Exploring Patterns and Associated Factors of Physical Inactivity in Adolescents: A Cross‑Sectional Study

Physical inactivity is highly prevalent among adolescents and poses long-term health risks. Understanding how individual characteristics are associated with inactivity may help inform the development of tailored interventions. This study examined the associations between adolescents' individual-level factors and physical inactivity in Hong Kong.

A cross-sectional survey was conducted among Secondary 1-4 students in Hong Kong. A self-administered questionnaire assessed physical inactivity and potential factors, including sociodemographic characteristics, health behaviors, health literacy, and mental toughness. Univariable and multivariable logistic regression analyses were conducted to identify potential factors associated with physical inactivity.

Among the 1423 adolescents, only 12.9% (n = 184) achieved the recommended level of physical activity (≥ 60 min of moderate-to-vigorous physical activity per day), while 87.1% (n = 1239) did not. Multivariable logistic regression showed that being over 14 years old and spending excessive screen time on electronic games were positively associated with physical inactivity. Conversely, male sex, sufficient vegetable intake, excessive screen time on social media, and higher mental toughness were inversely associated with physical inactivity. Smoking and alcohol use were also inversely associated with physical inactivity, and were reported by 1.6% and 8.4% of participants, respectively.

A high level of physical inactivity was observed among adolescents in this study. The observed associations with age, sex, electronic gaming, vegetable intake, and mental toughness may inform the design and evaluation of school- and community-level physical activity initiatives.