Relationship of Social Determinants and Physical Activity among Adolescents with Risk of Obesity in Rural Areas of Indonesia

Abstract

Physical inactivity in adolescents can increase the risk of obesity which has the potential of negative impacts onthe physical and psychological health of adolescents. It can also increase the incidence of non-communicablediseases in adulthood. This study aimed to identify the relationship between social determinants and physicalactivity among adolescents with the risk of obesity in rural Indonesia. A cross-sectional study was conductedat two senior high schools in rural areas of Indonesia on 134 respondents that were selected by using a simplerandom sampling technique. Data were collected using a demographic data questionnaire and Physical ActivityQuestionnaire-Adolescents (PAQ-A). The results of analysis by using the Chi-square test showed a significantrelationship between parental education and physical activity among adolescents with the risk of obesity (P =0.002). Meanwhile, gender (P = 1.000), parental occupation (P = 0.474), and parental income (P = 0.317) showedthat there was no significant relationship with physical activity among adolescents with the risk of obesity,respectively. It is suggested that the relevant senior high schools collaborate with public health centers to providehealth education for parents of adolescents, especially those with low formal education, about the importance ofphysical activity for adolescents’ health.