Prevalence of insufficient physical activity and associated factors in Brazilian adolescents.
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.
Bastos
Juliano Peixoto
JP
Post Graduate Program in Epidemiology, Federal University of Pelotas, Brazil.
Araujo
Cora Luiza Pavin
CL
Hallal
Pedro Curi
PC
D000293:Adolescent; D000294:Adolescent Behavior; D001938:Brazil; D002648:Child; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D015444:Exercise; D005260:Female; D015438:Health Behavior; D006801:Humans; D007899:Leisure Activities; D008297:Male; D008425:Maternal Behavior; D009043:Motor Activity; D010332:Paternal Behavior; D015995:Prevalence; D017678:Sex Distribution; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D055815:Young Adult