Learning Objective #1: Understand the Healthy People Objectives for children's physical activity

Learning Objective #2: Recognize the discrepancy of physical activity level of children aged 9-12 between Taiwan and International consensus

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Little study was found to investigate the levels of children's physical activity behaviors in Taiwan. The purposes of this study were to explore the physical activity of children and examine the compliance with various international guidelines. The sample was comprised of 463 children (249 boys and 214 girls), aged 9~12 from four cities in Taiwan. Three days physical activity logs (3-d PAL) was used as the instrument to measure physical activity in the previous seven days. The mean and percentile of average estimated energy expenditure (EE, Kcal/Kg/day), moderate-vigorous physical activity (MVPA, min/day) and vigorous physical activity (VPA, min/day) among boys and girls according to age group were reported. Four international physical activity guidelines were used as the criteria to examine the compliance rate. Results indicated no significantly main effects of age, gender, and no interaction was found on the EE and MVPA. VPA was significantly increasing from aged 9 to 11 and 12. Girls aged 12 significantly engaged less VPA than boys. Over 90 % children met the Physical Activity Guidelines for Adolescents (PAGA) and Healthy Peoples Objectives 22.6; 80 % met the United Kingdom Expert Consensus Group guideline; and 70% met the Healthy People Objectives 22.7. No significant main effect of age, gender and no interaction among the percent of compliance with four guidelines. Although the results could provide the decisive information for health policy in children's physical activity, national surveillance study with more precise, consistent and international measurement of physical activity for children is necessary.