Prevalence and sociodemographic correlates of physical activity and sitting time among South American adolescents: a harmonized analysis of nationally representative cross-sectional surveys

Abstract

Background: To identify the prevalence and sociodemographic correlates of different domains of physical activity (PA) and higher sitting time among South American adolescents.

Methods: Data from national surveys of 11 South American countries were analyzed, and comprised information on 166,901 adolescents. PA (≥ 60 min/day of moderate-vigorous PA), physical education classes (PEC) (≥ 3 classes/wk), active commuting to school (≥ 1 d/wk), and higher sitting time (≥ 3 h/d) were self-reported. Sociodemographic correlates, such as gender, age, and food security status were explored using a random effect meta-analysis for logistic parameters.

Results: Recommended PA ranged between 7.5% (Brazil) and 19.0% (Suriname). Peru (2.2%) and Guyana (43.1%) presented the lowest prevalence of PEC and active commuting to school, respectively. Higher sitting time was less prevalent in Bolivia (24.6%) and more prevalent in Argentina (55.6%). Compared to girls, boys were more prone to reach recommendations for PA [OR = 1.94(1.65;2.28)]; to reach ≥ 3 PEC [OR = 1.17(1.04;1.33)] and to be active in commuting to school [(OR = 1.14(1.06;1.23)], but less prone to higher sitting time [OR = 0.89(0.82;0.96)]. Older adolescents had less odds of reach PA guidelines [OR = 0.86(0.77; 0.97)] and accumulated higher sitting time [OR = 1.27(1.14;1.41)]. Adolescents with food insecurity reported more PEC [OR = 1.12(1.04;1.21)] and active commuting to school [OR = 1.12(1.02;1.22)] but had less higher sitting time than their food security pairs [OR = 0.89(0.81;0.98)].

Conclusions: Few adolescents reach the PA recommendation. Actions aiming the promotion of PA and the reduction of sitting time must consider girls and older adolescents as target groups, as well as the specifics of each country.

Keywords: Adolescence; Physical activity; Sedentary behavior; South America; Transportation.

Fig. 1

Prevalence of adolescents who accumulate at least 60 min/day of physical activity [girls (A1) and boys (A2)], ≥ 3 Physical Education classes per week [girls (B1) and boys (B2)], and ≥ 1 day/week of active commuting to/from school [girls (C1) and boys (C2)]

Fig. 2

Prevalence of adolescents who spent ≥ 3 h/day sitting outside school [girls (A) and boys (B)]

Fig. 3

A harmonized meta-analysis of the association between sex and physical activity (boys vs girls) with odds ratio results adjusted by age group and food insecurity. B harmonized meta-analysis of the association between age and total physical activity (≥ 16 vs 12-13y) with odds ratio results adjusted by gender and food insecurity. C harmonized meta-analysis of the association between food insecurity and physical activity (food insecurity vs food security) with odds ratio adjusted by gender and age group. Weights are from the random-effects analysis. OR, odds ratio. 95% CI, 95% confidence interval. Adolescents who met at least 60 min/day of moderate to vigorous physical activity in the previous seven days were classified as active

Fig. 4

A harmonized meta-analysis of the association between sex and physical education classes (boys vs girls) with odds ratio results adjusted by age group and food insecurity. B harmonized meta-analysis of the association between age and physical education classes (≥ 16 vs 12-13y) with odds ratio results adjusted by gender and food insecurity. C harmonized meta-analysis of the association between food insecurity and physical education classes (food insecurity vs food security) with odds ratio adjusted by gender and age group. Weights are from the random-effects analysis. OR, odds ratio. 95% CI, 95% confidence interval. PE, physical education

Fig. 5

A harmonized meta-analysis of the association between sex and active commuting to school (boys vs girls) with odds ratio results adjusted by age group and food insecurity. B harmonized meta-analysis of the association between age and active commuting to school (≥ 16 vs 12-13y) with odds ratio results adjusted by gender and food insecurity. C harmonized meta-analysis of the association between food insecurity and active commuting to school (food insecurity vs food security) with odds ratio adjusted by gender and age group. Weights are from the random-effects analysis. OR, odds ratio. 95% CI, 95% confidence interval. ACS, active commuting to school

Fig. 6

A harmonized meta-analysis of the association between sex and sitting time (boys vs girls) with odds ratio results adjusted by age group and food insecurity. B harmonized meta-analysis of the association between age and sitting time (≥ 16 vs 12-13y) with odds ratio results adjusted by gender and food insecurity. C harmonized meta-analysis of the association between food insecurity and sitting time (food insecurity vs food security) with odds ratio adjusted by gender and age group. Weights are from the random-effects analysis. OR, odds ratio. 95% CI, 95% confidence interval