Physical activity rates among adolescents: the gender role in Spain

Abstract

Physical activity in adolescence may contribute to develop healthy adult lifestyles and help reduce chronic disease incidence. The aim of the present study was to determine the physical activity (PA) rates among adolescents, distinguish PA rate patterns for gender and age groups, and calculate the number of adolescents who meet the current PA guidelines. A validated questionnaire was used to collect data from 583 adolescents aged 12 to 18 years. We calculated their usual PA rates and considered that the International PA guidelines were followed if the subjects were physically active at least 60 minutes a day for 5 or more days per week. Of the sample participants, only 35.4% followed the International PA guidelines (57.6% males, 14.0% females). The older the subjects, the less physically active they were, and this trend was much more evident among females. We conclude that the PA rates among adolescents are quite low, with a high percentage of subjects who do no PA, especially females, which will have a negative impact on their health in the short, mid and long term.