To Study the Prevalence of Sedentary Behaviours and Decreased Physical Activity among School Going Adolescents in Ludhiana

Abstract

Objective: To study the prevalence of sedentary behaviours and decreased physical activity among school going adolescents in Ludhiana. Material and Method: School going children of Ludhiana of age group 13-17 years were enrolled in the present study. All subjects were given a Questionnaire for this survey which was filled and completed by them and their leisure time spent in sedentary and non-sedentary behaviour per day during weekday and weekends was collected and then collected data was analysed. Result: 100 school going students of Ludhiana, between age group of 13-17 years were taken under the inclusion criteria. The result of the study showed that the students spent 266 minutes (4.43 hours) on average in sedentary activity and only 15 minutes were spent in non - sedentary behaviours on weekdays and on weekends time spent on sedentary activity was increased to 275 minutes (4.58 hours)in sedentary activity and 15 minutes in non- sedentary one. Conclusion: This survey has concluded that there is prevalence of sedentary lifestyle and decreased physical activity among school going adolescents. Our sample showed that there was very low level of leisure time physical activity among school going adolescents as recommended by W.H.O. So, there is major need to promote leisure time physical activity among adolescents to have a better health in future, prevent obesity and other health related problems.