Physical Activity Questionnaire For Adolescents Research Articles

Patterns of Physical Activity of Adolescents With ADHD in the School Context: A Cross-Sectional Study for Clinical Practice

Objectives: To describe the daily Physical Activity (PA) patterns of adolescents with Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), to analyze the differences in terms of PA patterns between adolescents with ADHD and those without ADHD, and to study the factors associated with achieving the daily PA recommendations. Methods: The sample was composed of 778 adolescents who provided complete information on their PA patterns through the Physical Activity Questionnaire for Adolescents (PAQ-A). Of these, 97 had ADHD according to DSM-5 criteria. Results: The results show that being a girl or being of foreign origin and having ADHD have an impact on the achievement of the recommended amount of daily PA. Conclusions: When promoting PA in adolescents with ADHD within the school environment, it is necessary to consider different domains and specific contexts of a school day, paying special attention to girls and adolescents with ADHD of immigrant origin.

Physical Activity, Body Composition, Physical Fitness, and Body Dissatisfaction in Physical Education of Extremadura Adolescents: An Exploratory Study.

In recent years, physical activity levels among youths have declined significantly. This has led to a decline in adherence to physical activity recommendations. In this sense, physical education offers an ideal environment that contributes positively to improving adherence to physical activity recommendations, as it teaches students movement-related skills and knowledge. The objective of the present research was to investigate the relationship between physical activity levels, body composition, fitness in Physical Education, and body dissatisfaction levels, and to analyse sex differences in relation to the study variables. The sample was formed of 1166 participants from the 1st and 2nd secondary compulsory education, of which 642 were boys (age 13.16 ± 0.91), and 524 girls (age 13.08 ± 0.85). The measure of physical activity was the Physical Activity Questionnaire for Adolescents (PAQ-A). Body composition was assessed using weight and height to calculate their body mass index. Cardiorespiratory capacity was assessed using the Course-Navette test in Physical Education lessons. The results showed the relationship between physical activity and body mass index, cardiorespiratory capacity, and body satisfaction. It was also confirmed that higher levels of physical activity were associated with a lower body mass index, improvements in cardiorespiratory fitness, and lower levels of body dissatisfaction to a greater extent in boys than in girls. The study concludes that improvements in the study variables were associated with increased physical activity. In addition, it seems necessary to promote healthy lifestyles in physical education lessons, especially during adolescence, as they could serve as a gateway for the improvement of health-related fitness in future generations. Increasing the amount of physical activity among young people is vital. Therefore, it would be essential to develop intervention programs in physical education classes, especially during adolescence, aimed at promoting and increasing physical activity and its benefits.

Physical Activity Levels and Healthy Lifestyle Behaviors of High School Students

Aim This study aimed to evaluate the relationship between physical activity levels and healthy lifestyle behaviors of high school students. 
 Materials and Method The study data were collected by the use of a personal information form, the Health-Promoting Lifestyle Profile-II, and the Physical Activity Questionnaire for Adolescents. Socio-demographic characteristics such as age, gender, height, weight, parents’ education levels, parents’ occupations, monthly household income level, and family type were all recorded and evaluated with the scale scores comparatively. 
 Results A total of 371 high school students were included in the study. The students’ mean scores from the Health-Promoting Lifestyle Profile-II were 113.29±20.86 points. Male gender, holding healthcare insurance, having health issues, being in the tenth grade of high school, having occupied mothers, and living with their families were found to be associated with higher scores at the Health-Promoting Lifestyle Profile-II. Besides, a statistically significant positive correlation between physical activity and healthy lifestyle behaviors was identified.
 Conclusion Adolescence is an essential period in which acquired behaviors build the future’s adult life. Based on the results of this study, enhanced physical activity is one of the positive factors to develop a healthy lifestyle. Therefore, the authors conclude that promoting optimal physical activity among adolescents is cruel to improve both today’s and the future’s public health.

