Physical activity and sedentary behaviours in Greek-Cypriot children and adolescents: a cross-sectional study

Constantinos A Loucaides,Russell Jago,Maria Theophanous

doi:10.1186/1479-5868-8-90

Abstract

BackgroundThere are no data on physical activity and sedentary behaviours of Greek-Cypriot children and adolescents, and no study to date examined the association between these two behaviours in this population. The purpose of this study was to document the prevalence of physical activity and sedentary behaviours among Greek-Cypriot adolescents and examine the association between physical activity and a range of sedentary behaviours. Logistic regression analyses were performed to examine the association between physical activity and sedentary behaviours.MethodsA cross-sectional study among 1,966 Greek-Cypriot children and adolescents was conducted in 2008/2009. Data were collected by means of a questionnaire across primary, middle, high and technical/vocational schools.ResultsOverall 52.3% and 52.4% of the participants met physical activity and television viewing guidelines respectively. Boys and younger children were more likely to meet guidelines. Boys who attended sports clubs for two or more times per week were more likely to be physically active (OR = 3.4), and those who listened to music for one or less than one hour per day were less likely to be physically active (OR = 0.6). Girls who attended sports clubs for two or more times per week and who watched television for two or less than two hours per day were more likely to be physically active, (OR = 3.0 and OR = 1.5 respectively). Girls who reported travelling by car/bus/motorbike for one or less than one hour per day were more likely to actively travel to school (OR = 1.8).ConclusionsFindings from this study provide limited support for the displacement hypothesis whereby sedentary behaviours displace physically active time. About 50.0% of Greek children and adolescents in Cyprus meet existing physical activity and television viewing guidelines. Encouraging children to attend sports clubs for at least two times per week may markedly improve their physical activity levels.

Highlights

There are no data on physical activity and sedentary behaviours of Greek-Cypriot children and adolescents, and no study to date examined the association between these two behaviours in this population
This study examined the association between physical activity and multiple sedentary behaviours in a sample of Greek-Cypriot youth
The purpose of this study was to examine the prevalence of physical activity and sedentary behaviours in a sample of Greek children and adolescents in Cyprus and present evidence on the association between these two behaviours

Summary

Introduction

There are no data on physical activity and sedentary behaviours of Greek-Cypriot children and adolescents, and no study to date examined the association between these two behaviours in this population. Excessive television watching results in greater levels of overweight and obesity across children in many countries [4,5,6]. Studies that examined the combined effects of television and physical activity on overweight and obesity indicate that low levels of physical activity and high levels of television watching among younger [8] and older children [9,10] are associated with increased levels of overweight and obesity. Findings from a number of studies from different countries suggest that young people do not meet these guidelines. Data from self-reports of children’s physical activity suggest that about 42% of

Objectives

Methods

Results

Discussion

Conclusion