title: Secular trends in moderate-to-vigorous physical activity in 32 countries from 2002 to 2010: a cross-national perspective.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Sufficient levels of moderate to vigorous physical activity (MVPA) give substantial health benefits to adolescents. This article examines trends in physical activity (PA) from 2002 to 2010 across 32 countries from Europe and North America.
  
  
  METHODS
  Representative samples included 479 674 pupils (49% boys) aged 11 years (n = 156 383), 13 years (n = 163 729) and 15 years (n = 159 562). The trends in meeting the recommendations for PA (at least 60 min daily) were evaluated using logistic regression.
  
  
  RESULTS
  There was a slight overall increase between 2002 and 2010 (17.0% and 18.6%, respectively). MVPA increased significantly (P ≤ 0.05) among boys in 16 countries. Conversely, nine countries showed a significant decrease. Among girls, 10 countries showed a significant increase (P ≤ 0.05). Eight countries showed a significant decrease. For all countries combined, girls were slightly less likely to show an increase in PA over time.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The majority of adolescents do not meet current recommendations of PA. Further investment at national and international levels is therefore necessary to increase PA participation among children and adolescents and reduce the future health burden associated with inactivity.
authors: 1 Institute of Active Lifestyle, Faculty of Physical Culture, Palacky University in Olomouc, Olomouc, Czech Republic michal.kalman@upol.cz.
authors: Michal
authors: M
authors: Kalman
authors: 2 Child and Adolescent Health Research Unit (CAHRU), School of Medicine, University of St Andrews, St Andrews, Scotland.
authors: Jo
authors: J
authors: Inchley
authors: 1 Institute of Active Lifestyle, Faculty of Physical Culture, Palacky University in Olomouc, Olomouc, Czech Republic.
authors: Dagmar
authors: D
authors: Sigmundova
authors: 3 College of Nursing and Health Sciences, Exercise and Health Sciences, University of Massachusetts Boston, Boston, USA.
authors: Ronald J
authors: RJ
authors: Iannotti
authors: 4 Department of Health Sciences, University of Jyväskylä, Jyväskylä, Finland.
authors: Jorma A
authors: JA
authors: Tynjälä
authors: 1 Institute of Active Lifestyle, Faculty of Physical Culture, Palacky University in Olomouc, Olomouc, Czech Republic.
authors: Zdenek
authors: Z
authors: Hamrik
authors: 5 Faculty of Sport, NLA University College, Norway.
authors: Ellen
authors: E
authors: Haug
authors: 6 WHO Collaborating Centre for Child and Adolescent Health Promotion, School of Public Health, Bielefeld University, Bielefeld, Germany.
authors: Jens
authors: J
authors: Bucksch
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000294:Adolescent Behavior; D000067697:Adolescent Health; D002648:Child; D005060:Europe; D015444:Exercise; D005260:Female; D006306:Health Surveys; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009656:North America