Physical activity of Canadian and American children: a focus on youth in Amish, Mennonite, and modern cultures

被引:14
作者
Bassett, David R., Jr. [1 ]
机构
[1] Univ Tennessee, Dept Exercise Sport & Leisure Studies, Knoxville, TN 37996 USA
来源
APPLIED PHYSIOLOGY NUTRITION AND METABOLISM-PHYSIOLOGIE APPLIQUEE NUTRITION ET METABOLISME | 2008年 / 33卷 / 04期
关键词
step counter; pedometer; body mass index; physical fitness;
D O I
10.1139/H08-044
中图分类号
R15 [营养卫生、食品卫生]; TS201 [基础科学];
学科分类号
100403 ;
摘要
Childhood obesity is an urgent public health problem in North America and throughout most of the industrialized world. Diminishing levels of physical activity and the growth of sedentary pursuits may be contributing to the obesity epidemic. The advent of modern technological societies has brought about dramatic changes in lifestyle over the past century. To gain insights into physical activity levels in pre-industrial era societies, researchers have turned to studying religious groups that have resisted the lure of technological change. Children in Old Order Amish and Old Order Mennonite communities of North America have a lifestyle that still involves walking to school and friends' homes, performing chores, caring for farm animals, and active play. Research has shown that Amish and Mennonite children have higher levels of physical activity than modern-living children, despite less participation in organized competitive sports. As a result, Amish and Mennonite children tend to be leaner than their counterparts in contemporary society. Studying non-mainstream cultures can provide a valuable perspective on human behaviors.
引用
收藏
页码:831 / 835
页数:5
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