Utility of the Youth Compendium of Physical Activities

ABSTRACT

Purpose: The purposes of this article are to: (a) describe the rationale and development of the Youth Compendium of Physical Activities (Youth Compendium); and (b) discuss the utility of the Youth Compendium for audiences in research, education, community, health care, public health, and the private sector. Methods: The Youth Compendium provides a list of 196 physical activities (PA) categorized by activity types, specific activities, and metabolic costs (youth metabolic equivalents of task [MET_y]) as measured by indirect calorimetry. The utility of the Youth Compendium was assessed by describing ways in which it can be used by a variety of audiences. Results: Researchers can use MET_y values to estimate PA levels and determine changes in PA in intervention studies. Educators can ask students to complete PA records to determine time spent in physical activities and to identify health-enhancing activities for classroom PA breaks. Community leaders, parents, and health care professionals can identify activity types that promote healthful behaviors. Public health agencies can use the MET_y values for surveillance and as a resource to inform progress toward meeting national physical activity guidelines. Applications for the private sector include the use of MET_y in PA trackers and other applications. Conclusion: The National Collaborative on Childhood Obesity Research Web site presents the Youth Compendium and related materials to facilitate measurement of the energy cost of nearly 200 physical activities in children and youth. The Youth Compendium provides a way to standardize energy costs in children and youth and has application for a wide variety of audiences.

KEYWORDS:

• Adolescent
• children
• energy expenditure
• MET

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Correction

The first author’s note

This article reflects the content of Barbara Ainsworth’s 2018 C. H. McCloy Lecture. The researchers identified as coauthors collectively developed the Youth Compendium and contributed to the content and organization of this article.

Disclosure

None of the authors has conflicts or potential conflicts of interest, including relevant financial interests, activities, relationships, and affiliations related to this research. The results of the study are presented clearly, honestly, and without fabrication, falsification, or inappropriate data manipulation.

The findings and conclusions in this report are those of the authors and do not necessarily represent the official position of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The contents of this publication do not necessarily reflect the views or policies of the U.S. Department of Agriculture, nor does mention of trade names, commercial products, or organizations imply endorsement by the U.S. Government.

Additional information

Funding

This project was funded by the National Cancer Institute (NCI), Office of Disease Prevention, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), and the National Collaborative on Childhood Obesity Research—a public–private partnership among the NCI, CDC, Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, and the U.S. Department of Agriculture. This project also received federal funds from the U.S. Department of Agriculture/Agricultural Research Service under Cooperative Agreement No. 58-6250-0-008.