Correlates of dual trajectories of physical activity and sedentary time in youth: The UP & DOWN longitudinal study

Trajectories of physical activity and sedentary time (SED) may differ between subgroups of youth. The aim of this study was to identify group‐based dual trajectories of physical activity and SED and explore individual, social, and environmental correlates of these trajectories. Longitudinal data (three time points, baseline 2011‐2012) of Spanish youth (n = 1597, mean age = 11.94 ± 2.52, 50.9% boys) were used. Moderate‐to‐vigorous physical activity (MVPA) and SED were assessed objectively at each time point, and 21 potential correlates were self‐reported at baseline. Parallel process growth mixture models identified shared categorical latent groups, adjusting for school and age. Multinomial logistic regression models identified baseline correlates of a given trajectory. Four shared categorical latent groups were identified: (1) stable MVPA and decreasing SED (4%); (2) stable MVPA and increasing SED (3%); (3) consistently higher MVPA (18%); and (4) stable low MVPA and slight increase in SED (75%). Multinomial logistic regression models with group 3 as reference found: negative affect (RRR = 0.90, 95% CI 0.84‐0.97), parental screen‐time rules (RRR = 1.15, 95% CI 1.00‐1.33), and household media equipment (RRR = 1.17, 95% CI 1.05‐1.30) predicted likelihood of group 1 membership; cons of reducing SED (RRR = 2.70, 95% CI 1.77‐4.10) predicted likelihood of group 2 membership; and co‐participation in physical activity with friends (RRR = 0.80, 95% CI 0.69‐0.94), fathers’ modeling of TV viewing (RRR = 1.22, 95% CI 1.02‐1.47), and household media equipment (RRR = 1.16, 95% CI 1.02‐1.31) predicted likelihood of group 4 membership. Results suggest that strategies to improve MVPA and SED behaviors among youth may need to be multifaceted, targeting all levels of influence.