Frailty in Children and Adolescents with Lymphoblastic Leukemia or Lymphoma Receiving Maintenance Chemotherapy - a Pilot Study

Background: Increased survivorship of childhood cancer has revealed a number of long-term morbidities related to treatment. Evidence suggests that cancer and its treatment may accelerate normal loss of physiologic capacity that occurs during aging.The advanced physiologic aging and related morbidities often seen in childhood cancer survivors suggests that these patients may present with signs of early-onset frailty. Frailty is a measure of global infirmity and impaired physical function and has been correlated with adverse health outcomes and elevated incidence of mortality in the general population. Research into the incidence and applicability of the frailty phenotype in children being treated for cancer may aid in the identification of the most vulnerable patients and identify those who may require intervention. The purpose of this study is to explore the frailty phenotype in children and adolescents receiving maintenance chemotherapy for acute lymphoblastic leukemia or lymphoma. Methods: We prospectively recruited children and adolescents (aged 5-18 years-old) diagnosed with acute lymphoblastic leukemia or lymphoma in the first cycle of their maintenance chemotherapy. Frailty was assessed twice: at an initial visit in cycle 1 maintenance treatment (V1), and 6-months following the initial assessment (V2). The frailty phenotype consists of 5 domains, which were assessed using developmentally appropriate measures: 1) Slowness: 6-minute walk test; 2) Weakness: Handgrip strength dynamometry - calibrated to the size of the participant's hand; 3) Exhaustion/Fatigue: The PedsQL TM Multidimensional Fatigue Scale; 4) Body Composition: InBody 270 body composition analyzer; and 5) Physical activity/Energy expenditure: Self-administered physical activity questionnaire for older children (PAQ-C) and physical activity questionnaire for adolescents (PAQ-A).Each assessment was scored individually and “Frailty points” were assigned based on age and sex-based normative z-scores or survey scores, and a composite “Frailty Score” ranging from 0=least frail to 25=most frail. Wilcoxon signed-rank test was used to compare V1 and V2 frailty scores. Results:The analysis sample consisted of 19 participants (mean age 9.1 [SD=3.4] years old; 63% female) who completed V1 and 7 participants that completed V2. Diagnoses of participants who completed V1 include precursor B-Cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia (n=15), T-Cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia (n=3), and T-Cell lymphoblastic Lymphoma (n=1). Median V1 z-scores and survey scores per domain are as follows: Slowness: z-score -3.11 [-4.02, -2.48]; Weakness: z-score -1.48 [-2.06, -1.38]; Exhaustion/Fatigue: score 58.3 [46.5, 70.8]; Body composition: z-score (total body fat) 0.90 [0.47, 1.79]; Physical activity/Energy expenditure: score 2.26 [1.73, 2.54]. Domain specific frailty score for V1 are displayed in Figure 1. Of the 7 participants with a V2 frailty assessment, paired analysis demonstrated significant improvement in Exhaustion/Fatigue (median score V1=56.94, V2=70.83 [p=0.016]). However, improvements in weakness, body composition, and physical activity/energy expenditure did not reach statistical significance. Median slowness z-scores at V2 were similar to V1. Median composite frailty score improved from 12 to 11 in V2 but was not statistically significant (p=0.054). Comparison of V1 and V2 overall composite scores are displayed in Figure 2. Conclusion: Children and adolescents receiving maintenance chemotherapy for acute lymphoblastic leukemia or lymphoma scored poorly in all five domains of frailty. We observed some improvements in exhaustion/fatigue, and trending improvements in subdomain and composite frailty scores in the small sample of participants with V1 and V2 assessments. Given that frailty has been shown to persist into adulthood in survivors of childhood cancer, the frailty assessment may be an effective tool for identifying patients who may require additional intervention. Initial and follow-up frailty measurements for this study are currently ongoing.

