scholarly journals Why have youth physical activity trends flatlined in the last decade? Opinion piece on “Global trends in insufficient physical activity among adolescents: a pooled analysis of 298 population-based surveys with 1.6 million participants” by Guthold et al.

2020 ◽  
Vol 9 (4) ◽  
pp. 335-338
Author(s):  
Greet Cardon ◽  
Jo Salmon
2014 ◽  
Vol 11 (8) ◽  
pp. 1525-1530 ◽  
Author(s):  
Pedro C. Hallal ◽  
Kelly Cordeira ◽  
Alan G. Knuth ◽  
Grégore Iven Mielke ◽  
Cesar G. Victora

Background:One-third of adults worldwide are physically inactive causing over 5.3 million deaths annually. Despite a growing focus on physical activity and health, population-based data on physical activity trends in low- and middle-income countries are still limited. To help fill the gap, this study provides trend data over a 10-year period in Pelotas, a southern Brazilian city.Methods:The short version of the International Physical Activity Questionnaire was used to assess the prevalence of physical inactivity in 2002 (n = 3119), 2007 (n = 2969), and 2012 (n = 2868). Levels of inactivity and trends were assessed according to sex, age, schooling, and socioeconomic position (SEP).Results:The prevalence of physical inactivity rose from 41.1% (95% CI: 37.4–44.9) in 2002 and 52.0% (95% CI: 49.1–53.8) in 2007 to 54.4% (95% CI: 51.8–56.9) in 2012 (P < .001). Physical inactivity significantly increased in all subgroups except in the highest SEP and 70+ year age subgroups.Conclusions:After a sharp increase in the prevalence of physical inactivity from 2002–2007, levels plateaued from 2007–2012. However, it is important to stress that current levels are still unacceptably high, and that efforts must be intensified to reverse the trend.


2013 ◽  
Vol 10 (8) ◽  
pp. 1145-1152 ◽  
Author(s):  
Renata Moraes Bielemann ◽  
Andreia Morales Cascaes ◽  
Felipe Fossati Reichert ◽  
Marlos R. Domingues ◽  
Denise Petrucci Gigante

Background:The aim of this study was to assess physical activity (PA) patterns (intensity and prevalence) in children according to demographic, socioeconomic, and familiar characteristics.Methods:In 2010, a cross-sectional study of 239 children aged 4–11 was conducted, in Pelotas, Southern Brazil. PA was measured by accelerometry and classified in different intensities. Insufficient physical activity was defined as less than 60 min/day of moderate-to-vigorous PA. Descriptive analyses of accelerometry-related variables were presented. Multivariate Poisson regression models were used to estimate the association between physical insufficient PA and covariates.Results:For both sexes, around 65% of the registered time was spent in sedentary activities and less than 20 min/day in vigorous activity. Age and economic status were inversely associated to PA in all categories of PA. Moderate and vigorous activities means were higher in boys than in girls. The prevalence of insufficient PA was 34.5% in girls and 19.5% in boys.Conclusions:We found important differences in physical activity patterns according to sex and economic status, as well as a significant decline in time spent in moderate-to-vigorous PA with increasing age. Understanding the relationship between these sociodemographic factors is important to tackle low levels of PA.


2008 ◽  
Vol 5 (6) ◽  
pp. 777-794 ◽  
Author(s):  
Juliano Peixoto Bastos ◽  
Cora Luiza Pavin Araújo ◽  
Pedro Curi Hallal

Background:We aimed to describe levels of physical activity (PA) in adolescents living in southern Brazil and to explore associations between PA levels and demographic, socioeconomic, health-related, and parental variables. A further aim was to test the validity and reliability of the questionnaire used.Methods:We conducted a population-based, cross-sectional study including 857 adolescents selected randomly. Insufficient PA was defined as <300 min/wk of MVPA. PA data collected by questionnaire were compared with pedometer counts and with a longer version of the questionnaire in a subsample of 92 adolescents.Results:Reliability of the questionnaire was good, and its validity in comparison with a longer questionnaire was also satisfactory. In comparison with pedometer data, the questionnaire presented moderate agreement. The prevalence of insufficient PA in the whole sample was 69.8% (95% CI = 66.7–72.9). Boys were more active than girls. The prevalence of insufficient PA increased with age in girls but not in boys. Among boys, those from low socioeconomic levels were more likely to be sedentary. Among girls, paternal PA was directly associated with adolescent activity levels.Conclusions:Urgent strategies aimed at increasing levels of activity of adolescents are necessary in Brazil given the high prevalence of insufficient PA detected in this study. The variables associated with insufficient PA varied between boys and girls.


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