A study on physical activity and sedentary behavior patterns among Tibetan and Han adolescents in Xizang

Background: The global decline in adolescent physical activity (PA) levels has become a major public health concern, contributing to an increased risk of non-communicable diseases and impaired psychosocial development. Emerging evidence indicates significant ethnic disparities in PA patterns and sedentary behavior (SB) profiles among adolescents. Within the unique geographical and cultural context of the Tibetan Plateau, understanding behavioral differences between Tibetan and Han Chinese adolescents is crucial for designing effective, targeted health interventions. Therefore, this study aimed to examine ethnic-specific differences in PA levels and SB patterns among Tibetan and Han Chinese adolescents residing in Xizang. Methods: A total of 1,256 Tibetan and Han Chinese adolescents participated in this study. PA and SB were objectively measured using accelerometers. Data collection was segmented into four distinct periods: weekdays versus weekends, and in-school versus out-of-school time on weekdays. Ethnic differences in activity patterns were analyzed using one-way analysis of covariance, adjusting for age, body mass index (BMI), socioeconomic status (SES), and accelerometer wear time. Results: On weekdays, Tibetan boys engaged in significantly more moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA) (44.1 ± 16.3 min/day) than Han Chinese boys (35.3 ± 10.9 min/day; p = 0.011, η² = 0.011). Tibetan girls also exhibited significantly more sedentary time (654.1 ± 123.2 min/day) than Han Chinese girls (613.0 ± 103.8 min/day; p = 0.001, η² = 0.018). On weekends, Tibetan boys recorded more MVPA (43.0 ± 27.1 min/day) than Han Chinese boys (35.3 ± 20.2 min/day; p = 0.003, η² = 0.014) and greater sedentary time (561.0 ± 172.8 min/day) compared to Han Chinese boys (514.1 ± 175.6 min/day; p < 0.05). During school hours, Tibetan boys spent less time in SB (423.7 ± 112.2 min/day) than Han Chinese boys (450.8 ± 102.0 min/day; p = 0.011, η² = 0.011). Out of school, Tibetan boys engaged in more MVPA (20.0 ± 7.9 min/day) than Han Chinese boys (15.2 ± 6.1 min/day; p < 0.01, η² = 0.088), and Tibetan girls showed higher MVPA levels (20.5 ± 8.3 min/day) than Han Chinese girls (15.8 ± 6.2 min/day; p < 0.01, η² = 0.060). Both Tibetan boys (645.5 ± 117.2 min/day) and girls (672.5 ± 123.8 min/day) had significantly more sedentary time than Han Chinese boys (639.4 ± 117.7 min/day) and girls (594.0 ± 102.9 min/day; p < 0.01, η² = 0.180; p < 0.01, η² = 0.207). Conclusion: This comparative analysis revealed clear ethnic differences in activity patterns. Tibetan adolescents exhibited higher overall PA levels and total sedentary time compared to Han Chinese adolescents. However, Tibetan adolescents tended to interrupt sedentary periods more frequently, whereas Han Chinese adolescents were more likely to engage in prolonged, uninterrupted SB.