title: Secular trends in habitual physical activities of Mozambican children and adolescents from Maputo City.
abstract: Social and economic changes occurring in the last two decades in Mozambique may have induced lifestyle changes among youth. This study aimed to document secular changes in habitual physical activities of Mozambican youth between 1992, 1999 and 2012. A total of 3393 youth (eight-15 years), were measured in three different time periods (1992, 1999, 2012). Habitual physical activity (PA) was estimated with a questionnaire, including items related to household chores, sport participation, traditional games and walking activities. Biological maturation was assessed. Analysis of Covariance (ANCOVA) was used to compare mean differences in PA across the years. Significant decreases between 1992-1999 and 1992-2012 were observed for boys in household chores, games and walking, and a significant decline between 1999 and 2012 was found in sport participation. Among girls, a significant and consistent decline (1992 > 1999 > 2012) was observed for household chores, a decline between 1992-1999 and 1992-2012 for games and walking, and a significant increase between 1992 and 1999 in sport participation. In general, a negative secular trend was found in habitual PA among Mozambican youth. Interventions aimed at increasing PA represent important educational and public health opportunities.
authors.affiliation: CIFI\(^{2}\)D, Kinanthropometry Lab, Faculty of Sport, University of Porto, Rua Dr. Plácido Costa 91, Porto 4200-450, Portugal. fernandak.santos@hotmail.com.
authors.forename: Fernanda Karina
authors.initials: FK
authors.lastname: dos Santos
authors.affiliation: CIFI\(^{2}\)D, Kinanthropometry Lab, Faculty of Sport, University of Porto, Rua Dr. Plácido Costa 91, Porto 4200-450, Portugal. jmaia@fade.up.pt.
authors.forename: José A R
authors.initials: JA
authors.lastname: Maia
authors.affiliation: CIFI\(^{2}\)D, Kinanthropometry Lab, Faculty of Sport, University of Porto, Rua Dr. Plácido Costa 91, Porto 4200-450, Portugal. thayse_natacha@hotmail.com.
authors.forename: Thayse Natacha Q F
authors.initials: TN
authors.lastname: Gomes
authors.affiliation: Faculty of Physical Education and Sports, Pedagogical University of Maputo, Avenida Eduardo Mondlane 955, C.P. 2017, Maputo, Mozambique. dacajunior@gmail.com.
authors.forename: Timóteo
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Daca
authors.affiliation: Faculty of Physical Education and Sports, Pedagogical University of Maputo, Avenida Eduardo Mondlane 955, C.P. 2017, Maputo, Mozambique. aspacia.madeira@gmail.com.
authors.forename: Aspacia
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Madeira
authors.affiliation: Faculty of Medicine, University Eduardo Mondlane, Maputo, Avenida Salvador Allende 702, C.P. 257 Maputo, Mozambique. tino_7117@hotmail.com.
authors.forename: Albertino
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Damasceno
authors.affiliation: Pennington Biomedical Research Center, Louisiana State University, 6400 Perkins Rd., Baton Rouge, LA 70808, USA. Peter.Katzmarzyk@pbrc.edu.
authors.forename: Peter T
authors.initials: PT
authors.lastname: Katzmarzyk
authors.affiliation: Faculty of Physical Education and Sports, Pedagogical University of Maputo, Avenida Eduardo Mondlane 955, C.P. 2017, Maputo, Mozambique. aprista@gmail.com.
authors.forename: António
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Prista
mesh_terms: D000203:Activities of Daily Living; D000293:Adolescent; D002648:Child; D015444:Exercise / Q000502:physiology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008019:Life Style; D008297:Male; D009043:Motor Activity / Q000502:physiology*; D009073:Mozambique; D010988:Play and Playthings; D012737:Sex Factors; D013177:Sports / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D016138:Walking / Q000706:statistics & numerical data