title: Patterns and determinants of physical activity among Saudi adolescents.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Few studies have reported comprehensive and valid physical activity (PA) data for Saudi youth. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to examine patterns and determinants of PA among Saudi adolescents.
  
  
  METHODS
  A cross-sectional study was conducted in Saudi secondary schools (15-19 years) during 2009/2010 and used multistage stratified cluster sample (N = 2866, 51.7% females). Weight, height, sedentary behaviors, PA, and dietary habits were assessed.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Roughly 44% of males and 20% of females were active (≥ 1 hour/day). Males in public schools were more active than in private schools, whereas the opposite was true for females. Females exercise mostly at home, whereas males exercise at public places. The majority of females exercise alone or with relatives, whereas males largely exercise with friends. Males were active for health and recreation whereas females were active for weight loss and recreation. Lack of time was the primary reason for inactivity in both sexes. The predictors of total PA time were gender, intakes of fruit, milk, energy drinks and vegetables and waist/height ratio (R2 = 0.145).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The high inactivity levels, especially among females, are of great concern. Promotion of active living among youth should be a national public health priority.
authors: Pediatric Exercise Physiology Research Laboratory, King Saud University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
authors: Hazzaa M
authors: HM
authors: Al-Hazzaa
authors: Mohammad A
authors: MA
authors: Alahmadi
authors: Hana I
authors: HI
authors: Al-Sobayel
authors: Nada A
authors: NA
authors: Abahussain
authors: Dina M
authors: DM
authors: Qahwaji
authors: Abdulrahman O
authors: AO
authors: Musaiger
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D001835:Body Weight; D003431:Cross-Cultural Comparison; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D015444:Exercise; D005247:Feeding Behavior; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009043:Motor Activity; D012529:Saudi Arabia; D057185:Sedentary Behavior; D012737:Sex Factors; D012931:Social Environment; D065927:Waist-Height Ratio