Device-Based Physical Activity Surveillance in Asian American Children and Adolescents: Participation and Activity Patterns in NHANES 2011–2014
Abstract
Highlights What is the main finding? Asian American children and adolescents had lower accelerometer-measured physical activity volume relative to age- and sex-specific national reference values. What is the implications of the main finding? The consistently lower relative physical activity levels support the need for physical activity promotion efforts targeting Asian American children and adolescents. Abstract Background: Asian American children and adolescents are underrepresented in physical activity research, and available evidence relies largely on self- or caregiver-reported measures. This study evaluated accelerometer-measured physical activity levels among Asian American children and adolescents, benchmarked against a national reference and explored differences by nativity and sex. Methods: We analyzed National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) 2011–2014 data from non-Hispanic Asian children and adolescents aged 6–17 years who provided valid wrist-worn ActiGraph accelerometer data. Nativity was classified as U.S.-born or non-U.S.-born. Physical activity was summarized using the Monitor-Independent Movement Summary (MIMS) units and sex- and age-specific MIMS percentiles using U.S. reference values. Survey-weighted linear regression models examined associations between nativity and MIMS percentile, adjusting for age group, sex, and family income. A sex-by-nativity interaction was tested. Results: Among 410 participants, the mean MIMS percentile was 36.7 (95% CI: 33.8–39.6), significantly below the national median. Overall MIMS percentiles did not differ by nativity. A sex-by-nativity interaction was observed but did not reach a statistical significance (p = 0.06). Descriptively, non-U.S.-born males tended to have higher MIMS percentiles than U.S.-born males (difference = 8.2; p = 0.16), whereas non-U.S.-born females tended to have lower MIMS percentiles than U.S.-born females (difference = −4.6; p = 0.19). Conclusions: Accelerometer-measured PA in Asian American children and adolescents was below the national reference. Nativity- and sex-related patterns were exploratory and warrant confirmation in larger samples.