Breakfast patterns in relation to physical activity among school adolescents in Karachi, Pakistan

BackgroundUnhealthy habits and poor diet patterns are significant concerns among adolescents, impacting their overall quality of life. This study aimed to assess and improve these habits in adolescents.MethodsThis is a cross-sectional study conducted in 2017–2018 in Karachi. The research participants, aged 11–17 years, were drawn from lower-middle-income secondary schools using multistage random selection. Sociodemographics, the Physical Activity Questionnaire for Adolescents (PAQ-A), and breakfast consumption were determined through questionnaire and a food frequency survey.ResultsA study of 334 school-going adolescents in Karachi, Pakistan, found that 82% consumed breakfast daily, with chapatti being the preferred choice (72.2%). Physical activity levels varied, but 56.6% engaged in regular activity. No significant differences were found in breakfast consumption by age or parental education.ConclusionsUnderstanding South Asian adolescents’ breakfast habits is crucial. Promoting healthier breakfast options and increased physical activity are recommended for long-term well-being, with further research needed for targeted interventions.

Age and gender as factors affecting adolescent`s physical activity regime

Introduction: In general, physical activity (PA) decreases with age. Changes in the volume of PA and the movement mode are non-linear from the point of view of age and gender. In the lives of young people, there is a critical period accompanied by a decrease in the goals of PA performed in the daily regime. This study aimed to identify changes in the level of PA due to the age and gender of adolescents. Materials and Methods: The physical activity regime was analyzed using the final activity summary score of the Physical Activity Questionnaire for Adolescents (PAQ-A). A total of 417 children at the age of 11-18 years were tested (girls n = 245; boys n = 172). Analysis of the effect of gender, age, and their interactions with the volume of physical activity (PA) was carried out using two-way ANOVA and multiple comparisons of the means of individual age groups with post-hoc Tukey HSD analysis. The independent t-test was used to evaluate the effect of the gender factor. Results: The data presented showed a linear decrease in PA in the PA regime of pupils from 11 to 18 years of age, regardless of gender. Conclusions: PA volume in adolescence generally decreases with increasing age. The critical period appears to be the 14th year of life for girls and the 16th year for boys.

Physical Activity Levels of Junior High School Adolescents During The COVID-19 Pandemic

The phenomenon of the COVID-19 pandemic has just ended, but one can still remember that the COVID-19 pandemic was a period that had an impact on people's lives. Teenagers are also affected by this pandemic. The social restrictions previously set by the government forced the physical activity of youth to decrease, especially learning activities at school which were stopped and replaced with online learning. This causes a decrease in physical activity in adolescents. The researcher used a descriptive observational method with a cross sectional approach and used cluster random sampling as a sample. The sample used in this research was 675 students. The research used the Physical Activity Questionnaire for Adolescents (PAQ-A) questionnaire. The results of data collection were processed using one-sample Kolmogorov-Smirnov. The results of this study found that the number of female respondents in this study was more than the number of male respondents with a total of 386 female respondents (57.2%). The highest number of respondents was at the age of 15 years with a total of 216 students (32.0%), and the highest student class category was in class IX with a total of 323 students (47.9%). The extracurricular most frequently participated in by respondents in this study was futsal with a total of 102 students (15.1%). The results showed that most of the students' physical activity level was at a low level, with a total of 419 students (62.1%). The conclusion of this research is that the majority of teenagers' physical activity levels are still low.

Hubungan Konsumsi Pangan dan Aktivitas Fisik dengan Status Gizi Remaja di SMA Inklusif Galuh Handayani Surabaya

