Correlates of physical activity in fifth-grade students in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam

Studies investigating correlates of physical activity (PA) using objective PA measurements among primary school-aged children are limited in Asia, particularly Vietnam. This study examined psychosocial and environmental factors associated with PA among fifth-grade students in eight primary schools in Ho Chi Minh city, Vietnam. Bivariate analyses showed that for every month increase in students’ age, an increase of 66 steps/day (p<0.05) was found; boys had 1442 more steps/day than girls (p<0.001); and students from lower income households had 1169 steps/day less than those from higher income households (p<0.01). For every unit increase in self-efficacy, perceived social influences, intention to be physically active, and parental support for PA, an increase of 220, 200, 522, and 117 steps/day (p<0.01) was found respectively. In multivariable analysis, only intention and parental support for PA remained significant (p<0.01). About 21% of variation in daily steps was explained by demographic characteristics and an additional 13% by psychosocial influences. In conclusion, intention to be physically active and parental support are important factors and should be considered when designing PA interventions in school/community-based settings.