Association between levels of self-perceived physical activity and sociodemographic variables at schoolchildren

Abstract

Physical activity is defined as any movement performed by the muscles generating energy expenditure, found in different populations according to their age phase. Aims: our study proposes two: firstly, to analyze the current levels of moderate physical activity (MPA) and vigorous physical activity (VPA) of children and teenagers according to age and gender in public schools in the city of Neiva (Colombia) and to identify the percentage of compliance and non-compliance with the recommendations according to the gender and age variables, considering the categories of active, inactive and very inactive. Materials and method: A total of 1,728 participants took part in this study: schoolchildren between the ages of 11 and 18 years (58% girls and 42% boys); a survey-type instrument was used to collect the data, measuring the time dedicated to physical activity. Results: Significant differences were found in the time dedicated to vigorous physical activity according to gender and age (p<0.001). The findings indicate significant associations in the category of active (χ2(1) =76.825 p<0.001) and very inactive (χ2(1) =69.900 p<0.001). Conclusions: male and younger adolescents spend more time doing AFM and AFV in a typical week; in addition, they are the ones that in greater proportion comply with the physical activity recommendations.