Health problems that generally occur in adolescents are excess and underweight, where the nutritional status figures do not reach normal according to standards. As for these problems, the causative factors are identified, such as food consumption and physical activity factors. From the available data, there is still little research devoted to adolescents who have special conditions (disabilities). This study aims to determine the relationship between food consumption and physical activity with the nutritional status of adolescents, so that it can be ascertained that the most important factors for normal nutritional status are achieved. This research is a type of correlational quantitative research and was carried out at the Galuh Handayani Inclusive High School, Surabaya. The research subjects were adolescents with various disabilities, totaling 17 students. The independent variables in the study were food consumption and physical activity, while the dependent variable was nutritional status. The instruments used include 2 x 24 Food Recall and Physical Activity Questionnaire for Adolescents. To determine the relationship between variables, then analyzed using Spearman's rank correlation. The results of the analysis showed that there was a significant relationship between food consumption (P = 0.025) and nutritional status and the correlation coefficient value was 0.540 which resulted in a strong correlation, but there was no significant relationship between Physical Activity (P = 0.133) and the nutritional status of adolescents at Galuh Handayani Inclusive High School Surabaya with a correlation coefficient value of 0.380 which means that the correlation is sufficient.There is a significant relationship between food consumption and nutritional status, but there is no significant relationship between physical activity and the nutritional status of adolescents at Galuh Handayani Inclusive High School, Surabaya

Does Physical Activity Mediate the Associations between Physical Literacy and Mental Health during the COVID-19 Post-Quarantine Era among Adolescents in Cyprus?

Despite its importance, physical literacy has received scant scholarly attention, notwithstanding the obvious link between physical activity and health promotion (including but not limited to mental health). The purpose of this study was threefold: first, to explore the self-perceived physical literacy, the self-reported physical activity, and the mental health status of adolescents who study in secondary education schools in Cyprus and the potential association of those variables; second, to explore any potential statistically significant gender differences across the variables under examination; and third, to explore whether there is a mediating role of physical activity in the relationship between adolescent Cypriots’ physical literacy and their mental health in the post-quarantine period. A total of 285 students, aged 13–18, from regular middle and high schools in Cyprus participated in this study. Physical literacy was measured using the Perceived Physical Literacy Instrument (PPLI). The Depression, Anxiety, and Stress Scale-21 (DASS-21) was utilized to measure mental health status. Physical activity was measured using the Physical Activity Questionnaire for Adolescents (PAQ-A). Independent sample t-tests were computed to analyze gender differences. The Pearson correlation test was used to compute bidirectional associations between research variables. Structural equation modeling was used to assess structural associations between research variables. The findings revealed statistically significant differences among boys and girls on depression (p = 0.0032), anxiety (p = 0.008), and stress levels (p = 0.003). Statistically significant and negative correlations had been found among PL and depression, anxiety, and stress levels (all p < 0.001), while PL was significantly and positively associated with physical activity (p < 0.001). Despite having only indirect effects on mental health (b = 0.51, T = −10.11, p < 0.001), physical literacy was found to have substantial direct effects on physical activity levels (b = 0.46, T = 8.66, p < 0.001). In addition, physical activity has significant indirect effects on mental health (b = 0.19, T = 5.48, p < 0.001). In summary, physical activity has significantly mediated the associations between physical literacy and mental health. Given these findings, it is important to put strategies in place to build up physical literacy and increase physical activity among Cypriot adolescents.

The mediating effect of food choice upon associations between adolescent health-related quality of life and physical activity, social media use and abstinence from alcohol

BackgroundUnderstanding how health-related quality of life (HRQoL) is related to lifestyle factors during adolescence is crucial to effective health promotion. The aim of this analysis was to identify associations between HRQoL and lifestyle and to determine the degree to which they are mediated by food choices in adolescents.MethodsThe Wellbeing in Schools (NI) survey (N = 1609; 13–14 years) assessed HRQoL using the Kidscreen52. Food choice was assessed by Food Frequency Questionnaire (FFQ) and physical activity was assessed using the Physical Activity Questionnaire for Adolescents (PAQ-A). Social media and alcohol abstinence were self-reported.ResultsPath analysis indicated that fruit and vegetable intake was associated with higher HRQoL on dimensions of moods and emotions, parent relations and home life, financial resources, and social support and peers. Bread and diary intake was related to higher physical wellbeing. Protein was associated with higher psychological wellbeing, moods and emotions, self-perception, parent relations and home life, financial resources, and lower social support and peers. Junk food was related to lower moods and emotions. Males had higher psychological wellbeing, moods and emotions, parental relations and home life. Females had higher self-perception, autonomy, and social support and peers. Greater physical activity explained higher HRQoL on all dimensions. Less social media was associated with higher psychological wellbeing, moods and emotions, self-perception, parent relations and home life, and school environment. Alcohol abstinence was associated with higher physical wellbeing, psychological wellbeing, moods and emotions, self-perception, parent relations and home life, and school environment dimensions.ConclusionIntervention to promote HRQoL in adolescents should consider food choices whilst encouraging physical activity, discouraging social media and deterring alcohol, and targeting boys and girls separately.

