title: Lifespan snapshot of physical activity assessed by accelerometry in Porto.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The purpose of the study is to evaluate age and gender differences in objectively measured levels of physical activity (PA) in a large and diverse sample of residents from an urban area in Porto, Portugal.
  
  
  METHODS
  Participants included 822 residents, 334 males (41%), and 488 females (59%), aged 6 to 90 years. GT1M accelerometer was used to assess daily PA over 7 consecutive days, and the measurement was from October (2007) to June (2008).
  
  
  RESULTS
  Males were more active than females. This difference was attenuated in the 2 oldest age groups (40-59 and 60+ yrs). An accentuated declined in all PA variables occurred between the youngster group (6-11 yrs) and adolescents group (12-19 yrs). Surprisingly, young adults (20-39 yrs) engaged in more moderate-to-vigorous PA (MVPA) than adolescents. Further, females also had higher MVPA in the fourth group (40-59 yrs) compared with the second group (12-19 yrs). Males had higher compliance rates of PA guidelines than females regardless the age group considered. Adolescents had very low compliance rates (females = 18.18%; males = 33.50%).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Porto metropolitan area residents had low rates of compliance with current PA guidelines. A low level of PA in Porto adolescents is a matter of concern and suggests that interventions are needed.
authors.affiliation: Research Centre in Physical Activity, Health, and Leisure, Faculty of Sport University of Porto, Portugal.
authors.forename: Pedro
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Silva
authors.forename: Luisa
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Aires
authors.forename: Rute Marina
authors.initials: RM
authors.lastname: Santos
authors.forename: Susana
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Vale
authors.forename: Greg
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Welk
authors.forename: Jorge
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Mota
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D015992:Body Mass Index; D001837:Body Weights and Measures; D002648:Child; D015444:Exercise; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011174:Portugal; D012737:Sex Factors; D013997:Time Factors; D055815:Young Adult