activity; Note that all physical activities and screen-based sedentary behaviors were performed during leisure time with the exception of active transport
Fig. 3
Fig. 3
Transitions between typologies from baseline to two-year follow-up
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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