The Association of Eating Behaviour with Physical Activity and Screen Time among Adolescents in the Klang Valley, Malaysia: A Cross-Sectional Study.

Over the last few decades, the time adolescents spend using electronic devices has increased significantly. The aim of this study was to evaluate the impact of screen time and physical activity on eating behaviour in adolescents. This study used the Physical Activity Questionnaire for Adolescents (PAQ-A) Malay version and the Dutch Eating Behaviour Questionnaire (DEBQ) Malay version methods with secondary students around the Klang Valley. The sampling technique used was purposive sampling. With parents' consent, an online survey was conducted among adolescent school children aged between 13 and 17 years during the COVID-19 pandemic in the Klang Valley, Malaysia. There were 372 respondents participating in this study. The results showed that 99.4% of them had more than 4 h screen time a day, and that 38.5% have more than three devices at home. Moreover, there was a significant mean difference in screen time for console games without a handheld device between male and female adolescents (p < 0.05). There was also a significant mean difference in the emotional, restricted and external eating behaviour scores between male and female adolescents (p < 0.001). There was a significant relationship between physical activity and the time duration spent on a television, telephone and laptop during weekends (p < 0.05). There was a significant relationship between eating behaviour and time spent watching television and using laptops during weekends (p < 0.05). Based on the moderation model, gender as a moderator variable indicated that there was a significant relationship between screen time and interaction screen time and gender with emotional eating (p < 0.001). Female adolescents had a stronger relationship between screen time and emotional eating compared to male adolescents (p < 0.05). Meanwhile, for physical activity level as a moderator variable, the results showed that there was a significant interaction between screen time and physical activity for emotional eating behaviour (p < 0.05). In conclusion, this study indicates that screen time was higher among female adolescents and significantly related to emotional eating behaviour. Therefore, the educational sector should emphasise the motivation of adolescents to engage in physical activity, reduce their screen time and eat healthy foods such as fruits and vegetables.

Are parental physical activity and social support associated with adolescents’ meeting physical activity recommendations?

To verify whether parental physical activity and social support are associated with adolescents meeting physical activity recommendations. This is a cross-sectional study that selected 1,390 adolescents (59.6% girls) from Curitiba, Paraná, Brazil. The IPAQ (International Physical Activity Questionnaire), QAFA (Physical Activity Questionnaire for Adolescents), and ASAFA (Social Support for Physical Activity Practice in Adolescents) questionnaires were applied. Binary logistic regression was used to test the relationship among the study variables. For boys, having parents who "always attend" (OR = 1.96; 95%CI: 1.16-3.32) and having parents or legal guardians who meet the PA recommendations (OR = 2.78; 95%CI: 1.76-4.38) were associated with meeting the PA recommendations. Odds were greater after adjusting for socioeconomic status (OR = 3.47; 95%CI: 1.73-6.96) and schooling level (OR = 4.20; 95%CI: 1.96-9.02). For girls, those with parents or legal guardians who "sometimes encourage them" (OR = 0.61; 95%CI: 0.37-0.98) had lower odds of meeting PA recommendations. These odds were higher after adjusting for socioeconomic status (OR = 2.11; 95%CI: 1.36-3.29) and schooling level (OR = 4.30; 95%CI: 2.41-7.69). Boys and girls were more likely to meet PA recommendations daily by having parents who meet PA recommendations than by receiving parental social support. These results could help establish future interventions aimed at modifying behaviors related to PA in adolescents.

