Self-reported physical activity in European adolescents: results from the HELENA (Healthy Lifestyle in Europe by Nutrition in Adolescence) study.
OBJECTIVE
To describe self-reported physical activity (PA) patterns in the various domains (school, home, transport, leisure time) and intensity categories (walking, moderate PA, vigorous PA) in European adolescents. Furthermore, self-reported PA patterns were evaluated in relation to gender, age category, weight status category and socio-economic status (SES).


METHODS
Cross-sectional study.


METHODS
Ten European cities.


METHODS
In total, 3051 adolescents (47·6 % boys, mean age 14·8 (sd 1·2) years) completed an adolescent-adapted version of the validated International Physical Activity Questionnaire.


RESULTS
The total sample reported most PA during leisure time (485 min/week) and least PA at home (140 min/week). Boys reported significantly more school-based PA (P < 0·001), leisure-time PA (P = 0·003), vigorous PA (P < 0·001) and total PA (P = 0·002) than girls, while girls reported more home-based PA (P < 0·001) and walking (P = 0·002) than boys. Self-reported PA at school (P < 0·001), moderate PA (P < 0·001), vigorous PA (P < 0·001) and total PA (P < 0·001) were significantly higher in younger age groups than in older groups. Groups based on weight status differed significantly only in leisure-time PA (P = 0·004) and total PA (P = 0·003), while groups based on SES differed in all PA domains and intensities except transport-related PA and total PA.


CONCLUSIONS
The total sample of adolescents reported different scores for the different PA domains and intensity categories. Furthermore, patterns were different according the adolescents' gender, age, weight status and SES.
Department of Movement and Sports Sciences, Ghent University, Watersportlaan 2, B-9000 Ghent, Belgium. Katrien.DeCocker@UGent.be
Katrien
K
De Cocker
Charlene
C
Ottevaere
Michael
M
Sjöström
Luis A
LA
Moreno
Julia
J
Wärnberg
Jara
J
Valtueña
Yannis
Y
Manios
Sabine
S
Dietrich
Beatrice
B
Mauro
Enrique G
EG
Artero
Dénes
D
Molnár
Maria
M
Hagströmer
Jonathan R
JR
Ruiz
Katerina
K
Sarri
Anthony
A
Kafatos
Frédéric
F
Gottrand
Stefaan
S
De Henauw
Lea
L
Maes
Ilse
I
De Bourdeaudhuij
D000293:Adolescent; D017677:Age Distribution; D015992:Body Mass Index; D003431:Cross-Cultural Comparison; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005060:Europe; D015444:Exercise / Q000502:physiology*; D005260:Female; D015438:Health Behavior; D006801:Humans; D007899:Leisure Activities; D008019:Life Style; D008297:Male; D012650:Self Disclosure; D017678:Sex Distribution; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires