Global trends in insufficient physical activity among adolescents: A pooled analysis of 298 population-based surveys with 1.6 million participants

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.

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Physical Activity and Risk of All-Cause and Cardiovascular Disease Mortality in Diabetic Adults From Great Britain: Pooled Analysis of 10 Population-Based Cohorts

Diabetes Care ◽

10.2337/dc13-1816 ◽

2014 ◽

Vol 37 (4) ◽

pp. 1016-1023 ◽

Cited By ~ 31

Author(s):

Kabir P. Sadarangani ◽

Mark Hamer ◽

Jenny S. Mindell ◽

Ngaire A. Coombs ◽

Emmanuel Stamatakis

Keyword(s):

Physical Activity ◽

Cardiovascular Disease ◽

Great Britain ◽

Population Based ◽

Pooled Analysis ◽

Cardiovascular Disease Mortality ◽

Disease Mortality

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Prevalence of Insufficient Physical Activity and Associated Factors in Brazilian Adolescents

Journal of Physical Activity and Health ◽

10.1123/jpah.5.6.777 ◽

2008 ◽

Vol 5 (6) ◽

pp. 777-794 ◽

Cited By ~ 53

Author(s):

Juliano Peixoto Bastos ◽

Cora Luiza Pavin Araújo ◽

Pedro Curi Hallal

Keyword(s):

Physical Activity ◽

Population Based ◽

Cross Sectional Study ◽

Activity Levels ◽

Validity And Reliability ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Low Socioeconomic ◽

High Prevalence ◽

Insufficient Physical Activity ◽

Health Related

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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