Sedentary behavior and associated factors in adolescents of northeastern Brazil

Publication date: Available online 18 March 2017 Source:Science & Sports Author(s): F.M.A. Silva, A. Smith-Menezes Aims To assess the association between exposure to sedentary behavior and demographic and socioeconomic factors in adolescents. Methods This is a cross-sectional school-based study with a representative sample of high school students enrolled in public state schools of Sergipe/Brazil, with sample composed of 3992 adolescents aged 14–19 years. Data were collected through self-administered questionnaire (Global Student Health Survey). The time spent in activities such as watching television, playing computer games, chatting with friends, playing cards or dominoes was used as a measure of sedentary behavior (>2h/day=exposed). Variables such as gender, age, skin color, school grade, school shift, failure, place of residence, maternal schooling, occupational status and family income were analyzed. Binary logistic regression was used to analyze association among variables. Results The percentage of adolescents exposed to sedentary behavior was high (male=42.5%; female=49.4%). The factors directly associated with sedentary behavior were: female gender (OR=1.33; CI 95% 1.14–1.55), younger age group (OR=1.51; CI 95% 1.18–1.94), first grades of high school (OR=1.29; CI 95% 1.05–1.59), day school shift (OR=1.25; CI 95% 1.08–1.46), place of residence in urban areas (OR=1.25; CI 95% 1.08–1.46), higher maternal schooling, not working (OR=1.58; ...
Source: Science and Sports - Category: Sports Medicine Source Type: research