Prevalence of physical activity among adolescents in southern Brazil

The aim of this study was to estimate the prevalence of low physical activity levels and to identify related factors (sociodemographic, lifestyle and body weight status) in adolescents.

The study included 1103 students aged 14-19 years from city of São José/SC, Brazil. Physical activity was assessed using a questionnaire that classified adolescents into those who meet recommendations and those who do not meet recommendations. Independent variables were gender, age, monthly household income, maternal education, balanced diet, number of physical education classes, sleep/day, tobacco use, excessive alcohol use, screen time and weight status. Binary logistic regression was used to estimate odds ratios and 95% confidence intervals.

Prevalence of inadequate levels of physical activity was 77.2%. Older students and those with lower monthly family income were more likely to have inadequate levels of physical activity. Female adolescents and older students were more likely to be sufficiently active compared to male and younger adolescents. Adolescents who sleep more hours/day were more likely to be insufficiently active.

Efforts to increase levels of physical activity should be focused on older adolescents and those with lower monthly family income.