Prevalence and factors influencing physical activity among secondary school adolescents: A cross-sectional study

Abstract

Introduction: Physical inactivity is a major health concern among adolescents and is an independent, modifiable risk factor for several non-communicable diseases. Despite the World Health Organization recommended physical activity levels, many adolescents do not meet these guidelines. This study was conducted among secondary school students in Palpa district of Nepal to assess their physical activity levels and associated factors. Methods: A modified version of the Physical Activity Questionnaire Adolescents was used to collect data from 506 grade eight and nine students from six schools in Palpa district. Results: The results revealed that only 25.31% of students engaged in physical activity quite often or always, and only 23.10% met the daily WHO recommendation of at least 60 minutes of physical activity per day. Additionally, females were less likely to achieve the recommended physical activity level compared with males. Conclusions: The low levels of physical activity among secondary school students in Palpa district of Nepal highlight the need for interventions to promote physical activity. This study identified several factors associated with low physical activity levels, including limited break time at school, lack of parks or playgrounds near homes, and gender differences.

Exploring Physical Activity Awareness Among BMC Education Students, Kathmandu

“…A cross-sectional study conducted in 2023 among 424 secondary school students in Nepal with the aim of assessing students' physical activity levels and factors associated with it revealed that only 25.31% of students were engaged in physical activity quite often or always whereas only 23.10% met the daily WHO recommendation of at least 60 minutes of physical activity per day. Moreover, females were less likely to achieve the recommended physical activity level compared with males (Nepal S et al, 2023).…”

“…Several studies have pointed out a decline in physical activity among adolescent and youths upon enrolling to university life, which is on the rising trend (Kumar SP et al, 2021;Kljajevic, V et al, 2022;Kumar K et al, 2022). Academic workload, lack of break time, poor access to sports facilities and increasing indulgence/engagement of adolescents and youths in sedentary activities such as use of cell phone and social media as well as the lack of self-discipline and laziness towards maintaining healthy behavior towards personal care might be the likely reasons for such decline, which negatively affects their health and wellbeing (Chaabna K et al, 2022;Thariyan P et al, 2023;Oladejo T et al, 2023;Nepal S et al, 2023;Pate RR et al, 2006). Moreover, studies done among school and university students have indicated likely correlation between physical activity and academic performances whereas physical inactivity likely exerting deleterious effect on academic performances (Hariyanto A et el., 2023;James J et al, 2023;Zhai X et al, 2022).…”

“…Thus, enhancing university youths' knowledge on physical activities and positively fostering their attitudes towards physical activities become crucial to promote healthy lifestyles in them (Aniodo DA et al, 2014;Thariyan P et al, 2023;Oladejo T et al, 2023). Studies done among university adolescents and youths in Nepal are suggestive of large proportion of them being physical less active and some even possibly ignoring it while others are deprived of practicing them due to various reasons (Adhikari A et al, 2021;Sharma S et al, 2023;Nepal S et al, 2023). Youth Vision 2025 Nepal has also acknowledged this and stressed the need for promoting exercises and sports among students right from the school level (Government of Nepal 2015).…”