Associations between Dietary Patterns and Physical Activity with Physical Fitness among Adolescents in Shandong Province, China: A Cross-Sectional Study

The trend of physical fitness (PF) and physical activity (PA) among Chinese adolescents is not optimistic, and unhealthy dietary behaviors are common. PA and dietary patterns (DPs) have been linked to PF in adolescents, but the associations between DPs and PF with PF in Chinese adolescents are rarely discussed. A total of 8796 adolescents aged 11-18 were enrolled from Shandong Province, China. The CNSPFS battery was applied to assess PF. PA levels and diet quality were determined using the Physical Activity Questionnaire for Adolescents and the modified Chinese Diet Quality Questionnaire, respectively. This study used factor analysis to identify DPs and linear regression models to investigate the association between PF and related factors. The average PF score of the participants was 75.67. Adolescents who were girls, lived in rural areas and were active in PA performed better on the PF test (p < 0.05). Boys whose fathers were university educated or above had a higher probability of achieving higher PF scores (OR 4.36, 95% CI 1.32-14.36); however, if their mothers were university educated or above, they had a lower probability of achieving higher PF scores (OR 0.22, 95% CI 0.063-0.76). Unhealthy dietary pattern was negatively correlated with cardiorespiratory fitness in boys (OR 0.56, 95% CI 0.31-0.98). The association between unhealthy dietary pattern and girls' BMI became significant after adjustment for PA (p < 0.05). Girls performed better in PF than boys. Highly educated fathers could contribute to improve the PF performance in boys. There were four DPs among adolescents in Shandong Province, and different DPs may have different effects on PF in boys and girls.

Physical Activity, Body Image, and Its Relationship with Academic Performance in Adolescents.

Academic success in adolescence is a strong predictor of well-being and health in adulthood. A healthy lifestyle and moderate/high levels of physical activity can influence academic performance. Therefore, we aimed to assess the relationship between the physical activity levels and body image and academic performance in public school adolescents. The sample consisted of 531 secondary school students in Porto (296 girls and 235 boys) aged between 15 and 20 years. The study variables and instruments were satisfaction with body image (The Body Image Rating Scale), assessment of physical activity (International Physical Activity Questionnaire for Adolescents (IPAQ-A), assessment of academic performance (academic achievement), school motivation (Academic Scale Motivation). The statistical analysis performed was descriptive analysis, an analysis of covariance, and a logistic regression. Regarding the results obtained, although there was no association between physical activity level and academic performance, it was observed in 10th grade students that the school average was higher for those practicing group or individual sports compared to students practicing artistic expression. Regarding the level of satisfaction with body image, we found different results in both genders. Our results support the importance of an active lifestyle, with the presence of regular physical activity being an important factor in improving academic performance.

Evaluating the effect of yoga as an adjunct therapy in type 1 diabetes care: Study protocol for randomised control trial

BackgroundIndividuals with type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1DM) confront serious lifestyle alterations that include an absolute daily requirement for exogenous insulin, monitoring their glucose control, and paying attention to dietary intake. Yoga is an ancient mind-body practice increasingly recognized to have health benefits in various clinical and non-clinical conditions. The current trial was intended to evaluate the efficacy of yoga therapy on glycemic variability and physical activity among patients with T1DM. MethodsThis is a single-centre, parallel-group prospective, randomized, open-blind end-point trial to evaluate the effectiveness of yoga therapy as an adjunct to T1DM care. 88 Patients aged between 12 and 17 years will be recruited from a charitable hospital for patients with T1DM and randomly allocated either to the intervention or control arm with an allocation ratio of 1:1. The control group will continue the standard care provided by the treating physicians, and the yoga group will be administered an additional Yoga module for three months. The monitoring of glycemic fluctuation will be assessed by the continuous glucose monitor, HbA1c, C-peptide, Insulin dose, lipid profile, and using psychological questionnaires such as Peds QL 3.0 Type-1 Diabetes Module, Peds QL 4.0 Generic Core Sale, Hypoglycemic fear survey, Kutcher Adolescent depression scale, Type 1 Diabetes stress scale, Physical Activity Questionnaire for Adolescents, will be done at baseline and three months. DiscussionThe study is intended to address the physical and other risk factors among patients with T1DM. The study is prospectively registered on the India Clinical Trial Registry.

