Sarah Harding's PhD investigated the patterns of the decline in sedentary time and physical activity during adolescence. This was carried out using PEACH (Personal and Environmental Associations with Children’s health). This found that there were few changes in MVPA but substantial changes in sedentary time. Based on the results of this, the remainder of the PhD focussed on why sedentary time increases during adolescence. For example what sedentary behaviours contribute to this increase in sedentary time? What are the determinants of these behaviours?

Publications:

Harding, S.K., Page, A.S., Falconer, C. et al. Longitudinal changes in sedentary time and physical activity during adolescence. Int J Behav Nutr Phys Act 12, 44 (2015) doi: 10.1186/s12966-015-0204-6