Physical activity and sedentary behavior among students and teachers in disadvantaged secondary schools: a...

Objective: To describe physical activity and sedentary behavior among students and teachers in disadvantaged secondary schools in Northern Hungary and to examine differences by gender, grade level, teacher age, and respondent group. Methods: A cross-sectional online survey was conducted in spring 2022 in 11 state-maintained secondary schools in Northern Hungary. The sample included 732 students in grades 10 to 12 and 102 full-time teachers. Measures were adapted from the Health Behavior in School-aged Children questionnaire and the International Physical Activity Questionnaire Short Form. Group differences were tested using t-tests, analysis of variance, linear regression, and multivariate analysis of variance. Results: Students reported an average of 3.44 days per week with at least 60 min of continuous physical activity, while 23.6% reported no moderate physical activity. Boys were significantly more active than girls. Among teachers, 28.0% reported no vigorous activity. Teachers' estimates of students' activity were lower than students' self-reports. Conclusions: Insufficient vigorous activity and prolonged sedentary time were common in both groups. Whole-school interventions should address students' and teachers' behaviors in disadvantaged school contexts.