Physical activity patterns in a representative sample of adolescents from the largest city in Latin America: a cross-sectional study in Sao Paulo. Issue 9 (2nd September 2020)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Ferrari, Gerson; Rezende, Leandro F.M.; Wagner, Gabriela Arantes; Florindo, Alex A; Peres, Maria Fernanda Tourinho
• Is Part Of: BMJ open. Volume 10:Issue 9(2020)
• Publication Date: 2020-09-02
• Subjects: epidemiology -- public health -- health policy -- community child health; Medicine -- Research -- Periodicals; 610.72
• DOI: 10.1136/bmjopen-2020-037290
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 2044-6055

Abstract

Abstract : Objectives: We examined the patterns of total and domain-specific physical activity (PA) by sex, socioeconomic status and maternal education level in adolescents from Sao Paulo city, Brazil. Design: Cross-sectional study. Participants: We included a representative sample of 2682 (52.2% boys) adolescents aged 14–15 years from public and private schools in Sao Paulo, 2017. Socioeconomic status was assessed using a wealth index derived from principal component analysis. Descriptive analyses evaluated differences in total and domain-specific PA by sex, socioeconomic status and maternal education level. Outcome measures: We collected data on the frequency and duration that adolescents spent in each PA domain (active transportation, leisure PA and physical education classes) through a self-report questionnaire. Results: On average, adolescents spent 197.7 min/week (95% CI 190.6–204.8) in total PA. The proportion of adolescents achieving at least 60 min/day (≥420 min/week) was 12.7% (95% CI 11.4–14.1), with a higher prevalence in boys (18.3%) and in those with higher socioeconomic status (17.4%). Similar patterns were observed for leisure PA and physical education classes. Active transportation was higher in girls (46.0 min/week; 95% CI 42.6–49.6) than in boys (43.4 min/week, 95% CI 39.9–46.6). Boys and adolescents with higher socioeconomic status and higher maternal education level had higher levels of total PA. Conclusions: We found a variation in patterns of total and domain-specific PA by sex, socioeconomic status and maternal education level in adolescents from Sao Paulo. Initiatives for promoting PA in adolescents should take these findings into account.