Physical Activity Patterns and Correlates of 9-Month-Old Chinese Infants in the Macau Population.
Objectives Many obesity-related chronic diseases originate from unhealthy childhood habits. The aim of this study was to describe 9-month-old infants' physical activity levels and patterns and to examine the correlates. Understanding these factors is necessary for improving the effectiveness of physical activity intervention programs for infants. Methods In total, 143 infant-mother dyads from Macau, SAR China, participated in this study. Physical activity (PA) was assessed by using the Actigraph GT3X+ accelerometer and the demographic variables were collected by questionnaires. Results The most important findings were that: (1) infants had more screen time during weekdays (p = .044); (2) infants and mothers were least active at 8 a.m. (both weekdays and weekends) in the morning and most active at 7 p.m. (weekdays) and 8 p.m. (weekends) in the evening; (3) infants' PA levels significantly correlated with their mothers' PA intensities during the weekends (r = .192, p = .036), especially the mothers' lower intensities in the mornings and evenings; (4) maternal BMI predicted the PA levels of the 9-month-old infants' (R2 = .06, β = 29.188, p = .009). Conclusions for Practice Physical activity promotion programs for infants should be time-specific starting from early infancy. This study was one of the first to examine 9-month-old infants' PA levels, patterns and correlates. The results may be helpful in improving the effectiveness of future healthy lifestyle intervention programs for infants in Macau and in the region in general.
['Jia|Zhenzhen|Z|', 'Zhang|Joni|J|', 'Trindade|Dulce|D|', 'Sobko|Tanja|T|']
D061725:Accelerometry D000328:Adult D044466:Asians D002681:China D015444:Exercise D005260:Female D006801:Humans D007223:Infant D008256:Macau D008297:Male D009034:Mother-Child Relations D009035:Mothers D009043:Motor Activity D009765:Obesity D057185:Sedentary Behavior
Physical activity Infants Accelerometer Infants–mother dyads