Are students in public high schools in South Africa physically active? Outcome of the 1st South African National Youth Risk Behaviour Survey.

Abstract

The first Youth Risk Behaviour Survey in South Africa was carried out to establish the prevalence of key health risk behaviours among high school students. Though physical inactivity is a commonly reported contributory factor to chronic diseases of lifestyle in South Africa, there is no reliable national database on the participation of children and adolescents in physical activity. This cross-sectional national prevalence study among students attending government schools in the nine provinces in South Africa utilized a two-stage cluster sample design. Statistical analysis allowed for clustered sampling, and data collected through self-administered questionnaire were weighted to reflect the underlying student population. Data of 10,699 participants were analyzed. More than one third (37.5%) of the students engaged in insufficient physical activity. By population group, a significantly lower proportion of white students (29.4%) than black (37.5%) and coloured students (45.6%) engaged in insufficient physical activity. Among those who abstained from participation, 25.9% were unwilling to participate, with significantly fewer white (26.8%) and black (25.1%) students feeling unsafe in their surroundings compared with coloured students (35.3%). Significantly fewer white students (5.6%) had no access to facilities compared to black students (17.0%). White students and students in higher grades reported lower rates of physical education classes at school. Though the promotion of physical activity and healthy lifestyle is a national priority in South Africa, the survey indicates the need to pay attention to an appreciable proportion of high school students who do not participate sufficiently in physical activity.