Self-reported physical activity in European adolescents: results from the HELENA (Healthy Lifestyle in Europe by Nutrition in Adolescence) study

Abstract

Objective: To describe self-reported physical activity (PA) patterns in the various domains (school, home, transport, leisure time) and intensity categories (walking, moderate PA, vigorous PA) in European adolescents. Furthermore, self-reported PA patterns were evaluated in relation to gender, age category, weight status category and socio-economic status (SES). Design: Cross-sectional study. Setting: Ten European cities. Subjects: In total, 3051 adolescents (47?6 % boys, mean age 14?8 (SD 1?2) years) completed an adolescent-adapted version of the validated International Physical Activity Questionnaire. Results: The total sample reported most PA during leisure time (485 min/week) and least PA at home (140 min/week). Boys reported significantly more school-based PA (P , 0?001), leisure-time PA (P 5 0?003), vigorous PA (P , 0?001) and total PA (P 5 0?002) than girls, while girls reported more home-based PA (P , 0?001) and walking (P 5 0?002) than boys. Self-reported PA at school (P , 0?001), moderate PA (P , 0?001), vigorous PA (P , 0?001) and total PA (P , 0?001) were significantly higher in younger age groups than in older groups. Groups based on weight status differed significantly only in leisure-time PA (P 5 0?004) and total PA (P 5 0?003), while groups based on SES differed in all PA domains and intensities except transport-related PA and total PA. Conclusions: The total sample of adolescents reported different scores for the different PA domains and intensity categories. Furthermore, patterns were different according the adolescents' gender, age, weight status and SES.

Short sleep duration is associated with increased obesity markers in European adolescents: effect of physical activity and dietary habits. The HELENA study

“…We used the IPAQ-A (International Physical Activity Questionnaire for Adolescents), an adapted version of the IPAQ, to assess PA over the last 7 days. 29 Questions about PA at work had been replaced by questions about PA at school (that is, physical education, walking, moderate and vigorous PA at school). Furthermore, the module about activities in the household domain had been shortened.…”

Can differences in physical activity by socio-economic status in European adolescents be explained by differences in psychosocial correlates? A mediation analysis within the HELENA (Healthy Lifestyle in Europe by Nutrition in Adolescence) Study

“…The HELENA cross-sectional study, conducted in ten European cities in nine different countries, revealed different self-reported PA patterns according to gender, age, weight status and SES in adolescents aged 12?5 to 17?5 years (9) . As well as these demographic and biological variables, other traditional correlates of physical activity, i.e.…”

Influencia de padres y amigos sobre la actividad física de tiempo libre en escolares españoles de 12-16 años: diferencias por sexo e intensidad

“…Sin embargo, en nuestro estudio sí que encontramos una influencia positiva de padres y amigos sobre la actividad física de intensidad moderada que las chicas realizan en su tiempo libre. Esta diferencia entre sexos podría deberse a las reticencias de las chicas adolescentes hacia la práctica de actividad física (14,15). Por lo que parecen precisar de un apoyo de padres y amigos para comenzar actividades físicas moderadas durante su tiempo libre que no parece ser necesario en el caso del sexo masculino, físicamente más activo.…”

“…Por lo que parecen precisar de un apoyo de padres y amigos para comenzar actividades físicas moderadas durante su tiempo libre que no parece ser necesario en el caso del sexo masculino, físicamente más activo. Otra posible explicación es la preferencia de las chicas por actividades físicas de menor intensidad a las que suelen practicar los chicos (14,15). No obstante, estos resultados han de tomarse con cautela, puesto que no se han utilizado medidas objetivas de actividad física.…”