Sedentary lifestyle among adolescents living in the city of Ribeirão Preto (SP)

Abstract

Introduction: Physical inactivity has been pointed out as one of the major public health problems of the 21st century and the benefits of the regular practice of physical activity during adolescence are important for the biological process of growth and development.
 Objective: To analyze the prevalence of physical inactivity among adolescents enrolled in schools in the city of Ribeirão Preto (SP).
 Methods: From September 1 to November 30, 2013, a cross-sectional, observational and descriptive study was conducted with adolescents enrolled in 14 state schools in the city of Ribeirão Preto (SP) using the International Physical Activity Questionnaire, short version.
 Results: A total of 535 adolescents participated, 35% of them boys and 65% girls; 65% were 10 to 14 years old and 35% were 15 to 19 years old; 52.3% studied in the evening period and 10.3% worked part time on a daily basis. Regarding the level of physical activity, 15.5% of the boys and 24.1% of the girls were classified as sedentary (p>0.05). 60.4% of the boys performed physical activity of vigorous intensity, while 56.3% of the girls showed preference for physical activity of low or moderate intensity (p=0.03). The girls aged 15 to 19 years spent more time sitting during the week, while the girls aged 10 to 14 years were less active during the weekend. 24.2% of the girls aged 10 to 14 years who studied during the morning period and 13.7% of the boys and 18% of the girls who studied during the evening period were classified as sedentary.
 Conclusion: High rates of sedentary lifestyle were observed among adolescents enrolled in state (or public?) schools in Ribeirão Preto (Brazil). Girls presented higher rates of sedentary lifestyle than boys. Boys performed physical activity of vigorous intensity more frequently than girls. The older girls had higher rates of physical inactivity (hours spent in the sitting position) during the week days compared to the younger ones, while the latter spent more time in physical inactivity during the weekend.