MENTAL HEALTH AND LEVEL OF FISICAL ACTIVITY OF STUDENTS OF A SCHOOL OF PROFESSIONAL EDUCATION IN THE ITATIRA CITY

The present work has as general objective to verify the mental health and the level of physical activity of the students of a professional education school in the city of Itatira-CE. This is a field study, descriptive and with a quantitative approach. Data were collected through the application of 2 (two) commands in an electronic form, in this case, the Depression, Anxiety and Stress Scale (DASS-21) and the Physical Activity Questionnaire for Adolescents (QAFA). A total of 84 students (39 male and 45 female) participated in this study. As for the level of physical activity, it was observed that 39.3% of students were inactive and 60.7% were active. In terms of mental health, it was tolerated that stress levels indicated: normal 26%; level 32%; moderate 19%; 16% severe and 7% extremely severe. With regard to anxiety levels: normal 29%; level 5%; moderate 17%; severe 7%; extremely severe 42%. As for depression levels: normal 26%; 11% level; 24% moderate; severe 18%; 21% extremely severe. Thus, regarding mental health, it is necessary to continue interventions that may contribute to the reduction of these factors among the researched public.

Body image is associated with anthropometric status in adolescents, but not with lifestyle

Body image is a construct of the multifaceted representation of body identity that involves self-perception, beliefs, attitudes about the body itself, which can be influenced by several factors. This study evaluated the association of body image with anthropometric and lifestyle indicators among adolescents. The sample comprised 465 adolescents aged 10 to 17 years from public schools in the city of Salvador-Bahia. The Silhouettes Scale assessed the body image. The anthropometric data (body mass index and waist circumference), the lifestyle (Physical Activity Questionnaire for Adolescents and television time), economic and demographic data were evaluated. Polytomous logistic regression assessed associations of interest by STATA, version 16.0. Overweight (OR:9,7; CI95%:5,4-17,5) and abdominal obesity (OR:14,0; CI95%: 5,0-39,3) were positively associated with body dissatisfaction. However, there was no association with lifestyle variables (physical activity: OR: 1,7, CI: 0,9-2,9, and TV time: OR:1,2; CI:0,8-1,9). The conclusion reached is that anthropometric status is an essential indicator of adverse body image outcomes in adolescents.

Association between fitness tracker use, physical activity, and general health of adolescents in Eastern Province of Saudi Arabia.

Physical inactivity is a major problem of adolescents worldwide. Fitness trackers are widely used technologies that assess physical activity and allow self-monitoring of daily activities. Thirty-five percent of the Saudi population is made up of adolescents, which makes them an important target population. Few studies have evaluated the association of fitness trackers with physical activity levels of adolescents. This study aimed to evaluate physical activity among adolescents and its relationship to their use of fitness trackers and overall health. A cross-sectional study was carried out among adolescents in middle and high schools in the Eastern Province. Data was collected using a structured questionnaire and physical activity was assessed using International Physical Activity Questionnaire for Adolescents. Chi-square test and ANOVA were performed to test for statistical significance. Unadjusted and adjusted odds ratios (ORs) were obtained through ordered logistic regression models. Model diagnostics were run as post hoc analyses. Majority of participants (82.6%) had low physical activity levels, 12.2% had moderate and 5.2% had vigorous activity level. The model revealed that as participants' ages increased, the odds of having higher levels of physical activity decreased (OR = 0.92; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.85-0.99). Moreover, participants who did not go to a gym regularly or own a fitness tracker were less likely to have higher physical activity levels (OR = 0.43; 95% CI:0.30-0.61, and OR = 0.44; 95% CI: 0.33-0.59, respectively). Motivation for using fitness trackers was mostly "no specific reason" for females. However, "luxury and esthetics" were mostly reported by males. Physical activity tends to be higher in younger adolescents who use fitness trackers, or go to the gym regularly, with no significant difference between males and females. However, the motivation behind adolescents' use of fitness trackers varied by gender.

The Significance of Students’ Physical Activity for Their Engagement in Learning Activities During the Covid-19 Pandemic

Study purpose. This study aims to clarify the extent to which students’ physical activity is significant for their engagement in the learning process.&#x0D; Materials and methods. The study sample was composed of 202 7th-10th grade students. The data collection was performed in May 2021. The research participants completed the anonymous questionnaire on an online platform. The standardized Physical Activity Questionnaire for Adolescents and the standardized Student Engagement Scale were used to assess levels of physical activity and affective and behavioural engagement.&#x0D; Results. The research findings showed that students’ physical activity depended on the time they participated in physical activities. The highest level of physical activity was during physical education classes. A statistically significant difference was determined in the boys’ and girls’ affective and behavioural engagement. The mean for the girls was higher than the mean for the boys. A statistically significant difference in the behavioural engagement of the 9th and 10th grade students was also found: 9th grade students were more engaged than 10th grade students. The multiple linear regression analysis demonstrated that gender (β = 0.332, p &lt; 0.0001) and physical activity (β = 0.323, p &lt; 0.0001) as predictors had a significant moderate effect on behavioural engagement.&#x0D; Conclusions. The research findings reveal that although the students’ physical activity was low during the COVID-19 pandemic period, this phenomenon (physical activity) still remains a predictor, which has a significant moderate effect on behavioural engagement. It was also determined that during the pandemic, the highest physical activity level of students depended mostly on obligatory physical education lessons. Thus, bearing in mind that physical education lessons were the main physical activity-enhancing measures, we would like to emphasise the importance of these lessons and their proper organisation.

Psychometric properties of the Arabic version of Physical Activity Questionnaire for Adolescents (PAQ-A)

AimTo evaluate the psychometric properties of the Arabic version of the Physical Activity Questionnaire for Adolescents (PAQ-A). BackgroundPhysical inactivity is a major risk factor for becoming overweight or obese and developing chronic conditions that lead to an increase in mortality globally. Inadequate physical activity (PA) has been a problem among Arabic-speaking populations, including female adolescents in Saudi Arabia. Unfortunately, psychometrically sound measures to assess PA among female adolescents in Saudi Arabia are lacking, indicating that a reliable, valid and feasible self-report measure is urgently needed for use with this young Arabic-speaking population. MethodsA cross-sectional study approved by a university institutional review board was conducted with 383 Saudi female adolescents, 13–18 years of age, who were recruited from 10 all-female public schools in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. Physical activity was measured via the PAQ-A, which assesses the level of PA engagement during the school year for 7 days. Internal consistency was estimated. Both exploratory factor analysis (EFA) and confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) were used to assess the measure's construct validity and the Pearson correlation coefficient was used to assess convergent validity. ResultsCronbach's alpha was 0.81, indicating acceptable internal consistency. Item-total correlation coefficients ranged from 0.11 to 0.61. Both EFA and CFA indicated a single-factor. The scale was significantly correlated with other cognitive and affective variables that reflected the physical activity perceptions among the female adolescents, such as enjoyment of PA, PA self-efficacy and social support for PA. ConclusionsThe Arabic version of the PAQ-A is reliable and valid measure for assessing PA among Arabic-speaking female adolescents.